The Reds fall against the Blues at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 0:2 Chelsea

Liverpool blew the Premier League title race wide open again, after frustratingly falling to their first defeat of the calendar year, 0-2 against Chelsea at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho's men took advantage of two errors at the end of each half, giveaways which saw them leave Merseyside with two goals and three points.

Despite missing keeper Petr Cech and defender John Terry due to injury and midfielder Ramires banned, the Blues kept a strong back line, slowing Brendan Rodgers' men down, keeping them frustrated by holding them back, no matter how much possession or pressure the Reds held against their visitors.

So, when non-other than veteran skipper Steven Gerrard slipped and gave away the ball to Demba Ba, the striker made no mistake and beat Red keeper Simon Mignolet one-on-one, cool as you want, seconds before the break, it was just what Mourinho ordered, taking the lead against the run of play.

The hosts kept pressing after the break, Joe Allen seeing his smacker of a shot saved by stand-in keeper Mark Schwarzer just before the hour-mark.

But no matter how much and how hard the Reds pushed, the London side kept solid.

In one of the few blue attacks, Andre Schurrle was denied by a nice Mignolet stop.

LFC huffed and puffed, but never crossed the line, metaphorically and literally speaking.

With seconds to go, Chelsea took advantage of another giveaway, this time by Daniel Sturridge, non-other than former Red Fernando Torres and Willian breaking forward, the latter slotting in the prior's return-ball comfortably from close range, to double the score and hammer the nail into the Ref coffin.

The Reds, without suspended Jordan Henderson and ineligible Victor Moses, despite dominating in all areas and stat tables, fell to their first league defeat of the calendar year, and the first since the Blues beat them at Stamford Bridge after Christmas.

Chelsea meanwhile, completed the double over Liverpool, ending their 11-game winning streak, and closing the gap to the top of the table to two points, with two games to go.

Both sides will hope City will slip up, too... The race is heating up hotter than hot...

Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea

Chelsea Goals: 1.: 47:32min Demba Ba (19), 2.: 93:00 Willian (22).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (9 Aspas 81'), 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 24 Allen, 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas (15 Sturridge 58'); 10 Coutinho, 7 Suarez, 31 Sterling. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 1 Jones, 4 Toure, 5 Agger, 6 Luis Alberto.

Chelsea Team: 23 Schwarzer; 3 Cole (booked 93'), 33 Kalas, 2 Ivanovic, 28 Azpilicueta; 21 Matic, 12 Mikel; 14 Schurrle (23 Cahill 77'), 8 Lampard (booked 42'), 15 Salah (booked 21') (22 Willian 60'); 19 Ba (9 Torres 84') (booked 93'). 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 16 van Ginkel, 27 Ake, 40 Hilario, 47 Baker.

1st & 2nd half Match Stats: Liverpool-Chelsea

Attempts: 8-6 & 18-5

On target: 0-2 & 8-2

Offsides: 1-0 & 0-0

Corners: 6-3 & 8-0

Free kicks: 4-6 & 3-3

Possession: 69%-31% & 73%-27%

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Chelsea

(Attack)

Attempts: 26-11

On target: 8-4
Blocked: 7-4

From outside the box: 21-6

From inside the box: 5-5

Shot accuracy: 42.1%-57.1%

(General Play)

Possession: 73%-27%
Duals won: 47.9%-52.1%

Aerials won: 37.8%-62.2%

Interceptions: 5-14

Offsides: 1-0

Corners: 14-3

(Distribution)

Total passes: 624-226

Long passes: 9.6%-20.8%

Passing accuracy: 85.9%-67.7%

Pass.Acc.Opp.Half: 76.8%-62.3%

Total Crosses: 39-6

Successful: 17.9%-16.7%

(Defence & Discipline)

Tackles: 23-19

Won: 69.6%-68.4%

Clearances: 22-54

Fowls conceded: 9-7

Yellow cards: 0-4

Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Martin Atinkson

Attendance: 44,726

Man of the match: Demba Ba

Reds stay top after hard-fought win at Norwich

Sports - Football - Premier League - Norwich 2:3 Liverpool

Liverpool recorded their eleventh consecutive Premier League win for the first time, keeping them five points clear at the top and favourites in the title race, after beating Norwich 2-3 in a tense encounter at Carrow Road.

Raheem Sterling gave the Reds the lead after just four minutes, with an unstoppable strike from outside the box.

