Carling Cup: Liverpool stormed into the last four

Liverpool cruised into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup courtesy of a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Having found the back of the net in the league meeting less than a fortnight prior, Maxi Rodriguez returned to haunt Chelsea in London, opening the scoring on 58 minutes with the assist once again coming from Craig Bellamy.

Andy Carroll had earlier missed a first-half penalty, but the Reds doubled their advantage four minutes later with Bellamy again the provider as this time his dangerous free-kick was powerfully headed home for a first senior goal by Martin Kelly.

An injury to Lucas Leiva was the only sour note on a night to savour for Liverpool, whose quest to reach a first final since 2007 remains firmly on track.

With the final whistle against Manchester City having been blown just 50 hours earlier, Kenny Dalglish opted to make seven changes to the side he fielded at Anfield on Sunday.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC paid tribute to Gary Speed video.

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Carling Cup: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

Source: FootyTube

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Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City Match Report

The fixtures don’t come any tougher than playing against pace setters Manchester City. City remain unbeaten so far this season going into this match and have been scoring goals for fun in the league. But Liverpool was on a decent run of form too, remaining unbeaten in nine games, and with a superb victory last time out last Sunday at Chelsea.

THE TEAM

Kenny made two changes from the team that won at Chelsea last Sunday with Downing and Henderson coming back into the side at the expense of Bellamy and Maxi. Bellamy was left out due to the tragic news earlier in the day of the death of his friend and international manager Gary Speed. Maxi was just unlucky to be left out especially after scoring at Chelsea.

THE MATCH

This eagerly awaited clash was paled into comparison by the tragic news of the death of the much liked and respected Welsh manager Gary Speed who died earlier in the day at the age of 42. A minutes silence was observed before kick-off in respect of the very talented manager, and also for the passing of Liverpool’s reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones’s son who died last weekend at the age of 5 after losing his battle with leukaemia.

Once the football got started it was City who started the livelier side and in the 6^th minute Richards shot over after a good turn. But then Kompany was booked for a late challenge on Suarez as the City defender let Suarez know that he was in for a tough afternoon.

A slack back pass by Enrique almost cost Liverpool dear as Aguero raced clear only to be thwarted by the alert Reina as he came racing out of his box to block the striker.

But then the visitors took the lead in the 31^st minute when Kompany headed a Silva corner just inside Reina’s far post followed by wild celebrations at the away supporters section of the ground. But their celebrations were short lived when within a minute Adam tried his luck from 30 yards only to see his effort deflect off Lescott and into the net with Hart wrong footed.

This goal galvanised the home side and Adam almost gave them the lead but for a great save from the right foot of Hart as he looked to be going the wrong way. Glen Johnson saw a curling effort just miss the far post as Liverpool looked for a second goal. But City almost scored right on the half-time whistle with a lightning break which ended with Reina making a good save at his near post.

Liverpool started the second half on the front foot and Kuyt was unlucky with a header from a deflected Downing cross. Mancini brought on Balotelli for Nasri as he saw his side starting to struggle, but it was Liverpool who continued to threaten and Hart had to make another terrific save from a bouncing Downing effort. Then Lescott just managed to clear from Kuyt during a goal line scramble.

City were reduced to 10 men for the last 10 minutes when substitute Balotelli saw a second yellow after appearing to elbow Skrtel. Dalglish responded by bringing on Carroll for the remaining minutes as he looked for the win. But City almost stole a winner but for good goalkeeping from Reina allowing defenders to get back on the line to clear the danger through Skrtel.

But then in stoppage time Carroll produced a powerful header which looked goal bound only to thwarted by Joe Hart at full stretch, the rebound fell to Suarez who’s shot was superbly saved again by Hart at his near post, the follow up effort from Downing was blazed over, and City held on for a point in their toughest test so far in the league.

SUMMARY

A superb match by two heavyweights, it was a pity but very understandable that Bellamy was left out for this one, and I believe Downing was brought in for Maxi because Downing has a bit more pace to thwart the danger of Richards marauding forward. City started well and had us under pressure in the early stages and I thought Reina was a bit fortunate when he blocked Aguero after Enrique’s poor pass, it looked like the ball struck his arm. It was great to see us respond so quickly from going behind although it was rather fortunate the way we equalised. But as the game wore on the stronger we got and Adam and Lucas were superb once again, with our defence handling the quality of the City attacking threat very well. Agger and Skrtel played superbly, with Reina making some vital saves. Johnson was a threat going forward and Enrique and Downing linked up to great effect down the left. Kuyt worked his socks off as per usual but Suarez was left a bit isolated at times and given some rough treatment. I was a bit disappointed with Henderson, the game seemed to pass him by. We were a bit unlucky not to win the match as we had the better chances, but I would have taken a draw before the match and I was proud of the performance against a very strong City side.

Man Of The Match – Lucas – his best game yet, he was everywhere, breaking up City attacks, starting attacks, his passing was superb, never gave a ball away and covered every blade of grass.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

R.I.P Gary Speed.

