Suarez and Sturridge Show Signs of Things To Come

Following on from their promising last 30 minutes together against Man United Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge started in the Premiership together for the first time with Joe Allen and Martin Skrtel relegated to the subs bench after a dip in form for both over the last few matches which brought Jamie Carragher and Jordan Henderson in for starts.  Pepe Reina with an injured hip and broken nose could be out for a month.  His able understudy Brad Jones was once again pressed into service.

As is our wont, last week being an aberration, we started on the front foot dominating possession led by Steven Gerrard.  The game had barely started when Suarez and Johnson linked up down the left, Liverpool’s champion striker floated a cross on the head of Downing who under pressure couldn’t direct his header goal bound.  Gerrard then whipped in a glorious ball to Downing in the area which got away from the winger, Gerrard then unleashed two tackles full of venom in quick succession which had us thinking the Liverpool captain is really moving up the gears in his search for his top form.

That being said, Norwich should’ve taken the lead from Snodgrass’s free-kick.  Bennett not picked up, stole in unmarked only to header straight at Jones.

Not to be deterred, Liverpool marched inexorably forward creating chances with Sturridge turning and shooting straight at Bunn and Downing cutting in from the left to shoot just past the post.

Suarez who unlike last week was seeing plenty of the ball and one run caused mayhem outside the Norwich area twisting and turning, when the ball broke to Jordan Henderson.  The much maligned midfielder who seems to benefiting from the support of his manager (his third start in four matches), turned and unleashed a spectacular volley which exploded into the Norwich net.

Norwich with five in midfield were sitting back inviting Liverpool to come at them and with our formation 4-3-3 creating a dovetailing forward line with Suarez and Strurridge interchanging nicely, they struggled to curtail the fluidity of the attacks.

Pushing up to try and negate Liverpool’s build-up play, the Norwich defence were left floundering, when Sturridge sold an outrageous dummy from Lucas’s pass to send Suarez through on goal to chip passed Bunn for his 20th goal of the season and his 7th league goal in four games against the canaries.

Norwich still threatened and just before half-time Holt had his first attempt pushed out by Jones and his second foiled by Wisdom heading clear in front of Jones.

Suarez and Downing on the edge half-time linked up with a one-two which resulted in the Uruguayan putting through Sturridge who had his right footed angled drive well saved by Bunn.

Just before the start of the second-half Gerrard and Sturridge were in animated jocular conversation seemingly jesticulating to each other about how Gerrard should play him in and how Sturridge wanted the ball delivered, it was good to see.

Earlier in the second half, Wisdom beautifully controlled a long ranged pass out on the right wing with one depth movement, drove forward and cutting in passed the left-back before slashing his shot wide.  A little composure may have seen the young man who is growing in stature break his duck in the Premiership.

Liverpool all but wrapped up the game when Henderson growing in confidence, chipped a pass across to Downing who first-time, side foot volleyed his cross for Sturridge to tap in to equal Ray Kennedy’s club record of scoring on each of his first three appearances.

That we were in complete control was an understatement with Gerrard pulling the strings and it came as no surprise when the captain who has been threatening to find his range finder all season, let fly from 20 yards to cap an excellent performance.  Rodgers saw it as the signal to rest Henderson and Lucas for Allen and Sterling, respectively.

Within five minutes of his entrance Sterling was instrumental in Liverpool’s fifth.  Darting in on Taylor’s failure to head away Glen Johnson’s header, the winger rolled his shot past Bunn where the unfortunate Ryan Bennett ignominiously slid home.

Kop-Post Man of the Match:  Steven Gerrard – Run close by the irrepressible Suarez, Gerrard controlled the tempo of the game from the middle supported by Lucas.  Some of his tackles were just pure Steven Gerrard, feisty and expertly delivered.  You expect his long range passing to be top draw, but his short range passing controlled the game like another Liverpool maestro from the past Xabi Alonso.

Jordan Henderson’s recent improvement shows no sign of stopping.  His goal was stunning made up with the ingredients of technique, power and style.  He deserved the warm ovation upon being substituted as he’s shown self-belief in his own ability, when not unlike Joe Allen is now, many doubted not just that ability, but whether his warranted a place at the club.  While he has far from satisfied the doubters, he showing his is made of the right stuff.

Critical eye:  Andre Wisdom will play in may more pressurised situations, but as in the Man United game showed power and composure in critical situations and one had to remember his tender years and the fact he is operating as a right-back having been schooled as a centre-half where many see him playing eventually.

Daniel Sturridge’s inclusion has given Liverpool a different dimension upfront and one wonders just where Liverpool would be had a proven goal scorer been upfront to ease the burden on Suarez.

The flipside is that Suarez is probably a better goal scorer this season than he was last which augurs well for the future, particularly if we can add some quality players to add depth and experience to the squad.

Manager’s comments:  "It was an outstanding team performance. The first goal was going to be important and Jordan scored a fantastic goal. We've had games where we haven't got the first goal early enough and have ended up drawing.

"It [Daniel Sturridge's goal] was the type of goal he was brought in for. He is terrific outside the box but he is a real killer in it. It's three goals in three games for him and I think there will be many to come. We have played well for most of the season but Daniel coming in adds that extra threat. He has pace and power and he has got good touch and good skills.

"We are just taking each game as it comes. It is a very pleasing day but we will not get too far ahead of ourselves."

Team: 1 James, 2 Johnson, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 47 Wisdom, 8 Gerrard, Henderson (Allen – 77 min), 19 Downing, 21 Lucas (Sterling – 68 min), 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (Bonini – 69 min)

Subs: 42 Gulacsi, 37 Skrtel, 49 Robinson, 24 Allen, 31 Sterling, 33 Shelvey, 29 Bonini

Referee: Michael Oliver

Attendance: 44, 901