More European woe for Rodgers, Lovren & co - Besikitas 1 Liverpool 0

As there was a bit of forced and deliberate rotation in the victory at Southampton, our manager decided to continue this theme in the second leg of the Europa League.

We made four changes as Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Kolo Touré, and Alberto Moreno all moved from the bench to the starting line-up.  The injured duo Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho were left back in England while Lazar Marković served the second game of his four-match ban.  Adam Lallana dropped to the bench.

Our manager felt such changes were required as Liverpool's next opponent, Manchester City, played their European game two days earlier.

The opening stages of the game were cagey as both sides didn't create anything of note.  The early yellow card for an enthusiastic and hard-working Mario Balotelli was a slight worry but he continued the rest of the half sensibly by holding the ball up excellently, tracking back, and playing good passes in the final third. He was also the subject of some close attention but remained calm.

Sturridge and Sterling had excellent chances to give Liverpool the lead as they were put through on goal on the angle but showed either indecisiveness or over-elaboration before squandering their respective opportunities.  Sturridge played Moreno in on 34 minutes for a shot straight at the Besiktas goalkeeper Gönen and Raheem Sterling also tested the home goalkeeper after great work by the superb Alberto Moreno who has now secured the left wing-back position.

By the end of the first half, Liverpool seemed to be in control of the game and created more chances in one half than they did in two halves at Anfield.  Besiktas' ploy of playing the ball over the top and down the channels to trouble the wider centre backs was generally handled with comfort.

Simon Mignolet was really only forced into one save in the half.

Half-time thoughts: Liverpool controlled the game with Balotelli playing an important role in attack.  Daniel Sturridge would be wise to avoid taking too many touches when Liverpool create chances on the counter attack.  Dejan Lovren had a solid half defensively but appears to be a basic defender who is unable to pass effectively.

Beskitas started the second half with a greater tempo and after five minutes, good work down the home side's left flank eventually created a long-range shooting opportunity for Kurtulus that was saved by Mignolet. Two minutes later, Sosa followed that up with another shot outside of the area that was comfortably saved by Mignolet.  Our right side was being troubled by Slaven Bilić's team but our defensive shape was acceptable.

We continued to sit deep and invite Besiktas on without responding with any effective counter attacks to trouble the Turkish side.  With 20 minutes to go, our attacking players looked frustrated and out of ideas.  This was the cue for our manager to change the game by making a wise tactical substitution, but declined and then disaster struck with Gökhan Töre's influence growing on the left and Arslan's lovely strike after 72 minutes levelling the tie.

Our manager responded by closing the stable door after the horse had bolted - it was clear change was needed as we were getting over run in midfield so he brought on Javier Manquillo for Jordan Ibe and then Adam Lallana for Mario Balotelli.

Demba Ba hit the cross bar in added time with a shot after a corner and nearly proved to be a nemesis for us again.

90 minutes: We went into extra time in a two-legged cup tie for the second time this season and needed to offer more in attack on the counter against an energetic, harrying Besiktas side.

We lacked energy in the opening stages of extra time and Simon Mignolet denied Demba Ba at his near post before Martin Skrtel hooked clear.  Demba Ba was involved again as he set up Töre. The first half of extra time was somewhat difficult for us.

Besiktas looked for a winning goal in extra time but couldn't create much in the second period of extra time.

The game went to penalties. Besiktas went first in the shoot-out. Demba Ba scored, Rickie Lambert scored with an emphatic penalty, Töre scored but Mignolet went the right way, Adam Lallana sent Gönen the wrong way, Veli Kavlak sent a high penalty successfully into the net, and Emre Can put it in the corner but Gönen went the right way. 3-3. Atiba Hutchinson stepped up...and slammed the ball into the net. Joe Allen stepped up and did the same. 4-4. Tolgay Arslan made it 5-4.

Dejan Lovren stepped up. Could the commanding and vocal defender handle the pressure and score? We had to score. Could Lovren do it? No, he couldn't and we were out.

