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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: Luis Suarez of Liverpool in action with Gaston Ramirez of Southampton during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on December 1, 2012 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool hosted Southampton in a Saturday evening Barclays Premier League match, which was supposed to be a clash between experience and speed. But the game proved to be quite one-sided as the Reds dominated most of the possession and registered a comfortable 1-0 win over the Saints.
The match started with the much awaited return of Lucas Leiva, who had been sidelined for the last three months due to a Leg Injury. His inclusion into the team resulted in a more advanced role for both Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen. The return of Lucas clearly gave Liverpool the upper hand as he attempted the most number of tackles in the entire game. His presence in holding midfield gave Steven Gerrard the license to move into the box with Joe Allen following up. Liverpool kept pushing for goal with series of confident passing inside the Saints Half during the first quarter of the match.
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Joe Enrique shifted back to his left back position as he maintained his excellent form in a Red jersey. He linked up well with the midfielders and was not afraid of moving forward as he played some scintillating one-twos with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling. Steven Gerrard on the other hand showed why he still has lot to offer to this club. Having regained his favourite CAM position, Gerrard was an absolute threat to the Saints’ defence.
33 minutes into the game and Shelvey’s thunderbolt unfortunately hit the cross-bar and denied the Reds a well-deserved opening goal. Ten minutes later, after a series of interchanges and pressing around the Southampton box, Daniel Agger did not fail to head the ball into the top right corner from a Johnson cross. It was his first goal of the season.
The first half ended in favour of Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: Gaston Ramierez of Southampton receives treatment during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on December 1, 2012 in Liverpool, England.
The second half began with a positive note for Southampton. Gaston Ramirez was their star man as his penetrations into the Red midfield and clearly showed the class he added into this Southampton squad after his transfer from Bologna. Meanwhile, Ricky Lambert, a die-hard Liverpool supporter himself, had a couple of shots on goal but was smartly thwarted by Pepe Reina. Lambert, who played at Anfield when he was 10, is a lifelong Liverpool supporter and is not shy in showing off his love for the club as he has a liver bird tattooed on his shoulder. But he did not show any mercy to his favorite club as he tried hard to get Southampton back into the game but failed to do so.
The defence due of Skrtel and Agger proved to be too hard to penetrate for the Southampton attacking line up, who had the reliable Lucas Leiva breathing down their neck.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez received his fifth yellow card of the season due to handling the ball in front of the Southampton goal. This will now result in a one match ban for the Uruguayan and the Reds will be without a senior striker as they face West Ham next Sunday. Lucas was later substituted during the closing stages of the game to prevent him from picking up another injury as he had just returned from a lengthy layoff. Liverpool were clearly the stronger team and the involvement of Lucas showed huge improvement in the Red’s midfield. The game ended as it was in the first half. Liverpool registered their first consecutive home wins since last season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool wrote their name in the Guinness book of World Records by showing off a 49-meter red ribbon on the occasion of World AIDS Day. Liverpool also paid tribute to Stephen Packer, their former U9 player, who passed away following a battle with cancer.
“The win is devoted to two families. Firstly, young Stephen Packer and his family. Stevie was a young U9 player for us who unfortunately passed away with cancer last week – it’s devastating for the family and we wanted the result for them as a pick-up.” said the Liverpool Manager. “Secondly, for our former player, captain and manager Phil Taylor, a club legend who passed away”, he added.
There is still a long way to go, but this excellent performance might very well lead to a rejuvenated Liverpool side in its next few games.
