Dalglish made five changes to the side that defeated Manchester United on the weekend. Steven Gerrard was excluded from the matchday squad with a slight knock while Carragher dropped to the bench and Spearing partnered Charlie Adam in the centre of midfield. Dirk Kuyt was also afforded an opportunity in the starting eleven after bagging the winner as a substitute against United.
The Dutchman almost immediately added to his goalscoring tally. Three minutes after the kick-off Carroll's knock down from Bellamy's cross caused havoc in the Wolves box, Kuyt nearly taking advantage of the situation to give the visitors an early lead and confirm their dominance but unfortunately he couldn't manage to turn the ball home from close range.
Michael Kightly and David Edwards then combined twice in two minutes for the home side, the latter hooking the former's delivery goalwards and being denied by Reina before Kightly was provider once again, Edwards heading harmlessly over from the 26-year old's set piece.
The Reds began to place more pressure on their hosts from that point on, though, with only a sprawling stop from Hennessey preventing Agger from opening the scoring with a header similar to that which gave Liverpool the lead in their previous match at home to United. Adam then scuffed wide when well placed before seeing his penalty appeals rejected by referee Taylor after he went down under a challenge from Arsenal loanee Emmanuel Frimpong.
Craig Bellamy, who was Liverpool's greatest attacking threat throughout, curled a free kick goalwards that Hennessey did well to stop and Henderson's low strike was held by the keeper before the break. Sandwiched inbetween, the lively Kightly volleyed inches wide after exchanging passes with Fletcher, reminding the Reds that their control of the contest hadn't yet translated into goals and the hosts could unlock the visitors’ defence on occasion.
Thankfully, though, the Merseysiders' came out of the blocks quicker for the second period and tall Geordie striker Andy Carroll secured the lead seven minutes after the restart. The number nine was involved in starting and finishing the move. His headed clearance from a Wolves corner sparked a counter-attack that culminated in Adam's precise cross finding Carroll unmarked at the back post. He beat the keeper with a smart finish and then wheeled off in celebration in front of the jubilant travelling Kop.
It was pleasing to see Carroll building on his hardworking display against United and bagging his fifth goal of the campaign. He finally appears to be regaining some semblance of the form that led Dalglish to splurge £35 million on him a year ago last night and, with Suarez due back soon, maybe the Reds can begin to improve their goal difference of +7. Nevertheless, his form still leaves a lot to be desired, particularly considering the gargantuan fee paid to secure his signature.Conversely, teammate Craig Bellamy has instantly hit top form after returning to Anfield for a second spell on a free transfer in the summer. On the hour mark, the prolific Welsh striker scored his ninth of the season, equalling the total he managed when he was last at the club in 2006/2007 and taking him top of the Reds' goalscoring chart. Collecting Spearing's pass deep inside the Wolves half, Bellamy was allowed plenty of time and space to accelerate up the left flank and cut inside onto the edge of the box, where he slid a low shot into the bottom corner. Hennessey got a hand to the ball but was unable to prevent Bellamy doubling Liverpool's lead. He should have done better but the Reds couldn't have cared less.
Dalglish's men were in complete control for the rest of the match and created several goalscoring chances. Adam acrobatically volleyed Henderson's cross over before Agger headed just off target from Bellamy's corner. Hennessey then produced a top quality save to turn a deflected Kuyt strike over the bar but the number 18 was not to be denied his 50th League goal for Liverpool.With 12 minutes remaining Enrique initiated a rapid counter-attack, which resulted in Kuyt playing a one-two with Adam and drilling home from a tight angle to net the Reds' third goal and secure all three points.
It was a momentous strike not only because it marked a half century of Premier League goals for Kuyt, but also because it was the Reds' 500th League goal under Dalglish's management and their 700th in all competitions with the King in charge. Perhaps more importantly, it signals a return to form for Kuyt, who has struggled to hold down a starting place so far this season. At 31, he is hardly a solution either up front or on the right wing for the long-term, but he can certainly do a more than adequate job and works tirelessly for the team. His recent improvement can only be a good thing.Carragher came on in place of Agger 10 minutes from time, taking him third in the club's all time appearance list, overtaking the legendary Emlyn Hughes. Carra may struggle to break the next record, though, considering the encouraging partnership developing between Skrtel and Agger, which gleaned another clean sheet last night. However, that sheet was nearly spoiled five minutes from time when Sylvan Ebanks Blake saw his stunning effort at goal from distance beat Reina all ends up. Fortunately, it thumped the post and the final whistle blew soon after.
The statistics proved Liverpool's dominance. The away side claimed a chunky 58% of possession and had a sizeable 14 attempts on target, compared to only one shot on goal from Wolves, who remain in the relegation zone following their sixth defeat in a winless streak stretching back to the beginning of December. The Reds, on the other hand, have won three on the trot and head into Monday evening's match at home to Tottenham Hotspur confident of competing with the title contenders.
Harry Redknapp's side are in top form despite their manager's court trial regarding dodgy brown envelopes and will pose a serious threat. Nevertheless, if Liverpool can maintain the form that has seen them beat two other teams in the title race (City and United) then another impressive win is by no means out of the question.
YNWA
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