Liverpool end season victorius at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:1 Newcastle

Liverpool came back from behind to end the season on a winning note, beating 9-man Newcastle 2-1 at Anfield, but with Manchester City's comfortable 2-0 win against West Ham at the Etihad, it meant the title went to the blue side of Manchester for the second time in three seasons.

The Reds started the game a shadow of their usual fiery selves, shaky, wasteful and unable to keep the ball long enough to create a threat.

Star man Luis Suarez did have the ball in the back of the net on 18 minutes, the Uruguayan catching Tim Krul off his line with a quickly taken free kick, but too quickly for referee Phil Dowd's liking, who disallowed the goal as the ball was still rolling.

Seconds later, Anfield was stunned to silence when the Magpies took the lead after Martin Skrtel shinned Youan Gouffran's cross from the left into the back of his own net.

The Slovakian defender now holds the unwanted record of his fourth own goal of the season, taking Liverpool's total conceded to 50 goals in a 38-game top-flight season for the first time since 1914-15.

Gouffran and Shola Ameobi kept working well together for the visitors, pulling a couple of nice stops out of Simon Mignolet, whilst at the other end Suarez and co looked more and more frustrated, not challenging Krul much.

Brendan Rodgers replaced Jon Flanagan with Aly Cissokho after the break, but the frustrating trend of slips and giveaways continued, Glen Johnson being one of the main culprits, and Ameobi not happy with Skrtel's hugs and shirt-rips either.

After the Reds' second change, just before the hour mark, Philippe Coutinho replacing Joe Allen, the game picked up for the home side, and just four minutes later, they were level thanks to Daniel Agger putting in skipper Steven Gerrard's free kick.

That certainly changed the mood at Anfield, and within three minutes, they were ahead after Daniel Sturridge netted another Gerrard free kick.

And things went from bad to worse for Alan Pardew's men when Ameobi was booked and then sent off within quick succession for his protests before the restart. The Nigerian striker went straight down the tunnel after being punished for all his stick and discussions with Dowd.

Newcastle rang in the changes after the dismissal, whilst Liverpool accepted the inevitable, winning here, but with City leading 2-0, the Reds had to concede the title to the Sky Blues.

Raheem Sterling saw his goal disallowed for an obvious offside, before the visitors were reduced to nine men, substitute Paul Dummett seeing red for a stupid lunge on Suarez, the Magpies' fifth dismissal in their last four meetings with Liverpool.

The Reds just ran down the clock after that, ending the game on top 2-1, and the season second on 84 points, five places and 23 points better than last season, their highest finish in five years, and qualified automatically back into the Champions League next season after four seasons away.

Anfield applauded their side and manager, but neither could hide their disappointment after having all their hopes of a first league title in 24 years dashed as Manchester City beat West Ham to be crowned champions. 

Rodgers will have to build around Stevie G. and the SAS/SSS*, especially the back line has to be strengthened after seeing Liverpool be the first team since Tottenham in 1962-63 to score more than 100 league goals and concede 50 goals in the same season.

Mignolet has had a great first season in goal, but the defence has been too shaky and leaked too much and many through. The likes of Skrtel, Johnson, Flanagan, Kolo Toure, and Mamadou Sakho have just not been good enough.

No discrediting the Reds' improvement through, and hopes and chances to challenge at the top again next season, domestically and in Europe. Thanks to BR, SAS/SSS* and Stevie G.! YNWA XxXxX

*SAS/SSS:
*9 - The joint-highest Goal/Assist combinations in the 2013--14 season were Suarez/Sturridge and Suarez/Sterling. (OptaJoe)
*31 - Luis Suarez's goal haul equalled a Premier League record for 38-game season, shared with Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 63' Daniel Agger (5), 2.: 65' Daniel Sturridge (15).

