Imperious Suarez Provides Liverpool’s Cutting Edge

Pepe Reina returned to the starting line-up for the unlucky Brad Jones and Suso after his impressive cameo against Chelsea returned with Sahin named as a substitute with Jonjo Shelvey having recovered from injury.

The opening moments saw the teams sizing each other up until the impressive Enrique stepping in from his wide berth, nipped in to take the ball of the pedestrian Kone and the scrabbling Watson, drove forward to shoot just wide.  Enrique again stepping in set Suarez free to cross which was almost knocked in for an own goal by Watson. Agger met Gerrard’s corner with a firm header which was deflected just past the upright.

Wigan were happy to play the role of the counter-puncher. Arouma Kone taking up one opportunity to run from his own half cutting in sprightly from the left, to let go a speculative drive from 35 yards which was comfortably saved by Pepe Reina.  Gerrard’s quick ball found Suarez, who though brought down by Ramis from behind, managed to flick the ball on for Suso who shot was erratically palmed away by Al-Habsi.
 
The combative parts of Sterling’s game are not  often remarked upon, but  Ben Watson now knows the power of this pocket battleship which left him sprawled on the green beige.  Unfortunately his awkward landing left the Wigan midfielder with a fractured leg.

The accidental nature of the incident was borne out from Sterling later tweeting, "I didn't realise it was serious as that I'll be praying for speedy recovery."  As we all do as Watson in an intergral part of the Wigan game with his all-round excellence.

Liverpool should have taken the lead when Johnson produced a superb left-footed cross on the run, but Suso’s mis-timed header sailed over. Suso was then replaced by Jordan Henderson after picking up an early knock from a challenge from behind by Figueroa – although the move looked to hastened by a tactical change.  A sweeping break saw Suarez attempt to go down the inside channel thwarted with Gerrard screwing his shot wide of the far post.  Another excellent move saw Gerrard play Suarez through in the inside right position, where his cross come shot was gathered on the second attempt by Al-Habsi with Enrique almost poking the ball home.

While the first half ended with the usual lack of cutting edge in the final third, the second starting with bang. Sterling, moving like a rapier into the area and doing what sets him apart from so many others, lifting his head to pick out Suarez in a better position. The Uruguayan needed no invitation to sweep the ball high into the net.  Sterling on his bike again had his cross cleared only, for Henderson to hit a difficult volley just past the post.

Just on the hour Enrique produced a determined run, shrugging off two defenders before cultivating a lovely through ball,  which Suarez dispatched on the run with the outside of his mercurial right boot.

Liverpool were now toying with Wigan with Sterling scything through from the right playing a one-two with Suarez and seeing his shot saved with Enrique tapping in for a well deserved goal for the Spaniard.  He continued his stunning form, playing a glorious chip pass to Henderson who should have scored will the goal at is mercy.  Wigan almost pulled a goal back having a Beausejour drive deflected against the post by Kone from an off-side position.

Glen Johnson running from the left with at least three Liverpool runners ahead of him, taking defenders every which way, drove his shot inches wide.  Enrique as is he wont again cut in from the left to release Suarez, who should have been celebrating another hat-trick, screwed his angled left-footed shot wide.  That was the last act for the very impressive Uruguayan before being replaced by Shelvey.

Liverpool have now gone 7 Premiership games without defeat beating Wigan who had beaten Spurs away from home recently. The question is should we throw all our eggs into the one basket and concentrate on the Premiership?

Kop-Post Man of The Match: Luis Suarez – carrying the Liverpool attack on his shoulders didn’t stop him from producing emphatic finishes.  The finishes were those of a no 9 and the types of chances which he would often fluff last season.  He now has ten goals in the Premiership this season making him the leading scorer.  His work rate was sensational and his link-up play with Raheem Sterling who was excellent is coming on a treat.
 
Comment:  Enrique for the second game in succession was excellent in a more advance left-sided position.  On another day would have been man of the match with the timing of his runs, nipping in for interceptions and providing support to those ahead gives a new dimension to his play and with Glen Johnson also in imperious form offers Rodgers food for thought going forward.

Special mention: Jordan Henderson - the much maligned midfielder came on for Suso before half-time, adding drive and stability to the midfield and should have added his name to the score sheet. Showed game mentality as Rafa would say...

Brendan Rogers:  "Luis is a very big part of this team," said Rodgers. "His first goal was a wonderful finish and for the second one there was a nice little off-the-shoulder run and finish.

"He is a master marksman, absolutely outstanding, and we are thrilled to have him."

Rodgers also rejected claims that the burden of goals may be too much for Suarez.

He continued: "Of course you want other support around but he thrives on it.

"He is enjoying the freedom of being a loose striker."