Full-time thoughts: Another last 32 exit for Brendan Rodgers in the Europa League, and the wait to win a European knock-out tie in the Rogders era goes on.  I felt tactically we should have just kept the winning formation 3-4-2-1 but bizarrely we decided to change it and it has now cost us an alternative chance to get back into the Champions League next season. It's all about domestic football now.

Joe Allen was exceptionally poor with his distribution during the game and is not good enough to play regularly.  Sturridge and Sterling both had chances to kill the tie off in the first half but were both very wasteful, we needed clinical finishing yesterday – they had first time shots at critical moments they over-elaborated and it has cost us dear.

It was a lack lustre performance overall and with some of our senior players having to play 120 minutes does not bode well for their energy sapping contest versus Man City on Sunday.

Why oh why would our manager agree to Lovren taking the 5th and decisive penalty when he is so low on confidence already?  It was another shocking decision to add to our manager lists as once again he was found to be tactically inept in Europe, this was not the time to play 2 strikers it was about securing the midfield, winning the game then moving on but our manager gave the initiative gained in the first leg back to the Turkish side.

Man of the Match - Alberto Moreno - only real solid performer on the night always provided an attacking option on the left.

Besiktas: Gonen, Opare, Franco, Uysal, Kurtulus, Hutchinson, Kavlak, Tore, Sosa, Sahan, Ba.

Subs: Fidayeo, Pektemek, Ozyakup, Arslan, Frei, Boral, Nukan.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Toure, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Can, Allen, Sterling, Ibe(Manquillo 76), Sturridge (Lambert 106), Balotelli(Lallana 82)

Subs: Ward, Lambert, Manquillo, Lallana, Borini, Brannagan, Williams.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Attendance: 63,324

Manager's comments:-

"We're disappointed, of course, to go out in the manner that we did. We created opportunities in the first half, to make it really difficult for them.

"Over the course of the game, we defended very well and limited them to very few chances. But the one mistake we made, we got punished for, where we just got too deep and they scored.

"Up until they scored their goal, we were quite comfortable in the game. Of course, we're away from home, and the objective for us was to keep a clean sheet.

"We created chances in the first half and in the second half we were comfortable. But we were missing a lot of our creativity this evening.

"But it's no excuse. There were a lot of young players getting great experience with other players who are creative players. We played with two strikers, so it was an attacking line-up.

"And once Besiktas got the goal, we started to have more of the ball again, but we didn't create so much.

"But I didn't think Besiktas created so much either. It was always a tight game, but we just failed to finish the opportunities that we had in the first half."

"A lot of our young players got great experience this evening in a fantastic atmosphere," said the boss. "The Besiktas supporters were outstanding, as were the Liverpool supporters.

"To come so far and give us that support, we really appreciate that. But of course we're disappointed, having put so much into the game.

"It was a good game, there wasn't a great deal in the game; the pitch was very difficult for both teams. Congratulations to Besiktas, they have gone through.

"We now just have to concentrate on our league campaign that is starting to go well for us. Our objective this season was to win a cup. It's not going to be in this competition, but we have an excellent opportunity in [the FA Cup]."

Southampton 0 Liverpool 2: Liverpool show grit and determination to close in on Champions League rivals

Brendan Rodgers started Daniel Sturridge on the bench not wanting to risk playing his prized asset for three games in a row.  Lovren, came in for the injured Sakho and Lallana returned respectively to St Mary’s for the first time since the controversy surrounding their summer signings. 

The third of the triumvirate Rickie Lambert, received a great return welcome, took his familiar place on the bench with Lazar Markovic returning for Moreno.

The continual rain and windy conditions throughout made it difficult for both teams to settle into any fluidity on the slippery service, but it was Southampton who grabbed the initiative with Djuricic seeing his claim for a penalty against Emre Can dismissed by referee Kevin Friend.

Philippe Coutinho appeared a tad leg wary over the last few games and there was a thought that he might be rested with the away leg at Besiktas and the home game against Man City only three days later in such close proximity.  Inside three minutes Liverpool fans were sent into raptures when the brilliant playmaker scored a goal of stunning quality.