Newcastle Goals: 1.: 20' Martin Skrtel (37) OG.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (20 Cissokho 46'), 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel, 2 Johnson; 14 Henderson, 8 Gerrard, 24 Allen (10 Coutinho 59'); 15 Sturridge (21 Lucas 80', booked 89'), 7 Suarez, 31 Sterling. 4-3-3 Subs not used: 1 Jones, 4 Toure, 9 Aspas, 17 Sakho.

Newcastle Team: 1 Krul; 19 Haidera, 27 Taylor (18 de Jong 73'), 2 Coloccini, 6 Williamson, 26 Debuchy (booked 35'); 11 Gouffran (booked 65') (28 Ameobi 78'), 24 Tiote (36 Dummett 82', sent off 87'), 8 Anita (booked 63'), 7 Sissoko; 23 Ameobi (booked 66', sent off 66'). 5-4-1 Subs not used: 3 Santon, 13 Yonga-Mbiwa, 21 Elliot, 37 Satka.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Newcastle

(Attack)
Attempts: 13-8
On target: 5-2
Blocked: 5-3
From outside the box: 7-3
From inside the box: 6-5
Shot Accuracy: 62.5%-40%

(General Play)
Possession: 66.2%-33.8%
Duels won: 52.6%-47.4%
Aerials won: 56.6%-43.5%
Interceptions: 11-16
Offsides: 3-2
Corners: 6-2

(Distribution)
Total Passes: 673-333
Long Passes: 79%-15.6%
Passing Accuracy: 89.9%-78.4%
Pass. Acc. Opp. half: 83.9%-63.6%
Total Crosses: 22-12
Successful: 22.7%-25%

(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 15-19
Won: 80%-94.7%
Clearances: 25-26
Fouls conceded: 8-16
Yellow Cards: 1-3
Red Cards: 0-2

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 44,724
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling

Suarez hat-trick sinks Cardiff in 9-goal thriller

Sports - Football - Premier League - Cardiff 3:6 Liverpool

A Luis Suarez hat-trick plus Martin Skrtel double and Daniel Sturridge goal all added up to Liverpool sinking Cardiff City 3-6 in a nine-goal thriller in Wales.

The Bluebirds took the game to the Reds from kick-off and were rewarded early on, taking the lead after just nine minutes thanks to Jordon Mutch punishing former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen for his giveaway with a low, left-footed drive past Simon Mignolet.

But it didn't take long for Brendan Rodgers' men to hit back, as Glen Johnson's cross found Suarez, who made no mistake of beating David Marshall from close range to level the score 1-1 in the 16th minute.

Nine minutes later, Fraizer Campbell took advantage of a slow Red defence with loads of space from nearly the same spot as Mutch scored to make it 2-1 and turn Cardiff City on top and loud again.

However, Skrtel's clinical finish off Philippe Coutinho's cross put the scores level at 2-2 and Liverpool back in the game just before the break.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men were left stunned eight minutes into the second half, seeing Coutinho's cross off a corner headed in by Skrtel to make it 2-3, whilst the homeside were down to nine men, with Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Mutch receiving treatment on the side-line.

The Reds took over the game from there, the SAS proving themselves as lethal once again, Sturridge sending through a pass for Suarez to net before the Uruguayan returned the favour and set up the former Chelsea striker for a simple tap-in to make it 2-5 with 15 minutes to go.

Poor marking from the visitors left City sub Kenwyne Jones free to head one in to make it 3-5 and give the home side some faint, if-not-false hope,

But after sub Wilfried Zaha's hesitant giveaway, Suarez selfishly ran on and clear, with all the time and space to tease keeper Marshall before beating him to make it goal number six for LFC and hat-trick number six for himself.

Thereby the Urugayan equalled Robbie Fowler's 28-goal club-record for a Premier League season, six away from Andrew Cole's and Alan Shearer's joint Premier League record of most goals in a season.

The win keeps Liverpool in second, four points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand and two points ahead of Manchester City, who have an extra game in hand.

And with the Reds still to play both blue sides at Anfield, the title race is wide open and will be a nail-biter-and-a-half that could grind down to the final seconds of the season!

