The Kopite View

Can Liverpool Hold On To Suarez ?

The news that Manchester City is showing a strong interest in Luis Suarez is very worrying for all concerned at Liverpool. Liverpool are very short of strikers at the moment, caused by various reasons, but for Liverpool to lose Suarez would be catastrophic for Liverpool in the situation they find themselves in.

Suarez has been virtually the only player scoring for Liverpool this season and his form has been tremendous which has brought admirers from all angles, not least from the blue half of Manchester.

Liverpool need more strikers added to their squad in January to take the pressure off Suarez, who is their only recognised striker. The news of City’s interest highlights how vulnerable Liverpool could be to losing their best players, just like when Torres had his head turned by Chelsea’s interest.

OK so there was a thought that Torres was not all that happy at the time when Chelsea showed interest as he was concerned with where Liverpool were going, but City could unsettle Suarez with their interest as Liverpool’s future is unclear in Brendan Rodger’s transitional period and Liverpool are still way off from challenging for the Premiership that Manchester City will do, so his loyalty will be tested.

Liverpool can’t guarantee Champions League football or pay mega money like City can do, so this could unsettle Suarez as he is world class and could play for any top team on his current form. But Suarez has stated his happiness at playing for Liverpool by signing a new contract in the summer after Liverpool backed him throughout the “rascist” affair involving Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, which Suarez was grateful for.

Suarez also loves to play every week and if he goes to Manchester City then that won’t happen because of the wealth of talent they have in a larger squad. Suarez looks like he is enjoying life at Liverpool and has a great rapport with the supporters, who idolise him.

But Suarez is ambitious and he loved Ajax and everything about the club, but when Liverpool came calling, Suarez jumped at the chance to test himself in one of the best leagues in the world by joining, and now Suarez could be offered another progression in his career that the ambitious Uruguayan could jump at that Liverpool can’t give him at the moment.

This is a problem that Liverpool now face as they need to keep hold of their best players as they build towards challenging for titles once again.

It will be a major test of Suarez’s loyalty to the club and for Liverpool who can’t afford to lose their star striker. Brendan Rodgers has stated that Suarez will be going nowhere, but a player’s ambition and a richer club’s money and guarantee of Champions League football could be too much for both.

Suarez is a world class player and is one of the best players in the Premiership at the moment and he may just be too big for Liverpool to hold on to in the position they currently find themselves in. Time will tell.

Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool went into the match against Chelsea on the back of a 5 match unbeaten league run. Chelsea also went into the match in good form sitting in second place in the league table. Liverpool have recorded successive league doubles over their hosts, a statistic which gave Roberto Di Matteo cause to classify the Reds as a ‘bogey team’ in his pre-match press conference.

The Team

Brad Jones remained in goal as Reina continues to recover from injury. Jamie Carragher started in defence again for his second start in a week, due to Skrtel feeling unwell. Glen Johnson was a welcome addition to the team after regaining full fitness. Wisdom, Agger and Enrique continued their defensive duties. Sterling, Gerrard, Allen and Sahin hoped to supply ammunition for Suarez.

The Match

Chelsea started on the front foot and almost took an early lead when Allen lost possession in midfield, inviting Hazard to send Oscar clear through on goal, but the Brazilian was put under pressure from Wisdom and he failed to test Jones.

Liverpool controlled the early possession in the match, but Chelsea looked the more threatening when they had the ball. Ivanovic tried his luck from long range but his effort was high.

The opener came from a Juan Mata corner on 20 minutes when Terry, afforded room to spare at the near post, powered a header beyond the reach of Jones.

It might have been 2-0 seven minutes later when Hazard ran clear of Allen in midfield before side-footing to Torres. The Spaniard tried to place the ball beyond Jones but was denied by a good reaction stop before Hazard skewed the rebound.

Liverpool struggled to muster any attempts on goal, but Sahin had a shot but it went wide. The game was brought to a lengthy stop 10 minutes before the interval when Suarez stumbled out of a challenge and into Terry, whose leg was bent backwards in the collision. The former England skipper left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Gary Cahill.

Chelsea continued to dominate and Mata should have scored when one on one with Jones, seconds later he was frustrated again when he shot over from a great position.

The second half started with Chelsea looking to add to their lead and Mata tried his luck from long range. Next, Jones displayed excellent reflexes to stop Torres heading home his first goal against his former employers since departing in January 2011. The save prompted a round of pinball in the Liverpool box but those in red eventually cleared their lines.

