Liverpool picked up where they left off in midweek with a 2-1 win at Anfield against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Luis Suarez was once again instrumental in a much-needed win for the reds after defeats in their last two Premier League fixtures.
Andy Carroll was among six players recalled to the first team after the midweek Carling Cup tie at Brighton. Henderson, Enrique, Downing returned to the first XI along with Skrtel and Charlie Adam who had served their one match bans. Bellamy was dropped to the bench alongside Steven Gerrard.
Wolves had started the game the livelier of the teams, earning two freekicks in dangerous positions within the first three minutes. However, it was Charlie Adam who opened the scoring for Liverpool, the Scot unleashed a shot from 25 yards deflecting off Roger Johnson to nestle into the back of the net, leaving Wayne Hennessey helpless.
Andy Carroll minutes later met a Stuart Downing corner but the Wolves ‘keeper was equal to the shot. Liverpool nearly bagged a second when Suarez turned R. Johnson in the penalty area but the Uruguayan failed to find Andy Carroll to finish off a great move.
A second goal was coming and it arrived in the 38th minute courtesy of Suarez. Jose Enrique spotted the run and delivered a precise ball over the defence, leaving Suarez to dance around the edge of the 6-yard box and cheekily find the back of the net with his left foot.
Liverpool didn’t want half time to come as they searched for a third. The passing was much more fluid than what has been in the past few weeks, the movement was that of similar quality to the Bolton match last month. Carroll seemed to have linked up with Suarez and the attackers more frequently than we have seen in his short tenure as the Reds’ number 9. His movement was on point and he had regained the sharpness he has missed since his Newcastle days.
It may well have been 3-0 when Suarez had done most of the work, but prodded his shot wide from an acute angle on the stroke of half time.
At the start of the second half Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made 2 substitutions, bringing on Steven Fletcher and Matt Doherty, for David Edwards and Richard Stearman. The changes paid instant dividends when Fletcher scored from a Stevent Hunt low cross, leaving the Liverpool defence scratching their heads.
Luis Suarez could’ve restored the 2 goal advantage but for a brilliant Wayne Hennessy save.
Carroll had then almost repaid his early promise with a header that struck the post, getting the Anfield faithful on their feet. Liverpool were then further unlucky as a quick counter attack had Charlie Adam find Stuart Downing in the Wolves box, but the winger chose to shoot instead of square it to Suarez or Carroll. The ‘keeper once again kept Wolves in the match with a fine save from a stinging effort.
Liverpool had failed to convert their chances, but held on to a slender 1-goal advantage coming into the last 15 minutes. The next shot to test Wayne Hennessey came from an unlikely source, Lucas’ side footed shot kept drifting away from the goal and was inches away from the bottom left corner.
Suarez was lively all afternoon and was at it once again, skipping challenges along the by-line but his cut back took a nick off a Wolves defender and skipped passed the waiting Andy Carroll.
Suarez was lively all afternoon and was at it once again, skipping challenges along the by-line but his cut back took a nick off a Wolves defender and skipped passed the waiting Andy Carroll.
The final 10 minutes saw the introduction of Steven Gerrard following his short stint against Brighton on Wednesday; the captain came close to what would have been a sight we have seen many times. Gerrard chested the ball past the defender and unleashed a volley that flew past over the target.
Despite the missed chances and sometimes-conservative football, it was 3 points that mattered and the reds got the job done. Andy Carroll put in a shift to silence his critics and Luis Suarez was lethal as always, running into little pockets of space and causing havoc amongst the Wolverhampton back four.
Next up for Liverpool is the Merseyside derby against Everton away, next Saturday.
News Update: Earlier in the day Liverpool were drawn against Stoke, away, in the Last 16 of the Carling Cup. It will prove a tricky destination following the recent 1-0 defeat there, but the reds will be looking to get revenge on The Potters and make it to the last 8 of the League Cup.
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