Goal Highlights: Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla

Liverpool began their Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Anfield on Wednesday.

Goal highlights

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Liverpool held by Sevilla in Champions League opener

Liverpool began their Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Anfield on Wednesday.

Goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, which came in reply to Wissam Ben Yedder’s early opener, ensured the Reds went in 2-1 to the good after a breathless first half that also featured a missed penalty by Firmino.

It appeared that Jürgen Klopp’s side were on their way to a win on matchday one, but Joaquin Correa’s 72nd-minute strike snatched a point for Sevilla.

Key points

• Ben Yedder put Sevilla ahead in the fifth minute
• Firmino equalised 16 minutes later
• Salah’s deflected shot gave Liverpool the lead before the break
• Firmino missed a penalty late in the first half
• Correa levelled with 18 minutes left to play
• Philippe Coutinho came on as a substitute soon after
• Joe Gomez dismissed for second bookable offence in injury time

Team news

Klopp made three changes to his starting line-up, with Loris Karius, Dejan Lovren and Gomez coming into his team. Coutinho came off the bench in the 76th minute for his first appearance of the season.

First half

Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, the Reds began on the front foot and Emre Can tested Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico inside the first minute with a long-range curler.

However, the visitors’ first foray forward towards the Kop ended with them taking the lead through Ben Yedder, who converted Sergio Escudero’s low cross from close range.

Liverpool responded positively to that early setback, though.

Within four minutes of the opening goal, Georginio Wijnaldum had seen a shot deflected wide, Rico had got down well to deny Sadio Mane and Firmino had planted a header onto the roof of the net.

That initial wave of pressure subsided, but a moment of real quality drew Klopp’s team level in the 21st minute.

Alberto Moreno played a sharp one-two with Jordan Henderson and fed Firmino with an excellent delivery from the byline, with the Brazilian nonchalantly side-footing home from no more than six yards.

Anfield reverberated with noise and Can went so close to making it 2-1 almost immediately, the German dragging a shot wide following the kind of lightning-quick counter-attack that is fast becoming a hallmark of this Liverpool team.

But, shortly before the interval, the Reds were in front.

After losing possession, Salah quickly won the ball back from Steven N’Nonzi and tried his luck from distance, with his effort looping up off Simon Kjaer and over the stranded Rico.

It could have been even better for Liverpool before half-time, too, but Firmino struck the outside of the post with his penalty after Nicolas Pareja had felled Mane in the area before Rico palmed away Moreno’s attempt after another rapid break.

Second half

Understandably, the frantic tempo of the first period abated a little in the early stages of the second half.

Nevertheless, it was the hosts who still looked the most likely scorers and Rico had to be alert to tip Salah’s ambitious volley wide before Mane curled a left-footed attempt over the bar.

Wijnaldum then tested Rico with a stinging 20-yard drive, but Sevilla drew level 18 minutes from time when Correa finished smartly after collecting Luis Muriel’s pass.

That was Klopp’s cue to call for Coutinho, and the Brazilian came on to a loud welcome from the home faithful.

Daniel Sturridge and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were also introduced as Klopp went in search of a late winner, but the Reds - who were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Gomez received a second booking - were forced to settle for a point in their Group E opener.

Source: Official Liverpool FC

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Match Preview: Liverpool v Sevilla

The Reds will return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Sevilla at Anfield.

We have a score to settle with the Spanish side after they beat us in the Europa League Final in 2016.

We started well that night, were 1-0 ahead at half time before we capitulated in the second half and lost the game 3-1. Ever Banega ran the show in midfield and Kevin Gameiro scored the important goals which won them the trophy.

There have been a few changes at Sevilla since then though. They have changed manager after Unai Emery moved to PSG. Gameiro has also moved to pastures new, whilst defender Adil Rami has moved to Marseille.

Banega has returned though, and he partners the impressive Steven N’Zonzi in the middle of the park. They’ve replaced Rami with Danish centre back Simon Kjaer and they still have the creativity of Pablo Sarabia and Joaquín Correa.

