Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent
Suarez steals the show with virtuoso display Suarez finds range as Liverpool take aim at Chelsea for FA Cup Norwich City 0 "You have to say that's magnificent," went Barry Davies's commentary after Diego Liverpool 3 Maradona followed up his Hand of God swindle against England in 1986 with one Suarez 24, 28, 82 of the greatest goals of all time. A similar sentiment could have been expressed at Referee: M Halsey Attendance: 26,819 Carrow Road after Luis Suarez's performance. This, of course, was merely a mid- This was excellent preparation for Liverpool -- for tomorrow evening's game table Premier League skirmish rather than a World Cup quarter-final but the against Fulham. The club need little in the way of warm-up exercises for the FA South American's display made it a special occasion and even those who dislike Cup Final on Saturday, having won twice at Wembley already this season and him - and the chants directed at him by Norwich City fans suggested that many been labelled, often sniffily, as a cup team. such people were present here - had to acknowledge he is a delightful talent. While neither the Carling Cup victory over Cardiff City in February nor the semi- He has an ability to confound defenders with skills they cannot legislate against. If final defeat of Everton in the FA Cup 16 days ago were comprehensive, they did he had not been guilty of bad finishing so often this term he would surely have smack of a certain inevitability. For all their jitters in the Barclays Premier League, been challenging to be the Premier League's top scorer. But he seems to be Kenny Dalglish's side have been assured in the knockout competitions. The finding his shooting form just in time to antagonise Chelsea in the FA Cup final this wayLiverpool tactically outclassed Chelsea at the quarter-final stage of the Carling weekend. Cup played a bit part in the downfall of Andre Villas-Boas. Suarez's ninth and 10th league goals of the season were splendid. His 11th league But lifting the FA Cup will be a more thoroughly satisfying experience goal, which gave him his first hat-trick for Liverpool, was simply extraordinary. should Liverpool end the season with an overall flourish and avoid, for one thing, Elliott Ward erred on halfway to gift Suarez possession but the striker still had accumulating their lowest points tally in the Premier League. more than 45 yards to go to reach the goal: to the bewilderment of John Ruddy, That presents Dalglish with an unusual dilemma. Having secured a place in the he made the ball do all the work by lobbing it over the goalkeeper and into the Europa League, domestic league matters have little significance beyond pride and net. "He's a fantastic footballer, nothing he does surprises you," said Kenny the Liverpool manager must be tempted to rest those players who would benefit Dalglish. "People of his ability are blessed." Liverpool host Fulham in the league from a break before meeting Chelsea at Wembley. However, momentum is a tomorrow night and Dalglish has to judge whether the temptation to play Suarez wonderful thing and a failure to defeat Fulham three days after Martin Jol's side is stronger than the temptation to rest him for Saturday. had been dismantled 4-0 by Everton would sour the coach journey down south. As for Norwich, their thoughts are beginning to turn to next season. Their "We'll pick a side on Tuesday night that does this club justice," Dalglish said. "I manager, Paul Lambert, anticipates another long battle to stay in the league. "I think we have conducted ourselves [properly] in all the league games and cup don't know how far Norwich can go, I really don't," he said. "We've had a lot of competitions that we've played and I see no reason why that would change." success over the last three years but we're competing in a different ball game in Having rested Steven Gerrard in the 1-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion this league because the finance dictates everything." eight days ago, Dalglish will, presumably, keep his captain in the team. The most Man of the match Luis Suarez (Liverpool) fascinating rotation dilemma now revolves around Luis Suarez who scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool and was in a stunningly effervescent mood. He looked as if he could have skipped and harried for a further five hours in the East Anglia rain. The Uruguay striker scored two lovely goals in the first half and an utterly delightful one in the second. He had attempted one lob of John Ruddy and failed - - but this was Suarez simply measuring the curtains before scampering past Elliott Ward and floating the ball over the head of the Norwich keeper from just inside the half-way line. "He's a fantastic footballer," Dalglish said, "nothing he does surprises you, whether it's his vision or passing, his shots or his goals." There was something slightly sad about the hat-trick, though. This was a striker who has the ability to have been the player of the season but, after an FA hearing found Suarez guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra and imposed an eight-match ban, the sparkle dimmed. Suarez was subjected to the expected abusive chants from the home supporters, but shut it out to produce his finest display in a red shirt since slicing open Manchester United in March last year. Norwich were rocked by a sense of deja vu. In their previous home game, Carlos Tevez, the Manchester City striker, had similarly announced he was back to his best and tore into their defence. In both games Paul Lambert's team had appeared as naive as most pundits expected them to behave having won surprise promotion. "We're always playing catch-up," Lambert said. It was a fair summary of how they performed on Saturday, but for much of campaign they have more than held their own and few would begrudge them a triumphant finale against Aston Villa in their last home game, instead of the feared fizzling out of a valiant season. "I'm no clairvoyant," Dalglish said, when asked if we are about to witness a 'Suarez Final' but then, had he known what this season held, he might never have left his house. Norwich City (4-5-1): J Ruddy 5 -- K Naughton 6, R Bennett 5, E Ward 4, A Drury (sub: R Martin, 12min 5) -- D Fox 4 (sub: J Vaughan, 46 5), E Bennett 5, J Howson 6, B Johnson 5, A Pilkington 5 -- S Morison 5 (sub: G Holt, 76). Substitutes not used: J Steer, A Surman, W Hoolahan, A Wilbraham. Booked: Ward, Howson, Vaughan, R Bennett. Next: Arsenal (a). Liverpool (4-5-1): J M Reina 6 -- G Johnson 5, J Carragher 5, D Agger 5, J Enrique 5 -- S Downing 6, S Gerrard 7 (sub: S Coates, 85), J Henderson 6, J Shelvey 5, C Bellamy 5 -- L Suarez 9 (sub: D Kuyt, 86). Substitutes not used: Doni, M Kelly, M Skrtel, J Spearing, M Rodriguez. Next: Fulham (h).
