The Kopite View

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool travelled to White Hart Lane on the back of an 8 match unbeaten league run, but the London ground has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years, having not won there since the reign of Rafa at the end of the 2007-08 season. Spurs are a dangerous attacking side with players like Bale, Lennon and Defoe, but Liverpool have recorded back to back clean sheets which will give the visitors great confidence going into the match.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers selected an unchanged side to face Spurs, which surprised many. Stewart Downing was selected at left back once again, alongside, Skrtel, Agger, and Johnson at right back, with Pepe Reina in goal. Jose Enrique was again selected to play in his new role in left midfield, with Allen, Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling wide on the right of midfield, Suarez again playing up front.

The Match

The home side started on the front foot, and Gareth Bale caused anxiety for Reina with a swerving, dipping, long range, dangerous free kick, which he eventually managed to scramble to safety.

This was an early warning of what was to come, because moments later Bale flashed a shot across the face of goal after Defoe had robbed Gerrard of possession.

But in the 7^th minute Spurs took the lead when the rampaging Bale burst clear down the right evading challenges from Gerrard and Johnson before firing across goal to Lennon who tapped the ball into the net at the back post with left back Downing left standing.

Liverpool retaliated, Lloris saved an effort from Suarez, before Henderson missed an open goal under pressure from Walker. Seconds later, Henderson was adjudged to have fouled Dempsey and from the resulting free kick, Gareth Bale’s effort clipped the head of the unfortunate Henderson sending Reina the wrong way and the ball into the net, doubling the home side’s lead.

The game was being played at a frenetic pace with both sides producing dangerous attacks. Liverpool thought they should have had a penalty when Gerrard burst into the box, then going down from a challenge from behind by Dembele, but referee Phil Dowd waved play on. Suarez poked a shot at goal from the resulting challenge but Walker made an amazing goal line clearance.

Liverpool came out for the second half with great intent and pegged the hosts back as they looked to claw their way back into the game. Liverpool huffed and puffed but could not find the net until the 72^nd minute when Gerrard headed a net bound effort from a corner to Lennon on the goal line who could only smash his clearance into Gareth Bale’s face resulting in the ball going into the Tottenham net.

Liverpool now looked for a second with Suarez looking the most likely to achieve this, and he went close smashing a volley just over the bar after Agger refused to give up on a ball at the goal line. Then, in the last 5 minutes Suarez went down under a strong challenge from Gallas in the box from an Enrique pass, but referee Dowd waved away appeals.

Spurs hung on for the victory, but Liverpool left frustrated after a spirited effort and aggrieved at a few decisions going against them once again.

Summary

When I saw Brendan’s team I thought we would lose, mainly because I thought Downing at left back was a big mistake against the dangerous Lennon, and my vision was realised at the first goal when he was caught out with Lennon getting behind him. But Liverpool responded brilliantly from a disastrous start to the match. We created a lot of chances and were unlucky a few times and also wasteful a few times. Enrique had another good game down the left and Suarez looked the mostly likely to score. Gerrard and Allen look to be struggling just now and Sterling looked jaded which can only be expected from the youngster. Once again we are left frustrated by officials. The Gerrard incident was a stone wall penalty and Dempsey just dived when under pressure from Henderson when he won the free kick that led to Tottenham’s second goal. I think Gallas touched some of the ball when he challenged Suarez at the other penalty appeal, but I’ve seen them given. A really good performance by Liverpool after a terrible start, but another hard luck story of missed chances and poor refereeing decisions. Liverpool’s luck must change sometime, hopefully soon.

The Kopite View Spurs Preview

Liverpool face a tough fixture at White Hart Lane, where their last league success there was way back under Rafa’s reign at the end of the 2007-08 campaign. Liverpool go into the match on an 8 match unbeaten run in the league, and with back to back clean sheets, the latest being a 0-0 draw at Swansea on Sunday. Spurs are buoyed by their impressive 3-1 win over London rivals West Ham last Sunday.