Rodgers replaced Sahin with Suso just before the hour mark, and while the impact wasn’t instant, the 18-year-old was to play his part in an equaliser that hadn’t looked likely. It was his corner on 72 minutes that was flicked from the near post to the far by Jamie Carragher. Suarez reacted quicker than Ramires and, from a yard or two out, nodded home before celebrating in front of the travelling supporters.

Liverpool looked a different side after equalising and the Chelsea looked rattled by the loss of their lead. Suso might have won it for Liverpool had he shown a little more composure from a Raheem Sterling cross.

Suarez had Petr Cech scampering back to his goal line with an effort from just inside the Chelsea half, while Ivanovic almost headed the winner from a corner.

Enrique then played Suarez clean through but Cech was quick off his line and got a decisive touch.

The final chance for the hosts was created and executed by Hazard, who angled just wide of the top corner. At the other end Suarez gave an onrushing Enrique the chance to shoot towards the bottom corner but the effort was saved.

Summary

A very good point for Liverpool against a good Chelsea side who will challenge for the Premiership this season. Johnson and Enrique played very well and Jamie Carragher stepped in as a last minute replacement and showed his experience. Disappointing goal to lose as Agger lost Terry at the corner, but the team showed tremendous character to come back into the game and grab a point. Suarez was once again superb and he really is on a rich vein of form. But great to keep the unbeaten run going at a very difficult ground against a very good team.

Anzhi 1-0 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool went into their Europa League tie away to Anzhi on top of their group, but a changed team to the one that defeated Anzhi at Anfield would be expected with Liverpool taking the trip to London to play Chelsea on Sunday. Many regular first teamers like Steven Gerrard, Suarez, Agger, Skrtel, Allen, Sterling and Reina did not travel to Moscow with the main priority being the Chelsea match on Sunday.

The Team

With Brendan Rodgers not taking many regulars on the trip to Moscow, Rodgers mixed his side with a mixture of youth and experience, Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and birthday boy Joe Cole gave the team experience alongside Flanagan, Coates, Wisdom, Shelvey, Morgan and Coady who was making his first team debut. Brad Jones once again kept goal in his recent run in the team.

The Match

The match started at a pedestrian pace with both teams trying to get a feel for the ball. Anzhi created the first chance of the match when Rasim Tagirbekov’s left-footer across goal from the edge of the box failed to trouble Brad Jones, however, with five minutes played.

Liverpool looked to pass the ball around at the back under little pressure from the hosts, but without creating much although Adam Morgan looked lively up front with his movement.

But the hosts were afforded a real let off on 23 minutes when Morgan slipped Jordan Henderson through on goal. He elected to try and pull the ball back to allow the young striker a tap in, but Joao Carlos was able to intercept and a promising opening went begging.

Zhirkov stole the ball off Wisdom and broke into a dangerous position before finding Eto’o 12 yards out who was thwarted by a great save from Brad Jones.

The effort seemed to galvanise the home side and they put Liverpool on the back foot for the first time in the match.

But with the match looking to be heading for a stalemate at half-time, Traore’s clever flick-and-spin beyond the attentions of Coates sent him bearing down on goal. With Jones rushing out to meet him, the striker lofted the ball over the advancing No.1 to alter Rodgers’ half-time teamtalk.

Liverpool looked to respond quickly and Morgan struck into the side-netting after a neat pass from Cole released him into space.

But at the other end Jones was required to pluck Eto’o’s curler out of the air while Traore was millimetres away from grabbing a second with a 20-yard blast.

With an hour played and Liverpool chasing the game, Rodgers sent on Suso and Pacheco for Morgan and Coady to try and improve Liverpool’s attack.

Liverpool began to take control of possession, though Jones was needed to thwart Traore’s close-range header as the game edged towards a conclusion.

Suso’s introduction had provided the Reds with a different attacking impetus, and the 18-year-old was involved in their best opportunity of the evening so far on 77 minutes. His shimmy on the edge of the box created space for a shot, which was spilled by Vladimir Gabulov – but the Anzhi custodian sprung to his feet swiftly to repel Cole’s follow up.

It was Cole’s last involvement in the match as he was replaced by Assaidi in another attacking substitution.

With the visitors pushing forward in search of an equaliser, a counter-attack from Guus Hiddink’s men resulted in Traore racing through on goal, only to steer wide.