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent
SUAREZ'S LOB JUST THE JOB Wonder goal puts Suarez back on road to greatness STEVEN GERRARD was about to berate Luis Suarez for trying an audacious lob but Norwich City 0 ended up congratulating him for completing a superb hat-trick as Liverpool won Liverpool 3 3-0 at Norwich. Suarez 24, 28, 82 Att: 26,819 Liverpool captain Gerrard was waiting for a pass to send him through on goal, but Even before the wonder-lob that decorated Luis Suarez's exhilarating hat-trick Suarez instead looked up and sent the ball swirling into the goal from 45 yards. against Norwich, the Uruguayan had been experimenting with an audacious Gerrard said: 'I was just about to have a go at him and then turned it into a round chipped finish. He had already watched one attempt sail over John Ruddy's bar of applause.' The goal capped a superb hat-trick for Suarez and gives Liverpool a and a flustered Steven Gerrard was losing patience with his star striker for boost ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday. indulging in showboating finesse rather than clinical power. Victory over Fulham at Anfield tomorrow will give them four wins in five and "I was just about to have a go at him before the goal," the Liverpool captain said. Gerrard believes form is the key ahead of the final. He said: 'We've played well "It was on the tip of my tongue to give him a rollicking. But that then turned into a and kept a clean sheet. More of the same against Fulham, then we can look round of applause." The emphatic flourish by Suarez, lofting an angled ball forward to the big one.' Everton will make re-signing Steven Pienaar a priority beyond a backtracking Ruddy from 55 yards out, was one to draw admiration after his virtuoso display in the 4-0 home win over Fulham. from all corners of Carrow Road. Even the Norwich supporters, who had been Pienaar, a catalyst in the club's push for an eighth top-eight finish in David subjecting the 25 year-old to a chorus of opprobrium throughout the game, were Moyes's decade in charge, is on loan from Tottenham but Sportsmail understands muffled for a moment. Suarez has spent the majority of this season as a pariah - that a [pounds sterling]3million offer will secure his permanent return. public perception having been poisoned by his eight-match ban for racially Pienaar, 30, had a hand in all four goals -- the assist for Tim Cahill's volley on the insulting Patrice Evra - but this was a goal to bring some measure of hour the piece de resistance -- as Everton registered four goals in three rehabilitation. consecutive league games for the first time since 1964. "It's something I like to try," Suarez reflected. "I saw the goalkeeper off his line. I Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers defended his side's new tactical line-up was so happy." So, too, was every member of a Liverpool team galvanised by their despite Wolves fighting back to claim an unlikely 4-4 draw. [pounds sterling]24 million man's majestic performance just seven days before Twice Swansea went three goals up only to be pegged back as Rodgers gave a Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea. It was just a pity that manager Kenny glimpse of his new prototype: three at the back, three up top and a four-man Dalglish, who has spoken up for Suarez with a defiance bordering on the myopic, diamond in the middle. could not have been a touch more charming in his postmatch eulogy. Journalists They were 3-0 up inside 15 minutes -- Andrea Orlandi's opener after 24 seconds had been under strict instructions not to ask him about the Norwich crowd's was the fastest Premier League goal for five years -- and then Wolves sussed them abusive chanting, and the Scot was not in a garrulous mood. Could Liverpool's out. date at Wembley, with their main target man in this form, yet be known as 'the But Rodgers said: 'The goals were down to poor defending, as a team and Suarez final'? "Well, I'm no clairvoyant." Where would he rate such a consummate individually.' hat-trick? "Other people can catalogue his performances and put them in level of
importance for us - it's just important that he plays for this football club." Did Suarez have the finest vision he had seen from a striker? "Nothing he does surprises you, whether it's his vision or his passing, his shots or his goals." Was he impressed by his player's ability to ride a succession of rough tackles from the Norwich centre-halves and still score three? "Exactly. I couldn't have put it better myself." How Liverpool, who stayed in eighth place despite this convincing swatting of Norwich, must wish Suarez had weighed in with such sumptuous goals rather earlier in the campaign. For each one of his strikes here bore the hallmarks of the finest quality. First, he latched on to a perfectly-threaded ball from Gerrard to unleash a rising shot past Ruddy. Four minutes later, he dispossessed Elliott Ward in an instant and surged forward on the right flank, sliding a wonderful low shot past Norwich's despairing goalkeeper. The third deserved endless replays. With a glorious opportunism that evoked parallels with David Beckham's goal against Wimbledon in 1996, or Nayim's improbable strike from 46 yards to beat Arsenal a year earlier, Suarez spotted Ruddy away from his line and measured his chip to perfection. "When you are facing world-class players, you know you get punished," admitted Norwich's Elliott Bennett, as Paul Lambert's team lost a third game in succession. Suarez, who appeared to know that he had scored the second the ball left his boot, simply wheeled away to drink in the adulation.
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent
2) Peter Crouch, Stoke v Man City, March 2012From a punt by the keeper as Crouch accepts a headed pass, flicks the ball up and volleys past Joe Hart from distance. Special Suarez's final warning 3) Robin van Persie, Arsenal v Liverpool, March 2012A left-foot volley of exquisite precision beats Pepe Reina at his near post after Alex Song had lofted the ball Kenny Dalglish has no doubts hat-trick man Luis Suarez is a "special" player, but between two defenders. feels his whole Liverpoolsquad deserve credit for the manner in which they 4) Hatem Ben Arfa, Newc'tle v Bolton, April 2012The Frenchman's run from inside warmed up for the FA Cup final with a 3-0 win at Norwich. his own half sees him open up the defence before sliding the ball in. The Uruguay forward proved far too hot for the Canaries defence to handle, NORWICH: Ruddy 7, Naughton 5, R Bennett 4?, Ward 4?, Drury 4 (Martin 12, 5), E producing two clinical finishes in four minutes midway through the first half, Bennett 6, Howson 7?, Fox 6 (Vaughan 46, 5?), Johnson 6, Pilkington 6, Morison 5 before scoring a superb 82nd-minute third when he lobbed the ball over (Holt 76). LIVERPOOL: Reina 7, Johnson 8, Carragher 7, Agger 7, Enrique 7, goalkeeper John Ruddy from just inside the Norwich half. Henderson 6, Shelvey 7, Downing 6, Gerrard 7 (Coates 85), Bellamy 7, Suarez 9 However, the win - only a second in seven Premier League games - was, according (Kuyt 85). Goals: Suarez 24, 28, 82, REF: Mark Halsey ATT: 26,819 to Dalglish, down to more than just the efforts of one man.
