An inspired Liverpool comeback ended in disappointment on a cold European night at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1 on the night, but bowed out through the away goal to Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg. Hulk’s left foot finish was followed by two magnificent Suarez free kicks and a rare goal for Joe Allen in what was a great team performance by Liverpool.
Liverpool had it all to do at Anfield after losing 2-0 away in Russia, with Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho both cup tied, it was an incredibly tough task. The tough became the near impossible in the 19th minute. After a great start by Liverpool, a miss hit back pass by Jamie Carragher landed right at the feet of Brazilian international Hulk, who sped through to Reina’s goal and calmly slotted inside the near post. Never a club to quit; Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure buoyed by brilliant atmosphere inside Anfield. They were rewarded in the 28th minute by Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan smashing home a close range free kick after Daniel Agger was brought down on a bombarding run that started off inside Liverpool’s half. With the roar of the Anfield faithful behind them, Liverpool continued a high pressure assault on the visitors in search for another goal, before half time, and got it with Joe Allen bundling in from close range after a tidy one two between Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique.
The second half started with much the same from the home side, intense pressure and slick interplay. A penalty claim was waved off by referee Bjorn Kuiepers after a clear hand ball by a Zenit defender, the pressure continued and the home side were rewarded with another goal. Luis Suarez added his 24th goal of this term, another contender for Liverpool’s goal of the season, with a free kick that can only be described as world-class. Liverpool’s talisman bent the ball around the wall and inside the top corner of Zenit’s goal, in front of the ecstatic Kop. Liverpool continued to press on in search of a winner, the Anfield crowd roaring them on and Steven Gerrard almost grabbed it with a volleyed effort which Zenit’s keeper did well to keep out. A fourth goal was not to be; Zenit won the tie through the away goal rule and advanced to the last 16 to face FC Basel. Liverpool showed tremendous fight and passion to put themselves in a position to win, Luis Suarez almost single-handedly stole the show with some spectacular goals and was clearly distraught at the final whistle. More performances like this from Liverpool will ensure a strong finish in the league and possible European football next year, be it Champions League or Europa League.
Player Ratings
Liverpool;
Pepe Reina: 7/10
Glen Johnson: 6/10
Jamie Carragher: 6/10
Daniel Agger: 8/10
Jose Enrique: 8/10
Lucas Leiva: 8/10
Jordan Henderson: 6/10
Joe Allen: 7/10
Steven Gerrard: 7/10
Luis Suarez:9/10 Man Of The Match
Stewart Downing: 6/10
Subs
Jonjo Shelvey: 5/10
Raheem Sterling: 6/10
Oussama Assaidi: 7/10
Zenit
Vyacheslav Malayeef: 4/10
Alexander Anyukov: 6/10
Neto: 4/10
Nicolas Lombaerts: 4/10
Tomas Hubocan: 6/10
Roman Shirokov: 4/10
Sergey Semak: 5/10
Danny: 6/10
Axel Witsel: 7/10
Igor Denisov: 4/10
Hulk:7/10
Subs
Viktor Faizulan: 6/10
Domenico Criscito: 6/10
Milan Rodic: N/A