Liverpool fans are getting used to the majesty of Coutinho’s intricacy and breath-taking technique, but this time he collected a ball from Markovic fully 30 yards before unleashing a curling shot beyond the reach of Fraser Forster.  The watching Matt Le Tessier who delivered many virtuoso performances and strikes for Southampton will have admired the technique and impudence of the Liverpool maestro even against his beloved Saints.

A minute later Southampton claims for a penalty should have been awarded after Allen’s challenge on Djuricic saw the frontman upended, the breaking ball fell to Elia who saw he shot expertly saved at the near post by the increasingly impressive Mignolet

Southampton proceeded to dominate the remainder of the half with the impressive Nathanial Clyne posing Markovic problems bombing down the right and in behind the retreating wing-back.  Liverpool were giving ground to the home team who had a massive 61 per cent possession in the first fifteen minutes.

Dominance aside, Southampton were failing to create any real chances with Skrtel governing aerially and Can sweeping up any loose ball.  Lovren appeared a little shaky on his resumption to backline duties, but appeared well up to the pressure of fending off the hostile treatment from the home crowd.

At the break Brendan Rodgers looked to decrease the threat of the raiding Clyne’s bringing on Moreno for Markovic.

This was a different Liverpool than we have grown accustomed to.   Not the free-flowing dynamism which has become the signature of Liverpool’s change in fortunes in the second-half of this season, but happy so soak up pressure and dig-in, led by Martin Skrtel, mastering Pelle at the back and Henderson and Allen in working the midfield.

The measurement of Liverpool willingness to graft was that fact that it took another 70 minutes for them to produce another shot on-target, but when it came it all but killed off the game.

Moreno who had negated Clyne’s driving runs given Liverpool stability going both ways on the left, in the same way Jordan Ibe had on the right nicked in to pick off a loose pass with the ball finding its way to Sterling who returned the compliment.  The Spaniard’s cut-back found Matt Targett, whose clearance ended up at the feet of Sterling to shoot passed Forster.

It was an impressive performance by a Liverpool side proving they are now capable of winning games on the back foot as well as the front.

Man of the match:  Martin Skrtel – produced the type of performance which makes one wonder if he did so on a regular basis we’d have one the best defenders in Europe on our hands.  He was outstanding leading from the front, winning almost every ball and providing the leadership at centre-back which Liverpool have lacked since the retirement of Jamie Carragher.

The fact that Liverpool have now kept five clean sheets on the road in a row for the first time in 30 years is due in no small part to the Slovakian captain.

Critical eye:  This was a performance which said a lot of about the growth of Brendan Rodgers side.  Willing to dig in and happy to relinquish possession without giving Southampton any clear-cut opportunities.  Whether the formation is 3-4-3 or 5-3-2 or 4-4-1-1, the brand of football Brendan Rodgers is deploying means that there is no room for one component of his wheel being off kilter and while it was Markovic today there was no doubting the player’s commitment.

Coutinho’s goal was quite simply world-class.  It was good to see both Coutinho and Allen getting through 90 minutes in such a combative game, especially with Liverpool short in the midfield area and also Lallana and Lovren showed character coming through some terse treatment from the home crowd.

Brendan Rodgers change at half-time bringing on Moreno, helped shut down Southampton’s attempts to get back into the game and it’s healthy to see him feeling empowered to make earlier substitutions.

