Saturday April 7, 2012 Day 32 Finished Anfield

Liverpool 1 - 1 Aston Villa

  • Suarez 82’
  • Herd 10’

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  1. Villa hold Liverpool at Anfield

    Villa hold Liverpool at Anfield

    Liverpool fought back from a goal down against Aston Villa to arrest their damaging run of defeats but were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Liverpool
    • Aston Villa
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+6' FULL TIME. Liverpool draw 1-1 at home to Villa after Suarez responds to Herd's opener. Liverpool were by far the better side and should have won, but at least they have ended their run of defeats.
    • 90+5' A late free kick to Villa but they do nothing with it. They will settle for a point, no doubt about it.
    • 90+3' Given makes a fantastic save to deny Gerrard from range! When Liverpool get the ball back into the box, there is a scramble before Villa somehow get the ball away. Pressure is really mounting now.
    • 90+2' Plenty of time for Liverpool to claim a winner then, but can they do it?
    • 90' Five minutes of added time. Where have they got that from?
    • 89' A great chance for Liverpool! Gerrard puts in a superb cross from the left and Carroll rises above the defence to meet the ball with his head. However, he directs it straight at Given, who saves on the line.
    • 88' Carruthers is quickly into the book for diving as he attempts to win a penalty off Agger.
    • 87' Stat from Infostrada: "Luis Suarez scored his eighth PL goal of the season and second in consecutive home matches. It is only his third PL goal in 2012."
    • 86' Bannan replaced by Samir Carruthers as Villa make their final change. It is his debut.
    • 85' Agger gets his head to a Gerrard corner but the ball flies over the bar.
    • 84' Now Carroll gets his head to a cross from the left but sends the ball looping over the bar. It is all Liverpool now. Can they get a winner?
    • 82' GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa! Suarez finally gets the goal! A corner is deflected to Gerrard and when he puts the ball back into the box, Agger hits the bar with a header. However. Suarez is on hand to head the loose ball home from a yard out.
    • 81' Agger advances forward to collect a chested pass from Carroll and belts the ball wide from 20 yards.
    • 79' So close! Bellamy strikes the woodwork! The Welshman collects the ball at the back post when a clearing header goes into his path but his effort thumps against the post!
    • 77' Oh dear. Suarez goes into the book for diving. That is harsh as Ireland trod on his foot.
    • 76' A third change for Liverpool as Dan Agger comes on for Enrique.
    • 75' Warnock and Weimann collided heads when trying to prevent Carroll getting to the ball and both players are down hurt. However, they will be okay to continue.
    • 74' A cross from the left from Enrique takes a nasty deflection and Lichaj can't take any chances as he turns the ball behind for a corner. The ball falls to Carroll from the set-piece but he can't bundle the ball home.
    • 73' Villa make a change as forward Andreas Weimann comes on for midfielder Herd.
    • 71' Enrique dinks a nice looking ball over the defence for Bellamy to run onto but over-cooks it as the ball bounces out of play.
    • 70' The ball suddenly drops to Gardner in the centre of the pitch and he caresses a low shot at goal that Don saves.
    • 69' Lichaj stretched out an arm to try and restrict Kuyt rather than deliberately try and handle so really it shouldn't have been a penalty. It is certainly one that merits further debate though.
    • 67' Another penalty appeal is turned down! The ball strikes the left arm of Lichaj as he turns his back on it but referee Oliver waves play on. Suarez is furious yet again but it wasn't deliberate.
    • 66' Two forwards for two midfielders. It's a positive move from Dalglish, no doubt about it, and Bellamy is straight into the action as he drills a shot wide from 20 yards despite having an easy pass for Enrique.
    • 65' A double change for Liverpool as Carroll and Bellamy replace Downing and Shelvey.
    • 64' What a clearance from Collins. He gets his boot to a dangerous cross from Downing and hooks the ball away from the path of Kuyt, who was arriving in the centre. Superb defending.
    • 63' Liverpool are getting Andy Carroll ready on the touchline.
    • 62' A nice passing move from Liverpool culminates in a deep cross from Downing on the left. Villa head behind for a corner but then clear their lines.
    • 61' Stat from Infostrada: "Liverpool have failed to score in 10 PL matches this season – only six clubs have failed to score more often in the division."
    • 60' That's a good move from Villa. Heskey has done very little this afternoon and introducing Gardner should give them more control in midfield.
    • 58' Change for Villa: Heskey is replaced by Gary Gardner. He is a very talented young midfielder.
    • 56' Gerrard backheels to Kuyt in the box and the Dutchman drifts to the left before hammering a shot well wide of the far post. A poor effort.
    • 55' That was so, so close for Suarez. He has hit the woodwork so many times this season it is untrue.
    • 54' What a save! Given denies Suarez! The Uruguyan finds the inside of the post with a flicked header from a Gerrard cross but just as the ball appears to be creeping in, the keeper throws out an arm to claw it away.
