Monday February 6, 2012 Day 24 Finished Anfield

  1. Liverpool held by Spurs on Suarez return

    Liverpool held by Spurs on Suarez return

    Liverpool missed out on the chance to move up to sixth in the Premier League table after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Tottenham. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Liverpool
    • Tottenham Hotspur
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 tonight (UK only).
    • 90+4' The final whistle goes, and it's yet another draw at Anfield for Liverpool! It's a point that Spurs definitely earned with a gritty display.
    • 90+4' The ball is cleared long to Saha who fouls his marker when he would have been better off leaving be. The ball is launched into the Spurs box but the whistle blow for an infringement by Carroll.
    • 90+3' Parker concedes a corner. Once again Spurs fail to clear convincingly. Johnson's cross sails wide of the far post and the visitors can breathe again.
    • 90+2' Modric takes liberties with the time he spends before taking the free-kick. He pings it back to Dawson who gives possession back to Liverpool.
    • 90+1' We are in the first of four minutes of added time. Parker makes a great block on Gerrard's cross and Saha wins a free-kick in the Liverpool half.
    • 90' Carroll nods down for Suarez and the striker has his back to goal. He has two shots blocked before the whistle blows... He must have handled the ball in between those two shots, because Spurs have a free-kick. Tottenham might be relieved that Suarez had not been playing for the whole match!
    • 89' This is looking like becoming Liverpool's eighth draw in 12 home league games this season.
    • 87' Spurs substitution: Danny Rose replaces Kranjcar.
    • 86' Suarez takes his turn to get a header on a Liverpool free-kick, but he can't trouble Friedel either.
    • 85' Bale beats the offside trap and he's one-on-one with Reina! The Welshman tries to finish through the keeper's legs but the Spaniard makes the block! Bale should have done better there with what was Spurs' best chance of the game.
    • 84' Gerrard smuggles the ball into the path of Johnson, who is stood up and can't get a shot away. Spurs retreating deeper and deeper as we enter the closing stages of this match.
    • 82' Gerrard's delivery is a good one, but Friedel deals with it perfectly by coming off his line to punch clear. He gets a rub of Skrtel's studs for his troubles, but there was no malice intended there.
    • 81' Assou-Ekotto concedes a free-kick out wide. Good dead-ball opportunity here...
    • 80' Johnson curls in an inviting cross and Carroll loses King but sends his header off target.
    • 79' Liverpool fail to get a head on to the corner. Downing sends the ball back in but it floats over everyone. Goal kick.
    • 78' Suarez picks out Carroll, whose cross rebounds off Parker for a corner.
    • 77' Bale limps gingerly off the pitch to receive treatment. The home crowd are giving him abuse, claiming he is feigning injury. Classy.
    • 76' Skrtel upends Bale with a nasty challenge from the side. The Slovakian leapt in there and caught on the ankle. Yellow card for him. Could have been worse.
    • 74' Spurs clear the corner but they are pulled out of shape as Liverpool come again. Great cross from Kelly and Carroll takes a touch and fires over the bar! He should have tested Friedel from that range!
    • 73' Parker covers Suarez well at the expense of another corner. He is going to be on Suarez detail for the remainder of the match, you feel.
    • 72' Liverpool substitution: Stewart Downing replaces Bellamy.
    • 71' Spurs substitution: Louis Saha replaces Adebayor.
    • 70' Suarez was the reason Parker wnet down doubled over there. The Uruguayan booted Parker in the midriff with his right boot! That's a booking!
    • 69' Bellamy chips a cross in for Carroll to head. He can't power it on goal. The whistle goes for another knock to Parker! The midfielder really does get in amongst it.
    • 68' Dawson does well to not be tricked by Suarez's footwork, rob him of the ball and prevent a corner. The Uruguayan is going to make something happen now, isn't he?
    • 67' Liverpool get a clean header to the corner, but it's an easy catch for Friedel.
    • 66' Already Suarez is involved as he is part of a move that leads to a corner.
    • 66' Liverpool substitution: Suarez replaces Kuyt.
