Liverpool FC Ratings: Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt Boot City Back to Manchester
On a night that held so much remembrance of life and loss for Liverpool it was an inspired performance by the Reds.
A minute of silence before the game remembered the 96 fans that were crushed at Hillsborough 22 years ago this coming Friday. It also held thoughts and prayers for a fallen Merseyside hero, Soldier Lance Sargent Mark Burgan killed recently in Afghanistan, and the tragic loss of Jan Fairclough the wife of former Kop Hero David Fairclough.
Monday night saw Anfield come alive as the Reds thoroughly demolished a Manchester City side that looked like they left their boots at home. In one of their most impressive displays of the season, Liverpool made a statement that despite the constant criticism that they don't have enough quality players, they can still get the job done as a team.
Reading Joe Hart's lips and James Milner's body language was all you had to do to see the frustration mounting for the Blues. The loss of their captain Carlos Tevez in the opening half just after Carroll's long-range belter signified the end for the Manchurians, as they never got off the ground without their engine to drive them forward.
Mario Balotelli replaced the Argentine and continued to show no signs of being a success in England and was truly shown the door as he was subbed off at the 83rd minute for midfielder Nigel De Jong.
Though it was thought that the Blues fielded a weaker side than faced Sunderland, I don't believe that was the case. David Silva, De Jong and Balotelli were not involved, but in their place were Eden Dzeko, James Milner and Gareth Barry. If that is a weakened side, trade them and give me City's millions.
With both teams' European desires tossing about in the balance, it showed that Liverpool still is fighting for Europe and respect, while Manchester City's 5-0 victory at Sunderland might not be all it was cracked up to be.
All of that in mind, let's give some credit where it is due to a Liverpool side that put in a great team effort and earned a deserved 3-0 victory in front of the Kop.
Pepe Reina
1 of 11
Player Rating: 6.5
The Spanish keeper continues to prove his worth in the net despite not having to put in a whole lot of effort. A blistering shot from Yaya Toure was the most promising direct hit of the night, and Reina parried it with a punch over the bar.
His distribution was on spot nearly all night, and although rumors continue to fly that he is off in the summer to ply his trade elsewhere, he is still the No. 1 at Liverpool.
John Flanagan
2 of 11
Player Rating: 7.5
A memorable debut for the 18-year-old out of the Academy. Seeing another local boy come through the ranks continues to show signs of how far the Liverpool youth have come in the last couple years.
Defensive injuries have hit the club hard this season, but seeing youngsters step up like this is key for the club's future.
Young Flano put in a great performance being involved in several attacks and making some timely tackles. With the ever-present guidance of Jaime Carragher to his left, he was nearly flawless in his shackling of England international James Milner and Man City's newest threat Eden Dzeko.
Jaime Carragher
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Player Rating: 8.0
It is no wonder that Jaime Carragher is almost certain to become a manager one day. He never stops giving orders as he marshaled his Liverpool defense all night long, and directed youngster Jon Flanagan to a near flawless performance on the right.
The vice-captain continues to show his worth as the few times his defense was tested they made the stand necessary to avert any chance of City getting back in the game.
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Martin Skrtel
4 of 11
Player Rating: 7.0
Another solid performance by the Slovakian proved once more why he has been the only Liverpool defender to start every match of the League campaign for them this season.
His strength in both the air and on the pitch helped to keep Balotteli and Dzeko at bay throughout the night.
Fabio Aurelio
5 of 11
Player Rating: 7.5
Although he is fresh off another injury set back to his Liverpool career, you would never have known it. Aurelio looked to pick up just where he left off against Manchester United.
He shackled down Adam Johnson all night, and his constant forward runs and combination play with Raul Meireles on the left continued to cause problems for City's defense as he even managed several shots in the box, one of which fell to Dirk Kuyt for the Reds second goal of the night.
If he could stay healthy, he would prove a more valuable player to the Reds than he gets credit for.
Jay Spearing
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Player Rating: 7.5
The young Liverpool Academy graduate continues to show his growth as a player. In just the last few games his partnership with Lucas has continued to grow, and his passing has improved dramatically since his performances last season.
