Match Report: Liverpool FC 2-2 Manchester City

A stunning free-kick from Luis Suarez helped earn Liverpool a point against champions Manchester City as the Reds drew 2-2 in their first home game of the 2012-13 Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Uruguayan curled low and hard past Joe Hart in the 66th minute to restore the Reds' lead after Yaya Toure had cancelled out a towering Martin Skrtel header.

However, Carlos Tevez cut out a Skrtel pass with 10 minutes remaining and rounded Pepe Reina to clinch a point for the visitors.

Steven Gerrard set the tone for a boisterous Anfield occasion when he surged into the penalty area and smashed a Suarez lay-off wide of Hart's post after just 30 seconds of play.

The ground was rocking but it was soon to be dealt a sobering blow when Lucas Leiva pulled up in pain and dragged his shirt over his head in frustration. Jonjo Shelvey was on his feet in a matter of seconds and the switch was made.

There was scarcely a moment to dwell on such a loss as an almighty roar went up from the Kop when Raheem Sterling, making his full league debut, killed the ball with one touch and sped towards goal.

Borini looked to slip it back to him but Pablo Zabaleta appeared to block it with his hand. No penalty given.

The Reds looked lively and hungry for a goal. At the heart of their midfield, Joe Allen was neat and industrious. The 22-year-old broke down City moves all over the park; muscling players off the ball, cutting out passes and putting his foot in.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

Video source: FootyTube

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Video: Rodgers on City and Mancini on Liverpool

LIVERPOOL v MAN CITY

Venue: Anfield

Kick-off: 4PM

 

  

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

The Redmen TV on Nuri Sahin loan move to Liverpool

Liverpool Football Club have today completed the signing of Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old passed a medical at Melwood before putting pen to paper on a deal that will see him spend the 2012-13 campaign with the Reds.

 

Profile:

Nuri Sahin was born to Turkish parents in the German town of Ludenscheid and joined Borussia Dortmund's youth academy as a 12-year-old after being spotted playing for RSV Meinerzhagen.

His early football career was punctuated by a series of records and achievements which began at the U17 Championships in Italy, where his flourishing contribution for Turkey was acknowledged with the Player of the Tournament award.

Sahin was then instrumental once more as the Turks clinched a fourth-place finish at the U17 World Cup in Peru, where he won the bronze ball behind Premier League stars-to-be Carlos Vela of Mexico and the Brazilian Anderson.

Domestically, he became the youngest-ever Bundesliga debutant aged 16 years and 354 days when he got his first run-out for Dortmund in August 2005.

The same month, Sahin made his full international debut for Turkey - turning down the opportunity to play for the country where he was born and raised, Germany.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool set to complete the loan move for Turkish midfielder

Liverpool expect to follow victory over Hearts in the Europa League play-off first leg with the signing of Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid. Brendan Rodgers is in pole position to land the long-time Arsenal target and could complete a season-long loan for the coveted Turkey international on Friday.

Sahin is due to arrive on Merseyside for a medical before Liverpool's game against Manchester City on Sunday and would represent a major coup for Rodgers as he attempts to improve his midfield, having spent his allocated transfer budget on Joe Allen and Fabio Borini.

Official club statement today revealed Rodgers will be expecting to discover in the next 24 hours whether Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin will join Liverpool on loan.

Rodgers said: "Hopefully in the next 24 hours we will get some confirmation on that. It's quite far along. He's a very good footballer."

According to source, Liverpool have offered to pay more of Sahin's £120,000-a-week wage at Real than Arsenal have. They have also been helped by Rodgers' relationship with his former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho, and the Spanish champions' reluctance to loan the German-born player to a club in the Champions League.

Source: Official Liverpool FC

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool to hijack Arsenal’s deal

Liverpool without the financial muscle to sign player on a permanent basis will be relying on one or two loan deal this summer.

Reports on Monday claimed that Nuri Sahin was set to be announced as an Arsenal player but Madrid said the reports were false as the Turkish midfielder attended training in the Spanish capital.

Now, it is reported that both Real Madrid and Arsenal are failing to agree terms as the Gunners are unwilling to accept a loan deal and were pushing for a permanent deal.

This has prompted reports in Spain that Sahin’s agent Reza Fazeli has met with senior Liverpool officials in an attempt to revive the possibility of a loan move to Anfield.

It is understood that Liverpool withdrew their interest in signing the former Borussia Dortmund player last Saturday after learning that he wanted to join Arsenal.

It is uncertain whether Real are willing to sanction the permanent sale of Sahin even though Jose Mourinho has made it clear that the player will benefit from a season in the Premier League.

Sahin would strengthen the midfield options of Wenger, who sanctioned the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona for £15 million on Monday and is also likely to be without Jack Wilshere for the first three months of the season through injury.

