Liverpool lift the cup after Wembley drama!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardif 2:2 Liverpool AET

Liverpool beat Cardiff 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 120 minutes ended all evens at 2-2. Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony missed the decisive spot-kick for the Welsh side, handing the Reds their record eighth league cup, first domestic trophy since 2006 and first cup celebration at the new Wembley. And with this Carling Cup, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with the Reds).

Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted (22 in normal time + 5 in ET)! But Cardiff fought hard, held on and deserved the chance to grab a win from the penalty spot.

The underdogs were ahead at half time of regular play thanks to Joe Mason's fine finish. The striker had plenty of time and space in the box to send Kenny Miller's pass through Pepe Reina's legs and into the back of the net.

The goal came against the run of play as Liverpool dominated possession but wasted chance after chance, Andy Carrol and Luis Suarez the main offenders with the Uruguayan looking a shadow of his usual self.

Half an hour from regular play time, the Reds finally got something to cheer about when Martin Skrtel put the rebound of Suarez' header which came off the post through Tom Heaton's legs to make it 1:1.

Into extra time, Liverpool continued to dominate, but it took super-sub Dirk Kuyt to make the difference. Brought on in extra time, the Dutchman brought some freshness and speed to the Reds' game and his energy payed off when he netted a rebound, after a fine run. It looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got the ball in to put Liverpool aheade for the first time in the game on 108.

But Turner had a different idea and netted one of his own, right in front of the goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him, to level the score at 2-2, 2 minutes from time.
His star role in the back line and on the scoreboard cam to no avail in the end thanks to three penalty misses by his side against the Reds' two misses, Reina not needing to make one save.

It was one of those dramas you will never forget, ending in Welsh tears and Scouser smiles. We will see if this is going to open the floodgates for a consistent run of trophies for Liverpool, who are still in the FA Cup and thanks to this cup win will be in Europe next season, no matter where the Reds will end in the league.

King Kenny has git his crown back, well, one little one of many more and bigger hopefully!

YNWA! For Jenny Kerwood (1989-2012)! xxx RIP xxx

1st & 2nd half stats
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 2-11 & 4-11
On target: 1-3 & 1-5
Offsides: 1-0 & 0-3
Corners: 0-4 & 0-10
Free kicks: 6-4 & 7-4
Possession: 34%-66% (17.min), 29%-71% (HT),
29.7%-70.3% (1st half), 36.8%-63.2% (2nd half)
Action Areas: Cardiff 18%-63%-19% Liverpool (HT)

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Sky Stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Passing Success: 66.8%-84.4%
Tackles/Success: 26/80.8%-12/58.3%
Territorial Advantage: 50.2%-49.8%
Possession: 35%-65%

Penalty Shoot-Out:
Liverpool won the toss and chose to go first, at the red end of Wembley.

Liverpool: S Gerrard x, Adam x, Kuyt 1, Downing 1, Johnson 1 = 3 penalties scored, 2 missed.

Cardiff: Miller x, Cowie 1, Gestede x, Whittingham 1, A Gerrard x = 2 penalties scored, 3 missed.

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Man of the match: Ben Turner
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant Referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

After ET & pen drama: Liverpool lift the cup!

Sports - Football - Carling Cup Final - Cardiff 2:2 Liverpol AET

ET notes:

Mason off, Kiss on, Cardiff kick off.

1 Suarez shot saved by goalkeeper, out for a corner. Suarez header cleared off the line by Taylor, how vital is that!

2 Another corner for Liverpool, Bellamy takes it, Gerrard blasts chance far, far away.

7 Good Cardiff free kick collected cooly by Reina.

8 Scuffed shot by Kiss, collected by Reina. Kiss gives away free kick with fowl on Bellamy.

9 Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony Gerrard on for Hudson. This could get interesting!

10 Downing shot high.

12 Carroll header off corner just wide.

13 Kuyt on for Carroll who lets his hair down.

14 Bellamy right-foot curl aimed at the top corner goes wide, JUST. First real chance for the Welshman against his boyhood team.

