Carling Cup: Exeter City 1-3 Liverpool

Luis Suarez scored one and helped create two as Liverpool booked a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a commanding 3-1 victory over Exeter City on Wednesday night.

The Uruguay striker marked a lively hour-long display by firing the Reds into the lead on 23 minutes with a well-taken volley following good work from Maxi Rodriguez and Jordan Henderson.

Suarez then turned provider early in the second period, teeing up Maxi for Liverpool's second of the night before substitute Andy Carroll made it 3-0 with a blast from the edge of the box soon after.

Daniel Nardiello bagged a consolation from the penalty spot for Exeter, but the Reds kept alive their hopes of reaching the new Wembley for the first time on a night when Kenny Dalglish recorded his 200^th win as Liverpool manager in all competitions.

Earlier this week, the manager underlined the significance of the Carling Cup to Liverpool this season - and if anyone had any doubts about how seriously his side would be taking the competition, they were quickly dispelled as news broke of the team selection.

Included in the starting against the League One outfit XI were summer signings Henderson and Charlie Adam, joining established first-team stars such as skipper for the night Pepe Reina, Maxi, Raul Meireles and the fit-again Martin Skrtel.

Also on the team sheet at St James Park was Suarez, while a powerful substitutes' bench consisted of Carroll, Jose Enrique, Dirk Kuyt, Stewart Downing and Jamie Carragher, as well as Jonjo Shelvey and Alexander Doni.

60 places separated the two teams in the league ladders prior to kick-off, but a colourful atmosphere greeted kick-off in Devon.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Goal Highlights: Exeter City v Liverpool

Source: YouTube

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Alberto Aquilani - The Italian Flop?

Xabi Alonso signed for Liverpool in 2004 . Since his arrival, he established himself as a Liverpool mainstay.

Combining technical ability with a wide array of passes, Xabi Alonso won over the Liverpool faithful . Alonso was one of the best players during the Benitez regime.

He was also instrumental in Liverpool winning the European Cup and the FA Cup . Considering the success, it came as a shock that Liverpool were planning to cash in on him.

Since his unceremonious departure to Real Madrid ,a massive void was created in the Liverpool midfield. His role has been hard to fill. And, an Alonso-mould midfielder was the necessity at Anfield.

Alberto Aquilani was much touted across Europe for his performances for Roma and the Italian national side. Aquilani, like Alonso is gifted with immense technical ability. He began his career at Roma and after a brief spell at Triestina returned to Roma.

Aquilani can play in various positions. He can play holding midfielder, attacking midfielder or in the hole behind the strikers. Aquilani's versatility makes him an essential squad player.

Aquilani's early potential was recognised by Chelsea and Arsenal who offered him contracts aged 16. But Aquilani chose to stay in his beloved homeland and represent Roma.

He made his Roma debut at the age of 18. Aquilani impressed everyone at the Stadio Olympico and was given the coveted No. 8 jersey. Aquilani quickly adjusted himself in the heart of the Roman midfield.

He formed a formidable partnership with Danielle De Rossi. Aquilani was consistent for both club and country. Marcelo Lippi heralded him one of Italy's finest midfielders.

Rafa Benitez was looking to replace Xabi Alonso with a player of similar stature.

Alberto Aquilani was signed in 2009 for reported fee of £17million. The signing was criticized because Aquilani had suffered a thigh injury and was ineligible to play for Liverpool until fully fit.

Alberto Aquilani made his much-anticipated debut almost a year later after constantly battling injuries. His start was indifferent failing to mould into the Liverpool setup.

The constant change of management also did not help his cause. Aquilani was trying too hard to impress the Anfield faithful, failing to capitalise on his major strengths that are long-range shooting and long-range passing.

Aquilani was constantly playing too close to the strikers and making dashing runs into the box with no joy.

Towards the end of the season, he did find his feet and put in decent performances but the jury was still out on his form and fitness.

A return to Juventus was on the cards. At Juventus, Aquilani finally justified his high-potential. Along with scoring 2 goals, Aquilani was their main playmaker and impressed everyone at the Delle Alpi .

Juventus failed to meet Liverpool's requirements for him and so he returned to Anfield.

