Sturridge double downs Spurs

Sports - Football - EFL Cup - LFC 2:1 THFC

Daniel Sturridge's double ended up being enough to eliminate Tottenham from the EFL Cup in the fourth round with Liverpool beating Spurs 2-1 at Anfield.

The much criticised striker was on fire, could and should have had a hat-trick with chances galore for the Reds, but had to settle for "just" the two goals and the man-of-the-match award.

Both managers made plenty of changes from the weekend, the whole 11 by Jürgen Klopp, 10 by Mauricio Pochettino, showing faith in their youngsters.

21-year-old Divock Origi impressed, producing, creating and providing plenty of chances. Liverpool proved themselves the more dominant and took the lead early on thanks to Sturridge's instinctive strike from six yards after just nine minutes.

And the home side took control in the second half, Origi and Sturridge combining well, the prior sending the latter clear to slide his second goal under Michel Vorm.

The England striker had wasted a couple of sitters beforehand, curled another chance against the bar late on, so, had plenty of opportunities to make it three and the Matchball his.

But the Spurs youngsters were not to be downed that easily and made it a more nervous finish for the Reds after they conceded a penalty when substitute Erik Lamela was fouled and saw Vincent Janssen send keeper Simon Mignolet the wrong way to make it 2-1 with just under 15 minutes to go.

Both sides missed chances late on, leaving Pochettino on his knees in frustration and defeat, Klopp the happier, obviously, seeing his side extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches, 8 of them wins, taking them to the EFL Cup quarter final.

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 9' & 64'.

Tottenham Goal: Janssen pen 76'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet, 66 Alexander-Arnold (booked) (2 Clyne 68'), 21 Lucas, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 5 Wijnaldum, 35 Stewart, 53 Ejaria, 16 Grujic (booked) (23 Can 89'), 15 Sturridge, 27 Origi (28 Ings 68' (booked)).
Subs not used: 1 Karius, 6 Lovren, 19 Mané, 20 Lallana.

Tottenham Team: 13 Vorm, 16 Trippier, 38 Carter-Vickers, 27 Wimmer (booked), 33 Davies, 15 Dier (12 Wanyama 67'), 29 Winks (booked), 25 Onomah, 28 Carroll (11 Lamela 61'), 14 Nkoudou (39 Harrison 83'), 9 Janssen.
Subs not used: 5 Vertonghen, 30 López Sabata, 45 Walkes, 46 Amos.

Match Stats: Liverpool-Tottenham
Attempts: 18-9
On target: 9-5
Corners: 6-6
Fouls: 12-19
Possession: 46%-54%

Referee: Jonathan Mass
Man of the match: Daniel Sturridge
Attendance: 53,501

Pictures taken from the BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Liverpool take a point at White Hart Lane

Sports - Football - Premier League - THFC 1:1 LFC

It ended all level 1-1 at White Hart Lane, but with plenty of talking points. On the one hand Liverpool will feel more like two points dropped because of Sadio Mané's disallowed goal. But Spurs were pushing and dangerous, especially with Harry Kane, so, better than nothing. Fair result in the end, intense game, both going for it, both getting something from it.

The game started mixed, the home side on top, keeping the Red back line and keeper Simon Mignolet the busier, producing a couple of top notch saves against Kane. Both sides did not give each other much space, so possession changed quickly and regularly, both pushing again and again on the counter, Michel Vorm with some good stops of his own against Philippe Coutinho early on.

It did not take long for the tide to swing and Jürgen Klopp's men to take over, the front three Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mané challenging the Spurs' back line. Just before the break, the pressure bared fruit. Firmino was brought down in the box by Erik Lamela chasing back. James Milner sent keeper Vorm the wrong way and netted the spot kick into the left corner, sending Liverpool into the interval 0-1 ahead.

The second half started just as intense, both teams not leaving each other much room to play with, possession not lasting long, giving away a lot of throws and free kicks. Mané and Danny Rose kept clashing after both had already been booked in the first half for their rants and tangles, keeping each other on their toes and tensions high.

The Reds should have had their lead doubled on 57' after a lovely move that involved Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and Mané, the latter netting and celebrating, only to be flagged for offside. It was a very close call.

And it did come back to bite them indeed, Mauricio Pocchetino's men given too much time and space, even though there were six Liverpool players in the box. Rose was able to easily squeeze the ball in the near post to level the score with just under 20 minutes to go.

Kane was surprised to be taken off late on, youngster Joshua Onamah replacing him, Tottenham pushing for a win. Disgruntled Daniel Sturridge came on eventually, Mané coming off in the final minutes. But both changes were in the vane, the game continued and ended how it was all along, mix and match, give and take, great build-up and chances to clumsiness and giveaways.

