WEST BROM 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL Sunday 17 May 2009 13:30 , Barclays Premier League

REDS RELEGATE BAGGIES WITH 2-0 WIN Goals from Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt ensured Liverpool will end 2008-09 with their highest ever Premier League points tally. The 2-0 victory means the Reds have now amassed 83 this term, one more than in 2005-06. Strikes either side of the break also ended any lingering hopes of survival for a plucky West Brom side. While there is no consolation for missing out on the title following United's draw against Arsenal, Rafa Benitez will take heart from the fact his team took the race to the penultimate weekend, a feat not achieved by any of his three predecessors. It was a West Brom side fighting for their Premier League lives who created all the early chances here, notably when Jonathan Greening forced a superb low save from Pepe Reina after a far-post corner. The Baggies skipper continued to lead by example, nutmegging Javier Mascherano before firing a wicked ball across the area which Reina somehow managed to divert. It was already turning out to be one of the busiest of Reina's 50 appearances this term as his teammates struggled to find their rhythm against a team desperate not to be playing Championship football in 2009-10. Next, Kuyt had to display all of his defensive qualities to head clear a Chris Brunt cross as Juan Carlos Menseguez lurked. Liverpool had yet to muster a serious opportunity when they opened the scoring on 28 minutes. It came when Gerrard pounced on sloppy possession from Shelton Martis, strode into the box and sliced beyond Dean Kiely. A distraught Martis was consoled by his teammates as the newly-crowed Footballer of the Year pondered his 24th strike of a memorable campaign, one more than his previous best tally. Tony Mowbray's men almost conjured an instant reply when Carragher slipped to let Marc-Antoine Fortune through on goal before Daniel Agger intervened with a fine interception. But it was Liverpool for whom half-time came too soon as they began to demonstrate some of their relentless end-of-season form. First, Kiely added to a weekend of fine saves, tipping a flicked header from Torres onto the roof of the net. The goalkeeper's good work was almost immediately undone when he spilled a 25-yard drive from Agger, with Yossi Benayoun's bid to capitalise thwarted by an offside flag. The half ended in controversy as Gerrard squared up to Jonas Olsson after being denied a penalty following a barge to the ground. West Brom regained some impetus as the sides came out for the second half, with Menseguez testing Reina with a low drive after a mistake from Lucas. Even worse for the visitors was the sight of Mascherano limping to the touchline on 51 minutes with a knock sustained late in the first period. His replacement, Xabi Alonso, nearly had an instant impact with a lovely ball to Torres, who found a yard before blasting wide with his right foot. The Spain international was again sent clear by Gerrard minutes later but the angle made Kiely's low save routine. With time running out on his club's top flight tenure, Mowbray sacrificed centre-back Martis for midfielder Borja Valero. The Baggies' record signing wasted no time making his presence felt with a slick pass which defied Liverpool's offside trap. Menseguez was through on Reina but instead squared to Fortune, who was beaten to it by a clumsy if effective challenge by Lucas. A collective scream echoed round The Hawthorns but referee Martin Atkinson waved away their penalty protests. Moments later indignation turned to heartache as Liverpool scored the goal which effectively sealed their fate. It came on 63 minutes as Kuyt and Gerrard combined before the Dutchman lashed an unstoppable effort beyond the reach of Kiely from the edge of the box. Kuyt, too, had now trumped his best ever goals tally in England with an impressive haul of 15 from the right wing. Lucas should have got his name on the scoresheet after doing all the hard work to turn Olsson before poking wide from eight yards. West Brom refused to go down without a fight, with Fortune denied first by a last-gasp challenge from Jamie Carragher, then by the crossbar. Substitute Luke Moore also struck the post with a neat turn and shot from the edge of the box. Their side was trying everything, though it was becoming harder for the capacity crowd to believe with every passing minute. Any faint hopes of a miracle comeback were almost put to bed with five minutes remaining when a superb dummy from Alonso left substitute Ryan Babel with just Kiely to beat. The Dutchman somehow contrived to curl wide. The miss proved academic as Liverpool held on to record their 13th away win of the season, equalling a club record set 104 years ago. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Mascherano, Leiva, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Alonso, Riera, Ngog, Dossena, Cavalieri, Skrtel, Babel West Brom: Kiely, Donk, Martis, Olsson, Zuiverloon, Koren, Greening (captain), Mulumbu, Brunt, Menseguez, Fortune. Subs - Carson, Moore, Borja Valero, Simpson, Wood, Meite, Filipe Teixeira Referee: Martin Atkinson Conditions: Windy Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Dirk Kuyt

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10:20 AM
Categories: EPL, Liverpool, west bromich albion. Author: nik

Liverpool are breathing down Manchester United's necks in the Premier League title race after destroying fifth-placed Aston Villa 5-0.

