Liverpool’s Young Talent
There looks a wealth of talent coming through at Anfield right now as Liverpool start to reap the rewards of their Academy that was former manager Rafa Benitez’s vision for the future.
Youngsters getting a chance to breakthrough at first team level has always been very tough as top clubs have spending power to improve their team, but at Liverpool times have changed and money is tighter and with a new young manager in Brendan Rodgers it looks like the young talent will be given a chance to play for Liverpool’s first team.
Already this season we have saw many youngsters play in the first team. Sterling, Suso, Morgan, Yesil, Robinson, Pacheco and Andre Wisdom have all stepped up to the plate and showed they are more than capable of playing at first team level and proving that if you are good enough age is not a factor.
The impressive thing is the way everyone is playing, the veterans, the youngsters, everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet written by Brendan Rodgers and his pass and move style of play.
The introduction of the younger players has excited everybody connected to Liverpool Football Club, but nobody is getting carried away, after all, it is hard to break into the team but is far tougher staying in it with all the competition that is there for places and more importantly how difficult it is to play consistently at that level week in week out.
Experienced players like Gerrard and Carragher who have come through the youth teams to become legends of the club will no doubt remind the younger players of how tough it is and they will be there to keep their feet on the ground if they get too carried away or put an arm around their shoulder if things get tough. But Gerrard and Carragher will be invaluable to the youngsters’ progression, every bit as much as Brendan Rodgers will be.
Raheem Sterling is the one that has really caught the eye so far this season and he is being rewarded with a run in the first team which is impressive and encouraging for others, especially as he is keeping out big money signing Stewart Downing. Recently Andre Wisdom has come into the side after the unfortunate injury to Martin Kelly, and he has looked very impressive too.
The crop of young players coming through will also encourage the even younger ones at the Academy that if they are good enough they will get their chance and the club could save a lot of money too, by not having to go out and spend mega money on players to improve the team.
Liverpool have endured a very tough start to the season with a new manager with new ideas and a tough fixture list to start the season too, but now things start to be looking up, maybe this season is a transitional one but it could be a very important one with so many youngsters stepping up to the first team and gaining invaluable experience.
Liverpool supporters have the knowledge and experience to know that the young talent must be given time and Liverpool will be rewarded, that I am sure.
Unfair Treatment Of Suarez
Last Saturday Luis Suarez produced another magnificent performance highlighted by scoring 3 terrific goals against Norwich City.
Luis Suarez is a very talented player but he also has a history of controversy, since his time in Holland with Ajax where he bit an opponent to his charge of “racist abuse” towards Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, which resulted in the Uruguayan being banned for 8 games.
Suarez also has an unfortunate reputation as a “diver” for going to ground too easily under challenges from opponents, and this reputation is really going against the Liverpool striker.
During last Saturday’s match at Norwich Suarez was blatantly bundled to the ground in the penalty area by a Norwich defender, it looked like one of the easiest penalty decisions a referee would ever need to make, but amazingly the referee Mike Jones never awarded the penalty.
The week before against Manchester United Suarez was brought down by United defender Johnny Evans in the penalty box, but again Suarez never got the decision. It is becoming a common theme for Suarez not getting decisions from referees and this is leading to his frustration that invariably leads to him receiving a yellow card for dissent.
Other manager’s comments have not helped Suarez as they have highlighted his “diving” antics. Sir Alex Ferguson being one of those managers that showed distaste to Suarez’s tactics and would have hoped his comments would be noted by Premiership referees. It is obvious that referees have taken note of Sir Alex’s and other manager’s comments.
“Diving” is an unsavoury part of football, but the fact is everybody does it. British players are every bit to blame for doing it as is foreign players and it has just become part of football whether we like it or not.
But no player in England is being victimised for their style of play more than Luis Suarez. Suarez is no angel and he does make the most when challenged, and can exaggerate a bit. But a foul is a foul and a referee has to give one when it is one. But Luis Suarez does not seem to be getting decisions even when they look blatant fouls and it looks like Suarez’s reputation is playing a big part in the referee’s decision.