We know how Wenger deal in the transfer market – buy cheap, gain profit later. He will not pay over the odds to get his players.

Mourinho and Rodgers has a good relationship back at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool could use Rodgers’ influence to scupper Arsenal’s deal.

We’ll soon find out where Nuri Sahin will play his football this weekend.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Rumour Mill: Surprised signing and more surprise signing for Liverpool

We really didn’t see this coming last week as Liverpool FC and Brendan Rodgers surprised everyone with the signing of Morocco international winger, Oussama Assaidi.

Liverpool were understood to have interested in Gaston Ramirez with the news from Italy has suggested that the Uruguayan will be joining his compatriot, Suarez and Coates at Anfield.

Southampton are now favourite to complete the signing of Gaston Ramirez despite Bologna delaying the move due to their financial troubles.

A fee and payment plan have been negotiated for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who has won nine caps for Uruguay and is reported to be commanding a club record fee of £12million.

Former club Penarol, who own 30 per cent of his registration, are also satisfied by the terms of the agreement.

However, it is understood cash-strapped Bologna are stalling as they seek to secure a loan against the repayments.

Southampton are determined for the transfer to proceed having beaten off competition from Liverpool and Tottenham for Ramirez, but are looking at other options in case the deal collapses.

Ramirez last week outlined his desire to swap Serie A for St Mary's.

What makes Liverpool FC to missed out on a potential big signing? M-O-N-E-Y. Rodgers has spent £11million on Fabio Borini and £15million on Joe Allen. From there, a total of £26million has been use and we could guess that Rodgers’ transfer budget are limited to £30million plus fees recoup from players sale.

Poor Clint Dempsey who are desperate to join Liverpool. But without player leaving Anfield, I don’t see where do Liverpool FC will find the money for the Fulham’ midfielder fee? The Cottagers has slapped a £10million price tag on Dempsey.

All talks on Liverpool signing midfielders but the Reds could lose on one of its striker in the transfer deadline day. Andy Carroll wants Newcastle move but the Toons are reluctant to meet Liverpool’s transfer fee. Liverpool are ready to cut their loses and demands £24million in returns from the big Geordie striker.

Liverpool’s fourth and fifth signing are very much depend on the sale of Carroll. We would expect Liverpool to sign a relatively unknown striker and a winger to end the summer transfer dealing.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Video Highlights: Baggies downed 10-man Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers' first Barclays Premier League game in charge ended in defeat as 10-man Liverpool went down to a 3-0 opening-day loss at West Bromwich Albion.

Zoltan Gera gave the hosts the lead just before half-time at the Hawthorns, finding the back of the net with a well-struck 20-yard volley from a half-cleared corner.

Liverpool were then left stunned by five second-half minutes which began with a red card for Daniel Agger after he was deemed to have bundled over Shane Long when the home side's striker went through on goal.

The No.9 took the resulting spot-kick himself, but was thwarted by Reina. However, the Reds' custodian could not keep out a second West Brom penalty on 63 minutes which Peter Odemwingie drilled into the back of the net after Martin Skrtel was adjudged to have brought down Long.

And the Reds' afternoon went from bad to worse when Romelu Lukaku headed in a third for West Brom late on to secure all three points.

The pre-match team news confirmed starts for summer signings Joe Allen and Fabio Borini, while Glen Johnson began at left-back as a slight knock sustained in training prevented Jose Enrique from travelling to the Midlands.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool to tie up La Liga double raid

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has continued his search for a wide player since the departure of Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy.

According to reports, Liverpool managing director has flown over to Spain to facilitate the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin and to complete a loan deal for Cristian Tello of Barcelona.

Tello, Spain youth international is out of contract at the end of next season and has been targeted by several clubs, including Valencia and Benfica.

Liverpool would have to pay around £7million to land the winger, who can operate on either flank in an attacking front three, taking his summer spending spree beyond the £30million mark following the arrivals of Fabio Borini and Joe Allen.

But it is understood the new Kop boss would be interested in a season-long loan deal with an option for a permanent contract.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will rival the Gunners for Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin with the Reds looking to capitalise on Rodgers' good relationship with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Real boss Jose Mourinho has given Sahin the green light to leave the Bernebeu after using the battling midfielder only sparingly as an auxiliary left-back during pre-season.

If Cristian Tello and Nuri Sahin moves are legitimate, what about Gaston Ramirez?

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Video Highlights: Liverpool 3-1 Bayer Leverkusen

Raheem Sterling took just three minutes to net his first senior Liverpool goal as the Reds completed their pre-season with a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The 17-year-old put the finishing touches to an incisive Liverpool move when he sprung clear of his marker and curled past Bernd Leno to open the scoring.