Teams:

Southampton 4-3-3:

23 Fraser Forster, 2 Nathanial Clyne, 6 Jose Fonte, 3 Maya Yoshida, 33 Matt Targett, 16 James Ward-Prowse (Sadio Mane – 57 mins), 12 Victor Wanyama, 8 Steven Davis (Morgan Schneiderlin – 45 mins), 15 Filip Djuricic (Dusan Tadic – 75 mins), 19 Graziano Pelle, 21 Elijero Elia

Subs: 1 Kelvin Davis, 4 Morgan Schneiderlin, 5 Florin Gardos, 7 Shane Long, 10 Sadio Mane, 11 Dusan Tadic, 28 Harrison Reed

Liverpool 3-4-3

22 Simon Mignolet, 6 Dejan Lovren, 37 Martin Skrtel, 23 Emre Can, 33 Jordon Ibe (Glen Johnson – 75 mins), 14 Jordan Henderson, 24 Joe Allen, 50 Lazar Markovic (Alberto Moreno

Liverpool 1 Besiktas 0: Balotelli penalty edges Liverpool ahead

Liverpool lined-up for the first time in Europe the season with premier striker Daniel Sturridge at the head of affairs with supporting attacking acts Adam Lallana, Coutinho and Jordon Ibe on the back of a brand new five year contract.  Steven Gerrard and Lucas were still out injured, but welcomed back from Raheem Sterling to start on the bench.

Liverpool started quickly with Jordon Ibe sizzling down the right leaving two opponents trailing in his wake before finding Sturridge running onto his through ball.  The mercurial frontman ghosted by the left-back down the bye-line before seeing his shot well saved by Besiktas keeper Cenk Gonen from a very acute angle.

Besiktas matched Liverpool’s pressing with their own physical game blended with impressive use and possession and very much held their own in the first half hour without much threat in the final third apart from a flashing header just past the near post by Vel Kavlak.

Then a deep intake of breath from the Kop as a blast from the past Demba Ba streaked away toward the end he broke so many hearts, but this time Simon Mignolet pulled off a stunning save low down to his left at full stretch.  Daniel Sturridge not seeing much service curled a free-kick right of central just over the bar.

Alberto Moreno impressing in his role at wing-back fastened on to a loose clearance to fizz in a shot from fully 40 yards which Gonen tipped over.  Henderson with time petering out curled a free-kick just past the post with the goalkeeper left rooted in the centre of the goal.

Liverpool lacked the final ball at times in the first-half and failed to create a real clear cut chance although possessing in Ibe and Lallana the best performers in the first period.

Ibe started the second period as finished the first, on fire.  Proving he can go both ways created in decision and consternation especially with the covering Sahan as he fashion out room for Henderson to cross for Moreno’s mistimed volley.  Henderson then powered down the right, his cross on the run causing confusion in the Besitas box between keeper Gonen and Franco with the ball bouncing out only for Adam Lallana to shoot over with the goal at his mercy.

Besiktas showed in patches that the away leg will not be a formality.  While they might be cynical, they are technically very impressive and adept in possession and kept Liverpool’s Standard Chartered Player of the Month Coutinho under wraps forcing his substitution with Allen to be replaced by Ballotelli and Lovren respectively allowing Can to move into midfield.

Balotelli in his first exchanges continued where he left off holding the ball up with purpose and making telling passes to strike partner and Ibe.  He also made a decisive intervention from corner nipping in before the hovering Ba.

Jordon Ibe the Liverpool protagonist on the night charged into the area with 6 minutes to go only to be upended by Motta for a penalty.   Balotelli, full of experience and pedigree from the penalty spot stepped up and dispatched with little fuss although Sturridge and Henderson seemed pretty miffed with Mario pulling rank to give Liverpool the winner.

Man of the Match:  Jordon Ibe – the youngster showed poise and control beyond his years and is adapting quickly to the demands placed on him.  He’s time at Derby has given him an awareness which allied to his strength and skills make him a threat from deep lying areas as well as in the final third.

Mario Balotelli turned the game with his cameo toward the end giving Liverpool more of a threat in the final third and it was good to see him working back and looking razor sharp.  Brendan Rodgers comments that the penny has dropped where the player is concerned seem well founded.