HT 1:1, not much to write about apart from a couple of wasted chances by Liverpool.

Liverpool kick off second half of ET.

16 McNaughton off, Blake on for Cardiff.

17 Kuyt breaks free from the right, crosses to Suarez in the box who fails to control it. Argh!

18 And the Dutchman is the hero! Super-sub! His energy pays off, run, cross, nets the rebound, looked like he was slipping, but he somehow got it in. Liverpool ahead for the first time, 1-2, 107:24.

112 Turner turns one in well, blocked, long throw-in by Gunnarson, defended and headed away well by Liverpool. Gunnarson can hardly walk!

114 Gestede down, referee stops play.

117 Cardiff win a corner, their first of the game! Reina deals with it, clears it. Another corner, Reina spills it, shot cleared off the line! Another corner!

118 Turner nets it right in front of goal, Kuyt and Reina unable to stop him! Unbelievable, 2:2, 117:22! Under 3 minutes left, time for another twist?!

120 Corner for Liverpool with seconds to go... Comes to nothing... Another corner, Kuyt tries overhead kick, blocked by Cardiff, 1 minute added on... Liverpool pressing, Cardiff have all men back...

Final whistle 2:2! What a final! Penalties it is! (I'm gonna throw up...)
Liverpool should have been walking home with the trophy with all the chances they had but wasted! Cardiff held on, fought hard, deserve the chance! See notes below on the shoot-out...

ET 1st & 2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 1-3 & 4-1
On target: 0-1 & 3-1
Offsides: 0-1 & 0-1
Corners: 0-3 & 2-1
Free kicks: 1-1 & 0-0

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton (Blake 106), Hudson (A Gerrard 99), Turner (booked 98, scored 118), Taylor; Mason (scored 19, Kiss ET, booked 119), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs not used: Marshall, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel (scored 60), Agger (Carragher 86), Enrique; Henderson (booked 52, Bellamy 58), S Gerrard, Adam, Downing; Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 103, scored 108). 4-4-2
Subs not used: Doni, Spearing, Kelly, Maxi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant referees: Simon Beck and Mick McDonough
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

Penalty shoot-out:

Liverpool win toss, so the spot kicks will be taken at the red end of Wembley.

Gerrard to take first, Heaton saves it!!! What a save!

Miller opening for Cardiff, sends Pepe the wrong way but hits the post!

AWEFUL high shot by Adam, SHOCKER!

Cowie scores, over Pepe.

Kuyt scores, sending keeper the wrong way.

Gestede hits the post!

Downing scores, keeper wrong way again, first cool one.

Whittingham scores, Pepe wrong side.

Johnson for Liverpool, hits it into the roof of the net, his first spot-kick for the Reds. Pressure on Cardiff... Another miss! By Anthony Gerrard! Family curse today! Wide on the left!
Liverpool won! Welsh tears! Scouser smiles! What a drama!

Liverpool: x x 1 2 3

Cardiff: x 1 x 2 x

Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties! Their 8th league cup, record, first domestic trophy since 2006. With this Carling Cup Kenny Dalglish breaks another record, none other than Bill Shankly's (of seven trophies with Liverpool)! YNWA

Cup double over Manchester: Kuyt k.o. United

Sports - Football - FA Cup - Liverpool 2:1 Man Utd

Liverpool did the double over Manchester, beating United 2:1 to eliminate them from the FA Cup after they had battled out a 3:2 aggregate win over their City rivals to reach the Carling Cup final earlier in the week.

It was not a quite as feisty affair at Anfield, roaring boos against Patrice Evra being the only dark clowd and reminder of the Luis Suarez racism row of the last meeting between the two rivals.

Liverpool had the upper hand early on with more chance before taking the lead accordingly thanks to a Daniel Agger header off a corner with United's goalkeeper David De Gea too busy pushing away Andy Carroll rather than covering his line and goal.

But the trend soon shifted with United pulling back possession, territory, chances and in the end a goal when Ji-Sung Park poked in the equaliser. 