The Reds continued to toil throughout the final stages in the hope of clinching a point, but it wasn’t to be as Anzhi held out.

Summary

A very young Liverpool side faced a very expensive Anzhi side. Great to see so many youngsters starting and Coady making his first team debut. Morgan and Coady did really well along with many others. Joe Cole does not look good enough to play for us anymore, and Downing and Henderson just don’t look confident. Andre Wisdom played well again apart from getting caught in possession in the first half. Liverpool passed the ball sideways and backwards far too often and never created enough and never really looked like scoring all night, but neither did Anzhi until a slip by Coates allowed Troare to score the winner right on half-time. Brad Jones made some really good saves, but got caught in no man’s land with the goal. Disappointing to lose, but more invaluable experience for so many youngsters.

Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle Match Report

Liverpool welcomed Newcastle to Anfield to mark club captain Steven Gerrard’s 600^th appearance for Liverpool. But after exiting the Capital One Cup in midweek, Liverpool were desperate for a league victory, having won only two this season. Newcastle have a terrible record at Anfield having last recorded a win 18 years ago, but Newcastle would go into the match full of confidence having won last weekend against West Brom.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers fielded the same team that drew last Sunday against Everton, with Brad Jones still in goal while Reina recovers from injury. Enrique continued at left-back with Johnson still injured. Youngsters Wisdom, Suso and Sterling all continued their run in the side alongside the man of the moment Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez. Skrtel and Agger partnered in the middle of defence, with Joe Allen and Sahin in the middle of midfield.

The Match

The game was preceded by a presentation by Gary McAllister to Steven Gerrard on the day of his 600th appearance for Liverpool – a figure reached by only nine men before him.

It is a sign of our No.8’s standing in English football that even the Newcastle supporters stood to applaud, while Jamie Carragher thinks his friend can now rightly claim to be the greatest player in Liverpool’s 120-year history.

Liverpool attacked from the off and Sterling drew a foul in an attacking position. Gerrard forced Krul into a desperate punch clear from the resulting free-kick.

Sterling then linked up with Sahin before crossing low across the 6 yard box, but the Newcastle defence managed to clear.

The assault continued. Suarez curled agonisingly wide from a free-kick and then worked a yard in the box before being denied by the legs of Krul.

Newcastle launched a few long-range efforts of their own, but Demba Ba was enjoying none of the service that had helped him score six in six prior to this encounter.

Suarez beating Steven Taylor to a header in the Newcastle box just about summed things up, but his effort went wide and the scoresheet remained blank.

Suso then saw a deflected shot just miss the target as Liverpool dominated proceedings, but on 43 minutes Cabaye sent the travelling supporters wild with an angled volley into the top corner right in front of the Kop.

Liverpool started the second half with a succession of corners but could not find the leveller. Suarez was causing the Newcastle defence all sorts of problems and made Krul stretch to save a snapshot from 18 yards as the Kop grew impatient.

The leveller came on 67 minutes, and was arguably worth the wait. It was Jose Enrique who rainbowed a long ball over the top and into the run of Suarez. The Uruguayan was majestic in doing the rest, getting ahead of his marker, controlling on his chest, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net.

Moments later Shelvey missed a great chance to give Liverpool the lead after some excellent play by Suarez to set him up.

Liverpool were on top now and desperate to find a winner. Another superb chance was then wasted as Suarez played Sterling clean through. The 17-year-old hesitated a fraction too long, allowing Taylor to slide in and block the shot.

Newcastle’s chances of holding on were hindered on 84 minutes when skipper Coloccini received a straight red card for a landing his studs on the back of Suarez’s leg.

Liverpool could not capitalise, however, with Shelvey heading straight at the ‘keeper and then forcing Krul to tip onto the crossbar in the game’s final opportunities.

Summary

Brendan Rodgers is starting to play a consistent team in recent league games and this can only be beneficial. A tremendous milestone reached by Steven Gerrard which was applauded by even Newcastle supporters. Sterling had another good game, Luis Suarez was unplayable and topped off his performance with a wonder goal. But once again failure to win the match after playing well in most of the match is a regular problem. Liverpool are not scoring when on top and prone to losing goals with a sucker punch like what happened today. Credit the way the team came back into it in the second half and should have won but they need to start turning draws into wins.

