Video Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Steven Gerrard returned to action but Liverpool were left frustrated as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Boxing Day.

Having rarely threatened in the opening 45 minutes, the visitors took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Charlie Adam turned a corner into his own net to stun the Kop.

However, their joy was short lived as the Reds levelled eight minutes into the second half when Maxi Rodriguez headed Martin Skrtel's cross over the line.

With Liverpool pushing for a winner, Gerrard was summoned from the bench with just over 20 minutes remaining, much to the delight of the Anfield crowd.

However, despite applying heavy pressure to Rovers' goal, the home side were unable to muster a winner and had to settle for a point.

News emerging from the home dressing room ahead of kick-off confirmed the return of Gerrard to the matchday squad, with the No.8 handed a place on the bench for his first first-team involvement since October due to an ankle infection.

Elsewhere, Kenny Dalglish's selection saw Andy Carroll handed a starting berth. The striker replaced Dirk Kuyt in the only change made to the side that had started at Wigan Athletic last week.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Liverpool keen to bring Fernando to Anfield

With the winter transfer window re-opens in just a week away, the playing squad problem faced by Liverpool FC in the second half of the Barclay’s Premier League has been increased as Lucas Leiva out of the season and in-form striker Luis Suarez awaits an eight-match ban.

Liverpool look poised to open talks with FC Porto for the transfer of defensive midfielder Fernando Reges. The Reds recently lost Lucas to injury, depriving boss Kenny Dalglish of his favoured holding midfielder.

Fernando is a non-nonsense holding player who has impressed at Porto for his ability to win the ball and quickly supply it to team-mates – vital in the transition phases of games.

Fernando is highly rated by the Portuguese champions, who would not be keen to lose his services, especially in mid-season.

Fernando is under contract with Porto until 2014 and is believed to have a buyout clause of around €30million.

But Fernando could be the subject of a bidding war between Liverpool FC and Juventus in January. The FC Porto defensive midfielder has been scouted by both clubs and the Italians have submitted a transfer bid recently.

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

Source: Inside Futbol

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool planned ahead of Luis Suarez’ ban

Whether or not Liverpool appeal Luis Suarez’ ban, the Anfield club need a striker and were linked with German international Lukas Podolski. Suarez was hit with an eight-match ban on Wednesday over alleged racist comments that he made towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Director of Football Damien Comolli has earmarked a move for the Polish born German international after seeing Suarez handed an eight-match ban and was already scouting the 26-year-old as Liverpool have been struggling for goals and have been far to dependent on the Uruguayan international.

Podolski has enjoyed the last 18 months since his move from Bayern Munich to the club he played for from age 10 to 21 and has managed a very impressive 14 goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances thus far this season and Comolli will advise Kenny Dalglish to put forward a bid that meets FC Koln’s reported €20milion (£16.6million) valuation.

In spite of the difficulties that new recruits have adapting to the Premier League, Podolski would have no such problems. Podolski can count speed as one of his primary attributes, and he plays in teams that attack the opposition with pace and width, which suits his game perfectly. Many of his goals and assists for FC Koln this season have been lightning quick counter-attacks, while we all know how well he fits into the front three or four that Germany manager Joachim Loew employs. In that sense, he’d adapt very well to the football that Liverpool play.

Liverpool’s owners are willing to fund January additions as they look to secure Champions League football for next term and having forked out over £100million on new signings in 2011 will continue to back Dalglish next month.

Podolski is an adaptable attacker who can also play out wide as well as in his preferred position up front and Liverpool are keen to bring in the hugely experienced attacker who has amassed a hugely impressive 95 international caps, notching up a whopping 43 goals for the German national team in the process.

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

Source: 7M Sports

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Video: Liverpool v Blackburn preview

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Video: Dalglish 'saddened' by Blackburn plight and other Boxing Day preview

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Match Report: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

With a busy festive period starting Liverpool travelled to the DW Stadium to face a Wigan side at the wrong end of the League table. Wigan has a good recent record against Liverpool with two draws in the last couple years at the DW. But Liverpool has good form away from home this season and played well on Sunday away at Aston Villa. Wigan’s last game was a great performance in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend. But with the news of Suarez facing a fine and an 8 match ban for the long running saga with the FA it would be interesting to see if he would play.