    • 53' Stat from Infostrada: "If Liverpool lose today it will be their 12th league defeat of the season - will be the outright most ever defeats suffered by Liverpool under Dalglish in a single season."
    • 51' Suarez gets away from Baker in the box but the Villa defender recovers and goes shoulder-to-shoulder with the forward, who falls over. No appeal for a penalty though.
    • 50' Not a great pass-back from Warnock as he goes wide to Given and the keeper clears into the stands under pressure from Kuyt.
    • 48' Stat from Infostrada: "Liverpool have won one of their last nine PL matches at Anfield when behind at half time - 2-1 against Bolton on New Year’s Day 2011."
    • 47' Shelvey produces a neat piece of control to flick the ball between his legs but his marker recovers to clear for Villa.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • 45+1' HALF TIME. Gerrard flashes one over the bar and we go into the break with Liverpool 1-0 down at home.
    • 45' Nice from Suarez as he muscles Ireland off the ball and darts into the box before unleashing a firm effort that Given clasps at his chest.
    • 44' What a miss! Suarez swings in a cross from the left, Gerrard drills his shot back across goal and finds Kuyt, who is three yards out with an empty net in front of him. Incredibly the Dutchman turns the bouncing ball over the bar. Shocking.
    • 44' Heskey finds Agbonlahor in the box with a flick on but the forward gets his finish all wrong as he misses the ball, allowing Skrtel to shepherd the ball out for a corner.
    • 43' Stat from Opta: "Liverpool have been involved in only five games with over 3.5 goals this season, only Everton have been involved in fewer (four)."
    • 41' Kuyt spins away from Lichaj before being clattered by Ireland and it is a free kick to Liverpool. Villa clear through Baker though, before Suarez touches a cross behind for a goal kick.
    • 40' Suarez plays a one-two with Kuyt and goes to ground under contact from Alan Hutton. A goal kick is signalled and Bannan accuses Suarez of diving. He has a reputation for it, but on this occasion it did look like a foul, even if he exaggerated. Liverpool maybe should have had a penalty.
    • 38' Gerrard, Suarez and Downing combine before the ball is rolled to Henderson 20 yards from goal, but the midfielder's effort soars over the bar. An awful attempt.
    • 37' Stat from Opta: "Villa have conceded more goals from corners than any other side this season (13), while Liverpool have taken more corners than any other side (255)."
    • 36' Another corner to Liverpool. Skrtel rises to meet the delivery from Gerrard and heads just wide, though Bannan was placed on the post and would have blocked had it been on target.
    • 35' Collins is drawn into a foul on Suarez by the touchline and it was rather unnecessary. Liverpool take it short and play the ball around the back.
    • 34' A nice Liverpool move starts with a good pass forward from Jordan Henderson before Ireland deflects a Suarez pass out for a corner. Downing swings the ball in but Gerrard slips when trying to beat Nathan Baker to the ball.
    • 33' Gerrard gets a sniff of a chance 25 yards from goal but snatches at his effort when being closed down and drags his effort meekly wide of the post.
    • 32' Carroll looks happy enough on the bench when the TV cameras cut to him. In honesty, though, he hasn't got a lot to smile about. His former club Newcastle will be 14 points ahead of Liverpool if they lose today.
    • 30' Downing picks out Downing with a nice ball out to the right and Flanagan's first touch is good. He goes to ground under contact from Lichaj but nothing is given. That looked a foul.
    • 29' Stat from Opta: "Stewart Downing has hit more shots without scoring than any other player in the Premier League this season, 62 (including blocked shots)."
    • 28' Decisive goalkeeping from Doni as he races off his line to grab the ball and prevent Agbonlahor from collecting a through-ball. Liverpool's defence looked suspect there.
    • 27' Kuyt puts a diagonal cross into the box but while Suarez gets his head to the ball and flicks it on, he watches as the ball floats over the bar.
    • 26' As things stand, Liverpool will be four points behind rivals Everton, who are currently winning at Norwich. That is rather concerning.
    • 25' The ball comes in from the right and is headed out to Gerrard on the edge of the box. He meets the ball with a wild volley that flies high into the stands.
    • 24' Liverpool try to string some passes together with Shelvey prompting but the move breaks down. Liverpool regroup and Warnock puts the ball behind for a corner to the home side.
    • 22' Bannan with the corner and Collins leaps above Skrtel to head just wide. Not a bad effort by any means as Liverpool look vulnerable once again.
    • 21' Space opens up for Heskey some 20 yards from goal after he shrugs off Downing and a low effort clips the heel of a defender before flying wide for a corner.
    • 20' James Collins gets his big head to a ball into the box from Shelvey as Villa clear their lines. This will be a tricky game for Liverpool now, particularly given the lack of goals they have scored this season.