Brendan’s Threadbare Squad

Brenda Rodgers has stated that his squad is too thin to compete in so many competitions this season and his statement was highlighted by his old team disposing of Liverpool in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night.

Rodgers felt he had to rest some of his regular players for the cup tie as most of them had played against Russian side Anzhi and in Sunday’s Merseyside derby against Everton. But it was sad to see Rodgers basically give up on the cup that Liverpool won last season by making so many changes to his team that played against Everton on Sunday.

Rodgers should have been well aware that Swansea would be right up for the match after him leaving in the summer and also taking midfielder Joe Allen with him. In fairness to Rodgers he has tried to give his fringe players a chance in the cup competitions this season, just like he did on Wednesday.

He has put great trust in his players this season but I felt he showed a bit of naivety by making too many changes against Swansea and ultimately paid for it. Swansea had more regular first team players playing and they were far more hungrier on the night than the Liverpool team Rodgers’ assembled.

Jordan Henderson was played out of position at right-back, although he did a decent job for the team. It was a big ask for Assaidi and young Yesil to start in a cup tie like that, with little experience in the English game, and they both struggled. Joe Cole was a massive disappointment and Liverpool have paid the former Chelsea player a lot of money for very little in return, and it will be interesting to see how many more chances he gets in a Liverpool shirt.

Joe Cole is an experienced player who should now be thriving on this opportunity at Liverpool as the squad has little in the way of experience with so many younger members. But Cole has featured very little this season and on the rare occasions he has featured for the first team he has not impressed.

Liverpool have a wealth of talented youngsters coming through at the club with the likes of Sterling, Suso and Wisdom who have become regulars in recent weeks in the first team, but it is difficult for players so young to step up to this level and perform at this high standard every week. But this is what they are being asked to do at the moment with the lack of experience in the squad.

During the summer Liverpool let a lot of experienced players leave which has heaped pressure on Brendan Rodgers and especially the youngsters who have stepped up to the first team squad. Experienced players like Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy, Aquilani, Maxi and Dirk Kuyt have all moved on to pastures new and Jay Spearing and Andy Carroll are out on loan this season.

Yes Liverpool has brought in a few players in this summer but most of them are very young and some don’t have any experience in the English game. Borini, Allen, Yesil, Assaidi and Sahin have arrived but they don’t share the experience that Adam, Bellamy, Maxi or Kuyt have.

We don’t know if this was Rodgers own doing or the owners telling Rodgers that he must sell and reduce the wage bill before he brings new players in, but whatever the reason there has been players leaving that could have helped this season. Bellamy and Kuyt could both play up front and Andy Carroll’s move was a joke considering Liverpool are only left with Suarez as a their only recognised striker after Borini’s unfortunate long term injury. Maxi could have also played an important role with his knack of scoring goals from midfield, which is sadly lacking in the midfielders Liverpool possess.

It will be a tough season for Liverpool and Rodgers having to rely on a “threadbare” squad but the good thing is it will give the youngsters great experience. But the results must be positive along the way at such a big club like Liverpool.

Rodgers keeps reminding everyone of his thin squad which makes me think that the transfer dealings in the summer has not been his own doing and he has went in to the job with his hands tied by his owners, which has made his difficult job a lot more difficult.

The owners must back Rodgers and give him the time he needs and back him in the January transfer window as his squad is in much need of at least one more striker. Time will tell, but Rodgers has a really tough task to put Liverpool back where they belong.

Liverpool 1-3 Swansea Match Report

Liverpool 1-3 Swansea Commentary

Liverpool continued their defence of the League (Capital One) Cup at home to Swansea who were narrowly defeated by Premiership Champions Manchester City at the weekend. Liverpool went into the game on a 4 match unbeaten league run including a 2-2 draw at local rivals Everton last Sunday. Added spice to the fixture was the fact that Liverpool were playing Brendan Rodgers’ former club for the first time since leaving them in the summer.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers made wholesale changes to his team for the visit of Swansea, Rodgers made 10 changes to the team that started at Goodison with only Brad Jones keeping his place in the team. Obviously Rodgers was using his squad with the busy fixture list Liverpool have, and Rodgers feels the Capital One Cup gives some of his fringe players a chance to impress. Jordan Henderson, Jamie Carragher, Coates and Jack Robinson made up the defence in front of Brad Jones, with Assaidi and Downing the wide midfield men alongside Joe Allen, Shelvey and Joe Cole in the middle, with young Yesil playing up front. Brendan Rodgers selected a strong list of substitutes with Gerrard, Suarez, Skrtel, Wisdom, Sterling and Suso on the bench.

