With Arsenal due to play later in the day the opportunity was again there for the taking for Liverpool to go to the top of the table.
The 221st Merseyside derby was billed as a derby for the purists of two passing sides who had started the season well and had shown the potential to be contenders for the top four spots. With two managers with such similar philosophies on the game it was ironic that five of the goals came from set pieces.
Roberto Martinez encourages his Everton squad to play with freedom but he would not have been happy they afforded that luxury to Coutinho from Steven Gerrard's fifth-minute corner for us to take the lead.
Our dynamic captain Gerrard swung over his cross from the left, Suarez could not get the significant touch to direct it goalwards but got enough of the ball to send it to the little unmarked Brazilian magician Coutinho who smashed home a shot at the far post that James McCarthy on the line could not stop.
Our early goal silenced a raucous Everton crowd briefly but within three minutes they had regained their voice.
We have struggled to defend set pieces throughout the season so far and this continues to be a problem that needs to improve or it will ultimately decide whether we make the Champions League or not.
Ross Barkley somehow got to Leighton Baines' free-kick ahead of Martin Skrtel and diverted it to Mirallas who nipped in front of Gerrard to stab home.
That was the boost the home side needed and when Lukaku raced forward after Steven Pienaar had robbed Gerrard on halfway only the speed of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet coming off his line snuffed out the danger.
Despite arriving back late from international duty after a 7,000 mile trip back from Uruguay, Liverpool's Luis Suarez covered most of the pitch and to lose his strike partner to a dead leg just before the game must have been a blow to him but his performance leading the line was top quality again.
Fouled by McCarthy the striker picked himself up to curl a brilliant free-kick through the tiny gap left between the end of the wall and Pienaar.
Howard appeared to have it covered but some late spin saw it creep just inside the American's left-hand post to give us a 2-1 lead.
Everton responded again with Barkley, restored to the starting line-up, forcing Mignolet to tip behind for a corner with Mirallas firing wide after cutting in from the right.
The Belgian then sparked what could have been a pivotal moment when he clattered into Suarez's right knee as the pair challenged for the ball leaving his opponent in a heap on the floor.
Suarez may have a reputation for going down easily but this was one of those occasions when his pain looked genuine and the only excuse referee Phil Dowd could surely have had for just showing a yellow card was that he was unsighted.
While the Liverpool striker eventually lasted 90 minutes Baines did not and just after the break was substituted, presumably injured, for the first time in the league since 2008.
With Gareth Barry moving to left-back substitute Gerard Deulofeu, on loan from Barcelona, could have made himself an instant hero after outpacing our defence but mis-hit his shot and Mignolet saved.
Joe Allen, starting his first Premier League match since March, had a steady game and should have put the game to bed after Suarez's dribble fell to him with only Howard to beat but from 10 yards out inexplicably missed the target.
Our keeper Mignolet was by far the busier and he denied Lukaku three times as Everton pushed for the equaliser.
However, from the last effort the Belgian international could only parry his compatriot's free-kick and when Mirallas crossed back in Lukaku seized on McCarthy's deflection to ram home.
The chances continued to come thick and fast with Howard producing a brilliant block to keep out Suarez's close-range header and Mignolet denying Deulofeu.
But there was no stopping Lukaku's powerful header from a corner - taken by Mirallas - eight minutes from time to turn the game on its head to give Everton a 3-2 lead.
That appeared to have settled it until Sturridge nodded home Gerrard's free-kick to ensure honours finished even to salvage a point for us at 3-3.
Prior to Sturridge's 89th-minute intervention it appeared Everton's Kevin Mirallas would be the man to remember as the home side twice came from behind.
The Belgium international may have been outdone by compatriot Romelu Lukaku, who scored twice in the second half, but he had a hand in all three goals.
However, the debate will rage as to whether he should have been on the pitch for the last two assists for a knee-high challenge on Luis Suarez which could - and probably should - have seen red.
Philippe Coutinho and Suarez had put the visitors ahead scoring either side of Mirallas' equaliser and although Lukaku appeared to have turned the result on its head Sturridge had the final say.
Positives - the never say die fighting spirit to get a draw when at 3-2 we looked like we had lost the game.
Negatives - We should have had the game sewn up if Joe Allen had the composure to slide home the simple chance he missed.
