Liverpool see another flurry of goals in Asia

Sports - Football - Pre-Season-Friendly - Malaysia XI 3:6 Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed a mixed game against the Malaysia XI, enjoying most of the possession and goals, but not without some scares, twists and turns.

Nine goals meant good entertainment again, although most of them were thanks to some clumsy defending, the Reds most certainly getting the season warm-up, training, workout and preparation they were looking for.

Liverpool opened the scoring thanks to a soft penalty after Andy Carroll went down a bit too easily in front of Mahali Jasuli with the littlest of little contact made.

But the spot kick was given and Charlie Adam netted both the first take and the retake to give him his first goal for the Reds.

The visitors kept dominating play and possession until they were stunned shortly before half time, just like in their first friendly against Guangdong FC, by a sweet right-footed free kick by the Malaysian skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim into the right corner of the net, to make it 1-1 at half time, no chance for the goalkeeper to stop it.

The second half was clumsier, Liverpool bringing on a whole new 11 again, both sides leaving big gaps, leaving plenty of space for David Ngog and Maxi Rodriguez to net two each on the one side of the pitch and super-sub Mohd Safel Mohd Sali to net two on the other side, all of them all too easily with all the space in the world.

Red Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt blasted in a nice Alberto Aquilani cross to make it 3-6 and put the icing on a very sweet, action-packed cake just before the full-time whistle.

Again, everyone contributed, gave their best, maybe trying to squeeze in a little too much, a little bit too hard which made play very spacey and chaotic at times, but it was still a good watch and a good chance to see everyone.

Aquilani impressed me late on with his contributions, good crosses, a little bit more daring and risky play but good creating and taking of chances which makes it the more questionable and interesting whether he will be added to the summer sales list or not.... The number 99 on his shirt may be too much of a giveaway though...

Malaysia XI: Ramli; Mahali Jasuli (booked 26), Putra, Mohd Shas, Ahmad (booked 21, Ismail 73); Bakhtiar, Rohidan (Sali 77, scored 79 & 82), Rahim (scored 42, Faruqi 63), Subramaniam; Yahya (Ramian 39), Shaarani (Saad 63).

Subs not used: Che Mat, Nasril Nourdin, Ashari, Muslin Ahmed, Remeli, Haidi Zainal, Suppiah, Shamsuddin, Shaari, Rizal Fahmi.

Liverpool: Jones (Gulacsi 46, Hansen 70); Robinson (Insua 46), Agger (Wilson 46), Carragher (Kyrgiakos 46), Flanagan (Kelly 46); Adam (scored pen. 26, Aquilani 46), Coady (Kuyt 46, scored 94), Spearing (Poulsen 46), Meireles (Maxi 46, scored 75 & 91), Cole (Shelvey 46); Carroll (Ngog 46, scored 69 & 70).

Subs not used: Pacheco, Wisdom.

1st & 2nd half stats:

Malaysia XI-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-7 & 6-9
On target: 3-4 & 3-6
Offsides: 0-2 & 0-1
Corners: 1-1 & 1-1
Free kick: 6-5 & 1-4
Possession: 32%-68% (10)

My man of the match: Alberto Aquilani

Pre-Season Friendly, match summary: Malaysia XI 3-6 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Pre-Season-Friendly - Malaysia XI 3:6 Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed a mixed game against the Malaysia XI, enjoying most of the possession and goals, but not without some scares, twists and turns. Nine goals meant good entertainment again, although most of them were thanks to some clumsy defending, the Reds most certainly getting the season warm-up, training, workout and preparation they were looking for with David Ngog and Maxi Rodriguez netting two each, Dirk Kuyt contributing with one and Charlie Adam getting his first thanks to a penalty. Full match report soon to follow...

Text commentary of the game (min):

- (1) Liverpool kick off the first half.

- (3) First couple of minutes the visitors enjoy most possession, press forward but attack disolves in the box.

- (4) First free kick goes to Liverpool, from the left wide outside the box, Charlie Adam with the delivery, comes around but is eventually smashed away by the defence.

- (6) Foul by Joe Cole on nr 3 defender Mohd Shas, free kick to Malaysia XI.

- (8) Andy Carrol misjudges role of the ball and plays it out on the right, slightly unfortunate, slightly runs it over.

- (11) Possession all Liverpool the first ten minutes: Malaysia XI 32%-68% Liverpool.

- (11) Carroll's shot off Adam's nice diagonal cross is punched away brilliantly by the Malaysian goalkeeper Ramli, good jump to his left, and he also blocks Meireles's follow up shot nicely.

- (12) Free kick to Liverpool, Carroll fouled from 25 yards.

- (13) Adam can't get the depth on the ball, free kick curls high and wide.

- (14) Free kick to Liverpool, nothing from it.

- (17) Joe Cole shoots with his left, softest of soft shots, easy stop for goalkeeper.

- (18) Joe Cole is offside in the box, didn't time his run, a bit over-enthusiastic there.

- (20) John Flanagan gives away a free kick not too far from the halfway line, long ball ends up out, goal kick for Brad Jones.

- (21) Free kick to Liverpool, Adam caught late by Ahmad, the nr 2 is the first name in the book.

- (25) PENALTY to Liverpool, Carroll has gone down, controversy, the Malaysia XI is not happy with that decision, the nr 4 Mahali Jasuli is the one behind Carroll who goes down a bit too easy. There is an arm out, littlest of little contact, but spot kick is given.