No matter what reputation a player has a referee has to look at the incident and make his decision on what he saw and not who he saw involved in the incident.
Suarez deserves fair treatment from officials and right now that is not happening and Suarez and Liverpool are the ones suffering which is disgraceful by the referees in this country.
Norwich City 2-5 Liverpool Match Report
Liverpool went to Carrow Road in desperate need of a victory as they still searched for their first league win of the season. Liverpool received an encouraging midweek boost when they beat West Brom in the Capital One Cup with Brendan Rodgers fielding a very young side, and it would be interesting to see what team he would pick after so many good performances midweek.
The Team
Brendan Rodgers brought back many of his regulars for the visit to Norwich, with Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Suarez and Joe Allen coming back into the side. Brendan Rodgers gave a reward to youngsters Suso and Wisdom for their performances midweek and also to two goal hero Sahin, Raheem Sterling was also included in the team as he is quickly becoming a regular.
The Match
Liverpool took the lead before many supporters had took their seat for the match when crisp passing sent the ball skimming back and forth across the Carrow Road surface, pulling the opposition apart and carving holes in their formation.
Then the killer ball from Raheem Sterling, who collected play from Joe Allen and pivoted into space before sliding the ball into Johnson, who poked into Sahin.
Turner came across to dispossess him but the ball ricocheted into the path of Suarez, who cut inside before arrowing the ball back across the face of goal and into the bottom corner of John Ruddy’s net.
It was the perfect start for Liverpool and their confidence grew with Liverpool dominating possession for long periods.
Then in the 22nd minute Suarez was bundled to the ground by Leon Barnett in the penalty but referee Mike Jones waved away Liverpool’s appeals.
Norwich threatened when Simeon Jackson lashed the ball over the bar with a left-footed volley after Steve Morison nodded it back into his path.
Suso then fed Suarez, who clipped a superb pass into the path of Gerrard. The skipper met the ball with his head but Ruddy was out well to push his effort away.
Suarez was sent through on goal once more but he side-footed wide when he really should have slotted. However, seconds later the Uruguayan stole play from Michael Turner, nutmegged him and then sent the ball curling past Ruddy with a fine right-footed effort.
It was no more than Liverpool deserved with their domination of the first half.
Norwich almost pulled a goal back at the start of the second half but Snodgrass deflected his effort over the bar.
At the other end, the Reds responded in style. Suarez slalomed down the right and at the second time of asking, slipped a pass into Sahin, who rolled the ball home from yards out.
Minutes later, Suarez got his hat-trick.
Sterling started the move that finished with Sahin slotting the ball into the Uruguayan, who took a touch to compose himself before calmly curling past Ruddy.
Norwich just couldn’t handle Suarez and Liverpool’s confident passing play and it looked to be a matter of how many for the visitors.
But Norwich did manage to pull one back on the hour-mark, Reina beat a Russell Martin effort out into the path of Morison, who fired into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
But Liverpool were not finished yet and Gerrard made it five when his deflected effort beat Ruddy after a good run down the right by Sterling, although Norwich pulled a second goal back through substitute Grant Holt to end the scoring.
Summary
It was great to see Brendan Rodgers reward Suso, Sahin and give Andre Wisdom his league debut for their midweek performances. Liverpool got a great start to the match with the early goal but their passing and confidence throughout the game was impressive. Suarez was unplayable and proved how clinical he can be in front of goal. Great to see Liverpool win their first league win and this will only bring more confidence. So many good performances, but what does Suarez have to do to get a penalty, unbelievable stone waller waved away again. Disappointing to lose two poor goals but can’t take away from an impressive away win by Liverpool and to score five goals in the process is tremendous and hopefully Liverpool can build on this.
