Meireles scores the opener against Wigan
Wigan’s second half equaliser ended a 7 hour shut out by the reds who dropped their first points since Dalglish’s first game at Anfield 4 weekends ago.
With injuries to Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey out for 3 months, the reds were forced in to a reshuffle, with Carragher partnering Skrtel as the two centre-backs. Skrtel himself had been a major doubt for the game after missing the midweek game through injury.
Luis Suarez started his first game at Anfield alongside Dirk Kuyt.
Liverpool put in a relatively decent first half, kicking towards the Kop after Wigan won the toss. Suarez was involved in almost all of Liverpool’s good moves – picking up the ball from deep and finding other players.
But it was Raul Meireles who got yet another goal for the reds as his Anfield career continue to kick on well, a cross from Aurelio deflected in to his path for him to provide another trademark Raul volley. 1-0.
A fine move from the reds new Uruguayan saw him move inside, beating a man, before cruelly seeing his shot hit the post to deny the reds doubling the lead.
The second half arrived and the reds looked like the legs were gone after a heavy midweek for some of the reds players. Meireles who was ill at half time, was removed just 9 minutes in to the second half as it became apparent he wasn’t going to make the full 90 minutes, and so went Liverpool’s main creator in midfield.
Ngog was a poor replacement.
Wigan equalised from an N’Zogbia cross, TV replays showed Gohouri’s strike was offside, but the assistant missed the decision.
Kuyt also, appeared to be suffering as he has all season with weary tiredness in his game. Jovanovic arrived as his replacement and offered very little.
Liverpool kept going to the final whistle, Suarez hit the crossbar with a well taken free-kick.
The reds have a two week gap before a return to the Premier League, but now have two important Europa League fixtures against Sparta Prague to concentrate on.
So much to look forward to from Suarez; he’s a dynamo and very clever on and off the ball. Meireles is class – watch his goal yesterday and see how he very quickly adjusted his feet before striking the volley; technically brilliant. Lucas was good again, but it was not one of Kuyt’s better days. I’m afraid Jovanavich and Ngog look well out of their depth. When Gerrard and Agger are back and when Carroll and Cole are fit, we look capable of beating any side on our day. However, adding 3 players the calibre of, say, Coentrao, Benzema and Young would transform us into genuine title contenders. Yesterday showed we still lack that extra bit of depth to the squad. Kenny is magic but he needs more quality in the squad.
Absolutely agree with the last point that we lack that extra bit of depth. You look at our bench and wonder where the goals will come from. Ngog has shown in the past he CAN do it, but it doesn’t happen very often. If we can hold onto all of our core players over the summer and can add 2-3 quality players, that would be great. I would prefer to see Kuyt as a squad player rather than a starter, for instance.
yes never had the luck with us today meireles has got such fantastic football skills. another splendid goal. suarez deserved a goal but he offers the reds so much . he is forever trying. look at his top ten goals. shoots a lot from 15 yards and holds the ball up well. think guys were tired from international duty