- (26) Penalty netted by Adam but has to be retaken, Adam nets the second even better, more confident with his left into the left corner, goalkeeper wrongsided, soft penalty gives Liverpool the lead. Malaysia XI 0:1 Liverpool. Mahali Jasuli is booked for his troubles.

- (29) First corner for the home side, easy pick up for Australian goalkeeper Jones.

- (33) Good dominance by Liverpool, strong defending and header out by Mohd Shas leads to Liverpool's first corner, the ball eventually hit wide by Raul Meireles, clumsy, could and should have made more of that.

- (37) Foul by Adam on nr 23, free kick to Malaysia XI, ends up in Jones' arms without much pressure.

- (38) Meireles going close, good stop by the Malaysian goalkeeper.

- (39) Malaysia XI change: Izzaq Faris Ramian on for Abdul Hadi Yahya.

- (42) Free kick to the home side, just outside the goal, belter, Jones beaten, 1:1. Fantastic free kick by skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim, right footer into the right corner, no chance for the goalkeeper.

- (47) Another free kick taken by Rahim, headed wide by Bakhtiar.

- (48) Free kick put high over goal by skipper Rahim.

HALF TIME. MALAYSIA XI 1:1 LIVERPOOL

- (46) Second half kicks off with whole new Liverpool XI.

- (51) Liverpool dominate start of the second half, in control, had a couple of chances, Dirk Kuyt drilling a free kick against the wall before David Ngog put one wide after racing clear of the defence.

- (52) Jonjo Shelvey puts one wide.

- (59) Christian Poulsen gives away a free kick, produces a corner, Malaysian skipper takes command but comes to nothing, the Reds clear the danger.

- (63) Two substitutions for the home side, Shahrizal Saad comes on for Fakri Shaarani and skipper Safiq Rahim makes room for Ismail Faruqi.

- (65) Kuyt crosses to Aquilani, who cannot reach it for Ngog to eventually puts a volley wide.

- (69) Simple tap in for David Ngog after the defence fell asleep and let Insuas low cross through, too easy, 1:2.

- (70) Ngog nets another one, this time a strong right foot into the back of the net from just inside the box, although he had all the space in the world to do it, good pass by Alberto Aquilani, 1:3.

- (73) Another substitution for the homside, Farisham Ismail comes on for Muslim Ahmad.

- (75) Aquilani opens up back four, good ball across, easy again to net for Maxi Rodriguez, easy dig in to make it 1:4.

- (77) Decent stop by the Liverpool goalkeeper, outstretched to his right. Another substitution for the home side, Mohd Safee Mohd Sali on for Amar Rohidan.

- (79) Martin Hansen will not be happy, spills one out for sub Sali to net it easy, 2:4.

- (80) Another one for Sali, Liverpool all over place, losing it late on like in the last friendly, the sub races through and scores his second, 3:4.

- (86) The home side attacking, pressing for an equaliser, the goalkeeper Hansen not showing himself from his strong side here, Liverpool ending this game very shakey.

- (89) Game calming down now, Liverpool back in possession, comfortable.

- (91) Rodriguez heads another one in, that settles it, good ball into the box by Aquilani, four yards out, 3:5. Four minutes added on though...

- (94) Aquilani tries a shot from far, goalkeeper had to stop that one, not bad, seconds later Dirk Kuyt blasts an Aquilani cross right in there, goalkeeper has no chance, 3:6.

FULL TIME. MALAYSIA XI 3:6 LIVERPOOL

Malaysia XI: Ramli; Mahali Jasuli (booked 26), Putra, Mohd Shas, Ahmad (booked 21, Ismail 73); Bakhtiar, Rohidan (Sali 77, scored 79 & 82), Rahim (scored 42, Faruqi 63), Subramaniam; Yahya (Ramian 39), Shaarani (Saad 63).
Subs not used: Che Mat, Nasril Nourdin, Ashari, Muslin Ahmed, Remeli, Haidi Zainal, Suppiah, Shamsuddin, Shaari, Rizal Fahmi.

Liverpool: Jones (Gulacsi 46, Hansen 70); Robinson (Insua 46), Agger (Wilson 46), Carragher (Kyrgiakos 46), Flanagan (Kelly 46); Adam (scored pen. 26, Aquilani 46), Coady (Kuyt 46, scored 94), Spearing (Poulsen 46), Meireles (Maxi 46, scored 75 & 91), Cole (Shelvey 46); Carroll (Ngog 46, scored 69 & 70).
Subs not used: Pacheco, Wisdom.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Malaysia XI-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-7 & 6-9
On target: 3-4 & 3-6
Offsides: 0-2 & 0-1
Corners: 1-1 & 1-1
Free kick: 6-5 & 1-4
Possession: 32%-68% (10)

The Reds see 7 goals in first warm-up game

Sports - Football - Pre-Season Friendly - GFC 3:4 LFC

Liverpool kicked off their pre-season Asia tour in fine and entertaining fashion against Guangdong Sunray Cave FC, netting four thanks to Christian Poulsen, David Ngog, debutant Conor Coady and Andy Carroll, but also conceding three through Columbian forward Ricardo Steer, Lu Lin and Yin Hongbo.

