Liverpool Win Merseyside Derby

 4-0 

Liverpool's attack was a non-stop onslaught today as the Reds hosted Everton in a Merseyside Derby.  Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge started at forward for Liverpool and together they gave Everton's defense all kinds of trouble.

Throughout the match Everton keeper Tim Howard had his hands full as Liverpool peppered the goal with shots.  Inevitably the goals came and captain Gerrard first found the net on a corner-kick.  Suarez delivered the corner-kick into the box and Gerrard won the header at the near-post to score (21').

Durring the corner-kick that put Liverpool ahead, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku went down with an injury.  Steven Naismith replaced Lukaku, but failed to make an impact on the match.

Daniel Sturridge then scored a pair of goals to stretch Liverpool's lead.  First Sturridge was played in-on-goal by a perfect pass from Coutihno.  The pass split two defenders and Sturridge had plenty of time to pick his spot (33').

Sturridge scored a second goal immediately after when Kolo Touré played him in-on-goal.  Touré smashed a ball forward from behind midfield that Sturridge was able to get onto and flick over keeper Howard coming off his line (35').

In the second-half Suarez added another goal to the Liverpool's tally with a terrific individual effort.  Suarez made a run with the ball from the midfield line all the way into Everton's box.  He finished with a confident left-footed shot to the back corner of the net (50').

Sturridge had a golden opportunity to complete the hat-trick when Liverpool won a Penalty.  Raheem Sterling made a run into the box and was fouled by Howard trying to stop the winger.  Sturridge missed the penalty over the crossbar though, and was soon taken out of the match.

Everton could not produce a goal by the end of the match as Liverpool won comfortably.  The Suarez-Sturridge tandem continues to fuel the offense for the Reds and today the defense was equally effective, keeping a clean-sheet.  Up next Liverpool face West Bromwich and Everton host Aston Villa in Premier League play.

Suarez Shines in Liverpool Return

1-3

Luiz Suarez returned to Premier League play for Liverpool today as the Reds travelled to face Sunderland.  Suarez and Sturridge both started at striker for Liverpool and by half-time each had one goal.

Sturridge scored on a corner-kick delivered by captain Gerrard.  His service was flicked-on by Kolo Touré in the box to setup Sturridge in front of the net (28').  Initially it looked like Sturridge finished with a header, but replay showed he used his arm to get the final touch.  No one seemed to see it on the field, including the ref, and the goal counted.  Sturridge then setup Suarez for his first goal of the season.  Creating space wide right, Sturridge played an easy pass across the face of goal for Suarez crashing the far-post (36').

Sunderland were much better in the second-half and had Liverpool's defense rather uneasy.  The new Italian signing Giaccherini scored a goal early in the second-half to narrow the gap.  Ki Sung-Yueng fired a shot at goal that keeper Mignolet was able to block.  Mignolet could not hold on to the shot however, and Giaccherini pounced on the loose ball and scored (52').

Suarez and Sturridge were too much for Sunderland today though, and the two strikers linked up once more for another Liverpool goal.  Suarez was able to break forward on a counter-attack and picked out Sturridge with an early cross.  Sturridge then passed the ball back across the net for Suarez who continued his run to score at the back-post (89').

Liverpool climbs to second in the table following the road win at Sunderland, tied with Tottenham with thirteen points.  Next week Liverpool will host Crystal Palace making a return to the Premier League, while Sunderland take on Manchester United.

EPL Back, Liverpool Start with Win

1-0

The English Premier League is back and to kick off the season Liverpool hosted Stoke City.  Liverpool featured several of their new players including Spanish forward Iago Aspas, defender Kolo Touré, and keeper Simon Mignolet.  Still no Suarez for the Reds though as his suspension continues.

Early in the match Robert Huth nearly put Stoke ahead, but his shot was denied by the crossbar.  Similarly Kolo Touré hit the crossbar with his header at the other end moments later.  Liverpool created more chances in the first-half and it was Daniel Sturridge who finally beat the keeper.  From just outside the box, Sturridge blasted his shot through the legs of defender Huth and out of the reach of keeper Begović to score (37').

The goal from Sturridge was the only score of the match, though Stoke had a golden opportunity to equalize.  Defender Agger was called for a handball inside the Liverpool box to concede a penalty.  Walters took the penalty shot for Stoke but keeper Mignolet came up big and denied the goal.

While Begović was the loosing keeper today, he actually had a very good game as well.  The Stoke keeper made 10 saves over the course of the match and kept his team in contention.  He did not get any help at the other end however, and Liverpool win their opening day match.