Liverpool Show Tremendous Resilience To Achieve Victory

Brendan Rodgers obviously still reeling from the mauling by Southampton stiffened up his midfield, with Jordan Henderson returning to the fray and striker Daniel Sturridge, fighting for fitness, on the bench. Martin Skrtel after his nightmarish performance against Southampton succumbed to the pressure exerted by Carragher returning from injury keeping Sturridge company.

Liverpool dominated the opening skirmishes, with the midfield posing problems for their counterparts, with Downing seeing a lot of the ball. But, it was Villa who almost broke the deadlock when Bennett's excellent cross was somehow missed by Benteke and Agbonlahor on his heels not pre-empting the ball coming through to him, failed to connect from close in.

The early dominance by our midfield three failed to manifest itself into scoring opportunities and on the quarter hour Lowton produced a beautiful low cross curled into for the arriving Agbonlahor who somehow managed shoot straight at Reina from point blank range. Minutes later Downing on the run crossed just out of reach of Coutinho sliding in at far post.

The Villains began to take control in midfield pressing and closing down and allowing Gerrard and co little chance to control the flow of the game. That being said, Liverpool possessed the top quality performers on display, barring Benteke, and one of those Coutinho put Suarez through with a sublime ball to race into the area, but as he opened his body out as he has so many times the chance was snuffed out.

Villa took the lead when Agbonlahor raced past Carragher on to a long Westwood pass before knocking the ball down with his thigh into the flight path of Benteke who smashed for ball into the Liverpool net for the third time this season. Once again a high ball caused disruption in the Liverpool defence and it's a worrying facet of our game which has worked its way into the psyche of our defenders.

Suarez was proving a handful and had a shot tipped over after a slide rule reverse ball by Glen Johnson and the League's top scorer uncharacteristically hit his shot straight at Guzan when clean through. It was beginning to look like one of the days when Gerrard's drive was palmed away by the Villa keeper.

Shortly after the break Liverpool equalised. It was stunning in its creation and devastating in its execution. The Liverpool captain showed his class with a glorious pass out of defence to Coutinho, who in turn delivered a sensational ball into the stride of the marauding Henderson who clipped his shot over Guzan.

We were now on the march and Coutinho who has already in his short Liverpool career showed composure in front of goal, sprung the off-side trap after being released by a sumptuous Suarez through ball failed on the occasion, just squeezing his shot the wrong side of the post. Minutes later, Glen Johnson cutting back on his left-foot saw his deflected shot smack against the post.

The winner was not slow in coming.  Suarez spinning away from Baker lured the youngster into a rash challenge giving up a penalty.   Gerrard dispatched the resultant penalty into the corner of the net.

Villa were not finished yet and had chances to equalise. Weimann scooped over from Sylla's cross and Benteke's header was magnificently headed off the line by Gerrard with Reina beaten all ends up. Reina showed great agility to skip backwards and tip over Lowton's cross come shot.

Suarez on a one on one after an interchange with Johnson, went round Guzan who managed to get his finger tips on the ball, which caused Suarez to double back, taking the ball away from the incoming Sterling, who had replaced Coutinho, to chip the ball straight into the keeper’s hands.

Benteke with almost the last kick had the ball had the Liverpool net, but was rightly called offside.

Kop Post Man of The Match: Steven Gerrard - Gerrard is refining his game and this was certainly apparent. His driving runs are more considered as he saves energy, but in the second-half he helped control the pace of the game looking to retain possession, moving the ball from around. Where many players would've hammered the ball out of defence, he played a lovely ball up to halfway to Coutinho, starting the move which led to the equaliser and dispatched a fine penalty. At the other end, he pulled off a stupendous headed goalline clearance. Captain Fantastic!

Philippe Coutinho produced an excellent display with his link up play with Suarez putting the striker through on a one on one and his defence splitting pass putting Jordan Henderson through to slot in the equaliser. He has fitted into the team with purpose and has given the team an extra dimension in attack.

Critical Eye: Jamie Carragher brings organisation to a defence in desperate need of it. He is someway short of his best, but the displays of his cohorts in that position suggest we need major surgery in that area and it could possibly be two in two out and that doesn't include the retiring veteran defender.