THE TEAM

Dalglish did start Suarez for the trip to Wigan and only made two changes to the side which beat Villa last Sunday with Maxi and Kuyt coming into the side replacing Shelvey and Bellamy. So once again Carragher and Andy Caroll had to warm the bench . Gerrard is still recovering from injury but good news that he has started training with the first team again.

THE MATCH

Liverpool players showed their support for their much maligned team mate Luis Suarez when they warmed up in T-shirts with a picture of Suarez on them. The visiting support was very vocal in their support for their hero.

The game started with Liverpool on the attack and Adam had an early chance with a free-kick but he put his effort into the wall. Then Henderson tested Al Habsi with a shot from the edge of the box and it wasn’t until the 12^th minute when Wigan had their first effort Gomez’s close range shot was blocked by Reina after a goal mouth scramble.

The game was becoming more stretched as the half wore on with chances at both ends and it was Maxi next when he volleyed over a Suarez centre. Wigan had the next chance when Diame hit the side netting with a great swerving effort.

Maxi and Downing linked up well before Downing’s cross was hooked towards goal by Kuyt but his effort was blocked by Al Habsi. Then Johnson had a great chance inside the 6 yard box but Al Habsi once again came to Wigan’s rescue with another great save.

Liverpool was creating a lot of chances but Wigan still looked dangerous and Reina to be alert to save another Diame effort. Then Moses made a tremendous run from his own half only to see his resulting shot fisted away by Reina.

With both sides level at the half it was Liverpool who came close early in the second half, but Al Habsi tipped a Suarez free-kick over his bar. Moments later Liverpool was awarded a penalty when Caldwell handled a Suarez overhead kick. Adam blasted his spot kick into the corner only to see Al Habsi make a terrific save at full stretch.

The penalty miss seemed to affect Liverpool as they struggled to create as many chances. Dalglish brought on Shelvey and Bellamy for Kuyt and Maxi to try and change things but it was Wigan that could have snatched a winner late on but Rodallega headed against Johnson. Another frustrating night for Liverpool who had more than enough chances to win this match.

SUMMARY

I was quite surprised to see Suarez start after the week that he has had but it was great to see the vocal support from the fans towards him. Liverpool created some good chances but when you miss such a chance like a penalty then you are going to struggle to score. Wigan had chances too and made it difficult but I thought we did enough to win. Great to see our defence get another clean sheet, but it is worrying the amount of chances we miss. Two home games coming up over the festive period, so hopefully 6 points for Christmas.

Man Of The Match – Skrtel – I thought the big man was superb once again. He is playing really well and a big reason why our defensive record is so good.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Merry Christmas from Red's Fury™ – LFC Fans Blog

May this Christmas end the present year
In a cheerful note and make way
For a fresh and bright new year.
Here’s wishing you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s German star

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has laid down a stark ultimatum to his Germany international midfielder Mesut Ozil that he will be on his way next summer unless there is a marked improvement.

Liverpool are keeping tabs on German international Mesut Ozil after his career at Real Madrid became uncertain.

The German World Cup star has been hit by heavy criticism after his performance in the La Liga defeat to rivals Barcelona.

Damien Comolli will keep an eye on developments and if Real signal they are willing to sell, then the Reds’ director of football will propose a deal.

Liverpool’s hand will be stronger if they qualify for the Champions League, although failure would not rule them out of the running for the 23-year-old.

Real paid Werder Bremen £12.4million for Ozil after he starred in the 2010 World Cup.

At the same time, Madrid is still keen on holding on to Ozil, as they still believe he’s a world-class player, who perhaps needs to get the same patient treatment Karim Benzema got when he struggled during his first year with the Spanish giants.

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

Source: People

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