A surging run from the ever dangerous Gareth Bale fired the ball across to the back post where Stewart Downing playing at left back fell asleep and let in Aaron Lennon for the opening goal of the night. Rodgers has taken some criticism for playing Downing at left back, wrongly or rightly having played a similar role at Middlesborough he should still have the basic awareness to defend somewhat to a professional football standard.
Just before the quarter hour mark, a "challenge" by Henderson on Clint Dempsey just a few yards outside the box drew a free kick in a dangerous position. As Bale stepped up, Reina had set his wall up as it should be but you cannot legislate for deflections. Bale's free kick deflected off the wall sending Reina who was already committed going to his left looked on forlorn as the ball went to the right. 2-0 Spurs and deservedly so.
Moments earlier Henderson had a great chance to equalise, but the fragile confidence at the moment the lad possesses is worrying. Similar situation to his chance in Moscow a couple of weeks ago when he squared the ball instead of going around a keeper that had already committed itself. He came in for a lot of criticism for missing the chance last night, I feel for the lad it isn't his fault we paid the fee for him nor is it his fault he hasn't got more games this season and recently has showed there is a talented player in there. On the Daily Mirror's ratings, he was given a rating of 4 by John Cross, a bit harsh considering the impact the rest of the midfield had. Steven Gerrard was anonymous and the sooner Lucas is back the better for Joe Allen.
Liverpool began to get some foothold in the game, controlling the ball for large majority of the rest of the game. Spurs defence was now being pushed back, especially down the left hand side of their defence where recently Arsenal and Manchester City targeted. The pressure was mounting, neat interplay between Suarez and Gerrard allowed Gerrard to run into the box only for to be manhandled by Moussa Dembele, to Liverpool's dismay Phil Dowd waved away the protests. It has being said this season by the Liverpool faithful "We're going to have a party, when Suarez gets a pen", at this rate they should be singing instead of Suarez when Liverpool get a pen.
As the games wear on, Jose Enrique is getting more and more impressive. Attacking at every opportunity went close on a couple occasions but seeing one of his shots saved by Hugo Lloris and a shot that just flashed past the post in the second half. 27 minutes into the second half Liverpool finally make the breakthrough in comical circumstances, a corner from Jonjo Shelvey who had come on as sub for Henderson delivered the set piece. Daniel Agger rose to knock on the ball to Gerrard, who saw his header cleared off the line by Lennon. Lennon's clearance smashed straight into Gareth Bale's face and into the back of the net. Comical stuff indeed. 2-1 Liverpool were now in the ascendancy. Unfortunately for Liverpool, good fortune and good defending for Spurs thwarted Liverpool's attempts for an equaliser. While for Spurs it was back-to-back wins at home, for Liverpool their first defeat in 8 games.
In both their post match interviews, Rodgers described the players performance as brilliant further adding:
"We're bitterly disappointed to have lost, but if we continue to play like that we will climb the league quickly.
"We started OK. The free-kick [that led to the second goal] should not have been given - Clint Dempsey [who was fouled by Jordan Henderson] was clever.
"It wasn't to be tonight - we go away empty handed. Their striker Jermain Defoe, who has been on fire, was quiet. And apart from the first 15 minutes, both wingers were quiet"
Villas Boas viewed the win as important but also said:
"Brendan feels a fair result would have been a draw - I have to agree.
"We did extremely well to hold on to the lead. We got the result we wanted. The players have shown great strength and character throughout the season."
From a Liverpool supporters point of view, on countless occasions the big decisions have gone against us. It would be easy for me to say that is why we are 12th in the table. In all honesty, the problem is some of the players mentally(I hate picking on Downing) but some just cannot cope with the pressure of playing the style and the demands Rodgers places on his sides. Until Rodgers gets the players he wants and needs we can expect more of the same for the rest of the season.
For Liverpool and Rodgers it is imperative that the next seven games bring more points than we have garnered in fourteen games so far. Four of the seven games are at home, all are must wins starting with the Saints on Saturday. No game will be easy, but the return of Lucas Leiva while not fully I would think for a few more weeks will be a massive boost for Rodgers. His ability to close down the space between the defence and midfield, in protecting the back four will give Liverpool more steel. What is more obvious is the need for more options up front, not essentially someone that can alone put the ball in the back of the net but someone to compliment the industry that Suarez supplies. If that man is Theo Walcott, or whoever FSG need to back their manager in January in getting those reinforcements.
As of now Rodgers has to use his squad, avoid injuries and suspensions to key players. If he can continue to do that over the next month aligned with getting better results which are needed to stave off the criticism which is starting to surface, going on LFC's match-day phone-in last night. What doesn't help is the supporters who campaigned for Benitez to be removed are resurfacing and we know how that ended.
From me I say: I muinín Rodgers againn, ní mór dó níos mó ná am
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