Preview: Liverpool v Manchester City

Liverpool 2-1 win over Chelsea vaulted them into the top four of the Premier League table, but their title run does not get any easier as they host the league leaders Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

City is coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to Serie A side Napoli on Tuesday, but in the Premier League, they are on fire.

City has won their last six league games and destroyed Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford. Liverpool will have an opportunity to prove they are again among England's elite on Saturday when they host one of the most talented teams in the world.

Match facts

Manchester City have only won one of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (W1 D5 L6).

The Citizens haven’t won at Anfield in their last eight Premier League visits (D2 L6).

Andy Carroll has scored four goals in five Premier League games against Manchester City.

Man City have now scored two or more goals in each of their last 14 Premier League games, a record for the division.

Sergio Aguero has 10 goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

Excluding games against Manchester United, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 41 north west derbies at Anfield (W30 D10 L1).

Liverpool have allowed their opponents fewer shots on target against them than any other side in the Premier League (41).

Liverpool were the last team to stop Manchester City from scoring in the Premier League. Since then, City have netted in 18 consecutive games, accruing a total of 52 goals.

Liverpool were also the last team to score more than two goals against City, with Roberto Mancini’s men shipping just 14 in their last 18 games.

Mario Balotelli has scored five goals in four Premier League starts this season.

via Opta (Yahoo!)

Liverpool has not scored more than two goals in a game in any competition since August 27, and against a Manchester City side that scores goals at will, that isn’t a good stat trend.

City has too much firepower with Balotelli and Sergio Aguero leading the attack. The league leaders will gain a crucial and much-needed win after a poor Champions League display in midweek.

Liverpool probable line-up: Reina(c), Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll

Manchester City probable line-up: Hart, Kompany(c), Lescott, Zabaleta, Kolarov, de Jong, Milner, Toure, Nasri, Silva, Balotelli

Red's Fury™ Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City

Source: Bleacher Report

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool making a shock move on City striker

This can’t be serious??? The newspapers headlines aren’t something to be make believe 100% these days – there are more misses than hits as usual. Manchester City's controversial striker Carlos Tevez has emerged as a shock target for Liverpool who are hoping to land the player on a short term loan deal.

This would be something of a surprise but perhaps there is a possibility that Liverpool are interested in snapping up the Argentine but one would imagine that such a move could be as much of a headache as a boost to their firepower.

Manchester City definitely want to sell the 27-year-old and would presumably prefer a permanent exit but it seems the likes of Corinthians are not willing to stump up the asking price for the former West Ham and Manchester United man. Tevez would be looking to secure first team football as soon as possible as if he continues to be without regular football then he may well be in danger of freezing himself out of national team action.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has seen his side criticised in recent weeks for failing to find the target despite carving out numerous opportunities.

The Reds beat West Brom 2-0 at the weekend but it could have been more had the side taken their chances, while a 1-1 draw with Norwich at Anfield further highlighted Liverpool's lack of composure in front of goal plus the stalemate match with Swansea City last Saturday.

Dalglish managed to convince Mancini to part with striker Craig Bellamy over the summer and is reportedly contemplating bringing Tevez to Anfield.

Liverpool already have Bellamy, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll available to play up front, but should the Reds be able to land Tevez on a short term loan deal then they would snap up the opportunity to have such a prolific striker at the club.

Whatever people may think of the Tevez as the man, Tevez as the player, he’s a very effective striking weapon. The Buenos Aires born striker has scored an impressive 53 goals from 80 City starts since his move to the club in July 2009.

What do you think of this move? Leave your comment on the box below.

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

Source: CaughtOffside

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Picture of the Day: City humiliated United at their our backyard

Sir Alex Ferguson described Man United's incredible 6-1 derby day demolition at the hands of Man City as the worst day of his managerial career.

Source: TalkSport

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Liverpool lining up January bid for City midfielder

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Adam Johnson for quite some time but it would appear that the chances of snapping up the England international have lessened given that the right winger has seen his side become genuine contenders for major honours this term.

However the former Middlesbrough man is still struggling to get regular first team football. Last term the 24 year old started 15 Premier League games whilst making another 16 appearances from the bench and this season has made three top tier starts and managed just 14 minutes of Champions League football.

Given that Roberto Mancini has a plethora of wide options, including David Silva, Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli and James Milner to name just four top internationals, the Italian would probably not stand in the way of Adam Johnson if he pushed for to leave the club.

However Johnson may feel he has the ability to beat off competition to become a regular at Man City but clearly if Liverpool were to show their return to form by pushing for a top four spot themselves, then perhaps the intelligent winger would consider a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have brought in a number of midfield additions over the summer, with Stewart Downing, Johnson’s former team-mate at the Riverside, making the left side role his own. Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam were brought in to add more options for Kenny Dalglish who then lost Raul Meireles to Chelsea and then loaned out Alberto Aquilani to AC Milan.