I had reservations that Agger & Skrtel couldn't handle the pace and power of Lukaku as they had both struggled last season whilst playing vs Lukaku when he was on loan at WBA and would have played Sakho instead of Skrtel as Sakho could match him for pace and strength.
Very disappointed that neither Agger or Skrtel stepped up to the responsibility of marking Lukaku at corners leaving this responsibility to Glen Johnson was not what I expected from our two main central defenders.
Man of the match - Mignolet showed again with his quick reactions in one on one situations why we took the gamble to buy him - he was extremely unlucky to concede three goals with his constant duel with Lukaku.
Match facts
EVERTON (4-3-3): Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines (Deulofeu 50mins )Barry, McCarthy, Pienaar Barkley, Lukaku, Mirallas (Osman 88).
Subs not used: Robles (GK), Heitinga, Jelavic, Deulofeu, Naismith, Osman, Stones
Booked: Distin, Miralles, Barkley
Scorers: Mirallas 8', Lukaku 72', 82'
LIVERPOOL (4-1-3-2): Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan, Lucas (Sturridge 79mins): Gerrard, Allen (Moses 67mins) Henderson, Coutinho, Suarez
Subs not used: Jones (GK), Toure, Luis Alberto, Sakho, Sterling
Booked: Lucas, Allen, Suarez
Scorers: Coutinho 5', Suarez 19', Sturridge 89'
Yes, Mirallas should've seen red, but there are moments when in a season which can give you momentum and the Joe Allen miss was one of those. He scores, we win, no two ways about that and it was no surprise to see him hauled off long after that.
ReplyDeleteIn the first half we were quite comfortable, dictating the midfield battle, but there were signs of things to come with Barkley and to a lesser extent Mccarthy driving through the midfield with very little to impede their progress. If anyone can tell or better still convince me that Steven Gerrard is fully fit I'm waiting to be convinced.
I agree that against deadball situations are defending is appalling, but being that as it may, Glen Johnson allowing himself to be brushed aside like confetti was disappointing. We can argue forcefully that either Agger or Skrtel should've picked up Lukaku, but Johnson is big and strong enough to have made a better fist of things.
Suarez was Suarez and I thought Coutinho showed another side to his game by working hard, but one felt we struggled to cope with Everton's midfield in the second half, particularly after Baines went off and Deulofeu came on.
That being said, we showed resilience to come back after going down 3-2 after twice being up by a goal, and could have snatched something towards the end. It was an excellent game and for me Mignolet was man of the match. Flanagan did well playing at left-back and no surprise he received an ovation in the changing room from his fellow players after the match.
Skretel and Agger should think about going ex-directory because Lukaku has got their number.
Everton will feel with the clear cut chances they had victory should have been theirs. But... Joe Allen, Joe Allen, Joe Allen!
All,
ReplyDeleteAt least we got 1 point out of the game instead of no point but I believe that we should have got all the points.
1) JA should have scored that sitter
2) Marales should not have been on the pitch
I was listening to radio 5 in the evening and an LFC fan rang to say that JA is a waste of space and I am in total agreement.
Mo
PS. All of our remaining games until Xmas are winnable.
At 3:1, I am not sure Everton would have had the firing power to come back. That was indeed the defining of the game outcome. He did not need to try scoring, Suarez was well place to tap in the ball . I am sure that will take him weeks to regain confident if not the whole Season.
DeleteVery disappointed with Joe Allen’s miss at the time just felt it was gonna come back and bite us – it has cost us two vital points if we win next week it’s a good point gained if we lose its further valuable points lost !!!
DeleteTactically Rodgers got it wrong in the marking of Lukaku at set-pieces he should be marked by our best header of the ball in the team Skrtel and not Glen Johnson who is not the best in the air.
I would have played Sakho to combat Lukaku’s pace and power – Flanagan had a good game despite the stick he got before the game.
For me JA should have got a slap form LS, what a sitter! He cost us the game, and he was smiling after he missed total TWAT! so angry.
DeleteIts only so much that Mignolet can do, Lukaku is always a threat, and he was just waiting for the opportunity, which he had taken.
Spouse a draw was better than a loss!
For the Purists, it was a joy to watch BUT for those of us with vested interests - we seriously need to consider reinforcements in the midfield.
DeleteThe game had its controversial moments but it was largely an advert for the premiership, a proper rumble.
Oh, and Enrique out for 10 weeks !!!
ReplyDeleteSound like we won't see him until late February 2014.
