Another game, another dramatic ending. Today Liverpool faced a Swansea side who is sitting near the bottom of the table. The game seemed to be in Liverpool's hands right from the start with an early goal in the third minute.
It was a beautiful pass from Sterling with outside of his foot, guiding Sturridge in on goal. Sturridge being the world class striker he is, easily maneuvers around the goalie and scores on an open net. Three minutes in, Liverpool already up 1-0.
Liverpool were in control for much of the first half. It only took until the twentieth minute to double their tally. With Sturridge handling the ball well down the right flank of the pitch, he eases past the Swansea defense and finds an open Jordan Henderson who is waiting at the top of the box. Henderson takes a great touch and beautifully places the ball in the top left corner of the goal, with the goalie not even making a single motion. Liverpool 2-0 in the twentieth minute.
Just three minutes later as it seemed Liverpool were going to run away with the game, Dyer passes the ball with some pace to the former Liverpool man, Jonjo Shelvey, who does the rest. Shelvey one times Dyer's pass incredibly off the right side of the cross bar and in. Shelvey didn't celebrate in respect to his former club. The game was now 2-1 and Swansea gained motivation.
The Shelvey goal certainly changed the game for Swansea as they were constantly threatening the Liverpool goal. Needless to say, Liverpool's defense looked very sloppy throughout the match. Liverpool conceded a free kick about thirty yards out. De Guzman placed a very nice ball into the center of the Liverpool box and Bony Wilfried headed it home off Skrtel's shoulder. It very well could have been Skrtel's third own goal this season. The equalizer in the twenty fifth minute did not dishearten Liverpool.
Liverpool's offense never stopped pushing for goals. Just before halftime, a quiet Luis Suarez receives the ball along the left side of the box and delivers a perfect pass to Sturridge, who heads it upper ninety for his second goal of the match. This assist for Suarez has now tied him for most in the league. Most goals, most assists, what more could you want from a world class striker. Liverpool 3 Swansea 2 at the half.
You would think Liverpool's goal before the halftime whistle would carry them to success into the second half, but this was not the case. Just one minute into the second half, Skrtel nearly bear hugged Bony in the box, causing the Referee Mike Jones to sound his whistle and give the penalty. Skrtel was already having a bad game with the yellow card and near own goal and now he has let up a penalty. Skrtel has been getting away with his jersey pulling and hacking in the box all season; he was bound to get caught. The victim Bony was summoned to take the penalty. Bony stepped up and delivered a fine shot to the left hand side of the goal to equalize. Mignolet went the right way, but Bony's shot was too much for Mignolet to handle.
At this point in the match, most Liverpool fans began to feel a sense of deja vu between last weeks match vs Fulham and a 5-3 victory over Stoke a few weeks back.
The second half was fairly even with both sides threatening each other's nets. It took until the seventy fifth minute for the breakthrough to occur. An unbelievable ball from Gerrard to Suarez who takes it cooly off his chest, fires a shot which got blocked and then Henderson followed it up to knock in the game winner. Liverpool 4 Swansea 3.
Henderson has undoubtedly been Liverpool's most improved player of the season. A brace in today's match, and his consistent form has given him his label. Henderson deserved MOTM and today's victory gives Liverpool a huge boost with Spurs loosing to Norwich.
I believe Liverpool can push for the title if they solidify their defense. Six points ahead of Fifth, Liverpool have some breathing room to maintain their champions league spot. Strive for three points week in and week out. YWNA!
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