Liverpool back on track against United

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 2:0 Man Utd

The pressure could not have been higher at Anfield. Every news channel, programme and article previewing and reporting on the match repeated Liverpool's bad run of four consecutive defeats, their worst since 1987.

If they would have lost again today it would have been their worst record since 1953.

They would have most certainly been out of the title race. But another much discussed question has been what would come next. Would Rafael Benitez keep his job, who could and would replace him and which players would follow them in and out?

Questions, questions, questions - all ringing the Liverpool crises bell, not even mentioning the unrest behind the scenes. The American owners have been fueling speculation with their search for new outside investment and moving seats away from each other during the half time break did not exactly calm the tension.

In contrast to their rivals, Manchester United have been enjoying a run of eleven games unbeaten in all competitions, sitting top of the table in the Premier League and their Champions League group. Wayne Rooney returned up front for them joining Dimitar Berbatov, whilst Steven Gerrard had to sit out the match for Liverpool due to injury, Fernando Torres returning and starting alone up front.

Liverpool started tight defensively and pushed forward with clear intentions, they were not going to sit back and be pounced on. They produced most chances in the first half with Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano, Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt and Fabio Aurelio all trying their best to press through and provide Torres.

Pepe Reina had hardly anything to do on the other side of the pitch, whilst Edwin Van der Sar was kept busy and made some brilliant saves. Aurelio came closest with a free kick from outside the box, Kuyt seeing his shot off the rebound blocked by his fellow-Dutchman.

Kuyt looked clumsy at times, wasting chances and possession on more than one occasion. The backline showed no such leaks with a much more solid display, putting their bodies on the line to make sure United could not and would not break through. Jamie Carragher was lucky not to have conceded a penalty after he brought down Michael Carrick with just the faintest hint of contact on the ball.

The second half started similar, Liverpool pushing on, Nemanja Vidic looking very insecure and clumsy against Torres. Just past the hour mark, Liverpool took the lead, deservedly so, with a tremendous break and cross by Benayoun, finding Torres who beat Rio Ferdinand and Van der Sar, from the right with his right, to smack it into the top of the top.

More lethal and physical tackles and bookings followed, Alex Ferguson bringing on Michael Owen to change United's fortune, for him to receive a hostile welcome from the Kop. Torres was replaced by David Ngog and applauded and cheered off the pitch, with ten nervous and tense minutes to go.

Antonio Valencia hit the crossbar for United moments after Carragher had blocked his former team mate Owen, the closest United got to score in the whole match. Liverpool's stand-in skipper was cautioned moments later after it looked like he was the last man when he brought down Owen and lucky not to be sent off for it.

More controversy followed when Vidic saw his second yellow card of the afternoon for bringing down Kuyt. He had a poor match, looking insecure and unable to cope with Torres, in contrast to Carragher on the other end, who kept possession and control. Both shared their moments of crime and controversy, the one getting caught out one time too many.

Mascherano was caught out daftly when he busted into Van der Sar and followed Vidic into the stands on his second yellow with just minutes remaining.

But Liverpool added salt onto United's wounds in the last seconds of the match, when a free Ngog calmly converted a Kuyt cross from another counter-attack break to make it 2-0, three points and three Premier League wins in a row for Liverpool against their arch-rivals.

United were poor, even with Rooney and Berbatov up front. Liverpool were brilliantly tight, physical and challenging from the back to the front. The Scousers created more and made Ferdinand and Vidic look like mediocre defenders who had too much on their plates to deal with.

It was a change of fortune to see Liverpool back on their feet and fighting, showing up their critics, skeptics and opponents and proving that no team is unbeatable.

Liverpool Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun (Skrtel 92), Kuyt, Aurelio; Torres (Ngog 81). Bookings Mascherano 73, Carragher 87. Red Mascherano 95. Subs not used Cavalieri, Voronin, Babel, Spearing, Degen.

Man Utd Van der Sar; O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes (Nani 74), Giggs; Berbatov (Owen 74) Rooney. Bookings Evra 15, Berbatov 37, Vidic 75. Red Vidic 90. Subs not used Foster, Neville, Anderson, Da Silva, Evans.

