Sterling stars as Liverpool maintain Champions League hopes

AFP
Liverpool, APRIL 14

Raheem Sterling helped Liverpool keep alive their hopes of finishing inside the Premier League’s top four and securing a place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday.The Reds clinched the win thanks to goals from Sterling and Joe Allen as they closed the gap on fourth-placed Manchester City to four points with six matches of the season remaining.
The result also meant Newcastle, who had captain Moussa Sissoko sent off seven minutes from time, have lost their last five league matches.
“I thought we showed attacking intent in the game, won the ball back quickly and controlled the game until the last five, six minutes in the first half, when we started to give the ball away too cheaply,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports. Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, injured in last week’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Blackburn Rovers that has left him doubtful for Sunday’s semi-final with Aston Villa at Wembley.
However, Jordon Ibe returned to the starting line-up after six weeks out with a knee injury while Emre Can was back from suspension.
Newcastle made three changes from their derby defeat by Sunderland as Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid and Vurnon Anita replaced Sammy Ameobi, Yoan Gouffran and Jonas Gutierrez.
Liverpool showed plenty of intent early on as Sterling and Philippe Coutinho dropped deep in search of the ball, eager to run at Newcastle backline.
The home side’s early pressure yielded the opening goal in the ninth minute.
Sterling’s uncertainty over whether he will sign a new Liverpool contract has led to accusations of greed from some Liverpool fans but his ninth-minute goal went some way to restoring his reputation with supporters.
Jordan Henderson’s cross-field pass was adroitly cushioned by Sterling, who cut inside Ryan Taylor and curled a finish high into the net past the outstretched palm of Tim Krul.
The Newcastle goalkeeper was called into action shortly afterwards when a cleverly-worked Liverpool free-kick on the edge of the visitors’ box saw Henderson slip in Coutinho, only for his low shot to be saved.
– Newcastle penalty despair –
Lucas Leiva should have increased Liverpool’s lead when he found himself unmarked and got his head on a Henderson free-kick, only for Dutch international Krul to save spectacularly at close range.
Newcastle manager John Carver leapt out of the dugout, arms outstretched, shortly after when the Magpies were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty.
Dejan Lovren, who has struggled in his debut season at Anfield, chopped down Ayoze Perez to the extent that even home fans appeared shocked that referee Lee Mason waved play on.
“I think we were fortunate not to give away a penalty, but thankfully it didn’t go against us,” said Rodgers.
Carver added: “Once we went 1-0 down we seemed to grow in the game. We were on the front foot and we don’t get a major decision.
“Everyone out there has seen it is a penalty. Even Brendan said straight away it is a penalty.”
On the stroke of half-time, home keeper Simon Mignolet made a superb diving fingertip save to push a Perez header over the crossbar.
In the second half, Henderson’s low cross found Sterling on the edge of the six-yard box but, with just Krul to beat, he shot wide.
But his embarrassment was eased when Liverpool scored a second goal with 20 minutes remaining.
A Liverpool corner was sent back into the Newcastle penalty area and Mike Williamson, rather than clear first time, controlled the ball on his chest only for the alert Allen to react with a quickfire shot.
Liverpool’s task in the remainder of the game was much easier when the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
Newcastle midfielder Sissoko went in high on Lucas and was shown a second yellow card by referee Mason, although it could conceivably have been a straight red.
Liverpool will fight to the end: Brendon Rodgers
London: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers stressed that his team would give everything to qualify for the Champions League after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Monday left them four points behind Manchester City in the Premier League.
With fourth-placed City reeling after Sunday’s defeat by Manchester United continued a torrid run in which the champions have lost six of their last eight games, Liverpool needed a win over Newcastle to retain hope of a Champions League spot. Liverpool fans would have been excused for feeling a little jittery after back-to-back league defeats, but Raheem Sterling set Rodgers’s side on their way before Joe Allen scored a late second to close the gap on struggling City with six games left. “We are going to fight till the very end,” Rodgers told reporters.
“There is always a price when you lose big games. We are a group that’s learning. We knew we had to respond to those defeats. “I still think there will be changes and points dropped. The players are very motivated and we’ve shown we can put wins together. “I thought we showed attacking intent in the game, won the ball back quickly and controlled the game until the last five six minutes in the first half, when we started to give the ball away too cheaply.”
If Liverpool are to qualify for the Champions League then Rodgers hopes his attacking duo of Philippe Coutinho and England international Sterling can continue to torment defences. “I think Philippe Coutinho was incredible, sensational,” Rodgers said.
“He played in that hole between the midfield and their defence and was outstanding. He showed why he is one of the best players in the best league in the world.
“He is very valuable. He is a kid who`s non-stop, he wants to learn and improve himself. I thought he was outstanding tonight. Wonderful skill and ability for his goal.”