Matchday: Liverpool v. Tottenham

Spurs defended very well and Parker was just unbelievable for me, so there's no shame in this draw. Two good sides both defended very well. That said, Liverpool could've won it, Carroll and Suarez both had sitters. It's been our problem all season and it's likely it will cost us in our push for fourth place.

Hang in there.  It's the last 10 games that makes the difference. Lots of top sides playing each other, and we've got the pleasant distraction of cup games too.

We can still get there, especially as Suarez gets his match sharpness sorted out.

I am so fucking sick of the media bias against our club. Just read a headline that says: '

The Reds slumped to their eighth draw at Anfield this season in the Premier League against a resilient Spurs side who, without manager Harry Redknapp, keep their title hopes alive'. This against a side we outplayed, who created one single chance against us, who is ranked 3rd in the table... hardly seems like a just line.. makes me sick.

At least you have the Ref wearing red. Unbelievable two footed, studs up, let's break a leg, but I won the ball Ref shocking tackle and no red card for Skirtle. As for Suarez well he obviously did not mean to kick Scott Parker in the stomach, well he's innocent as usual!!!!!!!!!!! Boring Boring Liverpool

Thanks for that lucid insight carljones19....your mob park the bus and its LFC that's boring? Don't hurry back now, y'hear...?

It's laughable isn't it!

Although 8 draws at home, particularly looking at who we've drawn against could be considered a slump! The one mtch against Spurs was no slump though...

Pace, flair, creativity and finishing needed in the final third - two transfers in the summer along the lines of these players: Gaston Ramirez, Marko Marin, Andriy Yarmolenko, Eduardo Vargas, Jeremy Menez, Jordan Ayew, Sekou Oliseh

All able to play left or right wing, as a striker or behind a main striker.

Not taking anything away from kuyt or Bellamy when they're deployed as wide forwards/wingers but its' these types of versatile attackers I believe we're missing. There's less pressure on the main forward to score because these guys would be such a goal threat too.

We definitely need some reinforcements in the Summer, but from what I've seen of Raheem Sterling I reckon he's ready to make the step up from the reserves next season. Lightning fast, amazing dribbler, can score a goal and won't cost a penny. 

Physically??

He still looks like a boy...

and the pressure of being the attacking crux of the team cuase we've got no-one else who can do a similar job...  too much for him I'd say.

Good call. We are crying out for a creative player who can score a few as well.

Downing ?

Jokes.

I'm laughing, but it's painfull!

Liverpool now have the worst chance conversion rate in the league.

Thats not good. Chance creation stats may look good, but if the quality of the cghance created is of low quality or the finish is low quality, then there's still more work to do...

Agreed, some of the chances in those stats are likely barely plausible. But it's never great when the entire league is better than you at something.

Suarez won't even be playing against Utd. That kick was deliberate. sorry guys. He'll be having a 3 match ban.

It won't be a ban, the rule is if the referee did NOT see the incident the FA can intervene.  The referee clearly saw it as Suarez was booked.  Now, not saying the FA won't make a special dispensation for us...

It was a little cheeky and stupid, but I think he'll get off.

Do you work for the FA?

On a positive note...Carroll looked very good. First touch, movement, flick on. Must be getting his confidence back. The only thing that was lacking from him today is goal.

I'm probably Carroll's biggest critic but even I've gotta admit he's turned a corner. Still. His miss was a sitter and he should've taken it.

You can forgive a bit of a confidence issue if many of the other component parts of his game are there; which it looks like many of them are coming together.

Let's not forget he's not the only wasteful player in front of goal tonite.

No, no, I know. His all round game was infinitely better. He's developed a first touch out of nowhere. If he keeps going the way he is the goals will come. 

Yeah..he develops its out of nowhere. I'm shocked, but happy.

Good tough game - draw very normal against a really good team. I thought Carroll was MOTM for us, he looks different last two games, more mobile and aggressive.