Teams:

Liverpool starting formation 3-4-3

22 Simon Mignolet, 23 Emre Can, 37 Martin Skrtel, 17 Mamadou Sakho, 33 Jordon Ibe, 14 Jordan Henderson, 24 Joe Allen (Lovren – 62 mins), 18 Alberto Moreno, 20 Adam Lalalla (Raheem Sterling – 76 mins), 15 Daniel Sturridge, 10 Philippe Coutinho (Balotelli – 62 mins)

Subs: 52 Danny Ward, 6 Dejan Lovren, 9 Rickie Lambert, 19 Javi Manquillo, 31 Raheem Sterling, 29 Fabio Borini, 45 Mario Balotelli

Besiktas 4-4-2

1 Cenk Gonen, 2 Serdar Kurtulus, 19 Pedro Franco, 22 Ersan Gulum, 31 Motta Ramon, 13 Atiba Hutchinson, 8 Veli Kavlak, 7 Gokhan Tore, 5 Jose Sosa (Oguzhan Ozyakup – 59 mins), 10 Olcay Sahan (Kerim Frei – 70 mins), 9 Demba Ba

Subs: 41 Enes Fidayeo, 11 Mustafa Pekternek, 15 Oguzhan Ozyakup, 18 Tolgay Arslan, 20 Necup Uysal, 21 Kerim Frei, 44 Daniel Opare

Referee: Szymon Marciniak

Sturridge and Lallana eliminate stubborn Eagles - Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2

Blog by dedlfc




Crystal Palace vs Liverpool - FA Cup 5th round

On the back of an excellent league win at home to 4th place rivals Spurs, it was always going to be a very strong starting line-up for us versus one of our bogey teams.

Emre Can remained in the defence with steady Joe Allen moving into the midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge continuing to start in the attack in the continued absence of Sterling.

Palace were content to sit back early on and in the opening exchanges we responded with extended spells of possession without threatening the Palace goal.

In the 15th minute, Fraizer Campbell gave Palace the lead with a rebound after Dwight Gayle had been put in on goal by a misdirected Martin Skrtel header.
We were denied an immediate equalizer when Adam Lallana's close range shot was brilliantly saved by Julian Speroni.

We had a few solid bursts and some decent chances in the middle of the first-half with Henderson’s rasping shot pushed wide and Skrtel heading over from a corner.

Sturridge was then tripped in the area but deprived of a penalty.  Joe Allen volleyed wide and Coutinho shot straight at Speroni.  Just before the break we were lucky not to have had our deficit doubled when Mignolet expertly stopped Gayle from point blank range.

Half-time reflections: We went into the break down 1-0 after having 17 shots at goal but needing to keep up the same intensity to turn things around in the second half.

Mario Balotelli replaced Lazar Markovic on the other side of half time, which meant Lallana switching to wing back position.

We tied the score at 1-1 very early in the second half through a fantastic first time volley from Sturridge.  Hendo supplied the sublime cross.   After the goal, the most comical goal celebration of the season took place with Alberto Moreno joining Sturridge in his signature dance… which needs a little work.



Moreno joins Sturridge in a hilarious goal celebration

Several minutes later turnaround was complete with defender Scott Dann fouling Ballotelli and the rejuvenated Italian himself striking a fierce low drive that Palace keeper Speroni could only parry out and the hero of the hour Lallana knocked the rebound into an empty net.



Lallana delighted with scoring the winner

Following our second goal the wildness of the game died down for a while with our side showing more maturity than last season with us knocking the ball around nicely to kill the game rather than pushing on for a third decisive goal as with last season.

Man of the match - Jordan Henderson 

Captained the side from the front, playing a vital role in the equaliser and alongside Joe Allen maintained a control influence in the midfield battle throughout the game.

Positives

Great win for us, overcoming a rather shaky first half we were able to turn things around with another test of our resolve and strength in character to secure a determined and satisfying victory.

Joe Allen was again very steady alongside Henderson and deserves plaudits for again showing he is a useful squad player to have as a back up to our main midfielder options.

Simon Mignolet looks like a new signing commanding his box and asserting his newly found assurance in goal, also making a vital save to stop us going 2-0 down - long may this confidence continue!