Moving on from scorer to provider, the young English striker played part in a lovely buildup, to set up Luis Suarez for his 30th Premier League goal of the season, an easy tap-in finish to make it 2-0 in the 11th minute.

After a comfortable first half for the Reds, who were missing injured Daniel Sturridge and suspended Jordan Henderson, the game became more frantic after the break.

Brendan Rodgers men gave the home side too much time and space to play, which led to an error when a high cross by Robert Snodgrass was punched away by Simon Mignolet, only to come of Martin Skrtel and find Gary Hooper, who made no mistake of slotting it home to make it 1-2, his first goal since Boxing Day.

But Sterling regained the two-goal cushion, seeing a lucky deflection in and past John Ruddy, after a great individual run, with just under half an hour to go.

Neil Adams' men hit back again though, thanks to a Snodgrass header in the 77th minute, to keep the Red nerves boiling for the last ten+ minutes.

Mignolet reacted nice and quick to deny substitute Ricky van Wolfswinkel late on, condemning the Canaries to their fourth consecutive league defeat, which leaves them hovering just two points above the relegation zone in 17th.

The Reds meanwhile, stay top, five points clear of Chelsea in second after their first home defeat against Sunderland.

Jose Mourinho's men will be coming to Anfield next Sunday, which, depending on Manchester City's results, could be a title decider.

Three games to go!!!
XxXxX

Norwich 2-3 Liverpool 

Norwich Goals: 1.: 53:35min Gary Hooper (11), 2.: 76:49min Robert Snodgrass (7).

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 3:39min Raheem Sterling (31), 2.: 10:14min Luis Suarez (7), 3.: 61:25min Raheem Sterling (31).

Norwich Team: 1 Ruddy; 23 Olsson, 6 Turner (booked 45'), 2 Martin, 3 Whittaker; 8 Howson (booked 72'), 10 Fer (31 Murphy 78'), 4 Johnson; 7 Snodgrass (booked 29'); 11 Hooper (9 van Wolfswinkel 78'), 22 Redmond. 4-3-1-2
Subs not used: 13 Bunn, 15 Gutierrez, 18 Garrido, 24 Bennett, 27 Tettey.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (booked 79'), 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel (booked 65'), 2 Johnson; 10 Coutinho (12 Moses 76'), 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard, 24 Allen (5 Agger 81'); 7 Suarez, 31 Sterling. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 4 Toure, 6 Luis Alberto, 9 Aspas, 20 Cissokho.

Opta Match Stats: Norwich-Liverpool
(Attack)
Attempts: 13-14
On target: 5-6
Blocked: 6-2
From outside the box: 4-3
From inside the box: 9-11
Shot accuracy: 71.4%-50%
(General Play)
Possession: 42.4%-57.6%
Duels won: 45.5%-64.5%
Aerials won: 45.5%-54.5%
Interceptions: 18-17
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 8-3
(Distribution)
Total Passes: 362-538
Long Passes: 13%-7.4%
Passing Accuracy: 76.5%-86.4%
Passing Accuracy opp. half: 64.8%-76.2%
Total Crosses: 38-4
Successful: 21.1%-25%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 22-36
Won: 72.7%-75%
Clearances: 9-53
Fouls Conceded: 16-10
Yellow Cards: 3-2
Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 26,857
Mon of the match: Raheem Sterling

Liverpool thrash woeful Tottenham to go top

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 4:0 Tottenham

Liverpool went top of the table for the first time since Christmas after recording their eighth successive Premier League win thrashing Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield.

Before the game, manager Brendan Rodgers told the Kop to stay calm, but that didn't last long as the Reds took the lead after just 97 seconds thanks to Younes Kaboul back-heeling in Glen Johnson's cross.

After a nightmare start for Tim Sherwood's men, things did not get better. Halfway through the first half, Jan Vertonghen was injured and replaced by Michael Dawson, who seconds later gifted the ball to Luis Suarez for the Uruguayan to break clear and double the home side's lead.

And it should have been 3-0 before the break, both Daniel Sturridge and Suarez missing close calls before Simon Mignolet denied Spurs a breakthrough goal with a brilliant save, punching away a fine Roberto Soldado curl.

Any second half comeback the visitors hoped for was quickly nullified when Philippe Coutinho made up for Jordan Henderson's miss. 

The Brazilian finished off a fine breakaway drilling the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 ten minutes after the break.  

Spurs made a double-substitution with half an hour to go, but if anything, the only thing it changed was the pace of the game, as both teams slowed down, Liverpool keeping fine control even with their changes.