    • 65' Liverpoolcatch SPurs on the hop as Adam gets down the right and he pulls the ball back to Agger for a long-range strike that's charged down.
    • 64' Spurs keeping the ball well in midfield again. Modric has been imperious in his distribution at times tonight, but Spurs have struggled to fashion many chances.
    • 63' There is an excited murmur and a ripple of applause around Anfield, and that can mean only one thing: Suarez is about to come on.
    • 62' Carroll leaps but the bll is over his head and Agger nods his tame effort wide.
    • 61' Assou-Ekotto easily outpaces Carroll inside the box but then can't get around the striker and concedes another corner.
    • 60' Parker remains down for a few moments after Adam caught him hard in the ankle in the build-up to that chance. Parker gets back to his feet and Spurs clear the corner.
    • 59' Adam plays the ball across to Kelly. The Liverpool right-back is allowed to rove forward and unleash a good strike that Friedel has to palm wide!
    • 58' Liverpool have played in 10 goalless first halves in this season's Premier League. The only club to go in 0-0 at the break more frequently is Everton (11).
    • 57' The corner is headed away but only to Parker on the edge of the box. He floats the ball to Adebayor at the far post and the ball comes back across goal, but Bale miscues his shot right-footed and wide.
    • 56' Modric pings in a cross but Adebayor is right next to him rather than int he box to get on the end of it! Bale picks the ball up on the other wing and Bellamy tackles him at the expense of a corner.
    • 55' Parker, Adebayor and Modric link up well on the edge of the Liverpool box. The Reds struggle to clear but eventually scramble the ball away.
    • 54' Bale goes down under a challenge from Agger out wide. The Liverpool man reacts angrily, suggesting the Welshman dived. Replays show there was no contact, and the referee books Bale.
    • 52' Suarez goes for a jog up and down the touchline. We may well see him in action sooner rather than later.
    • 50' RyanJJRoss has his own idea for dealing with our first-half pitch invader: "Think Harry Redknapp should have got his dog to sort out that cat!"
    • 49' This game is nicley poised now. You get the feeling that if one goal goes in then there might be a few that follow.
    • 48' Kranjcar plays a risky ball infield and back towards his own defence, but the Spurs back line tidy things up nicely.
    • 47' Spurs have won four of their last five Premier League matches in which the half-time score has been 0-0.
    • 47' Nicolai Pilgaard knows how to get this match going. He says on Twitter: "Let's see Suarez from the start of the second half! He would surely lighten things up a bit!" - Probably the only person at anfield who could upstage that cat anyway.
    • 46' Liverpool get the second half underway! No changes for either side at half-time.
    • 45+2' The whistle goes for half-time and a tight first half comes to a close. Let me know your thoughts on that first 45 minutes on Twitter @tony_mabert.
    • 45+2' Johnson surges inside past Walker and fires a low shot that Friedel blocks with his legs!
    • 45+1' Just the one minute of added time to be played.
    • 45' One corner yields another for Tottenham. The second is played short to Bale who whips in a dangerous low ball. Reina reacts well to claim it.
    • 44' Walker gets a fortunate rebound off Johnson but he will have to make do with a corner rather than a clear shot at goal.
    • 43' Modric at the heart of things as Spurs holding on to the ball in the run-up to half-time.
    • 42' Walker attacks now and he squares a cross for Bale inside the area. It's an awkward height for the Welshman but he still manages to guide it towards goal with an agile backheel flick. Reina is never troubled, mind.
    • 41' Johnson hits what is probably meant to be a cross but Friedel has to paw it away. Kuyt keeps the move going for Liverpool and the ball is pinged to the feet of Carroll. The striker's first touch is good but he slips as he turns to try and shoot.
    • 40' This time it's Bellamy to strike, but again the set piece canons back off the wall.
    • 39' Great run across the final third by Gerrard. Parker sends him flying with a late tackle. That's a booking for the England midfielder and another free-kick in a good position for Liverpool.
