Match Report: Wolves 0-3 Liverpool

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

After a very exciting week of cup football for Liverpool, it was back to league business as they travelled to Wolves in their chase for a top four place. Going into the match Liverpool had only won one of their last six league games , so a win was vital for Liverpool. Wolves are struggling at the foot of the league table, but they earned a good away point at Spurs recently and they would be hoping to upset Liverpool with home field advantage.

The Team

Dalglish made five changes from the side that knocked out Manchester United at the weekend, with Adam, Spearing, Johnson, Bellamy and Kuyt returning to the side. Steven Gerrard was rested for this match after playing three games in the last week. Andy Carroll led the attack once again after his good performance at the weekend.

The Match

Liverpool started the game attacking and almost took the lead inside 3 minutes but Kuyt just couldn’t divert the ball home after a good knock down from Carroll who met a Bellamy cross. Wolves had the next chance when Edwards hooked effort brought out a save from Reina. Moments later Edwards headed over the bar from a free-kick as the home side looked for the opener.

But Liverpool was looking dangerous on the attack and Bellamy went close when he poked an effort just wide as Hennessey rushed out of his goal. Then Agger had a header saved by Hennessey from a Bellamy corner as Liverpool pressed. Moments later Adam made a surging run before scuffing his shot wide from the edge of the box.

There were chances at both ends in the latter stages of the half, but no goals as both teams went in at the break level.

Liverpool got a great start to the second half when they took the lead inside the first 7 minutes when Andy Carroll knocked home a dangerous Adam cross. Carroll grew in confidence after netting and was causing the Wolves defence problems.

Bellamy scored a second Liverpool goal by shooting low past Hennessey after a good run from the Welshman. The visitors were in the ascendancy now and looked like adding to their lead, with Adam volleying over and Agger going wide with a header, then Hennessey pulled off a terrific save from a deflected Kuyt shot.

Liverpool put the game out of reach in the 78^th minute when a swift break by the visitors resulted in Kuyt drilling low past Hennessey. It was a good win for Liverpool as they earned their first league win of 2012.

Summary

Dalglish put out a very attacking team and I was expecting a few changes to the team in what has been a hectic week of football for Liverpool. I was surprised to see Gerrard not playing but he is just back in the team and has been playing a lot recently. It was great to see Jay Spearing back and he did play very well alongside Adam who played a big part in two of Liverpool’s goals. Liverpool’s defence was tight once again and good to get another clean sheet. Craig Bellamy was very dangerous again and scored once again. Good to see Kenny play Kuyt again and he has now scored two goals in two games. Andy Carroll was a real handful for the Wolves defence and he took his goal well. A great night for Liverpool, and good to score a few goals too.

Man Of The Match – Andy Carroll – Superb game, he worked his socks off and linked up well. Scored a good goal and you could see his confidence grow from this.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Goal Highlights: Wolverhampton 0-3 Liverpool

Liverpool recorded their first Barclays Premier League victory of 2012 with an emphatic 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Tuesday night.

After an end-to-end first half, Andy Carroll opened the scoring on 52 minutes when he turned Charlie Adam's cross home at the back post courtesy of a well-taken finish.

Craig Bellamy quickly doubled the Reds' lead when he found the back of the net with a low effort from the edge of the area for his ninth of the season so far.

Dirk Kuyt sealed the win with his 50^th Liverpool league goal when he fired home from a tight angle following a quick-fire counter attack.

Liverpool continued to create chances as they dominated the closing stages, and although they were unable to find a fourth, the result was enough to move them into fifth place in the table.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only. Red's Fury™ does not host or upload this material and is not responsible for the content.

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Liverpool to sign a new striker next month

It’s hardly a conspiracy theory or wild rumours that Liverpool FC and Kenny Dalglish longing for a new striker next month when the January transfer window re-opens.

We all know that Luis Suarez will be indefinitely be suspended at some point by the FA on the racism allegation and the finger gesture during the Fulham match. Unless, Andy Carroll can step up to the plate and proved his critics wrong in the next few games, which I’m highly doubt he can. While, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy can’t run the show for the full 90-minutes week in, week out as both players are in their twilight years of their career. Who else can we call upon to lead the front-line?

