Liverpool cemented their top four chances, and maybe more, with a mind-blowing 4-3 win on Sunday. Liverpool are now closer to 1st than 5th, with four points being between the Reds and the top of the table, and six points between Liverpool and 5th place Spurs.
Two goals changed what would have been a poor weekend for Liverpool, into potentially one of their most important in years. As Henderson followed up on a shot to put his 2nd and Liverpool’s 4th past Vorm Liverpool put in what turned out to be the winning goal of the game. Later that day it would be Robert Snodgrass who’s shot wisped pass Lloris to seal another important victory for Norwich, and inadvertently, Liverpool.
Liverpool’s game began in a similar fashion to most Anfield ties this season, with a lightning counter attack toward the Anfield Road end, with a Daniel Sturridge finish to end the move. It was Raheem Sterling who created the first goal, as he played a pin point outside of the boot slide-rule pass to Sturridge who’s decisive touch took the ball past Vorm where he coolly passed the ball into the empty net. 1-0. A jubilant Anfield rejoiced. The best, and worst, was yet to come.
Following some aggressive play by Swansea Liverpool put their second past Vorm on the stroke of the 20th minute. Sturridge, who was positioned on the right wing position today, attacked the Swansea left-back Neil Taylor and ran across the box where he passed to Jordan Henderson position just at the dip of the D of Swansea’s box. Henderson looked up and struck the ball perfectly into the top corner passed the despairing Michel Vorm. 2-0. Standard, the Anfield crowd thought. Sadly for them, they’d be made work a lot harder for the victory.
Swansea again reacted well to conceding, and further imposed their game on a calamitous Liverpool backline. It was ex-Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey who got the Swan’s back in the as he hit a first-time pass into the underside of the bar and passed Simon Mignolet. He may never have it a ball so sweetly, and the Kop endearingly applauded Shelvey who apologetically gesticulated toward the home crowd. They wouldn’t feel so melancholy minutes later though.
Swansea equalised in an embarrassing fashion for Liverpool. A costless kick by De Guzman met Striker Bony’s head which then met Martin Skrtel’s shoulder and went into the net. 2-2 after 27 minutes. The crowd just couldn’t believe it.
The madness continued though, and the downtrodden crowd were back on their feet once again minutes later. This time it was Luis Suarez who played an exquisite cross to Daniel Sturridge who headed the ball home t make it 3-2 after 36 minutes.
No changes at half time for Liverpool indicated Rodgers was happy to continue let the madness he saw before him ensue. Swansea equalised through a Bony penalty two minutes into the second half as Referee Mike Jones judged Skrtel’s tussle with Bony to be worthy of a penalty. One feels Skrtel was hard done by on this occasion, but it comes of no surprise following the recent media coverage of Skrtel’s penalty box ‘wrestling’.
At 3-3 Rodgers finally acted, and subbed Raheem Sterling for Joe Allen to try and give Liverpool some brains amongst the chaos of the game. The Allen sub worked brilliantly for Liverpool. He won the ball continually and played lots of sensible passes.
As the crowd could barely look it was the Mackem Jordan Henderson who netted the eventual winner on the 74th minute. Luis Suarez’ deflected shot saw Henderson have the chance to score. Despite Vorm’s best efforts of saving the initial shot Henderson’s whole Liverpool revival could be summed up in his determination to follow up the shot and slot passed Vorm.
When Mike Jones blew up the whistle the Anfield crowd erupted. If the Fulham result left the crowd shaking then it seems Liverpool’s result vs. Swansea on Sunday will have left a similar effect. Finally Liverpool can legitimately look up rather than down. A crazy game for a crazy season.