    • 38' Another great delivery into a crowded box but Friedel manages to get a fist to it and Parker completes the clearance.
    • 37' Spearing feeds Kelly on the rgith and the cross is a dangerous one but put behind for a corner.
    • 36' Skrtel comes across to Bale on the flank and goes right through him as he makes the challenge. Bale goes clattering into the hoarding, and takes his time getting back to his feet.
    • 35' Liverpool are one of four PL clubs – Aston Villa, Fulham and Wigan Athletic are the others – yet to lead at half-time in a Premier League match in 2012.
    • 33' SPEARING!! Bellamy plays the ball across to Gerrard fromt he left. The Liverpool captain works it intot he path of Jay Spearing on the edge of the box, and the midfielder fires a solid strike that hits the stanchion behind the goal! That would have been his first Liverpool goal.
    • 32' Niko Kranjcar has a pop from 20 yards that stings the palms of Reina, but it was never likely to test him. Finally the players are starting to get some shots away though.
    • 31' Liverpool have a free-kick from deep on the left flank. Adam whips in a delightful ball that Kuyt heads wide... It wouldn't have counted anyway. The flag was up for offside against the Dutchman.
    • 30' Bellamy goes down after a collision with Adebayor which was accidental but leaves the Liverpool man laid out on the turf for 20 seconds or so. Adebayorshows a great deal of contrition.
    • 29' Modric feeds Bale in the centre of the pitch with a lovely pass. The Welshman sprints through the middle of the field and doesn't give up even when he loses the ball.
    • 28' Liverpool more fluent in wide area now. Adam drifting from one flank to the other, but his cross is poor.
    • 27' Spurs’ win at Anfield last season ended a run of 16 Premier League away games at Liverpool without a victory (D5 L11).
    • 26' A swift counter from Spurs sees Adebayor on the edge of the Liverpool box only to be crowded out by three red shirts.
    • 25' Martin Kelly hoists a high cross to the far post but Spurs defend well in the air this time.
    • 24' Adebayor flicks a quick throw-in from Bale across the six-yard box and there was a big lack of communication among the Liverpool defenders. Reina steps in to grasp the ball.
    • 22' So far this game has been intriguing rather than thrilling. Both sides realising how important this match is for their respective hopes this season. So far we've had just one shot from each team.
    • 20' Walker and Johnson again. Walker tries to knock it through his opponent's legs but the ricochet does not go in his favour.
    • 19' The duel between these two England right-backs will be very intriguing, especially with the England manager in the crowd.
    • 18' Walker gallops down the flank. He's got so much pace. Johnson makes a well-timed tackle on him.
    • 17' Charlie Adam threatens to dart into the area from the left but Walker manages to recover and rob the Scotsman of the ball.
    • 16' Spurs have picked up more points after 23 games (50) than in any previous Premier League season.
    • 15' Bellamy and makeshift left-back Johnson link up well on the left, but Spurs manage to snuff out the momentum of the attack well.
    • 14' Kuyt heads the corner away and Liverpool look to break effectively. With Craig Bellamy in the side they can do just that.
    • 13' After that feline-induced stoppage, the game restarts. Spurs win another corner.
    • 12' The game has stopped temporarily because THERE IS A CAT ON THE FIELD!! A sweet little ash grey moggy scampers across the field past a bemused Brad Friedel, before a steward gently picks him up. How did it get in?
    • 11' Spurs beginning to see more of the ball now as their ball-playign midfielders slow the pace of the game down. Not making any real inroads though.
    • 10' Since taking over, Harry Redknapp has overseen six wins in eight games in all competitions for Spurs against Liverpool.
    • 9' Benoit Assou-Ekotto's ball forward picks out Gareht Bale. He has his first chance to run at the Liverpool defenders, but tries to square it to Modric and loses the ball.
    • 8' Liverpool have drawn seven of their first 11 home matches of the season which is a Premier League record at this stage of the season, equal to four other clubs: Bolton Wanderers (1997/1998), Everton (1998/1999 and 1999/2000), Southampton and Blackburn Rovers (both in 2004/2005). (via Infostrada)
    • 7' Gerrard's strike rebounds off the wall and Kuyt can't control the rebound. Spurs clear and are grateful for the breather. High tempo from Liverpool early on here.
