Match Report: Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

After the tremendous result in Manchester midweek in the Carling Cup, it was back to league business at Anfield against Stoke City. Stoke City would be a difficult team to beat, and on a four match unbeaten run. Liverpool has found it tough this season at home drawing six matches at home. So a win was very important if Liverpool were to keep in the race for a top four place.

THE TEAM

Liverpool made five changes to the team that faced Manchester City in the Carling Cup last Wednesday, with Carragher and Coates teaming up with Skrtel in a three man central defence. Kuyt came back into the team as a lone striker in place of Andy Carroll with Dalglish going for a pretty defensive looking 3-4-2-1 formation.

THE MATCH

Liverpool started the match brightly and almost took the lead in the 10^th minute when a Gerrard drilled corner was almost knocked in by Adam, but the Scot couldn’t divert the ball home. Liverpool continued to dominate the early proceedings without creating many chances but in the 24^th minute a Stoke counter-attack resulted in Etherington drilling a shot straight at Reina from the edge of the box.

But it was constant Liverpool possession as Stoke aimed to frustrate the home side, but Skrtel almost opened the defence with a pass across the face of goal which Adam was inches from. Downing had a good run cutting in from the right but he shot just over the bar. Liverpool continued to struggle to create chances in the first half as Stoke remained resolute.

The second half started with Liverpool trying to raise the tempo and rattle Stoke and Johnson had a good effort brilliantly blocked by Huth. But for all their pressure, Liverpool were sustaining, they still struggled to create chances. Dalglish decided to bring on Andy Carroll for Downing in the 58^th minute as Liverpool looked to break the deadlock.

Henderson had a back post volley blocked and Carroll crashed to the ground under a challenge from Shawcross at a corner kick as Liverpool looked for a penalty, but Howard Webb waved the appeals away. Then in the 77^th minute a deflected Enrique cross was headed wide from six yards out by Dirk Kuyt. Moments later Kuyt headed a deep Bellamy cross into the side netting. Liverpool remained frustrated by Stoke and with time running out Skrtel’s downward header bounced over the bar and Stoke managed to hold out for a point and leave Liverpool frustrated once again at home.

SUMMARY

I was very surprised with Kenny’s team selection, it looked far too defensive for me with three centre backs and Kuyt playing as a lone striker at home. Gerrard seemed to be playing too deep all game too as he couldn’t get into position to whip his trademark crosses in. Kuyt lacked support as we never got enough men in the box. But there was a lack of tempo from the start which suited Stoke. Stoke made it difficult but we didn’t help ourselves with the tactics. A couple of shouts for penalties but we should be creating more chances. Disappointed with Carroll, he came on and complained to the referee and went down far too easily instead of using his frame and knocking those defenders into next week. A very frustrating day.

Man Of The Match – Martin Skrtel – Another great match from the big man, and he tried his best in attack too. Unlucky with his header.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Rumour Mill: Spanish striker back on Liverpool radar

Liverpool are continuing their hunt for firepower – with Spain striker Fernando Llorente a possible target.

Kop boss Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli continue to monitor several options. They are also keeping tabs on other hitmen including Newcastle's Demba Ba but 26-year-old Llorente who would cost at least £20m, is also on their radar after some fine displays for Athletico Bilbao and Spain.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and Maxi Rodriguez have also praised Llorente's performances in La Liga this term to Liverpool's hierarchy.

A move for Serbian wonderkid Lazar Markovic is looking unlikely after his club Partizan Belgrade slapped a £14m price on his head.

People Sport revealed last week that the 17-year-old was a target - but Dalglish will not fork out that kind of cash.

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: Sunday People

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City

Liverpool were left frustrated after they were held to a goalless draw by Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Despite dominating possession for the majority of the contest, the Reds were unable to break down a resolute Potters rearguard.

Dirk Kuyt missed the best opportunity to break the deadlock with just over 10 minutes remaining when he headed wide from a good position, meaning the points were to be shared between the two sides.

