Liverpool FC Last Match - In association with Chevrolet
Barclays Premier League
3 - 2

Liverpool v Tottenham

Anfield
10 Mar 2013, KO: 16:00

Minute by minute

Post That's all from Anfield today. Terrific win for the Redmen. Thanks for following. We're back next Saturday at Southampton.
Post Final word goes to @luis16suarez: VERY GOOD WIN. Great effort by the whole team. We have to keep working hard! YNWA!
Post Rodgers believes the 3-2 win is a big one in his Liverpool project: "All season people have spoken about us not beating anyone from the top 10. In some of the other games in this little run, it's always been that the other team hasn't played well or different circumstances – the players didn't quite get the credit for how they were performing. Today was a stringent test and they came through it."
Post Rodgers on Reina injury: "It was disappointing because we thought he would probably make it today. He had a tight calf in a fitness test this morning and unfortunately for him he didn't get through it. Hopefully by next week he'll be fine."
Post Season tickey holder @DanKennett: Good game. Good atmosphere. Good win. Good change from the manager. Downing MOM for an excellent performance. Let's keep this up!
Post LFC TV's @JBcommentator: I hate the saying 'what a great advert for the Premier League' - but that game was a great advert for the Premier League.
Post And a legend's view... @Robbie9Fowler: A quality win over a quality spurs team. Definitely going the right way.
Post Liverpool fan @JoshBradley10 gives his verdict: Suarez his usual incredible self, Gerrard solid, Agger solid and the change to three CMs won us game. Much better shape 4-3-3 than 4-2-4.
Post Reaction from Brendan Rodgers coming up.
Post Kyle Walker had more touches than anyone else – 83. Lucas had 70 for Liverpool.
Post Stewart Downing with the best passing accuracy on the pitch – 95.7 per cent.
Post Tottenham had 52.9 per cent of possession and 18 shots to Liverpool's 12.
Post Liverpool up to sixth in the Premier League, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
90 FULL-TIME: A huge roar from the Kop as the final whistle blows. Goals from Suarez, Downing and Gerrard (pen) end Spurs' unbeaten run.
90 There will be three minutes of stoppage time here.
90 Substitution: Tom Carroll for Benoit Assou-Ekotto:
88 Substitution: Jordan Henderson for Daniel Sturridge:
84 Bale stands over a free-kick from 45 yards. He's going to shoot. Roof of the net.
84 Substitution: Lewis Holtby for Jake Livermore:
83 First Booking: Jamie Carragher:
83 A round of Ring of Fire inside Anfield.
82 GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard nets from the spot by sending Lloris the wrong way.
82 PENALTY: Suarez barged into by Assou-Ekotto. Mike Oliver makes instant decision.
78 @DietmarHamann: Comical defending by Spurs...goal well taken by Downing.
77 Sturridge goes down in the box after a challenge from Vertonghen. Mike Oliver having none of it. Protests aren't too loud.
73 Downing away down the right. Deep cross to the far post, where Sturridge waits. Heads into the side netting. Half of Anfield thought that was in.
71 Sturridge will chase the ball into Tottenham's box. Turns. Brilliant defending from Vertonghen.
70 A Gerrard corner is cleared to the edge of the box where Enrique is waiting to shoot. Wide.
66 GOAL! Stewart Downing: A mis-hit backpass from Kyle Walker gifts Downing a chance, Lloris comes for the ball and misses it completely, and Downing keeps his cool to score in front of the Kop.
64 Liverpool can still get something from this game but they need to shake themselves in this second half. Not got started yet.
60 A powerful shot from distance by Dembele is batted away by Jones.
59 Substitution: Joe Allen for Philippe Coutinho:
57 Bale thunders away from Gerrard and Carragher and produces a superb cross on the run. Sigurdsson shoots from the back post but Jones does well to deflect it wide.
55 First Booking: Jan Vertonghen: A Suarez throughball is handballed but the double goalscorer. Sturridge would have been through on goal but it's only yellow.
53 GOAL! Jan Vertonghen: Liverpool fail to clear another Bale cross, this time a free-kick, and Vertonghen powers a left-foot volley beyond Jones.
52 Defoe with a rare opportunity to shoot but Jones gets his body in the way. The loose ball falls to a Liverpool shirt.
50 Gerrard opens up the Spurs backline with a sidefoot pass into the run of Suarez. So often the Uruguayan would have sprinted at Dawson, but instead he crosses and Sturridge's control lets him down.
50 Gerrard opens up the Spurs backline with a sidefoot pass into the run of Suarez. So often the Uruguayan would have sprinted at Dawson, but instead he crosses and Sturridges control lets him down.
46 SECOND HALF: Liverpool restart the game, attacking the Kop in this second period.
45 For Liverpool, Gerrard has been the most precise – 91.7 per cent of his 24 passes on target.
45 Tottenham had 57.6 per cent of possession in the first half and executed nine shots to Liverpool's seven.
45 @JBcommentator: Spurs look a better side to me with Dembele in the middle, such a good player. Parker looking poor in there to me so far today.
