Many expected club captain Steven Gerrard to return to the starting line-up after being used as a second half substitute in midweek, however Dalglish decided to remain wisely cautious over the skipper's fitness, giving him a seat on the bench alongside Craig Bellamy, who was man of the match against Brighton in many pundits' opinion. Meanwhile, Skrtel and Adam returned from suspension, the former returning to his preferred centre back role and the latter partnering Lucas in the middle. Tall target man Andy Carroll was handed a chance to quieten his critics as he began next to the on-form Suarez up front.
The game proceeded in a similar pattern to our previous outing in the Carling Cup, with the Reds dominating the first period and netting early but failing to kill off their opponents and allowing them back into the match during the second 45. Unusually though, Liverpool benefited from a slice of good fortune for once when, after eleven minutes, Adam's long-range shot was deflected into his own net by Roger Johnson, who, in the build up the opener, had been unbalanced by a nudge from Andy Carroll.
Carroll continued to influence the game, heading Downing's corner into the arms of Wayne Hennessey before delivering an inviting left wing cross into the danger area, where Suarez was inches away from sliding in and diverting the ball past the keeper and into the Anfield Road net. Meanwhile, at the other end his important header cleared away a dangerous cross.
Whether offensively or defensively, legally or illegally, it was encouraging to see Carroll involved in the action and worrying the Wolves defence and, although he may not have returned to form just yet, the signs from his performance yesterday are promising.
He was outdone though by Suarez, who doubled the hosts' lead seven minutes before the interval with a moment of magic to savour. The Uruguayan striker latched hungrily onto Enrique's excellent pass and then turned Berra inside out before firing home at the near post from close range. It was a simply sublime finish from the diminutive number seven, who almost grabbed a second as he stabbed wide on the stroke of half time.
The passionate and opinionated Wolves' boss Mick McCarthy must have been infuriated by his team's first half display, and responded by making two substitutions and reverting to a 4-4-2 formation. His bold and risky move was rewarded only four minutes after the break as substitute Steven Fletcher made an instant impact, turning home Hunt's cross from eight yards.
Although Liverpool reacted immediately, Hennessey making an outstanding block to deny Suarez and Carroll crashing a header against the woodwork, Wolves remained in the ascendancy and applied pressure on their hosts. Former Spurs' midfielder Jamie O'Hara shot over the bar from the edge of the box while Fletcher beat Reina in the air and headed wide, only moments after an almighty goalmouth scramble had frightened the home side.
After weathering the storm, the Merseysiders began to regain control of the contest, Lucas shaving the base of the post from Carroll's lay off and Suarez heading over the bar before being replaced by Gerrard, who received a typically raucous reception from the Anfield faithful. Suarez wasn't quite as happy as the masses though, angrily kicking a water bottle as he took his place in the dug out to, I suspect, the delight of Dalglish, who will be seeking similar desire from his teammates.
Gerrard almost made the headlines with a late strike that arced just over Hennessey's cross bar from 25 yards. The fairytale return wasn't to be but, nevertheless, the Reds held out for all three points and, with key players regaining form and fitness, will head into next weekend's Merseyside derby with renewed confidence.
YNWA
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