What did I miss? II

Computers! Who would have 'em? As I sat down and logged on to my laptop to type up my review of the QPR match last Sunday afternoon everything appeared as normal. I left the room for five minutes and returned to a blank screen and, after trying to turn it on again, found out that my battery was dead. Almost a week later and the new battery finally arrived in the post.

Thankfully, there was not a midweek game otherwise I would have missed two match reports. Now, as is customary (What did I miss?) when I am unable to reach a computer or it goes dead on me, this is a re-cap article to belatedly overview the Reds' previous fixture versus QPR at Anfield and look forward to Liverpool's trip to Villa Park tomorrow lunch time.

Liverpool completely and utterly dominated the first half last Saturday. This was reflected in the statistics. The home side claimed a sizeable 70% of possession, earned 10 corner kicks compared to the visitors’ paltry total of zero and created chance after chance. Maxi and Kuyt shot wide early on, Suarez's centre screamed across the face of goal and Henderson fired off target, before great play from Kuyt sent Maxi bearing down on goal but his attempt to slip the ball beyond Cerny was foiled by the QPR keeper.

Henderson, who had replaced the injured Lucas next to Adam in the centre of midfield, looked at home at the heart of the team while Adam pulled the strings in the middle of the park and was instrumental in orchestrating wave after wave of attack. Meanwhile, Kuyt, Suarez and Maxi were linking up delightfully and threatening QPR's defence regularly. The fact that the diminutive trio seem to connect and play so well together is worrying though for tall striker Andy Carroll, who will struggle to get off the subs' bench at this rate.

Unfortunately, when the whistle went for half time and the scores were still level it appeared destined to end up like our previous matches against promoted sides. Both Norwich and Swansea claimed draws at Anfield thanks to an inspired goalkeeper and profligate finishing from the Reds. Continuing the frustrating pattern, QPR stand-in stopper Radek Cerny was on top form and denied the hosts throughout the first 45, while that cutting edge was seemingly missing from Liverpool's first half performance.

There was widespread relief in Anfield then when Luis Suarez broke the deadlock only a minute after the restart to calm our nerves and reward our dominance. Adam's initial corner kick was blocked but the ball fortunately fell for the former Blackpool playmaker, who crossed to the unmarked Suarez. Leaping to reach the ball, the Uruguayan sent an unstoppable header past Cerny and into the Kop end net.

The Reds proceeded to search for a second to make sure of all three points, however once again Cerny was on top form to keep his side in the contest. Maxi and Kuyt were both denied by the excellent QPR keeper, while Kuyt dragged an effort wide, Johnson shot over and Agger saw his strike blocked by a defender.

After failing to double their lead, the Reds withdrew into their shell for the final 15 minutes and the momentum of the match swung in favour of the away side. Reina, who had remained a virtual spectator, was finally called into action as he had to punch clear from underneath his own cross bar following an ambitious and audacious corner kick from scouse footballer turned philosopher Joey Barton. Shaun Wright-Phillips then struck over the bar, before inadvertently turning substitute Craig Bellamy's cross against his own cross bar in the dying moments, as he narrowly avoided scoring a spectacular own goal.

Overall, despite irritatingly taking too long to take the lead and failing to extend it further once the deadlock had been broken, Liverpool could be satisfied with a domineering display of free-flowing, attacking football and three points in the proverbial bank. The fact that Suarez grabbed the headlines for the right reasons was also a positive.

Liverpool now face Midlanders Aston Villa tomorrow lunchtime with confidence high as a result of their impressive away form so far this season. The Reds may have struggled to break a stifling run of draws at home, however on the road they have claimed four victories, with only the Manchester sides and Tottenham winning more matches away from home.

Villa, meanwhile, are seemingly floundering under manager Alex McLeish. After controversially arriving from the Villains' relegated local rivals Birmingham City in the summer, McLeish has presided over a slow start at his new club. Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers was most welcome after a run of only one win in seven matches, however beating Bolton, who prop up the Premier League table following a calamitous beginning to the campaign, is hardly a noteworthy achievement.

I predict a close and competitive clash and either a draw or a narrow victory for the vistors.

What are the odds on Stewart Downing scoring the winner with his first goal for his new club coming against his former employers?

YNWA