DeleteMo
What do you make of Sturridge outburst in the Mirror?
ReplyDeleteI didn’t see the article, what did it say?
DeleteHe said no one can’t stop him from playing for his country.
DeleteThe problem is that he can’t win either way - If he doesn’t make himself available, people might start questioning his commitment to country - If he does he runs the risk of upsetting BR. There clearly should have been compromise, perhaps that he would have completed 60 minutes. BR should be annoyed with Roy Hodgson rather than Sturridge. He seems to be saying a lot about his fitness and seems to want, unsurprisingly, to play all the time and string a run of games together because he thinks it will improve his overall fitness. The medical team need to carefully manage his fitness and to me he doesn’t look to be firing on all cylinders.
DeleteKarl is totally right – Rodgers should channel his anger towards Hodgson – he should have played for just 60 minutes.
DeleteHere is the Mirror article:-
Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge defiant after boss Brendan Rodgers slams his England 90 minutes
"Regardless of what condition you’re in, fit or not fit, if you are selected for England you go out there and do your best" says striker
Andrew Powell
Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge insists he would make his controversial England call all over again – despite provoking an angry broadside from his club manager.
Striker Sturridge was axed from the starting line-up for Saturday's Merseyside derby by boss Brendan Rodgers, who was “disappointed” his hitman chose to play 90 minutes of international football against Germany in midweek when he had been unable to train beforehand.
But, speaking after he made a dramatic impact from the bench to snatch a late equaliser against Everton, Sturridge insisted he had no regrets about playing for his country, despite the severe consequences.
“For me, regardless of what condition you are in, if you are selected by the England manager, you go out there and do the best you can, regardless of whether you are carrying an injury or not,” Sturridge explained.
“The England manager gave me an opportunity and it’s always a pleasure to put the England shirt on. Regardless of what condition you’re in, fit or not fit, if you are selected for England you go out there and do your best.”
Rodgers though, sees things very differently.
Despite Sturridge’s late heroics at the end of a magnificent derby encounter, the Reds' boss was still visibly upset that he was unable to call on his free-scoring striker’s services for the full game.
The Northern Irishman explained he felt Sturridge simply wasn’t in the right condition to play a full 90 minutes in such an explosive encounter, after missing training because he made the call to appear for his country.
And he made it clear that unless Sturridge knuckles down and shows intense commitment to the Anfield cause by getting himself out on the training pitch, he will be condemned to a long stint on the bench.
The forward though, insisted that he is ready to show Rodgers the desire to work hard for his place.
He added: “I have been hampered for the past three games. Since West Brom when I got the bang I’ve had blood underneath my muscles in my thigh. It’s still there now. When I shoot from long distance I still feel pain but it’s getting better.
“It’s important that I’m training. I didn’t get to train much when I was away with England - I only trained once before the game.
“I need to get the momentum going and just try to get it right and make sure I’m in the right condition to be able to go out there and do myself justice.
“I hope I’ll be fit enough to start against Hull next weekend. It would be great to be back in the side.
Sturridge had an interesting weekend, being offered so public a warning by his manager and inciting the anger of Everton fans with his animated celebrations after scoring.
He insisted though, he was merely returning banter that had started long before derby weekend!
“The fans in that part of the ground were abusing me the whole time I was warming up, so it was only right that I went down there and gave them a bit back,” he laughed.
“It’s all about the banter. It was nothing personal.
“A lot of people on the sidelines give the players a lot of banter when they are warming up. Sometimes you get the opportunity to return the favour and on Saturday I got the chance to do that.
“A guy in the supermarket warned me he wouldn’t serve me if I scored, so I’m not going in my local Tesco for a while now!”
This highlighted sentence below is out of order as Sturridge has shown already this season that he is committed to our cause
Delete“And he made it clear that unless Sturridge knuckles down and shows intense commitment to the Anfield cause by getting himself out on the training pitch, he will be condemned to a long stint on the bench”.
Surely Rodgers is right to criticise Sturridge for not revealing the extent of his injury to the England medical staff and further compounding an injury he’s been carrying for some weeks by playing a full 90 minutes in a meaningless friendly ahead of the very meaningful Merseyside derby. Sturridge put his own personal ambition (a place in the WC squad) ahead of his team.
DeleteI thought a manager decides who plays in a team and makes the substitutions when required?
DeleteI think you have to blame RH for this one! he calls the shots for England on the boundaries who fit and who's not to play, despite a player wants to play for England, epically a in a meaningless friendly.