And the Londoners were just looking on when Henderson's low slide free kick found the back of the net, Suarez pointing out to his team mate to confirm the scorer.

With that goal Liverpool have broken Manchester United's Premier League record by scoring four or more goals in a game on 11 occasions.

The win took Liverpool top of the table as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all dropped points in the title race and if the Reds win their remaining six games, just as they have done the last six, they will win the league and end their 24-year drought!

It is in their hands!

Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 1:37min OG Younes Kaboul (4), 2.: 24:02min Luis Suarez (7), 3.: 54:49min Philippe Coutinho (10), 4.: 74:17min Jordan Henderson (14).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 10 Coutinho (24 Allen- 64th min), 8 Gerrard (21 Lucas- 70th min), 14 Henderson; 15 Sturridge, 31 Sterling (12 Moses- 83rd min), 7 Suarez. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Iago Aspas, 17 Sakho, 20 Cissokho.

Tottenham Team: 25 Lloris; 3 Ross, 5 Vertonghen (20 Dawson- 24th min), 4 Kaboul (booked 33rd min), 16 Naughton; 22 Sigurdsson (booked 46th min), 42 Bentaleb (19 Dembele- 60th min); 23 Eriksen, 21 Chadli, 7 Lennon (17 Townsend- 60th min); 9 Soldado. 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 24 Friedel, 30 Sandro, 37 Kane, 62 Winks.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Tottenham

(Attack)

Shots: 11-15

On Target: 5-4

Blocked: 0-5

From outside the box: 6-8

From inside the box: 5-7

Accuracy: 44.5%-40%

(General Play)

Possession: 58.6%-41.9%

Duels Won: 58.1%-41.9%

Aerial Duels Won: 44.4%-55.6%

Interceptions: 10-9

Offsides: 2-1

Corners: 5-7

(Distribution)

Total Passes: 527-364

Long: 11.8%-10.2%

Accuracy: 86.3%-82.1%

Opp. Half: 72.1%-71.9%

Total Crosses: 11-16

Successful: 25%-31.3%

(Defence & Discipline)

Tackles: 24-11

Won: 58.3%-81.8%

Clearances: 21-23

Fouls Conceded: 9-10

Yellow Cards: 0-2

Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Phil Dowd

Attendance: 44,762

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez

Reds continue title charge beating Black Cats

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:1 Sunderland

Liverpool continued their Premier League title charge going second after narrowly beating Sunderland 2-1 at Anfield.

Skipper Steven Gerrard netted a free-kick vintage style, with unstoppable speed and quality curl to open the scoring after 38 minutes.

Striker Daniel Sturridge doubled the score shortly after the break, with a deflection off Wes Brown into the top left corner of the net to make Liverpool only the third club in Premier League history to record two players with 20+ goals.

The former Chelsea striker and Luis Suarez have now scored the same amount of goals as the whole Manchester United team = 48 goals, the best partnership in Europe!

Sunderland did produce a threat, midfielder Lee Cattermole shattering the bar shortly before sub Ki Sung-Yueng headed one on off a corner, showing Brendan Rodgers' men's weakness and frailty at the back and making it a nervous final quarter of an hour for the Reds.

An unmarked John O'Shea came close to spoil the show late on, but the home side held on to a crucial win, keeping the title race wide open, just one point behind league leaders Chelsea with seven games to go.

Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 38:12min Steven Gerrard (8), 2.: 47:44min Daniel Sturridge (15).

Sunderland Goals: 1.: 75:30min Ki Sung-Yueng (4).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 8 Gerrard; 14 Henderson, 24 Allen; 10 Coutinho; 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (31 Sterling- 77th min). 4-1-2-1-2

Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 12 Moses, 17 Sakho, 20 Cissokho, 21 Lucas.

Sunderland Team: 25 Mannone; 27 Vergini (booked 37th min), 16 O'Shea, 5 Brown; 3 Dossena (14 Colback- 83rd min), 26 Bridcutt, 33 Cattermole, 2 Bardsley (booked 40th min); 23 Giaccherini (11 Johnson- 61st min); 10 Wickham (4 Ki Sung-Yueng- 61st min), 17 Altidore. 3-4-2-1

Subs not used: 7 Larsson, 29 Roberge, 30 Scocco, 32 Usteri.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Sunderland

(Attack)

Shots: 21-12

On Target: 7-4

Blocked Shots: 3-2

From outside the box: 12-7

From inside the box: 9-5

Accuracy: 38.9%-40%

(General Play)