West Brom 1-2 Liverpool Match Report
Liverpool travelled to the Hawthorns for a very tricky tie as they try to defend the trophy they won last season. Liverpool would be looking for a bit of revenge after being humbled 3-0 on the opening day of the season by the hosts. West Brom have made a good start to the season, whereas Liverpool are still looking for their first league win after losing at home to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Team
Brendan Rodgers made 11 changes to the team that lost to Manchester United, as his main priority is the league. But his changes made way for many of Liverpool’s youngsters to receive an opportunity to impress. Jamie Carragher and Stewart Downing gave experience to a very youthful side which included Wisdom, Coates and Robinson alongside Carragher in defence in front of Brad Jones who replaced Reina. Sahin partnered Henderson in the middle of midfield with Assaidi on the left and Downing down the right flank, Pacheco supporting Yesil upfront.
The Match
Liverpool were stunned in the first couple of minutes when Liam Ridgewell floated a pass into the heart of the Reds’ penalty area and Jones rushed out to intercept; however, the ‘keeper spilled the ball into the feet of Tamas, who fired into the empty net behind.
Moments later Romelu Lukaku went close to doubling their advantage. The Belgian darted past Jamie Carragher but the veteran Liverpool defender made amends for his momentary lapse in concentration by hurling himself in front of the striker’s attempted finish.
Lukaku was causing Liverpool’s defence all sorts of problems as the visitors tried to stay in the game and in 7 minutes he cut the ball back to Rosenberg , his low powerful effort was well saved by Jones.
Assaidi made Liverpool’s first real chance when he darted down the left flank before crossing towards Foster’s near post but the arriving Yesil just failed to connect.
The attack seemed to galvanise the visitors as they started to come into the game. The away fans, packed into the stand behind Jones’s goal, played their part as they chanted ‘One Brendan Rodgers’ in a passionate show of support for the manager and, within a minute, Sahin had fired past Foster to level proceedings.
Stewart Downing found Andre Wisdom out on the right wing and the young full-back showed composure when he rolled the ball to Sahin, who took a touch before smashing home from 30 yards. Foster should have dealt with the effort but the Reds were not complaining.
A tempestuous minute of play, just prior to the interval, saw Wisdom flick a powerful free-kick yards wide of his own goal before Jack Robinson hooked the ball to safety and the Reds broke. Assaidi fed Yesil, who was visibly caught as he attempted to break free of the West Brom defence but the young striker remained on his feet allowing Jonas Olsson to dispossess him.
Liverpool started the second half brightly and were looking a threat going forward. The Reds started brightly after the interval. First Daniel Pacheco and Yesil exchanged passes on the edge of the West Brom box but Yassine El Ghanassy poked the ball clear as the Spaniard shaped to shoot.
Then Assaidi crossed deep towards the back post, Billy Jones ducked out of the cross but the loose ball caught Downing by surprise as he arrived at the far post to nod home.
Then Yesil spun and fired at Foster from range, the ball bobbled between the stopper’s legs before bouncing over the crossbar.
Sahin was influencing the play from the middle of midfield as Liverpool looked for a winner, West Brom’s attacks were rare as Liverpool’s youngsters continued to impress.
Pacheco went close with two efforts. First he twirled past a marker after bringing the ball down with a delicate touch before looping a shot over Foster and onto the crossbar. Then he fired low and hard at the ‘keeper, who managed to push his goal-bound effort wide.
Sahin whipped a tantalising pass in behind a back-tracking West Brom defence and Sebastian Coates barged his way to the front of the pack to divert the ball towards goal but Foster was there once more.
With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, 16-year-old Jerome Sinclair became the youngest-ever Liverpool player when he replaced Yesil and Suso came on in place of Pacheco.
And within seconds Suso unlocked the West Brom back four sliding a pass into Assaidi who squared play for Sahin to tap home.
Liverpool held out for the remaining minutes as West Brom tried to stay in the Cup. A tremendous win for Brendan Rodgers and his young side as they now look forward to a home tie against Rodgers’s old side Swansea in the next round.