The right hand side of his midfield is now being primarily taken by Henderson but the England Under 21 international is also very effective in the centre of the park. Dirk Kuyt has found himself pushed out of the first team and the Dutchman may well be considering his future.

Johnson would cost Liverpool at least £15million and clearly Man City have no financial need to sell the player so a lot would depend on the player’s intentions to fight to prove himself to Mancini, knowing that regular first team football may be needed in order to maintain his spot in Fabio Capello’s England plans ahead of the Euro 2012 finals next summer.

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

Source: FootyBunker, CaughtOffside

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City

Andy Carroll struck his first Liverpool goals as big-spending Manchester City were dispatched 3-0 at Anfield.

The 22-year-old scored twice with Dirk Kuyt getting the other as the Reds treated their fans to a fine exhibition of football.

It is a result that leaves Kenny Dalglish and co. five points off European qualification, though fifth-placed Tottenham have seven matches remaining compared to Liverpool's six.

The game was preceded by a minute's silence ahead of the 22^nd anniversary of Hillsborough this week. The impeccable manner in which it was observed and the performance that followed from Liverpool was a fitting tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives.

The Reds went into the fixture with a makeshift defence including fit again Fabio Aurelio and 18-year-old Scouser John Flanagan, who was handed a debut due to a clutch of injuries in full-back positions.

We will never know how vulnerable this back four were - because Liverpool dominated from start to finish. [Read more…]

 

Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv

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Liverpool interested in out of favour City striker

Liverpool have made an enquiry to Manchester City for Emmanuel Adebayor, skysports.com understands.

The Togolese star is one of a number of City players who have been linked with a move this January.

The former Arsenal striker is far from being first choice under Roberto Mancini and the imminent arrival of Edin Dzeko will push him further down the pecking order.

Now a host of clubs are making contact with City to register their interest in taking the 26-year-old.

And skysports.com understands that Liverpool are the latest club to express an interest.

However, they are not the only club looking at Adebayor, with Tottenham, West Ham and even Real Madrid linked with a move.

Liverpool would currently only be in the market to take Adebayor on loan given his wages and possible fee, with City unlikely to accept a cut-price deal for a player they paid over £25million for just 18 months ago.

But should City allow him to move on loan, then the Anfield club would hope to be in pole position to land him.

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

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, SKY Sports

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BPL: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool goal highlights

Liverpool suffered their first league defeat under Roy Hodgson as Manchester City recorded an emphatic 3-0 triumph at Eastlands on Monday night.

The Reds struggled to cope with a vibrant attacking display from the hosts throughout the contest and were ultimately undone by Gareth Barry's well crafted opener and a second-half double from Carlos Tevez.

It leaves Hodgson still awaiting his first Barclays Premier League victory in the hot-seat and means his side will now have to bounce back in time for what promises to be a tough Europa League clash in Trabzonspor on Thursday night.

Ahead of the showdown the main talking points in the away end centred upon the absence of Javier Mascherano and the choice of a 4-4-2 formation that paired David Ngog with the fit-again Fernando Torres. [Read more…]

  

 

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, RUTube

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Torres could start versus Manchester City

Roy Hodgson is pondering whether to give Fernando Torres his first start of the season at Eastlands tonight.

Liverpool's No.9 gave an encouraging performance during his 45-minute outing in Thursday's 1-0 win over Trabzonspor at Anfield, and the boss admits he was impressed by his fitness.

   "I thought Fernando looked very good against Trabzonspor and he will be all the better for the 45 minutes.

"He almost scored with his first touch of the ball and we are really pleased that Fernando is back. We know what he can produce and he didn't look like he was short of fitness.

"He showed he is back to his best and his energy and enthusiasm were vital for us. It did make a difference but when you have players of his class it does make a difference.

"We know what we've got in Fernando and it's really nice to see him back. It's important now we manage his fitness because it's quite early for him to be playing now.

"We have got until Monday until we play again so those days will do him good.

"Luckily we were able to rest some important players against Trabzonspor so we will have a lot of them coming back in on Monday night. It was a bit of a gamble in some ways but we won the game.

"They have had a longer rest and that is advantageous to us. We will have on paper at least a stronger team than what we had out on Thursday." the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv.

Hodgson will make changes after rotating his resources in last Thursday's 1-0 Europa League victory against Trabzonspor at Anfield.

Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt are all expected to start having been rested in midweek, while Liverpool are hopeful Javier Mascherano will recover from a calf injury.

Hodgson, though, will make a late decision on Daniel Agger, who suffered concussion in last week's 1-1 home draw with Arsenal, and is contemplating a first start of the season for Fernando Torres, the Spaniard having come through 45 minutes against Trabzonspor.

Definitely absent will be Joe Cole, the midfielder beginning a three-match suspension following his red card against Arsenal eight days ago.

