Date: 1 May 2011 Times Mirror Mail 1 2011 May Opposition: Newcastle United Telegraph Echo

Competition: League

Dalglish ends the continental drift Liverpool 3 Kuyt's Dutch of class keeps King Kenny on course for Europe Rodriguez 10, Kuyt 59 (pen), Suarez 65 AS explosive occasions go, Andy Carroll's reunion with Newcastle was hardly up Newcastle United 0 there with the royal wedding fireworks. Referee: P Walton. Attendance: 44,923 But at least Anfield was treated to a performance from a red-hot striker at the For much of this season, the Europa League has been a symbol of Liverpool's fall peak of his powers, even if the controversial Geordie wasn't the centre of from grace, with a terrace soundtrack of "Thursday nights, Channel Five" belittling attention. their participation. Now, with a place in the tournament again beckoning, it could Dirk Kuyt has accepted the arrival of the pounds 35million British record signing at come to represent their renaissance. Liverpool with his usual phlegmatic shrug, and committed response. To understand why, it is necessary to look back to early January, when, on the Since Carroll's accession, which was supposed to limit further the opportunities of back of their worst start to a season for 57 years, Liverpool found themselves the indomitable Dutchman, he has scored 12 goals in 13 matches for club and eight places and ten points off a qualifying place for the competition. When Kenny country. His latest was another cool conversion from the spot to kill off what Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as manager in a caretaker capacity, his brief was looked like a Newcastle revival, and inspire a victory that puts the Reds into fifth not to get them into Europe, the aim was an altogether more realistic one place... and still in with a shout of the Champions League. indicative of their plight: to restore harmony and avoid relegation at all costs. Overhauling Manchester City in fourth is obviously a tall order, but if Liverpool Less than four months on and Dalglish has inspired a revival of such proportions can do it, it will be in no small part thanks to Kuyt's eight goals in his last seven that Liverpool's annual routine home win over Newcastle United took them to league games, which makes him English football's hottest striker. fifth in the Barclays Premier League, their highest of the season, with a place in His all-round game too, has helped his team overcome the loss of Carroll and the Europa League now theirs for the taking. Steven Gerrard recently, and his assist for the third goal converted by Luis Suarez If that is a reason for celebration, a cause for disappointment can be found in the was typical of the support his industry provides. growing sense of regret that Hodgson was not put out of his misery sooner and It is a contribution recognised by boss Kenny Dalglish, who believes his side could Dalglish afforded an earlier crack at the job he should have been given last yet get a reward for their efforts of recent weeks with a European place. summer. Not that an arch-pragmatist such as him is about to get caught up in ifs, "I don't know if the Champions League is beyond reach," he said. "We just have to buts and maybes. keep going and see what happens," he said. "I would rather the 'what if ?' was if I have never took charge," Dalglish said. "The way we have been playing is testament to the desire and belief the players "Because that would have meant that they [the players] were doing a lot better have shown, and they will get their reward if they keep doing that." than what we were, still have had the same run and the club would have been Kuyt again led the line as Carroll was confined to a cameo appearance as a more successful than it is at this moment in time. That's the 'what if ?' for me." substitute in the last 20 minutes, when he touched the ball barely a fistful of To put the Dalglish effect into perspective, Liverpool have taken 30 points in the times. 15 games since his appointment. Only Chelsea have garnered more in that period. That didn't stop the visiting Newcastle support from condemning him with the On the evidence, the so-called romantic choice, as it was billed by its critics at the usual chants - "You let your city down" and "one greedy b*****d" the more time, has proved to be the right one. All that remains is for the caretaker prefix to printable ones - but perhaps the fans are being a bit harsh on their likeable former be removed from his job title. hero. Having not scored at Anfield in their previous four visits and not won there since One wonders what Carroll could have done when the Newcastle owner was so 1994, the chances of Newcastle coming up with a result that could give Liverpool's desperate to get rid of him, he flew him to Merseyside in his private helicopter. owners second thoughts about confirming Dalglish's coronation were always slim. It is pretty obvious he didn't want to leave and let the fans down, and it was It was a lack of strength in depth, though, that Alan Pardew