Cardiff City 3-6 Liverpool

Cardiff City Goals: 1.: 8:28min Jorden Mutch (18), 2.: 24:52min Fraizer Campbell (10), 3.: 87:15min Jorden Mutch.

Liverpool Goals: 1.: 15:47min Luis Suarez (7), 2.&3.: 40.11 & 53:04min Martin Skrtel (37), 4.: 58:44 min Luis Suarez (7), 5.: 74:25min Daniel Sturridge (15), 6.: 95:27min Luis Suarez (7).

Cardiff City Team: 1 Marshall; 42 John (29 Daehli- 65th min), 28 Theophile-Catherine, 27 Cala (booked- 33rd min), 4 Caulker, 35 Fabio (booked- 50th min); 13 Kim (36 Zaha- 65th min), 8 Medel, 18 Mutch; 39 Bellamy (9 Jones- 70th min), 10 Campbell. 5-3-2
Subs not used: 6 Turner, 7 Whittingham, 17 Gunnarsson, 32 Lewis.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 38 Flanagan (20 Cissokho- 73rd min), 5 Agger, 37 Skrtel (booked- 92nd min), 2Johnson; 8 Gerrard (booked- 2nd min); 24 Allen (booked- 94th min), 14 Henderson; 10 Coutinho (31 Sterling- 68th min); 7 Suarez, 15 Sturridge (17 Sakho- 92nd min). 4-1-2-1-2
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 9 Aspas, 12 Moses, 21 Lucas.

Opta Match Stats: Cardiff City-Liverpool
(Attack)
Attempts: 9-19
On target: 3-9
Blocked: 2-4
From outside the box: 2-6
From inside the box: 7-13
Shot accuracy: 42.9%-60%
(General Play)
Possession: 33.3%-66.6%
Duels won: 47.1%-52.9%
Aerials won: 37.9%-62.1%
Interceptions: 19-12
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 4-6
(Distribution)
Total Passes: 301-650
Long Passes: 15%-8.8%
Passing Accuracy: 77.1%-87.1%
Pass. Acc. Opp. Half: 66.4%-80.1%
Total Passes: 25-15
Successful: 20%-20%
(Defence & Discipline)
Tackles: 21-22
Tackles Won: 71.4%-81.8%
Clearances: 15-28
Fouls Conceded: 14-11
Yellow Cards: 2-3
Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 28,018
Man of the match: Luis Suarez

Liverpool thrash sorry Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 5:1 Arsenal

Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 5-1 in an unforgettable lunch-time clash at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers' men came into the match all guns blazing, stunning the Gunners with four goals in the opening 20 minutes.

Martin Skrtel opened the scoring after just 51 seconds, whipping in Steven Gerrard's free kick, totally unmarked inside the six-yard box, sending the ball past a helpless Wojciech Szczesny with his knee.

And the Slovakian defender double the score under nine minutes later, heading the skipper's corner into the top corner over the jumping Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the line.

The Reds looked dangerous every time they went forward, especially on the wings, and should have been 3-0 up on 12 minutes when Daniel Sturridge chipped a golden chance wide after Luis Suarez sent him clear on goal.

The Uruguayan forward saw his shot smack off the post seconds later for Kolo Toure to stab the rebound wide.

But moments later, Liverpool's top scorer picked out Raheem Sterling with a perfect pass to give the young winger a simple finish at the far post to make it 3-0.

And three minutes later, Philippe Coutinho found Sturridge with a perfect cross behind Laurent Koscielny for the striker to slot it home nice and easy to make it 4-0.

Arsene Wenger's men were beaten after 20 minutes, enjoyed more possession in the second half, but fired nothing but blanks.

Liverpool made it five on 52 minutes when Sterling broke clear on goal and netted the rebound after Szczesny saved his initial effort.

Arsenal did get a consolation goal, much to the amusement of the traveling fans, after winning a penalty when Gerrard brought down Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box. Mikel Arteta converted the kick and pulled a late - and only - save out of Simon Mignolet.