The Summary
11 changes from Sunday’s team and worries of a squad that lacks depth, after this performance against West Brom many people will take on a different view of Brendan Rodgers’ squad. After falling behind so early many teams with so many youngsters could have crumbled, but this Liverpool team showed great character to respond in the way they did and fully deserved the victory. Jamie Carragher martialled the younger players brilliantly from the back, who played some very good stuff, with great passing moves with a high tempo on winning the ball back. Sahin was instrumental in midfield and capped of a great performance with his two goals. Yesil looked very sharp up front with Pacheco supporting him and Assaidi was a box of tricks as he looked to run at defenders whenever he received the ball. Every player was superb in a terrific team performance that must give everyone connected with Liverpool so much encouragement in this difficult start to the season.
Respect To Munich And The 96
Yesterday’s match at Anfield was a very emotional occasion as it was Liverpool’s first home game since the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report being released. With Liverpool playing against bitter rivals Manchester United put the whole occasion under intense scrutiny as to how everyone would behave.
For many years sections of both supports have chanted about each other’s tragedies, and in the lead up to this fixture, both managers called upon the supporters to end this sick activity. Sir Alex Ferguson in particular was very intent on ending the vile chanting as he issued letters to Manchester United supporters going to the match about their conduct.
Manchester United Football Club made a tremendous gesture with the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton gifting Liverpool’s legendary striker Ian Rush a bouquet with 96 red roses. Both teams warmed up with track suit tops on with the number 96 on their backs. Then team captains Ryan Giggs and Steven Gerrard released 96 balloons into the sky prior to kick-off. Then supporters in sections of the crowd held up red and white leaflets portraying simple poignant messages :” the truth”,” justice” and “96”. The handshakes between both teams before the match was also scrutinised, focusing on Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez whose recent history has not been friendly to say the least, headlined by their “racism row” which resulted in Suarez receiving a lengthy 8 match ban, followed by Suarez’s refusal to shake Evra’s hand prior to kick-off last time both teams met.
But respectfully both players shook hands on this occasion and set the tone for the afternoon ahead where the football and respectfulness of both clubs and supporters took the headlines. United won the match 2-1 but for once the result felt secondary to the occasion that was marked with great respect from two great rival football clubs.
Reports suggested that a couple of Liverpool supporters made aeroplane gestures after the match where United supporters retaliated with chants of “Always the victims” and “Murderers”. But a couple of “Morons” should not be allowed publicity to overshadow a tremendously honoured respectful occasion which both sets of clubs and supporters deserve great credit for.
The authorities should deal with this very small element of idiots harshly and ban them from ever entering a football ground again, and the media must stop encouraging these idiots by giving them headline news which they thrive on.
Hopefully this example of respect by Liverpool and Manchester United will end the “tragic” chanting as both clubs and supporters have shown that they can be respectful rivals. To both Manchester United and Liverpool, to the tragic souls who lost their lives in Munich and to the 96 who died at Hillsborough :
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United Match Report
Liverpool at home to Manchester United is always an emotional encounter, but this time it was even more so, with Liverpool playing their first match at Anfield since the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report was released. Both managers called for respect from both sets of supporters as the rivalry has recently got very bitter with disgusting chants relating to the tragedies that both clubs have suffered.
The Team
Brendan Rodgers made a number of changes to the team that played against Young Boys on Thursday, with first team regulars Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Kelly, Johnson, Allen, Gerrard, Sterling and Suarez coming back into the side after being rested.
The Match
Before the game got underway red and white coloured leaflets were raised by the Kop and sections of the Centenary and Anfield Road stands, portraying three simple yet poignant messages: ‘The Truth’, ‘Justice’ and ’96’.
To commemorate the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report, the mosaic was held as You’ll Never Walk Alone rang around Anfield and remained in place for the first minute of the game.
Liverpool started the match brightly and Suarez went close when he smashed the ball across goal which Lindegaard got a hand to as Gerrard looked to finish off the move.
Borini was then denied after Suarez pivoted sharply and threaded an instinctive pass between a wall of United defenders for him to chase. However, when the Italian found himself a yard clear of any marker and clean through on goal, his first touch was too heavy and Lindegaard was out quickly to smother his effort.