DeleteYes, but it’s the player who makes himself available for selection.
DeleteIsn’t it a manager that decides how long a player can play – if he is available for selection – Hodgson should have gave him 45 or 60 mins.
DeleteHodgson’s priority is England, he doesn’t care that Suarez travelled halfway round the world, and LFC have a early kick-off. Strurridge should have cared, and should’ve known which game was the more important.
DeleteOK lets shoot ourselves in the foot and leave him on the bench as the side has so many goals without him in the team!!! NOT!!!!
DeleteThat’s BR’s point by playing 90 mins for Engalnd he then wasn’t able to start for LFC on Saturday because he couldn’t train. Meaning we had to rely on the likes of Joe Allen to roll a ball into an open goal from 6 yards!!!
DeleteNo excuses on missing the target from that distance – I would have expected even Aspas to score from there!! Errrrrr MAYBE NOT!!! LOL
DeleteIt doesn’t seem right for the manager to come out and openly criticise Sturridge implying that he’s got a problem training. Sturridge at the same time is saying that he would like to play a run of games and seems like he’s happy to train. Rogers should not have allowed him to play if he felt he was injured. This is an unwelcome spat between the manager and striker and I can understand why Sturridge wanted to play.
DeleteI missed the first 20 or so minutes of the game so at first I thought it was a tactical move but it was only later on that I found out that it was not. Could it have been a blessing disguise. We'll never know.
DeleteMo
For me this argument is a non-starter. If he was a Man United player he wouldn't even have been given the option to turn out. How many times over the years have they pulled their players out before representative matches or sent the player down to join up with the squad with instructions from the club [Fergie] that they are either not fit enough to play or the player in question is only to play half the match. Usually is the club, especially a top club, who sets the parameters not the player!
DeleteAll,
ReplyDeleteI was going to say that I hope that JA is on the bench for Sunday's game but I am going to change it to " Should JA
play?"
Mo
I didn't get to see the full match last week but I've heard that prior to his shocker of a miss last weekend Allen had a fairly decent game. However I don't think that we'll need to pack the midfield against Hull so I'd leave him out. My team would be - Mignolet Johnson Toure Agger Flanno Gerrard Lucas Hendo Coutinho Suarez SturridgeToure gets the nod to deal with incoming set pieces, either that or keep Skrtle and get Sakho in for Agger.
DeleteBarry
I'm wondering why nobody is talking about Tiago Illori for left back, we paid 7 million for the lad and I heard that he could play left back, plus he was highly rated with a good rep from his time at Sporting Lisbon but he's not even making the bench, it's a bit strange.
DeleteI think that left back stuff may have been internet chat and that he is actually about as capable at left back as marty srktel is at right back. Fairly sure he's right footed and from few clips I've seen he doesn't look suited to full back. Agree though that it is very strange that we paid 7 mill for him and he seems so far from making a first team impact. I suppose it's not necessarily a reflection on him with srktel, agger, sakho and toure all understandably ahead of him in pecking order at present. I imagine at least one of agger and skrtel will leave in next 12 months and toure will be 33 soon enough so hopefully his signing was a rare-example of foresight! I'm sure we'd of seen more of him if we'd have been in Europa league. Might be worth sending him out on loan for a few months in jan....
DeleteCoates also seems to be making a steady recovery.
DeleteI'd be very surprised to see Seb Coates play for Liverpool again, we were trying to get rid before he got his injury.
DeleteSaw him the other day on official site and had completely forgotten about him!
DeleteCould see him going the way of gabrielle paletta who we signed for 2mill for boca juniors, who looked completely inept in a handful of appearances and left for next to nothing and is now one of most sought after defenders in seria a with ac Milan interested in 20 million move for him!
To me Coates always looks a bit too relaxed, he’s got a languid style that just isn’t suited to defenders in the Premier league. We paid about 7 mil for him too!! Bloody awful bit of business.
DeleteExactly, although at the time I think he was quite highly rated as a young prospect. That was back in the days when we only needed four centre halves in our squad rather than 9!
DeleteYeah I agree, don't think he's suited to English football but could see him developing quite well elsewhere as showed a few glimpses....bit more hopeful on Illori as he seems to have languid style but real pace to get himself out of trouble....agree though that the thought of 14 million on the pair of them is somewhat scary!
Delete