• Rafa wanted five

It was the third stunning Liverpool victory in 12 days, having previously put four past Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The champions' lead is now one point - they also have a game in hand - but Liverpool have now scored more goals than Sir Alex Ferguson's men and have also wiped out their goal-difference advantage.

Villa had no answer to a side with a driven desire to take the title from under United's noses.

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick with a free-kick and two penalties, with the latter one following the dismissal of goalkeeper Brad Friedel for bringing down Reds striker Fernando Torres.

In the first-half Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera had scored, before Gerrard took over with his set-piece onslaught.

Liverpool had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries that ruled them out of last weekend's win at Manchester United, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas relegated to the bench.

They were joined there by defender Daniel Agger, who has only played one game since mid-December after a variety of injury problems.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill left out striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has scored only twice since before Christmas and was booed by his club's own fans last weekend. Defender Zat Knight was also on the bench, with John Carew and Curtis Davies back in the side.

There was still a solemn start to the proceedings, with a minute's silence following the death yesterday of 56-year-old club secretary Bryce Morrison, after he had flown back from the Champions League draw in Switzerland.

Morrison, who had worked at Anfield for 17 years, suffered a heart attack at home. Both teams wore black armbands.

The game got off to a blistering start, and after eight minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Alonso's header from Gerrard's free-kick cracked against the bar, and Dirk Kuyt reacted quickest to blast the ball home from 12 yards.

At the other end Ashley Young's cross arrowed in from the left and Carew's flick at the near post almost caught out Jose Reina - but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the angle.

The contest was ferocious, and Gerrard was then rightly booked for a fierce, late, challenge on Davies.

Then Reina made another outstanding save to his left to claw away a towering header from Carew - who played under Benitez at Valencia.

Liverpool were relentless and after 33 minutes they claimed a second goal.

Reina's 80-yard clearance was allowed to bounce once on the edge of the area by a Villa defence pre-occupied with Torres and Riera took full advantage by smashing the dropping ball high into the net.

It could have been three when Arbeloa intercepted a bad Friedel clearance inside the Villa box, but he chose to pass to Torres rather than shooting himself.

But the third was not long coming. After 39 minutes Riera controlled a searching crossfield pass from Kuyt, and was brought down in the box by Nigel Reo-Coker. Gerrard smashed home the spot-kick.

Any thoughts of a Villa revival were crushed after 50 minutes when Carlos Cuellar brought down Kuyt on the edge of the box and Gerrard drilled the free-kick low to Friedel's left and into the bottom corner.

Former Reds striker Emile Heskey had a header held by Reina, but was by now being employed on the left trying to halt Arbeloa and Kuyt's flow down the flank - with Young switched to a central attacking role.

The ploy did not last long - Agbonlahor replaced Heskey after 58 minutes, with Young back on the line- but things got worse for Villa after 63 minutes when Friedel was dismissed for clashing with Torres and Gerrard drilled home the fifth past Villa's reserve keeper Brad Guzan.

Lucas, Agger and David Ngog replaced Alonso, Arbeloa and Gerrard in the closing minutes of a comprehensive victory.

Rafa wanted fiveLiverpool almost satisfied their hard-to-please manager Rafael Benitez with the 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa which today edged them to within one point of Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Benitez was disappointed from the point that Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel was sent off for conceding Liverpool's second penalty - which resulted in their final goal.

From then on, with 25 minutes left, the Anfield men took their foot off the gas.

They had already overhauled United's once superior goal difference and have now scored more times than the champions this season.

"There were times after the fifth goal when we should have gone on and scored more,'' said Benitez. "We should have kept going, scored more and made sure that our goal difference was better when we were playing against 10 men.

"You never know what we will need, how many more goals we could have scored during that period. Don't get me wrong. I was happy with the performance and the result, but we should have gone on and scored more.''

Benitez is content now that Liverpool have put themselves back into a position from which they can help shape their own destiny.

"As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job - we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing,'' he believes. "If United do make mistakes we must be ready, and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points.

"We are playing well, and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left, and every one must be won - and be treated as a cup final. Certainly we must maintain this momentum, and when we are playing well it just increases confidence.

"We now have an international break, so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment.''

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill conceded his side were overpowered.

"We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side,'' he said. "But we did contribute to our own downfall. At 1-0 down, we gave away an unbelievably bad goal. It was a shocking mistake. Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game, beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted.