1st half stats

Liverpool-Man Utd

Attempts: 7-1

On target: 3-1

Offsides: 0-3

Corners: 3-0

Free kicks: 6-6

2nd half stats

Liverpool-Man Utd

Attempts: 5-5

On target: 2-2

Offsides: 1-0

Corners: 1-1

Free kicks: 4-12

Referee: Andre Marriner

Man of the match: Fernando Torres

Liverpool's title hopes hanging on a thread

Sports - Football - Premier League

Liverpool-Manchester United: Pre-Match Thoughts

For those who need reminding ahead of the big Sunday clash at Anfield: Liverpool are on their worst run since 1987 with four consecutive defeats.

After their 2-1 defeat by Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday manager Rafael Benítez was quick to blame the injuries to their main players for the bad run . Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson were ruled out before the match and Steven Gerrard had to be taken off after 25 minutes due to a recurrence of his groin injury. All three players are doubts for the match against Manchester United, with Johnson reportedly making the most promising progress in his recovery.

At the beginning of the season Liverpool’s weak bench and lack of depth was immediately apparent, especially compared to the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, without replacements for their top players like Xabi Alonso. Benítez’s has made his frustration quite public and blamed the turmoil behind the scenes, as their owners George Gillett’s and Tom Hicks’ financial shortcomings and lookout for reinvestment has left Anfield everything else but settled and begins to take its toll.

However, that is a too easy excuse for Liverpool’s faults and failures on the field. Four out of their six defeats so far this season have come WITH their star players and most of the main squad available, which makes the situation the more worrying. One week they thrash their opposition by four or more only to falter the next.

Many have been calling the current run the last straw for Benítez and he may be lucky to survive until Christmas. Liverpool's title hopes and chances and with them Benítez's job, are hanging on a very thin thread. It has been 56 years since Liverpool last lost five games in a row and with Manchester United due at Anfield, the weight of pressure is stretching that thin thread to breaking point.

However, the question is who is good enough to replace the Spaniard? José Mourinho and Martin O’Neill have been mentioned as possible replacements - however, they have jobs and neither is a magician. Who is to say that either would be able to steer the Reds' season around without time and money, neither of which Liverpool have. They would encounter the same problems and frustrations as Benítez.

The only encouragement Liverpool can take into the next match is that Manchester United and Chelsea have had their moments and have shown their weaknesses too this season, with both everything else but at their best. Accurate predictions are hard to come by this season, as Phil Thompson should have noticed after Tuesday, but there can be little hope for Liverpool.

My prediction: Liverpool 0-4 Manchester United

Liverpool hit new low after late shocker

Sports - Football - Champions League - Liverpool 1:2 Lyon

Liverpool's nightmare run continues with their fourth consecutive defeat, their worst run in over 22 years. They fell to a late 2-1 shocker against Lyon in the Champions League Group E match at Anfield.

The Reds started without their main striker Fernando Torres and right-back Glen Johnson. Things went from bad to worse when skipper Steven Gerrard had to be taken off halfway through the first half due to a recurrence of his groin injury that kept him out of the 1-0 Premier League defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Liverpool enjoyed possession and control in the early stages of the match, creating pressure, but Lyon were the first to get a chance on target, Lisandro López heading the ball straight to Pepe Reina.

Both sides kept each other from taking advantage, leaving the match evenly poised, the Anfield crowd growing more anxious and nervous though after Gerrard's departure.

But Liverpool were rewarded eventually and their nerves eased when they finally broke the deadlock thanks to Yossi Benayoun who fired in Fabio Aurélio's cross/mis-cue. They kept the pressure up and running against Lyon in the second half, Dirk Kuyt pulling a great save out of Hugo Lloris (60).

However, on 72, they were made to pay for not consolidating the score and securing a win and three points when substitute Maxime Gonalons headed in the equaliser off a rebound after a brilliant double-save by Reina.

To complete the perfect nightmare for the Reds, an impressive Martin Kelly had to go off injured, Jamie Carragher filling his position at right-back. Cesar Delgado then stunned Anfield in the dying seconds by firing in Sidney Govou's cross, condemning Liverpool to yet another defeat with their Champions League hopes deminishing, down to third in Group E.