Downing Watch: Started energetically, whipping in one ball which was just out of the reach of Coutinho at the far post, but other than that was not a creative force. He has a propensity to cut in and shoot without creating room - he had three shots blocked and one blocked cross with a free-kick which sailed high wide and handsome. Not wanting to sound like a Downing critique, but the creativity on the other side of the pitch is what Downing is up against and it maybe that his future might be as a squad player once more quality is bought in.

Manager's Comments: "We played reasonably well in the first half but we were punished for a mistake. We upped the tempo after the break and we were excellent. It is a terrific win for us. Both teams went right to the end.

"Our quality was there for all to see, and the rhythm and flow of our passing was improved.

"Villa went to a diamond and we exploited the space out wide. Coutinho's pass for the Henderson goal was superb, and Henderson's determination and desire to make the run was outstanding."

Special Mention: Liverpool mascot Joshua Jackson suffering from cancer has been told by doctor's he can return home.  :-) 

Team: 25 Reina, 2 Johnson, 3 Enrique, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson, 21 Lucas, 10 Coutinho (Sterling 77 min), 19 Downing, 7 Suarez,

Substitutes: 1 Jones, 16 Coates, 37 Skrtel, 31 Sterling, 30 Suso, 33 Shelvey, 15 Sturridge

Ref: Lee Mason

Attendance: 42,037

Suarez: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Luis Suarez is irrefutably the third best player in world football with only Messi and Ronaldo ahead of the brilliant Uruguayan.  The question had already been asked as to whether Liverpool's brilliant talisman would stay even before yesterday comments.

The real question is he why should he?  Unless his undoubted talents are matched in the transfer market then the world class departure list of Alonso, Mascherano and Torres may yet have an additional member.  Foreigners have never had much allegiance to one club so should we expect anything else of this one?  It's time John Henry and Iain Ayre woke up to the situation and met the challenges that lie ahead.

His reported comments in Uruguay will fan the flames.  He is reported as having said, "I am very happy at Liverpool, but you never know in football.  If another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competition games, which is willing to have me, they are welcome.

'We would talk to the club, we would see if I want to go, if I don’t want to go.'

'A player’s ambition is always there, the ambition of wanting to play in elite teams is always there.  "If another team comes around with more prospects of competing in international club competition games, which is willing to have me, they are welcome,

'I’m in a world-class team, an elite team like Liverpool.

'We have to realise we have a new manager who is imposing a philosophy and a way of playing that the players are adapting to as best we can.

'We hope that it will bear fruit next year.'

Even great players need help and Suarez is no exception to the rule.

Southampton Prove Liverpool’s Top Four Ambition’s Are Way-off

This was a horrible performance.  Off the back of the 3-2 home victory over Spurs to say the performance was disappointing is an understatement.  Apart from a 10 minute period after halftime, we were never at the races delivering the worst performance of the season.

The 3-1 score line could easily have been doubled with Southampton having 9 attempts on goal in the first 25 minutes.  We could not compete with the vibrancy and verve of a home team who had a razor edge to its passing and movement giving Rodgers a dose of his own medicine and it was no surprise when they took the lead early on.  It was simple, yet we had no answer to Rodriguez heading down for Schneiderlin to steer home.

Southampton were so dominant that they were scything through our midfield and defence at will and Brad Jones pulled of some tremendous saves, especially two one on ones and a couple of sprawling dives.  Rodriguez hooked over from 8 yards when it seemed the ball was about to nestle in the back of the net.  Rickie Lambert, a lifelong Liverpool fan scored the second with a long-range free-kick taking a huge deflection off Daniel Sturridge.  It may have been a tad fortunate, but they so dominant it had to come.

Lambert adds Southampton's second

Liverpool were lifeless. Jamie Carragher provides leadership to the backline, even if it hasn’t been the most secure, but it was apparent from early on we were struggling and coherency right through the team was non-existent. 

Joe Allen, who has been under the utmost scrutiny recently, was woeful.  Brendan Rodgers has to take the blame for this as he has been particularly vocal recently about Allen needing a shoulder operation which is impeding his play, so with Henderson, Lucas and Shelvey in the Liverpool squad he chose to go with a player lacking in confidence and not fully fit.  Allen, was not alone, the Liverpool captain was far from his best, although a couple of searing runs were not utilised by Coutinho to the disappointment of his captain.