Injury Update

Spurs have William Gallas and Dembele pushing for a starting place on Wednesday. But Adebayor remains suspended from his sending off against Arsenal last week. Scott Parker, Assou-Ekotto and Kaboul are long term absentees for the hosts.

Liverpool welcome Andre Wisdom to the squad after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of the Swansea match at the weekend. Lucas will not feature, although he did play for an hour on Friday for the reserves in his return from injury. Liverpool still have Borini and Martin Kelly as long term absentees.

The Kopite View Team

Pepe Reina – Reina looked back to his best on Sunday at Swansea and made some really good saves and he will have to be at his best against Spurs with their talented attack.

Glen Johnson – I would like to see Johnson at right back although Wisdom is fit again and been playing brilliantly in this position, but I feel Liverpool need Johnson’s experience against the dangerous Gareth Bale who can tear the best of defenders to shreds. Glen Johnson has been playing superbly and I think he would be the best player to combat the threat of Bale.

Enrique – At left back, in his more familiar role to deal with the threat of the speedy Lennon who should play on the right. Downing played left back against Swansea on Sunday, but I think he would struggle against Lennon. Enrique is experienced, strong and quick to deal with Lennon.

Agger – left sided centre half, where he has been outstanding this season, and will have to be again against the dangerous Spurs attack which could include Defoe.

Skrtel – right sided centre half, who has formed a very impressive partnership with Daniel Agger over the last season or so.

Sterling – left midfield, was on the right on Sunday but with Enrique at left back I would switch him to the left where I also feel he is more effective as he like to cut inside on the left.

Allen – centre midfield, been struggling a bit lately, and I would have dropped him if Lucas was fit. Need a big game from him as he will have to protect the defence from the lightning breaks that Spurs can create. His passing has to improve too, because in recent games too many stray passes have been giving possession away.

Gerrard- centre midfield, his legs seem to be going but so important to the team with his killer passes and deliveries from set-pieces.

Shelvey – attacking midfielder, I would pick Shelvey he looks the most likely to get forward from midfield and can give Suarez the support he needs from midfield.

Henderson- right midfield, where he played so many times last season. But I would play him here because he is good defensively and is a strong runner and I would hope he could give Johnson some protection from Bale.

Suarez – Striker, has to be, who else do we have ? Best striker in the league right now and so lucky to have him. Hopefully he can keep his good scoring form going.

Swansea City 0-0 Liverpool Match Report

This was Brendan Rodgers first return to the Liberty Stadium since leaving Swansea for Liverpool in the summer. Liverpool lost 1-0 in this fixture at the end of last season in what turned out to be Kenny Dalglish’s last match in charge of Liverpool and Brendan Rodger’s last match in charge of Swansea. Liverpool were hoping to gain some sort of revenge after losing to Swansea in the Capital One Cup a few weeks ago.

The Team

The big surprise in Brendan Rodgers team selection was Stewart Downing at left back with Enrique playing in front of him in left midfield. Glen Johnson switched to his more familiar role of right back. Reina kept goal with Skrtel and Agger in centre of defence.  Sterling started on the right of midfield with Gerrard, Joe Allen returning to his old stomping ground for the first time since leaving Swansea and a rare start for Jordan Henderson in midfield. Suarez played as the lone striker.

The Match

Swansea started the match with a lot of possession but Glen Johnson should have given the visitors the lead from Gerrard’s corner, when he headed over.

Routledge forced Reina into a sharp save after turning on the edge of the box but most of the play was being played in the Swansea half. Suarez strayed offside when put through by Enrique, before the Spaniard steered narrowly wide from Sterling’s superb low cross.

Johnson was then thwarted by Tremmel after being played through by Enrique. Swansea continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack, one such attack resulted in Hernandez curling a shot very close to the far post.

Liverpool went up the other end but failed to convert a trio of clear-cut chances. Rangel’s brave block denied Suarez. Then, Sterling smacked the Swansea bar with a thunderous volley, before Enrique had the ball in the net from Suarez’s delicate pass, but the assistant referee ruled the effort offside.

