LFC held to another draw

Liverpool had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom side Blackburn in the Premier League on Monday despite the return of captain Steven Gerrard after a two-month injury layoff.

Maxi Rodriguez equalized for Liverpool with a header from close range in the 53rd minute to cancel out Charlie Adam's own goal right before halftime.

Gerrard came on as a substitute with 21 minutes left but couldn't inspire his team to a victory as the hosts again lacked a cutting edge up front despite a multitude of chances.

Kenny Dalglish's side remained unbeaten at home this season, but have now drawn six and won three and been held five times in the last six outings at Anfield.

Liverpool was in control early but lacked the spark and crispness which the Reds have usually had lately.

Luis Suarez's second-minute free kick sailed just over, before Adam sliced an ambitious volley from outside the area which gave goalkeeper Mark Bunn an easy save.

Suarez had two more chances but hit one into the side-netting from Glen Johnson's pass, and missed the target completely with a left-footed shot from a similar position on the right of the penalty area.

Andy Carroll had a goal ruled out on the half-hour as Suarez was offside.

Blackburn had few chances and needed a helping hand to score against the run of play, as Adam diverted Morten Gamst Pedersen's inswinging corner past his own goalkeeper just seconds before halftime.

But it took Liverpool just eight minutes to equalize.

Downing's cross was cleared only as far as Martin Skrtel who hooked the ball back to the far post where Rodriguez headed in from close range.

The goal gave the Reds a spark, and Suarez headed a corner wide from a spot very close to where his teammate had equalized, while Carroll's overhead kick was then cleared by Grant Hanley.

Gerrard finally made his long-awaited return to action in the 69th minute when he replaced Adam and ran straight on to curl in a free kick which was headed over by Rodriguez.

Suarez then headed over Johnson's cross before the England defender was relieved to see David Dunn stab wide after needlessly giving away possession in midfield.

Liverpool twice thought they had earned the points in the closing moments, with Carroll drawing a fine save from Bunn with a close-range volley and 17-year-old Adam Henley, on his first senior start, clearing off the line after Daniel Agger's header from the subsequent corner.

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Wigan 0 - 0 Liverpool

Ali Al-Habsi saved a Charlie Adam penalty and made a string of other fine saves to help Wigan hold Liverpool to a point at the DW Stadium.

Luis Suarez won the second-half penalty when his overhead kick was handled by Gary Caldwell.

Dirk Kuyt also went close but he fired over from just six yards out.

Wigan played their part in a pulsating encounter and Hugo Rodallega could have snatched all three points with a header in the closing stages.

Liverpool enjoyed the best chances throughout, but their wastefulness in front of goal cost them victory in an open game that was theirs for the taking.

Wigan's footballing principles are laudable and this draw,coupled with the point picked up against Chelsea in their last outing, can give them plenty of confidence in their latest relegation battle.

During the pre-match warm-up, Liverpool's players joined manager Kenny Dalglish in sporting t-shirts with an image of Luis Suarez printed on the front.

The Uruguay forward has been banned for eight games and fined £40,000 by the FA for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra at Anfield on 15 October.

The striker started the game - the suspension does not start until the appeal process is over - and was cheered and jeered in equal measure by the rival sets of supporters.

PENALTY PROBLEMSLiverpool have missed four penalties this season

And while Liverpool dominated in the opening half hour, Suarez was not the chief threat as he struggled to get into his stride.

It mattered very little while his team-mates were in such free-flowing form, with Al-Habsi making good saves from Jordan Henderson, Martin Skrtel, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson before the home side finally broke into life.

While Wigan's slick passing game was getting them into trouble at the back, they were exciting in the final third and Roberto Martinez's side almost scored two goal-of-the-season contenders.

First, Mohamed Diame cracked a shot into the side-netting from 40 yards out and then Victor Moses embarked on an amazing run from his own half which only ended when his swerving shot was beaten clear by Jose Reina.

Suarez was brighter in the second half and had a free-kick tipped over the bar by Al-Habsi.

