Suarez secures a point versus Villa

Luis Suarez ended the Reds' recent run of League defeats and secured a point for Liverpool at home to fellow strugglers Aston Villa yesterday. Chris Herd exploited a goalkeeping error from stand-in stopper Alexander Doni to hand the Villains an early lead, but the hosts dominated the rest of the match, creating numerous chances and having several legitimate penalty appeals ignored by referee Michael Oliver. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Suarez nodded home to grab an equaliser but there wasn't enough time for Dalglish's men to clinch the winner their performance arguably merited.

The main team news was that Pepe Reina's impressive run of 183 consecutive League appearances came to an end due to suspension, with former AS Roma keeper Doni handed his competitive debut for the first team. Meanwhile, Andy Carroll dropped to the bench as Dirk Kuyt partnered Luis Suarez up front for the Merseysiders.

After a minute's silence for the 96 Liverpool supporters who tragically lost their lives at the Hillsborough disaster 23 years ago, Aston Villa began the match the better and took the lead after only 10 minutes had been played. Doni flapped at a cross under pressure from Heskey and the ball fell for Chris Herd to hit a fine strike into the top left hand corner from the edge of the area.

Doni was culpable for failing to deal with the cross but there was nothing he could do to prevent Herd's beautiful shot finding the back of the net.

It was simply a top-quality strike from the 23-year old Aussie, who was involved in a controversial incident at the other end of the pitch only moments later. Shelvey slipped Suarez through and the number 7 attempted to cut the ball back from the by-line but his pullback was blocked by Herd's arm. The penalty appeals were loud and justified yet unfortunately they fell on deaf ears.

Liverpool continued their positive response to falling behind, as Skrtel nodded Gerrard's cross wide of goal after the skipper had fired wide of target himself. Five minutes before the break Suarez had another penalty shout unfairly dismissed by the referee. The influential Uruguayan cut in from the left hand side and exchanged passes cleverly with Kuyt before going down under a challenge from Hutton. The former Spurs full back missed the ball and clearly connected with Suarez yet no spot kick was awarded, perhaps due to Suarez's reputation as a play-actor.

The officials certainly weren't helping Liverpool's cause, but they weren't helping themselves at points either. On the stroke of half time, Gerrard's drilled shot flashed across the face of goal and found Kuyt at the far post. Astonishingly, the Dutchman somehow contrived to miss an open goal from three yards out. It was an embarrassing miss and one that betrayed Kuyt's lack of confidence and form, largely due to long spells on the bench.

Frustration was the overwhelming emotion inside Anfield at the interval, as has been the case far too many times this campaign. Nevertheless, the home side came out for the second period and persistently attacked their opponent's goal, carving out two gilt-edged opportunities soon after the restart.

First, Gerrard's superb whipped right wing cross was headed goalwards by Suarez. The Reds' arch enemy the woodwork denied them an equaliser at first before their other old foe, on-form goalkeepers, kept them out as Given made an amazing acrobatic save to clear off the line. Captain fantastic Steven Gerrard, who did everything bar score for the hosts yesterday, then back heeled the ball to Kuyt but the number 18's poor form in front of goal continued as he shot wide when well placed.

After the legend that is Emile Heskey was replaced by Gary Gardner, Kenny Dalglish made a double substitution in an attempt to stimulate a sustained push for an equaliser and possible winner as well. Carroll replaced Downing and Shelvey was swapped for Bellamy, and the Welsh striker was instantly involved in the action, dragging a shot wide and then seeing Eric Lichaj handle the ball in the box after Kuyt had chested down his cross. Unfortunately the referee was giving us nothing and refused to award a spot kick yet again.

Not to be denied, the Reds continued to search for that elusive equaliser and, after Bellamy's shot had clipped the cross bar, Suarez finally found the back of the net. There was a goalmouth scramble after Agger's header had hit the bar, which ended in Suarez nodding home his thirteenth goal of the season from point blank range.

With what little time there was left to press for a winner, Liverpool bombarded Given's goal. Carroll headed straight at the former Newcastle keeper when had he directed the ball either side of him he would have been the hero.

In injury time, Villa held on by the skin of their proverbial teeth, somehow scrambling the ball clear after several shots inside the box in front of Kopites desperate to witness a long awaited victory. Unfortunately, the win didn't materialise and the hosts had to settle for an ultimately disappointing point.

I can't help thinking that had we grabbed an equaliser earlier on then, with the momentum garnered and confidence growing, we would have gone on to secure all three much-needed points. It was a familiar story, though, as the Reds pushed hard for the win and performed well but were denied by a combination of the woodwork, the opposition's keeper and poor finishing in front of goal.

As supporters, all we can do is be patient and keep on backing the team to the hilt and, hopefully, our form and luck will turn and we'll hit the winning trail once again.

Happy Easter!

YNWA