It was a less temperamental, more well-spirited affair, with no real tackles flying around nor pressure on the ball, more a kick-about with some nice one-twos, team work as well as individual sparks with most of the action happening in the middle.

After Danny Wilson put Daniel Pacheco's corner wide earlier on, Poulsen tapped in Joe Cole's cross from the edge of the box to give the Reds an easy, comfortable lead.

90 seconds later, Ngog doubled the lead finishing off a sublime through-ball from Poulsen, lovely timing, splitting the defence to give the striker a simple slide through.

Guangdong had the last laugh of the half though, with Lu Lin giving Steer a lovely ball into the box which the Columbian headed in thankfully to make it 1:2 at half time.

The Reds put on a new 11 for the second half, including new signing Charlie Adam, which seemed to be less organised, especially at the back, but was still able to keep possession and dominance.

The crunch of the game didn't come until halfway through the second half, the subs finally clicking and creating, Coady netting a belter off Carroll's pass, a great goal for the debutant youngster, a good knock with a confident look.

Carroll got off the mark himself soon after thanks to the lack of defence and his change of pace, to make it 1:4 from close range.

However, the homeside, like for the whole of the match, would not lay low and count themselves out as defeated and netted two goals in the last three minutes.

Lu Lin was scorer and provider curling a sweet shot into the right corner of the net after cutting the ball in past two defenders, and, 90ish seconds later, passing the ball from the left edge of the box for Hongbo to make another remarkable finish, from the left to the right foot and into the right corner of the net again.

It was a sweet and juicy end to the game for the Chinese side, less sweet for the Reds, but a good opportunity to check out the click of the old and new, the first half side working out better than the second, but neither lacking in effort. Good to watch and nice to see, looking forward to the next test against the Malaysia All-Stars XI.

Guangdong FC: Li Zhihai; Ge Zhen, Awal (Binliang 57), Ricardo Steer (Yu Jianfeng 83), Li Jian (Lui Sheng 69); Yin Hongbo, Zhu Lang (Shi Liang 66), Lu Lin, Yu Yongzhe (Hou Yu 57); Song Chao, Diakite.

Sub not used: Li Weijun, Long, Pan Jia, Lui Xi, Peihao, Zuquing.

Liverpool: 1st half side: Gulacsi; Flanagan, Wilson, Carragher, Kelly; Shelvey, Spearing, Poulsen, Cole, Ngog; Pacheco.

2nd half side: Jones (Hansen 70); Robinson, Aquilani, Wisdom, Coady; Adam, Agger, Kyrgiakos; Kuyt, Carroll, Maxi.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Guangdong FC-Liverpool
Attempts: 3-5 & 3-6
On target: 3-3 & 2-3
Offsides: 1-2 & 0-1
Corners: 3-3 & 1-2
Free kicks: 3-0 & 1-0

My man of the match: Lu Lin

No happy return to Anfield for Houllier

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3:0 Aston Villa

It was no happy return to Anfield for Gerard Houllier, his Aston Villa side losing in devastatingly blatant fashion by 3-0.



Liverpool were without their main trio - striker Fernando Torres missing out as his wife has gone into labour, whilst skipper Steven Gerrard and defender Jamie Carragher were out due to injury, Pepe Reina taking over the armband for the night.

Neither goalkeeper was challenged and the honours were even for the first 12 minutes until Liverpool won the first corner of the night.

Martin Skrtel headed the set-piece from the edge of the box on to David Ngog in the centre of the box for the the French striker to jump-head, nearly catapult the ball into the net, scoring a superb goal.

Hardly a couple of minutes later and Ryan Babel made it two. He was lucky as he looked offside when he took the ball and turned around from the right corner of the box and took the right-footed shot well.

Villa defender Stephen Warnock let the striker off and his side down backing away from the Frenchman thinking he was offside and leaving him free to go on and score, Liverpool continued in control and comfortably, in a scrappy game, Aston Villa unable to keep the ball much longer than two seconds, lacking options and width without Ashley Young.


The guests kicked the second half off changed to 4-4-2, booked Ciaran Clark off for Nathan Delfouneso. They did create a couple of chances, but it didn't change the trend of the match.

Not even 10 minutes into the second half, Ngog broke and crossed the ball from the left into the box, a nice pass with the outside of his right foot, to Maxi Rodriguez, who took an easy shot to put the ball into the right corner of the net to make it 3-0 and kill off an already very much subdued match.

Villa enjoyed much more possession in the second half but didn't make much of it, All the passes backwards and forwards coming to nothing, not creating nor posing any threat to Reina.

Liverpool added more pressure late on, threatening to turn the game into an even worse and really bad thrash for Villa, but in the end it stayed 3-0, the Reds bagging 3 goals and points in rather unusual and unfamiliar easy and cool fashion, leaving Roy Hodgson a very happy and relieved man, with his side's form on the mend; Houllier on the other hand, is left the more worried and under pressure.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos (Kelly 84), Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt (Cole 80), Meireles, Lucas, Maxi (scored 55, Aurelio 76), Babel (scored 14), Ngog (scored 16).
Subs not used: Jones, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton (Pires 66), Clark (booked 38, Delfouneso HT), Hogg, Downing, Ireland, Agbonlahor (Carew 66). Subs not used: Guzan, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd.