It ended a fascinating first half which saw United's growing hold on the game reflected by the score line. But the second half panned out less fascinating but more hard work as both sides pressed but did not get much in the opposition's box. Liverpool looked more attacking, the changes reflecting that and showing clear intentions.

Both sides saw two penalty shouts denied by the officials, fair dues, both hand balls but inadvertent, impossible to get away from, good refereeing at both ends. 

The game continued frustrating, with more pressure by Liverpool, but all attacks dell to bits in the box, no close shouts or shots by either side.

With minutes left, Dirk Kuyt smacked in Carroll's cross-header off Pepe Reina's goalkick, giving De Gea no chance and Liverpool the lead. Kuyt's 50th goal for the club saw the Reds through to the next round of the FA Cup and deservedly so, King Kenny can be more than proud of his club's display and achievements over the last week.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 20:04 min Daniel Agger (5), 2.: 87:20 min Dirk Kuyt (18).

Liverpool: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher (Kuyt 63), Agger; Kelly, Gerrard (Bellamy 72), Henderson, Enrique; Downing, Carroll, Maxi (Adam 63). (3-4-3)
Subs not used: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Shelvey.

Man United Goals: 1.: 38:38 min Ji-Sung Park (13).

Man United: De Gea; Rafael (booked 66), Smalling, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Scholes (Hernandez 76), Giggs (Berbatov 90); Valencia, Welbeck, Park. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, da Silva, Keane, Pogba.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man United
Attempts: 5-3 & 9-5
On target: 3-2 & 4-0
Offsides: 1-0 & 1-0
Corners: 3-0 & 2-1
Free kicks: 6-5 & 5-4
Possession: 38%-62% (37.min), 43%-57% (FT)

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt

Liverpool through to Wembley final

Sports - Football - Carling Cup - Liverpool 2:2 Man City

Liverpool's hard work payed off, another Steven Gerrard penalty and Craig Bellamy's fine curl shot seeing their side through to the Carling Cup final with a 2:2 draw on the night at Anfield, 3:2 on aggregate, to take the Reds to Wembley and end their 16-year absence.

Joe Hart's heroics for City were all to no avail in the end after the England goalkeeper had created some breathtaking saves against Gerrard, Bellamy, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel.

In both halves, City made comebacks out of nowhere and gave them hope they could pull themselves out and through somehow.

First, after 30 minutes of Liverpool dominance, the home side creating chance after chance and seeing a Bellamy goal disallowed for offside, Nigel de Jong smacked one in from outside the box, a right-foot slip-curler, top-strike giving City the lead against the run of play.

But the lead did not last long, when on 39 Micah Richards handled the ball inside his box and conceded a penalty. The defender did not know much about it, it went so quick and before he or City knew it, Gerrard netted the penalty and took Liverpool into half time level on the night, leading 2:1 on aggregate.

The second half showed the same trend, Liverpool dominating and outclassing City until halfway through the half Edin Dzeko blasted one in off Aleksandar Kolarov's beauty of a cross from the left to give City another unpredictable lead.

Five minutes later, man of the match Bellamy killed off any City excitement or hope, curling Glen Johnson's cross into the left corner after a nice one-two cross exchange.

City tried to press late on but never looked too much of a threat to Pepe Reina, not seeing another comeback out of nowhere.

It was a fair result after a tense thriller, which saw Liverpool through to the final where they will meet Bellamy's former side Cardiff at Wembley on Sunday 23rd February.

But before the Reds get too excited, they should check their fixture list: with Manchester United up next at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round, February will see Liverpool welcome Tottenham home and meet United again at Old Trafford this time in the Premier League before the big Carling Cup final against the Welsh side (followed by Arsenal at home in the league!).

It will be make or break time for Kenny Dalglish over the next few weeks, the Reds expectantly waiting for their first trophy since 2006.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 39:53 min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty, 2.: 73:36 min Craig Bellamy (39).