pinpointed as the disappointing to hear them ignore that fact. Not that it mattered. In Dalglish's main reason for their latest failure. "We haven't got the beauty of having a squad words "The Andy Carroll factor added a wee bit of spice for them and made it a like Liverpool has and that was obvious today," the Newcastle manager said. tough game" but aside from a poor spell towards the end of the first half, the The most glaring example of their weakness was provided by Andy Carroll. In the home side were always in control. space of two weeks, Liverpool have achieved something that Newcastle are yet to Carroll was supposed to form a devastating partnership with Luis Suarez, but Kuyt master after four months - they have found a way of flourishing in the absence of has stolen that honour. the towering striker. The pair combined beautifully here, after Maxi Rodriguez had given Liverpool an Left on the bench until the game had been won - Pardew disparagingly but early cushion, with a fortunate goal that owed much to a poor headed clearance accurately described his effect on proceedings as "minimal", claiming to miss the from Mike Williamson, and a deflection off Danny Simpson. injured Hatem Ben Arfa more than his club's former talisman. Newcastle revived before the break with Jonas Gutierrez sparkling down the left The Newcastle fans tried to make light of the situation, constantly taunting flank. Carroll, but that was the where North Eastern resistance began and ended. But when Joey Barton surprisingly shot the wrong side of the post just after the Newcastle eventually crumbled as their dominance of possession after going interval, it tipped the scales in Liverpool's favour. Kuyt made sure of victory with a behind was rendered futile by their own inadequacies going forward. The sight of confident penalty after Suarez nipped in behind the dallying Williamson, though Shefki Kuqi, their erstwhile replacement for Carroll, lumbering during a late there remained a question of whether the foul from the Newcastle defender was cameo will only have rubbed salt into the wounds. in the box. Liverpool, by contrast, thrived without their club-record [pounds sterling]35 The Dutchman then made the third with a delicate pass that put Suarez in to million signing, scoring three unanswered goals to add to the five they struck finish with some aplomb. The result left visiting manager Alan Pardew admitting against Birmingham City the previous weekend, a game that Carroll missed his side were left wanting - though not from the absence because of a knee injury. As on that occasion, Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring of Carroll in their own line-up. and he did so again in this fixture,albeitwiththeaidofadeflection off Danny The Toon boss still had regrets though, because Gutierrez made inroads down the Simpson. left, and the game turned on Barton's chance. Had he scored, and with Liverpool Liverpool reasserted their superiority in the second half when Dirk Kuyt scored so flat at the time, it was easy to envisage the Geordies pulling off a shock result. from the penalty spot - his twelfth goal in his past 13 matches for club and Instead, the ball rolled the wrong side of the post, Liverpool were roused out of country - after the livewire Luis Suarez had been hauled down by Mike their indifference, and they claimed a vital win. Williamson. Suarez sealed the win with a close-range finish from Kuyt's deflected Apart from Chelsea, they have the best record in the Premier League since cross to leave the Kop calling for Dalglish's status as the architect of Liverpool's Dalglish's return in January, and they now find themselves above Tottenham in renaissance to be rewarded with a permanent job. That will happen, particularly the table. now that European qualification is now a distinct possibility. With the Londoners due at Anfield where the Reds have scored 14 in their last Ratings four, a Europa League spot now looks the very minimum target. LIVERPOOL 4-1-3-2 LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Flanagan 6 (Shelvey 81), Carragher 7, Skrtel 7, Johnson 6, J M Reina 7 J Flanagan 7 J Carragher 7 M Skrtel 6 G Johnson 7 Lucas Leiva 7 R Meireles 6, Lucas 7, Spearing 7, Maxi 6 (Carroll 70, 6), Kuyt 8, Suarez 6 (Cole 87). Meireles 5 J Spearing 6 MRodriguez 7 D Kuyt 6 L Suarez 7 Substitutes: A Carroll 5 NEWCASTLE: Krul 6, Simpson 6, Williamson 5, Coloccini 7, Jose Enrique 7, Barton (for Rodriguez, 70min), J Shelvey (for Flanagan, 81), J Cole (for Suarez, 87). Not 6, Nolan 7, Tiote 6, Gutierrez 6, Lovenkrands 5 (Ranger 74, 5), Ameobi 5 (Kuqi 83). used: P Gulacsi, J Robinson, S Kyrgiakos, D Ngog. Next: Fulham (a). REF: Peter Walton 6 ATT: 44,923 NEWCASTLE 4-4-2 T Krul 6 D Simpson 6 MWilliamson 5 F Coloccini 6 L Enrique 6 J Barton 6 C Tiote 6 K Nolan 7 J Gutierrez 7 F Ameobi 5 P Lovenkrands 5 Substitutes: N Ranger (for Lovenkrands, 74), S Kuqi (for Ameobi, 83), S Ferguson (for Enrique, 90). Not used: S Harper, R Taylor, S Taylor, J Tavernier. Next: Birmingham City (h).