1st half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-1
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 1-2
Free kicks: 9-6
Possession:
50%-50% after 12min
55%-45% at HT

2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-3
On target: 5-2
Offsides: 2-0
Corners: 3-1
Free kicks: 4-5
Possession:
40%-60% 2nd half up to 62min
50%-50% at FT

Sky Sports Stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Passing Success: 79.8%-78.9%
Tackles/Success: 17/58.8%-23/73.9%
Territorial Advantage: 51.6%-48.4%

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: David Ngog

FT Summary: Liverpool 3:0 Aston Villa

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3:0 Aston Villa

1st & 2nd half half summary:

- Fernando Torres missing out as his wife has gone into labour, adding him onto the absentee list of skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher due to injury.

- Liverpool kick off the game, Pepe Reina the skipper for tonight.

- Villa fail to clear the ball off the free kick they concede right outside the box, Dirk Kuyt puts the strike wide.

- Free kick in the same area seconds earlier comes to nothing, Kuyt losing the ball.

- First attempt on target for Villa, Albrighten in the box putting the ball over to his right, Reina picking it up quite comfortable.

- Honours and possession even after the first 12 minutes, neither goalkeeper challenged.

- Liverpool win the first corner of the night headed by Martin Skrtel from the edge of the box to David Ngog in the box and he jump-heads, nearly catapults it in, superb goal on 13:19, 1-0.

- 15:48 Ryan Babel makes it two, looked offside, lucky, turns around from the right corner of the box, taking the right-foot shot well to make it 2-0. Steven Warnock thought it was off, letting the Frenchman off and going on to score.

- First corner for Villa on 19, weak and easily cleared by Meireles.

- Second corner for the guests not much more productive, cleared easily by Skrtel.

- Another good chance for the Reds, Raul Meireles taking a free kick from right outside the box, Sotirios Kyrgiakos putting an easy, clear header wide.

- 10 minutes to go until half time, scrappy game but Liverpool on top, Aston Villa unable to keep the ball much longer than two seconds.

- Babel puts a shot from the edge of the box wide, Brad Friedel scrambling.

- First booking of the night: Ciaran Clark sees yellow for showing his studs v Lucas Leiva, his fifth this season, that means he will miss out Villa's next game against West Brom.

- 1 minute added on... Liverpool end the half comfortable 2-0 ahead, Villa lacking width and options without Ashley Young.

- Villa kicks the second half having made one change, Nathan Delfouneso replacing the booked Clark, formation changes to 4-4-2, will that change their fortune?

- Interesting fact: Liverpool haven't scored in the second half for the last 5 games, that makes it over 7.5 hours.

- Agbonlahor should have scored but doesn't get enough on it, Reina making a wonderful block-save. Glorious opportunity for Villa to start the comeback.

- Free kick right outside the box for Villa, ends up in Reina gloves, easy.

- Ngog from the left, into the box, outside right-foot pass to Maxi Rodriguez, easy shot into the right corner of the net on 54:56min, 3-0.

- Downing puts a half-volley painfully wide.

- Aston Villa enjoy much more possession this half but are not making much of it. All the passes backwards and forwards coming to nothing, not threatening Reina at all.

- Villa make their two remaining changes just before Downing takes a free kick left outside the box, close but the ball ends in Reina's gloves again.

- Glen Johnson looking for a fourth off a quickly taken free kick, makes it through the defense and pulls a great double-punch out by Friedel. Corner is easily and safely defended out to Villa's relief.

- Rodriguez finds Johnson inside the box who should have drilled it into the goal easy but insead puts it high without working Friedel.

- Liverpool pressing on, keeping Villa busy in the box. Corner, Kyrgiakos header cleared off the line by Hogg before Liverpool make their first change.

- Another corner for the Reds is cleared, Johnson wasting a good ball wide. Second substitution for the home side, Cole gets about 10 minutes after missing the last five matches.

- Last substitution for Liverpool, Kyrgiakos leaves the field and enjoys the applause, Martin Kelly replaces him.

- Babel turns the Villa team on their head with some beautiful movements and ends up being fowled for it.

- Ngog breaks, passes to Johnson who puts it too far for Babel to reach. They have certainly enjoyed tonight.

- 2 minutes added on, no interruptions at all to the game tonight apart from the changes... 3 goals, 3 points in the bag for Liverpool, 100 clean sheets for Reina, quicker than Grobbelaar and Clemence.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos (Kelly 84), Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt (Cole 80), Meireles, Lucas, Maxi (scored 55, Aurelio 76), Babel (scored 14), Ngog (scored 16).
Subs not used: Jones, Jovanovic, Poulsen, Shelvey.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton (Pires 66), Clark (booked 38, Delfouneso HT), Hogg, Downing, Ireland, Agbonlahor (Carew 66). Subs not used: Guzan, Cuellar, Lichaj, Herd.

1st half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-1
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 1-2
Free kicks: 9-6
Possession:
50%-50% after 12min
55%-45% at HT

2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Aston Villa
Attempts: 5-3
On target: 5-2
Offsides: 2-0
Corners: 3-1
Free kicks: 4-5
Possession:
40%-60% 2nd half up to 62min
50%-50% at FT

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: David Ngog

Super-Sub Gerrard saves the day with a hat-trick

Sports - Football - Europa League - Liverpool 3:1 Napoli

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard spared his side's blushes with a second half hat-trick after coming off the bench.