The second half continued the same as the first half with Liverpool looking the likelier side to score. Tremmel had to be alert to beat away an angled drive from Suarez. Michu had a header saved by Reina after Hernandez got behind Johnson, then Allen cleared a Williams header off the line denying his former team as Swansea hemmed Liverpool back in a good spell of pressure.

Substitute Dyer robbed Downing of possession before racing through on goal but he was thwarted by some brave goalkeeping by Reina in a nasty looking collision that left the Liverpool goalkeeper needing treatment.

Swansea had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Agger grappled with Michu. But Liverpool missed a great chance to take the lead with 8 minutes remaining when Suarez and Sterling broke clear from a Swansea corner, but the youngster’s pass sent Suarez wide of goal and the Uruguayan’s shot was saved by Tremmel.

Reina produced a finger tipped save from a tremendous Hernandez effort with 3 minutes to go, and Shelvey was denied from long range by Tremmel as both teams had to settle for a point.

Summary

A strange decision by Rodgers to play Downing at left back and I don’t think it worked. Downing was caught too many times and I hope Rodgers realises that he will never be a left back. Enrique once again thrived in his new attacking role and was unlucky not to score as once again Liverpool were found rueing another official’s decision going against them. Suarez was his usual lively self, but lacked support. Glen Johnson was very impressive and was a threat going forward. Sterling had another good game and was very unlucky when hitting the bar. Pepe Reina looked back to his best with some fine saves. Disappointed the way Liverpool didn’t kick on after their good first half performance, as they didn’t create much in the way of chances in the second half. But another clean sheet and extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 8 matches at a very difficult place to go.

Liverpool 2-2 Young Boys

Liverpool went into their match at Anfield against Young Boys of Berne, knowing that a win would secure qualification into the next round of the Europa League. Liverpool beat the Swiss side 5-3 in Berne, earlier in September, so expectancy was high to guarantee qualification at home with a win against Young boys.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers selected a team mixed with experience, youth and of players who are running out of chances to impress their manager. Reina started in goal making his 81^st European appearance for Liverpool and breaking Ray Clemence’s long standing record for the club. Wisdom, Carragher, Skrtel and Downing made up Liverpool’s defence. Assaidi was on the left of midfield, with Sahin, Henderson in the middle and Suso on the right. Joe Cole supported Jonjo Shelvey in an unfamiliar role up front.

The Match

There were few empty seats for this Europa League match as the home support expected a home win. But the Swiss side brought a tremendous away support with them giving Anfield a brilliant atmosphere for the match.

Right from kick-off the visitors showed their intent with a neat passing move to get behind Liverpool’s defence, resulting in Zarate hooking over Reina’s bar with only 9 seconds played. This early move silenced the home support into thinking that this could be a tougher match than most of them predicted.

Next, Raphael Nuzzolo received the ball at the end of a Young Boys counter-attack and stung the palms of Reina with a left-footer from just inside the area.

Liverpool gradually came into the game but it wasn’t until the 17^th minute before they created their first chance when Shelvey’s clever pass sent Cole scampering into the right-hand side of the box, but his shot missed the far post.

Henderson had a long range effort from a free-kick comfortably saved by Wolfli. At the other end, Skrtel had to be alert to block an effort from Alexander Farnerud.

Wolfli’s involvement in the contest was increasing and on 26 minutes only his fine stop denied Liverpool a picture book opener after Shelvey’s sumptuous flick allowed Jordan Henderson to motor into the box and drill goalwards.

With half an hour played, Gerrard entered the action to replace Andre Wisdom with the young defender having picked up a knock. Henderson reverted to right-back as part of the re-shuffle.

Liverpool took the lead moments later, when a clever move on the edge of the box involving Cole and Suso resulted in Cole chipping the ball over the advancing Wolfli for Shelvey to head into the net from inches out.