With Liverpool dominating possession Gerrard side footed into the side netting after a short free-kick. Then Evans bundled Agger to the ground in the penalty box, but referee Halsey waved away Liverpool’s appeals.
Suarez slalomed towards the United goal as defenders swarmed around him in an attempt to pre-empt his next move. The Uruguayan shuffled the ball onto his right foot and tried to whip it into the top corner of Lindegaard’s net but his strike dipped over the bar.
United seemed content on defending deep and trying to hit Liverpool on the break, but they continued to give possession back to Liverpool.
However, on 38 minutes Anfield was stunned when Shelvey launched himself into a 50-50 challenge with Evans and Halsey deemed him to have come over the ball with two feet and the midfielder was sent off.
Deflated only momentarily, the home side refused to surrender momentum. Suarez sent a free-kick crashing towards Lindegaard’s left but the ‘keeper was down smartly to parry. Allen fed a pass into Borini, who cut the ball back from the touchline but no Liverpool player could turn home his inviting pass.
Suso came on for Liverpool to start the second half and he made an immediate impact being involved in the move that led to the opening goal. His attempted cross was blocked and Johnson picked up possession. The full-back darted into the United penalty area where the ball bobbled up to Gerrard. The skipper controlled with his chest before volleying left-footed into the corner of Lindegaard’s net.
Anfield was rocking, but it was stunned into silence 4 minutes later when Rafael curled an effort into the top corner past Reina from just inside the box.
On the hour mark Suarez let the ball roll across his body as he swivelled on the edge of the penalty area and fired low towards the corner of Lindegaard’s goal. Once again, however, the ‘keeper was not found wanting as he palmed the ball to safety.
United crept back into the game as time wore on. Alex Ferguson’s men looked more dangerous on the ball as van Persie lurked on the shoulder of the Liverpool defence.
And despite a short spell of possession for the home side, Antonio Valencia seized upon a mix-up for the Reds and ran half the length of the field before going to ground in the box.
Reina was booked, a penalty awarded and Van Persie side-footed the ball home to give United the lead.
Liverpool tried to respond in the latter stages with Kelly going close with a header, but United held out for their first victory at Anfield in the league since 2007.
Summary
A very emotional day today and tremendous tributes and respect shown by both teams and supporters prior to kick-off. Great to see Suarez and Evra finally shake hands too. Liverpool played very well and deserved to take something from the match, but when you are struggling things don’t go your way and the two big refereeing decisions went against Liverpool. Evans could very easily have been sent off with his two footed challenge with Shelvey and Valencia went to ground very easily at the penalty. Great goal from Gerrard and some good performances by Suarez, Allen and Kelly was superb, young Suso did brilliantly when coming on too. But another defeat and now Liverpool are in the bottom three and need to start winning very soon.
Young Boys 3-5 Liverpool Match Report
Liverpool’s first match in the Europa League group stages was a trip to Switzerland to face Young Boys in a tricky away match for the Anfield side. With one eye on Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, Brendan Rodgers took a very young squad to Switzerland.
The Team
With first team regulars like Gerrard, Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson and Suarez being left at home, Brendan Rodgers fielded a very young side. Experienced players like Carragher, Enrique, Downing were complimented by youngsters making their debuts, Assaidi, Suso and Andre Wisdom at right-back. Sahin and Jordan Henderson were handed another chance to impress Brendan Rodgers.
The Match
Although Liverpool started the match with an unfamiliar line-up, the passing style of the team was still the same as the men from Anfield set out to pass their way to victory.
Passing, moving, stopping and turning, Rodgers’ men stunned the home side with a combination of subtle movement and precise passing to carve an opening. The ball found its way out to Stewart Downing on the right flank and he burst towards the byline and whipped a cross into the centre where Juhani Ojala turned the ball past his own ‘keeper for 1-0.