Source: FootyTube

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool pondering £20M move for Brazilian whizkid

January transfer window has been fast approaching, the press rumour mill are starting to warm up again with reports of possible transfer targets from the Premier League’s big-spenders.

As usual, Liverpool are likely to be linked to host of names, and have already been rumoured to be targeting Michel Bastos, Carlos Tevez and Seydou Keita.

Another player Kenny Dalglish is said to be interested in is Sao Paulo’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas, full name Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva. According to reports, the Reds are prepared to offer £20 million for the 19-year-old, who is also a target for Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Is he worth £20 million? After spending so much on recruiting young talents in the last transfer window with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Sebastion Coates and Andy Carroll, Fenway Sports Group shown they are willing to splash out big funds yet again on youngsters with potential.

Let us know what are your thought on Liverpool signing Lucas in the comment box below.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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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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Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool Match Report

With Liverpool stuttering with draws at home and Chelsea’s recent poor form, this match was vital for both teams to get a positive result so they keep in touch with the leading group. Liverpool have had good results against Chelsea in recent years and they managed to do the double over them last season. Dalglish is unbeaten as manager against Chelsea so confidence was good going into the match.

THE TEAM

Kenny made three changes to his side with Bellamy, Kuyt and Maxi making his first league start of the season, Andy Carroll had to settle for a place on the bench alongside summer signings Downing and Jordan Henderson, the fit again Jamie Carragher was also named as a substitute. Former Liverpool favourites Meireles and Torres were also named as substitutes for Chelsea.

THE MATCH

Liverpool started on the attack with Maxi making two good early runs. Chelsea reacted with Mata volleying dangerously across goal. Then Mikel fired over from 25 yards.

Liverpool were looking dangerous on the attack and Bellamy combined well with Suarez but Cech thwarted them. Drogba looked to have scored from a free-kick but the ball rippled the net from behind.

The next chance came when Kuyt dispossessed Terry before Suarez failed to find Bellamy and Maxi at the back post. But then in the 34^th minute Liverpool broke the deadlock when Adam dispossessed Mikel before Bellamy took over, executing a one-two with Suarez before finding Maxi on the edge of the 6 yard box who finished clinically before celebrating in front of the jubilant travelling support.

Liverpool almost made it two when Lucas sent Suarez clear but his attempted cross deflected off Luiz into the side netting.

Liverpool maybe felt they should have had more than a one goal lead after their superb first half performance. Chelsea made one change at the break with Sturridge replacing Mikel.

Chelsea started the second half with intent and Drogba saw an effort bend over. Then Mata danced into the box before Skrtel ushered away the danger. But the game had changed and Liverpool were struggling to get forward now and Chelsea got their reward with the equaliser when Sturridge beat Reina from close range from a scuffed Malouda shot.

Seconds later Reina pulled off the save of the match from a glancing header by Ivanovic. Dalglish brought on Henderson for Bellamy as he tried to strengthen the midfield that was starting to struggle to stem the Chelsea tide.

The change did seem to make a difference although Liverpool were still not threatening the Chelsea goal. Malouda had a great chance in the 75^th minute but he volleyed wide from close range. Then a great run down the right by Henderson ended up with Kuyt firing just wide.

Just as it looked like the match would end a draw, Adam sprayed a pass out to the right to Johnson who skinned Cole before racing into the penalty area and then superbly slotted a left foot shot past the helpless Cech. Liverpool held out for the remaining minutes to record an important win.

SUMMARY

Surprised to see Maxi come back into the side, but what a masterstroke, with the Argentine scoring the first goal. I was also pleased to see Bellamy and Kuyt start the match with their work rate and pace. Liverpool played superb especially in the first half with their pressing game and the way the team continued to work for each other when under pressure in the second half was tremendous. The defence was resilient and Lucas and Adam combined brilliantly in the midfield with Kuyt tireless as ever and Bellamy was always a threat and was brilliant at the first goal. Suarez caused the Chelsea defence all sorts of problems, but overall it was a great team performance and a deserved victory.

Man Of The Match – Adam – best performance this season, passed superbly and worked his socks off, played a crucial part in both goals.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool planning January raid on Swansea winger

Liverpool are believed to be preparing to make a shock bid for Swansea City's Nathan Dyer after the winger's impressive performances in recent weeks caught the attention of manager Kenny Dalglish.

Kenny Dalglish is keen to bring in more width to the right side of his midfield and currently uses the services of Jordan Henderson and Dirk Kuyt to fill that role, neither being a natural selection for the role. The Liverpool boss has scouted Dyer this season and is said to be impressed by the former Southampton man has taken to life in the English top tier.

Liverpool boss is reported to be keen on bringing balance to Liverpool's team with pace and width on the right and he has identified Dyer as the man to offer that.

Dalglish has personally scouted the player already this season and saw him up close when Swansea earned a 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this month.

Dyer was again impressive as the Swans lost narrowly at home to Manchester United on Saturday.

However, Dalglish may have to move quickly if he is to secure his services, with both Everton and Newcastle also said to be keen on making a bid.

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

Source: Metro

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