Liverpool ones again in
less than a week produced an amazing performance to see off Wolverhampton
Wenderers in the mid-week fixture at the Molineux Stadium. It was not the first
occasion in this campaign when the boos have rung out from Wolverhampton
Wanderers fans at Molineux but the intensity of the dissatisfaction seems
greater now. With
Steven Gerrard rested, this was not Liverpool's strongest lineup yet they
coasted to a win. They were 3-0 ahead by the 78th minute when Dirk Kuyt took
the last goal with an excellent drive from an angle on the right. It completed
a memorable seven days for Liverpool after their Carling Cup and FA Cup wins over
the two Manchester clubs. Andy Carroll's first league goal for three months set
Liverpool on the way to victory before Dirk Kuyt wrapped up the scoring.
Credit is due the
visitors, who are Carling Cup finalists, conquerors of Manchester United in the
FA Cup and a club with some prospect of a return to the Champions League.
They stand fifth and are just four points behind Chelsea. There is an authority
to Kenny Dalglish's team. Encouraging signs are abundant and Luis Suárez will
be available now his eight-match ban is completed. Wolves have little to
hearten them and, with the transfer window shut, some will argue that the only
other change that can be made is the removal of the manager, Mick McCarthy.
A shot against the
post by the Wolves substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake got the audience's attention
but Liverpool had notched all their goals by then. The hosts, despite being
19th, are yet to be cut adrift. That brings some comfort but resurgence will
have to be conjured up shortly.
Liverpool, by contrast, may have to check expectations and
Dalglish is just the person for that assignment. Following this match, he was
quick to point to Liverpool's recent defeat by Bolton Wanderers. He had just
one reservation about the commanding display by Craig Bellamy here, wishing the
forward were "23 instead of 32".
Bellamy, a substitute in the FA Cup win over United,
relished this start. The remainder of the side was initially in the same mood,
with Kuyt firing off target from a knockdown in the third minute by the
improving and confident Andy Carroll.
The pressure continued, with the Wolves goalkeeper, Wayne
Hennessey, alert when blocking Daniel Agger's header with a foot in the 25th
minute. Molineux has been no stronghold of late and the side has not won
anywhere since overcoming Sunderland at home on 4 December.
The ominous tone was no illusion. With 53 minutes gone Eggert
Jonsson lost possession and Liverpool pounced. Carroll put his side ahead,
converting Adam's low ball from the left. The second goal came eight minutes
later, with Bellamy firing an angled shot from the left into the far corner.
Liverpool's enjoyment of this fixture seldom faltered.
Andy Carroll, was
superb on the evening running and moving the home defenders around, a workrate
that has elueded Anfield side since his big money move from Newcastle. He
played very well and won all is air ball with excellent ball control and
movement with the ball, excellent way to crown a very good week of non-stop
football. Spearing returned to the team from an injury with a splendid
performance tackling every single ball and moving everywhere with accurate passing
and duels. His return has given Kenny lots of option to choose from against
Spurs on Monday night at Anfield.
If the performances
against the two Manchester teams and Wolves are anything to go by then I can
confidently say Liverpool will come out victors in the crunchy game on Monday
but in football anything can happen. A win on Monday will greatly push for a
top 4 finish since Chelsea are set to meet United.
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