Manager Rafael Benítez blamed the injuries for the bad run, but that is a too easy excuse. Four out of their six defeats so far this season have come WITH their star players and most of the main squad available, which makes the situation the more worrying.

Liverpool's title hopes and chances, plus Benítez's job with it, hang on a very thin thread. It has been 56 years since Liverpool last lost five games in a row. And with Manchester United travelling to Anfield next weekend, the pressure of weight pulls that thin thread down even further.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1) Reina; Kelly (Skrtel 74), Agger, Carragher, Insúa; Mascherano, Lucas; Kuyt, Gerrard (Aurélio 25), Benayoun (Voronin 85); Ngog. Bookings Ngog 49. Subs not used Cavalieri, Plessis, Spearing, Babel.

Lyon (4-5-1) Lloris; Réveillère, Cris (Gonalons 43), Toulalan, Cissokho; Makoun, Pjanic, Källström, Govou, Ederson (Gomis 61); López (Delgado 86). Bookings Cris 34, Govou 55, Réveillère 13. Subs not used Vercoutre, Clerc, Bastos, Belfodil.

BBC stats

Liverpool- Lyon

Attempts: 12-12

On target: 6-6

Corners: 6-5

Free kicks: 7-11

Possession: 50%-50%

Sky Sports/Text stats:

Liverpool-Lyon

Attempts: 12-15

On target: 5-7

Offsides: 1-3

Corners: 6-5

Free kicks: 8-12

Possession: 53%-47%

Passing Success: 70.9%-75.2%

Tackles/Success: 21/90.5%-19/89.5%

Territorial Advantage: 53.9%-46.1%

Referee: Undiano Mallenco

Man of the match: Sidney Govou

Life's a beach for Liverpool

Sports - Football - Premier League

Just when you thought it could not get worse for Liverpool:

Six points behind the league leaders after suffering three defeats already, one more than in the whole of last season; skipper Steven Gerrard and top scorer Fernando Torres out injured; crucial matches ahead in the Champions League group stage against Lyon and in the Premier League against none other than champions and arch-rivals Manchester United; Liverpool had to get back on track.

Sunderland proved their stamina before the international break against Manchester United, who were lucky to get away with a draw, and produced a similar strong, bullish stance against the Merseysiders. They dominated the match at the Stadium of Light and took control which the Scousers found hard to break through without their talismans. The breakthrough came from the home side thanks to a pouncing Darren Bent and his accomplice: A beach ball!

Funny world of football. It should not have been allowed as Fifa laws state that if anything intrudes onto the pitch, the game has to be halted and the hazard removed before play can continue. An error by the referee Mike Jones, which can be forgiven respecting the fact that none of the players had a clue about it and Liverpool were poor and did not deserve anything out of the match anyway.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina conceded he was partly at fault for the goal, taking his focus off the ball and onto the beach ball instead, excusing the referee for his mistake. Rafa Benitez also had the decency not to blame and rant on about the referee for the Reds defeat, unlike a certain Scotsman. They cannot deny their faults and weaknesses and cover them up by blaming the beach ball for everything.

Now Liverpool sit eighth in the table on 15 points, seven points behind leaders Manchester United, who will be laughing, nudging and winking their way to Anfield for the upcoming Super Sunday clash. The fans will be searched for beach balls, which I find makes the whole incident and situation even more comical. As if that will avoid another defeat. Instead they will have to search the team thoroughly for some answers and findings to how they had got themselves into this mess in the first place.

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

It was another weekend that had everything. The big four are starting to shake, looking everything else but impressive, with numerous sides pressing on to break into their empire. A beach ball was the main assassin this weekend, placing the referees under the spotlight once again.

Top game: The game at Villa Park gained pace and spice after Aston Villa's equaliser. Both sides created chances, pressing on competitively, making the encounter wonderfully entertaining.

Top team: Arsenal showed the most dominant display of all sides with 18 attempts, half of which were on target. It could have been four or five for them, but thanks to some brilliant saves by on-loan keeper Joe Hart, Birmingham were spared the blushes.

Top player: Brad Friedel and James Collins redeemed themselves after conceding against the run of play to a typically clinical Didier Drogba with some crucial interceptions, stops and saves. So too Lee Cattermole for Sunderland, who fought hard and was omnipresent to keep his side ahead.