Skrtel almost made it 2-0 when he deflected a Joe Cole shot towards goal but Nuzzola cleared off the line.

Liverpool were now in complete control and went close again to securing a two-goal half-time advantage when Suso steered wide with just Wolfli to beat and the interval looming.

The visitors started the second half the way they started the first, Farnerud drilled a shot over Reina’s bar, while Zverotic swerved an effort inches off target from distance.

Back came the Reds and Suso’s precise through ball dissected the visiting defence, but Cole could not beat Wolfli when one-on-one – and it would prove a costly miss as the Swiss club drew level within seconds.

Farnerud’s raking pass picked out Bobadilla just inside the box. The No.9 took a touch to set himself before blasting across Reina into the far corner with a fine finish.

With the match level, Brendan Rodgers decided to bring on Luis Suarez for the last half hour in place of Suso.

By now, Liverpool were firmly back in the ascendancy and they pinned their guests back with a succession of corners in front of the Kop.

A breakthrough seemed inevitable – and it duly arrived with 18 minutes left to play.

Suarez and Gerrard’s slick exchange of passes allowed the latter to pick out Cole’s run into the box. With his back to goal, the No.10 spun before stabbing beyond Wolfli and wheeling away in celebration.

Liverpool had the lead they craved, but as they looked for a killer third goal, they were stunned at the other end, when Zverotic claimed an equaliser with the visitors by blasting home from the edge of the box, meaning Liverpool’s Europa League fate now rests on the outcome of the trip to Udinese in a fortnight’s time.

Summary

Great credit must go to Young Boys and their tremendously vocal and respectful support. A brilliant gesture by the travelling support by their show of support to the Hillsborough families when they held up a banner during the first half that was loudly applauded by all sections of Anfield in their appreciation.

Brendan Rodgers plan backfired in his decision to rest some of his regular players. I thought he should have played his strongest side, win the match and then his players could have been guaranteed a rest in a fortnights time. But now if he wants to progress in the Europa League then he will not be able to take any chances.

Young Boys surprised Liverpool with quality, but having taken the lead twice it was poor they way we let the lead slip, especially the second equaliser in the closing minutes, when naivety was shown not being able to run the clock down.

Good performances were shown from Assaidi, but he faded as the game went on, Jonjo Shelvey was very impressive in an unfamiliar role, and showed great desire to get into the box for his goal. The much maligned Joe Cole’s best game in a Red shirt, and took his goal well, But should have scored just before the visitors scored their first goal.

Overall, it was a night of big disappointment not to win the match that meant qualification and now a difficult trip to Italy in a fortnight’s time is next.

The Most Important Player In The League

There is no doubt that so far this season Luis Suarez is the most important player in the Premiership to date. His form has been incredible for Liverpool this season and it has been greatly needed, with Liverpool’s striking problems.

Liverpool have left themselves in a ridiculous position with very few striking options. Luis Suarez is the only recognised striker they have at the moment, with new signing Fabio Borini out with a long term injury, and a bunch of kids as the only other option.

But Suarez has stepped up to the plate at Anfield in incredible fashion with his form since the start of the season. Many experts have doubted his finishing, but he finds himself top of the Premiership scoring charts after another brace at the weekend in the 3-0 win over Wigan, and a total of 13 goals in all competitions this season.

Suarez has had a tough time in England for his style of play, from the media, to opposing managers and referees. Suarez has been labelled a “diver” for going down too easily when challenged, but this is unfair when so many players do the same, just look at Everton’s Phil Neville the other week in the Merseyside derby, but he doesn’t get called a “diver” for his actions.

The “rascist” affair with Evra last season was another difficult period for Suarez as he was banned for 8 matches.

But opposing managers’ comments on Suarez is out of order and they should be punished for their comments. It seems like every week someone has something critical to say about the Uruguayan, from Sir Alex, to Tony Pulis, to Roberto Martinez who highlighted his “stamp” on one of his players on Saturday.