Possession: 61.1%-38.9%

Duels Won: 56.3%-43.7%

Aerial Duels Won: 59.3%-40.7%

Interceptions: 15-7

Offsides: 2-2

Corners: 3-4

(Distribution)

Total Passes: 588-348

Long: 8%-16.1%

Accuracy: 87.6%-75%

Opp. Half: 81.1%-64%

Total Crosses: 15-24

Successful: 13.3%-16.7%

(Defence & Discipline)

Tackles: 17-27

Tackles Won: 76.5%-85.2%

Clearances: 32-17

Fouls Conceded: 5-15

Yellow Cards: 0-2

Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Kevin Friend

Attendance: 44,524

Man of the Match: Philippe Coutinho

Suarez hat-trick sinks Cardiff in 9-goal thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - Cardiff 3:6 Liverpool

A Luis Suarez hat-trick plus Martin Skrtel double and Daniel Sturridge goal all added up to Liverpool sinking Cardiff City 3-6 in a nine-goal thriller in Wales.

The Bluebirds took the game to the Reds from kick-off and were rewarded early on, taking the lead after just nine minutes thanks to Jordon Mutch punishing former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen for his giveaway with a low, left-footed drive past Simon Mignolet.

But it didn't take long for Brendan Rodgers' men to hit back, as Glen Johnson's cross found Suarez, who made no mistake of beating David Marshall from close range to level the score 1-1 in the 16th minute.

Nine minutes later, Fraizer Campbell took advantage of a slow Red defence with loads of space from nearly the same spot as Mutch scored to make it 2-1 and turn Cardiff City on top and loud again.

However, Skrtel's clinical finish off Philippe Coutinho's cross put the scores level at 2-2 and Liverpool back in the game just before the break.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men were left stunned eight minutes into the second half, seeing Coutinho's cross off a corner headed in by Skrtel to make it 2-3, whilst the homeside were down to nine men, with Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Mutch receiving treatment on the side-line.

The Reds took over the game from there, the SAS proving themselves as lethal once again, Sturridge sending through a pass for Suarez to net before the Uruguayan returned the favour and set up the former Chelsea striker for a simple tap-in to make it 2-5 with 15 minutes to go.

Poor marking from the visitors left City sub Kenwyne Jones free to head one in to make it 3-5 and give the home side some faint, if-not-false hope,

But after sub Wilfried Zaha's hesitant giveaway, Suarez selfishly ran on and clear, with all the time and space to tease keeper Marshall before beating him to make it goal number six for LFC and hat-trick number six for himself.

Thereby the Urugayan equalled Robbie Fowler's 28-goal club-record for a Premier League season, six away from Andrew Cole's and Alan Shearer's joint Premier League record of most goals in a season.

The win keeps Liverpool in second, four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand and two points ahead of Manchester City, who have an extra game in hand.

And with the Reds still to play both blue sides at Anfield, the title race is wide open and will be a nail-biter-and-a-half that could grind down to the final seconds of the season!

Cardiff City 3-6 Liverpool

Cardiff City Goals: 1.: 8:28min Jorden Mutch (18), 2.: 24:52min Fraizer Campbell (10), 3.: 87:15min Jorden Mutch.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 15:47min Luis Suarez (7), 2.&3.: 40.11 & 53:04min Martin Skrtel (37), 4.: 58:44 min Luis Suarez (7), 5.: 74:25min Daniel Sturridge (15), 6.: 95:27min Luis Suarez (7).

Cardiff City Team: 1 Marshall; 42 John (29 Daehli- 65th min), 28 Theophile-Catherine, 27 Cala (booked- 33rd min), 4 Caulker, 35 Fabio (booked- 50th min); 13 Kim (36 Zaha- 65th min), 8 Medel, 18 Mutch; 39 Bellamy (9 Jones- 70th min), 10 Campbell. 5-3-2
Subs not used: 6 Turner, 7 Whittingham, 17 Gunnarsson, 32 Lewis.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (20 Cissokho- 73rd min), 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel (booked- 92nd min), 2Johnson; 8 Gerrard (booked- 2nd min); 24 Allen (booked- 94th min), 14 Henderson; 10 Coutinho (31 Sterling- 68th min); 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (17 Sakho- 92nd min). 4-1-2-1-2
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 12 Moses, 21 Lucas.

