Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City

Back to posting, after a month busy away on assignment. The most intrigued moment of the past weeks was the victory against Manchester United. The Reds playing without Gerrard and Torres, were a goal down early in the 3rd minute, came back strong to beat the under strength Red Devils 2-1 at Anfield.

English Premier League

20th September 2008

Anfield (H)

LIVERPOOL 0-0 STOKE CITY

Liverpool were left lamenting a second-minute disallowed goal after they were held to a goalless draw at home by newly promoted Stoke.


Steven Gerrard had the ball in the back of the net after 76 seconds from a free-kick - only for the goal to be controversially ruled out for offside.


Stoke continued to frustrate the home side as Thomas Sorensen saved Robbie Keane's 51st-minute strike.


And Andy Griffin's late goal-line clearance ensured the match was drawn.


After the heights of a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester United last week, Liverpool will consider the solitary point a setback for their title ambitions, although they briefly took top spot in the Premier League before they were deposed by Arsenal.

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YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Local lads saves Liverpool the blushes

English Premier League
23th August 2008
Anfield (H)

LIVERPOOL 2-1 MIDDLESBROUGH
Late goals from Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher claimed a dramatic victory for Liverpool after Middlesbrough had threatened to pull off a shock win at Anfield.

With just five minutes remaining the Reds had looked on the verge of a frustrating defeat against Gareth Soutgate's side - but the home-grown duo had other ideas.

Gerrard, who is so often the hero, produced the goods again, this time with a superb curler from the edge of the area after Carragher's deflected strike had cancelled out Mido's opener.

It was a positive end to a frustrating afternoon for the Reds who dominated for the majority of the clash but struggled to find a way past rookie stopper Ross Turnbull.

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YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Finnan future still in doubt as Rafinha back on Reds agenda

Liverpool defender Steve Finnan yet again in the speculation for an exit after report said Rafa back in the hunt for Schalke 04's fullback. Finnan has admitted he still unsure over his future at the club following a summer of transfer activity at Anfield.

He need to compete for the right back slot with Swiss international Philipp Degen and Alvaro Arbeloa. The news of Rafa looking for another fullback means his days are numbered. Liverpool has been monitoring the tension between Rafinha and Schalke 04, after the Brazilian went against the club's decision to play for Beijing Olympics.

You would have to ask the club. I have been trying to get into the team.

I haven't played, but I will just wait and see and when the transfer window closes, we will know then.

I will wait and see if I can get into the team; if not, then obviously I want to play, so we will just have to take it from there.

We (he and Rafa Benitez) have spoken about it, but at this time, I don't think I will say too much more. - Steve Finnan, Setanta Sport

Finnan are desperate for first team action as he been coaxed out of international retirement by Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and was featured on last Wednesday 1-1 draw with Norway. He's been linked in the Gareth Barry's deal which didn't materialised and he could find himself playing for Boro at Riverside before the transfer deadline.

According to Team Talk, Middlesbrough are short of right backs and are looking to fill the gap left by Luke Young, who joined Aston Villa, sees Finnan as the cheap ideal option for the role.

Expect some more changes made to the Liverpool's lineup before 1st September when the transfer window close.

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Reds on target for international friendlies

A mid-week World Cup qualifier warm up matches been held last night. Two of the Liverpool players were on the scoresheet for thier respective countries. Xabi Alonso scored twice for Spain to beat Daniel Agger's Denmark 3-0.

While, Rafa trying to offload Alonso, he's getting better and better each game for Spain and Liverpool. In return, it may forced Rafa to reconsider his decision to sell Xabi.

Meanwhile, Robbie Keane bagged his 34th international goal as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Norway. The game also saw Steve Finnan make his international return.

It’s always nice to score as a striker. But it’s important to score for the team and that is the most important thing. It would have been nice to have held out for the win but it wasn’t to be. - Robbie Keane, Setanta Sport

Elsewhere, Andrea Dossena earned his second international cap when he came on in the second half during Italy's 2-2 draw with Austria.