The additions of the ex-Manchester City duo Nolito and Jesus Navas gives them a few more options and in attack, they have the fantastic Wissam Ben Yedder and Luis Muriel, a player Liverpool were linked with a few years back.

Sevilla have started the season well in La Liga and currently sit third in the table, behind Barcelona and Real Sociedad. They are a dangerous side and I’m expecting a tough encounter this week.

From a Liverpool point of view, the game provides the perfect opportunity for us to redeem ourselves after the horror show at Man City… the least said about that the better!

It is important that we bounce back. Sadio Mane will want to do that and although I’m expecting a few changes for this game, Mane is sure to start due to his upcoming suspension in domestic games.

I think Jurgen Klopp will go with the same trio in the forward areas with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino joining Mane once again.

The dilemmas come defensively and in midfield. It’s expected that Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet between the sticks for the Champions League games. I don’t agree with it but it seems that’s what will happen.

I’d bring Joe Gomez in at right back as I feel Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled a bit recently, against both Hoffenheim and City.

Dejan Lovren should return in place of Ragnar Klavan and I think maybe Andy Robertson will get a go at left back over Alberto Moreno.

The midfield will probably remain the same as it has been recently, with a healthy substitutes bench of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Philippe Coutinho and James Milner awaiting their chance.

Red's Fury™ Prediction:

Liverpool 2-1 Sevilla

Source: Read LiverpoolFC

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Liverpool's Champions League fixture schedule

Liverpool's Champions League fixture schedule has been confirmed.

The Reds will kick off the group stage with a home tie against Sevilla on Wednesday September 13.

Jürgen Klopp’s side are then set to travel to Spartak Moscow and Maribor on Tuesday September 26 and Tuesday October 17 respectively.

The return meeting with Maribor at Anfield will take place on Wednesday November 1.

Liverpool will journey to Sevilla on Tuesday November 21 before wrapping up their Group E commitments at home to Spartak on Wednesday December 6.

Source: Official Liverpool FC

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UCL Play-off: Liverpool 4-2 Hoffenheim

Liverpool secured a place in the Champions League group stages with a 4-2 (6-3 agg) victory over Hoffenheim in the second leg of the sides' qualifier on Wednesday evening.

Emre Can netted either side of a Mohamed Salah strike as the Reds made a blistering start to proceedings on the long-awaited return of European nights at Anfield.

The Germans reduced the deficit shortly before the break when early substitute Mark Uth produced a clinical finish from what was a rare chance for the visitors in a one-sided 45 minutes.

But a less frantic second half saw Roberto Firmino tap in following good work from Jordan Henderson and effectively put the seal on Liverpool's return to Europe's elite cup competition despite Sandro Wagner's late header.

The key points…

• Reds race into three-goal lead
• Can (two) and Salah net in first 20 minutes
• Uth pulls one back before half-time
• Firmino goal in second half seals it
• Wagner heads in late consolation

The team news…

Having made five changes for the weekend win over Crystal Palace, Jürgen Klopp reverted to the starting XI that had previously earned victory at Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

However, unlike in Germany, Andy Robertson and Daniel Sturridge took up two of the places on the substitutes' bench.

The first half…

The Reds wasted little time in signalling their intent, going close in the opening moments through a Salah header and a Sadio Mane one-on-one that was well saved.

As such, it was little surprise to see the opener come after just 11 minutes - and not until after Serge Gnabry had already seen a goal for the visitors ruled out for offside.

It came courtesy of Can, whose overlap was rewarded with a well-timed tee-up from Mane and a slight deflection on his side-footed finish.

The midfielder's intricate link-up with Alberto Moreno and Firmino was also key to the second, and resulted in the latter teeing up Gini Wijnaldum for a shot onto the post that was touched in by Salah.

And it was dreamland for the Reds in the 21st minute as Firmino's stand-up to the back post was met emphatically by Can to make it 3-0.

Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann responded to the onslaught by sending on attacker Uth - a move that was justified by the substitute's clinical finish from just inside the box moments later.

But Liverpool retaliated by crafting another big chance before the break, Firmino seeing a close-range effort from Salah's low cross saved well.

The second half…

The hosts' significant cushion set the tone for the start of the second period, with Klopp's men happy to sit deep and hit on the break.

And, as is so often the case, when the Reds did get the chance to spring, they did so at frightening pace.

One such counter ended in Wijnaldum blasting over after a one-two with Salah, while Mane saw a left-foot strike well parried in similar circumstances shortly after.

The Reds got it right eventually, though, with Henderson capitalising on a loose backpass to pinch the ball and teeing up Firmino for a pass into the net.

Hoffenheim refused to go down without a fight, and grabbed a consolation when Wagner rose highest to head in a deep cross in front of the visiting fans at the Anfield Road end.

But that could not take the shine off a comfortable victory for the Reds that put them back among Europe's elite.

Goal highlights…

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UCL Play-off: Hoffenheim 1-2 Liverpool

Liverpool took a step towards the Champions League group stages with a 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim in the first leg of the tournament play-offs on Tuesday night.

After a lively start, achtzehn99 spurned the chance to open the scoring when Simon Mignolet saved Andrej Kramaric’s penalty at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

And it was the Reds who did the break the deadlock when Trent Alexander-Arnold grabbed his first-ever goal for the club with a sensational long-range free-kick on 35 minutes.

In a keenly-fought contest, James Milner came off the bench to net Liverpool’s second, finding the top corner via a deflection off Havard Nordtveit.

However, with full-time approaching, Mark Uth’s drive pulled a goal back for Hoffenheim to give the Bundesliga side something to cheer ahead of the return meeting at Anfield next week.

The key points…

Mignolet saved Kramaric penalty after 12 minutes
Alexander-Arnold opened scoring with stunning free-kick
Milner grabbed second in final stages via deflection
Uth reduced arrears in 87th minute with clinical finish
Reds hold one-goal lead ahead of next week’s Anfield return
The team news…

Jürgen Klopp elected to select the same line-up as the one deployed at Watford in Saturday’s Premier League opener, meaning Alberto Moreno retained his place at left-back ahead of Milner, while Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah led the three-man attack.

The first half…

Spurred on by their vocal support, Hoffenheim started brightly at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Indeed, just six minutes had elapsed when Joel Matip was required to produce an excellent defensive header to deny Serge Gnabry the chance to open the scoring after Kramaric had escaped into space down the right and crossed dangerously into the centre.

Soon after, a delivery from the left at a free-kick required a combination of Dejan Lovren and Mignolet to scramble it to safety.

But on 11 minutes, Hoffenheim were awarded a penalty after Lovren was deemed to have brought down Gnabry. Kramaric stepped up to do the honours, but his kick was repelled by Mignolet, much to the delight of the away contingent housed in the corner.

The contest was being played at frenetic speed – and the Reds fashioned their first chance soon after when Salah was sent clean through from a Firmino pass after Kevin Vogt had conceded possession; however, the No.11 slid wide of the post under pressure from recovering defenders.

Liverpool were slowly growing into the game – and 10 minutes before the break, they opened the scoring in quite magnificent fashion.

A trip on Mane 30 yards out in a central position presented an opportunity to strike towards goal, and it was Alexander-Arnold who took control, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner for his first ever for the club.

It was some way to mark his European debut on what was only a 14th senior appearance for the 18-year-old Scouser.

Hoffenheim threatened to level just before the break, but Mignolet reacted well to block Gnabry’s turn-and-drive before Sandro Wagner scooped the rebound wide.

Then, in stoppage-time, Lovren headed a Moreno corner inches wide of the far post as a fast-paced opening 45 minutes came to a close.

