Liverpool come from behind to beat Newcastle as Premiership dream finally slips away

We were up against it ever since the loss against Chelsea and the crushing blow of throwing away a three goal lead against Crystal Palace gave us very little room for manoeuvre in terms of putting Man City under any pressure.  Jordan Henderson returned for Lucas and Agger for Sakho.

Arriving at our last home game against Newcastle side who had lost their last 6 away games, the only way of exerting any anxiety on Man City was by coming out of the traps quickly and firing in an early goal.   That we started flat as if punch drunk and hung over from the Selhurst Park disintegration, caused a Newcastle side buoyed by the lack of intensity and holding us of easily behind a Chelsea like formation with Ameobi impressing leading the line was causing consternation all round Anfield.

In fact Ameobi should have done better heading straight at Mignolet on 8 minutes.  With apprehension and our inability to breakdown Newcastle’s defensive lines, the frustration began to build and even more so when Suarez stunning free-kick from out on the right was disallowed as the referee articulated he had not given the signal to take a quick free-kick.

Liverpool were made to pay for the lack of intensity when Gouffran sluiced past Gerrard to cross, Skrtel for fourth time this season put into the back of the net with a slice that Rory McIlroy would have been embarrassed by.  It was no more than Newcastle deserved having looking comfortable in possession and offered the goal threat up to that point.

Daniel Sturridge celeberates his winner

Newcastle had chances to put the game to bed with Liverpool putting up little more than token resistance and at times being out classed with Newcastle looking comfortable in possession.  That being said, Sturridge had a glorious opportunity to regain parity, heading wide from close range and one sensed that maybe this was not to be our day especially when the world’s fastest footballing sms messenger dedlfc sent through a text to say City had taken the lead.

Jon Flanagan was substituted on half-time with Cissokho coming on.  The second-half followed the same pattern as the first until Coutinho entered the fray on the hour for Allen with City now two-up, and Liverpool needing more urgency to their play.

It was one of the games where set pieces were the only way we were going to get back in this game and so it proved.  Steve Gerrard has he has so often this season whipped in a free-kick with pace which looked to be drifting out of play until Agger showing fantastic agility hooked the ball in from an impossible angle to bring the match back all-square.

Moments later from almost the same position Gerrard from his book of patented delivery again whipped in another free-kick to the far post which Sturridge poked home from close range.

With Newcastle seemingly irate from the decision to give the free-kick, Ameobi was sent-off for dissent.  Another superb Gerrard delivery found Agger unmarked in the area, but the Danish captain fluffed his lines heading wide.

Any hope Newcastle had in getting back in the game disappeared when substitute Dummett was unluckily sent off for a tackle which warranted a yellow rather than a red he was shown.

Poignantly, Liverpool ran the game out showing, even if was against nine men, that they had learned something from the lesson at Selhurst Park, but it had me thinking if only…

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard, two devastating pieces of delivery.

Critical eye:  Liverpool showed great character in coming back after being outplayed and winning.  It would’ve been a complete let down had we finished third.

In reflection it’s a season of what could’ve and should’ve been and it’s bittersweet.  But coming from 7^th to still fighting for the Premiership title, however tenuous, on the last day of the season is something to be extremely proud of.

Going forward, the next transfer window is critical to bolster the squad with quality additions to compete on an even footing with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man United at home and in Europe on our return to the Champions League.

Teams:

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan (Cissokho – 45), Gerrard, Allen (Coutinho – 59), Henderson, Sterling, Sturridge (Lucas – 80), Suarez

Substitutes: Jones, Kolo Touré, Iago Aspas, Coutinho, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas

Newcastle United: Krul, Debuchy, Haidara, Coloccini, Williamson, Taylor (de Jong – 73), Sissoko, Anita, Shola Ameobi, Tioté (Dummett – 82 sent off), Gouffran (Sammy Ameobi – 78)

Substitutes: Santon, Yanga-Mbiwa, de Jong, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett, Satka

Referee: Philip Dowd

Attendance: 44,724