West Ham 3-1 Liverpool: Back to the drawing board

Liverpool's unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Scott Parker and Demba Ba had the Hammers looking comfortable before a late strike from Glen Johnson gave the Reds hope.

It wasn't to be, however, with substitute Carlton Cole finishing off the scoring with just minutes remaining.

Injuries to Raul Meireles and Martin Kelly completed a miserable afternoon in east London.

Liverpool's chances of making it nine games without defeat had been buoyed by the return of club captain Steven Gerrard from a groin injury.

Key to that sequence of results had been the Reds' ability to keep opposition attackers at bay, with Pepe Reina tallying five shut-outs in six games. Kenny Dalglish opted to field three centre-backs in a bid to maintain that miserliness, including 19-year-old Danny Wilson, who found his name on a Barclays Premier League team-sheet for the first time.

Another notable inclusion was the man who now wears No.7 at Anfield, Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan set about making an instant impact on two minutes with an audacious lob into the box which was just too heavy for the onrushing Gerrard. [Read more…]

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

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Liverpool’s Changed Expectations

If you had asked Liverpool fans at the beginning of the season if they would take a 6^th place finish in the English Premier League and to get to the latter stages of the Europa League, I’m sure most would have given you a strange look. Unfortunately though, most Liverpool fans would now probably take this offer with both hands.
Liverpool had a dreadful start to the season and therefore sacked Roy Hodgson in early January. There were several changes at the club last month, including Kenny Dalglish being re-appointed as manager, the departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea and the late signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. Things at Anfield do seem to have improved, but with the season so far through, there is only so much that King Kenny can do in a short space of time.
Fans will now have to be realistic in their ambitions for the rest of the season and accept that there is a lot of rebuilding needing to be done at the club. The acquisitions of Suarez and Carroll are certainly a step in the right direction and they both have youth on their side. If Liverpool can hang on to other players like Reina, Gerrard and Meireles, then there is a good spine to the team and 2 or 3 other good signings could mean that those wearing Liverpool football shirts will be able to compete for a Champions League spot next season.
After a run of four consecutive wins and also clean sheets against Wolves, Chelsea, Fulham and Stoke, fans were starting to look up the league table and fancied their chances of challenging for fourth spot in the league. Unfortunately, a home draw against Wigan has stopped this run and the task to earn a Champions League position has started to fade again. That is not to say that the team cannot get into another run of form again, but there are certainly some very tough games ahead.
Liverpool still have to play Manchester United and Manchester City at home in the next few weeks. They also have matches against Arsenal at the Emirates and a home game against Tottenham and a final day clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park. With only eleven games to go, these are four very tricky matches to win. One team from Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are also likely to miss out on a Champions League place, which shows how tough it will be. I certainly think that with how this season has panned out for the club, a 6^th place finish for Liverpool would be regarded as a reasonable success.
They are also still in the Europa League and few would bet against Liverpool winning the trophy. Manchester City are seen as favourites at the moment, but Liverpool are certainly in with a shout. I would be interested to hear anyone else’s thoughts on this, especially Liverpool fans. Have I been too harsh or is this the consensus among Liverpool fans too?
Written by Eddie Smith, a sports writer who blog about football shirts.

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Europa League: Dirk Kuyt sent the Reds into the last 16

Liverpool will face SC Braga in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Dirk Kuyt headed home a later winner as Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday night.

The Dutchman was left unmarked to guide in Raul Meireles's 86^th minute corner after it had looked like the side from the Czech Republic would force extra-time.

It means the Reds are now unbeaten in eight games under boss Kenny Dalglish, who also celebrated his first European triumph as manager.

Ahead of the clash Dalglish opted to make four changes to the side that drew in Prague, with Joe Cole returning to start his first match for the Scot.

There was no doubt that it was a big opportunity for the England midfielder to finally show the Kop the full repertoire of his attacking talents and he was heavily involved in the early exchanges. [Read more…]

Sources: Video courtesy of RuTube and match report by LiverpoolFC.tv

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Europa League: Sparta Prague 0-0 Liverpool

Liverpool will take a creditable goalless draw back to Anfield following a laboured Europa League last 32 first leg clash with Sparta Prague.

Kenny Dalglish's first ever continental match in charge of the Reds will not live long in the memory - but it was the visitors who were the happier come the final whistle.

The contest will now be decided on Merseyside in one week's time to see who will face Braga or Lech in the last 16.

All the pre-match hype centred around the inclusion of four Youth Cup stars in the squad, though only England U19 skipper Conor Coady would be in with a chance of taking part after being named on the bench.

Instead it was an experienced Reds side that took to the Generali Stadium pitch on a freezing night in Prague - the one exception being 19-year-old Danny Wilson operating at left-back in a 4-4-2.

Liverpool set about controlling the early possession but it was 13 minutes before either side created an opening worth writing about. [Read more…]

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

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Liverpool brings young Raheem Sterling to Prague

Four of the Reds Under 18′s starlets have been rewarded for their impressive performances this season, and particularly in Monday’s 9-0 victory, with a trip to Prague in Liverpool’s 23 man squad.

If Raheem Sterling is selected in the final 18 and makes an appearance, he will be Liverpool FC’s youngest ever player at the mere age of 16 years and 71 days.

Source: Video courtesy of PegScouser of YouTube

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Match Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Wigan

Luis Suarez made his first start for Liverpool as the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan Athletic at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Raul Meireles opened the scoring midway through the first half, latching onto a half-cleared cross and fizzing a volley into the back of the net to secure his fifth goal in six matches.

Wigan restored parity on 65 minutes when Steve Gohouri converted at close range after reaching Charles N'Zogbia's deep centre.

Suarez rattled the crossbar with a free-kick late on as the Reds searched for a winner, though ultimately they were forced to settle for a point.

The result, however, does see Liverpool extend their unbeaten run to six matches and consolidates their position of sixth in the table.

The home side went into the contest hoping to extend their four-match winning run in the Barclays Premier League - a sequence achieved with the aid of a quartet of clean sheets and that elevated them up to sixth in the table ahead of kick-off. [Read more…]

 

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

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POLL: Can LIVERPOOL FC finish in the top four this season?

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Daniel Agger scored versus England

Daniel Agger scored a superb goal and Glen Johnson set up the winner as Denmark lost 2-1 to England in Copenhagen on Wednesday night.

Christian Poulsen captained the Danes and Agger got his country off to a great start when he met a right wing cross with a superb header after only seven minutes.

However, Darren Bent grabbed an equaliser three minutes later.

Johnson set up what turned out to be the winning goal in the 68th minute, when he produced a storming run into the Denmark half from right-back before setting up substitute Ashley Young who found the net.

All three Reds played the full 90 minutes.

Source: Video courtesy from FootyTube.com

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