"We played poorly. We gave away some lousy goals and we have to get back on track. We were doing fine four or five weeks ago, but we were well beaten by a better side. But we are a better side than we showed in this game.''

Benitez also paid tribute to Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison, who died yesterday morning. "Bryce is a big loss to this club, and this has been a big week for us. But this is a very sad day,'' he said. (ESPN)

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2:41 PM
Categories: Aston Villa, Liverpool, steven gerard hattrick. Author: nik

Liverpool played themselves back into Premier League contention with a resounding 4-1 win at Old Trafford in Saturday's early game. Although Manchester United remain four points clear with a game in hand and superior goal difference, they are now under slightly more pressure in one of the three remaining competitions they are seeking to win.

United shaded a relatively open quarter and took the lead on 23 minutes. Carlos Tevez threaded a pass through to Ji-Sung Park, deep into the Liverpool penalty area, and Park's touch took him beyond goalkeeper Jose Reina, although away from goal. Committed to the tackle, Reina brought Park down and was beaten to his right from Cristiano Ronaldo's subsequent penalty.

United sought to press home their advantage, but Fernando Torres took advantage of a glaring error by Nemanja Vidic and equalised with 28 minutes gone. In the penultimate minute of the first half, Liverpool were ahead, Patrice Evra misjudging a crossfield ball, pulling down the passing Steven Gerrard who converted the resultant penalty.

Although United were on top for the first half of the second period they rarely threatened to score, and the game was effectively ended after 77 minutes. Vidic, enduring the definitive nightmare afternoon, hacked down Gerrard who would have been clear on goal and after receiving a red card had to watch as Fabio Aurelio whacked in a free kick for 3-1. There was still time for United to be caught again as they chased the game with ten men, and Andrea Dossena compounded their misery with a deft chip over Van der Sar after a long, straight punt from Reina had inexcusably evaded their entire back four.

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9:56 AM
Categories: Aurelio, Dossena, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Manchester United, MU, steven gerard, The Reds. Author: nik

Rafa Benitez took time out of his pre-match preparations to speak to radio journalists as part of the build-up to tomorrow's clash with Manchester United. Here is what he had to say in full.

Journalist: Rafa, a lot of Liverpool fans have said to me that they'd love to see the team go out at Manchester United in the same way they did against Real Madrid during the week. Can you do that at Old Trafford? Everything is possible. We will play against another team in another scenario. They have a lot of confidence in the league, so clearly it will be different and difficult. But if we play with the same high-tempo and keep the ball in the same way, then why not? Journalist: How much confidence do you take from that win against Madrid? I think we needed to play a good game to beat a top side like Madrid. We had confidence before, but now the mood is really good. I think people are waiting for this game with great excitement. Journalist: You've achieved many things during your time as Reds boss, but you have never won at Old Trafford. What has been the stumbling block? They are a good team and the atmosphere at Old Trafford is really good for them, so it is not easy - but maybe this can be the first time. Journalist: Would it represent a closing of the gap between the two sides if you were to complete a league double over them? Our idea is to get the three points, reduce the gap and stay close. We want the team to keep thinking about the title race. We know it will be very difficult, but if we can start the game well, I think we can do it. Journalist: Looking at the way the season has gone it would be fair to say Liverpool and Man United have been the best teams in England this season. When you consider the results in midweek, would it also be fair to say you are the two best sides in Europe too? We are both in a good position and have done well. You can say yes, but it would just create headlines. Looking at Europe, you can see the four English teams are still there, but I'd rather be in the final and then we can talk about these things. Journalist: Javier Mascherano's sending off last season caught all the headlines. Did it show that this is a game for cool heads? Yes clearly. In these types of games it is important to work really hard, play with your heart and also with your brain. The small details can decide the game, so you have to keep all your players on the pitch. Journalist: So you have to hope the man in charge has a similarly cool approach to it? It's not easy for the referee so you have to approach the game thinking they will try their best. Hopefully it will be okay. If he doesn't make a mistake, it will be up to the players on the pitch to make the difference. Journalist: Your players seem to show extra motivation ahead of big matches - do you sense it is there ahead of this one? Yes, this is the kind of game everyone wants to play in. It was the same against Real Madrid. They all want to play. Journalist: Ryan Babel played particularly well against Real Madrid on Tuesday night. Does that please or frustrate you because he hasn't always achieved that level this season? You have to be pleased when a player is doing well. It is very positive for his confidence and good for the team. We know he has talent. We are working with him. He is a young Dutch player who needs time. Van Persie was the same, Bergkamp was the same, so we have to be patient. We are now hoping to see the best of Babel for the rest of the season. Journalist: Of course, he has fond memories of playing against Man United this season, having scored the winner at Anfield back in September... Yes, he got the winner. It was very good for him and very good for our fans. To beat United was important. Journalist: Can the fact many are writing you off in the title race, act as a motivation to some of your players? It could be the case. We want to be in a position where we are proud and improving. We play for the club and the fans. It is part of our responsibility to try and do well. Journalist: So you still believe in your title chances? Clearly, if we can beat United you never know what can happen. If we can reduce the gap it will give us more confidence and we will approach the forthcoming games with positivity. Journalist: Do you sense an extra desire going into this fixture, this season, compared to ones in the past? Yes because we are in a much better position. We know it is a challenge. We know it can make a massive difference if we win there. Journalist: It's a while since you last scored there isn't it? Yes it is. Clearly, you must score the first goal. The players will then play with more confidence so we will try to do that. Journalist: Will Fernando Torres need an injection for the clash at Old Trafford? I don't know. Maybe. He was training today and is fit, so if he does it will be to just ease the pain.