Spirits were lifted when Coutinho scored after a goal mouth scramble just before half-time.  The young Brazilian rectified his earlier miss when put through by Johnson, his shot well saved by Southampton keeper Boruc.

Liverpool started the second-half well, but couldn’t create any real clear cut chances apart from a scuffed Sturridge shot.  His striking partner Suarez was increasingly frustrated by the lack of chances and Rodgers lack of urgency to change the formation or the personnel, apart from Allen for Lucas in the half-time break was disappointing.  Southampton finally, hit their straps again in the second-half and began to dominate possession and finally put us out of our misery late on.

The goal when it game epitomised Liverpool’s play.  Rodriguez picked the ball just inside the Liverpool half and ran unopposed past the labouring Lucas and Skrtel retreating.  It was a lame end to an utterly rudderless display and proved we are someway short of the top four and drastic action needs to be taken in the summer.

Kop Post Man of The Match:  Brad Jones – Pulled off two brilliant saves faced one on one with strikers bearing down on him and with very little defensive help in front of him punched and caught to good effect.  The Australian pulled of a couple of excellent diving saves and was left with very little chance on any of the goals.

Critical Eye:  We were lucky to get away with the Spurs result being totally dominated in long parts of the match especially in midfield.  Brendan Rodgers failed to heed the lessons and with Southampton still looking over their shoulders at relegation it was always going to be tough going.  Rodgers failed to ignite the apparent lethargy failing to arrest the situation until half-time. 

Joe Allen, whose confidence levels is now hurting his short passing game, could quite easily have been taken off someway before half-time looks a liability and now might be the best time for him to be booked in for his operation.

Stewart Downing was disappointing.  His performances have improved, but we need the creative part of his game to be upped to a level where he is creating as well as scoring.

The defence was woeful and chief among these was Skrtel who is another whose confidence levels seem to be hindering him reaching his rock like performances of last season.  Agger’s performances have gone under the radar recently, but I would say defensively, he has been found wanting, often found out of position.

The front two were starved of the quality ball and Suarez body language said it all.

Manager’s comments:  "It certainly wasn't how we have been playing in the past few weeks.

"We didn't get going until it was 2-0 down. We conceded poor goals which has been unlike us and we are disappointed at that.

"We never really got started. It certainly wasn't the level we have been at and it was one of those days for us."

Team: 1 Jones, 2 Johnson, 3 Enrique, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 8 Gerrard, 10 Coutinho, 19 Downing, 24 Allen (Lucas 46 min), 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (Henderson 83 min)

Substitutes: 42 Gulasci, 47 Wisdom, 14 Henderson, 21 Lucas, 33 Shelvey, 44 Ibe, Suso

Referee: Phil Dowd

Attendance: 32,070

Scintillating Suarez wins shootout with Bale - Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2

Report by dedlfc (David Douglas)

The big two talking points pre-kick off were 

• Firstly for regular home supporters to Anfield was the price hike of nearly 10% to season ticket prices for next season 2013-2014.

There are both winners and losers under the plans unveiled by our club to divide Anfield into half a dozen differently priced sections from August based on a seat's location and view.

The most expensive areas are the central sections of the Centenary Stand, Main Stand and Paddock.

A Main Stand adult season ticket holder currently paying £780 will be asked to shell out £850 for the same seat next season.

However, season ticket holders in the corner sections of the Kop will see the cost of their seat drop by £15 to £710, while for those in the central sections of the Kop there is a price freeze at the current level of £725.

In a bid to keep tickets for juniors affordable, we are also introducing a £5 children's ticket for selected Premier League games.

There is also a reduction of around 30% for junior season tickets with under-16s watching every league game from the Anfield Road Stand for just £200.

The price of season tickets for over-65s ranges from £637.50 to £532.50.

• The second talking point was the massive blow before kick off that we were to play without Reina in goal had dampened many of our spirits but we had to hope that our second choice keeper Brad Jones had finally got over the FA Cup defeat performance against Oldham and was ready for a massive chance at redemption.

With the Tottenham side on a 5 game winning run and Liverpool on a two game winning run, it was a game that would show us where we were as regards our progress as a team.

The early signs were not looking good for the confidence of our reserve keeper Jones as he had to use unconvincing measures to push away a Bale free kick - which to be fair to him had a slight swerve on the ball.