But it was too little, too late, and did not mask the embarrassment and one clear thing: this was Liverpool's day and the result smashed the Premier League title race all open again!

Liverpool Goals: 1.& 2.: 0:51 & 9:28min Martin Skrtel (37), 3.: 16:00min Raheem Sterling (31), 4.: 19:17min Daniel Sturridge (15), 5.: 51:07min Raheem Sterling (31).

Arsenal Goals: 1.: 68:25min Mikel Arteta (8) penalty.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 20 Cissokho, 4 Toure, 37 Skrtel, 38 Flanagan; 10 Coutinho, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson (booked 47.min); 31 Sterling, 15 Sturridge (24 Allen- 66.min), 7 Suarez (9 Aspas- 86.min). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 1 Jones, 6 Luis Alberto, 12 Moses, 34 Kelly.

Arsenal Team: 1 Szczesny; 17 Monreal (28 Gibbs- 61.min), 6 Koscielny, 4 Mertesacker, 3 Sagna; 10 Wilshere (booked 59.min), 8 Arteta; 19 Cazorla, 11 Özil (7 Rosicky- 61.min), 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain; 12 Giroud (booked 47.min) (9 Podolski- 60.min). 4-2-3-1

Subs not used: 21 Fabianski, 23 Bendtner, 25 Jenkinson, 44 Gnabry.

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Arsenal

(Attack)

Attempts: 22-11

On target: 12-6

Blocked: 1-4

From outside the box: 7-7

From inside the box: 15-4

Shot accuracy: 57.1%-85.7%

(General Play)

Possession: 42.7%-57.3%

Duels won: 53.8%-46.2%

Aerials won: 41.7%-58.3%

Interceptions: 10-11

Offsides: 4-0

Corners: 6-6

(Distribution)

Total passes: 373-497

Long passes: 15.5%-7%

Passing accuracy: 78.8%-87.1%

Passing accuracy oppositional half: 63.8%-79.8%

Total crosses: 16-20

Successful crosses: 31.3%-20%

(Defence & Discipline)

Tackles: 35-16

Tackles won: 85.7%-75%

Clearances: 37-38

Fouls conceded: 14-14

Yellow cards: 1-2

Red cards: 0-0

Referee: Michael Oliver

Attendance: 44,701

Man of the match: Raheem Sterlinghttp

Tevez steals the show & point for City at Anfield

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:2 Manchester City

Carlos Tevez spoilt the show at Anfield with his 100th goal in the English game. The Argentine took advantage of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel's mistake, a poor backpass, when he netted Manchester City's second of the day to make it all sqare, 2-2.

Liverpool were defiant and intent to perform and come back strong after their dire 3-0 defeat at West Brom last weekend and the Reds did so from the start.

Having lost Lucas Leiva early on in the match due to injury (5.), substitute Jonjo Shelvey and youngster Raheem Sterling impressed with their resilience and stubbornness throughout the match.

New signing Joe Allen showed some great creativity and productive passing play and the two Martins at the back, Skrtel and Kelly, kept City's front force of Mario Balotelli and Tevez stumm for most of the game, too.

So, the home side looked dominant and in firm control when Skrtel banged in a header off skipper Steven Gerrard's corner just past the half-hour mark and Liverpool took the 1-0 lead into the break.

However, with just under half an hour to go, Pepe Reina gave away the ball to Yaya Toure who just had to tap it in to level the score 1-1 for City.

Exactly three minutes later, Luis Suarez saw his brilliant free kick from just out side the boxc curl around and over the wall into the top right corner of the net, Joe Hart left stranded and City 2-1 behind.

But with City being the new and proven late comeback kings, Tevez made sure the champions would not go back home empty handed turning Skrtel from hero to zero and making Liverpool pay with his equaliser.

Brendan Rodgers brought on Andy Carroll late on to see if the out-of-favour striker could make another comeback out of the comeback, but to no avail. Shelvey came closest to a late winner when he saw his strong drive from 25-yards just clearing the bar.

