Saturday December 1, 2012 Day 15 Finished Anfield

  1. Premier League - Liverpool edge out Southampton

    Premier League - Liverpool edge out Southampton

    Liverpool claimed a valuable 1-0 win over struggling Southampton in their Premier League clash at Anfield. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Liverpool
    • Southampton
    • - 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+3' The full-time whistle goes at Anfield, and Liverpool have claimed a very valuable three points with a 1-0 victory over Southampton. Daniel Agger's 43rd-minute header has proved enough for Brendan Rodgers's side, with the only downside being the yellow card for a handball by Luis Suarez which rules him out of the match with West Ham. Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+2' Now Sterling dallies with just one man and the keeper to beat as Suarez puts him through on goal, but his first touch lets him down! It should be done and dusted.
    • 90+1' What a chance for Suarez! The forward is put through with just the keeper to beat, but he slides his shot wide in very tame fashion - what a miss!
    • 90' There will be three added minutes at the end of this match with Southampton attacking through Ramirez.
    • 89' Lucas got a standing ovation as he left the field, it must be said. He gave everything on his return.
    • 88' Southampton are really struggling now as they look increasingly tired.
    • 87' Carragher receives a huge roar as he comes on, and he will look to shore things up.
    • 86' Lucas's return comes to an end as he is replaced by Jamie Carragher.
    • 85' Liverpool's midfield continues to be very deep in the closing stages, and Suarez is being left isolated.
    • 84' Agger makes a very fine block as Lambert looks to power past him, and that's good defending.
    • 83' Liverpool continue to counter-attack at every opportunity, and Southampton are being left very open at the back.
    • 82' Enrique continues to play very well, and he wins a free kick at the expense of Clyne.
    • 81' The home fans are in full voice once more, but their side are far from convincing at the moment.
    • 80' This has not been a classic game. Liverpool have done enough and nothing more.
    • 79' The booking means that Suarez will now miss the trip to West Ham.
    • 78' Suarez is booked for a blatant handball as Gerrard roars through and plays the ball back into his path, and that was a poor reaction from the forward.
    • 77' Gerrard is dropping deeper and deeper as the match progresses, and it looks set to be a tense finale.
    • 76' Puncheon comes off as Jay Rodriguez is introduced for Southampton.
    • 75' Southampton continue to stroke the ball around at the back, before pressing forward through Ramirez once more.
    • 74' The home fans are beginning to get pretty agitated by their side's conservative play, and they do not look particularly convincing.
    • 73' STAT: Liverpool have won just four of 16 Premier League games at Anfield in 2012 (W4 D6 L6).
    • 72' Suarez wins a corner with a tricky run down the right, but Skrtel heads over the bar from the resulting set piece.
    • 71' It really is a tribute to Lucas's fitness and rehab that Rodgers has so much faith in him through this second half, despite three months out.
    • 70' Southampton also make a change as Jack Cork is taken off, and Steven Davis is introduced.
    • 69' Ramirez attempts a hugely ambitious through ball for Lambert, but he miscues his effort.
    • 68' It is actually Joe Allen who makes way as Jordan Henderson comes on as a sub.
    • 67' That was another stupendous run from Enrique, who has been a livewire for the hosts this afternoon.
    • 66' What a chance! Enrique makes a lung-busting run from the left flank, and he plays a slick one-two with Suarez before driving a low shot agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 65' Jordan Henderson is warming up and looks poised to come on imminently. What changes do you think should be made? Lucas may just be lacking in fitness around this stage.
    • 64' It has not been the most fluent display from Liverpool, but they still have a slender lead in this match.
    • 63' Gerrard is caught napping in possession as he brings the ball forward, and Schneiderlin steps in.
    • 62' Liverpool are attempting to regain their poise in this match, but Southampton are putting their hosts under real pressure.
    • 61' Ramirez does well to win a free kick on halfway as he jinks past Allen and is tripped up. Lallana is also beginning to thrive.
    • 60' STAT: Liverpool have benefitted from the most own goals this season (3) while Southampton have scored the joint-most own goals (3).
    • 59' Clyne roars down the right for the visitors, and Southampton are giving it everything but not really creating anything.
    • 58' Gerrard whips over a corner from the right, but Skrtel is adjudged to have fouled Fonte.
    • 57' Lucas this time does superbly to dispossess Puncheon and bring the ball forward for Liverpool.
    • 56' Cork and Skrtel get into a real tangle inside the Southampton box, but referee Oliver is unimpressed and just tells both to get on with the game.
    • 55' Shelvey finds Sterling, but Schneiderlin does very well indeed to stand his ground and make a fine challenge.
    • 54' Ramirez lets fly with a speculative effort from range, but it drifts over the crossbar with Reina untroubled.
    • 53' STAT: Liverpool have posted the lowest open play crossing success rate in the Premier League this season, finding a team-mate with just 14% of their centres.