"[Suarez's goals] were all special for us and special for Luis," Dalglish said. "His performance epitomises the performance that the rest of the team put in. When you consider what they have to look forward to next week, it is even more [laudable] that they put that to the back of their minds. Every single one of the players in our squad could play for us against anybody. They are a credit to themselves the way they [go] about their work and that was rewarded with a proper result." NORWICH 0-3 LIVERPOOL IT WAS a moment of breathtaking individual brilliance. A Liverpool Scorers: Liverpool Suarez 24, 28, 82. Substitutes: Norwich R Martin 5 (Drury, 12), Vaughan 4 (Fox, h-t), Holt (Morison, FC goal of such awe-inspiring quality that it almost defied belief. 76). Liverpool Coates (Gerrard, 85), Kuyt (Suarez, 85). Booked: Norwich Ward, There was a genius at work at Carrow Road on Saturday and he walked away with Howson, Vaughan, R Bennett. Liverpool none. a beaming smile and the match ball under his arm. Man of the match Suarez. Match rating 7/10. Luis Suarez has never been far away from controversy this season but this was a Possession: Norwich 40% Liverpool 60%. day when the only talk was about the LFC striker’s world class talent. Attempts on target: Norwich 3 Liverpool 9. It was cold, wet and they were 250 miles from home but the Uruguayan’s Referee M Halsey (Lancashire). Attendance 26,819. masterclass ensured the 2,000-strong travelling Kop will never forget this trip to Norfolk. When Suarez departed late on, those delirious supporters rose to salute him, the cheers comfortably drowning out the jeers from the home end. In truth, there were many dressed in yellow who also got to their feet to applaud HERE COMES TREBLE; Better watch out Chelsea, Suarez and Gerrard are him off in the knowledge they had been privileged to witness something very now looking irresistible special. NORWICH 0 LIVERPOOL 3 This was the kind of demolition job Suarez has been threatening to unleash since NOW that was a performance worth a T-shirt. August. Luis Suarez, who has not always been the perfect role model this season, was Norwich City weren’t the first team to be terrorised by the 25-year-old but they simply sensational in scoring a hat-trick as he ripped Norwich to shreds with the had the misfortune of being on the receiving end when everything clicked. One help of Steven Gerrard (below). criticism frequently levelled at Suarez this season is that he’s a scorer of great It was the display and result Liverpool have been threatening in the Premier goals, rather than a great goalscorer. League. And a flashback of the England midfielder's telepathic understanding with Certainly, his tally of eight in 28 Premier League games prior to Saturday was a another Spanish-speaking striker. desperately disappointing return for someone of his calibre. Too often there Fernando Torres also netted a triple when he passed the 20-goal mark also he k t hasn’t been an end product to his dazzling approach play. for Liverpool against Middlesbrough in February 2008 during his first season. It But his record at Ajax, where he plundered 81 goals in 110 league games, has has taken a bit longer for Suarez but he achieved the same feat with three always suggested he can display the ruthlessness of an assassin and finally at brilliant finishes at Carrow Road. Carrow Road we got to see it. This all-round display was like Suarez's one-man taunting of Manchester United There have been more significant hat-tricks scored by Liverpool players over the last season except this time he got the goals as well. When he plays and behaves years but has there ever been one crafted with such technical expertise? like this, the Premier League is privileged to have him. Having unleashed two stunning finishes past John Ruddy before the break, Suarez "He's a top player, one of the best in the world," said Gerrard. "Today was his day saved the best until last as he completed the first hat-trick of his Liverpool career. and his finishing was clinical. His movement is first class and we're on the same When Glen Johnson’s long punt forward slipped under Elliott Ward’s boot close to wavelength. He's a special player." the halfway line there appeared to be little danger. Suarez, who has missed nine games through suspension this season, repaid the However, Suarez latched onto the loose ball, spotted Ruddy off his line and compliment after taking his goalscoring tally to 26 for club and country since July. executed the most audacious of chips over the stranded keeper from 45 yards "It was very special to get my first hat-trick forLiverpool but more important that out. the team won," he said. The club took a battering for the support they gave him throughout the damaging "I was grateful to Stevie for the first goal and it set us on the way to get the three race row with Patrice Evra and the subsequent eight-game ban he served. points." Throw in allegations of diving, another suspension for flashing his middle finger at Gerrard set up his first strike after dispossessing David Fox and Suarez intercepted Fulham fans and then the apology and public rebuke Liverpool issued after he a sloppy Kyle Naughton pass before ramming home the second. failed to shake Evra’s hand at Old Trafford, it’s been a turbulent first full campaign And if captain Elliott Ward was at fault for the 82nd-minute third, the Uruguayan's in English football for the striker. 50-yard finish - it was not a lob, it was a shot into the top corner - was Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain have been keen to offer him an escape route unforgettable. but Suarez has reaffirmed his commitment to Anfield and there is no chance of Suarez said: "It's something I like to try. I saw the keeper off his line and the Reds cashing in. fortunately for me the ball went in." This is a love affair which is only just getting started. Kenny Dalglish has stood by Kenny Dalglish, who backed the ill-advised wearing of Suarezsupporting T-shirts in him through thick and thin, and that faith needs to be rewarded over an extended December following the Patrice Evra saga, said: "Nothing he does surprises you, period. whether it's his vision or passing, his shots or his goals." Surely the frontman will now be wrapped up in cotton wool ahead of Saturday’s With Andy Carroll out with a groin strain, the performance gives Dalglish a nice FA Cup final? With Suarez in such blistering form, hope springs eternal that this selection dilemma before tomorrow's home game with Fulham and then the FA rollercoaster campaign will end on a high with a domestic Cup double. Cup final against Chelsea. It was the perfect way for Dalglish’s men to kick-off a season-defining week. Victory would have seen Norwich move level on points with Liverpool but they The galling defeat at home to West Brom had sparked fears that Liverpool could already had their minds on the beach. drop out of the top eight and register their lowest top flight finish since 1954. But Norwich boss Paul Lambert added: "You've got to remember what's happened this emphatic victory kept the Reds in touch with Everton in the battle for here. I can't get too critical." seventh. GOAL OF THE SEASON CONTENDERS They still need five points from their final three league games to avoid recording 1) Luis Suarez, Norwich v Liverpool, April 2012The Uruguayan completes a hat- the club’s lowest Premier League points total but if Fulham are swept aside at trick with a 50-yard shot over Canaries keeper John Ruddy from just inside Anfield tomorrow night the Reds will head for the capital with momentum. Norwich's half. Suarez deservedly took the plaudits on Saturday but the supporting cast also