Alberto Aquilani was Liverpool best player in pre-season raising more than a few eyebrows in Merseyside.

However, Liverpool still remain unconvinced of his true value to the club.

Kenny Dalglish has indirectly stated that Aquilani does not feature in his Liverpool plans.

AC Milan have shown a genuine interest in the midfielder to replace their talisman Andrea Pirlo. If reports are to be believed then they seem destined to sign him this week.

Good riddance for a player who has failed to live up to expectations but deserves another platform to showcase his undoubted talent.

Written by Mayank Adhye, who blogs at The Musical Escapade and also a Reds supporter.

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Liverpool Coates-ing £8M defender

Liverpool have made an £8million offer for the Uruguay international Sebastián Coates but face competition for his signature as Nacional encourage an auction for the 20-year-old defender.

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owner, has met the Uruguay champions' current valuation of their 6ft 6in centre-half as they look to provide the manager, Kenny Dalglish, with his sixth summer signing.

Nacional this week granted permission to Coates's father, Peter, and agent, Matias Pittini, to discuss the terms of the transfer with Liverpool, who remain firm favourites to sign a player whose profile soared during Uruguay's triumphant Copa América campaign last month. "The offer is very good," Héctor Olmos, Nacional's vice-president, told a radio station on Tuesday. "Coates will surely go to Liverpool."

Nacional, however, are aware of interest from several Premier League teams, including Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as from clubs in Italy, Ukraine and throughout South America, and are attempting to hold out for the highest bidder.

Coates was valued at €3.5million (£3.06million) when talks were held over a proposed move to Porto before the Copa América and Nacional hope City will top Liverpool's bid in the coming days.

Read more: Guardian

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Match Report: Arsenal v Liverpool

Always one of the biggest fixtures of the season and after both teams kicking off the new season with draws last week, there would be an impatience to record their first win. Liverpool go into the game knowing that they have never won at the Emirates Stadium and have not recorded a win against Arsenal away from home for 11 years. But Liverpool have a new confidence and belief encouraged by Dalglish as manager and with all the new summer signings. Arsenal on the other hand are like a club in turmoil, with their talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas leaving for Barcelona last week and an uncertain future regarding star player Nasri, Arsenal have also been decimated by injuries in this new season. Even with all Arsenal's troubles Liverpool know this would be a very difficult match.

THE TEAM

Dalglish made a couple of changes to the side that drew with Sunderland last week, Martin Kelly came in for the unfortunate Flanagan, but more surprisingly was the news that Luis Suarez was to start on the bench with Dirk Kuyt coming back into the side. Even without Suarez starting the match the side still had a lot of attack minded players starting with the likes of Carroll, Kuyt, Downing and Adam being complimented with marauding wingbacks in the shape of Enrique and Kelly.

THE MATCH

Another massive crowd inside this magnificent stadium for the match of the day and Arsenal were the first to threaten in the early stages when Vermaelen headed over from a corner.

The game became a little heated when Frimpong squared up to Henderson resulting in a yellow card for the Arsenal youngster. Arsenal were dealt another injury blow when Koscielny hobbled out of Arsenal's makeshift defence.

Liverpool tried to capitalise as Arsenal regrouped when Carroll had a header from an Enrique cross well saved by Szczesny. Then Henderson failed to convert a Kuyt centre.

Liverpool were shading the play during the first half and Adam went close with an ambitious effort from the centre circle, the ball just going over the crossbar.

It was 30 minutes before Arsenal threatened Reina's goal when Frimpong had an effort well saved by Reina. Then Nasri had a very good run ending up with a shot into the hoardings. Downing had a similar effort at the other end as the half ended.

Liverpool started the second half with Carroll setting up Kelly who shot against the outside of the post. But as the half wore on, Arsenal started to dominate.

Carragher did well to cut out a Walcott cross as Van Persie waited to fire home. Then Adam made a great tackle on Nasri at the edge of the box as Arsenal continued to test Liverpool.
But the game changed in the 70th minute when the reckless Frimpong caught Lucas late with a bad challenge and was sent off for a second yellow card.