    • 52' Lucas gives the ball away once more, and he really is very rusty!
    • 51' Enrique finds Sterling, but his shot is tame and straight at Gazzaniga, who has been kept very busy throughout this match.
    • 50' Shelvey has not been the most clinical so far, and he dallies again with Gerrard and Sterling either side of him, releasing neither.
    • 49' Suarez attempts an audacious flick to Gerrard from the touchline, but Ramirez this time defends well and intercepts.
    • 48' Lucas, who was out for three months prior to this, has not looked himself so far, but Rodgers will know that he needs minutes to get back to form.
    • 47' Agger attempts to launch a long ball upfield but succeeds only in driving the ball into team-mate Lucas - not the best pass! /// @TannyMWelbeck says: "Liverpool are doing very well at the moment but, as we saw in the final two minutes, we were very shaky. Just need to keep the lead." They have not made the most convincing start to the second half so far.
    • 46' The second half is under way at Anfield, and neither manager deems it necessary to make a change.
    • - What did you make of that first half? Should any changes be made at the break, and what do you predict will be the full-time scoreline in this match? You can get in touch via Twitter
    • 45+1' The half-time whistle goes at Anfield, and Daniel Agger's header in the 43rd minute separates the sides. Liverpool deserve their lead, and Southampton will have to improve markedly in the second half if they are to haul themselves back into the match.
    • 45' There will be one added minute at the end of this first half, as Lambert almost catches out Reina with a long-range volley which appeared little more than a speculative effort!
    • 44' That really was a superb header from Agger, who could not have met the cross from Johnson any cleaner.
    • 43' GOAL! Liverpool take a deserved lead as Johnson dinks over a fine delivery from the right byline, and Agger stoops to head into the top corner of the net with Gazzaniga left helpless! Liverpool deserve their lead, and it's been coming.
    • 42' That was agonisingly close from Suarez, and he was right to brush Gerrard aside and take the set piece himself.
    • 41' What a free kick from Suarez, who is denied by the crossbar as he beats Gazzaniga with a very fine strike from 25 yards!
    • 40' STAT: 16 is Liverpool’s worst points haul after 14 games of a Premier League season since 1992-93 when they also won 16 at this stage.
    • 39' Ramirez very clumsily brings down Suarez on the edge of the Southampton box, and that was poor from the forward. This could be dangerous...
    • 38' Liverpool have dominated this match in terms of possession and territory, but they have not managed to find a cutting edge in the final third thus far.
    • 37' STAT: Liverpool have the worst shooting accuracy in the Premier League this season (37%).
    • 36' It's all Liverpool at the moment as the hosts press forward relentlessly, but Southampton have still yet to concede a goal in this match so far.
    • 35' Shelvey unleashes a blistering drive from the edge of the Southampton box, and his effort rattles against the crossbar with Gazzaniga comprehensively beaten!
    • 34' After a seemingly needless delay, Lambert drives a fierce shot narrowly wide of the far post!
    • 33' Lallana wins a dangerous free kick for the visitors 25 yards out after he is tripped by Allen, and Lambert stands over this one.
    • 32' Enrique has to race back to intercept a promising through ball from Lallana with Ramirez almost able to latch on to it, and that was crucial.
    • 31' Suarez drifts outwide once more, and he's having a lot of joy down the right with Shaw really struggling.
    • 30' STAT: Luis Suarez is not only the league’s top scorer with 10 goals, but he has created the most scoring chances for team-mates from open play (34).
    • 29' Gazzaniga is again warned by referee Oliver after time-wasting over a goal kick, and the home fans are really getting on the goalkeeper's back now!
    • 28' There is almost a horrible mix-up between Gazzaniga and Shaw as Suarez nips in, but the defender just manages to intervene in the nick of time to clear!
    • 27' Reina does well to race off his line and head the ball away as Puncheon looks for Lambert with a long ball from midfield.
    • 26' Shelvey misplaces two passes in a space of a minute, and that's poor from the Liverpool midfielder.
    • 25' Rodgers is imploring his side to pass the ball quicker from midfield, and the tempo of the match has been poor in the last few minutes.
    • 24' Clyne makes another strong run down the right for the visitors, but he cannot link up with Cork as the move breaks down on the edge of the Liverpool box.
    • 23' Gerrard releases Shelvey with a brilliant first-time pass, but the midfielder dallies and drifts wide before shooting straight at Gazzaniga.
    • 22' Suarez does superbly to link up the play once more, and he's causing havoc in the final third.
    • 21' STAT: If you apply the three points for a win to old English First Division seasons, Liverpool haven’t been worse off at this stage since 1964-65 when they had a record of W4 D3 L7.
    • 20' This is a very good period for Liverpool, with the hosts piling on the pressure and Gerrard instrumental.
    • 19' Gerrard comes close for Liverpool as he meets Johnson's cut-back with a powerful shot, and Luke Shaw does very well to block the ball away at the near post with Gazzaniga struggling to get across to it!