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent played their part. Skipper Steven Gerrard was outstanding on his return to the side and it was his link-up play with Suarez which repeatedly cut Norwich to shreds. The duo combined expertly for the opening goal midway through the first-half. Gerrard dispossessed David Fox and with the outside of his boot slid the perfect pass into Suarez’s path. The controversial Uruguayan struck twice in the space of four minutes in the first The Reds’ top scorer took a touch to steady himself and then hammered a left- half to give the FA Cup finalists a firm grip on the game, then completed his treble footer past Ruddy. by floating in an amazing goal from just inside the Norwich half eight minutes After a scrappy start, suddenly Liverpool were rampant. Ryan Bennett was lucky from time. to get away with blocking Gerrard’s goal-bound shot with his armbut for the All three goals came following bad errors, by David Fox, Kyle Naughton and Elliott Canaries there was no respite. In the 28th minute Suarez conjured up a second Ward, but in truth the Canaries were comfortably outclassed and could have been out of nothing as he caught Ward napping close to the touchline and scampered looking at another Manchester City scoreline had Suarez and Jonjo Shelvey not through. spurned further chances in the second half. The angle was tight but he rifled an unstoppable low strike into the far corner. It was the first time City had lost three successive league games under manager It was a significant strike as it took Suarez to 10 goals in the league and he Paul Lambert, and continued their dismal run in front of the TV cameras, with just avoided joining Milan Baros (2004-05) and Jack Cox (1903-04) in the history books one win in 11 “live” games this season. as the only players to have topped the club’s league scoring charts without City showed five changes after the 2-0 defeat by Blackburn, with skipper Grant reaching double figures. Holt not introduced until the final quarter of an hour. Fed-up of being humiliated by the Uruguayan, Norwich resorted to kicking lumps A crowd of 26,819 watched a game played in driving rain, an all-seater record for out of him but he kept coming back for more. The nightmare for hapless centre- the stadium and the biggest home crowd since 1983, but most of them will not backs Ward and Ryan Bennett continued unabated. have enjoyed it. In the second-half it should have been a rout. Jonjo Shelvey nodded against the Lambert made five changes, with Kyle Naughton recalled at full-back, David Fox bar before somehow failing to convert Jose Enrique’s cross. After an ineffective and Bradley Johnson returning in midfield, Anthony Pilkington back in a wide role opening hour, Stewart Downing came to life and stung Ruddy’s palms. and Steve Morison making his first start since the defeat at Fulham. Suarez spurned a gilt-edged chance to wrap up his treble after nutmegging Ryan Out went Russell Martin, Andrew Surman, Wes Hoolahan, James Vaughan and Bennett as he went for a lob which sailed over. However, eight minutes from time skipper Grant Holt, all of whom were among the substitutes. that scowl was replaced with unbridled joy. Liverpool also made five changes after the 1-0 home defeat by West Bromwich This was a night to savour. A night when Suarez and Liverpool finally made their Albion. Skipper Steven Gerrard returned after a hamstring niggle, while Jamie class count. Carragher, Jonjo Shelvey, ex-Canary Craig Bellamy and Stewart Downing were also “IT was a great win and a great performance. I'm really pleased with the way the back. players committed themselves to the game. Luis is a fantastic footballer, a Out went Martin Skrtel, Jay Spearing, Maxi Rodriguez, and Dirk Kuyt, all of whom fantastic person, and we are very fortunate to have him playing for us.” Reds’ were on the bench, and striker Andy Carroll, not even on the bench. boss KENNY DALGLISH enthuses over the contribution made by hat-trick hero Luis The Canaries were playing their 200th Premier League game, and the afternoon Suarez. results meant that at kick-off they were still looking for the point that would make “LIVERPOOL are a world-renowned club with some fabulous players. You cannot them mathematically certain of another season in the top flight. give somebody of Suarez's calibre time on the ball and chances – he can hurt Elliott Ward led City out as captain for the penultimate home game of the season, you.” Norwich manager PAUL LAMBERT gives an honest appraisal of the which got under way in steady rain on a slippery surface. Uruguayan international’s stunning solo performance. In the opening minute, Fox needed attention for a bang on the head when he NORWICH CITY (4-1-4-1): Ruddy; Naughton, R Bennett, Ward, Drury (Martin 12), ducked low for the ball and was caught by Shelvey’s boot. Fox (Vaughan 46), E Bennett, Howson, Johnson, Pilkington, Morison (Holt 76). Pilkington looked sharp as he moved on to Bradley Johnson’s pass but lost his Subs (not used): Steer, Surman, Hoolahan, Wilbraham. footing at the vital moment. BOOKED: Ward, R Bennett, Vaughan, Howson. Ryan Bennett and Drury both tidied up neatly as Liverpool threatened, but there LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, was a blow for City after just eight minutes when Drury pulled up sharply with Gerrard (Coates 85), Downing, Bellamy, Shelvey, Suarez (Kuyt 85). Subs (not what appeared to be a groin problem and left the field, heading straight down the used): Doni, Rodriguez, Spearing, Kelly, Skrtel. tunnel. GOALS: Suarez (24, 28, 82). With City down to 10 men, Pilkington had a clear opening on the left but his cross REFEREE: Mark Halsey (Welwyn Garden City). to the far post was cut out. ATTENDANCE: 26,819 Russell Martin was eventually sent on to replace Drury, with Naughton switching to left-back. A foul by Henderson on Elliott Bennett gave Norwich a free-kick close to the right corner flag, but Fox’s ball was an easy catch for Reina. Agger made a timely interception as Martin got forward for the first time, sliding in to cut