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11:49 AM
Categories: Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Manchester United, Rafa Benitez, Ryan Babel. Author: nik

Liverpool produced a magnificent performance to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate defeat of Real Madrid.In a remarkable first half, Real Madrid were torn to shreds by a breathtaking attacking display led by Fernando Torres, their arch-enemy from his Atletico Madrid days.Torres scored early on, before Steven Gerrard fired home from the spot.

And had it not been for an outstanding display from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Liverpool would have had a hatful in that first 45 minutes alone.

Gerrard scored a spectacular third seconds after the break to deflate Madrid further and substitute Andrea Dossena added a fourth with three minutes to go. Gerrard struck twice on his 100th European appearance for Liverpool to secure a quite breathtaking victory, Real were humbled for the second time in a fortnight by their old boy Rafael Benitez.It inspired a stunning start from Liverpool, with Casillas making two world-class saves in the opening minutes.
Torres, back after an ankle injury, had already embarked on one surging run into the box, before he dumbfounded Fabio Cannavaro with a brilliant turn to control a Gerrard pass, only for Casillas to save with his right foot.Ryan Babel and Javier Mascherano both had shots deflected wide before Casillas rescued Madrid again, stretching to his left to touch a Mascherano 20-yard effort onto the bar and over.After 16 minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Jamie Carragher's long ball had Real on the turn with Torres and Dirk Kuyt baring down on Pepe.Torres looked to nudge Pepe from behind, and the Portuguese defender fell, leaving Kuyt to square the ball for Torres to beat Casillas from six yards, only his second goal against Real having managed just one against them for Atletico.

Real were furious with referee Frank De Bleeckere, the official who sent off Marco Materazzi when Inter Milan were beaten at Anfield at this same stage last season. But the Belgian was unmoved.Pepe was soon booked for dissent before Casillas needed to be at his best to stop a towering Martin Skrtel header, before he somehow beat away a Gerrard shot following more brilliance from Torres on the left.

Gerrard was booked for a foul on Sergio Ramos before more misfortune befell Madrid. A linesman's flag signalled to De Bleeckere after 27 minutes that Gabriel Heinze had handled in the box.Replays showed the ball hit the former Manchester United man on the shoulder, and he was booked for making his point. But Gerrard was nerveless, driving home the spot-kick.
Real were fuming.

Heinze hurled himself feet first into Torres and it needed De Bleeckere and Gerrard to calm the situation, before Jose Reina produced his first saves of the night to turn away a Wesley Sneijder free-kick and hold Raul's header.

Another instinctive save from Reina stopped Sneijder from close range before Mascherano found himself booked after Xabi Alonso had tripped Pepe.That will rule him out of the next European match, but it was unclear whether the yellow card was mistaken identity or because the ball was kicked away from the free-kick.Real needed to do something, and they sent on Brazilian forward Marcelo for the anonymous Arjen Robben at the break.

But any plans for a fightback were destroyed just 65 seconds into the second period. Babel got away on the left and laid the ball back for Gerrard to volley superbly high into the net with Casillas helpless.Real were in pieces, and had it not again been for Casillas - punching the ball away to his right - Gerrard would have had another after 54 minutes.On the hour Lucas was sent on to replace Alonso, with Saturday's likely epic no doubt in Benitez's mind.

