Liverpool 1-0 Anzhi Makhachkala: In game and Post Match Pleasure

Must applaud Suarez for his reaction when given a free kick late on, I have a go when he doe dive, so have to applaud his more sporting behaviour.   He told the ref he slipped and their was no contact, the commentators seemed to imply all he'd done was try and stop a booking which, excuse the pun, wasn't in the cards.

Hmm, I interpret that a different way entirely.

Suarez gave the "dive" hand gesture. Surely he wasn't telling the ref he dived? To me, he looked like he was being sarcastic as in "no, no, no.. no free kick, I dived".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20000671

Once again, the BBC's possession stats look a bit iffy. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20000671

Once again, the BBC's possession stats look a bit iffy. 

No doubt as we looked to control the ball more that 50% to me, my guess was 58/42.

It was a good win tonight so to keep three clean sheet in a row defense looks solid now. Bit disappointed again we didn't finish our chances but at end it was a cracking strike from Stewart Downing. I thought Jonjo Shelvey had a poor game & Raheem Sterling went for glory when he should have passed it to Luis Suarez to finish it off...   

Stuff the stats, we won. Never got to watch or listen to the match, so didn't vote motm. Reading on hear, sounds like we were a bit under par, but hey, 1-0, my prediction, although it sounds like we never got put under the sort of pressure I thought we might. I read Suarez had a stinker, but perhaps he was due one. Good it's out the way before the bitters game. Another clean sheet, decent in spells, not top draw, dissapointing in part, but still won. I'm actually made up with that, lads must be under a lot of presure playing a different tactical format with the concentration levels full on, and nervous as hell about putting a foot wrong. Well mentally they must be in overdrive so it had to be below par at some stage, but to get through that and still get the win, good enough for me. Back on song on Sunday, as the confidence levels will be sky high. As for being tired, bollocks, it's a derby. Adreneline by the bucket load....... 

Had to record this so first chance to comment after the game. Thought lads put in a great shift and really put Anzhi under a lot of pressure with and without the ball. Big positives for me have to be Glen and Assaidi first half, they destroyed the left hand side of Anzhi, Assaidi carried on in similar vein in the second half but didn't have the same kind of support with Downing although credit to Stewart for the goal and nice touch by the boss to get him some applause hopefully that will help his confidence. Also thought the rest of the boys at the back did fantastic to a man, especially highlight Wisdom, such a talent this young lad, composed, strong, pacey, very good decisions very impressive, thought he tired near the end and be interesting to see if he has enough in the tank to play the full 90 on the w/e.

Suarez was a bit hit and miss tonight, some good stuff linked with a bit of poor play, actually think he needs a game rest but of course don't see that coming any time soon. Raheem when he came on was fantastic, for a lad of his build he can't half put his body around, may of been the advantage coming on against tired players but he looked a threat every time he got the ball and his movement was excellent great little cameo. The disappointments for me were Jonjo who despite getting in some great positions his end product tonight was really poor and he's better than that, needs to learn to compose himself. Also Sahin wasn't as good for me as some seem to suggest, thought he looked very 1 paced and lethargic and I'd have to question his fitness levels.

Still very happy with the overall performance against a very tough side, they never really threatened and you could add another to the scoreline to give what I felt would of been a fairer reflection of the game. A must win game that we did just that, great for the confidence, use it at the weekend and get a victory there and we'll be flying again. Well played lads.

No way possession was 50/50.

We won and another clean sheet FFS. Positives?

Hand on heart.

I'm worried about tonight's game.

Downing was playing and you were still worried? Tsk 

The main thing we won would definately drop gerrad and saurez against everton as they are fatigued. Another clean sheet and wisdom and jones could be first team regulars the way they are playing. Good move by brendan to put downing on. I  think this could be a tipping point to further success, the rebuilding process is starting to produce positive results at last.

A win is a win is a win.

Great goal by Downing, a clean sheet and top of the group.

Now to F**k the bitters up.

Man City lost. Arsenal lost. Tottenham drew. We won and we're top of our table. Oh yes, that feels good! 

The main thing we won would definately drop gerrad and saurez against everton as they are fatigued. Another clean sheet and wisdom and jones could be first team regulars the way they are playing. Good move by brendan to put downing on. I  think this could be a tipping point to further success, the rebuilding process is starting to produce positive results at last.

You having a laugh there, no way would I drop them two for Sunday and F**k fatigue, we're playing the blueshite, both should be well up for it.

Good win tonight, also think Brendan played a stronger team to get the win, two away games and one home left, definitely needed that win tonight. Great finish from Downing too, just wish we'd see that a little bit more from him.

Roll on Sunday and our visit to snake mountain!!

Sadly I did not see the match but suffice to say I am delighted with the result.That should put us in the right mindset to beat Everton.Well done the REDS.

Sadly I did not see the match but suffice to say I am delighted with the result.That should put us in the right mindset to beat Everton.Well done the REDS.

TBH Billy it was not a game to remember, but saying that we were really not under much pressure. We were not fantastic but did enough to win. I think when Lucas is back, we will be able to step up a level.

Liverpool              Anzhi Makhachkala
  59%      Possession              41%
  16         Shots                       11
  7           On goal                    3
  0           Woodwork hits         0
  5           Corners                    3
  566       Attempted passes   381
  493       Successful passes   304
  13         Freekicks won          9


Good enough!

 Great result, but I did think that we were leaving to much space in front of the beck four and I was surprised they did not make more of it.

 When defending I like to see two lines of four

Great to get the win first and foremost.

Thought we for the most part never looked in trouble, however, apart from Assaidi I didnt think we posed much threast to them. Our 2 centre halfs had 2 of our best chances for goals.

Getting very repetitive now looking at our wide men or full backs attacking down the flanks only to see nobody in the box to put the ball into, we have to solve that problem.

Cracking goal to win it from Downing but Ive given up hope at this point of him building on it..

Stevie looks like hes a shadow of himself be interseting to see how he performs Sunday.

Finally another mute performance from the crowd, like not getting players in the box, this is now repetitive 

Assasdi was outstanding what a prospect.
followed by Wisdom.

for the first time I can see a real positive future.

Assasdi was outstanding what a prospect.
followed by Wisdom.

for the first time in a long time I can see a real positive future.

TBH Billy it was not a game to remember, but saying that we were really not under much pressure. We were not fantastic but did enough to win. I think when Lucas is back, we will be able to step up a level.

Thanks for the lnfo Red Puppy,it is appreciated.

What. A. F***ing. Goal.
Another clean sheet.
Bring on the blueshite!

what I really understood re: Suarez coming out of that game is that he is a small man. he is going to get bowled over by physicality because he is a small man. I think some anger and frustration vented at him is illogical when he is literally being tossed airborne by some challenges.