But the Reds can draw strength and confidence from this impressive performance. After making the champions shake and trail as they did, I am sure the (young) Reds can set up a good and strong run and side from here.

FT Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (HT 1-0)

Liverpool Goals: 1: 33:37min Martin Skrtel (37), 2: 65:54min Luis Suarez (7).

Man City Goals: 1: 62:54min Yaya Toure (42), 2: 79:19min Carlos Tevez (32).

Liverpool: 25 Reina; 2 Johnson, 16 Coates, 37 Skrtel, 34 Kelly (3 Jose Enrique - 66.); 24 Allen, 21 Lucas (33 Shelvey - 5.); 31 Sterling, 8 Gerrard, 29 Borini (9 Carroll - 83.); 7 Suarez (bkd 94.). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 14 Henderson, 19 Downing, 23 Carragher.

Man City: 1 Hart; 13 Kolarov, 28 Toure, 4 Kompany, 5 Zabaleta; 34 de Jong, 42 Toure; 8 Nasri (17 Rodwell - 59.), 32 Tevez, 7 Milner (21 Silva - 76.); 45 Balotelli (10 Dzeko - 62.). 4-2-3-1.
Subs not used: 30 Pantilimon, 6 Lescott, 15 Savic, 62 Razak.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Man City
Attempts: 17-11
On target: 3-3
Offsides: 0-1
Corners: 4-4
Free kicks: 8-10
Possession: 48.7%-51.3%
Tackles: 18-26
Tackles Success: 77.8%-76.9%
Passes: 462-484
Passes Success: 80.5%-84.1%
Crosses: 18-22
Crosses Success: 33.3%-9.1%
Territorial Advantage: 50.5%-49.5%

Referee: Andre Marriner
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling (31)

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

FT Summary: Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Carling Cup final - FT Cardiff 1:1 Liverpool

2nd half notes:

Liverpool kick off the second half.

47 Free kick to Liverpool on the left, after Miller pushed Enrique, soft one, Gerrard takes it, blocked, Henderson blasts it nowhere near goal.

49 Miller shot wide, after clever flick by Cowie.

50 Suarez nicks the ball into the Cardiff box, Carroll stuck on his feet, could have had a chance there.

51 Free kick cleared, following corner cleared, Cardiff's back line tested, so far so solid. Another block, corner, Cardiff hold on tight.

52 Henderson booked for diving challenge on Mason, first yellow of the day.

55 Poor ball by Agger, Cardiff into attack, ball out for throw-in. What a bunch of wasters in red! High and far throw, punched out by Reina, rebound taken and thrown out for counter. Spaniard under pressure.

57 Fantastic tackle by McNaughton on Suarez who was just about to pull the trigger in the box, corner comes to nothing.

58 Bellamy on for Henderson, was about time for Liverpool, the Welshman is cheered by both sets of fans, goosebump moment.

60 Carroll shot off corner, Suarez heads it onto the post, Skrtel puts rebound past Cardiff defence through Heaton's legs! 59:31, 1:1! FINALLY something to cheer about for the Reds!

65 Mason pops one shot into Reina's gloves, could have been an awkward one.

66 Downing corner comes to nothing, Cardiff working hard.

67 Downing forces another corner on the right, ends in a goal kick. Finally there's some signs of hunger from the Reds.

71 Gerrard smashes into Gunnarsson who goes down injured, requires treatment. The Red skipper is lucky to get away with that one without a card to his name!

74 Skrtel volley off corner stopped by goalkeeper.

75 Carroll heads one wide, looked like he didn't have a clue where he or the ball was.

77 Now Hudson is down, with a cramp, in his box, play is stopped.

78 Downing shot from outside the box saved by Heaton, fine jump to his left.

80 Push by Downing on Miller, looked more like a slip, but free kick given, in dangerous position, goes straight into the wall. Gunnarson's long throw into box cleared.