Gerrard shoots against Swansea picture courtesy Daily Mail

The Match

It took until the 9^th minute to witness the first chance of the eagerly anticipated cup tie when Yesil’s persistence almost put him through on goal but Ashley Williams managed to thwart the youngster.

Williams sent a raking ball through to Dyer but his touch let him down as Jones gathered. The visitors started the match confidently and were having the lion’s share of possession. Ki-Sung Yeung then had the Australian goalkeeper scrambling across his goal line with a 20-yard punt.

Then, with 25 minutes on the clock, only the sort of last-ditch block tackle that Jamie Carragher has made his trademark over the years prevented Hernandez from a clean shot at goal after a crisp one-two between the Swansea winger and Michu had dissected the Reds’ defence.

Stewart Downing then had a low shot from distance turned round the post by goalkeeper Tremmel, but Jonathan De Guzman spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring for the Swans when his attempted lob over the onrushing Jones only succeeded in finding the roof of the net at the end of a lightening counter.

Swansea capitalised on their good spell of possession in the 34^th minute when Chico rose highest to head home from a corner-kick and send the large travelling support wild with delight.

Liverpool could have restored instant parity had Cole been able to get any purchase on a header from Assaidi’s centre when unmarked, but his attempt lacked power and bounced into the grateful gloves of Tremmel.

Yesil and Downing had a couple of efforts before the break but the away side deservedly went in at half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Brendan Rodgers made a double substitution at the break with Gerrard and Suarez replacing Cole and Yesil.

Liverpool started the second half brightly and Shelvey shot over after creating space for himself. The England man then teed up Suarez with a sumptuous outside-of-the-boot cross that the Uruguayan nodded off target five minutes after the re-start.

Liverpool were on top now in their quest to find parity and they went very close in the 64^th minute when Gerrard rattled the base of the post from long range which fell kindly to Downing 6 yards out but he missed horribly with his right foot.

But the Reds were perhaps fortunate to survive an incredible passage of play that followed next as a goalmouth scramble saw Swansea pepper the Kop end goal repeatedly. Only the reflexes of Jones and the bravery of Carragher denied them a second of the night.

Jones was then required to tip a stinging strike from Michu over the bar and Williams powered a header inches wide from the resulting corner.

It was then Liverpool’s turn to frantically try and turn the ball home in a crowded box as Shelvey, Coates, Carragher and Suarez all tried to net.

They were unable to, however, and within seconds Swansea doubled their advantage as they broke forward, resulting in Dyer tapping in Hernandez’s cross.

Liverpool now had a mountain to climb to stay in the Cup they won last February, and they were given a lifeline with 13 minutes to go when Suarez headed in a Gerrard free-kick.

But despite heavy late pressure, the Reds were unable to conjure up a dramatic equaliser as the Swans clinched victory with De Guzman’s last-gasp tap in as they broke away in the last minute.

Suarez Heads Liverpool’s Goal picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Summary

Rodgers made a lot of changes and paid the price against his old side. Respectfully he gave many players a chance to impress, but not many did as they were second best to a good Swansea side who pressured Liverpool and passed the ball around confidently and also counter attacked dangerously. Brad Jones had a terrific game making some vital saves, but Liverpool really struggled in the first half with Carragher looking past his best and Joe Cole looking like a total waste of space and money. Assaidi struggled to get into the game along with Yesil not receiving much service. Stewart Downing was poor again and missed a total sitter after Gerrard hit the post. Liverpool played better once Suarez and Gerrard came on for the second half. Coates had a good game in defence with some timely tackles. But Swansea deserved the win and Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed to lose to his old team.

PLEASEBRING FORWARDKEVIN WILLIAMS INQUEST – e-petitions epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40925 please help Anne Williams by signing this petition (UK residents only)

Youngsters Derby Experience

Brendan Rodgers is giving youth a chance at Liverpool this season, which has been applauded by most Liverpool supporters who realise there is great potential coming through at youth level.

The step up to first team level is massive and for the younger players with no experience at this level, there will be ups and downs. Most youngsters breaking into a first team only receive fleeting chances, but there has been a few at Liverpool this season that are playing regularly, Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom have become regulars and are having to face new challenges every week.