45 HALF-TIME: Both sides had chances in an entertaining first half but the scores are level after a late header from Vertonghen cancelled out Suarez's 22nd league goal of the campaign.
45 @JamesPearceEcho: Vertonghen gets above Johnson to nod home Bale cross. 1-1 on stroke of HT. Poor goal to concede after impressive first half from LFC.
45 GOAL! Jan Vertonghen: Bale's cross is headed into the bottom corner by Vertonghen.
44 The free-kick is floated into Liverpool's box and who is there to head away? Steven Gerrard.
42 Bale goes tumbling after a strong aerial challenge from Gerrard. The skipper won the ball cleanly and is furious with the referee for blowing his whistle. Bale requiring treatment.
41 Altercation between Parker and Suarez after the midfielder leaves his foot in. Mike Oliver takes no action.
39 Super lofted ball forward by Enrique. Sturridge nods it back to Suarez first time. Suarez returns the favour but the England man's subsequent shot is an easy catch for Lloris.
37 Sigurdsson has room the wrap his foot around the ball with a clear sight of Jones. Lashes against the hoardings.
35 Bale takes Enrique one way, then the other. Shoots high and wide. The Kop then compares him unfavourably with Downing in song form.
34 @Simon_Hughes__: If I were a Spurs fan, I'd be concerned by the observation that many of their players appear to have been to the barber ahead of this game.
33 Anfield loves that. Bale finally given space to shoot from open play and he skies it into Row P of the Kop.
32 Crowd go berserk as Dembele manhandles Coutinho and Mike Oliver does nothing about it.
28 Coutinho asking for a penalty after being pulled by Walker in the penalty area.
27 Suarez drills across the box and forces Lloris to palm away.
23 Liverpool might have had a second there, Glen Johnson producing decent footwork in the box only to be stopped in his tracks by Jan Vertonghen.
22 @Petermcdowall10: Enrique did well getting that initial pass under control and then staying on his feet, love a five a side build up, me.
21 29 in all competitions now for Suarez. Coutinho instrumental in that goal too with a delicious pass. What a signing he's proving to be.
21 GOAL! Luis Suarez: Neat throughball from Jose Enrique takes out the Tottenham backline and Suarez pokes underneath Lloris to make it 1-0.
19 Spurs had 58.5 per cent of the early possession. They have forced Liverpool's pressing back now.
14 @paul_tomkins: Decent start by Liverpool. But the ball looked like a cheap plastic toy from that Bale free kick. No proper ball should move like that.
13 @JamesPearceEcho: Unconvincing save from Brad Jones who swats away Bale FK. Prior to that #LFC started the brighter. 13mins gone.
12 Bale skips towards the ball...navigates the wall...Brad Jones just about palms it away.
11 Agger goes to ground to thwart a Dembele surge forward and referee Mike Oliver blows for a free-kick. Danger.
9 @neiljonesecho: Two early sights of goal for Daniel Sturridge. Both caused by good #LFC pressing. First one shanked off target, second one saved by Lloris.
6 Sturridge could be one on one with Lloris here. His touch around the French 'keeper takes him too far. Spurs look messy at the back.
5 Just as I type that, the Brazilian scuffs the ball down the left. Daniel Sturridge then embarks on a lone run and blasts into the Anfield Road End. Ooohs from the home crowd.
4 Bright start by Liverpool. Coutinho already showing some nice touches.
3 Looks like Bale's playing through the middle.
2 Interplay between Sturridge and Suarez almost creates an early opening but Kyle Walker closes the latter down before taking the ball to safety. Good defending.
2 Liverpool start with Coutinho left, Downing right and Suarez behind Sturridge.
1 KICK-OFF: One of the biggest games of the season is underway, Brad Jones defending the Kop goal in this first half.
Pre @carlmarkham: Michael Dawson's spent 5 minutes practising headers - he must be worried by Stewart Downing's aerial prowess after goal last week.
Pre Brendan Rodgers confirms Joe Allen is due to undergo shoulder surgery. Pepe Reina out with a calf problem.
Pre Liverpool legend Steve Nicol's take on today's game: "Liverpool no question create chances. Obviously Suarez is absolutely flying. He and Sturridge have complemented each other: they have created chances together, they've scored goals together. From a Liverpool point of view I don't think it could have gone any better. I think this is going to be a great test for Michael Dawson. We are going to see what he's made of, if he can handle Suarez and Sturridge with the sharpness they have with the ball at their feet."
Pre Glove watch: Among the starters, Sturridge, Suarez and Enrique are the only ones to have covered their hands for the warm-up.
Pre John Achterberg pelting balls at Brad Jones in front of the Kop; those starting are passing in pairs; subs are playing keep-ball.
Pre If Sturridge scores today he will reach five PL goals in fewer games than any other Reds player. Fowler scored his first five in eight games.
Pre @paul_tomkins: Bold team that from Rodgers. Time to see if our great attacking play can get the better of a strong opponent.
Pre Both teams now out warming up.
Pre Spurs team and subs: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Livermore, Sigurdsson, Dembele, Bale, Defoe. Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Caulker, Gallas, Huddlestone, Carroll, Holtby.