Liverpool: Reina; Glen Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique (booked 64); Henderson, Adam, Downing, Gerrard (booked 5); Bellamy (Kelly 87), Kuyt (Carroll 91). (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Shelvey, Carragher, Maxi.

Man City Goals: 1.: 30:51 min Nigel De Jong (34), 2.: 66:38 min Edin Dzeko (10).

Man City: Hart; Richards, Savic (Aguero HT), Lescott, Kolarov (booked 56); De Jong (Adam Johnson 78), Barry, Zabaletta; Silva, Nasri, Dzeko. (4-3-3)
Subs not used: Pantilimon, Hargreaves, Milner, Clichy, Rekik.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 8-2 & 7-4
On target: 6-1 & 5-3
Offsides: 4-0 & 2-1
Corners: 8-1 & 4-1
Free kicks: 2-4 & 5-3

Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Man City
Possession: 38%-62% (19.min), 40.5%-59.5% (1st half), 35.1%-64.9% (2nd half) & 37.9%-62.1% (FT)
Passing Success: 74.6%-86.7
Territorial Advantage: 55.5%-45.5%
Action Areas: Liverpool 12%-41%-47% Man City (59.min)

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Craig Bellamy

Liverpool grab controversial derby win

Sports - Football - Premier League - Everton 0:2 Liverpool

Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 in an eventful Merseyside derby at Goodison Park after seeing Jack Rodwell being sent off for a challenge on Luis Suarez, Dirk Kuyt missing a penalty as Suarez was brought down by Phil Jagielka before Andy Carroll slammed home his first Premier League goal for the Reds and the controversial Uruguayan striker wrapped things up eight minutes from time.



Everton had started the brighter with Tim Cahill pulling out an athletic save from Pepe Reina who had to tip the Australian midfielder's shot over the top.

Referee Martin Atkinson hogged the limelight when he showed Rodwell the red card halfway through the first half for what replays showed was hardly a tackle on Suarez, giving Liverpool the advantage of an extra man and the Evertonians a very sour apple to bite on.

You could say justice was done when Kuyt's penalty was saved heroically by Tim Howard after Suarez once again fell down dramatically on the corner of the penalty area brought down by Jagielka just before half time.

Charlie Adam hit the bar with a strike from 20 yards out before Atkinson finally blew the halftime whistle, giving Everton the chance to regroup.

The homeside started the second half strongly under the circumstances, Louis Saha clearing Carroll's shot off the line on the one side and keeping Reina on his toes with a low effort from distance that ended up wide on the other side.

Howard had to save another Carroll attempt low at his post with more and more chances coming off set pieces and corners early on in the second half.

Kenny Dalglish rang the changes after 66 minutes replacing Adam and the subdued Stewart Downing by Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy as his side still seemed unable to take advantage of the extra man on the field.

The changes seemed to have their effect when with 20 minutes left Bellamy played in Jose Enrique whose cross was avoided by a ducking Kuyt and netted by a grateful Carroll from eight yards.

Ten minutes later, Suarez sealed the deal when he was able to take advantage of a mix up between Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines to advance into the box and shoot low past Howard to make it 2-0.

The game finished with Everton furious and deflated, Liverpool the happier and more grateful for it. Dalglish said he did not see the red card incident, David Moyes feels understandably angered, it should not have been.

In the end, the incident spoilt what looked like a promising, competitive derby encounter and instead ended up a controversial, negative clash of opinions, incidents and referees' decisions. Shame.

Everton: Howard; Hibbert (Vellios 78), Baines, Jagielka, Distin; Coleman (Drenthe 59), Cahill (booked 27), Osman (Neville 69), Fellaini; Rodwell (sent off 23), Saha.
Subs not used: Mucha, Bilyaletdinon, Barkley, Stracqualursi.

Liverpool: Reina; Jose Enrique, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel; Downing (Bellamy 67), Lucas (booked 50, Henderson 88), Adam (Gerrard 67), Suarez; Carroll, Kuyt.
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Flanagan, Spearing.