    • 18' Jose Enrique makes an important intervention to flick a Bannan free kick behind for a corner. The little Scot takes the set-piece but Doni punches clear.
    • 17' "You're getting sacked in the morning" chant the Villa fans. Kenny Dalglish is getting rather used to hearing that.
    • 16' Stat from Opta: "Liverpool have won just three of their last 12 Premier League matches at Anfield (W3 D7 L2)."
    • 15' Eric Lichaj produces a long throw from the left and Heskey beats Jamie Carragher to the ball. However, Doni is alert to deal with it on this occasion.
    • 14' Reflecting on the Villa goal, fingers have to be pointed at Doni as he was very unconvincing from the cross. Not an auspicious debut for the Brazilian so far.
    • 12' Of course, the irony of Suarez getting angry about a handball is lost on no one.
    • 11' Controversy! Suarez cuts the ball back from the byline and it strikes the arm of Herd. It would be hard to argue it was deliberate, but Suarez is furious when a corner is awarded and harangues referee Michael Oliver.
    • 10' GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa! Well, well, well. Chris Herd puts the visitors into the lead. Doni flaps at a cross from the left and Barry Bannan collects the ball into the box before laying it off to his team-mate, who curls a first-time effort away from the keeper and into the far corner. Lovely finish.
    • 9' There is a suspicion that the ball crossed the line before Given saved but numerous replays are unable to prove it conclusively. You can't fault the match officials' decision in that regard, though it may have just snuck over.
    • 7' Good save! Shay Given palms the ball off the line and against the base of the post to deny Kuyt from a tight angle! Stewart Downing had accelerated down the wing and past Alan Hutton before delivering a dangerous cross that flew across goal and found the Dutchman at the back post.
    • 5' Gabriel Agbonlahor slips a quick pass into Heskey in the box but the striker can't get the ball out from under his feet before Martin Skrtel comes across and clears behind.
    • 4' Jon Flanagan is guilty of a sloppy pass down the line but Liverpool regain possession before Stephen Warnock, formerly of Liverpool, clatters into Kuyt by the touchline. Luis Suarez is rather unimpressed.
    • 3' Stephen Ireland loses possession on the edge of the box but Dirk Kuyt's cross is cleared by Villa. Sloppy play from the midfielder.
    • 2' A first touch for Doni as he takes a goal kick. Perfectly executed, it flies through the air as is customary.
    • 1' KICK OFF!
    • 15:00 A minute's silence is observed to recognise the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. This is Liverpool's closest home game to the date of the tragedy. Kenny Dalglish is wearing a black armband and of course it was a tragedy that hit him so hard as manager of the club during that time.
    • 14:55 For those of you expecting a thriller, here's a stat from Infostrada: "There have been only 31 goals scored at Anfield this season – equal-fewest in the division with Everton's Goodison Park."
    • 14:50 Anything other than a win against a frankly dreadful Aston Villa side, who look devoid of any imagination, would be a disaster for Liverpool. What do you think the score will be? Let me know on Twitter now!
    • 14:45 It has been a traumatic 2012 for Liverpool fans - that Carling Cup win aside - and only Wolves have fewer points than them since the turn of the year. Captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the fans to remain patient. Gerrard in plea to supporters
    • 14:40 A couple of Opta stats to get you in the mood: "Aston Villa have won just two of their last 20 Premier League games against Liverpool (W2 D6 L12). Steven Gerrard has scored more goals against Aston Villa (9) than versus any other Premier League opponent."
    • 14:35 Aston Villa make two changes as Andreas Weimann and Gary Gardner are replaced by Emile Heskey and Alan Hutton. Villa are desperately short of form as well having won only one of their past eight in the league to sit just five points clear of relegation.
    • 14:30 Jose Reina's suspension for head-butting James Perch last weekend in a defeat to Newcastle sees Doni make his debut in goal for Liverpool, who drop Jay Spearing, Craig Bellamy and, notably, Andy Carroll after he was so upset with his substitution against Newcastle. Jonjo Shelvey keeps his place though.
    • 14:25 TEAMS: Liverpool: Doni, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtl, Enrique, Shelvey, Henderson, Kuyt, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez. Subs: Jones, Agger, Coates, Spearing, Maxi, Bellamy, Carroll. /// Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Baker, Lichaj, Herd, Bannan, Ireland, Warnock, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Stevens, Johnson, Williams, Gardner, Carruthers, Weimann.
    • 14:20 Given they have lost six of their past seven games in the Premier League, it is fair to say Liverpool are under considerable pressure heading into this home game. They started today in eighth place, but with Sunderland currently drawing at Spurs they are ninth as things stand. Ninth. Norwich and Fulham could both draw level with Kenny Dalglish's men as well.
    • 14:15 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League tie between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield.