Attempts on goal were being kept to a minimum until a fantastic build up gave us the lead after 20 minutes with the sily skills of Coutinho combining well done the left with Enrique freed up Suarez who toe-poked the ball home for his 22nd league goal of the season - 29th goal overall.

Our captain Stevie Gerrard was cautioned unfairly when he was adjudged to have fouled Bale in a full-blooded aerial challenge, Bale seemingly looking groggy and having to leave the field, he then proceeded to have the last laugh on the stroke of half-time.

The following free kick resulted in a prolonged spell of Spurs possession, and the in-form forward Bale curled in a delightful cross from the right wing that Vertonghen confidently glanced into the bottom right-hand corner at the back post rising above the static Johnson to do so.

From the start of the second half Tottenham seemed to take over control of midfield with particularly Dembele giving our team problems with this dribbling skills and strength on the ball.

The Belgian defender Vertonghen proved his goalscoring form again eight minutes after the restart with an impudent half-volley to give Spurs the lead. Bale once again won and delivered a free kick which Jamie Carragher failed to clear, and Vertonghen struck home instinctively from 10 yards.

The turning point of the whole game came four minutes later when the visitors should have had a third when Gareth Bale outpaced Steven Gerrard and the rest of our back line from the halfway line and found Sigurdsson unmarked at the back post, his shot was deflected off of Glen Johnson onto the woodwork and then wide.

The miss was costly as Walker inexplicably tried to play a high back pass from the right wing which curled away from his keeper Lloris who raced from his goal but coulcn't control the ball which Downing nicked and calmly placed home through the legs of Vertonghen with approximately 25 mins left.

With both sides desperately searching for the winner it was another Tottenham defensive error which was the decisive difference in this game.

Both sides searched for a winner but Spurs' tiredness told as Defoe redirected the ball into Suarez's path in the box, causing Assou-Ekotto to bundle our forward over and allow Gerrard to send Lloris the wrong way for all three points.

Kop-Post man of the match - Luis Suarez - Our sorcerer played another great role in this victory with his constant movement, vital goal and discipline to play out of position on the left at times just to assist the team.

Positives 
We have finally beaten a top side of note this season, it has been one of our achilles heels for this season and also recorded three successive league victories for the first time since May 2011.

We have also displayed the required character and mental strength to come back from going behind which will be needed to get up to the very top level.

The potential of our front three Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge may not have been totally at its best in this game but even in glimpses you can see how they can influence games going forward.

The excellent substitution choice by Rodgers of bringing on Joe Allen in the second half worked as we were no longer totally over-run in midfield when he came on.

Negatives 
Throughout the majority of the game Tottenham had more midfield control and possession and looked like the better side overall which again shows there is a lot of further work to be done on improving the depth of the squad to improve on our side.

The other major problem is that no long-term improvement will be possible as long as we are undermined by atrocious defending. It was the 15th time this season we had conceded two or more goals in the league, we have now conceded two or more goals in half of our games. A dominant central defender is now a must in the summer as Skrtel has been ignored for good it seems.

Comments from Brendan Rodgers:-

"It was very important win for us," said the Northern Irishman. "We are on a great run at the moment and we knew this was going to be a severe test of our qualities and character against a team in great form. For us to get three points and show the character was fantastic and I am delighted for the players because they worked ever so hard.

"You can see the mentality in the group. I thought we had to show different characteristics than what we have had to do in recent weeks. We've been comfortable in a lot of the games and been able to control them but against a top side we came through. I had to make some changes to get the control back and when we did that I thought we were good value for the win."

Teams:-

Liverpool: Jones, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez, Coutinho (Allen 59), Sturridge (Henderson 88). 

Subs not used: Gulacsi, Skrtel, Shelvey, Sterling, Wisdom.

Goals: Suarez 21, Downing 66, Gerrard (pen) 82.

Booked: Carragher.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto (Carroll 90), Parker, Livermore (Holtby 84), Bale, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Defoe. 

Subs not used: Friedel, Huddlestone, Naughton, Caulker, Coulthirst.

Goals: Vertonghen 45, 53.

Booked: Vertonghen.

Att: 44,752

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Wigan 0 Liverpool 4: Liverpool Canter To Victory

A blistering Luis Suarez hat-trick saw Liverpool dismiss Wigan with the ruthless efficiency on display against Swansea and Zenit. 

