Liverpool secured their first league victory of 2012 with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Wolves on Tuesday night. Second half goals from Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt were enough to send Kenny Dalglish’s men back to Merseyside with all three points.

There were a host of changes to the Liverpool line up that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup on Saturday. Steven Gerrard was left out of the squad along with Maxi Rodriguez, while Jay Spearing returned from an injury. Craig Bellamy found himself within the starting eleven with Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson. 

After an enthralling first half, the game was poised in the balance. Both teams had threatened to take the lead, but neither landed the knock out blow.

However, after a bright start to the second half Liverpool were in front. The service Andy Carroll had been craving for all season arrived in the 52^nd minute via a Charlie Adam low cross, the number 9 easily tapping in from close range to celebrate his first anniversary with The Reds.  

Liverpool extended their lead 10 minutes later, Bellamy’s low shot squeezed past Hennessey in the Wolves goal. The Welshman’s ninth of the campaign.

A quick counter-attack instigated by Jose Enrique increased Liverpool’s lead to three in the 78^th minute. The Spaniard’s cross field pass from his own half released Dirk Kuyt, who exchanged passes with Charlie Adam before slotting past Hennessey to bag his 50^th league goal. An accolade he had been searching for many months.

The result leaves Liverpool in 5^th place, four points adrift of Chelsea and two ahead of Arsenal and Newcastle, who have a game in hand.

Kenny Dalglish’s men host Tottenham next Monday, the last team to beat them at Anfield in the league.

Sikander Najib @AttackoftheKop