The second half…

Liverpool should have added a second goal to their tally within just 90 seconds of the re-start, but Firmino was left holding his head in his hands after his close-range swipe from Mane’s run and pass was kept out by Oliver Baumann.

Soon after, the home team’s goalkeeper was needed to repel a low drive from Mane as the Senegal forward’s pace continued to trouble Hoffenheim.

As the half progressed, the German side began to exert pressure on their guests in an attempt to restore parity; Gnabry hooked a half-volley wide on 66 minutes following a flurry of corners.

But Klopp’s men responded with Salah having a low shot turned away by the boot of Baumann before the custodian saved from a Lovren header at a corner.

The Reds had earlier replaced Jordan Henderson with Milner – and with 14 minutes left, the vice-captain struck a potentially decisive goal in the tie.

The Merseysiders broke forward at pace from a quickly-taken free-kick and Firmino spread possession wide to the No.7 in space on the left side of the area. His ball towards the back post struck Nordtveit and looped into the top corner.

With the game edging towards its conclusion, Mignolet did well to keep out Uth’s snap-shot inside the box, while Mane skewed wide when played in by Salah at the other end.

But, with just three minutes left of normal time, Uth did give Hoffenheim hope when he chested down a ball over the top and drilled low across goal beyond Mignolet to reduce the deficit.

Liverpool were required to see out some nervy moments before the full-time whistle, not least when Kramaric headed over the bar in injury-time from a free-kick, but they did enough to ensure they hold the advantage going into next Wednesday’s Anfield second leg.

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Match Preview: Hoffenheim v Liverpool (Champions League play-off first leg)

Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg will be the first time Hoffenheim and Liverpool have met in the history of the two clubs, with a place in the group stages at stake for the winner of the tie.

To get the inside track on the story of Achtzehn99’s rise to prominence in Germany, Liverpoolfc.com spoke to Lutz Pfannenstiel, head of scouting and international relations for Hoffenheim and also the only player ever to play club football on all six continents.

At the turn of the century, Hoffenheim were a local amateur club playing in the fifth tier of German football and will now feature in the Champions League play-off stage for the first time after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga.

When asked to describe their remarkable journey, Pfannenstiel outlines the core philosophy which underpins Hoffenheim’s recent success.

“The club started to rise through the divisions from the year 2000 onwards,” he begins.

“In 2008 we finally reached the big goal to play in the highest tier of German professional football. The club’s philosophy is based on very strong youth development. The aim is to develop our own players from our academy to break into the first team.

“The recent years I would describe as learning how to be consistent and working hard to establish ourselves as a respected team in the Bundesliga.

“Last season we achieved our highest finish in club history and everybody in the club is excited to finally play European football.”

With the likes of Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund leading the way, the competition in Germany is intense.

So how does a relatively smaller club such as Hoffenheim compete with these teams? The answer lies in youth and developing from within.

“We have completely different financial possibilities [to these other clubs]. We need to keep on investing in our youth structure and we clearly see ourselves as a development club,” Pfannenstiel continues.

“It is normal that the big clubs will buy some of our top players, like a few months ago when we lost the two German internationals, Rudy and Sule, to Bayern Munich.

“However, we have enough talent in our academy and with Alexander Rosen, a very smart sporting director who will find more young talents ready to make the next step.”

One of the players to have moved on from Hoffenheim in recent years is, of course, Roberto Firmino.

Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2015, the Brazilian has established himself as a key part of Jürgen Klopp’s side and took on the iconic No.9 jersey for the new season.

Having worked with the forward since his early days at Hoffenheim, Pfannenstiel reveals what it is that makes him such a special player.

“Roberto is a typical example for our philosophy. We found him in Brazil as a youngster when not many people knew about him,” he recalls.

“Firmino put a lot of extra work in, the coaches developed him into a top player and it was normal for us that he moved to a huge club like Liverpool.

“Firmino is not a typical Brazilian player – he took on a lot of the German mentality and I believe that his way of playing football fits perfectly with Jürgen Klopp’s style.”