The back three continue to go from strength to strength with Sakho despite picking up a head injury in the second half summing up the spirit of the defence by choosing to continue playing rather than looking for a way out from the ensuing battle.

Ball retention after the second goal was excellent and again Joe Allen and Henderson in particular should be given great credit for keeping things simple.

We dominated possession and thoroughly deserved our cup win and now await to see if any of our other Premiership rivals (Man Utd or Arsenal) join us in the quarter final draw.



Some of our players celebrating at the end of the game

Negatives

Apart from the sloppiness of conceding the Palace goal in the first half there were no real negatives!

Coutinho could do with a rest after starting the last 17 games in a row and Markovic needs to purchase some new studs as he seemed to be slipping every time the ball came to him

A special mention to the support for our team in the Ruse bar in Borough, London - it was again excellent despite going behind and we as a club and as supporters continue to go from strength to strength.

Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1) Speroni 5; Kelly 5 (Guedioura 63), Dann 6, Hangeland 6, Souare 6; Ward 6 Ledley 6; Bolasie 6 (Zaha 72), Chamakh 6 (Puncheon 45) Gayle 7; Campbell 7. 

Subs Hennessey (g), Mariappa, Murray, Delaney. 

Booked Chamakh.

Liverpool (3-4-3) Mignolet 5; Sakho 6, Skrtel 5, Can 7; Coutinho 6 (Lovren 78), Lallana 6, Moreno 6, Henderson 7; Allen 6, Markovic 6 (Balotelli 45), Sturridge 7 (Lambert 78). 

Subs Ward (g), Johnson, Manquillo, Borini. 

Booked Henderson, Can, Mignolet.

Referee Robert Madley (West Yorks).

Att: 24,500



Rodgers gives the win a massive thumbs up

Manager's comments:-

Rodgers believes the England forward Sturridge is beginning to find form at just the right time.

"He's working his way back, it's just about extending his game time,"

"I've got to do that because you risk re-injuring him and that's something we can't afford.

"You can see his qualities - his speed, his touch and he doesn't need too many chances to score.

"He should have had a penalty today, it looked a clear penalty, he looks really bright.

"The team is functioning at a high level at the moment and him coming back gives us a big boost in this part of the season."

Sturridge looked more threatening in the second period when he was joined in attack by Mario Balotelli, who came on as a substitute at half-time.

"Balotelli training well now and he's starting to really work and focus on his job and the team," Rodgers said.

"The other night he came on and got the winner and did very well, and I thought he came on and did very well today.

"He showed good strength and power to win the free-kick and then a terrific strike forces the keeper to make a save and Adam puts in the finish."

"We played a diamond earlier in the season and those two (Sturridge and Balotelli) played together and did very well," Rodgers said.

"We've shifted the system from the last time we were here but certainly when the two of them up are up there, they're a threat.

"They're both talented players so they can function in whatever system they're in."

 

The Ruse, the hidden gem for Liverpool FC supporters in London

As every Liverpool fan outside of those who are season ticket holders knows, getting tickets to games at Anfield is like searching for gold dust.

If you can’t get down to Anfield the next best thing for supporters in London is The Ruse pub in Borough, London.  The atmosphere on match day is like being a part of mini version of the Kop with rousing renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone, Fields of Anfield Road, Campione and Poor Scouser Tommy.

                                              The Ruse, YNWA, West Ham 1 Liverpool 2 (6/4/2014)

In the minutes before any televised game, Tony the publican plays a rendition of YNWA and gets everyone into a mood mirroring pre-match days at Anfield.  At the same time pizza’s, garlic bread, burgers and chips are being ordered or woofed down with alacrity and beer and Guinness are consumed with gusto.

I’ve been in the pub long after the final whistle and the songs are still being song with such varacity that the sound reverberates way beyond the doors of the pub.  The biggest compliment one can pay is that the atmosphere vies with many of the pubs in and around Anfield and what makes the pub really special if that anyone person in the pub on match day loves Liverpool as much as any supporter I have ever met watching the club either home or away.

