Errors Cost In Draw At Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 2:2 WHU

Both goalkeepers will not like to remember this game as West Ham left Anfield with a hard-fought 2-2 draw and point in the bag which takes them out of the relegation zone, definitely two points dropped as far as Liverpool are concerned in the title race.

Liverpool had taken an early lead thanks to Adam Lallana's smart low finish within five minutes, but the Hammers equalised before the half-hour mark when Red number 1 Loris Karius let Dimitri Payet's 25-yard free-kick in.

The former Mainz stopper has had a horrid couple of weeks after leaking in four goals including Bournemouth's winner last week.

But he could not help Michail Antonio scoring to make it 1-2, a scruffy goal, the 20th Jürgen Klopp's side have conceded in the last 15 league matches, the worst record in the top six.

At the other end, Iron keeper Darren Randolph had a mixed afternoon, dropping a cross to hand Divock Origi Liverpool's equaliser shortly after the interval, to deny Jordan Henderson late on, saving the skipper's stunning strike.

Slaven Bilic was happy calling it a "great point", whilst Klopp was left the more frustrated with the lack of "offensive options".

Looking at the stats and general dominance of Liverpool in possession and chances, it is evident that the Reds are more leaking at the back than lacking in attack.

And as costly as that was the last couple of weeks, the more it will be in general, in the race to the top.

Liverpool Goals: Lallana 5' & Origi 48'.

West Ham Goals: Payet 27' & Antonio 39'.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 2 Clyne, 32 Matip, 6 Lovren (17 Klavan 45'), 7 Milner; 14 Henderson (c), 20 Lallana, 5 Wijnaldum; 27 Origi, 19 Mané (booked 76'), 11 Firmino (booked 53'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 18 Moreno, 21 Lucas, 22 Mignolet, 53 Ejaria, 58 Woodburn, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

West Ham Team: 1 Randolph; 4 Nordtveit, 2 Reid, 21 Ogbonna; 20 Ayew (9 Carroll 63'), 16 Noble, 14 Obiang, 3 Cresswell; 10 Lanzini (31 Fernandes 78'), 30 Antonio; 27 Payet. 3-4-2-1
Subs not used: 13 Adrián, 24 Fletcher, 36 Quina, 43 Browne, 66 Pike.

Match Stats: Liverpool-West Ham
Possession: 68%-32%
Attempts: 18-7
On target: 3-3
Corners: 11-4
Fouls: 7-8
Bookings: 2-0

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 53,068

Pictures and stats are taken from the BBC match report.

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

Spectacular Henderson strike downs Blues

Sports - Football - Premier League - CFC 1:2 LFC

Liverpool impressed, dominating and beating Chelsea 1-2 at Stamford Bridge, inflicting manager Antonio Conte with his first defeat as Blues boss and seeing the Reds move into the top four.

Merseyside manager Jürgen Klopp likes Stamford Bridge, winning there last season too, and can be very happy with his team's away display and form, adding this convincing victory to the thrashing of Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season and drawing at Spurs.

Not to forget, Liverpool thrashed champions Leicester at Anfield last weekend, so, the Reds were flying high going into this match, and you could see that.

The visitors out-ran and -played the home side, the hosts evidently and obviously missing their experienced skipper and defender John Terry as an organiser and controller due to injury.

With 17 minutes gone, Liverpool took the lead thanks to Dejan Lovren's fine finish from close range, given all the space in the world thanks to no marking whatsoever.

Reds captain Jordan Henderson put his side in total control with a 2-0 lead through a spectacular 25-yard smacker of a strike, unstoppable for keeper Thibaut Courtois, gobsmacking for manager Conte, nine minutes before the break.

The second half was less firey and dominant for the Reds, but the Blues still struggled to take any kind of control.

Just past the hour-mark, Diego Costa did pull one back, but it was to be to no avail after a laboured performance, a struggle basically.

Missing Roberto Firmino ended up being no worries for the visitors. Ruled out with a groin problem, the crucial forward's team mates made up for him. Sadio Mané added pace, Georgini Wijnaldum and James Milner were reliable and hard-working as always. Klopp and the Kop can be very happy and optimistic.

Chelsea Goal: Diego Costa 61'.

Liverpool Goals: Lovren 17' & Henderson 36'.