Dalglish changed his attack at this point bringing on Suarez and Meireles for Carroll and Kuyt. Liverpool smelled blood now and looked dangerous. Downing went close with a rasping shot being brilliantly saved by Szczesny.

But Liverpool made the breakthrough in the 77th minute in bizarre fashion when Henderson tried to pass a ball through to Suarez but Miquel's clearance ricocheted off Ramsey and into the Arsenal net bringing great joy to the travelling Liverpool support.

Meireles should have made it 2-0 but he shot high. But Liverpool finished the game off in the 90th minute after a triangle of passes between Lucas and Meireles was finished off by Suarez and gave Liverpool a superb victory.

SUMMARY

Well I was as surprised as everyone to see Suarez not starting but Dalglish probably feels he needs a bit more training yet as he did tire last week. I was pleased to see Kuyt come back into the team as his work rate was needed at the Emirates. Liverpool worked superbly as a unit and limited Arsenal to few chances. There was a hint of offside at the goals but we were unlucky with decisions last week so good to see them going for us this week. Great performances from Adam, Enrique, Downing and Kelly, to name a few. But overall a great performance and a confidence boosting result ending an 11 year wait.

Man of the Match -  Enrique - Walcott never got past him all game and he looked dangerous going forward too. Looking like a great signing.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who blogs at The Liverword

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Watch Exeter City v Liverpool FC Live

 V

Carling Cup

Second Round

24 August 2011

KO 19:45

Ground: St James Park, Exeter

Liverpool will head to St. James Park where they will take on League One squad Exeter City in the second round of the Carling Cup.

Liverpool was stunned and embarrassed by League Two squad Northampton Town last year, and they will be looking to make sure that doesn't happen this time around.

The Reds are coming off a victory at Emirates Stadium for the first time in 11 years and appear to have plenty of confidence entering this match.

The match will kick-off at 19:45 UK time, 24 August 2011. Malaysian Reds can catch the match LIVE on Astro SuperSport 3 Channel 817 starting from 2.40AM, 25 August 2011.

Elsewhere, if your country doesn’t restrict it, LIVE STREAMING available from FoxSoccer.tv and also on Sky Sport HD1.

For other part of the regions, please check your local TV subscription for more details.

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Liverpool defender joins Wolfsburg

Liverpool have confirmed that defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos has left the club and joined Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.

The Greek defender made 49 appearances for the Reds, scoring three goals, after signing from AEK Athens in August 2009.

The 32-year-old stopper has signed a two-year contract with Wolfsburg and has been brought in to bolster a backline that has conceded five goals in just two league outings.

Kyrgiakos was impressed by Wolfsburg's Bundesliga title success in the 2008/09 campaign and he is fit, ready and eager to impress under manager Felix Magath.

"Wolfsburg are a good club," he told the club's official website. "The championship in 2009, I'm still fresh in my head.

"I'm here to play - if possible in every game. I'm fit, but the coach decides when and if I get to play."

Magath is hoping Kyrgiakos makes an immediate impact in German football, stating: "Kyrgiakos is a player who will strengthen us immediately.

"He's experienced, knows the Bundesliga and the rhythm and does not need time to adapt."

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Source: Liverpool FC Official, Sky Sport

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Liverpool playmaker on the move again

One Liverpool FC midfielder’s name has been dominating the headlines this summer. With host of Italian Serie A clubs vying for his service, Alberto Aquilani may ends up at AC Milan at the end of the month.

The Italy international midfielder was left out of the Reds’ 18-man squad for Saturday’s 2-0 win at Arsenal and appears to be surplus to requirements at Anfield.

Aquilani’s future has been the subject of intense speculation all summer after his season-long loan spell with Juventus ended.

They opted not to take up their option to buy him and then Aquilani turned down the chance to join Fiorentina on loan.

Aquilani, who cost Liverpool £17million from Roma in 2009, has made it clear if he leaves the Reds again it will be on a permanent basis.

And it now looks like AC Milan are ready to offer him a return to his homeland, although a fee with Liverpool has not yet been agreed.

   “I am close to joining Milan,” Aquilani said.

Aquilani looks set to finalise a loan move to Italian side AC Milan, with a view to the move becoming permanent for £5million next summer.

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Source: Liverpool Echo

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