Match Preview: Liverpool v Sevilla

The Reds will return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Sevilla at Anfield.

Liverpool held by Sevilla in Champions League opener

Liverpool began their Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Anfield on Wednesday.

Match Day: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday.

Goal Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool is keen to make up for the frustration of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.

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Monday, February 13, 2012

Suarez v Evra: Ferguson loving every bit of it

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Luis Suarez that he isn’t fit to wear the Liverpool shirt.

The Uruguayan striker again ­controversially clashed with Patrice Evra on Saturday.

Suarez, just back from an eight-game ban for racially abusing the ­Manchester United captain at Anfield in October, sparked a pre-match row when he ­refused to shake Evra’s hand.

And despite seeing Wayne Rooney score twice to take United to the top of the Premier League, Ferguson was in no mood to pull his punches when asked about the Uruguayan’s conduct.

“Suarez is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club,” said Ferguson. “That player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. The history that club has got ... and he does that today.

“It could have caused a riot. I was ­really disappointed in that guy. For a club with their history, I’d get rid of him, I really would.

“Liverpool have a player banned for eight matches and they’ve tried to blame Patrice Evra. It’s him (Suarez) they should be bloody blaming. He could have cost them a European place.

“I had a chat with Patrice this morning and he said, ‘I’m going to shake his hand. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m going to keep my dignity.’ I couldn’t believe it when Suarez refused to shake his hand.” Liverpool boss Kenny ­Dalglish has been widely criticised for attempting to defend Suarez.

Dalglish decided against attending the usual post-match press conference, but reacted angrily when asked about Suarez’s snub to Evra on television.

Suarez claimed that the racial slurs he aimed at Evra in October were down to cultural differences.

And Dalglish once again seemed to indicate that he felt the 25-year-old had been misunderstood.

He raged: “I didn’t know that Luis ­refused to shake Evra’s hand. I’ll have to take your word for it. I didn’t see it. I wasn’t out there. But it’s contrary to what I was told.

“I think you are very severe and bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened out there...Listen, we’re not in it for ­handshakes.”

The FA last night indicated that they would wait for the report of referee Phil Dowd before deciding whether to act.

Evra embarked on an ill-conceived lap of honour at the final whistle that took him perilously close to Suarez.

Before the game, Greater Manchester Police confiscated thousands of copies of the Red Issue fanzine because it ­carried a mocked-up picture of the ­Suarez wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

And as the Liverpool squad left Old Trafford, forward Craig Bellamy ­became embroiled in an ugly row with United’s head of security.

Later, United defender Rio Ferdinand admitted he refused to shake Suarez’s hand because of the snub to Evra, saying: “If he’s not got the respect that you need to have in these situations, and acknowledge that you’ve made a mistake and say sorry and move on, well I lost all respect for the guy after that.”

Source: Mirror

A human being has every right not to shakes his accuser’s or a liar’s hand, no matter what crime it involved. Wrongfully penalised by a man’s word against another, is that fair? Luis Suarez served his suspension for the accusation by the English FA, so that’s the end of it.

Excuse him for feeling a little aggrieved. The only thing is that if Dalglish and Suarez has had a talk about shaking hands and he said he would, I would have liked him to. Glad he has apologized for that and so has the club. Glad because that at least puts a temporary stop to all the vile written against him although I wouldn’t bet on it. Some rags are already on the ‘Luis to be sold this summer’ bandwagon.

Who the hell is Sir Alex Ferguson? A manager who bred and lead many love-rats, thugs and drug addicts in his Manchester squad, came out all guns blazing over a handshakes incident. If any Mancs reading this, do you remember the Cantona’s kung-fu kick on Crystal Palace’s fan? Or Keano career ending tackle on Alf Inge Haaland? Ferdinand was banned for 9 months for missing a routine drug test? Two love-rats still running on the pitch in disguise as Rooney and Giggs?