Wigan with QPR having won away to Southampton earlier in the day had a glorious chance within the first 40 seconds to open the scoring.  Kone, failed to anticipate Carragher missing the cross and volleyed tamely into Reina’s arms.

The 3-0 score line at half-time could quite easily have been different with Pepe Reina pulling of sharp saves to deny Boyce and Di Santo proving the Madrid born keeper is back to his world class best.

Liverpool supporters over the years are used to Reina setting up goals with his goal kicks and the first goal was no different.  A long punt found Countinho on the left and the young Brazilian left Boyce trailing with a drop of the shoulder before delivering an inch perfect cross for the unchallenged Downing to head home for his second goal for the Reds.

The second a brilliant move, was born out of South America.   Coutinho picking up the ball on the left deep in his own half, playing a one two with Gerrard before driving relentlessly toward the area, before cutting back inside the defender to deliver an exquisite rapier like pass to Suarez who faking to shoot, left Al Habsi on his haunches, before dispatching the ball with the coolness that has become his trademark.

Wigan’s disarray was there for all to see with Boyce and McArthur having to parted by team mates after a backpass was very nearly capitalise on by Suarez.

Suarez soon increased Wigan’s agony after being brought down outside the area.  His free-kick took a huge deflection of Shaun Maloney before going in off the post past a scrabbling Habsi.

Wigan came out pressing and passing a lot better without fashioning out any clear cut chances.

Glen Johnson as he has done so often, picked the ball up, unleashing one his trademark runs, surging past three players before sending Suarez in to hit a shot with the outside of his boot through Al Habsi legs for his second hat-trick of the season.

Liverpool sat back and invited Wigan to break them down conceding possession.  The home team still had only one clear cut chance with Scharner's header superbly turned away by Reina at full stretch.

Jordan Henderson, who replaced the impressive Coutinho, almost added a fifth when his header was cleared of the line.

Kop-Post Man of the Match: Luis Suarez – The Uruguayan International was quite simply superb from start to finish and is now the Premiership’s leading marksman on 21 goals.  His goals suggest he is now an all-round striker scoring goals inside the box and thundering free-kicks from outside, whereas is in his first season you wouldn’t have wanted him anywhere near a free-kick after some poor efforts.

His link-up play with Gerrard has always been excellent, but already his relationship with Coutinho has taken on exciting dimensions, as the ex-Inter Milan winger has vision and the ability to play on the same page as Suarez.  His cross for Downing was excellent and is something which has been missing from Liverpool wingers this season and the ball through for Suarez first was stunning.

Critical Eye:   Really pleasing to see Stewart Downing getting in there to score the goal with the instinct of a striker.  But, once again, his final ball from wide positions was very disappointing and the irony of ironies was that the cross for his goal was the type quality we expect/want from him.

I find it difficult to fathom that after going up 4-0 that substitutions benefiting the squad in the long run weren’t forth coming.  Coates and to a lesser degree Suso are in need of confidence boost and what better way to do so when the game is already sown up.  Assaidi also showed recently that he deserves a shot in the limelight.

Manager’s Comments: "He is absolutely incredible. Forget his quality - you talk about his hunger and desire. He trains every single day of his life. He never wants to opt out of training and have an easy day or a rest.

"And then every time he comes out onto the pitch he gives stunning performances and gives his maximum.

"A brilliant hat-trick for him and a great day for the team, because this is a difficult place to come. To play like that and get the goals and the clean sheet was terrific for us."

"There was a real focus and concentration in our game today. We've got performance goals that we want to finish the season with and it will give us a real good base going forward.

"We've played well a lot of this season. What's set us behind has been individual errors and mistakes. The good thing about today is I could see the real work the players are putting in. The graft they're doing on the training field is being taken into the games.

"They're now very accustomed to how we ask them to play. To press as a team, high up the pitch, and then when to drop into a block.

"They controlled the game. All four goals were built from behind and we finished it off with great goals."

Team: 25 Reina, 2 Johnson, 3 Enrique, 5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 8 Gerrard, 10 Coutinho (Henderson – 70 mins), 19 Downing, 21 Lucas, 24 Allen, 7 Suarez

Subs: 42 Gulacsi, 16 Coates, 47 Wisdom, 14 Henderson, 33 Shelvey, 11 Assaidi, 30 Suso

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Attendance: 20,804