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 1 May 2011 Times Mirror Mail 1 2011 May Opposition: Newcastle United Telegraph Echo

Competition: League

Silky Suarez becomes the headline act Carroll a luxury as Liverpool cruise Liverpool 3 Newcastle 0 Liverpool 3 IT ALL went according to plan, then. There was a certain inevitability that Maxi 10, Kuyt 59 pen, Suarez 65 Newcastle's visit to Anfield would see a Liverpool striker command the headlines Newcastle 0 and so it proved yesterday. But while it seemed scripted for Andy Carroll to Att: 44,923 provide the defining moment on his first reunion since that acrimonious [pounds Their team summarily dispatched, but a victory of sorts for Newcastle's fans: at sterling]35million exit from St James' Park, for once he had to play second fiddle least now Andy Carroll will know the depth of their fury towards him. That as the man whom he has often overshadowed in recent months came thrillingly Liverpool did not even need their record signing to sweep Alan Pardew's team to the fore. Luis Suarez has not attracted anywhere near the amount of publicity aside, though, amply illustrates the difference between the teams in the striker's that has fallen on Carroll since they were drafted in to replace Fernando Torres in past and his future. January but his contribution in helping revive Liverpool's season has been This was always going to be a game dominated by the 22 year–old, even enormous. So while Carroll was cast in the role of pantomime villain, subjected to if he spent the first 70 minutes as a spectator. This was the travelling Gallowgate's a barrage of abuse from the jilted visiting section who once idolised him, Suarez chance to express their anger at his perceived betrayal. And so they accused him was the inspiration behind a 3-0 victory that has put Liverpool firmly in the driving of letting his city down, they revoked his Geordie status, they made a host of vile seat to qualify for the Europa League after they swapped places with Tottenham allegations about his private life. He smiled, wryly, amid the torrent. and moved up to fifth. Suarez scored one and won the penalty that tipped the "He is a young man with broad shoulders," his manager, Kenny Dalglish, said. balance of this game in his side's favour. But it was the running, the energy and "That's not the abuse put to bed. I'm sure he'll get more when he goes to St the devilment in the former Ajax captain's play that captivated most. He has James's next season, but it won't be a problem." replaced Torres as the Kop's new idol and this vibrant display showed why. 'Luis is Nor should it be. Newcastle's frustration was borne of impotence. Like the target a good person,' said manager Kenny Dalglish of the man who cost Liverpool of their hostility, they watched powerless as, without [pounds sterling]35million [pounds sterling]22.3m. 'He is bubbly and just loves playing football. The style of striker, Liverpool eased past their opponents. Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and that he has got, both as a player and a person, means he wouldn't have a problem Luis Suarez, the irrepressible Uruguayan, provided the goals, sending Liverpool settling in anywhere. That's great credit to him. 'He'll miss a lot of pre-season into fifth place, above Tottenham. Europe is back on Anfield's agenda. This is a because he is away with Uruguay at the Copa America but he'll come back next club on the up. year and be exactly the same as he is now. He just comes into training every day Carroll only appeared when the game was won, the sight of the spoils of with a smile on his face. He was always a threat and took his goal well.' Smiling is Liverpool's raid on the North–East easily worth another goal to the hosts. something Dalglish is doing a lot of now and it is little wonder, given the form He made little impact. In doing so, he will have had more effect than he could Liverpool have shown since he returned as boss on January 8. Back then it was possibly have imagined. highly unlikely they would get involved in the race for Europe but now it will be a For all the allegations spewing from the Anfield Road end, the striker maintained surprise if they don't make it. What is even more remarkable is that if Liverpool he never wished to leave Newcastle. That much was supported in a text message win their final three Premier League games, they will finish this campaign with a exchange with the editor of one of the club's fanzine. He was being "pushed out better points tally than last season's haul of 63. Considering they were second the door," he said. Mike Ashley wanted the money. bottom last October, it has been a quite astonishing turnaround in fortunes. The But that his transfer was serendipitous was proved here. He left a club where the confident, comfortable manner in which they dispatched Newcastle showed how fans do not trust the owner, where the manager's position tends to be a matter of far they have come. 'I didn't expect to get a stroll in the sunshine,' said Dalglish, some debate, where the scale of ambition in the boardroom does not seem to whose position, rather puzzlingly, has still not been made permanent. match that in the stands. 