Chelsea Team: 13 Courtois; 28 Azpilicueta, 30 David Luiz, 24 Cahill, 2 Ivanovic; 22 Willian (booked 45'+1') (15 Moses 84'), 21 Matix (4 Fabregas 84'), 7 Kanté; 19 Diego Costa, 10 Hazard, 8 Oscar (11 Pedro 84'). 4-3-3 => 4-5-1
Subs not used: 1 Begovic, 3 Alonso, 23 Batshuayi, 34 Aina.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner, 6 Lovren, 32 Matip, 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum (35 Stewart 90'), 14 Henderson (c), 20 Lallana; 19 Mané, 15 Sturridge (27 Origi 57'), 10 Coutinho (21 Lucas 82' (booked 88')). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 16 Grujic, 18 Moreno, 53 Eraria.

Match Stats: Chelsea-Liverpool
Attempts: 12-13
On target: 4-5
Corners: 6-4
Fouls: 6-13
Bookings: 1-1
Possession: 53%-47%

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Dejan Lovren
Attendance: 41,514

Images taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Liverpool thrash woeful Tottenham to go top

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 4:0 Tottenham

Liverpool went top of the table for the first time since Christmas after recording their eighth successive Premier League win thrashing Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield.

Before the game, manager Brendan Rodgers told the Kop to stay calm, but that didn't last long as the Reds took the lead after just 97 seconds thanks to Younes Kaboul back-heeling in Glen Johnson's cross.

After a nightmare start for Tim Sherwood's men, things did not get better. Halfway through the first half, Jan Vertonghen was injured and replaced by Michael Dawson, who seconds later gifted the ball to Luis Suarez for the Uruguayan to break clear and double the home side's lead.

And it should have been 3-0 before the break, both Daniel Sturridge and Suarez missing close calls before Simon Mignolet denied Spurs a breakthrough goal with a brilliant save, punching away a fine Roberto Soldado curl.

Any second half comeback the visitors hoped for was quickly nullified when Philippe Coutinho made up for Jordan Henderson's miss. 

The Brazilian finished off a fine breakaway drilling the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 ten minutes after the break.  

Spurs made a double-substitution with half an hour to go, but if anything, the only thing it changed was the pace of the game, as both teams slowed down, Liverpool keeping fine control even with their changes.

And the Londoners were just looking on when Henderson's low slide free kick found the back of the net, Suarez pointing out to his team mate to confirm the scorer.

With that goal Liverpool have broken Manchester United's Premier League record by scoring four or more goals in a game on 11 occasions.

The win took Liverpool top of the table as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all dropped points in the title race and if the Reds win their remaining six games, just as they have done the last six, they will win the league and end their 24-year drought!

It is in their hands!

Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 1:37min OG Younes Kaboul (4), 2.: 24:02min Luis Suarez (7), 3.: 54:49min Philippe Coutinho (10), 4.: 74:17min Jordan Henderson (14).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan, 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 10 Coutinho (24 Allen- 64th min), 8 Gerrard (21 Lucas- 70th min), 14 Henderson; 15 Sturridge, 31 Sterling (12 Moses- 83rd min), 7 Suarez. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Iago Aspas, 17 Sakho, 20 Cissokho.

Tottenham Team: 25 Lloris; 3 Ross, 5 Vertonghen (20 Dawson- 24th min), 4 Kaboul (booked 33rd min), 16 Naughton; 22 Sigurdsson (booked 46th min), 42 Bentaleb (19 Dembele- 60th min); 23 Eriksen, 21 Chadli, 7 Lennon (17 Townsend- 60th min); 9 Soldado. 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 24 Friedel, 30 Sandro, 37 Kane, 62 Winks.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Tottenham

(Attack)

Shots: 11-15

On Target: 5-4

Blocked: 0-5

From outside the box: 6-8

From inside the box: 5-7

Accuracy: 44.5%-40%

(General Play)

Possession: 58.6%-41.9%

Duels Won: 58.1%-41.9%

Aerial Duels Won: 44.4%-55.6%

Interceptions: 10-9

Offsides: 2-1

Corners: 5-7

(Distribution)

Total Passes: 527-364

Long: 11.8%-10.2%

Accuracy: 86.3%-82.1%

Opp. Half: 72.1%-71.9%

Total Crosses: 11-16

Successful: 25%-31.3%

(Defence & Discipline)

Tackles: 24-11

Won: 58.3%-81.8%

Clearances: 21-23

Fouls Conceded: 9-10

Yellow Cards: 0-2

Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Phil Dowd

Attendance: 44,762

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez

Reds deny Swans in seven-goal thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 4:3 Swansea

A double each by Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson saw Liverpool deny Swansea a spirited comeback and record their sixth win in eight games in 2014 after a frantic thriller at Anfield.

The home side could not have asked for a better start after Sturridge latched onto Raheem Sterling's pass before rounding Swans keeper Michel Vorm to clip in and open the scoring after not even three minutes.