The Reds looked off form in the first half, a too familiar sight this season. It was not much of a surprise when the Italian guests took the lead just before the half-hour mark, Ezequiel Lavezzi racing clear and slotting in. It looked all too easy for the Azzuri (aka Blues).

David Ngog wasted a couple of good opportunities and looked absent for most of the game. His team seemed to paint the same picture, looking disorientated, uncoordinated and clumsy at times, giving the Italian goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis little to do if anything.

With Chelsea being the next guests at Anfield, it is understandable why Roy Hodgson was looking to rest most of his first choice players, but even so, with the Europa League only one of two cup competitions left for the Reds, it was no surprise to see the skipper come on with the start of the second half.

And how it changed the match; not only the atmosphere in the ground, but the whole spirit of the team seemed lifted, the skipper's introduction breathing new life into the Reds. It all happened in the last 15 minutes:

Gerrard needed a little luck to get the scoreboard ticking and find an equaliser for the Reds, when he beat De Sanctis to a bad backpass from former Red Andrea Dossena on 75.

The home side kept the pressure up and with only a couple of minutes remaining saw Glen Johnson brought down in the box by Salvatore Aronica and their captain net the spot kick to take the lead for the Reds.

And to end the game on a sweet note, Lucas Leiva's fine tackle and pass from the left found his captain and left him with an easy dunk in to make it three.

The result may mask the struggle at Anfield for now and be cruel on the guests who looked the stronger and more in-control side in the first half. But in the end, it showed how strong, determined and decisive one man can be for his side.

Hopefully his teammates will take Stevie G. as an example and lead the way with the same style and stance against Chelsea. Because if they don't and continue in the shakey and sorry fashion they started this game in, they will need more than three goals to save even just one point against their London rivals and league leaders.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson (booked 25), Konchesky, Kyrgiakos (booked 67), Carragher; Meireles, Spearing, Poulsen (Eccleston 65), Shelvey, Jovanovic (Gerrard 46); Ngog (Lucas 82). Subs not used: Hansen, Wilson, Kelly, Skrtel.

Napoli: De Sanctis (booked 76); Aronica, Dossena (booked 47), Campagnaro (booked 67), Cannavaro; Pazienza, Maggio, Hamsik (Yebda 84), Gargano, Cavani (booked 93), Lavezzi.
Subs not used: Gianello, Grava, Santacroce, Zuniga, Sosa, Dumitru.

BBC stats:
Liverpool-Napoli
Attempts: 15-7
On target: 7-3
Corners: 2-5
Free kicks: 11-9
Possession: 52%-48%

Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Napoli
Attempts: 15-7
On target: 7-3
Offsides: 5-0
Corners: 2-5
Free kicks: 12-10
Possession: 57.8%%-42.2%
Passing Success: 78.8%-73.5%
Tackles/Success: 25/76%-13/84.6%
Territorial Advantage: 48%-52%

Referee: Fautrel
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard

All fo(u)r joy at Anfield ahead of big clash

Sports - Football - Europa League - Liverpool 4:1 Steaua Bucharest

After one weak display after another, Liverpool knew they they had to boost their form and determination in preparation for their big Premier League Super Sunday clash ahead against their Northern rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

They couldn't have wished for a better start when Joe Cole swooped in on an ugly clumsy backpass by Octavian Abrudan to make it 1-0 after just 26 seconds of play.

But the red storm didn't last long, with the all too familiar clumsiness and carelessness sneaking into their game again, giving their Romanian opposition less to worry about, less pressure to work against.

With eight changes made to the side that drew against Birmingham on Sunday with a lacklustre display and lack of passion, Jay Spearing was one of the youngsters given the chance to impress and so he did.

But in one of thos moments-to-forget, he slipped and to let Bogdan Stancu through to slid a pass to Cristian Tanase who was too quick and broke through between Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Martin Kelly and put the ball up, over, and past a helpless Pepe Reina.

Steaua kept solid and Liverpool more and more frustrated to take them through to half time all square at 1-1.

It took a controversial twist in the second half to turn the game around for Liverpool. Kyrgiakos staged a dramatic tumble onto the ground although replays showed Pantelis Kapetanos hardly touched him - the latter seeing yellow and the prior winning a penalty for his dramatic improvisation for David Ngog to net it comfortably and give the Reds a lucky lead.

But this lucky turn of events seemed to have put Liverpool into gear - finally! Steaua fought hard, not breaking down easily even after the game turned against them. But even their stubbornness and bullishness couldn't stop sub Lucas Leiva's superb right-footed strike from outside the box into the bottm right-hand corner to make it 3-1.

And to put salt onto the Romanians' wound, in injury time, Ngog squeezed between four yellow shirts in the box, looking like he was going to cock it up and waste it, but put a quick solid right-foot shot into the left corner of the net instead, his second goal of the match and sixth of the season - a promising trend in comparison to his eight in total last season.

Let's hope this 4-1 win will also be a promising indication of what is to come and what Liverpool side will turn up at Old Trafford on Sunday...

Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky; Spearing, Meireles, Maxi (booked 63, Pacheco 85), Cole (goal 1, Eccleston 88); Babel (Lucas 78 goal 82), Ngog (goal 55 & 91). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Jones, Johnson, Carragher, Shelvey.

Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu; Emeghara (Nicolita 20), Abrudan (booked 44), Geraldo, Latovlevici; Radut (Surdu 73), Angelov (Eder 52 booked 90), Bicfalvi, Tanase (goal 13), Stancu, Kapetanos (booked 55). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Lungu, Gardos, Gomes, Apostol.

1st half stats
Liverpool-Steaua Bucharest
Attempts: 5-3
On target: 3-2
Offsides: 2-1
Corners: 2-1
Free kicks: 5-7

2nd half stats
Liverpool-Steaua Bucharest
Attempts: 9-2
On target: 6-1
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 7-0
Free kicks: 4-9

Sky Stats
Liverpool-Steaua Bucharest
Possession: 54.8%-45.2%
Passing Success: 84.3%-77.6%
Tackles/Success: 22/81.8%-21/66.7%
Territorial Advantage: 59.9%-40.1%

Referee: Cesar Muniz Fernandez (Spain)
Man of the match: Joe Cole

Reds scrape through against Trabzonspor

Sports - Football - Europa League - Trabzonspor 1:2 Liverpool

It was clear beforehand that it was never going to be easy travelling to Turkey with only one goal advantage - and it only took a couple of minutes into the game for it to substantiate. With only three minutes on the clock, Liverpool were cut open, to see Gustavo Colman's shot slotted in by Teofilo Gutierrez and their first leg lead quashed.

The first half continued as frustrating, Liverpool not able to coordinate an attack - showing a clumsy and lacklustre display similar to their absent performance against Manchester City in the Premier League match last Monday.



In the second half Liverpool came back looking much better, the Reds picking up on steel and determination. David Ngog missed a couple of sitters in the mean time though, putting one wide from only six yards out, seemingly taking the "You're alone here!" banner of the typically hostile Turkish crowd to heart.

The Reds left it late, for Giray Kacar to put a Glen Johnson cross from the right into his own net on 84 and Dirk Kuyt to slot in the rebound of Daniel Pacheco's shot on 88 and take the game to 3-1 on aggregate and beyond the Turks.

Liverpool seemed asleep for the most of the match - first half especially, losing the ball and all sence of the game. They got a grip in the second half and got it all together in the last 5-10 minutes, cruel on Trabzonspor who did their best and well to disable and frustrate their opponents which the results of both legs don't reflect.

I know they always say results count most, but if Liverpool continue in this fashion against stronger opposition, they won't last long, that's for sure!

1st half Stats
Trabzonspor-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-3
On target: 2-2
Offsides: 1-1
Corners 2-3
Free kicks: 3-2

2nd halfs stats
Trabzonspor-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-5
On target: 0-2
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 0-1
Free kicks: 4-4

Trabzonspor: Kivrak; Cale (Jaja 86.), Gulselam (booked 39., Atas 65.), Korkmaz (booked 72.), Kacar, Inan, Yilmaz (booked 41.), Balci, Teofilo Gutierrez, Colman, Ibrahima Yattara (Alaozinho 46.)Subs not used: Zengin, Baytar, Badur, Oztorun.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Aurelio (Pacheco 77.), Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Kelly, Cole, Lucas, Poulsen (Skrtel 91.), Kuyt, Ngog (Babel 86.).Subs not used: Gulacsi, Spearing, Shelvey, Eccleston.

Referee: Ivan Bebek (CRO)
Man of the match: Daniel Pacheco

Shocking Reds hand City three goals & points

Sports - Football - Premier League - Man City 3:0 Liverpool

Liverpool disappointed and were a disgrace to watch - even school boys can play better and create more pressure than what they showed at Eastlands!

From the offset, Liverpool were on their back foot, Martin Skrtel conceding a clumsy free kick against Adam Johnson on the right side outside the box and getting booked early on in the fourth minute.

Things went from bad to worse when James Milner broke on the right side and cutting it back to Gareth Barry in the the centre with all the space in the world to slash it into the left corner.
The first half ended with Liverpool finally pressing on a bit more, but not creating a real threat.
Not long into the second half and it was apparent that the trend hadn't changed. Liverpool were cut open again, this time Carlos Tevez claimed his 50th PL goal, but as the replays showed, Micah Richards' header from near the penalty spot didn't look like it touched the Argentinian before it went through Pepe Reina's legs and over the line.
Then, when it just looked like Liverpool were going to make a comeback after Steven Gerrard hit the bar and Joe Hart had to make a slick double save, stopping rebound shots of David Ngog and sub Fernando Torres, clumsy Skrtel again, gave away a penalty with an unnecessary tackle on Johnson again, making it too obvious that he wasn't able to deal with the City winger.
Tevez comfortably converted the spot kick putting it into the bottom left corner whilst sending Reina the wrong way to make it 3 - an impossible hill to climb for the scrambling, clumsy looking Reds, who showed no determination, coordination or awareness. City had an easy ride to three goals and points, shocking to watch!
Roy Hodgson refused to panic despite the embarrassing defeat at Eastlands insisting it was too early to be concerned.
Hodgson said: "We are only two matches into the season. We had Arsenal in the first game which we had to playe with 10 and then a strong Man City side.
"It's a bit premature to start discussing just how big the match is. Hopefully the next 36 games we can take some points. We were a bit unlucky to get beaten so heavily.
"We stuck at it and were unlucky not to get back when Hart made an incredible double save. We lacked the cutting edge and the organisation I would like" - just a bit!!!