Top goal: Manchester United's second goal was a team goal with a beautiful build-up between Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, the latter squeezing the ball into the corner past Jussi Jaaskelainen. Great team effort and coordination.

Top manager: Gianfranco Zola once again proved himself as the most reputable manager, not blaming the referee for his side's plight. Robert Huth should have been sent off for his swipe against Matthew Upson, but was lucky to get away unspotted by the officials. The video replays showed it. But Zola conceded his side's faults and errors rather than ranting on about the other team or referee.

Flop team: Liverpool disappointed once again. Without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres there was no threat for Sunderland. They lost three with them and one without the key duo, hence there is more to scratch their heads about then just the injuries. Three at the back did not work out for the Reds, they looked confused, square, flat, uncomfortable, just all over the place from back to front.

Flop player: Chelsea's defence was unable to deal with set pieces and their frailties and lack of communication let them down after a dominant start against Villa. It was totally unlike main stars John Terry and Frank Lampard, but they made the hall of shame for this match.

Flop goal: The beach ball! Although Liverpool did not deserve anything from the match with another disappointing display, they were unlucky to concede a goal off a beach ball! The referee should have known the rule, anything interferes with play, the match should be stopped and the hazard removed. Liverpool's title aspirations have well and truely been deflated! I feel sorry for the fan at fault, the boy will never live it down!

Flop manager: Rafael Benitez ranting on about the time added on and clashing with Steve Bruce made a sad picture. He reminded me of Alex Ferguson, who also could not accept his side being outplayed and beaten, no matter what the clock says!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Arsenal 4:1 Birmingham - 3:1

Aston Villa 2:0 Chelsea - 2:1

Everton 3:1 Wolves - 1:1

Man Utd 2:0 Bolton - 2:1

Portsmouth 0:2 Tottenham - 1:2

Stoke 1:1 West Ham - 2:1

Sunderland 2:3 Liverpool - 1:0

Blackburn 1:0 Burnley - 3:2

Wigan 2:2 Man City - 1:1

Fulham 2:1 Hull City - 2:0

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the weekend

Top game: Arsenal's demolition of Blackburn was harsh on the visitors, but the Gunners were sensational and ripped their guests to bits after it looked like an even match for the opening half-an-hour or so. Manchester United were lucky to get away with a point. Sunderland showed a competitively poised and solid display. They should have walked away from Old Trafford with three points in the bag. Instead, United made a great escape, unlucky for the Black Cats.

Top team: Ater everything they have been through the past weeks, Portsmouth would have had a bunch of excuses to hang their heads and give up, i.e. lose for the seventh time out of seven games and condemn the side to nearly certain relegation this early in the season already. But instead, they fought on and got their first points when it looked least likely. A nice surprise.

Top player: Didier Drogba saved Chelsea from a boring 0-0 draw against Liverpool. As scorer and provider, the Ivory Coast striker was the only shimmer of light in an otherwise dark, less spectacular match. How Chelsea will be able to win mediocre performances without him is the question.

Top goal: Dimitar Berbatov's high-flying cracker will have cheered himself and his side up after disappointing displays and admitting his failure as a star player. Bolton's second was a great team goal against Tottenham. Ricardo Gardner, Tamir Cohen and Sean Davis connected and interplayed well to take a 2-1 lead. Cohen's back-foot-flick was especially cheeky.

Top manager: Mick McCarthy conceded defeat, did not moan although decisions had gone against Wolves. If you want to be a competitor, you have to fight on and win against the odds and mistakes. But, unlike McCarthy, some managers never learn that, even after decades in the job... I am naming no names... Not yet, anyway...

Flop game: Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool - a such promisingly juicy encounter, with two top teams, turned out to be a letdown from a neutral perspective. There was not much action, ooooohs or aaaaahs, as both sides eliminated each other through solid defences. Not bad but just a shame

Flop team: Liverpool, United and Chelsea were all not up to their best and disappointed. Only one got away with a win thanks to their top striker, the Blues and Drogba. But there is not much between the sides. Arsenal looked the best out of the "Big Four" when it comes to their team display, coherence, confidence and the scoreboard. But, points count most, so, Chelsea will be just as happy.