82 Johnson puts one wide, 8 Cardiff players in front of him!

84 Cardiff get ball into box, Turner heads it just wide. Excellent chance.

86 Agger smacker held well by Heaton.

87 Carragher on for Agger. Corner taken by Liverpool comes to nothing, goal kick.

88 Golden chance again for Cardiff, goal gaping, missed again, Miller puts it high. Brilliant first touch, looked promising, 2nd touch let down.

90 Ball smacks off Clattenburg to Cardiff's advantage, Carragher not happy, gives away a free kick.

4 minutes added on.

91 Suarez onside, takes to long, wastes it wide.

92 Gerrards shoots high off corner.

94 Suarez takes ball beautifully to see it deflect out for a goal kick. Sarcastic smile by the Uruguayan.

FT 1:1 Liverpool comeback not complete after promising header by Skrtel made it 1:1, Cardiff holding on, hard! 30 minutes of extra time coming up and if it stays level it goes to penalties! 

2nd half stats:
Cardiff-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-11
On target: 1-5
Offsides: 0-3
Corners: 0-10
Free kicks: 7-4

Cardiff: Heaton; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Mason (scored 19), Whittingham, Gunnarson, Cowie; Miller, Gestede. 4-4-2
Subs: Marshall, Kiss, A Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake

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

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

Spurs hold Liverpool to a goalless draw

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

Liverpool remain unbeaten at home this season after their goalless draw againt Tottenham which takes their unbeaten run at Anfiel to 15 games. However, the Reds will be more frustrated with the result, yet another home draw, 8 out of 12 home games for the Reds ending up with just one point.

INTRUDER! Here's the star of the show - the Anfield cat, who made a purr-fect run into the Spurs penalty area in the 12th minute halting the game for three minutes.

 It was a big improvement though compared to the 4-2 thrashing Liverpool got the last time these two sides met, plus two men seeing red on the night (Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel). Tottenham were also the last side to get three points at Anfield, winning 2-0 in May last year.

But Liverpool looked the stronger and more likely to score, more comfortable with the ball and enjoying much more possession. Chances were hard to come by for both sides though, in the first half especially.

The later the game went on, the more pressure and chances were created. Gareth Bale drew the most frustrated picture when he got booked for pushing Daniel Agger after he went down on the defender's challenge. Replays showed there was no contact, but Bale got all fired up. He put a couple of chances high and wide after that, his temper most probably not helping.

Apart from Bale's waste, it was all Liverpool, but Tottenhams' back line stayed rock-solid. Michael Dawson, Kyle Walker and Scott Parker put their bodies on the line when it mattered, blocking and holding the Reds back. The only save of note Brad Friedel had to make was a smacker though, a fine hit by Martin Kelly the goalkeeper punched behind for a corner.

Tottenham's nr 8 Parker got a boot in his face for his effort. It took Luis Suarez less than 5 minutes after his return from a 9-game suspension to find himself in controversy and the referee's book yet again, replays showing how wreckless the kick out was by the Uruguayan.

Skrtel was also added to that book after he led with his studs on Bale. The Slovakian defender did get the ball, but it was a very dangerous challenge. Both Red player should be very glad they were not added to the referee's red list!

Liverpool seemed the hungrier but missed and spurned too much, it seemed one of those nights. Then, when Bale broke clear into the Liverpool box, it looked like Spurs were going to nick the three points. The Welsh international looked to put the ball through Pepe Reina's legs but the Spaniard blocked it well and solid. Bale kept on fighting for the ball to see it deflect and eventually cleared. What a let-off that was for the home side!

The last 5-10 minutes seemed like a crazy game of ping pong, backwards, forwrd, give-aways, deflections, Liverpool dominant and more on the attack but just as unable to break through and take advantage as their opponants.

Spurs deserved the point for their gritty defending, showing backbone eventhough they were missing their manager and a couple of players.
Liverpool will not be as happy with the result, but as they know from past encounters with the London side, or should know, it could have been so much worse! (+ The Reds are still seven points better off than they were at this stage last season!)