out his low cross. Liverpool moved ahead in the 24th minute, however, as they cashed in on an error by Fox. Fox took Martin’s pass but was caught in possession by Gerrard and the skipper slipped the ball inside for Suarez, who struck a powerful left-foot shot across Ruddy into the top corner. It was almost 2-0 when Suarez broke on the right and crossed to Gerrard, whose effort from 12 yards struck Ryan Bennett and flew wide. But with 28 minutes gone, Suarez doubled the lead after another dreadful error. Naughton tried to pass back to Ward on the left touchline but left it well short and Suarez beat Ward in the challenge and drilled a perfectly-placed shot out of reach of Ruddy. Suarez was claiming a penalty seven minutes before the break when he tangled with Ward, but referee Halsey was unimpressed. City’s confusion at the back was underlined when an effort by Johnson was allowed to slip through to Suarez but he failed to control it and the home side escaped. Two minutes before the break, Ward was booked for bringing down Suarez after a mistake by Ryan Bennett left City in trouble, Bellamy firing the resulting free-kick over the top. Howson was also shown the yellow card in first-half stoppage time for a blatant block on Gerrard. • Half-time: Norwich City 0, Liverpool 2 City made their second change at the interval when Vaughan was sent on in place of Fox, and they reverted to a diamond formation. The Canaries forced three corners early in the second half, Pilkington taking all three, but they were unable to create a worthwhile chance from any of them. Five minutes after the break, Reina was finally given something to do when he dived to his right to push away Elliott Bennett’s 20-yard shot. Johnson headed
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent wide from Pilkington’s corner when he might have done better. comfort but little form or energy. Liverpool have an FA Cup final in six days, but in There was an escape at then other end, however, when Suarez connected with the Premier League they had won two of their previous 11 games, while Downing’s cross but Ryan Bennett made an important block, Shelvey heading Norwich's record was two from 10. against the bar from the rebound. Maybe because of these runs, maybe because of the weather, and maybe Downing then shot over after Suarez teed him up and, remarkably, Shelvey because of the five changes each manager made, both sides started without much missed an open goal, clearing the bar as he slid in to meet Jose Enrique’s cross. fluency or invention at all. Elliott Bennett tried his luck from even further out but this time he was well off But after 24 minutes, Steven Gerrard stole the ball from David Fox, and flicked it target. with the outside of his boot to Suarez, waiting in space. Suarez took one touch Gerrard’s diagonal pass set Downing off on a twisting run that might have brought with his right foot before whipping the ball with his left beyond John Ruddy and a third goal, but Ruddy got down to his right to make a fine save from the into the far top corner. It was like the sudden switching on of a lighthouse on a winger’s shot. stormy night. Suarez might have completed his hat-trick after 63 minutes after Ward and Ryan A transformed Suarez, smelling blood, beat Ward for the second time in two Bennett both made errors, but in attempting to float the ball over Ruddy, he also minutes, ran down the inside-right channel, and drove the ball fiercely into the far cleared the bar. bottom corner. When Suarez drifted past Ward again, three minutes before the Howson cleared off the line from a glancing header by Agger as City continued to break, the exhausted and embarrassed Norwich captain cut him down and was creak at the back and, at the other end, Vaughan was booked for tripping booked. goalkeeper Reina. Early in the second half Suarez, tired of Ward, nutmegged Bennett and chipped Vaughan fired wide with a shot on the turn but it was a rare threat from the the ball just over the bar. He was thanked with a flurry of robust tackles, but Canaries, who still faced an uphill battle with 20 minutes left. continued to play his game. When, with eight minutes left, Suarez pinched the Ryan Bennett earned City’s fourth yellow card for a foul on Suarez. ball from Ward on the halfway line for what felt like the hundredth time, he saw Vaughan flashed a header wide from Russell Martin’s cross and, with just under a Ruddy off his line. Rather than passing, Suarez chipped Ruddy from 50 yards. This quarter of an hour to go, Morison made way for Holt. one sailed over the keeper but under the bar, to complete his hat-trick. "I was Johnson fired over from long range but his effort was never going to trouble about to give him a bollocking for not passing me the ball," said Gerrard. "But that Reina. soon turned into applause." Vaughan had a shot blocked by Carragher, but with eight minutes left, Suarez Norwich (4-1-4-1): Ruddy; Naughton, R Bennett, Ward, Drury (Martin, 12); Fox completed his hat-trick with an incredible goal, scored from only just inside the (Vaughan, h-t); E Bennett, Howson, B Johnson, Pilkington; Morison (Holt, 76). Norwich half. Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Reina; G Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique; Downing, A long ball out of defence found Ward on halfway, unable to control as Suarez Gerrard (Coates, 85), Henderson, Bellamy; Shelvey; Suarez (Kuyt, 85). whipped the ball away, and from fully 50 yards he floated the ball over Ruddy as Referee: Mark Halsey the keeper furiously backpedalled, but in vain. Man of the match: Suarez (Liverpool) A Liverpool fan, for want of a better word, ran on to the pitch to join in the Match rating: 7/10 celebrations. • Result: Norwich City 0, Liverpool 3 • Norwich City: Ruddy, Naughton, Ryan Bennett, Ward, Drury (Russell Martin, 12); Elliott Bennett, Fox (Vaughan, 45), Howson, Bradley Johnson, Pilkington; Morison (Holt, 76). Subs: Steer, Surman, Hoolahan, Wilbraham. • Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique; Henderson; Brilliant Suarez takes plaudits Downing, Shelvey, Gerrard (Coates, 85), Bellamy; Suarez (Kuyt, 85). Subs (not NORWICH 0 LIVERPOOL Suarez 24, 28, 82 3 FOR ALL the not wholly unwarranted used): Doni, Kelly, Skrtel, Spearing, Maxi Rodriguez. opprobrium that comes his way, Liverpool's Luis Suarez remains the consummate, • Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire) dead-eyed Premier League forward. Last night his team overwhelmed Norwich • Attendance: 26,819 City, but none was more overwhelming than the twinkle-toed Uruguayan. • Goals: Liverpool: Suarez (24, 28, 82) He terrorised the home defence throughout and took his first two goals with a • Bookings: City: Ward (43), Howson (45), Vaughan (66), Ryan Bennett (71) craftsman's care and an assassin's ruthlessness. But his third, a perfect lob from 50 yards, was a moment of