Despite impressing since his arrival in England, Pfannenstiel believes we have yet to see everything Firmino has to offer, with plenty more still to come.

“I believe Roberto has already proved that he is a top player – but trust me, he will get even better,” he adds.

With Hoffenheim having lost only four Bundesliga games in 2016-17, the challenge awaiting Klopp and his players in their Champions League play-off is clear.

But what has been the reaction to the draw from the other side?

“The first reaction was, of course, ‘Why Liverpool?’, but looking at it realistically, I think it is a special draw,” says Pfannenstiel.

“Every player must be burning to play at Anfield. It is the biggest game in our club’s young history. Most experts see the Reds as the big favourites, but at the end of the day we are not travelling to Liverpool just to listen to You’ll Never Walk Alone. If you reach this point in the competition then you want to go all the way.

“Jürgen Klopp is a legend in Germany and is already on his way to becoming a legend in England. But at the end of the day, it is not Klopp versus a German club – it is Liverpool against Hoffenheim.

“It’s impossible to pick a single player who stands out – the whole squad is brilliant.”

While Klopp is a renowned figure in Germany following his time at Dortmund, Hoffenheim’s own German manager is forging a reputation as one of the leading young coaches in Europe.

Upon taking over in February 2016, Julian Nagelsmann became the youngest manager in Bundesliga history.

With Hoffenheim struggling and in danger of relegation, he led the team to seven wins in their final 14 matches to avoid the drop, and built on that momentum with a fourth-place finish last term.

Pfannenstiel emphasises just how pivotal the manager has been in turning the club’s fortunes around.

“Julian Nagelsmann is an outstanding coach. He has the unique talent to make every single player better,” he says.

“Since he took over we didn’t just start to win games, but we also started playing very attractive football. To play European football just underlines what an impact Julian Nagelsmann has had.”

The evolution of Hoffenheim has seen the club cemented as a fixture in the top tier of German football, with the next aim being to break into Europe.

Having risen through the divisions in such a short space of time, how do Achtzehn99 take that step?

For Pfannenstiel, it’s a case of staying true to the trusted methods which have worked so far – and to ensure that last season’s achievement becomes a regularity, not just a one-off.

“It is very difficult to top last season, but I think it is important that we continue to play the same kind of football and then the results will come naturally,” he concludes.

“It is vital to establish ourselves as a top-half side in the Bundesliga – but there is no point in creating unnecessary pressure by setting too many expectations.”

Source: Liverpool FC Official

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Don’t write off Dortmund yet by Jamie Carragher #thankscarra

Which position would you rather be in heading into the Champions League final?

Would you side with Bayern Munich? They won the German league by a  distance, conquered all before them this season and go into this defining match as odds-on favourites. There aren’t too many people who can  envisage them being beaten.

Or would you choose Borussia Dortmund? Jurgen Klopp’s side have not managed to win a domestic trophy... and finished 25 points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga. It all points to the Wembley showdown being one-sided, doesn’t it? Well, not in my view.

This could be one of the closest finals we have seen in recent years and Dortmund are not the 7-2 shots that bookmakers suggest. If anything, Bayern will be the more apprehensive of the two sides. They, after all, have everything to lose. Dortmund have it all to gain.

Dortmund are in a similar position to the one we experienced with Liverpool on this day exactly eight years ago.

Nobody gave us a chance of beating AC Milan in Istanbul, so that meant we could enjoy the occasion. Winning the biggest trophy in club football went beyond our wildest dreams.

Bayern, in contrast, will in some ways be dreading this match as the pressure on them is immense.
Dortmund have had the edge in recent years — they are undefeated in the past six Bundesliga games and secured last year’s German Cup with a 5-2 win. Bayern, meanwhile, have lost two of the past three Champions League finals.

Having that sequence extended to three out of four would be a major embarrassment.