    • 6' Liverpool maintain the pressure and Scott Parker concedes a free-kick near the edge of the box for a foul on Glen Johnson. The dead ball is placed inside the D...
    • 5' Steven Gerrard slips a through ball into Carroll's path and Dawson slides in with a challenge just inside the box. Referee Michael Oliver not interested in giving a penalty despite the Kop's loud appeals! It looked a good tackle from the Spurs defender on only his fifth league appearance of the season.
    • 4' The ball to the near post is cleared. King and Luka Modric keep the move alive but the Croatian's shot is blocked. Liverpool try to launch the counter but the visitors are able to regroup in time.
    • 3' Spurs win the first corner of the match. Ledley King and Michael Dawson both go up for it, Jake Livermore too...
    • 2' Andy Carroll flicks on a long punt from Pepe Reina. Dirk Kuyt shows his characteristic boundless enthusiasm to try and charge down Kyle Walker's clearnace, but the England right-back gets the ball away.
    • 1' Spurs kick off and we're underway at Anfield!
    • 19:58 The teams are heading out on to the Anfield pitch now. The fog has lifted somewhat, and we should be in for a cracking game! We'll be underway in moments...
    • 19:55 England manager Fabio Capello is in the crowd this evening, and he is faced by a veritable phalanx of photographers as he takes his seat next to Liverpool sporting director Damien Comolli. Our pundit Paul Parker's take on what the FA should do with the Italian after he spoke out against their decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy was not exactly complimentary. Parker: Sack Capello now
    • 19:55 Jamie Carragher has scored as many Premier League goals for Tottenham as he has for Liverpool in his career. The veteran defender is ont he Liverpool bench this evening, with Daniel Agger making his 100th Premier League appearance in his stead.
    • 19:50 Talking of Twitter, you can share your thoughts on this game with me by hitting me up @tony_mabert.
    • 19:50 Cracking stat from Infostrada (@InfostradaLive) on Twitter: "The last time Tottenham Hotspur won successive league games at Anfield was just under a month before the Titanic sank in 1912."
    • 19:45 Joe Jordan, assistant to Redknapp at Spurs, explains why the Londoners made one of the more surprising signings on deadline day in buying Louis Saha: "He's a very experienced player and a quality player - just look at the clubs he's been at and the success he's had there with the clubs and with his country so you expect him to continue in the same mould that he has had for the majority of his career."
    • 19:45 Kenny Dalglish is, predictably, delighted to have Suarez back: "It is great for everybody that we have Luis back in the squad. He's been back training a couple of weeks now and he's stayed pretty fit. It is fantastic for us to have him available. There is a lot to be taken into consideration: the fact he's not played for over a month and more importantly how well the other players have done in his absence. But it is good for us - and Steven [Gerrard] will be back so we should be pretty strong."
    • 19:40 Head-to-head: These two sides have met 137 times int he league before tonight. Liverpool have won 63 of those clashes, Spurs 40. Tottenham did the double over Liverpool last season and beat them 4-0 at White Hart Lane back in September after the Reds were reduced to nine men. Match report: Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool
    • 19:35 Still, we have a football game this evening. Liverpool can leapfrog Arsenal and go sixth in the table if they can beat Tottenham this evening. Spurs can reduce the gap between them and league leaders Manchester City to five points with a victory on Merseyside. Premier League table
    • 19:30 Secondly, even if Redknapp had been able to take off from London there is no guarantee he would have ben able to land in Liverpool, such is the density of the fog on Merseyside this evening. Referee Michael Oliver has said the match will go ahead, but the conditions are going to make for an interesting game! Pictures of the Anfield fog
    • 19:25 Firstly, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is not at Anfield this evening, nor will he be. After the final day of counsel's arguments in court for Redknapp's tax evasion trial, the manager's scheduled flight from London City airport was cancelled. Read more about Redknapp's trial
    • 19:25 Well, well, well... Where to start? The build-up to this match was always going to be dominated by the return of Suarez, but the Uruguayan's return has been superceded in the last couple of hours by two things...