Unlucky?! More like undeserved! Underachieving!

Quotes taken from Sky Text page 251 on Monday, 23rd August 2010, 11.00pm

1st half Stats
Man City-Liverpool
Attempts: 5-4
On target: 1-2
Offsides: 1-1
Corners: 2-0
Free kicks: 5-5
Possession: 60%-40% (24.)
2nd half Stats:
Man City-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-8
On target: 2-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 3-4
Free kicks: 6-7
Possession: 46%-54% (64.)

Sky Stats:
Man City-Liverpool
Passing Success: 82.5%-80.8%
Tackles/Success: 29/89.7%-18/77.8%
Territorial Advantage: 51.6%-48.4%

Man City: Hart; Richards (booked 58.), Toure, Kompany, Lescott; De Jong, Toure (Zabaletta 85.) Yaya, Barry, Milner, Adam Johnson; Tevez (Jo 85.). 4-5-1
Subs not used: Given, W-P, Adebayor, Silva, Viera.

Lpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Skrtel (booked 4.), Carragher, Agger; Jovanovic (Pacheco 86.), Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt; Torres (Babel 78.), Ngog. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Jones, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Poulsen.

Referee: Phil Dowd
Man of the match: Garreth Barry

Cole fails whilst Babel spares Reds' blushes

Sports - Football - Europa League - Liverpool 1:0 Trabzonspor

Liverpool should have left Anfield with a comfortable 3-goal cushion as least to take away to the second leg against the Turkish "Bordo-Mavillier" (Maroon Blues) at the Huseyin Ami Aker Stadium next week. But the Reds were denied one goal but the referee and Joe Cole missed a penalty to make things from bad to worse for the former Blue.

The first half didn't see much action worth mentioning apart from Pepe Reina's save of a Bulut Umut free kick in the opening minutes. With only seconds remaining of the first half, Cole on the break, put a fine cross through to David Ngog in the box who made it look easy to net it into the right hand-corner of the goal, a fine and skillful goal.

The second half had much more to show for it, Liverpool much more on the attack with Fernando Torres on for Ngog and making a direct impact, pulling a save out of Turkish keeper Onur Kivrak with his first touch of the match from far out on the left sideline.

Lucas Leiva then missed a sitter for Liverpool, heading the ball wide from a couple of yards out with all the space in the world. When Serkan Balci's clumsily felled Lucas down in the box, it gave Cole a chance to open his account for the Reds. He was keen to get off the mark but gave it a soft shit and Kivrak an easy save.

Then Dane Christian Poulsen thought he had opened his Liverpool account when he had bundled the ball over the line, just to be denied by the referee Thomas Einwaller who awarded the Turkish keeper a controversial free kick.

Roy Hodgson, who rested both Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard from midweek action, has admitted that Joe Cole has made a nightmare start to his Liverpool career, but remains confident he will pull through it and prove his worth. After being sent off in the Premier League season opener against Arsenal and missing a penalty in this match, Cole will be everything else but a happy red bunny.

Hodgson accepts the midfielder has made headlines for all the wrong reasons (including a speeding fine, points and a threat on losing his license), but believes Cole needs time to discover his best form for the club.

"He was so desperate to start his career here well and he hasn't done so," Hodgson said on Sky Sports News. "In the first game he managed to get sent off - albeit harshly. In the second he missed an penalty. It couldn't be a worse start for Joe Cole in his Liverpool career but starts are starts and finishes are finishes.

"We will judge Joe Cole on what he has done for Liverpool some time in the middle of May when the final ball this season has been kicked." - well, Roy, let's see if he will last that long...

Quotes taken from Sky Text page 251 on Saturday, 21st August 2010, 3.30pm.

Liverpool: Reina; Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Kelly; Cole, Maxi (Ngog ,73.), Lucas, Poulsen; Jovanovic, Babale (Torres, HT).

Subs not used: Cavalieri, Wilson, Skrtel, Spearing, Pacheco.

Trabzonspor: Kivrak; Cale (booked 86.), Glowacki, Gulselam (booked 54.), Korkmaz (booked 79.); Inan, Yilmaz (Alanzinho, 56.), Balci (booked 51.), Teofilo Gutierrez; Bulut (Ibrahima Yattara, 86.), Colman (Kacar, 77.).

Subs not used: Zengin, Atas, Badur, Jaja.

BBC Stats

Liverpool-Trabzonspor

Attempts: 14-9

On target: 8-4

Corners: 6-5

Free kicks: 24-15

Possession: 53%-47%

Sky Stats

Liverpool-Trabzonspor

Attempts: 12-6

On target: 7-2

Offsides: 2-1

Corners: 6-5

Free kicks: 24-16

Possession: 51%-49%

Passing Success: 77.78%-79.37%

Tackles/Success: 21/76.19%-20/65%

Territorial Advantage: 50.67%-49.33%

Referee: Thomas Einwaller

Man of the match: Ryan Babel

Reina hands Arsenal a point

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1:1 Arsenal

I think both sides will be glad and disappointed with the result, feeling they could have/should have got more out of the match, but it could have been worse, too.

For Liverpool, debutant Joe Cole and star keeper Pepe Reina both had moments of horror: The prior saw red for a reckless and dangerous tackle on new Arsenal full-back Laurent Koscielny just before the end of a quite uneventful and all-evens first half. The latter saw Arsenal new-boy Marouane Chamakh's shot deflect off the post, onto him, into the back of the net, to give the Gunners a lucky late goal and point.

