Devastating Suarez keeps Liverpool on track

Following last week’s disappointing draw against the ten men of Newcastle, Liverpool were expecting a taxing examination from Steve Clarke’s West Brom.  Beaten in 4 out of 5 of our last league games against the Baggies (with no goals in the last 3), the last 2 loses coming in Brendan Rodgers first season as manager of the Reds.

Any trepidation was wiped away with some stupendous finishing by the exciting and wonderful talent that is Luis Suarez with Liverpool 2 up in the first 20 minutes and the completing his hat-trick ten minutes into the second half.  His goals spoke for themselves.  All different in their execution, but finished by a master craftsman and his able side-kick Sturridge, joined in with a goal of sublime brilliance.

Rodgers would have been happy to see West Brom start with such an attacking line-up with Anichebe, Anelka, Sessegnon and Amalfitano allowing his midfield dictate proceedings.

After an opening which saw a penalty shout from Suárez it was the same player who 2 minutes later produced a devastating piece of play to put the home team in front.  Picking the ball up 25 yards out in the side right channel, Suárez left Claudio Yacob in his wake, nutmegging Jonas Olsson before shooting past Boaz Myhill with an angled drive.

Six minutes later came the second.  Different in its make-up , but no less brilliant.  Excellent interplay between Gerrard and Sturridge saw the ball find its way through to Suárez, the Uruguayan laid the ball out wide to the overlapping Cissokho, the French International’s block tackle come cross flew towards Suárez who miraculously headed powerfully into the top corner from fully 18 yards.  The striker missed his hat-trick soon after when his free-kick narrowly drifted by the post.

The recent trend for our performance levels and intensity to drop off during the second-half was the only worry at the interval, especially with a long ball down the middle almost seeing Anelka pegging one back, but for Skrtel’s saving stop on the line as half-time approached.

Suárez would have to wait only 10 minutes into the second-half to complete his first Anfield hat-trick, his fourth for the Reds.  His deft glancing header from Gerrard’s whipped in free-kick left Myhill with no chance.  He now has 36 goals in his last 46 games and 57 in 101 career games for Liverpool.

The 3 almost became 4 when Sturridge looking to get himself on the score sheet jinked in from the left to smote a shot against the bar.

With West Brom looking more balanced with Morrison having replacing Amalfitano, the game took on a different feel with the away team looking dangerous on the counter-attack. In turn, the old defensive frailties against dead-ball situations returned and with their direct running the West Brom frontline created indecision in the Liverpool defence with Cissokho shirking out of tackles.

The decision to award West Brom a penalty was tenuous to say the least with Jones and Lucas coming together, but the resultant goal from Morrison was nothing more than they deserved having looked likely to score from open play.

The consternation was being felt by Anfield faithful and I’m sure those listening with the Liverpool midfield struggling to get a grip.  Against the run of play Daniel Sturridge produced a piece of opportunism with a stunning chip to restore beating hearts to normal speed.

Normal service was resumed with Suárez bicycle kick from yet another stunning Gerrard delivery, crashing against the bar and fastening onto a quick ball from Henderson, the gifted South American shot low into the corner only for Myhill to save low down.

Man of the Match:  Luis Suarez – Sublime finishing from the Premiership’s best and most effective player.  His first goal were mercurial as it was sensational, but his second was innate brilliance and one that only the very few could have pulled off.

He seemed just as please in celebrating Sturridge’s glorious chip as his own, which was pleasing to see.

Ex-Liverpool no.2 Clarke said, "The first goal came from nothing, defensively it was disappointing, but the second is an unbelievable finish from the edge of the box and the fourth goal was also sublime - that finish put the icing on the cake.

"Some days you have to take your hat off to the opposition and say they were better and their front two caused us problems."

Critical Eye:  Winning 4-1 one can hardly be overly critical as Liverpool arguably have the best strike-force in the Premiership.  Just as Arsenal strength is their midfield ours is S.A.S.  The weaknesses are in defence where we seem to have an inability to defend dead ball situations and lack a commanding and authoritative figure.  Sakho may well grow into that figure, but until then Daniel Agger seems the designated ‘talker’.

