2012 ended with a brilliant 3-0 win at QPR which was an indication
of things to come for the remainder of the season; that was goals. January came
with Liverpool doing business in the transfer window signing two players,
Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, both who would go on to prove themselves
to become fans favourites. January saw Liverpool thrashing Sunderland and
Norwich at home 3-0 and 5-0 respectively. However the Reds hadn’t defeated a team
above them in the league all season and it wasn’t going to change either, a 2-2
draw to Arsenal and a 2-1 loss to rivals Manchester United kept the Reds
outside of the European places. Furthermore the FA Cup run was one to forget
too. Liverpool beat non-league side Mansfield 2-1 in the 3rd Round
of the cup which saw Daniel Sturridge scoring on his debut. The winner came
controversially from star man Luis Suarez who was seen using his hand to score,
but the referee didn’t see it and awarded the goal. The curtains closed on Liverpool
as they were eventually knocked out in the next round by League 1 side Oldham
losing 3-2.
In February Liverpool had yet another inconsistent month of
results. First came another 2-2 draw away to Champions, Manchester City, then a
2-0 loss to West Brom at Anfield. If there was any consolation Liverpool did
play brilliantly in those matches which gave them hope. In the next league
fixture against Swansea, Liverpool believed that they have to take their
chances because all season it has been costly and that’s exactly what they did.
They showed no mercy at all towards Swansea City thrashing them 5-0. In the Round
of 32 of the Europa League Liverpool played Russian side, Zenit St. Petersburg.
After losing 2-0 in the 1st leg in Russia the Reds needed a miracle at
Anfield. In the return leg, Luis Suarez, who missed so many chances and could’ve
scored four goals in the 1st leg, was magnificent in the second.
Scoring two brilliant free kicks the Kop felt as if it was going to be another
magic European night at Anfield. It wasn’t to be although they won 3-1
Liverpool bowed out of the cup on the away goals rule and killed off Liverpool’s
chances of silverware that season. This was not only the last European game of
the season but it was Jamie Carragher’s 150th and last European
outing of his long legendary career who earlier in the month announced that
this was going to be his last season as a footballer.
For the remainder of the season Liverpool were only
competing in the league hoping for ‘’the highest possible place on the table’’.
Liverpool beat Wigan 4-0, Aston Villa 2-1 and finally defeated a team in the
top four, Spurs 3-2. The only setback was a 3-1 loss to Southampton at St.Mary’s.
April followed and began with two 0-0 draw’s in a row
against West Ham and Reading. The next fixture was at home to Chelsea, of what
was to be one of Liverpool’s bittersweet matches of the season (For the Match
Report scroll down). Liverpool was losing thanks to Oscar’s header in the first
half but Daniel Sturridge’s half time inclusion changed the match for
Liverpool. He had a point to prove against his former club giving the Chelsea
defence a headache. He of course did score to equalize before Luis Suarez’s
handball gave away a penalty and Eden Hazard coolly slotted it home. Luis Suarez
later in the match was caught by the TV screens to be biting Chelsea’s Branislav
Ivanovic, Suarez didn’t receive a booking but was set to be punished later. On
the 97th minute Suarez who had been Liverpool’s life saver that
season scored an outstanding header to seal a point for Liverpool.
Unfortunately this was to be his last match and goal for the season, due to his
bite on Ivanovic the FA gave him a harsh 10 match ban which will go into the
following season.
The fans now wonder where the goals would come from. That
seems to be no problem since Liverpool went on to thrash Newcastle 6-0 at St. James
Park. The last matches came with nothing
to play for when Liverpool’s European hopes died out and they secured 7th
place when they drew 0-0 in a mediocre Merseyside Derby. Liverpool did continue
to win beating Fulham 3-1 and QPR on the last day 1-0.
This season wasn’t the greatest if you look at the table but
‘Progress’ was made. Yes, there was no silverware and no European qualification
nonetheless Liverpool are beginning to look like a top class team they were in
the past. This season we have seen the team play beautiful football and showing
numerous teams no sympathy. Also outside of the pitch the Truth of Hillsborough
has come out. Liverpool are progressing as a club and Brendan Rodgers is the
right man to bring Liverpool Football Club success again; Rome wasn’t built in
a Day it took Progression.
MY PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Luis Suarez
MY YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Philippe Coutinho
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Stewart Downing/ Jordan
Henderson
GAME OF THE SEASON: Liverpool 3-1 Zenit (Although Liverpool
got knocked out, it was a great European night and the loudest Anfield crowd in
years)
WORST GAME OF THE SEASON: Stoke City 3-1 Liverpool
