Luis Suarez snatched a late equaliser as Liverpool came from a goal down to draw with Aston Villa. The result ends three successive defeats for Liverpool, leaving them in 8th.
Stewart Downing returned to face his former club, while Doni was forced to make his debut as Reina served the first of his three game ban. Jonjo Shelvey retained his place as Kuyt partnered Suarez upfront.
A minute’s silence was held prior to kick off in remembrance to the Hillsborough tragedy, the anniversary of which is next weekend.
Shay Given was forced into a save in the opening minutes as Stuart Downing skinned Alan Hutton to deliver a searching cross that found Kuyt on the back post, but Given reacted well and kept out the Dutchman’s shot. There were calls that the ball had crossed the line, but Michael Oliver waved away claims.
However, it was Aston Villa who took the lead on 10 minutes. Herd finished superbly on the edge of the area, after Doni failed to punch away a cross.
Chances came few and far between after the opener for both sides; Liverpool shared the majority of the possession, while Villa looked to hold onto a slender one-goal lead.
Liverpool had two penalty decisions turned down. The first a handball that would’ve been harsh if given, then a clear trip on Suarez by Hutton as he was through on goal.
A couple of minutes later Dirk Kuyt spurned the best chance of the half. Suarez’ cross found Gerrard at the back post, his shot was well wide of the target, but it fell to Kuyt who could only strike it over the bar as it seemed easier to score from 3 yards out.
Suarez then worked himself into a promising position, but he could only fire straight at Given with his weaker left foot.
Liverpool started the second half as they ended the first. Creating more chances to draw level. This time Gerrard’s cross was headed superbly by Suarez onto the post, Given then frantically palmed it away as it rebounded across the face of goal.
Dalglish sensed a change was needed, and a change came in the 65th minute. Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll entered as Stewart Downing and Jonjo Shelvey excited. A rather bewildering decision, as Downing was purchased in the summer to supply Carroll with crosses to latch onto.
Bellamy’s first touch was a shot wide of the target. He then crossed for Kuyt, who appealed for a handball on Lichaj. The referee once again waved away claims for a penalty.
Liverpool had found belief. They went in search of an equaliser, and the introduction of Agger, after a lengthy absence, almost paid dividends. The Dane’s thunderous drive was just wide of the goal.
But then, in the 82nd minute, Liverpool’s pressure finally counted. Steven Gerrard cross found Agger on the back post, his header struck the crossbar falling to Luis Suarez, who had the simplest of tasks of tapping home.
Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure in the final 10 minutes. Gerrard’s strike was smartly kept out by Given, but Suarez crossed in the clearance only for a goal line scramble to deny the hosts a late, deserved winner.
The result would still upset Kenny Dalglish and fans, but there’s no refuting the character and desire of the players to get something out of the game. In recent weeks when Liverpool had found themselves behind heads had dropped and the opposition would easily run away with the 3 points. But the passion that has been found wanting recently had returned, and if it hadn’t had been for poor finishing, striking the woodwork on 3 occasions and goal keeper heroics, the hosts would’ve deservedly got the three points.
MOTM: Luis Suarez
Sikander Najib
6 comments:
Completely agree with you RE the desire from the players. Something that has been lacking in the past few games. Not the best of results but at least we've ended our losing streak.
I think it's good that they showed a reaction. Our heads had dropped recently, like i said, nice to see they showed a bit of fight.
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