It’s far too early to summarily dismiss Cissokho defensive capabilities, but he was beaten on the outside far too easily and backed out of a couple of 50-50 tackles.  Lucas return allowed Gerrard the freedom to roam with ever dependable Jordan Henderson providing the legs for the midfield.

It is still worrying that we lose intensity and control for long periods during the second-half and one would like to see Rodgers look to a different type of midfielder in the next transfer window to look drive the team forward from midfield.

It’s important that Liverpool strive to remain in the top four in January, because performances like today’s keep Luis Suárez in the shop window and with Real Madrid now languishing 6 points behind Barcelona, we need to be in a position to offer prospective signings the possibility of Champions League just as Suárez needs to feel we are in with a genuine feeling in January of challenging for the top four.

Manager’s comments: "It was a difficult summer for him but it was for everyone and we managed as a club and he has managed himself well and he has come out the other side performing as he always done," said the manager.

"I knew once I had got the commitment from him in the summer he has been great.

"He is a tireless worker and I knew if he stayed it was going to be the case of working in training as he's always done.

"I thought the front two were brilliant. Suárez's first goal was exceptional, we really exploited the space in front of their centre-halves and he showed wonderful invention and creativity to nutmeg Olsson before taking his shot early.

"The second was a good team goal, I thought we moved it well, the cross came in early and he's guided the header in fantastically well.

"His third goal is from a great ball from Steven (Gerrard) and he could've had more after hitting the crossbar.

"It was his first hat-trick here at Anfield, I think you have seen his commitment to the team and what we are trying to do.

It was a wonderful performance. Magic."

On his other sitrike-twin Rodgers said, "You used to see goals like Daniel Sturridge's here years ago, top players like Kenny (Dalglish) but that type of goal was incredible," he added.

Responding again to Alex Fergusson’s recent comments following the launch of his book about Henderson and his captain Gerrard, the Liverpool manager kidded, "Steven is a top, top, top, top, top player."

"Jordan was outstanding, athletically he was very good and he is getting better all the time tactically."

Line-up: 22 Mignolet, 2 Johnson (Kelly – 62 mins), 20 Cissokho, 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel, 4 Kolo Touré, 8 Gerrard (Allen – 86 mins), 14 Henderson, 7 Suárez (Luis Alberto – 89 mins), 15 Sturridge, 21 Lucas

Substitute:  1 Jones, 5 Agger, 6 Luis Alberto, 12 Moses, 24 Allen, 31 Sterling, 34 Kelly

Ref: Jonathan Moss

Attendance: 44,747

Newcaste United 2 Liverpool 2

Five minutes from the end of normal time Steven Gerrard found himself, as he so often does in the inside right channel.  He produced a devastating cross whipped in for Daniel Sturridge to send Liverpool three points clear in the league.  His fairy tale start to the season faltered with the England striker only partially connecting with his side foot volley.

It is too simplistic to say that the missed opportunity laid the blame at the feet of Sturridge.  We lacked intensity, drive and creativity from the start with Newcastle through Cabaye controlling the midfield, but with Ben Arfa starting in the central striking role and Remy wide our trio of centre backs barely had a worrying moment from open play in the final third with Newcastle resorting to long range attempts and dead ball situations to pose any sort of threat.

            
With no orthodox striker to defend against the need for three centre-backs was at the very least overkill and Rodgers failure to adopt a change until Newcastle went 2-1 up was disappointing, particularly with our lack lustre start and failure to get a grip in midfield.

Newcastle deservedly took the lead and the goal showed up the nature of Rodger’s shambolic formation with Cabaye sauntering through the midfield with very little pressure and the defence backing-off, the France International let fly with a dipping shot which zipped off the wet turf into the corner of the net from 30 yards.  It was no more than Newcastle deserved for controlling the game.

Interspersed between Cissokho heading wide, manufactured by a sublime touch and cross from Suarez, were long range efforts again from Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko’s shot which Mignolet did well to keep out.

Once again it was Sturridge and Suarez to the rescue.  Sturridge dropping off played an exquisite through ball through to his striker partner allowing Suarez’s first touch to position him in front of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa only for the defender to haul him down for a penalty and being sent off as a consequence.  Steve Gerrard strode forward to score his 100^th Premier League goal for the club and put Liverpool seemingly on his way to regaining the top spot.