A Scottish international has been named as a target, along with Rangers’ Nikica Jelavic and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski name resurfaced yet again.

Liverpool are pondering a January move for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steven Fletcher. Dalglish is desperate to sort out the Reds’ profligacy in front of goal and has identified the 24-year-old as a possible solution.

Liverpool are also preparing an £8million bid for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. The 26-year-old has scored 12 times in 17 appearances this season and is believed to be attracting interest from a number of clubs. Newcastle United have also been linked to Jelavic’s signature this January.

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is back in the frame again with Liverpool his most likely destination. Lewandowski is not your typical out and out scorer but has still managed to notch up 10 league goals in 16 matches this season. He was instrumental in helping Dortmund lift the Bundesliga title last season and could see a move to Merseyside as a fresh challenge. The 6ft Polish striker would be the perfect player to complement Luis Suarez as he holds the ball well and likes to feed people through.

The Polish youngster moved to Dortmund on a four year contract in 2010 for a fee of around €4.9 million and will take some doing to lure the youngster to leave Dortmund having just signed with the club a year ago. However Liverpool’s new owners have shown enough steel that they are willing to spend big in a bid to put Liverpool back on the map, having already spent over £100 million since their takeover.

Which of the trio of players you would like to see donning the red shirt this January? Leave your thought in the comment box below.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Source: Transfer Tavern

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Suarez sulking – Is it bad or good?

An post match analysis by Sky Sports, Charlie Nicholas on the Liverpool v Wolves match yesterday. The TV pundits gave a critical views on Luis Suarez’s substitution act and Andy Carroll’s performances.

   “I think Kenny will have a giggle at that. Kenny would have been the same! Don't kid yourself, Kenny Dalglish would have come off with his lip down thinking: “Why am I coming off? I don't like that.” - Charlie Nicholas

Go to skysports.com to view the video interview.

While on the other end, Kenny Dalglish gave Sky Sports his post match interview and the gaffer are please with Suarez’s contribution and glad to have his captain back.

Watch King Kenny’s post match interview at skysports.com and we are looking forward to a long and happy future with Luis Suarez at Anfield.

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Thank you to KLFCreds for the superb compilation goals video.

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Post Match Video and Report: Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Luis Suarez once again inspired Liverpool to victory as Wolves were beaten 2-1 at Anfield.

The Uruguay international scored his fourth goal of the campaign to make it 2-0 following a Roger Johnson OG.

Steven Fletcher helped make a game of it by firing in at the Anfield Road End early in the second period but the Reds were worthy winners.

Andy Carroll was one of six players recalled to the starting XI following our Carling Cup victory over Brighton in midweek, meaning man of the match Craig Bellamy dropped to the bench where he'd sit alongside the still recuperating Steven Gerrard.

Like Liverpool, Wolves entered the game having lost successive league fixtures and Mick McCarthy's side sought to make an instant impression on the scoresheet in a bid to change their fortunes.

A defensive error allowed them time and space in Liverpool's box on eight minutes but when Jamie O'Hara stretched to execute his shot he could not generate enough power to beat Pepe Reina.

Wolves had started the livelier, perhaps, but it was Liverpool who dealt the first blow on 11 minutes - though more accurately the wound was self-inflicted when Johnson deflected a Charlie Adam drive into the bottom corner of his own net.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

Source: FootyTube.com

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Wolves interested in Liverpool left-back

Skysports.com understands Wolves have made an enquiry about Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky.

Konchesky is widely expected to leave Liverpool this summer with the player not figuring in Kenny Dalglish's long-term plans.

The full-back joined Liverpool from Fulham last summer, but following Dalglish's appointment as replacement for Roy Hodgson, Konchesky was farmed out on loan to Nottingham Forest.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is a big admirer of Konchesky and saw a move for him on loan during the January transfer window fail to materialise due to regulations which meant the player could only move to another club on an emergency loan having played for Fulham and Liverpool last season.