This display sums up both sides' mixed season so far quite well. They both showed quality, but also plenty of points in need of improvement. 1-1 reflects this. After their embarrassing defeat at Burnley last week, Liverpool can be relieved and look forward to their first home match at the revamped Anfield against champions Leicester after the international break in a fortnight.

Here is my full coverage of the match, relive all the action on ByTheMinute LFC.

Interesting OptaJoe stats from the match:

Before the match:

0 - Harry Kane has never scored a Premier League goal in August.

9 - There have been more own goals scored in PL games between Spurs & Liverpool than any other fixture (9).

3 - Liverpool are the first team to play away in their opening 3 top-flight league games of a season since Chelsea & Bolton in 1997-98.

5 - Simon Mignolet has conceded the last five shots that he has faced on target in the Premier League.

HT & 2nd half:

41 - James Milner has never been on the losing team after scoring in a PL game (W34 D7 L0 before today).

6 - Six of Danny Rose's eight Premier League goals have come at White Hart Lane, including each of the last five.

10 - Harry Kane has not scored in any of his 10 Premier League appearances in the month of August.

FT:

42 - James Milner is now unbeaten in 42 PL games that he's scored in (W34 D8 L0); only Darius Vassell (46 games) has a better record.

Tottenham Goal: Rose 72'.

Liverpool Goal: Milner pen 43'.

Tottenham Team: 13 Vorm; 3 Rose (Y29', G72'), 5 Vertonghen (Y52'), 4 Alderweireld, 2 Walker (9 Janssen 28'); 12 Wanyama, 15 Dier; 23 Eriksen (29 Winks 93'), 20 Alli (Y77'), 11 Lamela; 10 Kane (c) (25 Onomah 83'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 31 McGee, 38 Carter-Vickers, 33 Davies & 7 Son.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 7 Milner (pen 43'), 6 Lovren (Y63'), 32 Matip (Y94'), 2 Clyne; 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c) (Y85'), 20 Lallana (35 Stewart 94'); 10 Coutinho (Y46', 27 Origi), 11 Firmino, 19 Mané (Y33, 15 Sturridge 88'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 13 Manninger, 16 Grujic, 18 Moreno & 21 Lucas.

Y = yellow card, G = goal, pen = penalty

Sky Sports Match Stats: Tottenham-Liverpool HT & FT
Possession: 48.6%-51.4% & 49.4%-50.6%
Attempts: 4-6 & 11-13
On target: 1-3 & 4-3
Corners: 2-1 & 5-5
Offside: 0-3 & 2-6
Free kicks: 11-6 & 17-11
Bookings: 1-2 & 3-5

Referee: Robert Madley
Ground: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 31,211
Man of the match: Dejan Lovren

Pictures taken from BBC match report

Click here for my previous LFC match report

Saints shock Liverpool to their first league defeat

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 0-1 Southampton 

Liverpool were denied their best ever start to a Premier League season by a defiant Southampton after losing 0-1 at Anfield despite a heroic performance by Simon Mignolet. 

The Belgian goalkeeper made save after save including a breathtaking triple-save denying Steven Davis. 

Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren were also denied by the stopper before the latter held off Daniel Agger to head in the winner for Mauricio Pochettino's men. 

Saints keeper Artur Boruc denied Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge with some impressive saves of his own but all in all the home side struggled to create chances and break through a stubborn back line. 

This was the second home defeat of 2013 for Brendan Rodgers' men, both against Southampton. 

Southampton Goals: 1.: 52:56min Dejan Lovren (5).

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 17 Sakho, 5 Agger (3 Jose Enrique - 57.), 37 Skrtel (6 Luis Alberto - 72.), 4 Toure; 12 Moses, 21 Lucas, 8 Gerrard, 14 Henderson; 9 Aspas (31 Sterling - 45.), 15 Sturridge. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 47 Wisdom, 34 Kelly, 1 Jones, 33 Ibe. 

Southampton Team: 31 Boruc; 23 Shaw, 5 Lovren, 6 Fonte, 2 Clyne (booked 81.); 4 Schneiderlin, 12 Wanyama, 20 Lallana (16 Ward-Prowse - 76.); 9 Rodriguez (18 Cork - 89.), 17 Osvaldo, 7 Lambert (8 Davies - 66.). 4-3-3 
Subs not used: 10 Ramirez, 26 Hooiveld, 22 Chambers, 1 Davis. 