And he won a penalty in the 50th minute when his overhead effort was blocked by the hand of Caldwell.

Adam stepped up, but his spot-kick was spectacularly saved by Al-Habsi.

That appeared to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, who struggled to regroup.

However, they should have gone into the lead when Kuyt hooked over from just six yards out.

Wigan did enjoy good chances of their own, most notably when Rodallega's header was deflected behind by Johnson before Moses stabbed wide from the resulting corner.

But the points were destined to be shared, meaning it is now three games unbeaten for the ever-improving Latics, while Liverpool may live to rue two dropped points in the race for European qualification.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:

"It's not about the result, it's once more about the performance.

"We spoke about carrying on from Saturday. After the first 20 minutes, when we invited pressure by giving the ball away, we opened the game up and had some really good chances.

"We played eye-to-eye and it would have been a disaster to lose that game.

"It's another step forward."

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish:

"We're not out there to miss them (penalties)," he said.

"We're getting them, but you'd much rather be putting them away.

"In the second half we had most of the possession. We'll keep getting in there and see what happens.

"You feel for the players not taking opportunities, because we work really hard for them."

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Match preview:Wigan vs LFC

After drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at the weekend, Wigan host Liverpool as Roberto Martinez tries to haul his side out of the relegation zone.

Wigan halted an eight-game losing streak with a 3-3 home draw against Blackburn Rovers a month ago.

Since then, they have lost only one of their past five matches, a 4-0 home reverse to Arsenal sandwiching 2-1 wins over Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

With no major injury worries, Martinez will be hoping to build on the point salvaged in the clash against Chelsea with a good showing at home on Wednesday night against sixth-placed Liverpool.

The Latics have just three wins to their name so far this season and have conceded 30 goals already - twice the number they have scored. Martinez's men have not kept a clean sheet since September and will need to work hard to keep Craig Bellamy and Luis Suarez quiet.

After losing 1-0 to Fulham earlier this month, Liverpool have bounced back with two straight wins - a 2-0 away win last weekend against Aston Villa coming after a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Liverpool had defeated Chelsea 2-1 away and held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw before the loss to Fulham.

After losing Lucas Leiva for the season and with Steven Gerrard still short on fitness after being out with an ankle infection, Kenny Dalglish recalled Jongo Shelvey from Blackpool and started the 19-year-old in the victory over Aston Villa.

Shelvey, who scored six goals in 10 games for Blackpool before returning to Liverpool, looks likely to keep his place against Wigan alongside Charlie Adam.

Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel's good form recently have kept Jamie Carragher out of the starting line-up despite the centre-back being back to fitness.

Suarez has been central to Liverpool's success this season with five goals but the Uruguayan will need to be more prolific in front of goal.

Liverpool have scored 20 goals so far, 11 fewer than Arsenal who are level on points in fifth but lead the Reds on goal difference.

With goals in short supply, Liverpool could struggle to score if Wigan are resolute on defence.

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Aston Villa 0 - 2 Liverpool

Craig Bellamy inspired Liverpool to their fifth away league win of the season by scoring one goal and creating another in the space of four minutes.

The former Manchester City man fired home from close range after Jonjo Shelvey's clever flick created the opening from Stewart Downing's corner.

Bellamy then swung in a 15th-minute corner for Martin Skrtel to head home.

Charles N'Zogbia's effort in the first half was the closest Aston Villa came as they slumped to their fifth defeat.

Villa's final-day win over Liverpool at the end of last season was their first in 13 attempts but with the Reds having only one defeat in their 10 previous games before this visit, it was always going to be tough for the hosts.

And Alex McLeish's side's task was made even harder as a sluggish start saw them two down after only 15 minutes.

Downing, making his first visit to Villa Park since his £20m move in the summer to Anfield, squandered an early chance to a chorus of sarcastic cheers from the home faithful.

However, the Villa fans were soon silenced when Downing whipped in a corner that Shelvey diverted goalwards.

Luis Suarez attempted a trick of his own that Guzan blocked but Villa's second-choice keeper could do nothing to deny Bellamy smashing home.