McCarthy is keen to bolster his defensive options and he has rekindled his interest in Konchesky.

A number of other clubs are thought to be keeping tabs on Konchesky's situation with Liverpool thought to be ready to offload the left-back.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will have announced they will conclude their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Spanish side Valencia at Anfield on 6th August.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Liverpool FC Official, Sky Sports

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Match Highlights: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish secured his first win after returning to the helm after Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Molineux on Saturday lunchtime.

Fernando Torres broke the deadlock in a scrappy contest on 36 minutes after generously being setup by Raul Meireles for the simplest of tap ins.

The Portuguese ace did get on the score sheet shortly after half-time, however, with a sure-fire goal-of-the-season contender as he expertly smashed a 25-yard volley into the top corner.

Wolves pressed in an attempt to reduce the arrears late on, but Torres struck again at the death to help the Reds claim an important three points.

Buoyed by a much-improved attacking performance during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Everton at Anfield, Liverpool journeyed to Molineux aiming to secure not only the first win of Kenny Dalglish's second coming, but also their second on the road in the Barclays Premier League in 2010-11.

Indeed, the manager's satisfaction at his side's derby display was reflected in his team selection with just one change made - Christian Poulsen replacing Jay Spearing in midfield.

However, despite their lowly position of 19^th in the table, Wolves demonstrated they are anything but pushovers by winning 1-0 at Anfield in late December, while they could also consider themselves highly unfortunate not to have taken something from a recent narrow defeat against Manchester City at Eastlands.

In fact, the Reds' last win at Molineux was way back in April 1979, while they'd managed just two clean sheets in their last nine trips to the Black Country.

But the visitors fashioned the first chance on a chilly Midlands afternoon when only a block by Christophe Berra prevented Poulsen giving them an eight-minute lead after good interplay between Glen Johnson and Lucas Leiva carved open a chance for the Dane.

Wolves then had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to thank for thwarting Torres on 21 minutes. Meireles's inch-perfect pass sent the Spaniard bearing down on goal, only to see his effort beaten away after deftly stepping inside the challenge of Richard Stearman.

Nevertheless, it was proving a real midfield scrap with neither side able to stamp their authority on a bitty contest. [Read more…]

Source: Video courtesy of FootyTube

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Goal Highlights: Liverpool 0-1 Wolves

Stephen Ward stunned the Kop with the only goal of the game as Liverpool slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves on Wednesday night.

The Irish midfielder struck a 56 minute winner as Mick McCarthy's men moved off the foot of the Barclays Premier League table with a famous Anfield triumph.

The result means Roy Hodgson's side have now lost eight league matches so far this season and remain 12 in the standings, 12 points adrift of fourth placed Chelsea with a game in hand.

The pre-match chatter had centred upon the return to action of Steven Gerrard while the sad passing of ex-Reds Bill Jones and Avi Cohen meant there was a pause prior to kick- off as Anfield paid its respects with a minute's applause.

The fitting tribute was followed by a hungry start by the home side, perhaps unsurprising given that this was their first run-out in the league since their 3-1 reversal at Newcastle United on December 11.

The adverse weather conditions had put paid to the Reds' hopes of adding to the fans' festive cheer any earlier, but they were almost celebrating a belated gift when Fernando Torres exposed the Wolves rearguard on nine minutes.

A quick-thinking free-kick by the Spaniard sent Raul Meireles through on goal but the No.4 was denied his first in a red shirt by a fine point-blank stop from Wayne Hennessey.

If Kopites felt that was the beginning of the onslaught they would be sadly mistaken as the visitors began to grow in confidence.

Indeed, few observers had given the visitors any hope of upsetting Liverpool at Anfield in the run up to the encounter, but they almost snatched the lead on 17 minutes when Glen Johnson's superb defensive header prevented Stephen Hunt from having a free sight of goal at the far post. [Read more…]

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS 

Does Roy Hodgson deserves another patience from us? I’m running out of patience with him as the manager of Liverpool Football Club. Is it the right time to bring back Rafael Benitez? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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