Even against ten men with the game at our mercy, Rodgers was caught in a tactical choke-hold, oblivious to the fact this team were losing ground and impetus. Poor defending saw Paul Dummett stride in between Cissokho and Sakho and strike home with a side-footed half volley from close range.  It was disappointing for a team with Champions League aspirations.

Surprisingly with the team in need of some inspiration, Luis Alberto was chosen as the man to change our fortunes, instead of Steven Gerrard, who proved for England in midweek that he still knows how to find the back of the net driving into the area.

Prompted by Gerrard, even in his deeper role, Liverpool began to move the ball around with more purpose.  A lovely piece of dexterity by Moses flicking the ball on, freed Suarez down the left who in turn produced a superb cross for Srurridge to finish with a diving header. 

Liverpool were now dominant and a Suarez drive flicked off the bar and then with the goal at his mercy Sturridge shot wide, but he was in there to miss it and that’s all that matters.

Man of the Match:  Luis Suarez – Not one of his best displays in a Liverpool shirt, but his majesty of touch and creativity carved out both goals for Liverpool and with Sturridge in tow they were the reasons in a very poor display why almost one the game at the death.

The one hundredth Premiership goal of Steven Gerrard’s career underlined his greatness and what an icon the player is already in the annals of Liverpool Football Club history.

Critical Eye:  Brendan Rodgers seemed locked into his three at the back formation and showed no inclination to change to move a defender into midfield, even when it was obvious that Remy, was not going to operate as a No.9.  The defending for the second goal was woeful, but was a sign of the lackadaisical nature that had crept into our game.

The second-half performances this season are not discrepancies, against ten men they seemed almost lost, no urgency and drive and it wasn’t until we went two-one down that the vitality returned to the game.

Offensively we are all about Suarez and Sturridge, operating with a second class midfield unable to get on the scoring sheet and at times are basically functioning as a counter-attacking side.

Rodgers, give the impression of being so focused on extending Gerrard’s career he’s forgetting that his captain is still an offensive weapon and can be used behind the front two.  He could quite easily have brought on Joe Allen and allowed Gerrard to move further up the pitch.

The worst and most disappointing result of the season considering we had a whole half against ten men and showed up our inadequacies in offering goal scoring support to our front men and controlling the midfield.

Line-up:  22 Mignolet, 2 Johnson (Sterling – 83 min), 20 Cissokho 17 Sakho (Luis Alberto – 63 min), 4 Kolo Toure, 14 Henderson, 8 Gerrard, 12 Moses, 15 Sturridge, 7 Suarez

Substitutes: 1 Jones, 5 Agger, 6 Luis Alberto, 24 Allen, 31 Sterling, 34 Kelly, 38 Flanagan

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 51, 703

S.A.S. Task Force deliver again: Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 1

On a day when Luis Suarez with newly born son Benjamin and daughter Delfina in tow for the pre-match handshakes made his first reappearance at Anfield since the end of his 10 match ban and with Kenny Dalglish in watching on having taken up his role as a non-executive Director Liverpool returned to the top of the league with their fifth victory in seven games. 

Lucas Leiva, missing following 5 yellow cards, Brendan Rodgers switched Henderson inside to play alongside Gerrard, with Sterling asked to show his adaptability by starting at wing-back with Liverpool again starting with three-centre backs in Sakho, Toure and Skrtel.

In an open game, which was more about football in its purest form than any real intensity, Crystal Palace started well creating early chances, only lacking composure in the final third.

Victor Moses, whose touch let him down in front of goal minutes earlier, intelligently moved the ball from right to left finding Suarez, who in turn found the ever willing Enrique overlapping outside him.  The Spaniard, as he tends to do in those situations found Saurez, who under pressure from Jason Puncheon fell to the ground showed he is a predator by nature in hooking the ball home.

The other part of the striking duo then got in on the act, with a devastating finish. Collecting Enrique’s long ball up the field the England striker strode majestically into the area before with no support, twisting and turning Damian Delaney, before one last faint and turn set him free to release a stunning angle drive into the far corner past Julian Speroni.  Sturridge has now amassed 19 in goals in 24 games since his January transfer from Chelsea and has in the last 11 games assisted or scored 16 goals.