Bayern Munich are THE club in Germany and to lose the prize they crave most to a team from their own country would be a savage blow to their esteem.

I have been greatly impressed by Dortmund this year. For a retirement present, I was treated by a few Liverpool players to a trip to the Bernabeu earlier this month to watch the second leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid, and the vantage point we had was perfect to see everything at which Dortmund excel.

They have incredible pace, intensity and quality — I read a superb magazine article on Klopp earlier this year and the thing I took from it was how much he wants his players to run — and they swarmed all over Madrid, to the extent that Jose Mourinho had to substitute Xabi Alonso to deal with it.

In Marco Reus, they have a player who — in my opinion — has only been outperformed in the Champions League this year by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It has been said Mario Gotze’s thigh injury will damage Dortmund’s chances, but losing Reus would have been a significantly worse headache for Klopp.

Gotze was spotted looking at property in Munich, ahead of his move there next season, and the reaction to him has not been good from Dortmund supporters. Would his head have been in the right place for this game? His absence may now work in his side’s favour.

As big a fan as I am of Dortmund, however, Bayern’s claims are there for all to see. Myself and Dietmar Hamann, who used to play for them, began calling Bayern ‘The Grinders’ a few years ago because they always get the job done.

They have incredible mental strength and to come back from the disappointment they endured 12 months ago — losing to Chelsea in front of their own fans — is a notable achievement. Some teams may never have got over such a defeat.

Given that Pep Guardiola is  taking over as manager next season and the way they have spent — they have paid out more than £100million in the past two summers, compared to Dortmund, who have spent in the region of £30m — you can see why it is being said they are on the verge of dominating  European football.

Let’s not think, however, that Germany is significantly ahead of all the other leagues.

Yes, it is very good, but it reminds me of the way the Premier League was five years ago — big, strong sides that can press with great intensity but have the skill to match. However, had it not been for a linesman’s mistake in the quarter-finals, Spain would have had three teams in the last four of the Champions League. I believe the two best teams in the competition will contest the final but Dortmund came perilously close to losing to Malaga in the last eight.

Bayern, on the other hand, have made relentless progress through the competition and the way they demolished Barcelona in the semi-finals was exceptional.

I don’t think they touched the ball in the first 15 minutes of the first leg but kept their composure and  then ran Barcelona into the ground. There should not, though, be such a discrepancy in the way the  respective chances of each side are viewed.

Bayern have strength in depth and are slight favourites but Dortmund have had their measure in recent times  — and you wouldn’t bet against them doing it one more time.

Source: Mail Online

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Liverpool target left-back wants Champions League action

Liverpool has been keeping tab on the contract negotiation of the Spanish left-back at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has confirmed defender Jose Enrique is hoping to join a Champions League side this summer.

Pardew recently admitted that Enrique, who has been a key player for Newcastle in recent times, was stalling over a new contract as he enters the final year of his current deal.

Enrique, 25, has stated that he is happy at St. James' Park but Pardew appears pessimistic about his chances of retaining the player.

"He has Champions League aspirations and he is waiting to see whether anyone who has qualified for that competition is willing to come in for him," Pardew said. "That is his right and there isn't much more we can do about it.

"We have tried as hard as we can, in the financial situation we are in, to keep him. We offered him an excellent deal, but he doesn't seem to be interested in signing it at the moment. It is frustrating - but that is the situation we are in.

"It is up to him, but he wants to see what else there is for him."

Bayern Munich and Liverpool are said to be interested.

Meanwhile, Pardew has moved to assure fans that they can expect more new faces to arrive at the club after the sale of Kevin Nolan to West Ham.

"We are looking to complete on a number of deals over the next month or so, and I am sure with the quality of signings I anticipate coming into the club, we should look forward to exciting times in the upcoming season as we look to establish the club as a genuine force in the top half of the Premier League," he said in a statement released to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: ESPN

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Will Liverpool Get Back Into The Champions League Next Year?

