Liverpool started the game with Kenny Dalglish making one change to the team that drew at home in the Merseyside derby. Christian Poulsen came in to replace Jay Spearing who was moved onto the bench. The Reds lined up with Kelly at right back Skrtel and Agger in the middle and Johnson (with his new hair cut) still at left back. Maxi was on the left of midfield, Lucas and Poulsen provided the holding roles and Kuyt was on the right leaving Meireles to play the free role in between the midfield and the lone striker of Fernando Torres. Pepe Reina retained the captaincy as Gerrard served his last game of his suspension.
The reds were determined to inflict revenge on Wolves who had beaten them at Anfield less than a month ago and Liverpool started as much the better side. The movement and passing lead to a flowing game that was periodically interrupted by the referee who seemed inclined to penalise every little thing and almost everything a Liverpool player did. The pitch wasn't the best and the ball seemed to stick on the muddy looking surface and that was just another thing that the Liverpool team had to overcome as it restricted their play however it was the same pitch for both sides. Poulsen had the first chance as Lucas set him up but his shot was blocked by Berra. Torres then had a chance as Meireles played him in and a great first touch brought it past Stearman and his low left footed shot was saved by Hennessey in the Wolves goal and the reds were unlucky that the ball bounced away from Kuyt and Maxi who chased in. While the reds looked creative with Lucas and Meireles dominating in midfield the shaky defence still seemed to be a problem. Skrtel made a number of strange clearances as he looked to be watching the players not the ball. The rest of the Liverpool defence also managed to give away a number of needless free kicks and kept themselves under pressure.
Liverpool had only won one away game so far this season and it was clear that this had to change. The main difference that could be seen today was that the passion and desire to win was there. When Liverpool have the desire and the work rate is there they can beat any team and Torres epitomised this ethic in a number of scuffles with Stearman. The reds then took the lead after 36 minutes when Poulsen played in Meireles and the Portuguese international showed his composure to roll it across to the unmarked Torres who couldn't miss from 10 yards out. Torres celebrated by picking the ball up and placing at Stearman's feet after the Wolves centre back had kicked and pulled at him all game. The Wolves defence appealed to the female assistant who was running the line but the replay showed that she had got the decision correct. The reds continued to dominate the game and went in to the break 1-0 up but had to rely on Pepe Reina as he blocked Milijas' shot from 6 yards out. |
| Meireles hit a superb volley for Liverpool's second goal. |
Liverpool started the second half in the same form as the first and Meireles hit a superb first time volley from 25 yards out following Kuyt's knock back. The shot dropped sweetly onto his right foot and the ball flew into the top corner dipping as it went past a helpless Hennessey. This was the first time under Kenny Dalglish that the reds had got themselves a two goal lead and they then seemed to settle for the two goals as the drifted further and further back towards their own goal and looked to counter attack and catch Wolves on the break. Kuyt had a stretching attempt to poke it past the Wolves keeper, Maxi had a good attempt saved and Shelvey came on and nearly scored with his first touch but Wolves had more of the possession in the second half. Adam Hamill the former Liverpool youth team player, then also had a good chance on his first game for Wolves but miss-hit his shot.
When Liverpool did get the ball they made the most of it and in the last few minutes they kept the ball and put together a 30 pass move which culminated in Kuyt running into the box and cutting back inside and getting a bit of luck that they deserved when he got it past Stearman and rolled straight to Torres who smashed it into the roof of the net for his second.
The much improved performance lifts the reds up a few places and my man of the match was Raul Meireles who set up the first scored the second and play his best game for the reds. If Liverpool are really going to turn it round then more performances like today are certainly needed and this can start on Wednesday against Fulham.
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