As far as I’m concern, the Premier League title still haven’t being won by any team in February. What is Evra celebrating for after the match? Isn’t that a riot act from a Manchester United player?

When football has becomes too political, it not just tarnished the reputation of Liverpool FC in general but the English FA itself in taking matters into their own hands are like taking a gun and shoot itself on the foot. I’d loved to see what are the FA going to do next? If Evra doesn’t get banned for his action, then your thoughts and mine would be most likely be the same – the system has been too corrupted and has political agendas written all over it.

Leave your thoughts on the comment box below.

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Video Highlights: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Match Preview: Manchester United v Liverpool

Team news

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Tom Cleverley will be involved in some capacity this weekend.

The midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle injury since October, but he is expected to make the bench on Saturday.

Chris Smalling is also back in contention, but Nani (ankle), Anders Lindegaard (ankle), Nemanja Vidic (knee) and Michael Owen (thigh) miss out.

The game comes too soon for Phil Jones, but Ferguson is hoping to welcome him back into his plans for United's Europa League tie with Ajax.

Liverpool have no fresh injury or suspension concerns to contend with heading into the game.

Suarez was named on the bench for the goalless draw with Tottenham and Dalglish must decide whether to keep him out of the spotlight or return him to his starting XI.

Spanish full-back Jose Enrique is hoping to return to the Reds fold at Old Trafford and he will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness following a hamstring injury.

Lucas Leiva remains the only long-term absentee in the Anfield camp.

Match notes

Of all the barbs and negativity that have passed between Manchester United and Liverpool in recent months, Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that this encounter is a meeting between a team challenging for the title and one challenging for fourth will hurt Liverpudlians more than anything that has gone on since Patrice Evra reported Luis Suárez for racist abuse last October.

Football is the central issue for both clubs, but until Liverpool meet United as title rivals rather than also-rans, the sense of grievance will linger on Merseyside.

football formations

Red's Fury™ Prediction: MU 1-1 LIVERPOOL

Video Preview: Manchester United v Liverpool

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More to follow. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Anfield Cat aka @AnfieldCat becomes Twitter sensation

The cat that wandered onto the pitch during Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham has already drawn some 36,000 followers on a Twitter account.

Anfield Cat The grey and white tabby ran onto the field 11 minutes into the first half of the match at Anfield football stadium in Liverpool. It scampered toward Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel's goal and past Kop manager Kenny Dalglish before being scooped up by a steward and carried off the pitch.

Shortly after the cat's one-minute appearance on the pitch, though, a Twitter profile, @AnfieldCat, sprang up, and attracted thousands of followers.

The account, which claims to be the "official twitter of me, the Anfield Cat", so far includes tweets such as, “just had villas boas on the phone asking me to teach fernando torres how to get in the box,” “was scratching at the shankly gates all night last night, back inside now and working on my ball control with @Dirk_18_Kuyt,” “fernando torres reportedly jealous I got a bigger cheer than he has all season,” and “milk is so expensive at football stadiums, it’s an epic swindle.”

Source: @AnfieldCat

Match Report: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

A big match for both teams with Spurs still in the hunt for the league title and Liverpool are in the chase for a top four spot. Spurs humbled Liverpool earlier in the season, when they won 4-0, with Liverpool finishing the match with only nine players. But Liverpool has been on a good run of form recently and they would be looking to gain revenge at Anfield. Liverpool supporters were buoyed with anticipation of the return of Luis Suarez after serving his ban.

The Team

The big team news of the night was that Suarez would start the game on the bench as Dalglish started with Carroll, Kuyt and Bellamy as an attacking threat. Dalglish had to make a defensive change with Enrique having a slight injury, so Johnson was deployed at left back and Martin Kelly slotted in at right back. Jay Spearing accompanied Adam and Gerrard in midfield. Spurs had a few players missing but their biggest loss was manager Redknapp who was stranded in London as his plane was grounded due to fog.