Kenny Dalglish made five changes to the side that began against Manchester City in midweek, with Jamie Carragher returning to the starting XI to join Sebastian Coates and Martin Skrtel in a three-man central defence.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Match Report: Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

Liverpool returned to Manchester little more than a week after being humbled by the League leaders for the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at the Etihad Stadium. Since the defeat last week Liverpool despatched Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup, while City lost at home to neighbours Manchester United in the FA Cup. Liverpool knew that a similar 3-0 score line would be disastrous in their quest to reach the new Wembley for the first time.

The Team

Dalglish brought Agger, Johnson, Skrtel, Henderson, Downing and Andy Carroll back into the side, from the side that beat Oldham last Friday night. Gerrard started his second match in a row after his return from injury. A slight surprise to Dalglish’s team selection was the omission of Jose Enrique, with Glen Johnson switching over to the left of defence with Martin Kelly starting at right back. Craig Bellamy also started against his old team after his good recent run of form.

The Match

A travelling support of 6,000 Kopites were buoyed by a bright start by the away side as they took the game to the hosts, and inside 5 minutes Andy Carroll was sent clear by Downing, but the big striker’s effort was brilliantly blocked by Joe Hart. Moments later Hart had to be at his best again, as he saved a curling Gerrard effort from outside the box. From the resulting corner, Gerrard’s cross found Downing on the edge of the box and his deflected volley was superbly saved by Hart once again.

Then in the 13^th minute Agger was fouled in the box by Savic, resulting in referee Mason to point to the spot. Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, shooting low into the bottom corner past the despairing dive from Hart. It was no more than Liverpool deserved as they continued to dominate.

But Liverpool were dealt a blow when Jay Spearing pulled up with an injury in the 23^rd minute, Charlie Adam replaced the midfielder. The change never changed the pattern of play as Liverpool continued to have more of the ball. Andy Carroll had Joe Hart worried with a headed effort that just missed the target after a good cross by Kelly.

The ineffective Balotelli was replaced before the break by Nasri, and it was the substitute that had City’s first real effort on goal just before half-time as his wicked shot forced Reina into a very good save diving low to his left to parry. Then shortly after Richards raced past Johnson before cutting the ball back to Milner, but he failed to hit the target ensuring Liverpool would hold a slender lead at the break.

As expected City came out with intent on getting back into this tie and they forced Liverpool into their own half as they struggled to hold possession. Martin Skrtel had to produce a very good tackle to thwart Aguero as the pressure mounted and then the hosts’ were almost gifted an equaliser when Kelly’s pass back went straight to Aguero, but Pepe Reina did enough to force the striker wide and forcing him to shoot over. Then Reina made a brilliant point blank save from a powerful Richards’ header as the visitors tried to hold onto their advantage.

Dalglish made defensive substitutions as he hoped to hold onto Liverpool’s slender lead, with Enrique and Carragher coming on for Downing and Bellamy. Liverpool defended stubbornly for the remainder of the match with a late Aguero header being the closest City came to drawing level. So Liverpool held on for a 1-0 advantage as they head back to Anfield for the second leg in a fortnight.

Summary

As expected Dalglish fielded a very strong side, although I was surprised to see Johnson play left back instead of Enrique. Liverpool started the match superbly and took the game to City and could have been a couple of goals up before they took the lead. No doubt about the penalty, a stone-waller, with Gerrard as cool as you like with the finish. Liverpool passed the ball very well in the first half and had to be resolute defensively in the second half as City upped their game. Although City had most of the ball in the second half, Liverpool limited them to very few chances, the Reina save from Richards’s header being the nearest they came. Dalglish made a couple of very defensive substitutions which I wasn’t keen on, but his tactics worked and to come away with a 1-0 lead away from home is a superb result. Johnson was a bit lucky to stay on the field at the end with a two footed tackle, but I thought it was ok the first time I saw it, but it looked pretty bad in slow motion. But you can tell when a bad tackle has been made by the reaction of the players, and there was none. Nothing can take away from the superb result and performance.

Man Of The Match – Johnson – played brilliantly in an unorthodox role on the left. Defended brilliantly and looked dangerous going forward.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Poll: Is Glen Johnson tackle merit a red card?