    • 19:20 New signing Louis Saha begins life at Tottenham on the bench, as does Ryan Nelsen. Emmanuel Adebayor has recovered from a hamstring twinge to start, which is mote than can be said for Jermain Defoe and Rafael van der Vaart. Aaron Lennon (hamstring), William Gallas (calf) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are unavailable, but Kyle Walker (groin) and Ledley King (knee) both start. Tottenham team page
    • 19:20 Liverpool striker Luis Suarez returns from an eight-match suspension and starts this match on the bench. The Uruguay international has not played since Boxing Day. Captain Steven Gerrard is also back having been rested for the midweek win at Wolves. He starts for the Reds in support of an attack which also includes Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy. Liverpool team page
    • 19:15 Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Spearing, Kuyt, Gerrard, Adam, Carroll, Bellamy. Subs: Doni, Suarez, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher, Aurelio /// Spurs: Friedel, Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Livermore, Modric, Kranjcar, Bale, Adebayor. Subs: Cudicini, Saha, Rose, Nelsen, Luongo, Lancaster, Khumako.
    • 19:10 Welcome to Eurosport's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Tottenham at a very foggy Anfield!

  • Summary

    • 86' Suarez takes his turn to get a header on a Liverpool free-kick, but he can't trouble Friedel either.
    • 85' Bale beats the offside trap and he's one-on-one with Reina! The Welshman tries to finish through the keeper's legs but the Spaniard makes the block! Bale should have done better there with what was Spurs' best chance of the game.
    • 74' Spurs clear the corner but they are pulled out of shape as Liverpool come again. Great cross from Kelly and Carroll takes a touch and fires over the bar! He should have tested Friedel from that range!
    • 59' Adam plays the ball across to Kelly. The Liverpool right-back is allowed to rove forward and unleash a good strike that Friedel has to palm wide!
    • 45+2' Johnson surges inside past Walker and fires a low shot that Friedel blocks with his legs!
    • 33' SPEARING!! Bellamy plays the ball across to Gerrard fromt he left. The Liverpool captain works it intot he path of Jay Spearing on the edge of the box, and the midfielder fires a solid strike that hits the stanchion behind the goal! That would have been his first Liverpool goal.
    • 12' The game has stopped temporarily because THERE IS A CAT ON THE FIELD!! A sweet little ash grey moggy scampers across the field past a bemused Brad Friedel, before a steward gently picks him up. How did it get in?
    • 5' Steven Gerrard slips a through ball into Carroll's path and Dawson slides in with a challenge just inside the box. Referee Michael Oliver not interested in giving a penalty despite the Kop's loud appeals! It looked a good tackle from the Spurs defender on only his fifth league appearance of the season.
    • 19:15 Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Spearing, Kuyt, Gerrard, Adam, Carroll, Bellamy. Subs: Doni, Suarez, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher, Aurelio /// Spurs: Friedel, Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Livermore, Modric, Kranjcar, Bale, Adebayor. Subs: Cudicini, Saha, Rose, Nelsen, Luongo, Lancaster, Khumako.

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
      6.6 6
      Defenders
      6 7
      Yellow Card 6.2 5
      6.4 6
      6.1 7
      Midfielders
      6 6
      6.8 6
      6 6
      Strikers
      Substitution Out66′ 6.6 5
      Substitution Out73′ 6.8 6
      5.2 5
      Subs
      Substitution In73′ 4.9 5
      Substitution In66′ Yellow Card 4.7 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.7 7
      Defenders
      6.4 6
      6.3 7
      6.1 6
      6.3 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 6.8 8
      5.7 6
      6.7 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out88′ 6 5
      Yellow Card 6.8 6
      Substitution Out72′ 6.4 5
      Subs
      Substitution In72′ 6 6
      Substitution In88′ 5.5 -

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