Opta Match Stats: Cardiff City-Liverpool
(Attack)
Attempts: 9-19
On target: 3-9
Blocked: 2-4
From outside the box: 2-6
From inside the box: 7-13
Shot accuracy: 42.9%-60%
(General Play)
Possession: 33.3%-66.6%
Duels won: 47.1%-52.9%
Aerials won: 37.9%-62.1%
Interceptions: 19-12
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 4-6
(Distribution)
Total Passes: 301-650
Long Passes: 15%-8.8%
Passing Accuracy: 77.1%-87.1%
Pass. Acc. Opp. Half: 66.4%-80.1%
Total Passes: 25-15
Successful: 20%-20%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 21-22
Tackles Won: 71.4%-81.8%
Clearances: 15-28
Fouls Conceded: 14-11
Yellow Cards: 2-3
Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 28,018
Man of the match: Luis Suarez

Liverpool crush United at Old Trafford

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man United 0-3 Liverpool 

Liverpool closed the gap on league leaders Chelsea to four points with a game in hand after comprehensively beating Manchester United 0-3 at Old Trafford. 

Captain Steven Gerrard scored twice from the spot before seeing rival skipper Nemanja Vidic sent off and missing the resulting penalty and chance for a hat-trick. 

None other than Luis Suarez made it three, scoring his 25th Premier League goal of the season and condemning the Red Devils to their 9th defeat of the season. 

Brendan Rodgers' men took charge from the start, if not in possession, but creating and putting on more pressure, pressing and pushing, not letting United settle. 

The home side got more and more frustrated and saw defender Rafael's name first in the book for felling down Gerrard. 

The Brazilian conceded the first penalty moments later with a clumsy handball, which Gerrard made no mistake of, sending David De Gea the wrong way, to net it on the right and make it 0-1 after 34 minutes. 

It was the first time United have conceded a penalty at Old Trafford since December 2011. 

The goal woke up the home side and the game jumped up a gear, Gerrard seeing yellow for leading with his elbow on Marouane Fellaini, who had to be treated as United finally came out more on attack. 

Wayne Rooney saw his double-strike stopped just before the break, thanks to one great save by Simon Mignolet and one strong, quick block by Jon Flanagan, but the Reds kept and took the lead into the break. 

Whatever David Moyes said to his side during the interval, it didn't work, or backfired even, as 24 seconds into the second half, Phil Jones pushed and brought down Joe Allen in the box to concede the second penalty. 

The Scouse skipper netted to the right again, with fine accuracy and pace, to make it 0-2. Liverpool's tails were up after that and the visitors pushed and pressed for more. 

That didn't put off United though, Rooney and Vidic were both on referee Mark Clattenburg's case after they felt they were both fouled whilst creating chances, pushed by Martin Skrtel in the prior, and punched and clattered by Mignolet and Daniel Agger respectively in the latter case, but play continued despite all. 

One way or the other, it wasn't happening for United and Moyes made a double-change with 15 minutes remaining. Seconds later, it went from bad to worse for the hosts, Vidic saw red, receiving a second yellow for what was harshly deemed a foul on Daniel Sturridge in the box, a soft penalty to concede. 

But it was not going to be a penalty-hat-trick for man-of-the-match Gerrard, as he sent De Gea the wrong way, again, but was denied by the left post. 

The home fans felt justice was done with the miss, but on the other hand, Rafael was lucky not to be given a second yellow, as he got away with some rash challenges on more than one occasion, after already being booked and warned.

A certain Uruguayan then got into the mix, and after pulling a great save out off De Gea, Suarez broke clear in the box off a deflected Sturridge shot/cross/pass and netted his 25th Premier League goal of the season, to make it 0-3 and seal Liverpool's first win at Old Trafford since the unforgettable 1-4 thrash in 2009. 

It could have been worse for United- although they won't see it that way, recording their 5th home defeat and 21 points dropped at home this season. The Red Devils have not lost more than nine games in Premier League history. This ninth defeat leaves Moyes' men on 48 points in seventh, 12 points behind rivals City in the 4th and last Champions League spot and 18 points off the top. 

Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool 

Liverpool Goals: 1. & 2.: 34th & 47th min Steven Gerrard (8) penalties, 3.: 83:28 min Luis Suarez (7).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (booked- 31st min), 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel (booked- 54th min), 2 Johnson; 24 Allen, 8 Gerrard (booked- 37th min) (21 Lucas- 87th min), 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (booked- 84th min) (9 Aspas- 91st min), 31 Sterling (10 Coutinho- 72nd min). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 12 Moses, 17 Sakho, 20 Cissokho.