And Henderson doubled the score after just 20 minutes with a nice curl into the top corner off a Sturridge lay-off.

If Brendan Rodgers men thought they were cruising to a third consecutive Premier League win against his former side, they were more than fooled and left stunned as the Welsh visitors produced a perfect comeback with two goals in four minutes.

Former Red Jonjo Shelvey pulled one back with a cracker of a strike which Anfield's breath taken and applause echoing in all corners of the ground.

And the Kop was left stunned again when Wilfried Bony's header deflected in off Martin Skrtel to make it two all and a perfect response by Garry Monk's men.

But Sturridge nodded the hosts back in front soon after off Luis Suarez cross, to give Liverpool the lead at the break.

However, it did not last long, as seconds after the interval, Bony calmly levelled the score again from the spot after Skrtel had bundled him over inside the box, making it an afternoon to forget for the Slovakian defender.

It was a breathless encounter, both sides producing numerous chances to take the lead, but it was man of the match Henderson who had the last say, netting the rebound after Vorm had denied Suarez, to make it 4-3 and three points to Liverpool.

This win takes Liverpool four points ahead of Tottenham in fifth, the same margin that separates them from the top.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 2:52min Daniel Sturridge (15), 2.: 19:57min Jordan Henderson (14), 3.: 35:09min Daniel Sturridge (15), 4.: 73:39min Jordan Henderson (14).

Swansea Goals: 1.: 22:16min Jonjo Shelvey (8), 2.: 26:01min Wilfried Bony (10), 3.: 46:59min Wilfried Bony (10) penalty.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 2 Johnson, 5 Agger (4 Toure- 63.min), 37 Skrtel (booked 26.min), 38 Flanagan; 10 Coutinho, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson; 31 Sterling (24 Allen- 58.min), 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (12 Moses- 79.min). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 20 Cissokho, 53 Teixeira.

Swansea Team: 1 Vorm; 3 Taylor, 6 Williams, 4 Chico, 22 Rangel; 7 Britton, 20 de Guzman (11 Hernandez- 73.min); 15 Routledge, 8 Shelvey (21 Canas- HT), 12 Dyer (54 Ngog- 78.min); 10 Bony. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 2 Amat, 19 Tiendalli, 25 Tremmel, 57 Emnes.

Opta Match stats: Liverpool-Swansea
(Attack)
Attempts: 21-14
On target: 10-5
Blocked: 5-2
From outside the box: 8-7
From inside the box: 13-7
Shot Accuracy: 62.5%-41.7%
(General Play)
Possession: 53.4%-46.6%
Duels won: 53.2%-46.8%
Aerials won: 34.8%-65.2%
Interceptions: 16-23
Offsides: 2-0
Corner: 3-5
(Distribution)
Total passes: 524-445
Long passes: 10.3%-10.6%
Passing accuracy: 83.6%-80.7%
Passing accuracy opposition's half: 71.6%-67.7%
Total crosses: 11-13
Successful crosses: 36.4%-23.1%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 25-21
Tackles Won: 76%-71.4%
Clearances: 19-20
Fouls conceded: 9-11
Yellow cards: 1-0
Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Michael Jens
Attendance: 44,731
Man of the match: Jordan Henderson

Reds Through After Six-Goal ET-Thriller

Sports - Football - Capital One Cup - Liverpool 4-2 Notts County

Record winners Liverpool were pushed into extra time before finally beating League One side Notts County 4-2 in the Capital One 2nd Round tie at Anfield.



The game started too comfortable for the home side, the Reds dominating possession and play on the first half. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring early on in the fourth minute beating two defenders to clip a shot in after a fine run from 40 yards out.

Daniel Sturridge doubled the score slamming in Steven Gerrard's cross from a tight angle.

The only downer for the home side was the early change they had to make after just nine minutes, defender Aly Cissokho hobbling off and being replaced by Daniel Agger following a challenge from Magpie's Jamal Campbell Ryce.

Gerrard, Agger and Kolo Toure all hit the woodwork as Brendan Rodgers' men looked nearly certain to progress through to the third round without too much of a sweat.

But the visitors pulled off an unexpected turnaround in the second half, Yoann Arquin smashing in a powerful header with just under half an hour to go before Adam Coombles netted the Martinique international's fine run and pull-back-pass to complete he visitor's comeback. 

Meanwhile, Joe Allen had limped off the pitch injured for the Reds.

Extra time brought extra pains and strains on to Liverpool after Toure was forced off injured, reducing the home side to ten men as they had used up all three of their substitutions in normal play time.