Sky (& BBC stats:)
Everton-Liverpool
Attemps: 9-12 (& 12-15)
On target: 3-6 (& 4-6)
Offsides: 2-1
Corners: 5-9 (& 5-9)
Free kicks: 10-15 (& 9-15)
Possession: 36.3%-63.7% (& 40%-60%)
Passing Success: 76.4%-84.8%
Tackles/Success: 15/86.7%-17/52.9%
Territorial Advantage: 49.4%-50.6%

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Jose Enrique

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)

Reds record comfortable win over Toons

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle

It was a comfortable win for the Reds at Anfield, netting three goals and bagging three points against a rather lacklustre and absent Newcastle.

Maxi Rodriguez took the lead for Liverpool with a deflected strike past Tim Krul, with not even ten minutes on the clock.

The first half fizzled out with not much more of note happening, Newcastle enjoying more possession but not making much of it.

Halfway through the second half, it was game, set and match for Liverpool - first Dirk Kuyt netting the penalty after Luis Suarez was brought down just inside the box by Mike Williamson and then Suarez himself sealing the Magpies' fate sidefooting a third goal in after a nice one-two exchange of passes with Kuyt.

The travelling fans may have felt let down by their team just as much as the referee, some of Peter Walton's decisions looking rather dubious and harsh against the visitors.

However, Newcastle were nowhere near taking advantage of their possession and advances anyway, Liverpool staying on top on the pitch as well as the scoreboard and not looking like they were going to let go of that at any point in the match.

Deserved goals, deserved win and deserved points take Liverpool up to fifth, the last spot left up for grabs to qualify for the Europa League next season, ahead of Tottenham just on goal difference.

So, there is a lot left to play for , which you would not have thought just a few months back... Thanks to King Kenny!

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Flanagan (booked 29)(Shelvey 81); Meireles, Maxi (Carroll 69), Lucas, Spearing; Suarez (Cole 87), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Robinson, Ngog.

Newcastle: Krul; Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ferguson 93), Williamson (booked 58), Simpson; Nolan, Barton, Gutierrez, Tiote (booked 51); Lovenkrands (Ranger 73), Ameobi (Kuqi 82).
Subs not used: Harper, Taylor, Taylor, Tavernier.

BBC Stats:
Liverpool-Newcastle
Attempts: 9-7
On target: 5-3
Corners: 3-12
Free kicks: 10-15
Possession: 46%-54%

Sky Sports stats:
Liverpool-Newcastle
Attempts: 10-8
On target: 5-1
Offsides: 4-0
Corners: 3-12
Free kicks: 10-16
Possession: 46.1%-53.9%
Passing Success: 77.7%-85%
Tackles/Success: 26/80.8%-7/57.1%
Territorial Advantage: 44.8%-55.2%

Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the match: Luis Suarez

Reds frustrate Gunners to an injury time draw

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

What a turnaround of a turnaround with all the twists and turns happening after the 90 minutes of regular play.

Throughout the regular time of play, Arsenal dominated possession, creating chances with most being wasted but some pulling out great saves and stops by Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Marting Skrtel.

Youngster John Flanagan and Lucas Leiva also impressed with their dedication and impact on the team and play, denying and seeing Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie getting more and more frustrated and innocuous.

Injuries didn't help Liverpool, all in the back line, first Fabio Aurelio (replaced by Reds youngest league debutant Jack Robinson) and then the more worrying Carragher who was knocked out cold by his own player Flanagan and had to be replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Knowing it could not stay goalless from past experience, I was proven right on 97 when Jay Spearing was harshly penalised for seemingly bringing down Fabregas in the box. Van Persie netted the resulting penalty and celebrated three points he looked to have netted for his side.

But that was not all - because of the long delays and hold-up through Carragher's injury, the Arsenal penalty and goal celebrations, the game still had five minutes in it, five minutes for Emmanuel Eboue to foul Lucas in the box and Dirk Kuyt to net the resulting spot kick and grab an equaliser and a point for the Reds (102).