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Four minutes later, Skrtel grabbed his second goal of the season to double the visitors' advantage with Bellamy turning provider with a pacey corner that the Slovakian defender rose above Alan Hutton to head in.

With Gabriel Agbonlahor suspended and Darren Bent a late withdrawal because of injury, McLeish was missing his two top scorers and it was obvious as they created little in a first half that Liverpool dominated.

N'Zogbia was the one bright spark for the home side as he fired over just before the half-hour mark before hitting another effort into the side-netting soon after.

Bellamy continued to prosper after the restart as he crossed for Daniel Agger but the defender headed wide despite being unmarked at the back post.

Suarez, who was cleared to play after the outcome of disciplinary hearing on Friday was delayed, had a relatively quiet first half but he almost made it three with a move of real class.

The former Ajax forward was played through on goal and he beat both Richard Dunne and James Collins before rattling his effort off the underside of the crossbar.

That was the 16th time Liverpool have hit the woodwork this season and Suarez added the 17th just before the hour.

The Uruguayan found himself on the edge of the area with limited options his deft chip beat Guzan but not the post.

Charlie Adam then had a chance when he waltzed into the area but, with Shelvey in the clear to his left, the Scottish midfielder opted for a shot and it was deflected wide.

It would not prove costly, however, as McLeish's side failed to create another real chance and Dalglish got his first win away at Villa as Liverpool manager on his seventh attempt.

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Match preview:Aston Villa vs LFC

Liverpool travel to the Midlands to face Aston Villa on Sunday knowing a win could move them to within two points of the Premier League top four.

Going up against Alex McLeish’s side won’t be easy with the former Birmingham boss making the Villans hard to beat this season. Since moving across the road from St Andrew’s McLeish has guided Villa to a reasonably positive start to the campaign with just four defeats in their 15 games leaving them just inside the top half of the table. It’s a far cry from the position they were in 12 months ago when staying out of the bottom three was the clubs primary objective with Frenchman Gerard Houllier at the helm. The decision to replace him with McLeish in the summer didn’t go down too well with the Villa supporters and whilst they are still unhappy with his defensive minded tactics they should be thanking him for steadying the ship. His decision to purchase Shay Given has proved to be very shrewd with the Irishman’s influence playing a huge part in solidifying a back four that leaked all over the place last season. He’s also managed to get the best out of Gabriel Agbonlahor whilst nurturing young talents like Chris Herd and Barry Bannan with both playing key roles in a pleasing first half of the campaign. Coming up against Liverpool at home will prove to be an extremely tough examination as to just how far Villa have come under McLeish. The Scot knows the quality the Reds have in attack and will need to set his side out accordingly to deal with Suarez and co.

That’s the man Kenny Dalglish will look too once again to provide the goals and inspiration that will fire his side close to the top four. Suarez was on hand once again last week to see off QPR and keep up Liverpool’s impressive form that has seen them lose just one of their last 10 games. Supporters are now daring to dream of finishing the season in a Champions League place with Dalglish building a side capable of challenging at the business end of the Premier League. Last seasons decline under Roy Hodgson is a distant memory now that King Kenny is at the helm although they’ll need to cut out the minor blips if they are to actually make achieve their ambitions of bringing European football back to Anfield. Many saw the victory at Chelsea and draw against Manchester City last month as a catalyst for Liverpool to push on and climb back towards the top of the Premier League. However defeat at Fulham a fortnight ago and the narrow win over QPR has seen the optimism levels drop back down despite the Red’s sitting just five points behind fourth placed Tottenham. Travelling to face Villa on Sunday won’t be an easy task and Dalglish will surely be making players aware that winning games like these are vital if they are to accomplish the aims and justify the hefty price tags on their heads.