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Masch go for gold as Lucas sees red

It's a joy for Javier Mascherano but despair for Lucas Levia as the Brazilian was sent-off for a foul on his Liverpool teammate during Argentina's 3-0 win over Brazil in the semi-final of the Olympic Games.

Sergio Aguero's second-half double and a late penalty from Juan Roman Riquelme has sent Argentina on its trail for Olympic's gold against Nigeria in the final. Earlier, Nigeria thumped surprised package, Belgium 4-1 in another semi-final match.

Mascherano is dreaming of a second Olympic gold medal while Lucas' Brazil will have to console themselves with the prospect of playing for the bronze medal.

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool

English Premier League
Saturday, 16th August 2008
Stadium of Light (A)

SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL




A dramatic strike from Fernando Torres has given Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season.

The Spanish striker hit a 25-yard scorcher on 83 minutes following a much-improved second-half performance from Liverpool.

Victory comes as a welcome tonic for Benitez - who today responded to newspaper speculation by talking of his contentment on Merseyside - following Wednesday's disappointing display in the Champions League qualifier.

The Anfield boss made two changes from Liege, recalling Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia for Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger - the latter pair having to settle for a place on the Premier League's new seven-man bench.

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YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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We don't need Gareth Barry

After a three months survey on whether Liverpool Football Club really need the service of Aston Villa's captain, Gareth Barry? The answer are simple, 'NO'. The poll received 114 votes, 51 people voted for 'NO' (45%), while 31 people voted for 'YES' (27%) and 32 voters are unsure.

Why would Rafa need to sell a world class midfielder and settle for an average, seasoned Premier League player in Gareth Barry?

It's really doesn't make sense at all. Xabi Alonso has recovered much of his form, if he stays fit, Alonso is much better player than Barry.

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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Reds finished pre-season friendly in style

Unable to blog in the past two weeks due to work commitment. I will continue to update this blog after 19th August when the season gets underway. I will miss the season opener against Sunderland.

The Kop came to see their new number seven net his first Liverpool goal on his Anfield debut, but they were left to settle for a 90th-minute winner from Andriy Voronin that flattened Lazio.

Robbie Keane worked tirelessly to impress his new admirers, but clear chances would not fall his way despite a dominant first half showing by The Reds.

As Rafa Benitez rested his top stars during the second half, it appeared Liverpool's final pre-season friendly would prove a damp squib, but Voronin arrived in the nick of time to smash home a 16-yard volley.

There was still time for Lazio to attempt to spoil the party, heading past Diego Cavalieri in injury time, but the linesman's flag ensured The Reds went home happy.

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Earlier, Reds rip apart Valenrenga in Olso.

Liverpool collected another pre-season triumph after they beat Valerenga 4-1 in Oslo on Tuesday, although an injury to Steven Gerrard took the shine off the win.

Xabi Alonso opened the scoring on 20 minutes, but the hosts did hit back through after the break when Bojan Zagic fired in before Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun, and David Ngog sealed the win.

The injury to Gerrard didn't look that serious as he walked off the pitch. However, the Reds medical staff will have to closely monitor the situation with the new season rapidly approaching.

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July 12: v Tranmere (Wirral) 1-0

July 16: v FC Lucerne (Grenchen) 2-1

July 19: v Wisla Krakow (Friborg) 1-1

July 22: v Hertha Berlin (Berlin) 0-0

July 30: v Villarreal (Villarreal) 0-0

August 2: v Rangers (Glasgow) 4-0

August 5: v Valerengen (Oslo) 4-1

August 8: v Lazio (Liverpool) 1-0

Five wins in eight matches, scored thirteen goals in the process. The Reds has had a good summer warm up to the new season. Does Rafa has what it takes to win the Premier League title this season?

YNWA,
Red's Fury™

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