All the drama made up for the relatively even, flat, eventless game, so, I don't know what Arsene Wenger was moaning about! :-P

My thoughts: With everything that happened = injuries, substitutions, penalties, celebrations, hold-ups, etc., 12 minutes added on time was about right + if Arsenal's was a penalty, Liverpool's was double that! I rest my case, the results, stats and facts say it all!

Arsenal: Szczesny; Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue (booked 100); Diaby (Song 81), Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott (Arshavin 72); Wilshere (Bendtner 72), van Persie (booked 98).
Subs not used: Lehamnn, Squillaci, Gibbs, Chamakh.

Liverpool: Reina; Aurelio (Robinson 21), Carragher (Kyrgiakos 62), Skrtel (booked 34), Flanagan (booked 30); Meireles, Lucas (booked 100), Spearing, Suarez; Carroll (Shelvey 70, booked 76), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Cole, Maxi, Ngog.

BBC Stats:
Arsenal-Liverpool
Attempts: 12-9
On target: 6-5
Corners: 10-3
Free kicks: 13-13
Possession: 57%-43%

Sky Sports stats:
Arsenal-Liverpool
Attempts: 11-9
On target: 5-5
Offsides: 1-2
Corners: 10-3
Free kicks: 12-12
Possession: 62.4%-37.6%
Passing Success: 83.1%-71.8%
Tackles/Success: 15/73.3%-22/45.5%
Territorial Advantage: 58.9%-41.1%

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Lucas Leiva

Kuyt hat-trick sinks United at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd

Dirk Kuyt's first hat-trick for Liverpool helped his side to a 3-1 win against bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

The homes side dominated from kick-off with an outstanding Luis Suarez showing off some brilliant skill and trickery and breaking through the United defence again and again which eventually lead to the breakthrough.

The Uruguayan striker squiggled and smuggled his way through the United box to put the ball across goal from the left and provide Kuyt with an easy tap in.

Five minutes later the Dutchman was able to pounce again, this time Nani headed back the ball to the striker who made no mistake of netting it.

Then, just before half time, all hell broke out: First Nani was fouled by Jamie Carragher and was up to make himself heard to referee Phil Dowd before going to the ground again in dramatic fashion bemoaning injury.

He was taken off eventually for Javier Hernandez to replace him, but not before goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar also saw yellow for running down the pitch making trouble.

Minutes later another fight broke out after Rafael da Silva fouled Lucas Leiva, ending up booked plus Marting Skrtel for all the trouble.

The half time whistle came just in time to calm tempers down and for everyone to get their breaths back.

The second half saw no more bookings or bust-ups but that was no sign of lack of intention or intensity.

Dimitar Berbatov had a couple of shouts and chances - Raul Meireles had to clear his header off the line for the Bulgarian striker to appeal for handball, but it clearly came off the Portuguese midfielder's chest. 

United had a couple more chances but it just didn't seem to be their day, both Berbatov and Ryan Giggs putting chances wide without worrying Pepe Reina any further.

It was United's Dutch keeper who ended up eating sour grapes, spilling the ball out parrying a Suarez free kick for Kuyt to follow up on it and net it thankfully for his first hat-trick for the Reds.

Hernandez headed in a consolation goal off Giggs in injury time, too little too late.

After losing defender Fabio Aurelio early on in the match due to hamstring injury, Liverpool had to change and adjust their back line with Carragher moving to the right, Glen Johnson to the left and Skrtel and sub Sotirios Kyrgiakos in central defense. 

Normally that could have shaken Liverpool up and given United something to pounce on and take advantage of, but not today.

King Kenny's men showed their strength, heat, stamina and stubbornness against a less crispy and more crumbling United side - missing an injured Rio Ferdinand.

This win puts Liverpool up to 6th in the Premier League, on 42 points, 5 behind Spurs and 6 behind Chelsea in 5th and 6th place respectively (two games in hand each as things stood at the end of this game), whilst United stay top but only 3 points separating them from Arsenal (who also have one game in hand on United). It just shows, this season is far from over and King Kenny rules!

