The Reds had to come from behind to win a point against Aston Villa at Anfield. On another frustrating afternoon at Anfield we didn't play particularly well for me and once again after conceding we looked utterly deflated. What exactly is wrong in the side I don't know but to a man they don't look like they know how to pull themselves back in to a game. We did dominate possession and territory but in that final third we just lacked anything and until we scored there looked to be no life on the side - then suddenly it was all hell for leather as we tried to win it in the final eight minutes.
The Reds came out at Anfield on a bright afternoon with Doni stepping in to make his debut. Prior to kick off the two sides joined together to remember the 96 Reds who went to cheer the boys on and never came home. They will always be with us in our memories and one day they will be given the justice they rightly deserve. The start of the silence was nearly marred by a Villa fan but he was rightly shouted down and the ground fell silent.
The game kicked off with the Reds defending the Kop in the first half and it started looking like it was Gerrard supporting Suarez up front with Kuyt pushed wide which left Henderson and Shelvey in midfield.
The Reds started the game reasonably well without looking superb but it was Villa who took the lead after just ten minutes. On seven minutes the Reds had gone close with Kuyt but his shot was cleared by Given on the line.
The goal came down their left as Warnock beat Flanagan to a bouncing ball and left him behind. The former Red had capitalised on some dithering by Flanagan and he crossed to the back post. Doni tried to get to the ball but could only flap it out and Bannan then set up Herd who shot past Doni in tot he Kop goal.
The goal was well taken but at least coming so early we had time to react to it and Suarez was one of the few players who wanted to get us straight back on level terms. He claimed a penalty straight after their goal for hand ball but it was waved away by the ref.
The main problem for the Reds was that the longer we went without scoring the less likely we looked like creating the chance. As the bloke on front said we were playing as eleven individuals not as one team. The shape and desire just seemed missing and we were really struggling to get it together and as always we end up looking to one player and he's our captain but even he seemed subdued.
On thirty eight minutes the Reds had a penalty claim again when Suarez jinked his way in to the box but as he and Hutton came together the ball went out for a goal kick and the appeal was waved away. The Villa players thought he'd gone down very easily and it was one of those tight ones in the box when a slight shove will send you over.
Just before half time the Reds really should have equalled it all up through Kuyt but he somehow blasted his shot over the bar from about three yards out. I have no idea how he managed to do it and even after seeing it on match of the day I have no idea still how he managed it with no pressure on him whatsoever.
Half time came and for me we just weren't at the races. Villa had the lead - were happy to defend it and they weren't really coming under too much pressure. Our midfield for me was just to slow in guiding things around and Gerrard seemed lost as to where to actually play a lot of the time.
No changes were made at the break and Villa got it started again.
Ten minutes in to the half and the Reds went so close to scoring - the woodwork came in to play yet again this season. A cross from the right by Gerrard was headed on by Suarez and it hit the far post and went across goal where Given clawed it away more in shock than anything else. It's all about detail and inches here but if that one had been just a touch further inside the post it would have bounced in and Given was stranded.
Villa were forced to make their first change just around the hour mark as Heskey limped off. He was given generous applause by the Reds fans though who remember him from his time with us - perhaps other clubs should learn more about this rather than just booing anyone.
We were starting to create a few chances in the second half without overly troubling Given in the Villa goal. On sixty five minutes minutes Dalglish made a double change with Carroll replacing Downing and Bellamy replacing Shelvey.
The changes didn't quite work straight away but it gave us a different approach. Daniel Agger replaced Jose Enrique after seventy six minutes and the Dane slotted in to left back. Enrique had one of his poorest games for a while in this one and couldn't complain at coming off.
A minute after the sub and Luis Suarez was booked for simulation - well it's the only thing it could have been for even though he was clearly impeded by Ireland.
The Reds finally grabbed an equaliser on eighty two minutes through Luis Suarez. A corner ball was half cleared to the back of the area and Gerrard crossed it back in. Agger rose well to head it goalwards only to see it hit the crossbar and come down but it fell kindly for once and Suarez headed it home from a yard out.
Suddenly Anfield came alive and the Reds finally sensed that they were good enough to win the game and suddenly the shackles were off and the pace was huge. Why couldn't this have happened earlier.
Villa picked up a booking on eighty seven minutes as Carruthers was carded for simulation - I haven't seen this one again but I don't remember it being anything too dodgy.
As the clock ticked down the Reds created chances with Carroll heading straight at Given - anywhere either side of him would surely have hit the net.
Five extra minutes were added at the end and even then there were chances deep in to it. Gerrard saw his shot well saved by Given who nearly dived beyond the shot as it moved in the air. The rebound came out and despite a scramble the Reds couldn't force the goal which would have secured all three points. We're used to draws this season at Anfield though and in truth I think the win would have put a gloss on the match which it didn't merit. We might have had lots of possession but I don't think we ever dominated enough and for me their defence had far to easy a time. Their goal apart our defence was also largely untroubled and Doni had a decent first appearance for us in truth.
MotM : Martin Skrtel - played solidly at the back and for me kept Agbonlahor out of the game which with his pace was crucial.
