By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin
A big match for both teams with Spurs still in the hunt for the league title and Liverpool are in the chase for a top four spot. Spurs humbled Liverpool earlier in the season, when they won 4-0, with Liverpool finishing the match with only nine players. But Liverpool has been on a good run of form recently and they would be looking to gain revenge at Anfield. Liverpool supporters were buoyed with anticipation of the return of Luis Suarez after serving his ban.
The Team
The big team news of the night was that Suarez would start the game on the bench as Dalglish started with Carroll, Kuyt and Bellamy as an attacking threat. Dalglish had to make a defensive change with Enrique having a slight injury, so Johnson was deployed at left back and Martin Kelly slotted in at right back. Jay Spearing accompanied Adam and Gerrard in midfield. Spurs had a few players missing but their biggest loss was manager Redknapp who was stranded in London as his plane was grounded due to fog.
The Match
Liverpool started brightly and almost took the lead when Gerrard played in Carroll, but Dawson slid in with a terrific last ditch tackle that left the Kop shouting for a penalty. Minutes later Gerrard blasted a free-kick into a defensive wall after Johnson had been fouled.
The game was briefly interrupted when a stray cat entered the field of play in what was one of the highlights of the first half as chances were few. Liverpool had the majority of the possession as they looked for the opening goal and Spearing came close with a 25 yard rocket which went inches wide. Glen Johnson had a shot saved by the legs of Friedel as he tried his luck.
The second half continued in the same theme as the first with chances few. Bale drilled a low shot early before receiving a booking for shoving Agger in the chest. Spurs looked to frustrate Liverpool as the half ticked on and they began to sit very deep as Liverpool probed for an opening.
Kelly had a shot from the edge of the box well saved before Dalglish sent on Suarez with 30 minutes to go resulting in an ovation from the Kop. Chances remained few as the visitors “parked the bus”. Andy Carroll shot over after getting on the end of a dangerous cross from Kelly.
Spurs almost stole the 3 points when Bale beat the offside trap to go one on one with Reina, but Reina stood firm and blocked Bale’s effort before the Liverpool defence hacked clear. Moments later Gerrard picked out Suarez, but the striker could only head straight at Friedel. The game ended 0-0 and another frustrating draw for Liverpool.
Summary
Dalglish put out a very strong team and I suppose it was to be expected that Suarez would start on the bench. It was a fiercely contested match with both teams cancelling each other out and both working very hard to put their opponents under pressure. Andy Carroll played well once again and caused problems to the Spurs defence. Liverpool had good spells of possession, but the final ball was poor far too often. Liverpool nullified the attacking threat of Spurs and danger man Bale only really had that one chance at the end. Liverpool didn’t create enough chances to win the match and it was disappointing to only draw, but credit to Spurs they defended superbly.
Man Of The Match – Skrtel – another solid performance with some crunching tackles.
Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News
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