The atmosphere which I spoke is of is relaxed and friendly and I have met fans from as far away as Japan, US, Africa and Scandinavia.

Tony, is a lifelong Liverpool supporter and decks the pub put with Liverpool banners and regalia on match day which befits the pubs stature as the LFC supporters place to be in London.

                                                Still loving LFC at The Ruse after a loss

Ballo the hero - That's why me! Liverpool 3 Tottenham 2

By dedlfc

We started the game desperate for the win after the disappointment of the Merseyside derby draw which meant we lost further ground in the race for 4th place.

In the absence of Sterling and Lucas Leiva both missing out with injuries sustained against Everton there was a chance for others to step up with Liverpool having more depth to now deal with the situation, although the influential Brazilian will be missed out for at least the four weeks.

Spurs arrived on the back of a victory in the North London derby at White Hart Lane with Harry Kane in inspired form.   A win for Spurs would see them extend their four-point lead over us to seven points in the race for Champions League qualification.

Steven Gerrard started alongside Jordan Henderson in midfield to cover Lucas' absence, which was always going to be a dangerous tactic against the energetic Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb.  Lazar Marković returned given more licence in attacking midfield role and Daniel Sturridge started his first game since late August in place of the "injured" Raheem Sterling.

Mario Balotelli returned to the match day squad while Jordon Ibe retained his place in the side.

Spurs were unchanged from the win against Arsenal.

The game started with an impressive tempo with Daniel Sturridge played through on goal with a chance to score on 8 minutes.  Displaying excellent movement, the exceleration is not yet there.

We really started to put pressure on the away side, although Spurs had their moments with Christian Eriksen played in Harry Kane, but the in-form English striker's shot was blocked by Sakho.

Lazar Marković then put Liverpool ahead scoring an opportunist goal which Hugo Lloris will feel he should have saved.  He picked up possession 40 yards from goal after Sturridge brought the ball down, he drifted left with a positive run before sending a tame shot bobbling over the outstretched hands of Lloris to finally open up his goal account at Anfield.


Markovic gets the opener in a thrilling game

Tottenham took control of the game after the goal, but we used a tactic which ensured that we directly bypass midfield pressure to create a number of chances to double our lead. Daniel Sturridge, however, was not as sharp as usual on his first start in many months.

Harry Kane equalised on 26 minutes after excellent work from Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen with Tottenham good value for the goal.  The rest of the half was frenetic, with the enthusiastic young Jordon Ibe cutting into from the right to produce a swerving shot which Lloris parried away.

As the half closed out Sturridge hit the post with an instinctive back heel flick which was pure class.  The return of the Liverpool frontman has given the midfield a player head of them who intelligently runs the lines and the ability to hold the ball in tight areas.

 

Audacious back flick nearly comes off for Sturridge

Half-time review
 

Clearly the midfield was struggling and Steven Gerrard wasn't the sole reason for the lack of control. Bentaleb and Mason were also going to be dangerous midfield opponents with their youth, energy and diligence and with Moussa Dembélé did excellent support work in which he exhibited power it helped those behind him from his advanced midfield position.  Jordan Henderson wasn't at his best and Coutinho didn't do much defensively either.

Liverpool should have been at least two goals ahead as their direct approach was utilised and forced the Spurs defence to make decisions as well as create chances for Sturridge in particular.  Jordon Ibe was proving to be a reliable and dangerous outlet on the right.

The early exchanges of the second half involved Spurs having most of the possession until we finally decide to get I together and win a vital penalty after Danny Rose clumsily brought down Sturridge.

Captain Steven Gerrard hammered the ball past Lloris' left hand corner to give us a 2-1 lead against the run of play.  It was Gerrard's tenth goal of the season, 5th penalty and now equals Robbie Fowler's record of 183 goals for the club.  Our captain looked absolutely delighted with his goal.

