For the second time in less than a week, a late Andy Carroll goal gave Liverpool a huge win. Carroll has been abused by the media ever since he signed from Newcastle, but his goal with less than five minutes to go at Wembley sunk Everton and has Liverpool fans planning another trip Wembley way.
Really surprised at Dalglish’s team selection today. He went with Carragher and Skrtel at the back with Agger playing left back. Enrique was fit enough to make the bench but I don’t know why he did start Enrique. The decision almost cost Liverpool the match as Carragher was at fault for the Everton goal and was really poor all game. Is it time for Carragher to hang up the boots at the end of the season?
Really surprised that Everton did not out Liverpool’s third string goalkeeper Brad Jones under more pressure today. He looked a little shaky at times on crosses, but Everton never really forced him to make a save.
This was a game of two half’s. In the first half it was all Everton and they deserved to take the lead in the 23rd minute when Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger both hesitated as the ball landed between them, and Carragher’s eventual attempted clearance rebounded off Tim Cahill. The ball fell at the feet of Nikica Jelavic, who shot under Jones.
Not sure what Dalglish said to his side at half-time, but as bad as Liverpool were in the first half, they were that good in the second half. He moved Downing to the right in the second half and he tormented Baines the rest of the afternoon.
And Carroll should have put Liverpool back on level terms, minutes into the second half, but he put Downings inviting cross wide, when he should have scored.
But Liverpool did get back on level terms when Everton gifted them a goal. There was no danger when Sylvain Distin tried to pass the pass the ball back to Tim Howard, but his pass was woefully underhit and Luis Suarez nipped in to seize the ball and score.
The goal gave Liverpool more confidence and they continued to dominate possession in the second half without really test Howard.
But with extra time looming, in the 87th minute Andy Carroll rose above Marouane Fellaini to head home Craig Bellamy’s free kick and score the biggest goal of is Liverpool career.
That is two game winners for Carroll this week (he scored the winer against Blackburn in midweek) and after the game said:
“It’s the best feeling ever,” Carroll said. ”I’ve had some criticism but I’ve just kept on going. I get the winner here and it’s a great feeling. I believe in myself every day.”
