The game started with an unusual lack of confidence and it was Liverpool who came out of the blocks fastest. However the lads started to wake up and began to get some good build up. Their first goal was a surprise, but I would like to say that the defending was a shock (but it wasn't). It was a usual lack of concentration and Dembele left his man unmarked, with Walker unsure it seems of where he was playing as he failed to pick anyone up. This allowed an inch perfect pass to slot Suarez in to score a good goal.
As we had started to get into the game I was not concerned too much and had predicted a 2-1 win for us, so it was inevitable that they would score (IMHO). After the goal there were spells of good and scrappy pieces of play from both teams and it was becoming a frustrating game to watch. I believe the turning point was a foul by Gerrard on Bale that got Bale's back up and a sudden injection followed. Just before half time Bale swung in a great cross to Vertonghen at the back post to head in.
Once again I was feeling happy and it seemed that we were back on track.
As expected we begun the second half with a lot more conviction and were on top and dominating. Then on the 53rd minute we were in front thanks to a Bale free kick causing issues in the box, for Vertonghen to slam home a loose ball. The Spurs fans erupted at Anfield and Twitter went crazy. We were in full control again and the Liverpool players heads went completely out of the game.
Following this we had some fantastic chances 1. Notably from a Bale run on the right to beat 2 men and crossed in for Sigurdsson. There was time to control the ball, but Sigurdsson shot and Jones deflected it onto the post. 2. Dembele produced a mazy run that took him past 3 players, but Jones managed to beat the ball away to safety.
Had there been some clinical finishing we would have seen a much better score line and the mistakes to follow would not have happened.
At this point I think that it is important to clearly state that it is a game like this that highlights that another striker should have been purchased in January. Holtby should have been introduced by AVB after our second goal as although Livermore had grown slowly into the game he was giving far too many balls away.
For all those fans that are still unhappy you know how it ends maybe skip to the end.
Kyle Walker found himself near the half way line (with various options), but bizarrely decided to make the worst choice available to him with a looped back pass aimed (I use that phrase lightly) at Lloris. In my opinion Lloris was unlucky not to have made good contact (but it should not have been expected considering the ridiculous amount of time he had to react). The over-rated Downing then stole the ball progressed into the box and shot between Vertonghen's legs to bring the game to a draw.
This was the turning point. Liverpool was no longer a sleeping giant and had awoken following this disaster.
This opened the game up and there was a lot of build up play for both teams, but neither team were finding the decisive finishing touch (another reminder of the mistake not to buy a striker in Jan).
Finally the killer blow. Another gift and this time coming from Defoe of all people. A clearance fell to Defoe's feet then he played a similar looping ball back into the defence (had he been wearing a red shirt it would have been seen as a sublime pass) for Suarez to then run onto and throw himself wildly to the floor and win a penalty (yes I still do not believe it to be a penalty, awarded by a naive, inexperience and young referee). I will clear up here that I think Suarez is a great player, but his unprofessionalism and unsporting conduct (on and off the pitch) has me still seeing this potential world class player as the clown or village idiot.
Gerard stepped up and scored the penalty with 8 minutes left and it cemented the loss.
There was not much else that followed to talk of, we pushed forward, but were meet with the usual lack of conviction that we had seen earlier in the game.
In all I am absolutely gutted that we had the game finished at the 53rd minute and then 2 bizarre back passes gifted Liverpool all 3 points, but lets try and learn from these mistakes right?
So the reason that this defeat is a reminder is for several reasons.
1. Should have bought in another striker.
2. When playing against the big teams we cannot make stupid mistakes or lapse our concentration even for 30 seconds.
3. Be more clinical
This was a game that we needed to win to boost our confidence (for the big games coming up), but we must remember that Anfield has never been an easy win for us and this time round was no difference. Although it’s a game we had wrapped up I wouldn't have minded a draw!
We had a great run of results and this one is just a dent in the long path that we have left to see out the season.
Let’s get back behind the players, this game needs to be forgotten, however it might have been nice for Defoe and Walker to come out and apologise for setting up Liverpool's 2 goals!
Another mention on our competition in conjunction with ICONS.com. With Bale playing so well this prize is not only something to hang on your wall but its also an investment. We have had hundreds of entrances and the competition will be running until 29th March so make sure that if you haven't entered that you do below;
Bale Competition Entrance click HERE.
COYS!!!!!
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