    • 18' Johnson continues to play in a very attacking fashion, and he gets down the right again to good effect, without being able to find a cross this time.
    • 17' Skrtel rather cynically blocks off Ramirez, and he's very fortunate to get away with that as the referee lets it go. Ramirez is not at all happy!
    • 16' Suarez causes havoc on the edge of the Southampton box as he jinks between two challenges, but he can't quite pick out Sterling in the box.;
    • 15' Lambert does very well indeed to hold off Skrtel, drift out to the left and clip a fine ball into the box, but Agger clears in the nick of time.
    • 14' Suarez is dispossessed by Clyne on the edge of the Southampton box, and he proceeds to limp around for a minute or so. He looks fine, though.
    • 13' Sterling thinks he is away down the left as he latches on to a delivery from Allen, but he is adjudged to have tugged back Fonte.
    • 12' Lucas slices a poor long-range pass out of play, and he's looking a bit rusty early on which is understandable given his lay-off.
    • 11' Jose Fonte does very well to stop Suarez in his tracks with a fine interception, and it's an impeccable challenge.
    • 10' STAT: Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the Premier League (15).
    • 9' It's a real chance for Glen Johnson as he ghosts in at the front post, but can only glance his shot wide from close range after meeting a fine ball from Suarez!
    • 8' Allen, who looks to have been given the opportunity to play further forward this afternoon, continues to drift outwide to the right.
    • 7' Lucas does well to ensure a goal kick after battling away furiously with Schneiderlin down the Liverpool right. It's end-to-end early on, with both sides playing positively.
    • 6' Southampton continue to be very positive going forward, and the visitors are giving Enrique a lot of work to do at left back, in particular.
    • 5' Joe Allen gets down the right and dinks over a testing cross, and Yoshida heads away. Liverpool are getting into their stride now.
    • 4' STAT: Southampton have kept only one clean sheet in 14 Premier League games this season, the joint-fewest in the top flight.
    • 3' Lambert is being given a lot of time and space early on, and he turns Skrtel this time before lashing a fierce drive wide of the far post.
    • 2' Skrtel does very well to nip in and dispossess Lambert with the Southampton striker set to have a shot on goal from the edge of the Liverpool box.
    • 1' We're under way at Anfield, and Southampton, all in white, enjoy some good early possession in their own half.
    • 15:00 Anfield holds a minute's applause in memory of Academy player Steven Packer, who died from cancer this week.
    • 14:55 Southampton boss Adkins, a boyhood Liverpool fan, goes with the same team which drew with Norwich in midweek. The players make their way out onto the pitch, and we're all set.
    • 14:50 Liverpool midfielder Lucas has only 74 minutes of previous Premier League action this season but is immediately recalled, along with Jonjo Shelvey. We're just 10 minutes from kick-off now at Anfield.
    • 14:45 STAT: Southampton won three of the last four Premier League meetings with Liverpool but they haven’t met since January 2005.
    • 14:40 The match has ended at Upton Park, and it's been another dismal day for underfire Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez. Check out the final scoreline
    • 14:35 Nigel Adkins, who along with striker Rickie Lambert had youth trials with Liverpool, has said this week that his squad 'have a spring in their step' following a four-game unbeaten run.
    • 14:30 Rodgers: “Steven was outstanding against Tottenham. Since I arrived here his inspiration and leadership within the team has been phenomenal. Okay, he might not have got the goals that he wanted this season, but the quality of his game – his range of passing, commitment and drive into the box is superb. He gets judged on his goals because he’s been a goalscoring midfielder over the years, but he’s still offering this group so much on and off the field. We need everyone to step up to the plate."
    • 14:25 Brendan Rodgers has come out to defend captain Steven Gerrard this week, arguing that it is time other players stepped up. Is the burden still to large for Gerrard? The same could also be said for Luis Suarez after the way the forward has started the season. What do you think?
    • 14:20 It's not good news for a former Liverpool manager this afternoon, with West Ham now leading Chelsea at Upton Park! Follow that match here
    • 14:15 So Lucas Leiva makes his return to the starting line-up, and Liverpool fans will surely be very happy to see that. What do you make of the two line-ups, and what are your predicting for the scoreline in this match? You can get in touch via Twitter
    • 14:10 The teams are in - Liverpool team: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Shelvey, Sterling, Suarez. Subs: Jones, Carragher, Sahin, Henderson, Downing, Suso, Wisdom. /// Southampton team: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lallana, Ramirez, Lambert. Subs: K. Davis, Hooiveld, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka, Reeves.
    • 14:05 Liverpool currently find themselves down in 12th place with 16 points on the board from their opening 14 league games; Southampton, meanwhile, come into the game in 18th spot, four points behind their opponents. Premier League table
    • 14:00 Welcome to live text commentary of Liverpool's Premier League encounter with Southampton at Anfield. We will have the teams with you imminently.