Pre LFC subs: Gulacsi, Wisdom, Skrtel, Henderson, Allen, Shelvey, Sterling.
Pre TEAM NEWS: Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez.
Pre Thermal weather in the press box today.
Pre BBC Five Live's @ConorMcNamaraIE: In just 3 games for LFC, Philippe Coutinho has already made more assists in the PL than Gareth Bale has in 24 games this season for THFC.
Pre Supporter @DavidJChalmers on Twitter: Two managers who were staff under 'The Special One'; a good point in the season to see what they're both made of.
Pre Writing his programme notes, Brendan Rodgers had this to say on today's opponents: "Andre Villas-Boas is stamping his personality onto the team and they have outstanding individual players. I know him well as we worked together at Chelsea and it is no surprise to see him making an impact."
Pre Tottenham are aiming to finish third in the top flight for the first time since 1989-90 when they finished behind Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Pre Spurs are unbeaten in 12 Premier League fixtures since their last visit to Merseyside, when they lost 2-1 at Everton on December 10 despite being in front until the 90th minute. It is their longest unbeaten league run since 1984-85 when they went 14 games without losing.
Pre Here is Liverpool fan @StephenODwyer1's take on the Suarez v Bale debate: Suarez all day long. Bale's been good for about 10 games on the bounce. Suarez has done it all year.
Pre @kennethdalglish: Big game at Anfield today. Strongly fancy a home win. A shut out for Pepe. A couple of goals from Luis. 5 star Steven and Cara stopping Bale.
Pre Spurs fan Dave Tickner on what we can expect from the away teamsheet today after Thursday's win over Inter Milan: "Probably fairly similar, to be honest. We've not generally made many changes for the Thursday-Sunday fun that is the Europa League. Lloris will obviously come back into the XI and I'd imagine Dawson will replace Gallas, but that will be it."
Pre Liverpool's last six league wins have seen them score 24 goals without conceding.
Pre If Liverpool win today they will record three league victories in a row - and four in succession in all competitions - under Brendan Rodgers for the first time.
Pre The boss said: "You always prepare for an opponent's danger man and Bale is a phenomenal player but our main focus is on ourselves. When we don't have the ball we need to be organised and tactically strong and then when we have the ball I've got big confidence that we can really hurt teams. I won't worry myself about a particular player and forget everything that's good about our game. Instead I look at areas we can exploit. This is about us and if I am Tottenham they should be thinking: 'Hold on a minute, they've got Luis Suarez - the top goalscorer in the league who can occupy a back four on his own.'"
Pre Brendan Rodgers says Liverpool shouldn't be focusing too heavily on Suarez's rival for Player of the Year, Gareth Bale...
Pre Luis Suarez has scored 28 goals in all competitions this campaign. Only Fernando Torres (with 33 in 2007-08) has reached 30 for the club in the last 16 seasons.
Pre No Liverpool player has scored against Spurs in the last four meetings. The last was Martin Skrtel in November 2010 in a 2-1 away defeat. (Since then the only goal was a Bale own goal).
Pre Liverpool's last victory over Tottenham came in January 2010 when Dirk Kuyt scored twice in a 2-0 win at Anfield. Only four of the 18 players on duty that night are currently at the club - Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Lucas. 12 players have left Anfield permanently while Jay Spearing and Dani Pacheco are out on loan.
Pre If selected, Carra will become only the second man to achieve the milestone after Ian Callaghan (640).
Pre Jamie Carragher is set to make his 500th appearance in the Premier League for Liverpool today.
Pre Stewart Downing on the 2-1 defeat to Spurs in November: "If you ask any of the Tottenham players, they'll tell you we gave them a chasing. We passed it, moved it and created lots of chances. I think that performance probably summed up the first half of our season - playing really well but not finishing teams off. But in the second half of the season we've certainly done that - and hopefully we can do so again on Sunday."
Pre @suso30fernandez: I wont be involved today in the game but good luck to the boys in a important game like this.
Pre @ged0407: Only once before in PL history have LFC scored more goals after 28 games than they have now (53). Scored 56 in 1995-96.
Pre @Realaldo474: I'm going for a cheeky 3-1 win.
Pre The debate will continue to rage about who should be voted Player of the Year but an Opta comparison between Suarez and Bale show the former has more goals, assists, key passes, duels won, recoveries and tackles.
Pre Good news on the injury front for Liverpool as Martin Skrtel and Daniel Sturridge return to full fitness in time for today's game.
Pre Welcome to another match day at Anfield. Follow this page throughout the afternoon for live text commentary on Liverpool versus Tottenham and in-play Opta stats on both teams and every player.




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