Luis Suarez: Red-hot Uruguayan steals the show against the Latics
Top of the match:
Luis Suarez
Flop of the match:
Arouna Kone
After the shock Europa league exit a week ago, Liverpool posted a commanding 4-0 victory at DW stadium on Saturday night. Downing’s opener followed by Suarez’s hat-trick earned a comfortable 3 points for the visiting side.
Reading’s loss at Goodison Park had left something for the Latics’ to cheer about as they stood level on points with Aston Villa in 16th position; the latter play the 2nd placed Manchester City tomorrow.
Roberto Martinez played the same team which had beaten Reading in the last match day, whereas Brendan Rodgers made a single change in his side which thrashed Swansea, 5-0 couple of weeks ago – Joe Allen replacing the unavailable Daniel Sturridge.
Plenty of action had occurred in the opening two minutes of the game – Boyce’s cross from the left found the unmarked Kone, whose weak shot was saved by Liverpool’s long-time Spanish custodian Pepe Reina. Soon after Kone’s miss, there followed the Liverpool’s counter. Phillipe Coutinho, with his spectacular skills, got past Boyce and his cross from the left found the unmarked Downing who headed perfectly past a helpless Al Habsi.
16 minutes later, Coutinho’s skills came to the fore once again. Skipping past Maloney, the 20-year old Brazilian’s through ball found Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake in putting the ball beyond Al Habsi’s reach to earn the Reds’ their second of the night.
When Liverpool were leading 2-0 twenty minutes after the kick-off, a golden chance was handed to Wigan to pull one back. But Boyce’s powerful volley was beautifully saved by Pepe Reina. Moments later, an unnecessary clash between Boyce and McArthur occurred as the latter’s foolish back pass went to the legs of Suarez, who failed to pounce on the error.
Minutes later, though, Luis Suarez was fouled near the edge of the box and the Uruguayan stepped forward to earn his second through a deflected free-kick which found the right corner of the net.
Moments later, after Liverpool’s third goal, Beausejour’s cross found the Argentine Di Santo whose powerful header from 8-yards out was saved by the Liverpool goalie. During the closing stages of the first half, Wigan were given a free-kick near the edge of the area. Once again, Reina made a spectacular save with his right hand to deny Beausejour’s powerfully struck free-kick.
Wigan’s condition went from bad to worse soon after the second half kick-off. Glenn Johnson dribbled the ball past 3 defenders brilliantly near the centre line to break Suarez loose. The former Ajax man completed his hat-trick with a finely executed shot which struck the inner side of the net and through the legs of a bemused Al Habsi.
At around the 70 minute mark, Enrique’s mistake left the substitute McManaman free and the midfielders beautiful cross was shot just wide by McCarthy. No dangerous attacks came through either side after McCarthy’s shot and Liverpool gained a well deserved 3 points.
Follow Raghu on Twitter @Crazy_LFC_Fan
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