Liverpool striker suspended from Newcastle match

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has been suspended for one match and fined £20,000 by the Football Association, after admitting a charge of improper conduct for his behaviour towards Fulham fans on December 5.

The Uruguayan striker, already facing an eight‑game ban subject to Liverpool appealing against the verdict of the FA’s tribunal on the Patrice Evra racial abuse case, has also been warned over his future conduct.

Liverpool, who picked up an additional FA fine of £20,000 for failing to control their players in the same Craven Cottage match in which Jay Spearing was dismissed, have decided to accept both punishments and will not be contesting either decision. The club admitted the charge of failing to ensure their players behaved in an orderly fashion but initially contested the financial penalty until an independent regulatory commission ruled it was applicable.

Suárez admitted the charge against him, as did the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, once photographic evidence was made available, and sources within the club say the intention now is to move on from this relatively minor matter and await the FA commission's detailed report into the Evra incident. Liverpool will almost certainly launch an appeal against the eight‑match suspension once the commission's findings have been made public. The FA are in the process of making a detailed report available, and once Liverpool have been made aware of the exact case against their player and reasons for finding him guilty they have a further fortnight to make up their minds about an appeal.

Suárez, Liverpool's leading scorer this season, has been in England almost a year and has never served a suspension in this country, though just before leaving Holland for Merseyside he was given a seven-match ban for biting an opponent while playing for Ajax. At Fulham he was apparently upset by sections of the home crowd accusing him of cheating by going to ground too easily. Dalglish has never attempted to defend his gesture, though he did use a DVD of the same game to support his view that Liverpool players were not getting a fair crack of the whip from referees.

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: Guardian

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Match Report: Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

With Liverpool drawing at Wigan through the week in a match the felt they should have won, it was back to Anfield for two home games in a week. A home banker on most peoples coupons with Blackburn in so much trouble at the wrong end of the table and decimated with injuries for this match not helping their cause. Liverpool looking to improve their home form with five draws at Anfield this season.

THE TEAM

Kenny made one change to the side that drew with Wigan with Andy Carroll replacing Dirk Kuyt. Great news for the home support was the name of Gerrard included as a substitute. Maxi once again started on the left for Liverpool with Downing on the right and Adam and Henderson in the middle with the formidable defence remaining unchanged with Carragher once again having to play patience.

THE MATCH

Not surprisingly Liverpool started the match attacking and Suarez went close with a free-kick in only the second minute before Adam brought out a save from Bunn. But apart from a few set-pieces it was a rather low key start to the match.

In the 19^th minute Suarez fired a shot into the side netting from an acute angle before curling an effort wide from inside the box as Liverpool struggled to break down the Blackburn defence. The best chance of the first half came from an Enrique cross which fell to Carroll inside the six yard box but his prodded effort was superbly saved by Bunn.

Enrique and Downing were making good runs down either flank but the strikers were not getting on enough of their crosses. Carroll had the ball in the net in the half hour mark but it was ruled out for offside, then Maxi was brought down by Bunn and Liverpool thought they had won a penalty but the referee’s assistant once again saved Blackburn.

Then right on the stroke of half-time Liverpool were stunned when Charlie Adam diverted a Pedersen corner kick past Reina at the near post.

Liverpool came out for the second half looking sharper and moving the ball around quicker as they set about getting back into the match. After some sustained pressure they deservedly drew level when Maxi headed past Bunn from close range from a Skrtel lofted cross.

The home support was aroused from their slumber with the goal and roared their side on for more goals. Suarez and Carroll went close with aerial efforts as the pressure mounted on the visitors. Then Dalglish brought on Gerrard for Adam with 20 minutes remaining to try and inspire his troops and his first touch almost created a goal when his free-kick was headed by Maxi.

Then Suarez wasted a header off target from a Johnson cross. Blackburn almost stole it when Dunn danced into the Liverpool box but he lost his footing at the vital moment. The chances kept coming and going for Liverpool as they remained frustrated and in the final seconds Carroll prodded an effort from close range but Bunn made an unbelievable save and then from the resulting corner Skrtel’s header was cleared off the line as time ran out.

SUMMARY

Once again I was left frustrated with the amount of missed chances. I was pleased to see Carroll starting and was hoping he would score but things are not going his way. He was very unlucky not to score. But we started off a bit lethargic in the first half as we never created enough chances, but the second half was far better and we should have won the match. Adam made a very poor mistake for the Blackburn goal and his passing was a bit off today. I thought Maxi, Downing, Enrique and Johnson made great efforts to get down the flanks, just not enough support in the box to meet their crosses. Surely we are due to hammer somebody soon but at least we are still in the running for a top four place so hopefully our form will pick up soon. Great to see Gerrard back and he looked pretty sharp to me, oozes class.

Man Of The Match- Enrique – it had to be one of the wide players and Enrique just edges it for me another superb performance.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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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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