Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez showed more signs of
forging a potent strike partnership as Liverpool strolled
to victory over West Brom - and former Reds manager
Roy Hodgson - at the Hawthorns.
A Charlie Adam penalty and Carroll's third goal of
the campaign confirmed Liverpool's superiority as they
climbed into fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League.
But it was the way that Carroll and Suarez gelled which
would have given the most satisfaction to Reds boss
Kenny Dalglish.
Carroll is starting to live up to his £35million
price tag while Suarez gave his usual irresistible performance
as the pair tormented the Baggies rearguard.
With Adam and Lucas Leiva running the show in the centre
of the park and Daniel Agger impressive in defence,
Liverpool had few problems in chalking up a third away
league win of the campaign.
It ended the Baggies run of 11 points from the last
six games but more accomplished sides will find it hard
to deal with Carroll and Suarez in this form.
Liverpool, without the injured Steven Gerrard (ankle)
and Jamie Carragher (calf), were the first to settle
and a long ball from Jose Enrique was seized on by Suarez
but his control let him down.
After eight minutes Adam put Liverpool ahead from the
penalty spot.
Suarez was bundled into by Jerome Thomas and referee
Lee Mason pointed to the spot after his assistant Gary
Beswick flagged for a foul.
Albion's players were incensed by the decision but
up stepped Adam to send Ben Foster the wrong way from
the spot for his second goal of the campaign.
Liverpool had appeals for a second penalty rejected
when Carroll's header from Suarez's cross struck the
hand of Andy Reid.
Jonas Olsson became the first player to be yellow carded
after 35 minutes for a reckless challenge on Carroll.
Suarez had a chance to increase Liverpool's lead after
35 minutes when Martin Skrtel squared a deep Adam corner
back across the box. But the Uruguayan shot wide from
eight yards out.
Then after 45 minutes Carroll made it 2-0. Lucas' fine
pass picked out Suarez and he released Carroll who clipped
wide of the advancing Foster for his fifth goal in 21
games for Liverpool.
Liverpool began the second half on the offensive and
Henderson failed to make proper contact on his shot
after Carroll found him in space.
Albion came close for the first time after 47 minutes
when Somen Tchoyi was inches wide with his low cross
shot. But Liverpool were quickly back in command and
Carroll should have done better when an Adam shot ballooned
up into his path. Suarez was proving hard to contain
and he shot over from a narrow angle.
A long raking pass from Adam released Suarez who cut
inside the box but he was eventually crowded out and
Foster collected. Albion were forced into a change with
Scharner picking up a knee injury and replaced by James
Morrison.
Jose Enrique galloped forward to force Foster to finger-tip
his shot over the bar and then the keeper blocked a
Carroll volley after more good play by Suarez.
Carroll found himself in acres of space on the edge
of the box but shot wide when Jordan Henderson was unmarked.
With nine minutes left, Dalglish made his first substitution
with Suarez making way for Craig Bellamy - his 250th
Premier League appearance.
Olsson headed wide from a Chris Brunt corner but it
was too little, too late from the Baggies and in injury
time the woodwork denied Downing his first Liverpool
goal. |