  • Summary

    • 90+1' What a chance for Suarez! The forward is put through with just the keeper to beat, but he slides his shot wide in very tame fashion - what a miss!
    • 66' What a chance! Enrique makes a lung-busting run from the left flank, and he plays a slick one-two with Suarez before driving a low shot agonisingly wide of the far post!
    • 43' GOAL! Liverpool take a deserved lead as Johnson dinks over a fine delivery from the right byline, and Agger stoops to head into the top corner of the net with Gazzaniga left helpless! Liverpool deserve their lead, and it's been coming.
    • 41' What a free kick from Suarez, who is denied by the crossbar as he beats Gazzaniga with a very fine strike from 25 yards!
    • 35' Shelvey unleashes a blistering drive from the edge of the Southampton box, and his effort rattles against the crossbar with Gazzaniga comprehensively beaten!
    • 19' Gerrard comes close for Liverpool as he meets Johnson's cut-back with a powerful shot, and Luke Shaw does very well to block the ball away at the near post with Gazzaniga struggling to get across to it!
    • 9' It's a real chance for Glen Johnson as he ghosts in at the front post, but can only glance his shot wide from close range after meeting a fine ball from Suarez!
    • 14:10 The teams are in - Liverpool team: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Shelvey, Sterling, Suarez. Subs: Jones, Carragher, Sahin, Henderson, Downing, Suso, Wisdom. /// Southampton team: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lallana, Ramirez, Lambert. Subs: K. Davis, Hooiveld, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka, Reeves.

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
      7.2 6
      Defenders
      7.6 7
      7.2 6
      Goal 7.8 7
      7.5 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out88′ 7.8 6
      7.3 7
      Substitution Out69′ 6.4 6
      Strikers
      8 6
      6.8 6
      Yellow Card 8.2 8
      Subs
      Substitution In88′ Yellow Card 7.6 6
      Substitution In69′ 6.1 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.3 7
      Defenders
      4.2 7
      4.7 6
      4 7
      3.8 5
      Midfielders
      4.1 6
      Substitution Out70′ 3.8 6
      Substitution Out77′ 3.8 6
      4.7 6
      5.7 7
      Strikers
      4.9 6
      Subs
      Substitution In70′ 2.6 6
      Substitution In77′ 3.4 6

Comment 66 - 86 of 86

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  1. HAND OF NOB. This not the first time in his career­ Suarez has attempted a cynical handball. He's a­ DISGRACE to our club.