I get that Spurs are a great side, but they were there for the taking.

Not a great side, a good side. They are in 3rd more because ourselves, Chelski and Arsenal have dropped the ball.

yeah, and we nearly did.  But they came to do a defending job and hope to steal a goal.  They crowded anything in the area and blocked most things.

We had parker pushed back to their defence line most of the game.

It's just what's happening this season.  We must be patient.

Great to see Suarez back and Skrtel was magnificent tonight. But, still the overiding feeling is frustration. There is just too much mediocrity still hanging around the club.

When Downing came on was there anyone who thought he would contribute anything?

Still It will be great seeing Suarez get his comeback winning goal at the Old toilet this weekend  :)

Downing was absolutely anonymous. Brought nothing to the game. 

Are you talking about this game, or his last? Or the one before that and that etc, etc!

Gonna go to sleep now before I break something

Pretty frustrating. Thought we'd get a winner; that freakin header was close. Hopefully we'll be ready come Saturday morning. 

Oh - would add that Darke and Macca were not wrong to label our crossing "atrocious." 

...............................................................................

EIGHT FUCKING HOME DRAWS. I want to smash everything in my vicinity. Fuck.

Oh, is it 8? Even better!

Indeed. We've bossed the play during most of those draws too.

soooo frustrating!! The home draws are just a cruel joke at this point. Truth is Liverpool are too hesitant in front of goal and most times they just didn't have enough players in the spurs box.

big improvement on our last game against spurs though.

7 draws out of 9 games. This is fucking ridiculous.

Why, OH WHY did we not buy Scott Parker.

I once read on Twitter (I know, the bastion of credibility) that he wouldn't have left London anyway.

Yeah he's a machine. But common, Lucas is one of our best players and is six years younger than the man. He'll be better than Parker as he matures.

Fully fit Lucas IS better than Scott Parker.

one word. Lucas

Thank you, Sopcast. At least gonna see injury time clearly. 

sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/106723

Fuck this season's finishing.

don't get me wrong I feel it, but Friedel has played very well.

FUCKING HELL, STOP IT, LIVERPOOL

My stream is killing all my Suarez-related giddyness

Due to seeing us dominate the game and then be shit at finishing?

Not even seeing that, just a slideshow with staccato commenting in between. Then every now and a again giving up and making me click "Play" again.

yeah, that's pretty infuriating.  Bale got a free run on Reina once on 85mins but shot was saved fortunately.

Carroll had 2 or 3 chances but didn't finish, Suarez one clear header but straight at Friedel. Free kicks against the wall. 

Spurs blocking everything, like they do.  

I think we could have played a whole nother 90 and not got a goal.

Suarez definitely a little rusty, still dangerous but not the little dynamo that's discovered perpetual motion.  I think that's why Kenny didn't play him from the start, could see he needs some games to raise his level again.

ManUre is gonna be tough, they've got Rooney, Young, Wellbeck and Hernandez all back and Rio too so won't be as toothless as the cup game.

KO's Scott Parker with an attempted volley. Totally accidental but I'm enjoying it way too much! LUUUUUIS SUAAAAAAAREZZZZ!!

SUAREZZZZZ!!! ALMOST SCORES WITHIN 5 SECONDS! I love this kid.

Only Liverpool FC could get away with it! If this was Man utd or Arsenal you would not have heard the last of it!!!!!! Shocking tackles by Skirtle and Suarez. Skirtle cud have broken Bales leg. He won the ball!!!! Two footed and studs up. Bloody typical hypocritical Lfc supporters.

Suarez for Kuyt.. interesting. How has spearing been fairing defensively?

Spearing....like a bull

i had a chuckle watching wee Jay go up for a header against Adebayor... and Agger's a boss

Suarez is coming..

We are all counting down the minutes till Suarez comes on and gets the winner!