Lucas Leiva added a second before Andy Carroll fired home the Reds third and Sidney Sam clinched a late consolation goal for the visitors.

Sami Hyypia made his return to Anfield as Leverkusen manager and the crowd had barely finished chanting his name to welcome him back to his former home when Sterling broke clear and fired the Reds ahead.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

Video source: FootyTube

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool closes in on third signing

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is desperate to add some much needed width to his new-look team next season, and has turned to Gaston Ramirez after baulking at Fulham's £10 million asking price for Clint Dempsey.

A fast, agile and elegant left winger who can play up front, Ramirez is rated as one of the finest players in Italy, and has been tracked by Barcelona, AC Milan and the two Manchester clubs in the last six months.

However, it appears that Liverpool, who held initial talks over a deal with Bologna last month, have jumped the queue, with the players agent arriving in England this week to sort out a transfer to the Premier League:

'Gaston is ready to leave Italy - so much so I am in England for talks with a Premier League club,' agent Pablo Betancourt told Mercato.

'He is one of the most important players in Uruguray, so there are no shortage of offers.'

Inter Milan and Tottenham are two other clubs believed to have significant interest in Ramirez, but neither are willing to stump up the £15 million Bologna want for the 21-year-old.

That clears the way for Liverpool to get their man, and they are hopeful they land the player in the next fortnight, despite the transfer being complicated, as Ramirez will be on duty for Uruguay during the London Olympics.

The former Penarol ace, who is contracted to Bologna until 2016, has already set his heart on a move to Anfield.

Source: Metro

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool to tempt Fulham with cash plus player for American midfielder

Liverpool may have received some encouragement in their pursuit, according to the Daily Telegraph. A report claims that the Reds are willing to allow Charlie Adam to join the Cottagers on part-exchange potentially helping to force through a deal.

Rodgers sees the 26-year-old as surplus to requirements at Anfield following the arrival of Joe Allen from Swansea City on Friday and the impressive form of Jonjo Shelvey.

Rodgers and the club’s American owners want USA striker Dempsey but have been unable to agree a deal with Fulham, who value him at £10million.

But Liverpool hope the inclusion of Adam as part of the package will help push the move forward. Fulham are looking for a creative midfielder following the departure of Danny Murphy.

Rodgers is an admirer of Adam but has been surprised by the emergence of youngster Shelvey, who was picked ahead of his Scottish rival for the Europa League win against Gomel last week.

Rodgers has already begun breaking up Dalglish’s squad by letting Craig Bellamy, Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Alberto Aquilani leave but he needs more departures to bring in more signings, following the arrivals of Fabio Borini and Allen.

Daniel Agger is the subject of interest from Manchester City, while Liverpool hope to agree a deal which would see £35m Carroll return to Newcastle only 18 months after he joined.

Both the Telegraph and Guardian also report that Rodgers remains keen to add width to his side, with Adam Johnson his preferred target. The England international has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Manchester City first team and could well be available this summer.

Although left-footed Johnson has established himself on the right flank and could potentially be a replacement for the departed Dirk Kuyt.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool make second signing and third to follow soon

Liverpool have signed Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen on a long-term deal, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The move reunites the Wales player with manager Brendan Rodgers, who left Swansea for Anfield in the close season.

The two clubs had an agreement that Rodgers would not target any of his former Swansea players for 12 months but the Welsh side can agree to any deal in the interests of the club.

Allen is the second player Rodgers has brought to Merseyside after Italy striker Fabio Borini arrived from Serie A side Roma.

He has been capped eight times by Wales and represented Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are weighing up whether to pursue a £10million deal for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godín, as Daniel Agger gets set to leave, according to reports.

The Reds are resigned to losing Danish centre-half to Manchester City after they agreed to met their £22million asking price, and as such, Rodgers is on the lookout for a replacement.

Rodgers has been promised all the money from the sale of any players and knows the £22million City are ready to pay is more than enough to bring in at least two new recruits.

The Reds boss is looking to use part of the fee from the sale of Agger to bring in Uruguay defender Godin, who has been told by current club Atletico that he can leave if they receive £10million.

Rodgers has earmarked Godin due to the 27-year-old's similarities to Agger, coupled with his lower wage demands, which would give the manager more room to maneuver elsewhere.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Picture: Joe Allen watches Liverpool beat FC Gomel

Read More

Europa League: Liverpool 3-0 FC Gomel

Fabio Borini netted his first Liverpool goal as the Reds clinched a place in the Europa League play-offs with a 3-0 win against FC Gomel.

Brendan Rodgers partnered the Italian with Luis Suarez for his first Anfield game as Reds manager and the pair combined for Liverpool's opener on 21 minutes.