Belatedly Real took off a defender, Cannavaro, and sent on an extra forward in Rafael van der Vaart. But Madrid had been bereft of attacking ideas, and it was far too late by now.Raul and Fernando Gago both had chances, but Liverpool were cruising at this stage and next to be given a rest was Torres with eight minutes to go, Dossena taking over, only to be booked within seconds.
Liverpool were able to indulge themselves by bringing on local teenager Jay Spearing in midfield for Gerrard, an Anfield debut for the former FA Youth Cup-winning captain.With three minutes to go, the Italian defender appeared in the box to fire home the fourth goal of the night after a fine build-up involving Babel and Mascherano. (ESPN)

If manager Benitez feels he does not get enough respect for his Champions League achievements at Anfield, this fourth appearance in the last eight in five years will go a long way to gaining him the credit he craves.

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10:15 AM
Categories: ECL, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, nfield, Real Madrid, steven gerard. Author: nik

Ian Rush believes Liverpool's double header with Everton will provide two hugely contrasting spectacles.

The Reds legend is relishing the prospect of two Merseyside derbies within the same week and feels the outcome of each game will have a significant bearing on both the title race and the eventual winner of the FA Cup.




"It's a long time since we played them in the cup so we were probably due another clash," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's amazing that we will have to play them twice in one week, but I do think the league and the cup will be two completely different games.

"Everton will want to win the cup game as it represents their only chance of silverware and I think Liverpool would probably prefer three points in the league.

"But that's not to say they won't want to go out there and win the cup game too.

"I think all the players on show will want to win the FA Cup and it would be nice to do it having beaten Everton along the way.

"I have to say that I feel whoever wins the match has a great chance of lifting the cup and if Liverpool win the league match it will give them a huge boost and put them back on top.

"Both sides are in good form, so they promise to be two intriguing encounters and I can't wait for them to start now."

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10:42 AM
Categories: EPL 08-09, Everton, Liverpool. Author: nik

Dirk Kuyt scored his first Premier League goal since November to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for Liverpool at Manchester City.

The Holland striker rattled the ball home in stoppage time to stun 10-man City.

• Benitez hails determination

The home side had raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido.

Fernando Torres pulled a goal back before City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off.

The momentum was then with Liverpool with Torres adding a second before Kuyt, who was guilty of a shocking earlier miss, having the final word.

Liverpool almost went ahead as early as the fourth minute when Albert Riera got a good touch and goalkeeper Joe Hart had to look alert to turn his effort around the post.

The visitors kept up the pressure and launched a swift counter-attack in the 15th minute. Javier Mascherano, who was preferred to Robbie Keane tried to send Steven Gerrard clear.

However Shaun Wright-Phillips showed his defensive qualities to get in a crucial challenge.

Three minutes later Kuyt should have put Liverpool ahead only to sky his shot over the top in front of the post after Riera had set up the opening.

City made the breakthrough a minute later thanks to Ireland's third goal of the season.

Wright-Phillips did well to cut the ball back from the by-line but it seemed to get stuck under Robinho's feet.

However it eventually fell to Ireland and the ever-improving midfielder rifled an unstoppable shot into the corner.

Whenever Liverpool did break forward City were defending in numbers from front to back.

Xabi Alonso tried his luck from distance in the 38th minute but Hart was equal to his effort.

City extended their lead three minutes later after Wright-Phillips was bundled over Riera, who had a spell on loan at Eastlands.

Garrido stepped up and sent a superb free-kick over a stunned Reina for his first goal for the club.

However it was game on the 56th minute with Liverpool pulling a goal back through Torres.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard, a subdued figure in the first half, began the move by releasing Alvaro Arbeloa.

He skipped to the byline before delivering a cross into the path of Torres, who scored from close range.

It was the Spain striker's fourth goal of the league campaign and came on the back of his brace in the victory over Everton.

This was now a test of character for City, whose own form in the domestic campaign has been a little bit inconsistent.

However they hit back and Wright-Phillips skipped down the wing in the 65th minute, leaving Liverpool players trailing in his wake.

He picked out Robinho but he was unable to test Reina, his effort going over the bar.

The game took a dramatic twist in the 68th minute when City were reduced to 10 men.

Zabaleta was sent off by referee Peter Walton for what the official deemed as a two-footed lunge on Alonso, who needed brief treatment.

Keane was introduced at the expense of Mascherano in the 72nd minute and a minute later Liverpool were level.

Torres peeled away from his marker as Gerrard swung in the corner and thumped home a header.

He had a chance of completing his hat-trick in the 82nd minute only to send his effort at the back post wide of the target.

