Filed under: Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Luis Suarez capped a man-of-the-match display with a goal as Liverpool returned to winning ways against Wolves.Liverpool, after successive league defeats, were coasting after an own goal from Roger Johnson and Suarez handed them a two-goal advantage at the break.
But Wolves were a different side as soon as substitute Steven Fletcher had handed them a 49th-minute lifeline.
Liverpool missed chances to put the game away, but they withstood late pressure to inflict a third successive league defeat on the Black Country outfit.
THE GOALS:
11mins: Charlie Adam's shot is diverted in off Johnson's forehead. (1-0).
38mins: Jose Enrique's pass sees Suarez break the offside trap before turning Christophe Berra inside out and firing home. (2-0).
49mins: Fletcher makes an immediate impact when he turns home Stephen Hunt's cross. (2-1).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
8mins: Jamie O'Hara fails to connect after Kevin Doyle's pass gives him a shooting chance from 20-yards out.
14mins: Andy Carroll meets Stewart Downing's corner, but can only head straight at Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
30mins: Suarez scuffs Downing's cross wide from eight yards out.
36mins: A well-worked free-kick sees David Edwards' goalbound shot blocked by Lucas.
45mins: Suarez stabs wide from close-range as he continues to cause all kinds of problems.
50mins: Hennessey drops Downing's cross but recovers to block Suarez's rebound.
52mins: Downing's delivery continues to cause problems as Carroll heads against the post.
54mins: A swift counter-attack sees Adam free Downing, only for the England winger to be denied by Hennessey.
69mins: Fletcher outjumps Pepe Reina but his header falls agonisingly wide.
70mins: Lucas is inches off target with a 20-yard shot.
81mins: A fit-again Steven Gerrard makes his first appearance at Anfield this season.
REACTION:
Kenny Dalglish hailed the partnership of Suarez and Carroll after Liverpool's win:
"I don't think they have played too many times together before. It's interesting to see them and they were half decent. Luis has been outstanding since coming to the club. We are fortunate to have him and we look forward to many more years working with him. The same could be said for Andy. He did everything except score a goal. We couldn't get more out of the big fella. I'm happy for him and delighted."
On the performance:
"We have played better and lost in recent weeks, especially at Stoke, but we were good value for the win. I think it was a deserved three points, even though it was difficult at times. They put us under a bit of pressure but we had chances to score more."
On Gerrard's return:
"Seeing Steven back is great news. It's encouraging. He got a great reception from the fans and that's what you expect given what a player he is."
Mick McCarthy bemoaned Wolves' first-half display:
"We started well but we conceded at bad times. I thought Johnson was fouled and he is still getting up and puts in own net for the opener. I was annoyed with that. Then we tried to play offside and it cost us. We had a difficult first half and a really excellent second half."
On his side's progress:
"I'm happy where we are. We have had one poor performance, and that saw us lose against QPR, but I can't fault my players."
WHAT IT MEANS: Liverpool needed this win after recent slip ups. Wolves will feel hard done by in failing to pick up a point for their second-half display, but Liverpool should have been out of sight before the break. With games against Everton and Manchester United looming, this was just what was required at Anfield.
LIVERPOOL 2 (Johnson 11 og, Suarez 38) WOLVERHAMPTON 1 (Fletcher 49)
PLAYER MARKING:
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina 6; Kelly 6, Carragher 6, Skrtel 7, Enrique 7; Henderson 6 (Kuyt 72, 6), Lucas 6, Adam 7, Downing 8; Suarez 9 (Gerrard 81, 6), Carroll 6.
Subs (not used): Doni, Coates, Spearing, Flanagan, Bellamy.
Wolves (4-5-1): Hennessey 7; Stearman 6 (Doherty 46, 5), Berra 5, Johnson 5, Ward 6; Edwards 6 (Fletcher 46, 7), Henry 6, Hunt 7 (Guedioura 81, 6), O'Hara 7, Jarvis 6; Doyle 5.
Subs not used: de Vries, Elokobi, Hammill, Milijas.
REFEREE: Kevin Friend
ATTENDANCE: 44, 922
NEXT UP:
- Liverpool v Everton (away), Premier League, 01/10, 1245 BST
- Wolves v Newcastle (home), Premier League, 01/10, 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Luis Suarez (Liverpool): Was a threat all game and was too hot to handle for Wolves at times.
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