 

How hard Gerrard - gets another penalty for his beloved Reds

Tottenham nearly equalised straight after going behind but a superb save from Simon Mignolet denied a long-range rising shot from Lamela. Liverpool continued to play on the counter, but Tottenham looked dangerous after going behind once again.

A free-kick from Eriksen was saved by Mignolet, but Harry Kane picked up the rebound and crossed it for Dembélé to chest in for the away side's second equaliser.  Mignolet showed his disgust giving the assistant referee verbal volley at the decision to give the goal after Kane was clearly off-side when Eriksen took the free-kick.

Phil Dowd was perhaps far too liberal with dispensing yellow cards but was consistent in his unwillingness to let any sort of contact go unpunished.

Brendan Rodgers took off Steven Gerrard, brought on Dejan Lovren pushing Emre Can into midfield.  Ryan Mason was disappointing and Mauricio Pochettino responded by drafting in Paulinho.  Both sides made changes in midfield just before the 70 minute mark.  Liverpool then took off the tiring Sturridge for Ballotelli who had been brought in from the cold after being left out of the recent match day squads with Markovic making way for the returning Lallana.

Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana was a final throw of the dice by Rodgers from the bench as Liverpool needed to find a winner with a draw not really an option.

Lovely combination play from Ibe and Lallana set the former Southampton captain free down the right to fire a delicious centre from inside the area for Mario Balotelli to tap in from close range his first Premier League goal for us to give us the victory in a truly crucial match.



Ballo gets the vital winning goal - through a tap-in

 

The atmosphere in the Ruse, Borough totally erupted with delight for the team and Ballotelli as soon as the winning goal went in - with the whole place buzzing with the knowledge of the importance of the goal.

We really needed to win and did just that in an exciting game that was a mixture of good, bad, and average.

We are still very much in the mix for the top four, but will need to continue winning games to remain in the race. Following up on the draw away to Everton with victory over a top four rival is exactly the way to start our pursuit of a top four place.

Positives

We showed the determination despite being clawed back twice to win such a vital match.

Mignolet was an asset to the team throughout apart from his kicking.

Jordon Ibe again showed what an amazing talent he is, he is blessed with amazing skill and pace and is not afraid to take on players but also has a calm, smart poise in pressure situations.

Ballotelli finally gets his first league goal and it was an all-important winner!

Negatives

Space not being closed in midfield shows how badly already we are missing Lucas and we are going to continue to struggle without our midfielders being more alert and working harder to protect our defence.

Man of the Match: Emre Can - He has been one of the most influential players in the turnaround in form and again played the dual role of right sided central defender and central midfielder to perfection! Now a really important player for us!

Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Ibe, Henderson, Gerrard (Lovren, 68), Moreno; Markovic (Lallana, 79), Coutinho; Sturridge (Balotelli, 74).

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason (Paulinho, 69); Lamela, Dembele (Soldado, 85), Eriksen (Chadli, 80); Kane.

Referee: P Dowd

Attendance: 44,577 

Liverpool assistant manager comments in Rodgers absence:



Pascoe comments after game in Rodgers absence

"We knew it would be a tough game but we got the three points to keep closing the gap.

"Mario always works hard in training. Recently he has been ill and also had a knock on his foot and couldn't get his boot on but he kept going and deserved his goal.

"He got the winner so I'm sure he's happy. He knew he might have to play a part and he did.

"It must have been a great game to watch but we knew were always going to create chances and with Daniel Sturridge back we knew we were always going to have a threat in behind.

"Steven Gerrard just felt his hamstring. He looked over and said he was feeling it so he was just taken off as a precaution.

"We talked about needing to win to get the gap closer and get closer to the top four. We will be looking to do the same when we play at Southampton in our next game - win again and keep closing the gap."

After the game Ballotelli posted the following on his Instagram account:-

Thanking those that have supported him during his barren spell:

"Great game guys!!! This smile is ONLY for those that always Believe and support me. Thank you . ❤ and Forza Liverpool. But now head down and keep working hard. Tonight is past."



Ballo - happy at last !!!