Opta Match Stats: Liverpool-Southampton 

(Attack) 
Shots: 10-12 
On target: 5-7 
Blocked: 1-2 
From outside the box: 6-4 
From inside the box: 4-8 
Shot accuracy: 55.6%-70% 

(General Play) 
Possession: 55.2%-44.8% 
Duels won: 51.5-48.5% 
Aerial duels won: 54.8%-45.2% 
Interceptions: 17-11 Offsides: 3-5 
Corners: 6-6 

(Distribution) 
Total passes: 465-373 
Long passes: 13.5%-13.4% 
Passing accuracy: 77.4%-71.8% 
Passing accuracy opp. half: 63.7%-61.7% 
Total crosses: 18-19 
Successful crosses: 11.1%-15.8% 

(Defence & Discipline) 
Tackles: 20-38 
Tackles won: 70%-84.2% 
Clearances: 27-29 
Fouls conceded: 6-9 
Yellow cards: 0-1 
Red cards: 0-0 

Referee: Neil Swarbrick 
Attendance: 44,755 
Man of the match: Simon Mignolet

Week 23: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

WOW!

Sir Alex Ferguson can rant on as much as he likes about referee Chris Foy denying Wayne Rooney a penalty after the striker was clipped by Steven Caulker. The Red Devils had run out of steam and luck when Clint Dempsey levelled the score deep into injury time. The Spurs forward cancelled out Robin van Persie's first-half goal, after the visitors looked like they had survived the hosts bombardment in the second half. Andre Villas-Boas summarised it the best: His side dominated the whole game, played well and deserved to win. His side had 23 chances against United's six, 18 on target against four! Say no more!

OMG!

Rafael Benitez can be a very relieved and happy man after grabbing three points and his side's first home win of 2013 at the fourth attempt and expense of Arsenal. Juan Mata's drive-shot six minutes into the game came after Ramires brought down Francis Coquelin in the build-up and right in front of the referee. But referee Martin Atkinson gave the goal. Arsene Wenger cannot ignore his side's poor display though. Ten minutes later, the Gunners where two goals down thanks to Frank Lampard's on target spot kick after Ramires was brought down by keeper Wojciech Szczesny and the referee this time not denying the fowl. Arsenal did get one back thanks to Theo Walcott and showed much better interaction and determination in the second half. But unlike against Southampton earlier in the week, the Blues did not let their two-goal lead and game slip away and enjoyed only their second win in the last six games under their Spanish interim manager.

TOP!

Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of Norwich must have been a delight for Brendan Rodgers, finally seeing his side flourishing, especially after their defeat against bitter rivals Manchester United. It was the first time top scorer Luis Suarez and home debutant Daniel Sturridge started together and they more than clicked, each scoring one. Jordan Henderson had an outstanding game too, also adding a classy strike onto the scoreboard. Steven Gerrard's 25-yard smacker off Stewart Downing's cross and Ryan Bennett's own goal off Raheem Sterling's cross made it five goals and three points for the Reds, making it only one point out of the last 18 for Norwich. 

FLOP!

Should've, could've, would've... Paul Lambert was left wondering again how his Villa side let a two-goal lead slip at West Brom. Chris Benteke opened the scoring for the visitors with a fine turn and shot from outside the box. Gabriel Agbonlahor doubled the lead with a composed finish just past the half-hour mark. But the Baggies had a different idea and turned the game on its head with a perfect comeback in the second half thanks to Chris Brunt's 20-yard effort and Peter Odemwingie dramatic 83rd-minute equaliser. It was an all too familiar drop for Villa, who hover just one point over the relegation zone, with a dreadful goal difference.

HERO!

Adam Le Fondre and Adam Federici were Reading's two life lines against Newcastle and in their battle to climb out of the relegation zone. The prior came off the bench to score two goals in six minutes, turning the game around and St James' Park on its head after the hosts had dominated the game and taken a first-half lead thanks to Yohan Cabaye's fine curled-in free-kick. The latter produced some gobsmacking and breathtaking saves, denying Papiss Cisse one-handed and Cabaye in a stubborn and solid fashion and display. This was the Royals' first ever win at Newcastle in eight attempts since 1900.

ZERO!

Following the surprise sacking of Nigel Adkins, new Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino's reign got off to a promising start, after being greeted warmly by the Saints fans and holding out Everton for a point. It was not exactly a mouthwatering or breathtaking game, goalless games rarely are, but the hosts will be glad to have won a point against David Moyes' top-five side and it was an encouraging and heart-warming performance. But it was all overshadowed by the long line of photographers at the dugout and the home fans chants recognising their former managers achievements. No pressure on Pochettino, then. After Adkins took the Saints from League One to the Premier League within two and a half years, so, I wonder, what will Pochettino have to achieve to avoid the sack?! Again, no pressure, then!

My Predictions => Actual Results:
Liverpool 3-1 Norwich => 5-0
Man City 3-0 Fulham => 2-0
Newcastle 2-0 Reading => 1-2
Swansea 2-1 Stoke => 3-1
West Ham 2-1 QPR => 1-1
Wigan 0-1 Sunderland => 2-3
West Brom 1-2 Aston Villa => 2-2
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal => 2-1
Tottenham 1-1 Man United => 1-1
Southampton 1-1 Everton => 0-0