The understanding between the front-two almost brought a third, when a long ranged one-two between the duo ended with Sturridge just failing to get on the end of Suarez cross before the outstretched boot of Delaney.

Much to their credit Palace continued to get forward, running through the Liverpool midfield with alarming ease at times.  Jim Kebe pounced on Sakho and Skrtel’s indecision, his shot superbly blocked by Toure and Mignolet saving Cameron Jerome’s shot.

Liverpool’s productive first half was not over.  Sterling linking up with Suarez, fastened on to the returned ball over Dean Moxey only for the left-back to pull the young winger down as he entered the area.  Referee Anthony Taylor after consulting with his assistant pointed to the spot.  Steven Gerrard dispatched the penalty for his first goal of the season and the 99^th Premiership goal of his career.

Moses hit the bar from little more than two yards out after Luis Suarez fired in a low cross to him just before the break.

As with Liverpool performances this season it was a tale of two halves.  The intensity levels dropped and Palace with the introduction of Gayle and Campana took on a more threatening persona.

The drop of in performance led to yet another goal conceded from a dead-ball situation.  Gayle stole ahead of Steven Gerrard, leaving the Liverpool captain floundering at the near post with a superb flicked header.

Stung into a response, which suggested the second-half lethargy could just be a state of mind Liverpool, Sturridge and Suarez, starved of any supply, finally worked themselves into the second period linking up only to see Sturridge right volley come back of the post.

Man of the Match:  Daniel Sturridge – Looks a player at one with his game and not fazed by the returning Suarez, in fact his game seems to have gone up a level, in terms of the awareness of his colleagues in the final third which may have a lot to the respect he has for his strike partner.

His goal was one of a striker full of confidence and clinical by design.  He and Suarez are looking as lethal a pairing as seen at Anfield in a long time with their link up play seemingly almost telepathic.

Victor Moses combined well with the front two and also gives us a powerful runner capable of picking the ball up from deep and driving forward as he did against Sunderland from defensive areas. The Chelsea loanee received a splendid ovation from the whole stadium on being substituted.

Luis Suarez is pure class, he has now scored 19 goals in his last 22 Liverpool games.

Critical Eye:  Yet again we conceded from a dead-ball situation which smacks of a lack of concentration.  We have to eradicate this as invariably sides getting a sniff when the game as it was today is already won.

The midfield again failed to stifle the threat from the opposition with Crystal Palace often getting through to confront the backline without much effort.

Manager’s comments from the Liverpool Echo:

"The game is evolving all the time but the style never changes," he said.

"I've always asked teams to control and dominate the ball, be aggressive in their defending and press really aggressively and high up the pitch - but that can be in whatever system."

"What I've said to our front two is that when we're defending in our half of the pitch, when we can't press and we are under pressure, I am happy for them both to stay up there.

"That gives us nine men behind the ball, the opposition have to leave at least two defenders back covering so the maximum number they can put in our half of the pitch is eight.

"I'll take that we can defend nine versus eight if that gives me two-v-two in their half of the pitch because of our strikers' pace and power.

"For me, it's all about getting a numerical advantage centrally to try to dominate the opposition."

"I am not one to dwell on too many negatives [Southampton defeat]," he said.

"We were disappointing in that game, we maybe didn't deserve to lose it but we didn't deserve to win it. We have moved on well.

"There are still lots of areas that we can be better but we have confidence and belief at the moment.

"We are team who are evolving and we are starting to understand that side of football that with every attack you can't score, sometimes you have to disrupt your opponents' organisation and then make goals from there and that requires patience from the players and supporters.

"The beauty for me is that I think we've still got a lot of improvement to make and we'll just look to keep winning the next game."

Team: 22 Mignolet, 37 Skrtel, 17 Sakho (Agger – 67mins), 4 Toure, 31 Sterling, 14 Henderson, 8 Gerrard, 3 Jose Enrique, 7 Suarez, 12 Moses (Luis Alberto – 66 mins), 15 Sturridge (Iago Aspas – 88 mins)

Substitutes: 1, Jones, 9 Iago Aspas,  33 Ibe, 26 IIori, 47 Wisdom, 5, Agger, 6 Luis Alberto

Referee: Anthony Taylor

 

Attendance: 44,721