Bad losers: Meanwhile, United have imposed a media blackout after the defeat meaning no comments or interviews by Fergie and co.

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher (booked 45), Skrtel (booked 46), Aurelio (Kyrgiakos 23); Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt (scored 33:08, 38:31 & 64:14min), Meireles (Carroll 74); Maxi, Suarez (Cole 74).
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Ngog, Spearing, Poulsen.

Man Utd: Van der Sar (booked 46); Rafael Da Silva (booked 49; O'Shea 76), Smalling, Brown, Evra; Nani (Hernandez 47), Carrick, Scholes (booked 83; Fletcher 84), Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Obertan, Gibson.

1st half stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Attempts: 8-4
On target: 4-2
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 6-1
Free kicks: 7-6
Possession:
47%-53% (after 20 min, Sky Sports)
52%-48% (after 25 min, BBC)

2nd half stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Attempts: 7-7
On target: 3-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 5-6
Possession:
41%-59% (45.-55. min, Sky Sports)
53%-47% (FT, BBC)

Sky Sports Stats
Liverpool-Man Utd
Passing Success: 73.5%-81.6%
Tackles/Success: 24/41.7%-20/75%
Territorial Advantage: 50.6%-49.4%

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez

Merseyside derby ends all evens at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:2 Everton

Honours ended up all even at Merseyside after Dirk Kuyt's penalty earned King Kenny's men a draw in the derby with Everton, leaving both sides on 26 points, only four points clear of the relegation zone in 13th and 12th place respectively.

Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles took the lead for Liverpool on 29, driving the ball from 18 yards after Kuyt pulled a double save out of Tim Howard.

It was a deserved lead as Liverpool enjoyed most possession and chances, Dalglish coule be a happy man at half time onhis return to Anfield for the 215th Merseyside derby.

All the optimism changed for the Reds with the kick-off of the second half: Within 43 seconds Sylvain Distin headed in Mikel Arteta's corner at the back post, over Martin Skrtel and past Pepe Reina to make it 1-1.

Just over five minutes later, Jermaine Bedford completed the turnaround, smashing in Leon Osman's pass from close range and making Kuyt's and Fernando Torres' earlier close chances, including a crash against the post, count for nothing and seem meeningless as they weree to the scoreboard.

The guests looked well on top after that, Liverpool's play looking less organised and confident, more disrupted, making David Moyes the much happier since half time.

However, there was another twist in the tale: After all his saves, Howard turned from hero to villain when he clipped the legs of Maxi Rodriguez to bring the Argentine down and concede the penalty which Kuyt converted with cool composure to make the last 20-ish minutes the more interesting, tense and gripping.

Both sides pushed on, sharing chances, shouts and pressure, the result reföecting this fair and square.

Liverpool: Reina (booked 53); Kelly, Skrtel, Agger (Kyrgiakos 46), Johnson; Meireles (scored 28:24, Shelvey 81), Spearing, Lucas, Kuyt (booked 89) (scored penalty 67:21); Torres (booked 63), Maxi.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Cole, Pacheco, Babel.

Everton: Howard; Neville, Heitinga, Distin (scored 45:38), Baines; Coleman, Fellaini, Arteta, Osman (Rodwell 78); Beckford (scored 51:34, Vaughan 74), Anichebe (Bilyaletdinov 82).
Subs not used: Mucha, Hibbert, Gueye, Baxter.

1st half stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Attempts: 10-4
On target: 6-1
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 6-4
Free kicks: 7-9
Possession:
65%-35% (20-30 min)
53%-47% (HT)

2nd half stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Attempts: 3-2
On target: 2-2
Offsides: 3-0
Corners: 4-2
Free kicks: 9-9
Possession:
51%-49% (FT)

Sky Sports Stats:
Liverpool-Everton
Passing Success: 77.5%-73.4%
Tackles/Success: 20/90%-25/72%
Territorial Advantage: 48%-52%

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)
Man of the match: Fernando Torres

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