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel (booked 76), Kelly; Adam, Spearing, Gerrard; Bellamy (Downing 73), Carroll, Kuyt (Suarez 66 (booked 70)).
Subs not used: Doni, Aurelio, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher.

Tottenham: Friedel; Assou-Ekotto, King, Dawson, Walker; Parker (booked 39), Livermore; Bale (booked 54), Modric, Kranjcar (Rose 87); Adebayor (Saha 71).
Subs not used: Cudicini, Nelsen, Khumalo, Luongo, Lancaster.

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

Sky Stats:
Liverpool-Tottenham
Possession: 52.3%-47.7% HT, 52%-48% FT
Pass Success Rate: 85%-89.93% HT, 83%-80.51% FT
Action Areas:
Liverpool 6%-48%-46% Tottenham 80.min,
24%-52%-24% FT

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Man of the match: Scott Parker

Nightmare thrashing for Reds at White Hart Lane

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

Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel saw red as nine-man Liverpool were thumped 4-0 at White Hart Lane by a bright, confident, dominant and inspirational Tottenham side who came back fighting after they were thrashed 5:1 by Manchester City in their last home game with man of the match Emmanuel Adebayor scoring two.

Luka Modric took the lead for Tottenham early on in the game (7.) with a smacking screamer of a strike from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner of the goal giving Pepe Reina not even a smell of it.

That gave the tone of the game with Liverpool all over the place and after seeing their defender Daniel Agger going off injured things went from bad to worse for the Reds. Adam was sent off for his second bookable offence after he left a high foot on Scott Parker with his eyes on the ball but it was a dangerous tackle leaving Liverpool down to ten.

Sometimes a sending off can pull a side together and get them better focused and organised, not in Liverpool's case. Jordan Henderson and Skrtel were driven mad by Adebayor and Gareth Bale and their quick breaks and runs, the latter being booked for his frustration and risky tackle on the man of the match.

Tottenham stayed on top, creating but missing chance after chance. Luis Suarez had the most frustrating day, mostly alone up front with hardly anything or anyone coming his way and to put the icing on the cake for him and his side he was also added to the referee's book just before half time for his sarcastic applaud to a linesman.

It was a horrible half for Liverpool, with Agger off injured, Adam sent off, Bale exposing Skrtel again and again and looking certain to crack him again at some point. And it did come worse for the Reds.

After creating a couple of semi-chances/lucky free kicks thanks to Andy Carroll and Suarez, Liverpool cracked and crumbled to bits. Skrtel saw his second yellow for bringing down Bale after he once again made mockery of Henderson and broke through too easily.

Minutes later Jermain Defoe made it 2:0 after breaking through and past Jose Enrique, sending a beautiful right-footed shot into the net on the turn, putting salt on Liverpool's wounds. 90 seconds later Reina added to the nightmare after spilling Defoe's shot from the edge of the box giving Adebayor an easy one to slot in to make it 3:0.

A double change followed for Liverpool with 20 minutes to go, Craig Bellamy and Jay Spearing coming on for Stewart Downing and Suarez to avoid the worst more than anything else, like another sending off and/or a worse thrashing as they were already getting. Too little, too late.

Tottenham had an easy kickabout for the last 10-15 minutes with some lovely combinations and plenty of missed chances, making 3:0 look like a modest scoreline as to what it could and should have been.

Adebayor finished the game off in the last minute of injury time by smashing the ball in with his right foot, an emphatic finish and diagonal shot past Reina to make it 4:0 and a thrilling win for Spurs. The Londoners were superior in every respect, in all dimensions and areas. This was certainly a match to remember for Harry Redknapp and his men.

For Liverpool on the other hand, this has been a match to forget, their biggest Premier League defeat for 8.5 years, seeing the first sendings off under Kenny Dalglish's current reign. Their defeat at Stoke was cruel with decisions going against them and the Reds fighting hard and coming so close. This game today was a fully fledged thrashing, beat-up, smash-up with Liverpool all over the place, disorganised, crumbled to bits. This leaves a lot to think about and work on for King Kenny and his boys.