Man United Team: 1 De Gea; 3 Evra, 15 Vidic (booked- 71st min, sent off- 77th min), 4 Jones, 2 Rafael (booked- 32nd min); 16 Carrick, 31 Fellaini (23 Cleverly- 75th min); 44 Januzaj (19 Welbeck- 75th min), 10 Rooney, 8 Mata (5 Ferdinand- 87th min); 20 van Persie. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 13 Lindegaard, 18 Young, 25 Valencia, 26 Kagawa.

Match Stats: 1st & 2nd half: Man United-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-6 & 7-11
On target: 1-3 & 0-4
Offsides: 1-1 & 2-1
Corners: 1-2 & 2-2
Free kicks: 6-6 & 6-7
Possession: HT: 51%-49%, FT 48%-52%

For full Opta Match Stats just click here!

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 75,225
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard

Reds deny Swans in seven-goal thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 4:3 Swansea

A double each by Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson saw Liverpool deny Swansea a spirited comeback and record their sixth win in eight games in 2014 after a frantic thriller at Anfield.

The home side could not have asked for a better start after Sturridge latched onto Raheem Sterling's pass before rounding Swans keeper Michel Vorm to clip in and open the scoring after not even three minutes.

And Henderson doubled the score after just 20 minutes with a nice curl into the top corner off a Sturridge lay-off.

If Brendan Rodgers men thought they were cruising to a third consecutive Premier League win against his former side, they were more than fooled and left stunned as the Welsh visitors produced a perfect comeback with two goals in four minutes.

Former Red Jonjo Shelvey pulled one back with a cracker of a strike which Anfield's breath taken and applause echoing in all corners of the ground.

And the Kop was left stunned again when Wilfried Bony's header deflected in off Martin Skrtel to make it two all and a perfect response by Garry Monk's men.

But Sturridge nodded the hosts back in front soon after off Luis Suarez cross, to give Liverpool the lead at the break.

However, it did not last long, as seconds after the interval, Bony calmly levelled the score again from the spot after Skrtel had bundled him over inside the box, making it an afternoon to forget for the Slovakian defender.

It was a breathless encounter, both sides producing numerous chances to take the lead, but it was man of the match Henderson who had the last say, netting the rebound after Vorm had denied Suarez, to make it 4-3 and three points to Liverpool.

This win takes Liverpool four points ahead of Tottenham in fifth, the same margin that separates them from the top.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 2:52min Daniel Sturridge (15), 2.: 19:57min Jordan Henderson (14), 3.: 35:09min Daniel Sturridge (15), 4.: 73:39min Jordan Henderson (14).

Swansea Goals: 1.: 22:16min Jonjo Shelvey (8), 2.: 26:01min Wilfried Bony (10), 3.: 46:59min Wilfried Bony (10) penalty.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Johnson, 5 Agger (4 Toure- 63.min), 37 Skrtel (booked 26.min), 38 Flanagan; 10 Coutinho, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson; 31 Sterling (24 Allen- 58.min), 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (12 Moses- 79.min). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 20 Cissokho, 53 Teixeira.

Swansea Team: 1 Vorm; 3 Taylor, 6 Williams, 4 Chico, 22 Rangel; 7 Britton, 20 de Guzman (11 Hernandez- 73.min); 15 Routledge, 8 Shelvey (21 Canas- HT), 12 Dyer (54 Ngog- 78.min); 10 Bony. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 2 Amat, 19 Tiendalli, 25 Tremmel, 57 Emnes.

Opta Match stats: Liverpool-Swansea
(Attack)
Attempts: 21-14
On target: 10-5
Blocked: 5-2
From outside the box: 8-7
From inside the box: 13-7
Shot Accuracy: 62.5%-41.7%
(General Play)
Possession: 53.4%-46.6%
Duels won: 53.2%-46.8%
Aerials won: 34.8%-65.2%
Interceptions: 16-23
Offsides: 2-0
Corner: 3-5
(Distribution)
Total passes: 524-445
Long passes: 10.3%-10.6%
Passing accuracy: 83.6%-80.7%
Passing accuracy opposition's half: 71.6%-67.7%
Total crosses: 11-13
Successful crosses: 36.4%-23.1%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 25-21
Tackles Won: 76%-71.4%
Clearances: 19-20
Fouls conceded: 9-11
Yellow cards: 1-0
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Michael Jens
Attendance: 44,731
Man of the match: Jordan Henderson