Christian Poulsen made his debut for Liverpool last week following his arrival from Juventus, and Hodgson believes the Denmark midfielder is capable of appearing this evening.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Post UK

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Transfer rumours: Hodgson set his sight on two left-backs

Since the departure of Emiliano Insua to Fiorentina and Fabio Aurelio released by Liverpool at the end of last season. Liverpool has been fall short on the fullback department.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is chasing Wigan Athletic fullback Maynor Figueroa and possibility of luring Wayne Bridge away from Manchester City.

The Telegraph says Hodgson is believed to be closing in on Figueroa, the Wigan and Honduras left-back.

The player will leave this summer and Liverpool remain confident of agreeing a £6 million fee.

But Bridge is supposedly the preferred choice for Hodgson, although Soccernet reports that the former Chelsea defender has been told he is still wanted at Eastlands.

However, this could be subject to change as the Blues managed to clinch a deal for Serbian full-back Aleksandar Kolarov - has penned a five-year deal with the Eastlands club and the reported transfer fee was around £15million.

This prompted the City source to admit that Bridge could join the Reds if they come in with a substantial offer.

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

Sources: Give Me Football, Goal.com

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Weekend Link – August 16: Three words to sum up Manchester City, Exploding iPhone, Ever wanted to shoot Cristiano Ronaldo with a cannon?, Why Should Australia Host The FIFA World Cup?, 10 players to watch out for in 2009-10

 

Another round of weekend link galore. The Barclays Premier League is back! The Reds are visiting White Hart Lane today.

 

Three words to sum up Manchester City

- Football Corner

 

Beware all iPhone users: The device is a time bomb!

- Pulp to Fiction

 

Ever wanted to shoot Cristiano Ronaldo with a cannon?

- 90minutes Online

 

Why Should Australia Host The FIFA World Cup?

- FIFA World cup Australia 2018

 

10 players to watch out for in 2009-10

- The Sport Review

 

Wants to have your post mentioned here?

 

YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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Real Madrid to raids Liverpool with £38M

Liverpool are now resigns to loosing their midfield maestro and a right-back to Real Madrid after the Reds announced the captures of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

Real Madrid are prepared to pay Liverpool £30million for Xabi Alonso and £8million on Alvaro Arbeloa. Liverpool are reluctant to sell his players to Premier League rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City, who are also interested in signing the Spanish defensive midfielder.

Benitez will now concentrate on trying to keep Javier Mascherano, despite Barcelona's interest, and will use the funds from Alonso's transfer to continue re-building his team.

While, on the youth’s development, the Reds has snapped up Rushden & Diamonds, Aaron King, 16-year old striker on two-year scholarship deal at Anfield and will continue his education at the club.

Two days earlier, Liverpool have beaten Real Madrid and Barcelona to the signature of Cadiz teenager Jesus Fernandez Saez. The 16-year old will sign a five-year contract with The Reds.

Cadiz will be paid compensation and, although a figure has not been specified, it is believed to be more than the payment due to the Spanish team to take over the player’s academy contract.

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YNWA,

Red's Fury™

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Liverpool to sign Glen Johnson

Chelsea has planned to hijack Liverpool’s deal but were foiled after Glen Johnson chooses the Reds over the Blues.

Despite interest from former club Chelsea and Manchester City, Johnson, 24, made it clear that his heart was set on a move to Anfield and he passed a medical and quickly agreed personal terms on a four year contract.

Johnson will now become Rafa Benitez’s first major signing of the summer, in a deal which is believed to be worth around £17.5million. But Johnson's impending arrival would seem to suggest Alvaro Arbeloa will be sold to Real Madrid sooner rather than later.

Rafa has sorted out his problematic right side of defence, now he can concentrate to strengthen other key areas of his team’s formation.

I bet Johnson will do a good job for us. What do you think of his capture?

 

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Barry joins City

More news on Gareth Barry. The speculation of Barry becoming a Liverpool player is over. He’s officially completed a move to Manchester City yesterday.

Manchester City have confirmed the £12million signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, with the England midfielder penning a five-year deal.

City manager Mark Hughes is banking on the midfielder's experience in the domestic and international arena to take the club to the next level.

"Gareth is widely acknowledged as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and that is a recommendation in itself.

"When players of his quality become available then you have to be in the market for them so we are absolutely delighted that we have been able to conclude this deal.

"The experience required to compete with the best in the Premier League is vital.

"With Gareth we get the experience of someone who has played week-in, week-out in the hardest league in the world.

"He plays at a level that has an impact on the game and we are thrilled that he is joining us." – Mark Hughes, Tribal Football.

This transfer which came as a surprise to all of us. Barry earlier been reported he’d like to join a team with Champions League football, signed for a club which has the brightest future in challenging the top four clubs in England next season.

I think this transfer has been materialised due to the fact that City was able to offer Barry a huge pay rise. City have not even qualified for next season's revamped Europa League. Who could afford to missed out on a £80,000-a-week salary?

I’m glad the chase is over now.

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Red's Fury™

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