But the Reds restored their lead in the 109th minute when Sturridge squeezed in his second goal of the night under County keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Substitute Jordan Henderson sealed the win with a cheeky nutmeg through defender Enda Stevens
before curling a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 4-2 to the Reds.

Liverpool 4-2 Notts County (AET; FT 2-2; HT 2-0)

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 3:53min Raheem Sterling (31), 2. & 3.: 28:53 & 108:34min Daniel Sturridge (15), 4.: 109:40min Jordan Henderson (14).
Notts County Goals: 1.: 61:56min Yoann Arquin (15), 2.: 83:24min Adam Coombes (14).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 20 Cissokho (5 Agger- 10.min), 47 Wisdom (booked 98.min), 4 Toure, 2 Johnson; 24 Allen (14 Henderson- 65.min), 8 Gerrard; 31 Sterling (booked 106.min), 6 Luis Alberto (10 Coutinho- 72.min), 33 Ibe; 15 Sturridge. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 21 Lucas, 29 Borini.

Notts County Team: 1 Bialkowski; 24 Stevens, 4 Liddle, 5 Smith, 2 Dumbuya; 11 Bell (14 Coombes- 82.min), 22 Fotheringham (28 Boucaud- 77.min), 16 Labadie, 20 Campbell-Ryce (booked 52.min) (21 Thompson- 71.min); 8 McGregor; 15 Arquin (booked 77.min). 4-4-1-1
Subs not used: 19 Murray, 23 Speiss, 25 Tempest, 31 Nangle.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Notts County

-Attack-
Shots: 28-10
On target: 9-5
Blocked: 5-2
From outside the box: 13-4
Inside: 15-6
Shot accuracy: 39.1%-62.5%

-General Play-
Possession: 62.9%-37.1%
Duels won: 56.7%-43.3%
Aerial duels won: 64.3%-35.7%
Interceptions: 8-20
Offsides: 5-4
Corners: 8-3

-Distribution-
Total passes: 829-473
Long: 8.9%-14.4%
Accuracy: 90%-80.5%
Accuracy opposition half: 82.3%-68.1%
Total crosses: 20-16
Successful crosses: 30%-18.8%

-Defence & Discipline-
Tackles: 33-40
Won: 78.8%-92.5%
Clearances: 45-32
Fouls conceded: 10-18
Yellow cards: 2-2
Red cards: 0-0

Villa throw lead & points away against Reds

Sports - Football - Premier League - Aston Villa 1:2 Liverpool

Aston Villa remain in the relegation zone as Liverpool came from behind to win 1-2 at Villa Park, slashing the gap to their local rivals Everton to three points and staying in the race for European qualification.

Paul Lambert's men dominated most of the first half and took the lead when Gabriel Agbonlahor's lay-off found Christian Benteke, who fired home gratefully.

But Brendan Rodgers' side came back strongly from the restart, Jordan Henderson levelling the score two minutes into the second half with a nicely taken chip past Bradley Guzan.

And with half an hour to go, Steven Gerrard netted the winner from the spot after Nathan Baker had clumsily brought down Luis Suarez in the box.

The home side had plenty of time and chances to get something out of the game, but after Andreas Weimann's high-blast miss and Gerrard's breathtaking clearance of Benteke's header off the line, it seemed not to be Villa's day.

And everything had looked so promising for Villa in the first half. From kick-off they dominated possession, play and chances with Benteke and Agbonlahor missing chances.

On that note, the half could have ended 3-3, with Red playmaker Suarez also missing a couple of sitter. American keeper Guzan also kept the game going thanks to a couple of saves against Gerrard and Suarez.

But it was not to be, the Reds took over in the second half, Glen Johnson seeing his shot coming off a Villa player and then the far post between both Red goals.

It was a game of two halves, Rodgers ending up the happier after seeing his side's improvement, fight-back and positive turnaround whilst Lambert is left picking up the pieces and his side. 

The Scotsman can draw positives from this game but needs to work on the back line especially to avoid his side to drop more goals and points like this in the relegation battle.


Aston Villa Goals: 1.: 30:38min Christian Benteke (20).

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 46:52min Jordan Henderson (14), 2.: 59:15min Steven Gerrard (8) penalty.

Aston Villa: 22 Guzan; 27 Bennett, 32 Baker, 4 Vlaar, 34 Lowton; 25 Bannan (16 Delph - 62.), 15 Westwood (booked 91.), 18 Sylla (8 El Ahmadi - 76.); 11 Agbonlahor, 20 Benteke, 26 Weimann (10 N'Zogbia - 62.). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Given, 21 Bowery, 24 Dawkins, 30 Lichaj.

