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Liverpool’s Scintillating Suarez stuns the Saints

Having already lost to Southampton 3-1 at St. Mary’s last season, and after being defeated 1-0 at Anfield this season, Liverpool took on a Southampton side who have done very well in the first half of the season, particularly against big teams in their home ground.

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was about to play his 100th club game. If Daniel Sturridge scores today, he would set a record for scoring in 9 consecutive Premier League matches. Liverpool made one change to their side that beat Swansea 4-3 at Anfield a week ago. Joe Allen came into the side and Raheem Sterling was dropped to the bench. This meant that Liverpool played the diamond formation in midfield comprising of Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Phillippe Coutinho. It was a tactical change by Rodgers, and also a good one as Liverpool finally had a game changing player on their bench in the form of Sterling.

Southampton’s Luke Shaw was on a high after being called up to the England squad for the first time for their final friendly against Denmark before selecting the 23-man squad for the World Cup. The 18 year old left back, who has been courted by Manchester United and Chelsea for most part of the season, was called up to the England squad along with already capped teammates Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert.

The Reds started the game very well, attacking from kick off looking for that early goal like they always do. It took 16 minutes to arrive. Suarez held the ball well away from a defender after a throw in from Johnson. The Uruguayan then attempted to play a one-two with Sturridge, which failed after the Englishman stumbled with the ball. But a defensive mix up involving Sturridge, the ball fell onto the feet of Suarez after a deflection off Dejan Lovren. Suarez was onside and made no mistake in hitting a first timed shot into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Liverpool. It was Suarez’s 1st goal after a 6 game goal drought. That goal also increased his goal scoring tally at the top of the goal scoring chart to 24 goals.

Liverpool contined their attack only to be stopped by the defenders and poor finishing. However, the Reds attacking prowess lasted for barely 20 minutes. After which it was the home team which got on the front foot. Lallana, Lambert and Rodriguez showed why they were called up to the England squad by linking up perfectly in a move that saw the Saints almost get their much deserved equalizer. Rodriguez hit a brilliant cross from the right straight onto the path of Lambert who chest the ball in the direction of Lallana who used his quick feet to trick a defender before firing a shot low into the corner, only to be denied by the post. Lallana also forced another acrobatic save from Simon Mignolet. Exceptional play from the Saints. They out muscled Liverpool in all areas. Not to forget, Luke Shaw made bombarding runs into the Liverpool half leaving Henderson and Flanagan in his wake and delivering pin point crosses in the final third. It is no doubt that this lad is going to be a big asset to the England squad as it seems to be the end of Ashley Cole’s England career.

Despite the Saints pressurizing attacks and counters, they had nothing to show for it. They had 7 shots on target in the first half, compared to Liverpool’s 4. Suarez could have scored again from a free-kick had it been on target as the Artur Boruc did not stand a chance of saving it. Liverpool were outplayed in the remaining 25 minutes of the half. The tactics of putting 4 in the midfield backfired as their wings were left exposed.

In the second half, Southampton brought on Gaston Ramirez, a player whom Liverpool failed to sign, to beef up their attack. Within the first minute of the restart, Ramirez had a shot and a few excellent touches of the ball. The Saints continued their resilient pressure with Liverpool sticking to their formation. Coutinho was having a bad game. His last contribution was a corner which flew past everyone to go for a goal kick. He was taken off in the 56th minute to be replaced by Sterling.

The move paid off a minute later as Suarez ran onto a through ball from Steven Gerrard, to side foot a low cross for Sterling to effortlessly tap into the net. 2-0 to Liverpool. It was Sterling’s 6th goal in all competitions and Suarez’s 5th assist to Sterling this Season. It was a much needed goal for the Reds who had seemed to be fading away from the game.

After the 2nd goal, Liverpool resumed business. Tormenting the Saints back four and keeper. They could have easily scored 4-5 goals. Sturridge had a few chances wasted in the first and second half. He was substituted in the 76th minute to be replaced by Iago Aspas who has had a bad season with the reds. Suarez was striving for the 3rd. He was a hungry man. Always looking for the ball and always working extremely hard to get the ball and create something out of the chances. His efforts were paid off in the 93rd minute of the 4 minutes of injury time given.

Suarez got onto the ball and took on José Fonte one-on-one. He did his trademark chop back inside the penalty box, only to be fouled by Fonte. The Saint’s defender did not protest as he knew it was a clear foul and he had been outplayed by the ever present Luis Suarez.

Steven Gerrard stepped up to score his 5th penalty this season. He blasted the ball into the top corner which could not have been saved by even a world class keeper. 3-0 to the Reds.

A much deserved win for the Reds after a long period of scare from the home team who had been excellent throughout the season.

With that win, Liverpool moved up to 2nd place, level on points with Arsenal but ahead on goal difference by a massive margin after the latter lost to Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium. Having conceded 2 goals or more in their past 5 games out of 9, Liverpool recorded their first clean sheet since they last won Everton at Anfield.

Luis Suarez had scored 62 goals in 100 league games with Liverpool. Only Torres, and Fowler had a better record in their first 100 games. Suarez also beats the likes of Michael Owen, Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie’s record of goals in their 1st century of games for their clubs. Not only does Suarez top the goal scoring charts this season by a mile, he also tops the assist charts with 10 assists. It clearly shows that he not just scores for him team but also puts in a great deal of work and creates assists for his teammates. So much so, that the closest player to topple him off the goal scoring charts and assist charts are his teammates Sturridge and Gerrard by 5 goals and 1 assist respectively.

Rodger’s tactical awareness was a key today and his change in bringing on Sterling for the under performing Coutinho proved to be a stroke of tactical genius. 4 points off the top. Well on the way to Champions League qualification. The reds have to take one game at a time to see how high they are at the end of the season. Next in line is Manchester United at Old Trafford after the International break.

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