'Newcastle have played well of late and the Carroll factor added spice to it for And he joined a club who have put 18 months of civil war and turmoil and them. It was a tough game but we were worthy winners.' Although the visitors perpetual crisis behind them and are now the rising force of the Premier League. dominated possession in the first 45 minutes, they failed to create a chance to When Dalglish took over, Liverpool were 12th. They are now fifth. For months, trouble Pepe Reina and trailed to a Maxi Rodriguez volley that squirmed past Tim Anfield just wanted this season to be over. Now they must wish it would never Krul via a deflection off Danny Simpson. end. It was not unreasonable to expect Newcastle to build on their efforts after the "I wish I had never got the job, as it would have meant the club had been in a break but any hopes they had of winning at Anfield for the first time since April better position," Dalglish said. 1994 evaporated in the space of six minutes when Suarez moved devastatingly He is doing his best to rectify the gap between where Liverpool were and where through the gears. First his speed and persistence sent Mike Williamson into he feels they should be. The hosts took the lead fortuitously – Maxi meltdown, the defender panicking when Suarez chased a long ball from Reina to granted a shot after Mike Williamson's clearing header slipped into his path, the such an extent that he brought the Uruguayan's charge to a halt by crudely Argentine scoring only thanks to a deflection off Danny Simpson – but grabbing his shirt. Dirk Kuyt duly converted the subsequent penalty. Newcastle's singular failure to react meant it was more than merited. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew questioned whether Suarez had been fouled Liverpool even granted Pardew's team the freedom of Anfield in a bid to make a outside the area by Williamson but his argument was made hollow moments later game of it. The hosts sat back, inviting pressure, but the visitors refused to bite. when Liverpool's No 7 finished smartly after receiving a pass from Kuyt. The Newcastle manager admitted his side lacked "quality", suggested he could Carroll came on shortly after that, but hardly got a touch as the contest petered not endure another season of such limited resources. out. The final 20 minutes, when Newcastle were comfortably held at arms' length, We're under no illusions," he said. "We can't go into the season with this size showed to Pardew why his board must invest all of the huge transfer fee they squad. We need to have more options and have more competition." received for their old No 9 this summer. 'We have got a good base but we are Barely trying, it seemed, Liverpool might have extended their lead; Tim Krul under no illusions -- we need a bigger squad with more options,' said Pardew. gathered Jay Spearing's shot at the second attempt, with Kuyt and Raul Meireles 'We need more competition. Jonas Gutierrez hasn't got competition for his place, lurking, Lucas headed the Portuguese's cross straight at the Newcastle goalkeeper neither has Joey Barton. We need to up the quality coming into what is a big club.' when well–placed. REDS ON RAMPAGE AT the turn of the year, Liverpool were just four points above Newcastle finally managed a chance at the start of the second half, the subdued the relegation zone. Now they are six short of the last Champions League Joey Barton firing just wide after Kevin Nolan's cross was allowed to pass qualification spot, although they have played one game more than fourth-placed unnoticed through Liverpool's defence. The warning galvanised the hosts into Manchester City. Under 'King Kenny', Liverpool have taken 30 points from their action. Suddenly, Liverpool slipped into, if not top, then at least third gear. past 15 games and only Chelsea are on a better run of form. Suarez saw one effort deflected by Williamson, then Maxi, now on four goals in Before Dalglish P20 W7 D4 L9 F24 A27 Pts 25 Under Dalglish P15 W9 D3 L3 F30 two games, hit the bar with a cross. The clincher was coming. Suarez was always A12 Pts 30 Best Premier League form over the past six games PWDLF AGDPts likely to be involved, beating Williamson to Pepe Reina's long ball, being brought Chelsea 65 10134916 Liverpool 64 11 1531213 ManUtd 641183513 down by an outstretched arm and watching Kuyt slot the penalty home. MATCH FACTS Kuyt might have headed home a third by the time Suarez got the goal his LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina 7; Flanagan 7 (Shelvey 81min), Carragher 7, Skrtel 7, performance deserved, a crisp finish past Krul after exchanging passes with his Johnson 7; Lucas 6, Spearing 6; Rodriguez 7 (Carroll 70, 6), Meireles 6, Suarez 8 strike partner. (Cole 87); Kuyt 7. Subs not used: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Ngog, Robinson. Booked: Then it was time for Carroll. Now, it was about him. A cascade of boos, a stream Flanagan. of abuse. But the game was won. Liverpool did not need Carroll to sweep his Scorers: Rodriguez 10, Kuyt 59 pen, Suarez 65. former club away. That is what hurts. That is what will assure Carroll he is where NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Krul 6; Simpson 5, Williamson 5, Coloccini 6, Enrique he should be. 6 (Ferguson 90); Barton 5, Tiote 5, Nolan 5, Gutierrez 6; Ameobi 5 (Kuqi 83),