Every move Suarez does is scrutinised but these comments made by managers are influencing referees as we have seen already this season, which have led to ironic cheers from the Anfield faithful when Suarez is awarded a free-kick.

But with all this constant attention surrounding Suarez, he has kept his head down and did what he does best by causing opposing defenders havoc and putting the ball in the net.

His importance to Liverpool is obvious and he is Liverpool’s best player just about every week. Without his goals Liverpool would be languishing in the bottom 4 of the Premiership , so that fact alone highlights his importance to the team.

There are other players in the league who have started the season very well, the likes of Van Persie who has been finding the net on a regular basis for new club Manchester United, but he has a lot of support and help around him, where Suarez as mentioned earlier is Liverpool’s only striker, so this makes his form and goals far more impressively important.

Suarez is thriving on the responsibility placed upon him at Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers has stated that he would like to build his team around him. Suarez has also said that he loves life at Liverpool which is music to the ears of every Kopite, especially after recent speculation of Manchester City showing a strong interest in his talents.

With the form of Suarez and the improvement of results at Liverpool, who are on a 7 match unbeaten league run at the moment, and the prospect of new arrivals in January, the future is looking a lot brighter for Liverpool.

Liverpool 3-0 Wigan Match Report

Liverpool entertained Wigan at Anfield hoping to improve on their woeful home record of only 3 league wins in 2012. The encouraging 6 match unbeaten run in the league was hoping to give Liverpool the confidence to gain a much needed league victory against Wigan. Liverpool earned a good away point at Chelsea last time out and with Luis Suarez in prolific goal scoring form, an expectant Anfield was waiting.

The Team

Brendan Rodgers welcomed back his first choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the only change to the team that drew with Chelsea last week. Rodgers looks as if he wants to keep the team settled and make as few changes as possible in his quest for improvement. Youngsters Suso, Wisdom and Sterling continue to feature in Liverpool’s first team. Liverpool continued with Suarez as striker, as Liverpool rely on him to get the goals as their only recognised striker.

The Match

Liverpool started well and created the opening chances, with Suarez having a dangerous cross turned behind by Watson. Agger’s header from the resulting corner was tipped wide by Al Habsi.

Reina made a routine save from a long range Kone effort. But Liverpool were the dominant side and Agger and Suso headed over as Liverpool threatened.

Suso was replaced soon after by Jordan Henderson with Gerrard moving further up the park to support Suarez. Wigan lost Watson to injury after an accidental clash with Sterling. The resulting free-kick was deflected behind for a corner.

With both teams having spells of possession the half ended goalless as Anfield witnessed another frustrating half of football.

But Liverpool came out a different side after the break with much greater purpose, and it took just 2 minutes to take the lead when Sterling got behind the Wigan defence down the right flank before cutting the ball back to Suarez, who fired high into the net past Al Habsi.

The goal seemed to ignite the striker as he terrorised the Wigan defence for the remainder of the match.

Then Enrique slipped a pass through to Suarez who clinically slipped the ball past Al Habsi doubling Liverpool’s lead.

Liverpool added a third goal when they took advantage of a throw in which should have been a Wigan throw. But they took full advantage after Sterling linked up with Suarez on the edge of the box before shooting powerfully which Al Habsi parried to Enrique who scored his first Liverpool goal from close range.

Liverpool looked a confident team in the remainder of the match as they created more opportunities knowing the match was won.

Summary

A very good and much needed win for Liverpool after struggling in the first half to create many chances in a slow tempo match which suited the visitors. Sad to see Watson suffering a leg break in an accidental collision with Sterling. Jordan Henderson played really well after coming on for Suso. Enrique looked good in a new role that lets him attack more and great to see him score his first goal for Liverpool. Sterling came more into the game in the second half and was involved in 2 of the goals. Luis Suarez is unplayable at the moment and Wigan couldn’t cope with him in the second half and his 2 goals highlighted this. Another clean sheet and great to see Reina back although Jones has deputised brilliantly. A great day all round for Liverpool, a vital home win, 3 goals scored and a clean sheet.