Everyone knows that Liverpool have not had a great couple of years, but since the return of Kenny Dalglish, the sale of Fernando Torres and the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll that all took place in January, there has been a really positive change at the club and fans will be optimistic for what the future holds now.
You can tell the way that those wearing Liverpool football shirts are expressing themselves on the park is in a much more liberal manner, giving them more freedom to play to the best of their ability. There is still a long way to go before the team can be considered as a top four team, but depending on their signings this summer, it could be a possibility.
Liverpool have a core of key players that need to be kept for them to progress next year, including; Raul Meireles, Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Andy Carroll and Pepe Reina. The club have been rumoured to be looking for a new left back and Newcastle’s Jose Enrique has apparently been targeted.
Liverpool should and will be looking to improve on the wings this summer and many feel that King Kenny will sign two wingers in order to make the club more of an attacking force. Ashley Young and Stewart Downing have been rumoured as potential targets for these positions.
Given the way that Liverpool played in the 2^nd half of the 2010-11 season, it shows that they do have plenty of talent and desire to improve their league position next season. The Champions League for 2012-13 could be a realistic possibility for the club, although they will have to finish above at least two of teams with the pedigree of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.
It is now exciting again to be a Liverpool fan and there will be a huge expectation for Kenny Dalglish to get the club back into a position they feel they are worthy of and only time will tell if that is indeed the case.
Written by Eddie Smith, a sports writer who also likes to blog about 2011/12 football kits.

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Video Prank by Liverpool Fans – Banner outside Fergie’s driveway

While Sir Alex was sleeping, a banner which mentions Liverpool’s 5 and Barcelona’s 4 European Cup wins was erected in his driveway.

Following Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday, Liverpool fans were quick to rub it in by leaving a banner outside the home of Sir Alex Ferguson which read “Champions 2011 – 4 times (Barcelona), Champions 2005 – 5 times (Liverpool). Loved it!

Source: vozmediacouk and Empire of the Kop

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Benitez takes a swipe at Hogdson

Rafael Benítez has launched a withering attack on Roy Hodgson, telling him to stop complaining about what he inherited from him at Liverpool and suggesting Hodgson does not fully understand the intricacies of life at Anfield.

Hodgson, who has suffered a difficult start to his tenure and the job of succeeding the popular Benítez, has aimed a series of recent barbs in the Spaniard's direction bemoaning the size of the rebuilding job that faced him, claiming the squad lacks quality in depth and features other "people's left-over's". He also tried to claim that he has got Kenny Dalglish truly back on board at the club, whereas the legendary former player and manager was marginalised under Benítez. This last claim has particularly irked his predecessor.

Inter play Spurs at White Hart Lane on Tuesday in a Champions League Group A match, having beaten Harry Redknapp's side 4-3 in the San Siro a fortnight ago.

Prior to that match, Benitez criticised Liverpool's former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett as well as former managing director Christian Purslow.

And describing his departure from Anfield last summer, he said: "We have a saying in Spanish: 'White liquid in a bottle has to be milk.'

   "I think that Mr Hodgson, he doesn't understand," said Benitez. "Every single press conference is even worse than the last one. He's talking about things that he doesn't know. And some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar.

"Maybe he hasn't been in Liverpool too long. We gave the fans their pride - again. We fought for the fans, we fought for the club and we fought for our players. So maybe he cannot understand this.

"With £10m net spending, I left that squad with £300m value, 13 internationals.

"So, instead of talking about flips and flops, he has to concentrate on his job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players or the new players.

"Concentrate, try to do your best because it will be the best for the club and it will be the best for the fans." – Rafa Benitez

Responding to Hodgson's accusations that Benitez had banned Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool's Melwood training ground during his time in charge, the Spaniard said: "I brought back Kenny Dalglish to do a role in the club and Christian Purslow gave him another role."