Moments after that late equaliser, Arsenal were down to the men themselves after Koscielny turned from victim into offender, conceding two quick consecutive bookings, first for a fowl, second and off for a handball. Both looked harsh in hindsight, compared to similar offenses of David Ngog earlier in the match.

The young Frenchman had a mixed match, off(side) most of the time but on (target) at the start of the second half, after Arsenal lost possession clumsily just outside the box for Inter-bound Javier Mascherano to connect and cross to Ngog, who put it into the top right-hand corner, over and past a very insecure and fragile looking Manuel Almunia.

The early lead in the second half made Liverpool look stronger, safer and more confident even though they were down to ten men. Arsenal enjoyed more possession and kept Liverpool back. But the Reds defended well, their man-to-man marking system paying off with Arsenal more and more frustrated and Jamie Carragher not earning the MOTM award for nothing.

The late twists and turns made the match much juicier than the first half led to believe. In the end, both teams got away with a point down to ten men, so, should not have anything to complain about really.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger; Kuyt, Gerrard (booked 72.), Cole (s.o. 46.), Mascherano (Lucas, 79.), Jovanovic (Rodriguez 66.); Ngog (Torres, 74.). 4-5-1

Subs not used: Cavalier, Aurelio, Babel, Kelly.

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Koscielny (booked 92., s.o. 95.), Vermaelen, Clichy; Eboue (Walcott, 59.), Diaby (van Persie, 76.), Nasri, Wilshere (booked 41.; Rosicky 59. booked 85.), Arshavin; Chamakh. 4-5-1

Subs not used: Fabianski, Vela, Song, Gibbs.

1st half Stats

Liverpool-Arsenal

Attempts: 3-3

On target: 1-1

Offsides: 4-1

Corners: 2-4

Free kicks: 6-9

Possession: 43%-57%

2nd half Stats:

Liverpool-Arsenal

Attempts: 4-7

On target: 2-2

Offsides: 0-0

Corners: 5-8

Free kicks: 9-5

Possession: 36%-64%

Sky Stats:

Liverpool-Arsenal

Passing Success: 73.8%-85.8%

Tackles/Success: 33/69.7%-20/70%

Territorial Advantage: 37.2%-62.8%

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Man of the match: Jamie Carragher

Liverpool Win In Vain

Sports - Football - UEFA Champions League - Group Stage

Debrecen 0:1 Liverpool

It would have been too good to be true.

Liverpool were in a too sticky situation, in a too deep hole, full stop.

With only one win in the last ten matches in all competitions, a must-win situation for a chance to progress to the last 16, also relying on Lyon to get something against Fiorentina in the other group match and not even counting all the injuries, ifs and buts - the odds were impossible, miserable, against the Reds.

Liverpool did start positive at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium and all-attacking. After just four minutes, Jamie Carragher provided David Ngog with a header from left outside the box, who put the ball into the back of the net and Liverpool in the lead with a cheeky left-back-heeler.

The Reds pressed and pushed on with a lot of possession and chances. Dirk Kuyt was the most frustrating, missing a low open header off a free kick by Steven Gerrard (11) and an easy tap in off a cross by Fabio Aurelio (16).

The second half continued in the same red trend, but now knowing Fiorentina were ahead against Lyon thanks to a first half penalty, minute by minute, the weight grew on the team and fans, knowing they would this win would not be enough anyway.

Debrecen came close to equalise late on reminding Liverpool as they know all too well, one goal is not enough to sit back and wait for the final whistle to declare the win. Pepe Reina blocked Adamo Coulibaly's shot off the line shortly after Gergely Rudolf's solo-attack from the right ended wide.

Rafael Benitez's changes late on were questionable once again, taking off the three best players of the night. But, I guess it was just to waste time and save players and the result at least.

In the end, all the edge and nerves were all for nothing and too late. The game looked more like a lower league match after a promising start. Even with all their chances, I cannot say Liverpool would have deserved to progress ahead of Fiorentina or Lyon.

So, Liverpool are out of the Champions League and can see what they can scrape out of what is left for them in the deep holes they are in: In the Europa League, Premier League and FA Cup. It is all fair in the end, same goes for their league display, run and position.

Debrecen Poleksic; Bodner, Meszaros, Mijadinoski, Foder (Dombi 62); Szelesi, Kiss, Szalaky (Coulibaly 77), Czitkovics; Leczko, Rudolf. Subs not used Pantic, Ramos, Komlosi, Bernath, Varga. Bookings Szelesi 23.


Liverpool Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas; Gerrard (Aquilani 92), Aurelio (Dossena 89), Kuyt; Ngog (Benayoun 77). Subs not used Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Spearing, Skrtel.


1st half stats:
Debrecen-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-5
On target: 0-3
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 0-6
Free kicks: 9-12


2nd half stats:
Debrecen-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-11
On target: 2-4
Offsides: 3-1
Corners: 3-4
Free kicks: 7-9

Sky Stats:
Debrecen-Liverpool
Possession: 29%-71%
Passing Success: 72%-87%
Tackles/Success: 16/88%-20/80%
Territorial Advantage: 42%-58%


Referee: B. Kuipers
Man of the match: David Ngog