Or until Downing comes on and scores a hat trick ;)

We would be counting down the centuries till that!!!!!!!   ;)

We look pretty good. Carroll's movement's been okay. I like our chances. Gerrard's been best player on pitch by far. Wouldn't mind a double sub in the near future: Luis for Kuyt and Hendo for Adam.

Spurs are pretty comfortable containing us, but we've not done badly.  Fought well, closed them down.
If 'arry's made it there, he'll be telling them to push up on us see if they can wrestle control.  

They're likely happy with a draw but will hope for a Bale finish.

Not sure what to say about us.

From the commentary at LFC.tv it sounds like things are pretty even or even slightly in our favor.  Gamecast from espn indicates it's pretty even.. big difference from last time.  Look for Suarez in the 55th or so..

Very even, Parker the difference for Spurs, not much for them in attack. Liverpool good but nothing to finish, no real chances for either.

We are crying for creativity right now. The determination and desire is there. SUAREZZZZ!!!

Fucking mobile network or cell network depending on where you at in the world is shitting me what the fuck is going on in this match?

And who do I pester so that Liverpool stops playing these weekday night matches?

Carroll... Jesus shit, man

Does that mean he scored?

No, that means he was fed a quality ball, his first touch was uncharacteristically beautiful, then fell flat on his ass.

I admire your optimism though. It has been quite even, either side could take it this second half. Kuyt's gotta stay on for the full 90, he's the reason Bale's been quiet this first half. Who Suarez comes on for, that's the question... I'd rather take off Carroll than Bellamy.

He may have shocked himself with his first touch...But no thats mean...i have faith in Carroll to score the winner my good man...

Skrtel...like a boss

Holy shit that was close

Come on Liverpool!!!!!!!!!

CMON YOU REDS!!

Kenny wants service into front men hence Adam to release the others perhaps from deep.  And it might be a good thing.

He's going to be given a problem with a marauding Krancar and Bale though which I don't think he'll deal well with.

But it's still an attacking formation so that is the encouraging thing.  There's no hanging back.  Might mean we get cut to pieces, or we might prove to be too dangerous for spurs.

Here's hopping.

Okay, moratorium on Charlie Adam disaster talk, at least until he punctures someone's lung with a high boot. Trying to channel LSD from a few weeks ago in getting behind everyone regardless of preference.

Agree. Positive thinking

Fair enough. 

C'MON YOU REDS.

YNWA. 

Reporter: No Enrique tonight, where is he?
Kenny: He's over there.
God I love that guy.

taking bets on who adam tackles to earn his red card. odds on favorites are modric followed by bale.

i mean... did anyone really think Adam wasn't going to start? it was always wishful thinking, we're gonna have to win despite him

I'd like to suggest a new drinking game: a shot for every horrific tackle Adam attempts...objective: be standing after one half is completed.

I figured it'd be more of a Spearing--Gerrard with Adam kinda behind carroll..Just my thoughts.

Yeah, that's what I had it as earlier, then changed it, so who knows. Will try to update it once there's a clearer picture of what we'll see.

Redknapp isn't going to make it to Anfield tonight; it might be pretty interesting to see how that changes the Spurs team performance.

where did you find that team sheet?

LFC website has them up about an hour before the game starts.

Twitter usually blows up with teamsheets about an hour before any game.

Everywhere.

But if you're talking formation, it's a guess.

where is jose enrique??? i mean he isnt even on the bench is he OK?

See above (or below) comment--rumored hamstring injury.

Why Charlie Adam? Are we just hoping he breaks Gareth Bale's leg again??

Truly disheartened to see Adam in the starting XI.  Being that I was born and raised in Philadelphia I am prone to bouts of irrational sports-related depression, but I have this feeling that Adam is going to cost us dearly today.  
Hope I am wrong....

Ed, are you just hoping that Adam is further forwards than Gerrard?

Yep, but then 4141 made more sense. Either way hoping Adam isn't relied upon to be responsible defensively.

Charlie will wipe a few guys out just because. It's almost irrelevant what Kenny has tasked him with.