Flop player: Didier Drogba has to quit as a drama queen otherwise it will keep on overshadowing his main role and talent as a striker. Kieran Richardson was just as stupid. He was daft to get sent off for flicking the ball away, after he was already on a yellow. Both should be grounded to think about their actions and the way they act in front of adults!

Flop goal: Anton Ferdinand's own goal could not have been more of a nightmare after his side led against the champions Manchester United and to make things worse, he equalised for his brother's team! OUCH!

Flop manager: Alex Ferguson once again - why can he not concede his team was outplayed and lucky to get away with a point! It happens rare enough! Instead, he tries to put the blame on somebody else, referee Alan Wiley in this case. Alex, Alex, Alex! You will never learn when your team has been toppled!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Bolton 1:2 Tottenham - 2:2

Burnley 1:0 Birmingham - 2:1

Hull City 1:2 Wigan - 2:1

Man Utd 3:1 Sunderland - 2:2

Wolves 3:0 Portsmouth - 0:1

Arsenal 4:0 Blackburn - 6:2

Chelsea 2:0 Liverpool - 2:0

Everton 2:1 Stoke - 1:1

West Ham 2:1 Fulham - 2:2

Aston Villa 2:2 Man City - 1:1

Chelsea take advantage and top spot

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

Chelsea recorded their first home victory against one of the "Big Four" since 26 April 2008, when they beat Manchester United 2-1. Didier Drogba was scorer and provider to make it 2-0 and take Chelsea two points clear at the top of the table for the international break. Liverpool move down to sixth on their third defeat.

The first half started tight at both ends, neither team able to create enough pressure and a serious threat to Pepe Reina and Henrique Hilario, who was standing in for a suspended Petr Cech.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were kept anonymous and covered well by John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. The only save Hilario had to make came from an Albert Riera free-kick from 40 yards. The Portuguese saw it late but was alert enough to tip it around the post for a corner.

Drogba and Frank Lampard had a couple of efforts for Chelsea, but nothing close. Reina had an easy job to save Nicolas Anelka's header, the closest the Blues got in the first half.

The second half continued in the same unspectacular way, until Drogba broke the deadlock 30 minutes later. The Ivory Coast striker took the ball off Javier Mascherano, broke away on the right and put it past Reina with his right foot.

With three minutes injury time added on to Rafael Benitez's disgrace, Drogba got the better of Jamie Carragher, outrunning and turning away from the defender, his cross from the right side of the box finding Deco-replacement Florent Malouda, who bubbled it over the line and condemned Liverpool to their third defeat of the season.

Carragher enjoyed a solid display and no problems with Martin Skrtel at the back as they had shown in previous matches, up until then. Drogba made the difference, although he impressed as much as he infuriated the spectators, with his quality contributions and dramatic diving and whining antiques.

Yossi Benayoun missed a chance for Liverpool late on after coming on for Riera, but it was not to be, not even a consolation goal for the Reds.

It was not a classic encounter, less mouthwatering and breathtaking. Both sides were not at their best, but Chelsea were the side who were able to take advantage and record their 11th win under Carlo Ancelotti.

They take a two-point cushion, being able to enjoy the international break at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool on the other hand will have to answer a lot of questions, whether they are still in the title challenge with a shout and where and why it has all gone pear-shaped for them so early on in the season.

Chelsea Hilario; A Cole, Terry, Cavalho, Ivanovic; Lampard, Essien, Ballack; Anelka, Deco (Malouda 76), Drogba. Subs not used Turnbull, J Cole, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge, Belletti. Bookings Essien 44.

Liverpool Reina; Insua (Aurelio 83), Skrtel, Carragher, Johnson; Riera (Benayoun 67), Mascherano, Gerrard, Lucas (Babel 76), Kuyt; Torres. Subs not used Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Ngog. Bookings Gerrard 77.

1st half stats

Chelsea-Liverpool

Attempts: 7-6

On target: 4-2

Offsides: 0-1

Corners: 3-5

Free kicks: 8-6

Possession: 50%-50%

2nd half stats

Chelsea-Liverpool

Attempts: 8-9

On target: 6-3

Offsides: 0-0

Corners: 1-2

Free kicks: 7-4

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Man of the match: John Terry