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 3 Jose Enrique, 23 Carragher, 5 Agger, 2 Johnson; 8 Gerrard (booked 48.), 21 Lucas; 19 Downing, 10 Coutinho (31 Sterling - 77.), 14 Henderson; 7 Suarez. 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 15 Sturridge, 16 Coates, 30 Suso, 33 Shelvey, 37 Skrtel.

Sky Stats: Aston Villa-Liverpool
Attempts: 10-23
On target: 4-7
Offsides: 3-6
Corners: 7-8
Free kicks: 9-9
Possession: 46.5%-53.5%
Tackles/Success: 27-21/70.4%-81%
Passes/Success: 452-538/79.2%-82.3%
Crosses/Success: 24-15/29.2%-13.3%

Referee: Lee Mason
Man of the match: Steven Gerrard

Four-star Liverpool thrash Chelsea

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 4:1 Chelsea

Liverpool gained a hint of revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by thrashing a much-changes Chelsea side 4-1 and giving John Terry a night to forget at Anfield.

Liverpool's cup final loss was King Kenny's first defeat as Liverpool manager against Chelsea in 14 matches (W10, D3, L1) and he made four changes from that disappointing performance with Andy Carroll starting and Steven Gerrard and Jose Enrique not even on the bench. Only John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires survived from Wembley for Chelsea - all three of them ineligible for the Champions League final.

The home side started an action-packed first half strong, ripping into the visitor's back line from the start. Terry's nightmare started with Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward danced, tapped and tipped his way through and forward from the right, nutmegging Terry on the way, his cut back eventually coming off Michael Essien into the back of the blue midfielder's own net in the 19th minute.

Six minutes later, England international Terry slipped, allowing Jordan Henderson to break clear and score comfortably with a calm finish into the bottom corner beyond Ross Turnbull. And soon/only seconds after that, Terry failed yet again, this time to clear Jonjo Shelvey's corner, to see the ball headed back into the six-yard box by Carroll and eventually headed into the back of the net by Daniel Agger to make it 3-0.

Fernando Torres' first return to Anfield since his £50m-move to Chelsea saw the Spaniard's every touch jeered and scorned. But the striker created a stunning touch and strike from an acute angle on the right, to see the powerful shot come off the underside of the crossbar. Earlier in the game, before Liverpool's onslaught, Ivanovic had seen his free header come off the post with the score at 0-0.

Stewart Downing equaled the woodwork scoreline for Liverpool seeing his dip shot, nice volley come off the bar bar on 42 and his spot-kick drill against the base of the post on the stroke of half time after Ivanovic had elbowed Carroll in the chest. This was the fifth time the Reds have missed from the spot in the Premier League this season with only 1/6 ending in the back of the net.

Chelsea soon pulled one back after the restart, Ramires getting his body in the way to divert Florent Malouda's free-kick and curl it past Pepe Reina at the near post five minutes into the second half. But with half an hour to go, Shelvey took advantage of Turnbull's hashed clearance giveaway and drilled a fine shot from long range into the back of the net to make it 4-1 and erase any hope Chelsea had of a comeback.

With this the defeat, the Blues have only taken 7/27 points out of the last nine away games (W1/D4/L4) and with Bayern Munich next on the card for the Champions League final in the Allianz Arena in Munich, Roberto Di Matteo can only hope the suspensions will end up for the better, against all odds, as Chelsea will certainly not miss Terry after this awful display!

In the last meeting before this clash at Anfield, Torres scored two to make it 2-0 to Liverpool under Roy Hodgson. A lot has changed since, but Di Matteo can only hope Torres can do a little bit of the same to Bayern in Munich after failing to impress against his former side.

Meanwhile, Liverpool ended their home run on a high after only five wins previously at Anfield saw them in their poorest form since 1949. The question for Kenny Dalglish is, does this display and result provide signs of a promising future for the Reds, with signings like Carroll finally clicking and showing form, and youngsters like Shelvey shining high-class? Or does this win just tint the glasses rosey and paper over the cracks? Only time will tell...

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger (goal 28, bkd 71); Downing (Sterling 84), Henderson (goal 25, bkd 65), Shelvey (goal 61), Maxi (Kuyt 84); Suarez, Carroll. (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Coates, Spearing, Kelly, Bellamy.

Chelsea: Turnbull; Ferreira (bkd 45), Ivanovic (bkd 47), Terry (bkd 22), Bertrand; Essien (OG 19, bkd 44), Romeu, Malouda; Ramires (goal 50), Torres, Sturridge (Lukaku 68). 
Subs not used: Hilario, Cole, Lampard, Mata, Kalou, Hutchinson.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Man of the match: Andy Carroll