    From David, on Sun 2 Dec 20:15

  2. I like the look of Lambert, maybe he deserves a few­ seasons in the prem

    From MICHAEL, on Sun 2 Dec 16:28

  3. FowlerLegend; you are a disgrace to be using his name­ with your defeatist atitude, go and watch tennis

    From MICHAEL, on Sun 2 Dec 10:01

  4. A great game I thought, Liverpool very exciting to­ watch but we all know that a proven striker playing­ alongside Suarez would make Liverpool very affective. ­ Postive points; Lucas nearly fit, Enrique persists in­ turning into this player with confidence, I saw a few­ great first touches from him, A great back four, Agger­ & Skrtel are top drawer, You can't fault­ Shelvey [The Ogre], for his enthusiasm, his confidence­ is coming. Negative points; Reina still looks a little­ nervous at set pieces, Allen still can't tackle but­ is getting better, Sterling needs to learn what to do­ with it in the final few yards, 2 cases of dithering­ yesterday, but he's getting there and maybe­ he's playing up front on his own against West­ Ham...

    From MICHAEL, on Sun 2 Dec 9:41

  5. For the love of Liverpool, why is Joe Allen and the­ likes of Henderson and Downing still featured? Joe­ Allen is hopeless in midfield, letting go the ball so­ easily almost ALL the time. Henderson you're­ neither 'here' or 'there' - if you;re­ going after the ball, lad, by all means - you hesitate­ like a pregnant pig! Make yourself useful, claim­ dominance in your zones. No point having 10 Liverpool­ players in a zone without opponents, is there? ­ Really? Joe Allen? He has not contributed much so far.­ It is only hindering better players like Suso and Sahin­ from playing. José Enrique is better off on the­ left wing back instead of a full left back. Apart­ from that, not much to be done apart from battling on­ forward to meet the crossed and convert those glaring­ chances to goals. But really, please don't play­ Joe Allen. No impact.

    From SJ, on Sun 2 Dec 5:48

  6. It's a pity suarez is banned for the west ham game­ and we now don't have any decent strikers to­ replace him for the game. Fowler back to Liverpool­ anyone?.He still plays you know

    From Desmond, on Sun 2 Dec 3:54

  7. what a relief - 3 points on the board - need to now win­ the next few games and slowly climb up that table.

    From MR ANFIELD ACES, on Sun 2 Dec 1:52

  8. Ok lets look at solutions - how do we tackle a very­ confident West Ham with no strikers? Any ideas?

    From Timothy, on Sat 1 Dec 17:08

  9. FowlerLegend overweight 45 year old manc = fact.

    From Peter, on Sat 1 Dec 16:59

  10. I really do detest our wastefulness in front of goal -­ no composure, no thinking, no calm - everybody seems to­ panic when there is time to think and the shot is not­ instinctive.

    From Timothy, on Sat 1 Dec 16:55

  11. YES GET IN COME ON YOU REDS

    From Tom, on Sat 1 Dec 16:55

  12. vfhjnmhjh

    From Tomas, on Sat 1 Dec 16:53

  13. Suarez is absolutely hopeless with one on ones - he­ misses them all - he is simply not a clinical striker

    From Timothy, on Sat 1 Dec 16:52

  14. Sterling you ditherer

    From MICHAEL, on Sat 1 Dec 16:51
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Carragher on? Just don't concede a penalty inthe­ last minute or score an own goal.

    From FowlerLegend, on Sat 1 Dec 16:50
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    "Suarez is booked for a blatant handball" He is an­ embarrassment to Liverpool Football Club. What must the­ likes of Carragher and Gerrard think when that #$%$­ bring yet more unwanted attention on the club they­ love?

    From Kevin, on Sat 1 Dec 16:49

  17. Come on guys , hold on this is not time to be weak ,­ push that ball and take it right to the opponents , you­ can do it , come on guys,

    From DAVID, on Sat 1 Dec 16:45
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Buck Rodgers could get his 4th win in 15 league games­ and only a 2nd win in 2 months. That really is­ progress.

    From FowlerLegend, on Sat 1 Dec 16:45
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Great - Suarez banned now for stupidity - I am racking­ up the future defeats in my head - West Ham, QPR!­ etc....

    From Timothy, on Sat 1 Dec 16:45

  20. Suarez misses the game at West Ham. We'll lose this­ for sure.

    From FowlerLegend, on Sat 1 Dec 16:44
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