Lovenkrands 5 (Ranger 74, 5). Subs not used: Harper, Perch, S Taylor, R Taylor. Booked: Tiote, Williamson. Man of the match: Luis Suarez. Referee: Peter Walton 5. Attendance: 44,923.

Compiled by Graeme Riley

Date: 1 May 2011 Times Mirror Mail 1 2011 May Opposition: Newcastle United Telegraph Echo

Competition: League

It may not have the glamour of the Champions League, but European football is what Liverpool’s history was built upon. Now, with just three games to go, it is tantalisingly within reach once more. And, hand on heart, how many genuinely believed that would be a possibility at the turn of the year? Toon focus on old boy Andy Carroll but Luis Suarez runs them ragged "I think when he goes to St James' next year, he'll get it again - I don't think it will NEWCASTLE should have kept their eye on the ball. After spending a week in the be put to bed, will it? He's a young boy but he's got broad shoulders." - Kenny build up to this game worrying about the presence of one big money Liverpool Dalglish is philosophical about Andy Carroll's mixed reception. “You’ve let your city down” – Newcastle fans voice their dissatisfaction with the, er, Gateshead lad. striker, they forgot about the other. Andy Carroll may have been the story of the afternoon at Anfield, but Luis Suarez was its star. LIVERPOOL: Reina, Flanagan (Shelvey 81), Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Lucas, There was, predictably, a hostile reception for Carroll from the travelling Spearing, Meireles, Maxi (Carroll 69), Kuyt, Suarez (Cole 85) Newcastle supporters. Angered by the perceived disloyalty of their former idol, SUBS: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Robinson, Ngog the Toon Army let him know exactly what they think of his switch to Anfield. Their Goals: Maxi (10), Kuyt pen (59), Suarez (65) curious lionising of Steven Taylor, who allegedly clashed with Carroll at St James’ Booked: Flanagan Park, raised an eyebrow. Carroll, typically, just grinned and continued his warm NEWCASTLE : Krul, Simpson, Jose Enrique (Ferguson 90), Williamson, Coloccini, up. In the event, the Reds’ number 9 was scarcely required. A 21-minute cameo Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ranger 73), Ameobi (Kuqi 82) was all the £35m man could manage upon his return from a knee injury sustained SUBS: Harper, Tavernier, R Taylor, S Taylor at Arsenal last month. Booked: Tiote, Williamson But whilst Carroll’s contribution to the game itself was mainly minimal, the same Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire) cannot be said about Suarez’s afternoon. The Uruguayan, quite simply, was the Attendance: 44,923 difference between the sides. Having taken no time at all to settle into the rigours of Premier League football since his January switch from Ajax, he continued his impressive form here with yet another virtuoso display, in front of Anfield’s biggest crowd of the season. He was heavily involved in the build-up to Maxi Rodriguez’s 10th minute opener, won the penalty from which Dirk Kuyt doubled the Reds’ lead, and then rounded off a relatively comfortable victory with his 3rd goal for the club soon after. As he made way for Joe Cole five minutes from time, he was afforded a standing ovation from the Kop. It was well deserved. Kenny Dalglish’s men now find themselves in the box seat to secure a Europa League berth next season. Tottenham may have a game in hand, but victory in each of the Reds’ remaining three fixtures will surely guarantee them 5th spot. The visit of