With more time, Spearing should develop into a good squad player, and the more experience he gains, the better he performs as he shut down the midfield dealings of Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry most of the night.
Lucas Leiva
7 of 11
Player Rating: 8.5
The quiet enforcer, Lucas Leiva continues to show why he got a new contract. He does everything for the Reds in midfield and truly has been one of, if not their best overall player this season.
Last night allowed him to once again show his worth as a battle with internationals Gareth Barry and big money man Yaya Toure was decisively won by Liverpool's hard working Brazilian.
After years of criticism, the fans, I believe, have finally realized why Rafa Benitez was always backing Lucas. He has talent, he never complains and he puts in shift after shift controlling the midfield with poise and class.
Raul Meireles
8 of 11
Player Rating: 7.5
The newest midfielder to Merseyside keeps showing signs of adapting to Premier League life game after game under Kenny Dalglish. When used on the left under Roy Hogdson the Portuguese looked like a lost soul, but he has flourished under the King.
His ricochet off of Vincent Kompany was smashed home from distance by Andy Carroll giving the Reds the lead early on in the match.
He showed true class with the placement of a cross in to the box that Andy Carroll headed home with deadly precision to give the young attacker his first brace for Liverpool.
With support from Fabio Aurelio and a license to move inside if he wished, Meireles proved he is more than capable of providing service from the flank.
Dirk Kuyt
9 of 11
Player Rating: 7.5
Liverpool's favorite, hard working Dutchman continues to be in the right place at the right time. In a show of pure determination, Liverpool's 34th minute barrage attack led to Kuyt placing home the second goal of the match.
Aside from his goal, Kuyt continued to be pronounced as usual in the box. He missed a brace for himself when he headed a shot just over the goal at the beginning of the second half.
He put in an excellent shift on the right side and had some great footwork to keep possession while being tackled on several occasions.
Luis Suarez
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Player Rating: 9.5
The only thing stopping "El Pistelero," from a perfect night was to get on the score sheet. He was denied the opening goal thanks to Joe Hart getting a lucky touch and the help from his left goal post as the tricky South American was free to surely score had it been just a touch faster off his boot.
Always in the fray, the little Uruguayan shows more and more flair and passion in every performance he is in a Liverpool shirt. His constant harrying of the Manchester City defense allowed Carroll and Meireles to find space.
His touch was spot on all night, and the way he attacks the ball and the game are a throwback to the glory days of the Reds.
Suarez embodies all that Liverpool has been missing for the last two seasons. Pace, quick touches and an enthusiasm and desire to score that has the Kop not able to, "get enough Suarez."
Andy Carroll
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Player Rating: 9.5
The big money signing of Liverpool's January transfer dealings has done it. In his third League start for the Reds, 22-year-old Newcastle born-and-bred Geordie Andy Carroll has truly arrived at Anfield.
In what was a defining moment for the young Englishman, he blasted home a corker from 25 yards out with his powerful left foot. The goal sent the crowd mad at Anfield as they celebrated the first of what is hoped to be many important goals from their new frontman.
Drawing on the crowd as fuel, the Reds elevated their performance for the rest of the night. Carroll's first goal for the club came after a wait that spanned all the way back to January when he was signed with months of healing time still to come.
However, the fans didn't have to wait long for his second. Moments after Dirk Kuyt put the Reds 2-0 up on their opponents, Raul Meireles lofted a cross into the box toward Carroll. The 6'4" striker rose over Aleksander Kolorav to powerfully head it past England teammate Joe Hart and cemented the Reds stamp on the night.
The second half saw him narrowly miss a hat trick with a lofted shot that went just inches away from the top corner in front of the Kop.
Given the misconceptions of his skill verses his price tag, he could not have scored two more different goals, and if he had scored the hat trick with the lofted effort it would have been quite a display of talent.
A belter, a header and a touch of class would have been a hat trick to remember for the ages, as the Toon Titan showed his worth in a masterful performance that highlights the progress for the Deadly Duo of Suarez and Carroll that will be leading the Reds for years to come.
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