Last Five: Won 1-0 v QPR (H),Lost 1-0 v Fulham(A), Drew 1-1 v Manchester City, Won 2-1 v Chelsea (A), Drew 0-0 v Swansea (H), Won 2-0 v West Brom (A)

Potential Starting X11: 25. P. Reina [C] 2. G. Johnson 5. D. Agger 37. M. Skrtel 3. J. Enrique 19. S. Downing 26. C. Adam 14. J. Henderson 18. D. Kuyt 7. L. Suarez* 39. C. Bellamy

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Liverpool 1 QPR 0: In-Depth Tactical Analysis

Queens Park Rangers had won just one of their previous 20 league games at Anfiled, and have won only one Premier League match at all against Liverpool. Liverpool themselves may have felt like they were due some luck having hit the woodwork 12 times this season – more than anyone else.

Starting strategies

Both teams went, unsurprisingly, for variations upon 4-4-2. Warnock threw a slight curve ball by leaving Helguson out of the starting line up, while Taarabt also failed to start. Their places were taken by Bothroyd (as the lone striker) and Mackie played just off him.

For the hosts, it was interesting to see how Dalglish coped with the injuries and suspensions to his central midfielders. In the end, he decided to go 4-4-2 with two false nines and two inverted wingers.

Liverpool dominated from the off, creating a host of chances. In the first two minutes their put pressure on Rangers following consecutive corners, which caused some danger moments in the opposition’s area.

In the first ten minutes Liverpool were so direct and quick with their attacks every time they regained the ball that, in essence, they were counter attacking despite dominating possession. The plan was to catch QPR’s defence in bad positions as soon as possible by surprising them with their pace. In this period, one of Henderson or Adam would push forward and provide more bodies up front. In just such a situation in the tenth minute, Downing, Kuyt and Johnson worked the ball down the right with exchanges of passes. This culminated with a good ball through for downing who crossed from an excellent position to the unmarked Suarez. Sadly, his header wasn’t strong enough and the ‘keeper easily collected.

After the frantic opening period, Liverpool began to calm things down a little by recycling the ball more. They would then hit the ball forward to create fluid attacks, and the tactical patterns looked much clearer and well thought out than in recent weeks.

First, it was clear how well Liverpool managed to stretch the opposition down the flanks, even though the wingers were inverted, and so theoretically should have offered less width. Two of the front four always hugged the line when the team was recycling the ball in deeper positions, hoping to take advantage when the forward ball was played. On the right, it was generally Downing who held a wide position; on the left the other three players rotated, with the two more-central players looking to work the channels. All of this forced QPR’s two banks of four to play very wide to cover as much of the field as possible; but that opened up space in the middle that Liverpool could exploit. Adam or Henderson would regularly push up from midfield to do this.

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Luis Suarez penalty shout & Nuts (Liverpool 1 – QPR 0)

After flashing his middle finger at the Fulham faithful last Monday, Luis Suarez had a happier time of things in Liverpool’s win over QPR,scoring the only goal of the game early in the second half.

Leaving aside the match winner, Suarez was, as always, involved in a fair few other incidents in the Premier League encounter as he continues to be Liverpool’s most likely threat.

Just after the 20 minute mark, the Uruguayan striker was hauled down in the box for what looks to be a legitimate claim for a Liverpool penalty.

There is no doubt that Suarez is going to have to be very hard done by to win a penalty in the Premier League this season. His reputation precedes him as is evidenced by Lee Mason’s refusal to give it and the commentary on the clip below, from Match of the Day.

Luis Suarez’s penalty shout v QPR can be seen here.

Also in the first half, the Liverpool forward showed off his quick feet with a terrific nuts on Armand Traore which will have had Kenny Dalglish and the Kop purring.

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Match Report - Liverpool V QPR

Superlatives have been in short supply for Luis Suarez of late.

The Liverpool striker's Premier League goal drought, which had spanned in excess of two months, was only outweighed and exasperated by more than its fair share of controversy.

Not since his effort against Everton at the beginning of October had the striker found the net and against a backdrop of controversy and unsettling familiarity for the Anfield crowd.


The Football Association charged the Uruguayan with improper conduct following Monday's defeat to Fulham but they will struggle to summon him over his latest hand gesture.


He punched the air with delight after punishing Queens Park Rangers' slack defending to head home a Charlie Adam cross just minutes after the interval to secure maximum points.