utter, unarguable genius. Norwich had made what passed for the early running but when Liverpool pounced, they scored. First David Fox made a mess of Russell Martin's feeble pass and was robbed by Steven Gerrard. He found Suarez, whose exemplary finish was too much for John Ruddy. Four minutes later, it was two for Liverpool and two for Suarez in similar fashion. When Elliott Ward failed to deal with Kyle Naughton's underhit pass, Suarez Suarez hat-trick sets up Liverpool for Wembley picked his pocket, charged forwards and belted number two past There are times, watching Luis Suarez play football, when the only option is Ruddy. Liverpool could have settled matters before the first half was over but admiration. For all the controversy, the unpleasantness and worse, he is capable Ward's shoulder blocked Gerrard's goalbound drive and former Norwich man of things that no one else in the Premier League can do. Last night, he produced a Craig Bellamy flashed a free kick over Ruddy's bar. performance of bewitching imagination, craft and bravery, scoring two excellent Paul Lambert tinkered at half-time and his team had more purpose, not least first-half goals and one brilliant late 50-yard chip. There have not been many when Pepe Reina was finally called into meaningful action, flinging himself across individual performances like it this season. his goal to paw aside Elliott Bennett's piledriver. Kenny Dalglish admirably tried to spread the praise evenly afterwards. "It was a But Liverpool always had something in hand and almost went further ahead when great win and a great performance," the Liverpool manager said. "I'm really Jonjo Shelvey's header looped off the bar - the 31st time his team have hit the pleased with the way the players committed themselves to the game today. They woodwork this season - after Suarez's effort was blocked. were a credit to themselves the way they went about their work." But there was Shelvey hooked over an empty goal from inside the six-yard box, Ruddy only one name in town. distinguished himself with a fine save after some Stewart Downing trickery and "Some individual performances will outshine others," Dalglish added. "Luis is a Suarez's instincts for once deserted him when he was put through, only to chip fantastic footballer, a fantastic person, and we are very fortunate to have him over Ruddy and the crossbar From there, there was only time for Ward to playing for us." miscontrol again, this time near the halfway line. Unluckily for him, it went to Paul Lambert admitted he was "disappointed to lose", but knew that, just two Suarez, who, in one of those moments where football becomes poetry, looked up years out of League One, chasms in quality can sometimes be unbridgeable. and chipped Ruddy from fully 50 yards for one of the goals of this or any other "Liverpool are a world-renowned club with some fabulous players," the Norwich Premier League season. Star man: Luis Suarez (Liverpool) Yellow cards: Norwich: manager said. "You cannot give somebody of Suarez's calibre time on the ball and Ward, Howson, Vaughan, R Bennett Referee: M Halsey Attendance: 26,819 chances, he can hurt you." Norwich: Ruddy 7, Naughton 5, R Bennett 5, Ward 4, Drury 5 (R Martin 12min, 5), Like in the 6-1 defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago, much of Norwich's play E Bennett 5, Howson 5, Fox 5 (Vaughan h-t, 5), B Johnson 5, Pilkington 5, Morison was typically spirited and competitive, and not devoid of threat, but the defence 5 (Holt 76min) Liverpool: Reina 6, G Johnson, Carragher 6, Agger 6, Enrique 7, just could not cope with the twisting, turning Uruguayan. Elliott Ward and Ryan Downing 7, Gerrard 7 (Coates 85min), Henderson 6, Shelvey 6, Bellamy 6, Suarez Bennett, Norwich's centre-backs, probably came out of that defeat looking better 9 (Kuyt 85min) than they did last night, despite conceding half as many goals. By the end, having both been beaten by Suarez too many times, the pair resorted to a more robust approach, with just as little success. Given the gulf between the teams, it felt a surprise that the result moved Liverpool only six points ahead of Norwich. At the start of the season, this might have looked like one of those real April compellers, part of the narratives at both ends of the table. In fact, both teams entered the game with mid-table
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent
Suarez has final word with wonder strike Suarez's wonder goal completes hat-trick and puts Liverpool back in the Norwich City 0 Liverpool 3 groove Suarez 24, 28 , 82 NORWICH 0 Att: 26,819 LIVERPOOL 3 The notoriety of Luis Suarez has spread far and wide. Sir Paul McCartney even Suarez 24 28 82 mentioned him during a concert in Montevideo earlier this month. But for once Luis Suarez suggested that a season of gloom for him could yet end with glee as last night, we saw the Uruguayan less as the sinister provocateur and more as the he warmed up for next weekend's FA Cup final by scoring a superb hat-trick to inspirational forward, as he completed his sumptuous hat-trick against Norwich give Liverpool a comfortable victory against a Norwich City team that are looking with a perfectly-weighted 50-yard strike that silenced Carrow Road. increasingly haggard as the season draws to an end. With a contender for goal of the season, Suarez dispossessed Elliot Ward and Constant barracking from the Carrow Road crowd reminded Suarez of the unleashed a remarkable chip from just inside Norwich's half, watching exultantly controversy that led to him missing a chunk of this campaign through suspension as the ball sailed over the back-pedalling John Ruddy. Suarez's season might have for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and a miss when clean been horribly disfigured by controversy, but on this occasion there was no through in the second half recalled the wayward finishes that helped explain why disputing his luminous qualities with a football. His two first-half goals had each he came into this having only scored eight Premier League goals all season. He been beautiful to behold, before his 83rd-minute wonder-strike rounded off a made sure, however, that that miss will not be remembered, by hitting two remarkable individual performance. splendid goals before it and then landing an extraordinary lob from 55 yards to The worry for Liverpool, who remained eighth in the Premier League after this score his first hat-trick for Liverpool since arriving in January 2011. win, is how far adrift of the business end of the table they would be should Suarez A tepid start to the game gave no hint of the fireworks to come. After both sides leave this summer. started sluggishly, it took Steven Gerrard to raise Liverpool to a higher level, in the They produced plenty of neat attacks yesterday, through Stewart Downing in 24th minute. With a sudden burst that jolted Norwich, the visiting captain