Kuyt then secured the points in stoppage time, smashing the ball high into the net after Torres' shot had bobbled off Dunne and into his path.

Benitez hails determination
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised his side for the "fantastic'' character that enabled them to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Benitez said: "Our character and determination shone through in the second half. It was fantastic. We were made to pay for two mistakes but we went on to show a good mentality to win the game,'' said Benitez.

"The belief of the players was the key to our success. I just told the team at half-time that we just needed one goal to get back in the game. Physically were are in good condition as well and the players are ready for every game.''

Benitez acknowledged the key contribution from Torres who is hitting top form.

"We all know how important Torres is for us,'' said the Liverpool boss. "He is always a threat for defenders. He can score goals and he also gives space to his team-mates. He is a great boy with an excellent mentality.''

Torres sparked the Reds fightback by pulling a goal back before Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for the home side by referee Peter Walton following a challenge on Xabi Alonso. City manager Mark Hughes had no complaints about the sending off after watching TV replays.

He said: "I have seen it in slow motion and he makes contact with the player's standing leg. Pablo has cleared the ball and the man as well. I can see why the referee has given it.

"That made it difficult for us as it is hard enough with 11 men against the top four teams, never mind being a man down.''

Hughes added: "I thought we were excellent in the first half and took the game to Liverpool. We caused them a lot of problems. The disappointing thing from our point of view is we let them back into the game so early in the second half.

"Then, after the sending off, we just tried to get through the game only for Liverpool to get the win when maybe we should have had something to show for our efforts.''

Benitez admits he fears the worst regarding Skrtel's knee injury.

"We have to wait for the scan but we think it could be serious. When a player like Martin is on the ground you know it's serious so we will keep our fingers crossed that it won't be too bad.''

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10:28 AM
Categories: EPL result, Fernando Torres, Liverpool, Manchester City. Author: nik

Dirk Kuyt admitted the Liverpool players were hugely frustrated after they were robbed of what seemed like a legitimate goal in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Stoke City.

The Dutch forward felt Steven Gerrard's third minute free-kick was harshly ruled out for offside but was honest enough to suggest the Reds should have made more of the chances they created during a hugely one-sided 90 minutes.

"We thought we'd scored a goal through Stevie but the referee has said he disallowed it for offside," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv. "That's frustrating but we still had time to overcome that disappointment and score another goal.

"We had a lot of possession and created a lot of chances but at the end of the day you have to score goals to win matches."

The stalemate with the Barclays Premier League newcomers means Liverpool's hopes of maintaining a prolonged 'perfect' record at Anfield are already over after just three matches.

It is particularly frustrating for the Reds coming on the back of last weekend's magnificent triumph against Manchester United and Kuyt felt they were unlucky not to take more than a point from a clash they dominated from start to finish.

"You always want to win your home games, especially against opposition like Stoke," he said.

"It was like a game of attack against defence where they had 10 men behind the ball all the time. But it's our job to break them down and although we made a number of openings we weren't able to convert them.

"Sometimes football is like this. You deserve to win but at the end you are unlucky. After beating Manchester United last week it was a good chance to build up some momentum and it's disappointing that we didn't manage to do it.

"But we must look ahead now, go to Everton next week and put this result behind us with a win. We got a good win there last season and I have good memories from that game too, so hopefully it can be the same again."

Kuyt also had words of support for strike duo Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane who have yet to hit top form so far this season.

"The goals will come for Fernando and Robbie," he said. "We have no worries. They will score goals."

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11:59 AM
Categories: Dirk Kuyt, EPL result, Liverpool, Stoke City. Author: nik