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was involved in an angry tunnel exchange with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after his side's 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final first-leg defeat.

The pair clashed twice with Gerrard annoyed at Mancini's response to a Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott.

Mancini criticised the two-footed tackle by Liverpool defender Johnson that was similar to Vincent Kompany's challenge on Nani in the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United.

Before the match Mancini had voiced his displeasure at Kompany's four-match ban.

Steven Gerrard rejected Mancini's criticisms and compared the incident to when Mancini had insisted Wayne Rooney was to blame for Kompany's red card in Sunday's Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish maintained he had not seen the incident.

Is this a red card?

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Carling Cup Semi-final First-Leg: Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool took a big step towards the Carling Cup final after they recorded a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the semi-final, first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard capped a strong opening to the game from the Reds by scoring a 13^th minute penalty after Daniel Agger had been brought down inside the box.

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Match Report: Liverpool 5-1 Oldham Athletic

Liverpool started their quest for a return to the new Wembley in the FA Cup with a home draw against Oldham Athletic. The fixture was shifted to the Friday night because Everton were also playing at home on the Saturday this weekend. A minute’s applause was held before the match in memory for former Liverpool player Gary Ablett who sadly passed away on New Year’s night after a long illness.

THE TEAM

As expected Dalglish made a few changes to the side that lost to Manchester City last Tuesday. The major team news was that Gerrard was making his first start since October. Martin Kelly, Coates, Carragher and Aurelio were the defence in front of Reina, with Gerrard partnering Spearing in the middle of midfield, Maxi, Spearing, Bellamy and Kuyt made up the rest of a strong looking side.

THE MATCH

Oldham started the match brightly but it was Liverpool who almost took the lead in the 5^th minute when Kuyt headed a Bellamy cross wide. But Oldham reacted to this scare with Shefki Kuqi shooting into the side netting after powering past Coates and Carragher.

With Oldham causing Liverpool a few problems, Adeyemi headed a Simpson corner over as Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm. Then Simpson stabbed an effort wide after a good move. But Oldham deservedly took the lead when Simpson turned and lashed an effort from 25 yards into the top corner of Reina’s net with the Spaniard well beat.

With a shock looking on the cards, Liverpool responded within two minutes when Shelvey’s shot was deflected by Bellamy into the Oldham net making the score level. Liverpool were aroused by their goal and Cisak made a good save from close range from Maxi. But Liverpool took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Maxi was bundled by Adeyemi , resulting in a penalty. Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead at the half.

The second half continued in the same theme with end to end action and chances at both ends. But as the game wore on Liverpool started to dominate more and they got the killer third goal in the 68^th minute, when Bellamy’s cross was hooked home from close range by Shelvey. With the game won Dalglish brought on Carroll and Downing for the last few minutes and both players capped a fine night for the home side with Carroll scoring first, before Downing netted his first goal for Liverpool in stoppage time.

SUMMARY

A much changed side for Liverpool with many players short of first team action and it showed in the first half with Oldham causing us a few problems. But after we got the quick equaliser we looked a better side although we took a while to end the game as a contest. Great to see Gerrard start and he grew into the game. Great to see us score a few goals at home and see Carroll and Downing score, this will do wonders for their confidence. Overall a great win and now we can look forward to a home draw against Manchester United, bring it on.

Man Of The Match - Bellamy- dangerous all night, caused so many problems with his pace and industry. Superb performance.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool to sign £10M-rated Senegal forward

Amid the Luis Suarez saga, Liverpool has been shortage of fire-power upfront for the next six matches. Report of Darren Bent has been signed for Liverpool still dominating the internet rumour mills.

But there is a new twist and Liverpool has been monitoring the progress of Newcastle’s striker, Demba Ba after it was claimed the Senegal striker has a £10million release clause in his contract.

A £10million bid is needed to allow the Premier League’s in-form striker to speak to other clubs.

Newcastle chiefs were hoping the contract detail would not become public and they now expect top clubs to consider making offers.

However, any transfer will have to wait until the end of the season, as he will be away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Newcastle sources insist the player is happy on Tyneside and Pardew has refused to discuss the possibility of him leaving.

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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