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, King (Bassong 84.), Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar (Van der Vaart HT), Parker, Modric (scored 6:22), Bale; Adebayor (scored 67:39 & 92:47; booked 24.), Defoe (scored 66., Giovani 84.)). (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Pavlyuchenko, Corluka, Livermore.

Liverpool: Reina; Skrtel (booked 36., sent off 63.), Carragher, Agger (Coates 27.(booked 39.)), Jose Enrique; Henderson, Lucas, Adam (booked 12., sent off 28.), Downing (Bellamy 70.); Suarez (booked 49., Spearing 70.), Carroll. (4-4-2)
Subs not used: Doni, Maxi, Coates, Kuyt,  Robinson.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Tottenham-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-0 & 8-3
On target: 3-0 & 5-0
Offsides: 1-3 & 1-1
Free kicks: 7-5 & 4-7
Corners: 3-0 & 0-1
Possession: 56%-44% (17.min) & 55%-45% (FT)
Action areas: 12%-50%-38% 

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Man of the match: Emmanuel Adebayor

Sorry Liverpool fall at the Britannia

Sports - Football - Premier League - Stoke 2-0 Liverpool

Stoke ended Liverpool's four-match unbeaten run and sealed a back-to-back victory following the midweek win against Birmingham that ended a run of five straight league defeats.

The Potters gave a performance of the season, showing grit and determination which the visitors have been more than lacking.

Especially the first half showed Stoke on top, dominating, nearly haunting the Reds, who showed no control, coordination or organisation.

The second half continued in the same trend and the first goal showed and reflected this:

Liverpool's box and back line was unable to clear the ball, scrambling around, ping-ponging around until Ricardo Fuller took advantage of the chaos and poked it home, through and past the crowd, firing Stoke in front deservedly so.

If it weren't for Jamie Carragher's goal line clearance, Martin Skrtel's hugging and wrapping cover and Pepe Reina's top-notch saves, the score line could have been so much worse!

Maxi Rodriguez came closest for Liverpool when his close-range effort was kept out by Asmir Begovic, the only close shout for the Reds.

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had a hardly noteworthy performance, with only a couple of semi-chances.

The skipper gave the ball away late on in the match and Kenwyne Jones connected to it, skipped past Skrtel, and fired it home past a stranded Reina.

To top it all off and add to the misery for Liverpool, Lucas Leiva was sent off in stoppage timee, seeing his second yellow of the day for a stupid tackle.

Stoke overtake Liverpool and are up to 10th whilst the Reds are still drifting and hovering around at 11th looking for some kind of form and coordination - Roy Hodgson needing to find the right change and solution, quickly!

Stoke: Begovic; Huth, Collins (booked 54), Shawcross, Wilkinson; Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington (Wilson 93); Jones (scored 90:02), Fuller (scored 55:12, booked 83, Walters 88).
Subs not used: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Whelan, Sanli, Gudjohnson.

Liverpool: Reina; Konchesky, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Skrtel (booked 79);Meireles (Ngog 66), Gerrard, Maxi (Babel 73), Lucas (booked 58, 2nd yellow & off 92); Torres (booked 47), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Jones, Kelly, Poulsen, Shelvey, Jovanovic.

1st half stats:
Stoke-Liverpool
Attempts: 8-4
On target: 3-1
Offsides: 1-0
Corners: 2-2
Free kicks: 5-4
Possession: 56%-44% (BBC HT)

2nd half stats:
Stoke-Liverpool
Attempts: 6-4
On target: 2-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 2-1
Free kicks: 7-8

Sky Stats:
Stoke-Liverpool
Possession: 39.7%-60.3%
Passing Success: 57.7%-69.4%
Tackles/Success: 19/78.9%-13/92.3%
Territorial Advantage: 56.7%-43.3%

Referee: Mark Halsey
Man of the match: Martin Skrtel