nicked particular, yet Suarez was the only player who could muster the consistent threat the ball off David Fox in midfield and nudged it through to Suarez, who did what of a goal. So many breaks did the 25 year-old make that he ought to have left he has frequently failed to do this season and converted the chance emphatically, Norfolk with four goals, perhaps more. lashing the ball into the far corner of the net from 16 yards. It was the first shot of Vitriol had rained down upon Suarez all evening from Norwich fans who the match. continued to define him by his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra. The goal gave Liverpool their groove back, Norwich began to crumple and in the But it was he who had the final word with a majestic display to fill Liverpool with 29th minute Suarez harassed Elliott Ward into another error before dashing into hope ahead of their FA Cup final against Chelsea next Saturday. Andy Carroll, the box and firing low past John Ruddy. Finally, the Uruguayan brought his Suarez's strike partner, had been left at home for this game for precautionary Premier League goal tally to double figures for the season. treatment on a groin injury, but he was scarcely needed. Liverpool had moved into Easy Street and Norwich looked incapable of evicting All three of Suarez's strikes here were luscious. For his first he was teed up by them, as the home side's early fluency departed. Paul Lambert changed personnel Gerrard, who plundered the ball from David Fox in a flash before threading a and formation at half-time and in the 51st minute, the Canaries finally registered wonderful pass, and rifled a rising shot emphatically beyond Ruddy. a shot, Elliott Bennett's swirling effort from 25 yards giving Pepe Reina an The second was arguably even better as he beat Ward on the right, muscled opportunity to show he had lost none of his agility during his three-game forward and eventually dispatched an inch-perfect, exqui-sitely-weighted low suspension. Liverpool quickly reasserted their supremacy and Jonjo Shelvey nearly shot beyond the reach of the hapless Norwich goalkeeper. put them three up but his header came back off the bar. Suarez's movement tormented the Norwich centre-backs, and it was scant Stewart Downing then drew a smart save from Ruddy before, in the 64th minute, surprise when pressure from Elliot Ward forced the striker to fall over in the box. Suarez nutmegged Ryan Bennett to give himself a chance of claiming his hat-trick, Paul Lambert's players were resorting to faintly desperate tactics, as Jonny only to chip over the bar. In the 82nd minute he atoned for that in spectacular Howson proved with a cynical trip on Steven Gerrard. Just possibly, their style. After collecting the ball just inside the Norwich half, he glanced upwards remarkable progress over the past year had induced the first trace of end-of- and sent a perfect lob over Ruddy from 55 yards. "I was about to give him a season complacency at Carrow Road. bollocking for a having a ridiculous shot," admitted Gerrard, delighted to have At least Pepe Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper, was roused into action in the been struck dumb. second half, as the Spaniard superbly tipped wide a sharp 25-drive from Ryan Norwich were dismantled by a one-man strike force who proved difficult to Bennett. Still, though, the attacking waves were largely red in colour. contain. The home side's centre-backs hardly helped themselves but Suarez's A surging Downing picked out Suarez, whose shot was deflected straight to elusive movement and wonderful finishing would have tormented the best Shelvey fashioning a header that cannoned off the cross bar. defences. "Every goal was a great goal but that's no surprise because of the Shelvey's reflexes were a little less impressive moments later, as he contrived to quality of the player," said Kenny Dalglish of his centre-forward. "Luis is a fantastic miss the most enticing cross from Jose Enrique with the goal gaping. player and a fantastic person and we're very fortunate to have him playing for us. Granted, the ball bobbled slightly, but it was not exactly an excuse. When he plays like that it is very difficult for anyone to stop him." Suarez may be Despite Liverpool's clear superiority, a positive spirit pervaded among the home a divisive character but it is hard to disagree with that last assessment. fans. NORWICH "You're coat's too big for you," they chanted at substitute Wes Hoolahan, who Ruddy; Naughton, Ward (Booked), R Bennett (Booked), Drury (Martin 12); Fox proceeded to toss his oversized jacket into the crowd. (Vaughan (Booked) ht), Howson (Booked), Johnson, E Bennett, Pilkington; Suarez, however, appeared to change the mood with his extraordinary late Morison (Holt 76) Subs not used Steer, Surman, Hoolahan, Wilbraham contribution. Thanks to his memorable longrange effort, the only refrain one LIVERPOOL could hear by the final whistle was the sound of theLiverpool contingent singing Reina; Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Jose Enrique; Bellamy, Shelvey, Henderson, his name. Gerrard (Coates 85), Downing; Suarez (Kuyt 85) Subs not used Doni, Rodriguez, Spearing, Kelly, Skrtel Carrow Road 26,819 Game rating 6/10 Referee Mike Halsey
Compiled by Graeme Riley
Date: 28 April 2012 Mail Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Evening News 282012 April Opposition: Norwich City Mirror Sun Independent Sunday Mirror Guardian
Competition: League Echo Times Sun Telegraph Sunday Mail Independent
Luis looks red hot for Wembley; Liverpool livewire's hat-trick lifts mood for Cup tilt KING LUIS; Three and easy as super Suarez crushes Canaries 0 NORWICH 3 LIVERPOOL Suarez (24, 28, 82) NORWICH 0 LUIS SUAREZ last night illustrated why his value to Liverpool is incalculable. LIVERPOOL 3 Suarez 24, 28, 82 While he brought shame on the club before Christmas when he was found guilty LUIS SUAREZ served notice that as the most significant game left in Liverpool's of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, plunging Liverpool manager season approaches, he is in lethal form. Kenny Dalglish into a crisis that threatened to overwhelm him, Suarez is the man Suarez endured an afternoon of abuse from the Carrow Road crowd - and his Chelsea will fear most in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. answer was emphatic as he scored a hat-trick - the third a superb lob from 50 The 25-year-old Uruguay striker completed a hat-trick of exquisite skill with a yards. mesmerising goal lobbed over the head of Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy from And the message to Chelsea ahead of the FA Cup Final could not have been more 40 yards last night. The travelling fans rose to acclaim Suarez as he stood before clear: Suarez is back to his best. them in celebration at Carrow Road. Kenny Dalglish opted to inject the dynamism of Steven