Harry Redknapp’s side to Anfield in a fortnight’s time should be a stirring occasion. Dalglish’s side were far from fantastic here, but in truth they rarely needed to be to see off a Newcastle side that played as though their summer holidays were uppermost in their minds. Pardew’s side won the corner count by 12 to 3, they bossed possession by 54- 46%, and they had almost as many efforts on goal as their hosts. Yet few could dispute that Liverpool deserved their win. At St James’ Park back in December, Liverpool were dismal. But that was winter- time, when the mood around Anfield was as gloomy as the weather on Tyneside. Four-and-a-half months on, the landscape has shifted significantly. No longer does the Reds defence gift opponents the kind of goals that Newcastle gobbled up that day. Nor does the side play with the kind of fear and lack of confidence which unfortunately pockmarked Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated six-month tenure. This is Dalglish’s side now, Dalglish’s club, and the skies over Anfield are infinitely brighter. Just like against Birmingham a week ago, they were ahead early on here. And once more, it was Maxi Rodriguez who picked up the game’s opening goal. And while it may have been a scruffy finish, with the Argentine’s right-foot strike taking a hefty deflection off the arm of Toon defender Danny Simpson en route to goal, the build up to the goal showcased the confidence which is coursing through Dalglish’s side at the moment. After Martin Skrtel won a defensive header on the edge of his own box, the ball was worked neatly through Suarez, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi, before Lucas Leiva switched the play incisively to John Flanagan on the right. From there the youngster produced a teasing cross, and when Mike Williamson failed to get sufficient distance on his own defensive clearance, Rodriguez was perfectly placed to score his fourth goal in eight days. No mean feat, considering the former Atletico Madrid had taken 41 games to net his previous four. Newcastle briefly threatened a revival before half-time, with a succession of dangerous set-pieces yielding no reward. But once Joey Barton had steered a shot wide of Pepe Reina’s left hand upright just after the break, it was all about Suarez. His presence and energy was a constant menace to a nervy looking Newcastle backline, and when Williamson tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick in front of the Kop in the 58th minute, he was simply asking for trouble. Sure enough, Suarez wriggled free, and the former Wycombe man hauled him back. Kuyt dispatched the penalty with ease for his 14th goal of the season, and his eighth in his last seven league games. Derided in some quarters during the latter days of the Hodgson era, the Dutchman is in the form of his Anfield career under Dalglish. He soon created a third for Suarez, who confidently stroked the ball past an under-protected Tim Krul just six minutes later. From there on it was cruise control. Dalglish confessed afterwards that it had been a difficult afternoon for his players. But having inherited a side lying 12th in the Premier League back in January, and been told that his squad required hefty surgery as a consequence, the Scot will have no qualms about accepting a win which takes them above a lauded Tottenham side, and puts them firmly in the hunt for a Europa League spot – an achievement which would represent a significant success at the end of a turbulent season.

Compiled by Graeme Riley