Reading 0-0 Liverpool
Any lingering hopes of European qualification next season were extinguished with a second consecutive stalemate.
Liverpool travelled to bottom club Reading aiming to return to winning ways after last weeks draw against West Ham at Anfield. Sadly not only did opposing keeper Alex McCarthy have a great game - but the reds lacked the clinical finish that was also evident last week.
There was one change from last weeks starting line-up, Sturridge replacing Stewart Downing.
Reading had lost the last 7 games but when indifferent Liverpool turn up then lower league clubs often find themselves salvaging some points. And today it could even have been three for Reading as Pepe Reina was called into action twice late on to secure a point for the reds.
Liverpool dominated the game - with two thirds possession and 26 shots (15 on target). When keeper Alex McCarthy wasnt on hand to make 10 saves - defender Chris Gunter was there to head a Luis Suarez chip off the line.
Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho combined well. The impact of Phillipe Coutinho has been an enormous plus for Liverpool supporters. If Suarez does switch away from Anfield this summer - the reds can maybe look to the Brazilian to become a more integral cog in next seasons side.
Like the West Ham game, the reds also had a goal ruled out. This time it was Coutinho (with a backheel) correctly ruled offside.
So the game - ultimately - was another LFC conundrum. Dominating the play, dominating the chances but lacking the killer instinct. Yes, the Reading keeper had a great game - but Liverpool should be beating the league's lowest placed side with a reserve keeper in net.
With 15 points left to play for Liverpool are 8 points behind 5th placed Spurs (who have a game in hand). More worryingly for local pride is that Everton have now amassed a 5 point lead (also with a game in hand).
The reds are running out of games to salvage some pride from a disappointing season.
Bitterly disappointing result. Fair play to the stand in keeper but with 26 chances we maybe should have had at least one that didn’t give the keeper a chance. Similar story against West Ham last week.
Been a really poor season. Not too sure we can even say we are a better side than last year. I think we should stick with Rodgers but decision to get rid of Dalglish after only one full season now looks disrespectful and ill-judged.
It’s that time of the year again. As in lets try to save the relegation threatened teams, it’s become a bit of a tradition since the sacking of Rafa by the Hickletts.