Moments later the home side responded when Raul Bobadilla sprung the offside trap and latched onto a perfectly-weighted pass over the top of the Liverpool back four but Jones pushed his vicious effort into the side netting and behind.
Assaidi shot wide via a deflection after Pacheco found him down the left wing. Just after the half-hour mark, Jose Enrique bustled Zarate to the floor and the Greek referee Michael Koukoulakis indicated the player had been fouled outside the box, much to the frustration of the home crowd. However, the danger passed for Liverpool when Alexander Farnerud put too much power on his attempted cross and the ball sailed over Jones’ crossbar.
Suso almost doubled Liverpool’s lead when he burst into the box leaving defenders in his wake, but instead of shooting, the youngster tried to cut the ball back to a team-mate.
Moments later, Young Boys drew level. Enrique took control of a loose ball inside a packed penalty area but the full-back took one touch too many as the opposition closed in around him and the Spaniard could only clear to Raphael Nuzzolo, who fired home for 1-1.
But the celebrations of the raucous home support lasted for just two minutes as Wisdom wrote his name into the Liverpool history books by becoming the Reds’ fourth-youngest European goalscorer when he slammed home a towering header.
Liverpool took a 2-1 lead into the dressing room at the interval. But Young Boys responded in the second half by applying all the pressure as Liverpool’s defence battled against a series of onslaughts.
The home side got their reward when Bobadilla whipped a fine cross into the area towards Ojala, the defender made amends for his earlier error by ducking in behind Coates and diverting the ball past Jones to equalise with a fine header.
Moments later, Young Boys took the lead for the first time when Bobadilla used his strength to barge Jamie Carragher off the ball before outmanoeuvring the advancing Suso and threading the play into the path of Zarate. His pace took him away from Enrique and when Jones rushed out to meet him, the attacker lofted the ball beyond the ‘keeper with a delicate chip.
Rodgers brought on Borini and Shelvey in the second half and they made a huge impact. Borini won a corner in response to Liverpool falling behind for the first time in the match.
The ball was swung in from the right and Coates was head and shoulders above the Young Boys defence to power a header home as Borini tried to get on the end of it.
In an enthralling contest with both teams going for the win. it was Liverpool who grabbed the lead again, when Borini played a low pass across the penalty area to Jordan Henderson, who tapped the ball back into the path of Shelvey and the midfielder side-footed home for 4-3.
Shelvey wasn’t done there, however, and he wrapped up the win with a late drive to put the seal on a memorable night’s work in Switzerland.
Summary
Rodgers gambled by leaving so many regulars at home, but he got away with it, just. Great experience for the youngsters who Rodgers put his faith in, and they didn’t let him down. Assaidi showed flashes of his potential, and Suso showed what he is capable of with some confident runs and passes. Pacheco worked his socks in an unfamiliar role. Andre Wisdom looked a regular at right-back and capped off a superb performance with a tremendous goal. Jordan Henderson impressed in the middle of midfield with good passing and amazing workrate. Disappointing to lose so many goals as Liverpool continue to have problems in defence. Enrique had a nightmare and looks a totally different player to the one that started last season. Borini made a huge impact when he came on as substitute, but was upstaged by Shelvey who came on to score two brilliant goals and looks certain to start against Manchester United on Saturday. A great win away from home in Europe and to score five goals is very encouraging.
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool Match Report
After such an emotional week for Liverpool Football Club, where the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report was released, after 23 years fighting for justice. Liverpool turned back to football matters. An away trip to Sunderland was Liverpool’s schedule, with both teams looking for their first league win of the season. It seemed a long time ago since Liverpool lost at home to Arsenal because of the international break.
The Team
Enrique was replaced by Glen Johnson at left-back with Martin Kelly slotting in at right-back alongside Skrtel and Daniel Agger in Liverpool’s defence. Jonjo Shelvey coming in to the team for new signing Nuri Sahin was the other change to the side that lost at home to Arsenal.
The Match
Prior to kick off, Liverpool’s players took to the field with the number 96 printed on the back of their anthem jackets in tribute to those who lost their lives in the disaster, as well as the families, survivors and fans who have campaigned for so long.