The Reds won 4-0 on aggregate. Steven Gerrard tapped into an empty net minutes before half-time to add to Borini's opener before Glen Johnson fired a stunning volley past Vladimir Bushma to grab Liverpool's third on the night.

The home side started brightly and Anfield rose to its feet in anticipation every time Suarez jinked, whenever Lucas seized possession and when Borini shaped to shoot from the edge of the box on three minutes, only to see his effort blocked by a green and white shirt.

Gerrard demanded the ball constantly and stormed into an advanced role in behind the Gomel midfield. On nine minutes, Stewart Downing cut inside and slipped a pass into the skipper, who wrapped his right boot around the travelling ball and drilled it low into the arms of Bushma.

A sublime Liverpool move was to follow. Gerrard dummied a diagonal pass and sprinted onto the return ball from Suarez. Head raised, the captain surged towards goal before sliding a cutting pass through the Gomel defence to where the Uruguayan was poised to smash over the bar.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

Read More

Rumour Mill: Liverpool set to beef-up the defence

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to return to former club Swansea City to sign Wales defender Ashley Williams as Daniel Agger is being targeted by Manchester City.

Rodgers' insistence that Daniel Agger's omission from Liverpool's recent Europa League match against Gomel was purely for fitness reasons. But the tabloids has other idea on that piece of news.

Sources from Manchester report that Roberto Mancini has had two bids for Agger rejected by the Liverpool board, but is ready to return with a £20 million pound offer, an amount that Reds owner John W. Henry is expected to give in to. La Liga side Barcelona are also believed to be keeping tabs on Agger, but the Catalans are focused on obtaining Arsenal's Alex Song for now.

Rodgers promised not to upset Swansea when he left them for Anfield at the end of last season, but that has not stopped his interest in a £10 million deal for Allen, which he hopes to complete once the Olympic Games are over.

The former Chelsea coach is also a big fan of 28-year-old Williams, who has won 33 Wales caps and been a commanding presence in Swansea's rise from the Championship to Premier League mid-table.

Liverpool are under no pressure to sell Agger but will not stand in his way if City make a third, big bid.

Source: ESPN

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Europa League: FC Gomel 0-1 Liverpool FC

Brendan Rodgers got off to a winning start as Liverpool manager as his side recorded a 1-0 victory over FC Gomel in Belarus on a landmark night for Jamie Carragher.

Though the Reds were under pressure for much of the contest, Stewart Downing grabbed the game's only goal when he found the bottom corner with a powerful shot from the edge of the box on 67 minutes.

Liverpool were able to see the remainder of the first leg of the Europa League third-round qualifier out and ensure the new manager marked his first competitive game in charge with a win.

There were plenty of other plus points for the Reds, as Jamie Carragher chalked up his 700th appearance for the club while Lucas Leiva was introduced into the action as a second-half substitute as he continues on the road to full fitness.

Rodgers named a strong line-up for the clash in Belarus - though it was the selection of Carragher that grabbed the headlines as he notched up his 700th run-out for the Reds.

In recognition of the feat, the No.23 was named as the team's captain for the night, despite the inclusion of Steven Gerrard on the team sheet.

Meanwhile, Fabio Borini was handed his competitive debut for the club as he led the attack, while Glen Johnson reached the 100-game mark for Liverpool.

Gomel created the first chance of the evening with two minutes on the clock as Igor Voronkov strode forward from deep and let fly with a dipping effort that grazed the roof of Brad Jones' net.

Full match report: Liverpool FC Official

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More

Liverpool ready to offload Italian to Fiorentina

Liverpool have accepted an undisclosed offer from Fiorentina for Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The 28-year-old has flown to Italy from the Reds' pre-season tour of the United States to complete his move.

Liverpool are likely to step up their attempts to sign Swansea's Joe Allen if the deal proceeds as expected.

Aquilani has failed to settle at Anfield since signing in 2009 for £20million from Roma and has been on loan for the last two seasons.

The Italian’s lucrative contract equates to around £6.5 million a year, an expense which has only been reduced in recent years thanks to loan deals.

To put it into perspective, the £125,000 a week he is currently costing the Anfield club double what Anfield stalwart Jamie Carragher earns.

His stints at AC Milan last term and Juventus in the 2010-11 season mean he did not play for former Reds' managers Kenny Dalglish and only made two appearances for Roy Hodgson.

And despite having two years left on his contract and completing pre-season under new boss Brendan Rodgers, it appears that his time at Liverpool is coming to a conclusion.

Rafael Benitez brought Aquilani to Anfield as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, but he struggled with injury and made 26 appearances in his first season.

Source: BBC Sport

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

Read More