Sunday’s Merseyside derby was a big learning experience for Liverpool’s youngsters. The Goodison experience is a unique one, the crowd are up close to the park and the atmosphere is intense and passionate. The game itself is always blood and thunder with no time to dwell on the ball, and for all the preparation in the world you can never be prepared for what you will experience.

Liverpool’s youngsters have been a breath of fresh air this season, but on Sunday they struggled against an experienced, on form, motivated Everton side who intent on putting Liverpool in their place.

Liverpool were under pressure from the start, but found themselves 2-0 up in the first half only to be pegged back. But it was noticeable that Sterling was struggling to make any impact on the wings as he was tightly marked and physically challenged by Everton’s defenders. Suso hardly got a touch in the first half with the pace of the game passing him by, Sahin had a similar problem in the midfield. Andre Wisdom had his most torrid time from coming into the first team, mainly caused by the dangerous opponent Mirallas who he faced. Wisdom would have been glad to see him replaced at half time.

With so many players struggling to impose themselves in the match, it was tremendous for Liverpool that they came away with a positive result from the match and should have clearly won the match in the last minute.

Andre Wisdom in action against Everton picture courtesy of Daily Mail

Credit has to go to Brendan Rodgers who changed things at half time, realising that Liverpool were second best to Everton. His changes both protected the struggling youngsters and gave more of a physical presence in the shape of Shelvey and Coates replacing Sahin and Suso.

Rodgers also changed his tactics as he put Coates into defence alongside Skrtel and Agger to combat Everton’s aerial threat. Raheem Sterling was played more through the middle after struggling in the first half and immediately made an impact at the start of the second half when he almost scored when being sent clear with only Howard to beat, unfortunately his finish let him down.

But Sterling’s pace and trickery became more of a threat in the second half as Everton players regularly fouled the youngster to stop him with some rough treatment, which never affected him, especially with him on a yellow card, he never reacted to the treatment he received.

Andre Wisdom continued to struggle in the second half but once again Rodgers realised this and replaced him with Henderson.

Rodgers changes made a difference to the second half as Everton didn’t have the same domination and didn’t look as dangerous with their attacks and Liverpool looked more dangerous on the counter attack.

Brendan Rodgers showed what a good manager he is with his willingness to change things so early in the match rather than wait for things to happen. Protecting his youngsters from possible mental scarring of a difficult experience in such a high profile match was also clever by Rodgers.

But the faith Rodgers is showing in his youngsters is brave and the experience of a Merseyside derby will give them invaluable experience and they will be better and stronger for it.

Everton 2-2 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool are in the middle of a hectic schedule of fixtures at the moment, with their involvement in European and domestic cup competitions, and fixtures don’t come much tougher than the Merseyside derby as Liverpool travelled the short trip across Stanley Park to Goodison to play Everton. Unusually Liverpool went into the game as underdogs, mainly due to Everton’s tremendous start to the season and Liverpool’s inconsistent start, so it would be interesting to see who would have bragging rights at the end of the day.

The Team

Liverpool had a tough Europa League match against Russian side Anzhi on Thursday night and many of the players that played were selected again to face Everton on only 3 days rest. Brad Jones deputised again in goal for Reina as he recovers from injury. The only change from the recent defensive line-up was Jose Enrique replacing Johnson at right-back, who left the field at halftime on Thursday night. Sterling, Sahin, Gerrard, Suso and Allen started in midfield with Suarez as Liverpool’s striker.

The Match

When Z-Cars rang around Goodison Park minutes before kick-off, a ferocious roar brought the stadium to life and the travelling Reds broke into You’ll Never Walk Alone only to be roundly booed amid the blur of clapping hands and pumping fists that surrounded them in each of the home sections.

Everton threatened first in the early stages when Jelavic looked to set-up Naismith at the far post, but Enrique cleared the danger. The game started typically at a frenetic pace with no time on the ball and Everton were not going to allow Liverpool to implement their passing style on the match.

But Liverpool stunned the home support when the 18-year-old Suso fed a weighted pass into the path of Enrique, who fired the ball across the face of goal towards Raheem Sterling but Baines bundled the winger to the floor. However, lurking beyond the far-post was Suarez, who took a touch before firing past Howard to where Baines diverted the ball into his own net, sending the Kopites wild.

Moments later after Everton’s Osman was shown the first yellow card of the day, the resulting free-kick was delivered by Gerrard into the Everton penalty box which was glanced past Tim Howard by the head of Luis Suarez to double Liverpool’s lead.