Here are all the pre-match stats and facts ahead of Saturday's showdown with Manchester United at Anfield. Last season here United took all three points with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal after 43 minutes. They went on to record a league ‘double' winning 3-0 at Old Trafford. Javier Mascherano was controversially sent off ten minutes after Wes Brown had opened the scoring for the home side. Ronaldo and Nani added goals the last 11 minutes. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last ten league games since losing at Old Trafford last March. There has been only one goalless draw between the sides in the Premiership – here in 2005/06. Liverpool have not scored in any of their last seven league games against United since John O'Shea scored an own goal at Old Trafford in September 2004. In fact, no Liverpool player has scored a league goal against United since Danny Murphy from the penalty spot at Old Trafford in April 2004. Harry Kewell in November 2003 was the last to score in open play. Liverpool's last league win here against today's opponents came in November 2001 when they won 3-1 with Michael Owen (two) and John Arne Riise scoring. Liverpool have been waiting since September 2004 to record a 50th league win over United. Should he play, Robbie Keane will play the 450th club game of his career. Liverpool's next goal will be their 400th scored under Rafa Benitez. Peter Beardsley scored the last of the six Liverpool hat-tricks against United in League meetings in September 1990 while Stan Pearson in 1946-47 has scored the last United hat-trick. If today's game finishes all-square it will be Liverpool's 50th draw in all competitions under Rafa Benitez. Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov scored 46 goals between them for Tottenham last season - each scoring 23. They both scored 15 in the Premier League. Last season Liverpool were the highest scorers in all four divisions with 199. Manchester United with 110 had the third best total. Liverpool have won just seven of the 32 Premiership meetings with United taking maximum points in 18. Rafa Benitez is looking to record his first league win over United at the ninth attempt. He did however oversee Liverpool's first F.A.Cup victory over United in 85 years thanks to a Peter Crouch goal on this ground in 2006. Albert Riera made his debut in English football in January 2006 for Manchester City against Manchester United. It was a dream start as City won 3-1 with Robbie Fowler scoring the final goal in the last minute. Liverpool's biggest ever win here was 7-1 in the first meeting between the two sides in October 1895 when United were known as Newton Heath. United's biggest win here was in December 1969 when they recorded a 4-1 victory.

	LFC V MAN UNITED: STAT ATTACK Ged Rea 11 September 2008
Of Liverpool's last 55 league games at Anfield they have lost only twice…both to Manchester United. There has not been a goal scored in the opening 69 minutes of any of Liverpool's five games this season with the Reds having to wait until the 83rd minute at least to open their account. They have not scored a first half goal in any of their last nine games. The last was a 43rd minute strike from Dirk Kuyt against Chelsea in the Champions League at Anfield back in April. All of Liverpool's goals have this season have been scored while Nabil El Zhar has been on the pitch. If United win today they will equal Everton by recording their 23rd league victory at Anfield. No club has won more. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are United's most prolific scorers in the Premier League. Both have scored 96 though Scholes has played 101 fewer games. If Liverpool fail to score today United will become the first visiting team ever to keep five successive league clean sheets at Anfield. United have lost only one of the last dozen league meetings home and away and at Anfield are unbeaten in the last six visits winning five. United have failed to score in only two of the last 12 league visits to Anfield. Dimitar Berbatov could make his debut for United today. The last players to play their first United games against Liverpool were Mikael Silvestre and Massimo Taibi on this ground in September 1999. United have lost just once away from home in the Premier League in 2008. That setback came at Chelsea in April when they were beaten 2-1. Darren Fletcher has scored both of Manchester United's league goals this season. Ryan Giggs is looking to score for the 19th successive season. United have scored in each of their last 26 Premier League since failing to find the net at Bolton back in November. United's league title last season was built on their home form as both Chelsea and Arsenal had better away records. They won 17 of their 19 games at Old Trafford with ten victories coming on the road. Given their home form in the league it is a surprise that they were eliminated from both the F.A.Cup (Portsmouth) and League Cup (Coventry City) at Old Trafford.

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10:44 AM
Categories: Anfield, EPL, Liverpool, Manchester United. Author: nik

The banner hung over the away end at Ibrox may have been tongue in cheek but it certainly provided a window into the souls of the Liverpool fans.
"Thank you Rangers for your efforts in destroying Manchester," it read, much to the amusement of just about everyone in the ground for Liverpool's pre-season walk in the park against Scotland's second best team.

It was a joke and a decent one at that but it also offered an insight into the mindset of the hordes in red and white who follow their team all over Europe in massive numbers - they know full well that Manchester must be destroyed, in a sporting sense, if Liverpool's wait for a league title is not to reach 20 years.

The most chastening of all thoughts is that this could be the season when it is the Stretford End and not the Kop which takes great pride in bellowing "18 times" to belittle their greatest rivals.




Since 1990, that chant has been the shield which has protected Reds fans even when their team has not lived up to the glorious standards set by their illustrious predecessors.

Glorifying the past because the future had dried up was their crutch and they were going to hold on to it even as United - and Chelsea and Arsenal to a lesser extent - voraciously vacuumed up league title after league title.

But this season Liverpool's past could come back to haunt them. All of a sudden, the combination of history and basic mathematics which has given them a comfort blanket to hold on to for so long may not be enough to protect them.

United are just one Championship trophy away from drawing level and if that isn't enough to inspire that long awaited title challenge from Anfield then God only knows what is.

