Liverpool’s great run of form has edged them into 5th place in the League and into pole position for a place in next season’s Europa League competition. So this match was built up like a play off for the Europa League spot as Liverpool just overtook Tottenham last week after their impressive win over Fulham. Spurs have had a poor run of form recently since their exit in the Champions League and have only won one of their last 13 matches. Liverpool have been in impressive form and with the match at Anfield Liverpool were favourites. Liverpool’s last home game of the season and they would hope to sign off with a win.
THE TEAM
Dalglish was forced into one change for this match with the fit again Carroll coming in for Meireles who picked up an injury against Fulham last Monday. So a little bit of a re-shuffle in the team but good to see the partnership of Suarez and Carroll starting as they have not had too many games together.
THE MATCH
A great atmosphere for Liverpool’s last home game of the season bouyed by the recent news of Kenny Dalglish being made permanent manager with a 3 year contract. The Anfield faithful expected.
But it was Spurs who started better dominating possession in the early stages and looking dangerous as Liverpool struggled to cope with Tottenham’s good start.
Then in the 9th minute Spurs got their reward when Van der Vaart gave them the lead with a superb volley from the edge of the Liverpool penalty box after a Tottenham corner was half cleared.
Liverpool struggled to respond to this set back as they couldn’t get out of first gear and it wasn’t until the 23rd minute until they registered their first meaningful attack when Carroll miss-kicked a Maxi lay off. Then Dawson made an excellent clearance from a dangerous Kuyt centre as Liverpool tried to get back into the match.
In the 30th minute Liverpool had appeals for a penalty waved away from referee Howard Webb when Kuyt looked to have been hauled to the ground from behind in the penalty area. 5 minutes later Liverpool’s best move of the match resulted in Maxi squaring to Spearing but his stabbed effort rolled well wide.
Carroll missed the best chance of the half when he headed over at the back post from a perfect cross from Martin Skrtel. At the other end Crouch headed wide.
In first half stoppage time Suarez went very close from a free-kick just missing the target. So Spurs went in at the half with a 1-0 lead and with Liverpool having plenty to do in the second half.
Spurs started the second half the way they started the first half and Van der Vaart tried a chipped effort to double Tottenham’s lead but Reina was untroubled.
Then on 55 minutes Liverpool were dealt a hammer blow when Spurs were rewarded with a penalty after a coming together between Flanagan and Pienaar, TV replays prove the incident was outside the box but Webb pointed to the spot and Modric doubled Tottenham’s lead.
Liverpool responded and pushed Spurs back with Flanagan sending in a low cross which Suarez steered over the crossbar. Shelvey replaced Spearing as Dalglish opted for change in midfield and Shelvey went very close with his first touch being a long range drive going inches wide.
With 15 minutes remaining Dawson almost diverted a Liverpool corner into his own net but it ended up on the roof of the net. Liverpool pressed for the remainder of the game but Tottenham’s defence stood firm and Liverpool finished their last home game of the season with a disappointing defeat.
SUMMARY
A disappointing result after the great run of form we have been on. Also a blow to lose 5th spot to Tottenham with only one game to play. Although it might work out in our favour next season to miss out on the Europa League and give us fewer games to play. Liverpool didn’t start the game very well and losing an early goal didn’t help. Credit to Spurs though they did play very well and also defended very well when we put them under pressure. Carroll showed glimpses of potential but he doesn’t look 100% yet and missed a glorious chance in the first half when he headed over. Suarez looked a frustrated figure as he constantly showed displeasure with referee Howard Webb’s decisions. Webb never gave us much and waved away any appeals for penalties from the home side. Then Webb confirmed his reputation with the Anfield faithful when he gave Spurs that penalty which looked like Pienaar had cut across Flanagan fouling the youngster and replays prove it was also outside the penalty box. Liverpool didn’t play well enough to deserve anything from the game but I reckon it was just a bad day at the office as Liverpool’s revival will continue.
Man Of The Match – John Flanagan – Superb match from the youngster with some crunching tackles and responded brilliantly after the penalty decision going against him. Very unlucky to get booked and got forward when he could puting in some dangerous crosses.
YNWA
written by Jamie McLaughlin blog at http://theliverword.blogspot.com/
I felt as if we’ve decided that the Europa League is not for us. Old ‘Arry also is saying that ‘we are after 5th not the Europa League’.
I felt we did not want the win yesterday, and Spurs were all behind the ball once we took possession so penetration was hard. Spearing had a ‘bad day at the office’ from the word go! Carroll needs to get match fitness. Suarez cannot always do it all by himself! The ridiculous penalty decision killed it off because I felt had we got one back we would have gone and won it.
Shame though, I would have at least wanted a draw.
I think spearing and to a extent lucas’s poor attacking play was due to us missing meireles…..without him they looked too ordinary and never kept possession though they kept the pressure on spurs with gr8 pressing…it just shows how important a more creative mid(in form of maybe gerrard,meireles) is important for us….still it was decent performance by us and FLANNA DESERVERS PRAISE he played well despite the unlucky/poorly awarded penalty…Keep ur heads high….next season is ours….YNWA!!!
I think:
We REALLY missed Raul’s passing. Lucas looks great as defending midfielder and as a passer, but his attacking form leaves more to be desired.
Flanagan’s potential excites me. I’m excited to see how he and Martin Kelly develop. I hope they can anchor our fullback positions in the future.
Carroll. Andy concerns me. When Kuyt and Suarez are up top, there’s a lot of exciting ball movement. Carroll feels like such a situational striker to me – put him in when you want to put a head on the ball. He looks slow and lacks control. I’m NOT writing him off, just concerned.
Spearing’s developing nicely. He’ll get goals eventually.
Maxi appears to have come back down to earth a little bit. I think so much of his great form has been, right place/right time. I like him a lot, but could do without his diving.
Maxi looks a flat track bully. Good against the minnows but unlikel;y to get you a winner at Old Trafford
Carrol needs to step up he must understand that as the costliet British player ever he must up his game I have come to realise that each time Carrol suffers a knock or slight injury that lays him off for a short while when he recovers he doesn’t hit the ground running Carrol looks unfit nd lacks sharpness.I m extremely impressed wiv John Flanagan he played very well I know with time he will develop he’s got attacking and defensive qualities
can i come back please lads jt is banging my wife again
Thank you,Jamie.I think,or rather i KNOW that a creative midfielder is a must for next season.Raul is class so no problems there,but Steve.G’s the wrong side of 30 and we don’t have much else going on in that dept.In regards to Carrol,and in no way am i intending to get on his back,i think he should cut off that stupid ponytail and stay away from the birds,awarding himself a shag for every goal he scores for the greatest club side in the world.MAHALO