A late Daniel Agger goal in the first half ensured that Liverpool got the three points they deserved after dominating Southampton at home for the complete 90 minutes. The win was Liverpool’s first back to back win at home since the beginning of the 2011-12 season.
Daniel Agger’s header gives Liverpool win
The match started with a one minute applause in remembrance of Liverpool’s academy starlet Stephen Packer who tragically lost his battle with Cancer.
Liverpool had to leave out England International Joe Cole out of the team line up after his brother in law and former footballer Mitchell Johnson died of heart failure. Mitchell was the first player to score a competitive goal in the New Wembley Stadium.
The good news for Liverpool was that their midfield was strengthened immensely by the return of Lucas Leiva. This meant Joe Allen was given the license to go forward. Liverpool played Shelvey on the right and Sterling on the left with Suarez up front.
Southampton went into the match with an unchanged side and a 4 match unbeaten streak with two wins and two draws. The Saint’s forward Rickie Lambert a huge Liverpool fan got his drem of playing at Anfiled come true although not in the scarlet red of Liverpool.
Liverpool were on the attack from the word go and dominated the match. They failed to produce clear cut chances but produced some half chances. Their first big moment came when Johnson who looked dangerous on the right side constantly missed a volley at goal; it was a chance that he should have taken at the level of competition. His fellow full back Jose Enrique was also brilliant throughout the match causing problems to the Southampton defense with his pace, strength and movement.
Liverpool came close to scoring when Jonjo Shelvey hit the post with a rocket of a shot. Liverpool fans must have had nightmares as the post which denied them over 30 goals last season continued itsassault on the reds. Liverpool once again struck the post when a Luis Suarez free kick hit the cross bar and fell to Glen Johnson. Johnson gave a decent cross with his left into the box which was met by Agger who headed in brilliantly from 12 yards to give them the lead that the finally deserved.
The second half though was not as dominating as the first but Saints still failed to create many chances and the closest they came to scoring or troubling Reina was from over 40 yards. Saints were reduced to attacking off set pieces.
Suarez and Sterling continued to trouble the visitor’s defense and Suarez had a brilliant chance to double the lead but the league top scorer put it wide. He then had another chance to score from a close range cross by Gerrard. He couldn’t control his run properly and handled the ball. This forced the referee to issue him a yellow card which was his fifth of the season giving him an automatic one match suspension. This means Liverpool now go to ply the inform West Ham without a recognized striker in their ranks.
Jose Enrique came close to scoring on a couple of occasions as he made some intelligent runs into the box and even firing one from the left flank brilliantly on target only to see his effort saved.
The in now moves Liverpool to 11th with 19 points and Southampton remain atop the relegation zone.
Score: Liverpool 1 (Agger 43) – Southampton 0
Tags: Daniel Agger, EPL, Liverpool, Premier League, Southampton
