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| Jamie Carragher played his 500th league game on Sunday... Image: zimbio.com |
Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side showed real heart on Sunday afternoon as they fought their way past Spurs to win 3-2 at Anfield. Despite the Reds taking the lead via Luis Suarez the away side managed to find an equaliser just before half time. Thankfully for Liverpool though Spurs appeared to become a bit too complacent when they found their second goal and some concentration lapses eventually allowed Stewart Downing to equalise and Luis Suarez to win a penalty for Steven Gerrard to convert.
Liverpool had a rather familiar starting line up aside from the missing Pepe Reina who had a calf problem, Brad Jones took his place. Sturridge was also back up front for the Reds.
It was a lively atmosphere right from kick off at Anfield and there's certainly an air of positivity around the place at the moment. Slowly but surely Liverpool are moving in the right direction and the fans knew that if they could pull out a performance like they did against Wigan and Swansea then a win could be on the cards.
Liverpool's first goal came just after the 20 minute mark. Some lovely link up play from the ever impressive Coutinho and Jose Enrique left the Spurs defence wondering how to deal with the danger. A lovely ball through to Suarez from Enrique left the Uruguayan one on one with the keeper and his effort slid between Lloris and the post.
This game was always going to be about Suarez and Bale and it was fantastic to see Suarez get off the mark first. I also was particularly pleased because my bet was now underway, I had popped a quid on Suarez and 3-2 and we all know how that turned out! Haha. £50 in the bank.
As the first half went on Liverpool began to lose some of their grip and Gareth Bale particularly was getting more and more into the game. At 42 minutes Steven Gerrard jumped with Bale and made contact with the ball in his challenge, there was some contact with Bale too but he didn't half make a meal of it. His theatrics were quite frankly hilarious but it's just typical that once he'd decided to get back up he became a staple in his sides equaliser.
A cross in from Bale left Vertonghen with a relatively simple header, the Liverpool defence should have been more alert but at this stage there wasn't too much to worry about, half time was reached and the Reds were still very much in the game.
7 minutes into the second half and Spurs had found themselves a second again at the hands of Vertonghen, AGAIN assisted by Bale. A failed attempt from Carragher to clear left the Reds in real danger and before you knew it we were behind.
Before the hour mark Brendan Rodgers decided that Liverpool needed some extra help in breaking up play and so Joe Allen was brought on to work with Lucas Leiva, he replaced Phillipe Coutinho.
Just five minutes after the substitution and a poor ball back to the keeper from Assou-Ekotto left Stewart Downing with a chance to steal, he then finished by putting the ball through Vertonghen's legs. Liverpool were now back in the game.
Gareth Bale was still causing problems for a tentative Liverpool defence though and on several occasions the Reds had to retain their concentration in order to keep themselves in this. There would be no shame in a draw here but there was still life in the side yet.
And just after the 80 minute mark perhaps the liveliest of players Luis Suarez won a penalty after being taken down in the box by Assou-Ekotto. Up stepped captain Steven Gerrard and with a confident penalty Liverpool were now back in the lead. I went mental, not only because Spurs needed a good beating but because I was £50 up! All we had to do now was hold on for the last 10 minutes.
And we did! It was great display from Liverpool and despite the defensive errors they maintained the belief and put in the effort to beat a very good Spurs side. Suarez bagged yet another Premier League goal too and we moved closer to that unrealistic 4th spot, but, you never know!
Next up for Liverpool is Southampton away.