It was a fine finish from a player whose ability to strike fear into the heart of Premier League defences has fast become an impossible task in the face of intense shackling.


And since Suarez's strike at Goodison Park, Norwich and Swansea have both come away from the red half of Merseyside with a point for their efforts against their profligate hosts.

Gone are the days when opposing players would be handed a reem of toilet roll by Bill Shankly or exposed to scenes of intimidation as they entered the stadium by a volatile home crowd.


Indeed, Anfield's fortress has eroded to such an extent over time that the prospect of Liverpool failing to vanquish any newly-promoted sides at home appeared quite distinct.


The first half possessed an unerring feeling of deja-vu for the Kop with chances aplenty remaining unfulfilled despite an overriding dominance with Maxi Rodriguez at the fore.


Rangers' inability to breach Pepe Reina's goal until the 41st minute was further testament to the control Kenny Dalglish's side had assumed of the game from the offset.


The Argentine's love-hate relationship with West London clubs was revived after missing out on the defeat at Craven Cottage, which had stolen most of the footballing headlines this week.


Suarez's shot from the narrowest of angles flew across the face of Radek Cerny's goal and under the goalkeeper but could not find its way across the line.


Stewart Downing's low cross previously had provided him with a far easier chance but the unmarked Uruguayan headed low and into the arms of the untroubled Czech stopper.


He found himself on the receiving end of an equally gilt-edged chance after Maxi was afforded acres of space to bear on the Hoops' goal but his lay-off was spurned staggeringly wide.


But they were not alone in excelling as Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam formed a solid partnership at the heart of midfield to more than compensate for Lucas Leiva's loss.


Adam, in particular, gave a sterling account of himself on his 26th birthday, storming past a throng of QPR defenders and into to the penalty area but, eventually, to no avail.


For all the anticipated scrutiny of match official following a collective assault by Dalglish and his Premier League peers on the FA's rigid disciplinary procedures, Lee Mason proved that old habits die hard as he waved away two penalty appeals in the first half.


A foul by Alejandro Faurlin should have resulted in a spot kick for the home side but Suarez's previous instances of histrionics may have factored in Lee Mason's decision to wave play on.


Liverpool were in danger of allowing Cerny to follow in the footsteps of John Ruddy and Michel Vorm in frustrating their front line as Downing fed Suarez again for another saved shot.


The pattern was repeated after Suarez's goal when he and Maxi linked up well with some neat one-two play before the latter saw his shot spilled onto the post by the veteran goalkeeper.


Liverpool's South American contingent has proven a vital catalyst to reviving the attractive brand of football which further enamoured the Kop with its returning hero Dalglish last season.


Neil Warnock's side threatened to upset the odds but could only see Jay Bothroyd fire a Joey Barton free kick high and wide of goal.


But their momentum built and they placed the previously unharmed Reina under intense pressure during the final minutes of the game while LIverpool continued to press.


Their second-highest scorer in the league this season has been own goals and Shaun Wright-Phillips almost extended that tally to four when his interception of a Craig Bellamy cross rattled against the crossbar in the dying minute of stoppage time.


Above all, this was a much-needed win for Liverpool, who had previously not won at Anfield since a 2-0 triumph over Wolves in September, when Suarez last scored on home soil.


It does, however, pose the question as to whom the mantle will fall to remedy Liverpool's chronic lack of finishing. With only a matter of weeks before the transfer window re-opens, Dalglish may need to consider investing in a short-term goal poacher if his side are to secure fourth place.


LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Maxi (Bellamy 78), Henderson, Adam, Downing (Shelvey 86); Kuyt; Suarez. Subs (not used): Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Carroll.


QPR (4-4-2): Cerny; Gabbidon, Ferdinand (Orr 50), Young, Traore; Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Mackie (Hill 78); Smith (Campbell 66), Bothroyd. Subs (not used): Connolly, Buzsaky, Derry, Putnins.


Goals: Suarez (47)


Booked: Agger, Bellamy


Attendance: 45,016


Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

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