Video source: Sky Sports

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Two giants slain in a space of four days

While Liverpool very left licking the wounds after the Boro's defeat. The Reds bounced back to produced the most memorable performance in a European night by inflicting a 4-0 defeat of Real Madrid at Anfield. And we reminded Real that "This is Anfield".

With our title credential under fire by the media and pundits. They claimed, Liverpool were moulded as a cup competition team rather than an English club. So the faintest of hope to savage some pride and shut the critics, nothing sooner than a clash with Manchester United in the Premier league, where it's a do-or-die for the team from Merseyside.

The Red Devils were seven points ahead and with a game on hand before the start of the match. But soon after the final whistle, the lead has been cut to four and now Liverpool need to push United to the limits by winning the remaining nine games.

Well, if a season double over the reign champion and Chelsea in a football calendar wasn't enough to earn Liverpool the credits that has been overdued. I don't know what to say anymore? Manchester United were torn apart by the brilliant tactics of Rafa Benitez.

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Champions League: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool

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YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Liverpool goes green for Europe

Liverpool new UEFA Champions League 2008/09 campaign football kit has been revealed. Next season, we'll dons green kit with black shorts and white socks.



Steven Gerrard is pictured wearing the new Liverpool European kit for the 2008-09 season, featuring adidas trademark technologies ClimaCool and ForMotion.

A close-up view of the newly launch kit are available for preview and pre-order.

What do you think of Liverpool's new European football kit?

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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CL Quarter-finals

We got an all-English club for the Champions League quarter-finals and faced Arsenal 3 times in a space of a week. There is a possibility of facing Chelsea once again in the semi-final.

Quarter-finals
Q1 : Arsenal v LIVERPOOL (1st-02/04, 2nd-08/04)
Q2 : Roma v Manchester United (1st-01/04, 2nd-09/04)
Q3 : Schalke v Barcelona (1st-01/04, 2nd-09/04)
Q4 : Fenerbache v Chelsea (1st-02/04, 2nd-08/04)

Semi-finals
S1 : Arsenal/LIVERPOOL v Fenerbache/Chelsea
S2 : Schalke/Barcelona v Roma/Manchester United

What are your thoughts on this coming fixtures?


YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Watch Torres breaks Inter's heart

Champions League Last 16, 2nd Leg @ San Siro, Milan

Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool

(Liverpool won 3-0 on aggregate)

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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The Super 16

You may call it tough luck or whatever you want. But I was looking forward to this Champions League grudge match with Inter Milan. During the draw process, the candidates that are in the pot were Sevilla, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan after Barcelona was drawn against Celtic earlier. I was hoping for a rematch against AC Milan, but we got Inter instead.

Liverpool and Inter Milan only met once in European competition, way back in 1964/65 semi-finals of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Liverpool triumphing 3-1 in the first leg at Anfield only for Inter to overturn that deficit with a 3-0 victory in the return, going on to lift the trophy for the second time in their history. Liverpool have won four of their six home games against Italian opposition, including their last two, but have tasted success just once in six visits to Italian teams. Inter, may have won only three of their nine trips to England, yet two of those victories came in their last two visits, in impressive fashion, 4-1 at Newcastle United and 3-0 at Arsenal.

The Reds will entertain the Italian champions in the first-leg on Tuesday, February 19 while the second-leg in Italy will be played on Tuesday, March 11 2008. And here are the rest of the last 16 draws for this year Champions League.

• Celtic v Barcelona
• Lyon v Mancheater United
• Schalke 04 v Porto
• Liverpool v Inter Milan
• Roma v Real Madrid
• Arsenal v AC Milan
• Olympiacos v Chelsea
• Fenerbahce v Sevilla
  

All matches will be play on 19/20 February and the return leg on 4/5 March, except Inter Milan home match which will be play on 11 March (Inter and AC Milan ground sharing).

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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The great escape

Champions League

Marseille 0-4 Liverpool

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Reds run riot

Champions League

Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas

Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas Official Highlights (High Quality)
Uploaded by worldonlinetv

YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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