  • Summary

    • 90+3' Given makes a fantastic save to deny Gerrard from range! When Liverpool get the ball back into the box, there is a scramble before Villa somehow get the ball away. Pressure is really mounting now.
    • 89' A great chance for Liverpool! Gerrard puts in a superb cross from the left and Carroll rises above the defence to meet the ball with his head. However, he directs it straight at Given, who saves on the line.
    • 82' GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa! Suarez finally gets the goal! A corner is deflected to Gerrard and when he puts the ball back into the box, Agger hits the bar with a header. However. Suarez is on hand to head the loose ball home from a yard out.
    • 81' Agger advances forward to collect a chested pass from Carroll and belts the ball wide from 20 yards.
    • 79' So close! Bellamy strikes the woodwork! The Welshman collects the ball at the back post when a clearing header goes into his path but his effort thumps against the post!
    • 74' A cross from the left from Enrique takes a nasty deflection and Lichaj can't take any chances as he turns the ball behind for a corner. The ball falls to Carroll from the set-piece but he can't bundle the ball home.
    • 67' Another penalty appeal is turned down! The ball strikes the left arm of Lichaj as he turns his back on it but referee Oliver waves play on. Suarez is furious yet again but it wasn't deliberate.
    • 54' What a save! Given denies Suarez! The Uruguyan finds the inside of the post with a flicked header from a Gerrard cross but just as the ball appears to be creeping in, the keeper throws out an arm to claw it away.
    • 44' What a miss! Suarez swings in a cross from the left, Gerrard drills his shot back across goal and finds Kuyt, who is three yards out with an empty net in front of him. Incredibly the Dutchman turns the bouncing ball over the bar. Shocking.
    • 40' Suarez plays a one-two with Kuyt and goes to ground under contact from Alan Hutton. A goal kick is signalled and Bannan accuses Suarez of diving. He has a reputation for it, but on this occasion it did look like a foul, even if he exaggerated. Liverpool maybe should have had a penalty.
    • 36' Another corner to Liverpool. Skrtel rises to meet the delivery from Gerrard and heads just wide, though Bannan was placed on the post and would have blocked had it been on target.
    • 22' Bannan with the corner and Collins leaps above Skrtel to head just wide. Not a bad effort by any means as Liverpool look vulnerable once again.
    • 11' Controversy! Suarez cuts the ball back from the byline and it strikes the arm of Herd. It would be hard to argue it was deliberate, but Suarez is furious when a corner is awarded and harangues referee Michael Oliver.
    • 10' GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa! Well, well, well. Chris Herd puts the visitors into the lead. Doni flaps at a cross from the left and Barry Bannan collects the ball into the box before laying it off to his team-mate, who curls a first-time effort away from the keeper and into the far corner. Lovely finish.
    • 7' Good save! Shay Given palms the ball off the line and against the base of the post to deny Kuyt from a tight angle! Stewart Downing had accelerated down the wing and past Alan Hutton before delivering a dangerous cross that flew across goal and found the Dutchman at the back post.
    • 14:25 TEAMS: Liverpool: Doni, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtl, Enrique, Shelvey, Henderson, Kuyt, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez. Subs: Jones, Agger, Coates, Spearing, Maxi, Bellamy, Carroll. /// Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Baker, Lichaj, Herd, Bannan, Ireland, Warnock, Agbonlahor, Heskey. Subs: Guzan, Stevens, Johnson, Williams, Gardner, Carruthers, Weimann.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.2 5
      Defenders
      4.5 5
      4.6 6
      5 6
      Substitution Out77′ 5 6
      Midfielders
      5.8 7
      Substitution Out65′ 4.2 5
      3.7 5
      Substitution Out65′ 4.8 7
      Strikers
      Goal Yellow Card 5.7 7
      5.4 5
      Subs
      Substitution In65′ 5.1 6
      Substitution In77′ 5.8 -
      Substitution In65′ 3.3 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.6 7
      Defenders
      5.7 6
      6 7
      5.9 8
      6.1 6
      Midfielders
      5.3 6
      Goal Substitution Out73′ 6.1 7
      5.9 5
      Substitution Out86′ 5.8 6
      Strikers
      Substitution Out58′ 6.1 5
      5.5 6
      Subs
      Substitution In73′ 5 6
      Substitution In58′ 5.9 6
      Substitution In86′ Yellow Card 2.7 -

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