Gerrard into the midfield - Suarez gave Norwich captain Elliott Ward a wretched night he will wish to forget. and the result was a spectacular success. Gerrard makes Liverpool tick, it is as The defender DAVE SHOPLAND & CHRIS RADBURN was in possession on the simple as that. halfway line in the 82nd minute when Suarez pounced to steal the ball from him. And without injury victim Andy Carroll the Reds played with a new strategy - The striker took a handful of strides, looked up and when he saw Ruddy towards swamp the midfield and support Suarez when possible. Perfect tactics, as it the edge of his penalty area, impertinently dinked a shot high into the East turned out. Anglian sky. Dalglish said: "It was a fantastic hat-trick. He is a fantastic footballer and a Ruddy tried to retreat, but he was clutching at air when Suarez's lob sailed over fantastic person. We are lucky to have him at the club. his head into the back of the net. Suarez instinctively ran towards "He will get the headlines but everybody played their part. Pepe Reina had one the Liverpool supporters to receive an ovation. King Kenny himself never scored a save to make - and he made it. And Jamie Carragher was fantastic. We were all goal of such outrageous perfection. very committed and I was pleased with that." It was a night that Suarez needed, a night Dalglish and Liverpool craved. After For Norwich, there was another lesson on how not to defend in the Premier being at the centre of an unpleasant and deeply mismanaged chapter League after they were hit for six by Manchester City in their last home game. in Liverpool's history, the South American's hat-trick restored some vital Norwich manager Paul Lambert admitted that his team had contributed massively confidence to Liverpool before the Cup final against the west London club who to their own downfall. "You can't give players of the calibre of Suarez that kind of returned from Barcelona as improbable Champions League heroes in midweek. chance," he said. A productive, passionate performance from captain Steven Gerrard will also have "There are not many times I leave here disappointed but I am disappointed brought some relief to Dalglish, a man who has been under increasing scrutiny tonight. as Liverpool have found themselves shunted into the margins of the game. There were three mistakes that lead to their goals." First to be caught wanting Dalglish may have delivered the Carling Cup to Anfield this season, but this was was David Fox. In the 24th minute, he opted to dither on the ball some 30 yards not the scale of achievement American owners John W Henry and Tom Werner from his own goal. Gerrard dispossessed him and with a reverse pass set up envisaged when they invested in Liverpool. Suarez, whose drive gave John Ruddy no chance. Without the prospect of Champions League football next season, Dalglish will be Before the half-hour was up, there was a double-blunder. Kyle Naughton had expected to appease the immense disappointment of Henry and Werner by switched to left-back to replace injury victim Adam Drury, and his backpass to parading the FA Cup around Wembley on Saturday evening. Elliott Ward was under-hit. Liverpool's American proprietors demonstrated their frustration at deteriorating Suarez won the tussle for possession and from the most acute of angles produced results by firing director of football Damien Comolli, absolving Dalglish of any a searing drive past Ruddy. culpability. Of course, Dalglish is an icon on Merseyside and he will be afforded Come the second half, Norwich had more zest in their game. Reina was called into more time to make the necessary changes. In Suarez, he has an ally of action for the first time to tip away a shot from Elliott Bennett. incomparable talent on the pitch. And last night the South American striker Jonjo Shelvey was then unlucky to hit the bar from close range, but his miss a ensured that Liverpool had a cutting edge. minute later was unforgiveable. Jose Enrique's run ended with a cross that left Before the game, Gerrard had admitted how the absence of Suarez during his Shelvey with the most simple of chances - but somehow he put it wide. eight-match suspension had impacted on Liverpool. James Vaughan went close 15 minutes from time with a header and the Norwich 'If you lose one of the best players in the world it's going to have an effect on the crowd were further lifted by arrival of Grant Holt from the substitutes' bench. team,' said Gerrard. 'It was the loss of him that hurt the team the most.' But the last word was with Suarez. Ward lost the ball and with Ruddy off his line, As if to emphasise his point, Gerrard arrived with pace and determination to catch he lobbed it home from fully 50 yards. Mission accomplished. Norwich's David Fox in possession in the 24th minute. The Liverpool captain STAMMERS' VERDICT Against the quality provided by Gerrard and Suarez, capitalised on this piracy, deep in Norwich's half, to flick an astute pass to Suarez. concentration and focus are vital. Norwich lacked both as Liverpool took the lead The Uruguayan rewarded Gerrard's vision by striking a leftfooted shot beyond the and never looked back. reach of Ruddy. Killer stat Norwich have now shipped 11 goals in their last three Premier League On the touchline, Dalglish threw his arms aloft in celebration. Suarez required home games 11 only another four minutes to dispatch his second goal of the night. Again Ward was the victim. After being dispossessed, the Norwich central defender could only watch in anguish as Suarez thundered a right-footed shot into the far corner of Ruddy's net. Shortly after, Suarez had a legitimate claim for a penalty rejected by referee Mark Halsey, while in the 38th minute, Ward was booked for fouling the Uruguayan. In Ward's defence, he had no alternative other than to bring down Suarez as he had been totally wrongfooted by him. Norwich's impressive season has understandably, perhaps, run out of steam. They have managed just two wins from their past 11 games and they were a distant second last night. With Liverpool's players fighting for a place at Wembley, there was much to satisfy Dalglish. Jonjo Shelvey might have scored twice, heading against the bar and missing from inside the six-yard area, while Ruddy made a fine save from Stewart Downing. But this night belonged to Suarez, a night when he made headlines for all the right reasons. NORWICH (4-5-1): Ruddy; Naughton, Ward, R Bennett, Drury (R Martin 12min); E Bennett, Howson, Fox (Vaughan 46), Johnson, Pilkington; Morison (Holt 76). Subs (not used): Steer, Surman, Hoolahan, Wilbraham. Booked: Ward, R Bennett, Vaughan, Howson. LIVERPOOL (4-1-4-1): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Henderson; Downing, Gerrard (Coates 85), Shelvey, Bellamy; Suarez (Kuyt 85). Subs (not used): Doni, Kelly, Skrtel, Maxi, Spearing. REFEREE: M Halsey.
Compiled by Graeme Riley