There is now no escaping the challenge which faces Liverpool. Their rivals from the wrong end of the M62 have thrown down the gauntlet and unless the Reds do something about it there is a major possibility that they will lose their cherished title as England's most successful club come next May.

Sharing is not the Liverpool way as anyone foolishly peddling the ridiculous idea of a shared stadium with Everton has found out to their cost in recent years.

Liverpool set the standards for others to follow and the idea of no longer being singularly known as England's finest is one of the few things in life more depressing than a DVD of last season's European Cup Final.

The positive thing is Liverpool's fate remains in their own hands and they have it within their gift to retain their status as the nation's history boys.

They can also count on their strongest squad of players since Alan Hansen last lifted the league championship trophy above his head back in May 1990.

And they have a manager who has proven with Valencia that he has what it takes to defeat the biggest of boys and who has grown in confidence with every passing year he has spent in this country.

Rafa Benitez knows that the time has come for a genuine title challenge and not one which flatters to deceive or fizzles out when the business end of the season comes around.

Liverpool have to be in the mix next Easter. They must go into Alex Ferguson's infamous "squeaky bum" time with their buttocks clenched and handle anything that comes their way.

The platform has been built for them to spring from over the last four seasons and the big question now is has enough been done during the summer transfer window to see their status change from also rans to competitors?

Fans of Robbie Keane will tell you it has and that the acquisition of Ireland's record goalscorer can be the final piece of the seemingly never ending jigsaw which Liverpool have been putting together for oh so long.

Even at £20m the former Spurs man still has the potential to provide value for money and should Keane perform with the kind of élan and skill which is his trademark then no-one will complain about his price tag.

The arrival of Keane has only served to strengthen the spine of the Liverpool team which was already one of the best around.

Right down the middle of Benitez's side there is a quality that makes others envious and which gives Kopites hope.

Just putting the names down on paper is an exercise in belief building - Reina, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Hyypia, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Torres and now Keane are all undoubtedly good enough to be part of a title winning side.

The arrival of Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen proved that Benitez was in agreement with the majority of fans who follow his team that Liverpool were crying out for attacking full backs.

It is still far too early to say whether either or both have the necessary talent to take the Reds to the next level but at least a weakness has been addressed and if all Dossena does is not score a calamitous own goal in the last minute of a European Cup semi-final progress will have been made.

In all likelihood, it will be the usual suspects who will have the biggest say in whether or not Liverpool can end their ongoing title drought.

At times, the importance of Gerrard and Carragher to this Liverpool side is easy to underestimate because they have been around for so long and because the high standards they set are sometimes taken for granted.

But make no mistake about it, if a challenge is to emerge at Anfield it will be the long serving local pair who will be at the heart of it.

Their leadership and their top class talent will be needed as much as it ever has been and should the standards they set be reached by others around them it could just be enough to light the fuse on a very special season.

Torres has already proven that he can live with the best and should Spain's Euro 2008 hero enjoy another goal-laden campaign Liverpool will certainly not be wanting when it comes to firepower.

If anything, the addition of Keane only adds to Torres' potential and their partnership has all the ingredients that any manager would be looking for in a dream team attacking pair.

Pace, flair, imagination, creativity, bravery, power, ingenuity, strength, aerial ability, finishing prowess - you name it, the Torres and Keane pairing has it.

They are at the attacking edge of a Liverpool team which is undoubtedly packed with quality but now they have to take the next step.

Should they do so, then legendary status will be assured, not to mention the not so trivial matter of ensuring Liverpool retain their status as England's most decorated domestic club.

Knocking United off their perch may be the tallest of orders but it can be done and should history made then the Liverpool fans will be thanking their team for "destroying Manchester."

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12:49 PM
Categories: EPL, Liverpool, New Season Previews. Author: nik

Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog were all on the scoresheet in Oslo as the Reds secured a 4-1 victory over Valerengen in their penultimate pre-season friendly - and you can watch all of the goals online now. Alonso opened the scoring midway through the first half with a well guided shot which curled away from the Valerenga goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The Norwegians levelled early in the second period when Zajic fired home from close range - but their joy was short-lived as Torres latched onto a chance inside the box and finished with his customary style.

Yossi Benayoun added to his impressive pre-season goals tally with a magical strike on the hour mark when he dribbled his way into space before clipping a brilliant chip over Troy Perkins in the home side's goal.

And youngster David Ngog completed the rout with a calm finish late on when he slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.

If you've got an e-Season Ticket simply click on the links below to enjoy the best moments from our latest pre-season success.

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1:35 PM
Categories: Liverpool, Valerenga. Author: nik