But Everton hit back immediately when Brad Jones rushed out to punch a corner clear but his attempt landed perfectly for Osman, who controlled with his chest before driving the ball through a thicket of Liverpool players inside the penalty area and into the net behind.

Everton’s reply galvanised the silenced home support once again as they roared their favourites on for an equaliser. Mirallas was becoming more and more of a threat down Everton’s left as the home side heaped on the pressure.

Sterling was shown a harsh yellow card in the 29^th minute for a foul on Baines and some of the Everton players tried to get the youngster sent off after he committed another foul seconds later, but referee Marriner saw sense.

Everton peppered the Reds’ goal with a combination of deep crosses, aimed mainly towards Fellaini, and balls into the left channel for Jelavic to chase.

The home side had seized momentum and they duly equalised. Fellaini turned free of Andre Wisdom and fired into the middle, where Naismith was arriving right on cue to smash the ball beyond Jones and send Goodison rocking.

Liverpool were glad to hear the half-time whistle to relieve the pressure and the chance to regroup. Rodgers brought on Shelvey for Suso and Coates for Sahin for the second half as he opted for 3 at the back and a change of personnel and tactics to try and change the pattern of play of the first half. Everton were dealt a blow with the dangerous Mirallas not returning for the second half after sustaining an injury at the end of the first half.

Minutes into the second half Enrique sent Sterling clear but his finish let him down with only Howard to beat.

Neat play from Everton left the Reds’ defence in tatters on the hour mark. Seamus Coleman and Jelavic exchanged passes before the full-back whipped the ball into the heart of Jones’s penalty area but no blue shirt was advancing on the six-yard box and Wisdom cleared.

Everton were still the more dominant side in the second half but Liverpool looked more dangerous at counter attacking than they did in the first half, mainly due to Shelvey’s influence with his passing range and willingness to make runs forward when given the chance.

Everton’s best chance to take the lead looked to be from free-kicks around the penalty area, and Liverpool were obliging in gifting Everton many of these set-piece situations in the second half, with committing too many clumsy fouls.  One of these free-kicks led to Coleman drove a tantalising cross in between Jones and his defenders and Jelavic was lethal in his movement but wasteful with his finish as he sent a blistering header into the Park End from yards out.

Both teams were looking for a winner and Phil Jagielka stretched a leg to deny Gerrard on 82 minutes after substitute Jordan Henderson won the ball back and squared it to him. Moments later, Suarez skipped past several Everton defenders but Jagielka was down bravely again to block his effort.

For all the effort both side put in to the match it looked like they would both have to reluctantly settle for the draw. But late drama was witnessed in the final minute of injury time when Suarez found the back of the net from a Coates knock-down and was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Summary

It was a brilliant match with two rivals going at it hammer and tongs for 90 minutes. Merseyside derby debuts for so many of Liverpool’s youngsters and to come away from Goodison with a positive result was tremendous, especially after sustaining long periods of pressure from the home side. Suarez was brilliant and Everton’s defence couldn’t handle him and as he scored two tremendous goals. A few of the youngsters will learn a lot from the experience as I felt Suso, Sahin and Andre Wisdom struggled a bit against a strong Everton side. Wisdom had a tough time against Mirallas, but he will be better for it, Suso and Sahin struggled to get into the match as the pace was frenetic. Sterling struggled in the first half and was put under pressure by receiving a yellow card, he had a really good second half when he was played through the middle and created problems for Everton. Disappointed to lose a two goal lead, but losing a goal so soon after doubling the lead gave Everton the momentum and Liverpool had to withstand intense pressure especially in the first half, Agger and especially Skrtel were like rocks in the heart of the defence. A poor punch by Jones led to Everton’s first goal and Everton’s second goal came from a throw in which should have gone Liverpool’s way. Credit to Brendan Rodgers, who changed things at half-time after watching Everton dominate the first half. Bringing on Shelvey to bolster the midfield and Coates to add height to the defence made a huge difference in the second half. Rodgers also replaced Wisdom for Henderson in the second half as the youngster was enduring a difficult match. Suarez could have been in trouble for his “diving” goal celebration but Moyes made light of the celebration in his post-match comments. But Moyes felt Suarez could have been shown a red card for a foul on Distin when he appeared to rake his studs down the back of the defender’s leg, resulting in the Uruguayan receiving a yellow card, I thought it was accidental and Suarez’s reaction in apology proves this. Drama at the end with another officiating decision going against Liverpool when Suarez looked to have snatched a late winner only to be ruled out wrongly by an offside flag. Overall, a draw was a fair result and Liverpool should be happy with the point and the resilient performance shown.