Sunderland too showed their support by flying the flags at the Stadium of Light at half-mast in light of events this week, while they also paid their respects with a message displayed on the two big screens inside the ground as the game got underway.
Liverpool started the match on the front foot with Shelvey dragging a shot wide of target on 4 minutes.
Next, Suarez spun into space 25 yards from goal before seeing a similar effort evade the far post.
Liverpool was dominating possession as Sunderland looked to hit the visitors on the break.
On 18 minutes Borini pounced on a slack header by Cuellar only to see his prodded effort blocked by Mignolet.
Liverpool were by no means in complete control, but they were to threaten again soon after. Another finely-executed passage of play saw Shelvey slip a neat reverse ball into the path of Suarez’s run into the box. The Uruguayan produced a first-time lay off to set up Borini on the edge of the box, and his snap-shot was beaten away by Mignolet.
Then on 29 minutes, Liverpool was stunned when Sunderland took the lead with their first effort on target.
Gardner skipped beyond two challenges on Liverpool’s left before delivering a teasing centre that evaded the hand of Pepe Reina and allowed Fletcher to tap in from close range.
Liverpool continued to dictate the play after this set-back, but they could not get the goal to give them parity before the break.
A positive start to the second half was the order of the day for the visitors, and after Shelvey had tested Mignolet from distance, Glen Johnson cannoned a curler against the crossbar after collecting possession in space down the left.
Sunderland dominated a spell of pressure before Gerrard shaved the base of the post with a side-footed effort after good work by Sterling and Shelvey.
The chances were now starting to come more frequently and Skrtel’s glance goalwards from a deflected Gerrard strike almost caught Mignolet off guard, but a lack of power meant the ‘keeper was able to collect.
Johnson saw a tremendous curling effort smash of the Sunderland bar as Liverpool cursed their luck.
Then, on 70 minutes, Sterling’s ball to Suarez created a shooting opportunity for the No.7, however his attempt was deflected away into the path of Johnson, who drilled over the bar.
Sterling’s influence on the contest was growing – and it was, therefore, no surprise he played a key role in Liverpool’s equaliser a minute later.
The 17-year-old danced into space beyond Danny Rose before feeding the ball into the danger zone. Titus Bramble was unable to clear, allowing Suarez to slam home with aplomb.
It was no more than Liverpool deserved and Liverpool now looked for a winner. But for all their pressure they had to settle for a point, with Shelvey going the closest in the final stages , bringing out a good save from Mignolet.
Summary
Liverpool deserved more from this match they dominated. But once again Liverpool’s failure to finish off chances proved costly. Raheem Sterling put in another great performance and instrumental in Liverpool’s equaliser. Glen Johnson made some great attacking forays down the left flank. A very encouraging performance from Liverpool , but disappointing to only take a point from the match.
96 Red Angels
On a week where the truth about Hillsborough has finally came to light
What a shock to the country at the extent of the cover up
Where 96 poor souls died at a football match
Those poor souls who never returned will never be forgotten
They had hope in their hearts and now they never walk alone
The Reds will carry on playing for these 96 angels with hope in their heart
23 years ago King Kenny led Liverpool through those dark days
Kenny carried the city of Liverpool
The Reds triumphed for the 96 angels in the final that year
Just like Shankly and Paisley they will never be forgotten
Etched in the fabric that is the history of this famous club
The 96 angels have made this club stronger
The fight for justice and the truth of that fateful day
The cover up
The lies
The blame on Liverpool supporters
But this club stood firm
The family that is Liverpool Football Club is unique
With more history than any other club
There have been many triumphs and disasters
But Liverpool will go on making history
This week provides another chapter
One of togetherness and what Liverpool supporters will fight for
When the odds are stacked against them
At last the families have won their fight against corruption
Now everyone knows the truth
The fight for justice will begin
But at long last the 96 Angels can rest in peace
You Will Never Walk Alone
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