The Match

Liverpool started brightly and almost took the lead when Gerrard played in Carroll, but Dawson slid in with a terrific last ditch tackle that left the Kop shouting for a penalty. Minutes later Gerrard blasted a free-kick into a defensive wall after Johnson had been fouled.

The game was briefly interrupted when a stray cat entered the field of play in what was one of the highlights of the first half as chances were few. Liverpool had the majority of the possession as they looked for the opening goal and Spearing came close with a 25 yard rocket which went inches wide. Glen Johnson had a shot saved by the legs of Friedel as he tried his luck.

The second half continued in the same theme as the first with chances few. Bale drilled a low shot early before receiving a booking for shoving Agger in the chest. Spurs looked to frustrate Liverpool as the half ticked on and they began to sit very deep as Liverpool probed for an opening.

Kelly had a shot from the edge of the box well saved before Dalglish sent on Suarez with 30 minutes to go resulting in an ovation from the Kop. Chances remained few as the visitors “parked the bus”. Andy Carroll shot over after getting on the end of a dangerous cross from Kelly.

Spurs almost stole the 3 points when Bale beat the offside trap to go one on one with Reina, but Reina stood firm and blocked Bale’s effort before the Liverpool defence hacked clear. Moments later Gerrard picked out Suarez, but the striker could only head straight at Friedel. The game ended 0-0 and another frustrating draw for Liverpool.

Summary

Dalglish put out a very strong team and I suppose it was to be expected that Suarez would start on the bench. It was a fiercely contested match with both teams cancelling each other out and both working very hard to put their opponents under pressure. Andy Carroll played well once again and caused problems to the Spurs defence. Liverpool had good spells of possession, but the final ball was poor far too often. Liverpool nullified the attacking threat of Spurs and danger man Bale only really had that one chance at the end. Liverpool didn’t create enough chances to win the match and it was disappointing to only draw, but credit to Spurs they defended superbly.

Man Of The Match – Skrtel – another solid performance with some crunching tackles.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Video Highlights: Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only. Red's Fury™ does not host or upload this material and is not responsible for the content.

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Match Preview: Liverpool v Tottenham

Kenny Dalglish has admitted that he still has not forgotten about Liverpool's 4-0 hammering by Tottenham earlier in the season.

The loss at White Hart Lane remains the heaviest the Reds have suffered since the Scot returned for his second spell in charge of the club, just over a year ago.

Liverpool will be looking for revenge when they welcome Tottenham to Anfield on Monday night, and Dalglish says that plenty of lessons were learned by their thrashing in north London in September.

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Team News

Striker Luis Suárez returns from an eight-match suspension and will go straight back into the squad to face Tottenham at Anfield on Monday.

The Uruguay international has not played since Boxing Day and is likely to be given a place among the substitutes.

Captain Steven Gerrard is also back having been rested for the midweek win at Wolves.

New signing Louis Saha could make his Tottenham debut at Liverpool. Jermain Defoe is unlikely to play, Rafael van der Vaart is struggling with a calf problem and Emmanuel Adebayor hobbled off during Tuesday's win over Wigan with a hamstring complaint.

Aaron Lennon is extremely doubtful, William Gallas and Tom Huddlestone are unavailable, but Kyle Walker (groin) and Ledley King should be fit.

football formations

Match Notes

There was once a time Tottenham needn't have bothered to turn up at Anfield. All they ever left with was a match programme. Times have changed. In a battle of two pure footballing teams, Spurs now outpass and outpace the Merseysiders. They've embarrassed Kenny Dalglish twice since he took over, most notably with an emphatic 4-0 at White Hart Lane. The return of Luis Suarez could make this unmissable entertainment.

Red's Fury™ Prediction: Liverpool 2 Tottenham 1

Liverpool go into Monday’s clash in seventh place in the Barclays Premier League, 11 points behind third-place Tottenham.

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