Fulham 1-3 Liverpool: Sturridge does the trick

Fulham 1-3 Liverpool
Premier League, Sunday 12th May 2013

Daniel Sturridge scored his first hat-trick for the club to take his tally to 11 goals since arriving in January.

sturridge

Despite the absence of Suarez, Gerrard and Agger, Liverpool could have won this by many, many more – with 20 shots on goal – carving Fulham apart time after time in the second half.

It hadn’t started so well though, with Brendan Rodgers opting to start with an experimental three at the back and falling behind to Dimitar Berbatov’s header after 32 minutes.

But the Reds soon equalised, Sturridge expertly taking advantage of a hopeful long ball by Andre Wisdom to finish superbly into the top corner.

A change back to the usual formation, bringing on Jose Enrique for Wisdom at half-time, gave Liverpool a much stronger look and Sturridge gave the visitors the lead after Coutinho’s shot fell to him inside the box to finish from close range.

The former Chelsea forward then completed his hat-trick after a superb through-ball by the little magician Coutinho.

In between times, Sturridge had numerous chances to add to his tally, while substitute Fabio Borini almost scored with his first touches, running in from the left flank to curl a shot that hammered the post.

There was a late debut for young midfielder Connor Coady, the Under 21’s captain.

Everton‘s win means Liverpool will finish the season seventh.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Richardson (Emanuelson 15), Duff, Karagounis (Riise 82), Enoh, Kacaniklic (Petric 71), Ruiz, Berbatov
Subs not used: Etheridge, Senderos, Frimpong, Rodallega
Goal: Berbatov 33

Liverpool: Reina, Wisdom (Jose Enrique 46), Coates, Carragher, Johnson, Henderson, Lucas, Shelvey (Borini 77), Downing, Sturridge, Coutinho (Coady 88)
Subs not used: Brad Jones, Assaidi, Suso, Lloyd Jones
Booked: Johnson
Goals: Sturridge 36, 62, 85

Attendance: 25,640
Referee: Mark Halsey

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