Liverpool 1-0 Anzhi Match Report

Europa League action was next on the agenda for Liverpool as they faced Russian aristocrats Anzhi Makhachkala who lead the Russian league. The Russian leaders have used their wealth to bring quality to their side in the form of Yuri Zhirkov, Christopher Samba and Samuel Eto’o. Liverpool lost their last Europa League match at home to Udinese, so a positive result was vital if Liverpool were to continue in the competition.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers has been using his full squad for this season’s Europa League matches, but he was not taking anything for granted against Anzhi as he knew the quality he faced and the result he needed. Pepe Reina was still struggling with an injury, so Brad Jones once again deputised for the Spaniard, but Rodgers fielded his regular looking defence, with Wisdom, Agger, Skrtel and Johnson all starting. Assaidi made a rare start on the left with Sahin, Shelvey and Gerrard in the middle of midfield and Stewart Downing wide on the right, Luis Suarez was selected as striker in Brendan Rodgers strong team selection.

The Match

Suarez was influential from the start as he nutmegged a couple of defenders in the first 10 minutes, then he beat another defender before over hitting his cross. Suarez then had a shot saved by Gabulov after receiving an Assaidi cross.

Anzhi seemed reluctant to venture forward as they set their stall out to frustrate Liverpool and defend in numbers in their quest to take a point back to Russia.

With little to do defensively, Johnson made the goalkeeper work with a shot from just inside the area on 21 minutes, while Suarez presented Jonjo Shelvey with a straightforward chance to open the scoring. Running towards the edge of the box, the England youngster elected to shoot first time and saw his blast loop into the Anfield Road end.

Liverpool continued to probe for an opening, but found it hard to create many chances against Anzhi’s well organised defence. Assaidi showed great tenacity to create an opening for but his shot was easily saved by Gabulov.

Eto’o looked an isolated figure for most of the first half with Anzhi’s reluctance to venture forward, and it was just before the half-time whistle before Anzhi mustered their first shot at the Liverpool goal when Smolov fired an ambitious 35 yard effort well wide.

Brendan Rodgers made a change at half-time with Raheem Sterling coming on for Johnson to play down the left with Downing switching to left-back.

Liverpool continued to press for the opener in the second half, with Agger shooting off target from long range after striding forward. Straight after it, Skrtel had a go. The goalkeeper fumbled but recovered in time. Seconds later Shelvey centred as Gerrard sprinted towards the near post, Suarez the far. It was the skipper who connected, stretching to execute a header which landed narrowly wide.

On 53 minutes the goal finally came when Downing cut in from his flank and smacked right-footed into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

It was the wide man’s second goal – he also has three assists – in Europe so far this term. “Stewart Downing, he scores when he wants,” chanted the Kop.

The goal finally stimulated Anzhi to come forward as they started to press Liverpool back into their own half. Goal hero Stewart Downing almost gifted Anzhi an equaliser with a suicidal pass into his own penalty area which Skrtel did well to hack clear only to fall to Eto’o at the edge of the box, Eto’o’s powerful shot was well saved by Jones as Liverpool started to look a bit nervous with their precarious lead.

Liverpool endured a tense final tense 10 minutes as Anzhi camped inside the Liverpool half, but the home side held out for an important win to take them top of their Europa League group. It was Liverpool’s third consecutive clean sheet and a second win in a week which should bring great confidence going into Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Summary

A great result for Liverpool against a talented Russian side who disappointingly came to defend. Liverpool looked frustrated to break Anzhi down as they struggled to create many chances. Suarez was as ever looking the biggest threat, but again became increasingly frustrated by some of the referee’s decisions, resulting in him receiving another yellow card for dissent. Assaidi looked very lively down the left and created many problems running at defenders. Glen Johnson also looked dangerous running forward as he complimented Assaidi. Liverpool’s defence looked rock solid especially in the final minutes when Anzhi threatened an equaliser. Andre Wisdom was superb again at right-back letting nothing past him and venturing forward when given the chance. A very important win for Liverpool and a third clean sheet in a row will give Liverpool great confidence going to Goodison on Sunday.