Premier League: Liverpool 3-0 Wigan

Luis Suarez took his season haul to 13 with a brace as Liverpool recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Barclays Premier League at Anfield.

After an even first half which the Reds edged in chances created, Suarez hit the target just two minutes into the second period and added another within ten minutes before Jose Enrique completed the rout.

Pre-match, the Reds were boosted by the return of goalkeeper Pepe Reina between the posts, while Enrique was rewarded with another opportunity to impress following his positive performance in the draw at Chelsea.

A 2-1 victory here had proved a pivotal success in Wigan's battle for survival last season, but the Latics had no answer to a blistering 20-minute assault from the home side in the second half this time around.

Attacking towards The Kop in the first half, it was Enrique who struck the first shot in anger after retrieving possession in Wigan territory. The attempt was always wide of Ali Al Habsi's goal, though.

An exquisite piece of individual play followed, with Suso making the most of the freedom being offered by a central berth behind Suarez. The Spaniard rolled his man and glided past two more but was blocked when trying to unleash from the edge of the area.

Full report: Official LFC

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Match Highlights: Liverpool 1-0 Reading

Raheem Sterling fired Liverpool to their first home win of the 2012-13 league campaign as Reading were beaten 1-0.

The 17-year-old scored his first competitive goal for the club to give Brendan Rodgers a league victory at Anfield at the fifth attempt.

The result elevates the Reds into mid-table with eight games played as they prepare for tough fixtures against Everton, Newcastle and Chelsea.

The only change for Liverpool from their goalless draw with Stoke was an enforced one, Brad Jones replacing the injured Pepe Reina to make his first Barclays Premier League start for the Reds.

The hosts were quick to establish their dominance against a side that had conceded 14 goals in seven games heading to Anfield.

Nuri Sahin attempted a dipping effort from the angle of the box on the quarter-hour mark and Sterling bent one from 20 yards, though goalkeeper Alex McCarthy wasn't overly troubled by either.

Jones, a spectator for most of the first half, collected a cross and bowled quickly into midfield, where Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard seized possession before dispatching Sterling down the left. The 17-year-old might have had too much time to ponder, for his decision to stall and try to beat a man led only to a goal kick.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

Source: FootyTube

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Match Highlights: Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool

Luis Suarez's strike secured a point for Liverpool as they played out a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening.

Steven Fletcher gave the home side the lead on 29 minutes against the run of play, tapping home from close range after a run and right-wing cross from Craig Gardner.

Glen Johnson smacked the crossbar in the early stages of the second half as the Reds sought a deserved equaliser.

And the leveller did finally arrive on 71 minutes, with Suarez firing beyond Simon Mignolet after Raheem Sterling's cross had caused panic in the Sunderland box.

The Reds dominated the final stages as they went in search of a winner, but the sustained spell of pressure couldn't yield another goal and they were forced to settle for a point.

The release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report on Wednesday made for a momentous week on Merseyside as the 23-year quest for justice took a huge step forward.

Prior to kick off, Liverpool's players took to the field with the number 96 printed on the back of their anthem jackets in tribute to those who lost their lives in the disaster, as well as the families, survivors and fans who have campaigned for so long.

Sunderland too showed their support by flying the flags at the Stadium of Light at half-mast in light of events this week, while they also paid their respects with a message displayed on the two big screens inside the ground as the game got underway.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

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Match Report: Liverpool FC 2-2 Manchester City

A stunning free-kick from Luis Suarez helped earn Liverpool a point against champions Manchester City as the Reds drew 2-2 in their first home game of the 2012-13 Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Uruguayan curled low and hard past Joe Hart in the 66th minute to restore the Reds' lead after Yaya Toure had cancelled out a towering Martin Skrtel header.

However, Carlos Tevez cut out a Skrtel pass with 10 minutes remaining and rounded Pepe Reina to clinch a point for the visitors.

Steven Gerrard set the tone for a boisterous Anfield occasion when he surged into the penalty area and smashed a Suarez lay-off wide of Hart's post after just 30 seconds of play.

The ground was rocking but it was soon to be dealt a sobering blow when Lucas Leiva pulled up in pain and dragged his shirt over his head in frustration. Jonjo Shelvey was on his feet in a matter of seconds and the switch was made.

There was scarcely a moment to dwell on such a loss as an almighty roar went up from the Kop when Raheem Sterling, making his full league debut, killed the ball with one touch and sped towards goal.

Borini looked to slip it back to him but Pablo Zabaleta appeared to block it with his hand. No penalty given.

The Reds looked lively and hungry for a goal. At the heart of their midfield, Joe Allen was neat and industrious. The 22-year-old broke down City moves all over the park; muscling players off the ball, cutting out passes and putting his foot in.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

Video source: FootyTube

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Video: Rodgers on City and Mancini on Liverpool

LIVERPOOL v MAN CITY

Venue: Anfield

Kick-off: 4PM

 

  

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The Redmen TV on Nuri Sahin loan move to Liverpool

Liverpool Football Club have today completed the signing of Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old passed a medical at Melwood before putting pen to paper on a deal that will see him spend the 2012-13 campaign with the Reds.

 

Profile:

Nuri Sahin was born to Turkish parents in the German town of Ludenscheid and joined Borussia Dortmund's youth academy as a 12-year-old after being spotted playing for RSV Meinerzhagen.

His early football career was punctuated by a series of records and achievements which began at the U17 Championships in Italy, where his flourishing contribution for Turkey was acknowledged with the Player of the Tournament award.

Sahin was then instrumental once more as the Turks clinched a fourth-place finish at the U17 World Cup in Peru, where he won the bronze ball behind Premier League stars-to-be Carlos Vela of Mexico and the Brazilian Anderson.

Domestically, he became the youngest-ever Bundesliga debutant aged 16 years and 354 days when he got his first run-out for Dortmund in August 2005.

The same month, Sahin made his full international debut for Turkey - turning down the opportunity to play for the country where he was born and raised, Germany.

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Liverpool set to complete the loan move for Turkish midfielder

Liverpool expect to follow victory over Hearts in the Europa League play-off first leg with the signing of Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid. Brendan Rodgers is in pole position to land the long-time Arsenal target and could complete a season-long loan for the coveted Turkey international on Friday.

Sahin is due to arrive on Merseyside for a medical before Liverpool's game against Manchester City on Sunday and would represent a major coup for Rodgers as he attempts to improve his midfield, having spent his allocated transfer budget on Joe Allen and Fabio Borini.

Official club statement today revealed Rodgers will be expecting to discover in the next 24 hours whether Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin will join Liverpool on loan.

Rodgers said: "Hopefully in the next 24 hours we will get some confirmation on that. It's quite far along. He's a very good footballer."

According to source, Liverpool have offered to pay more of Sahin's £120,000-a-week wage at Real than Arsenal have. They have also been helped by Rodgers' relationship with his former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho, and the Spanish champions' reluctance to loan the German-born player to a club in the Champions League.

Source: Official Liverpool FC

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Liverpool to hijack Arsenal’s deal

Liverpool without the financial muscle to sign player on a permanent basis will be relying on one or two loan deal this summer.

Reports on Monday claimed that Nuri Sahin was set to be announced as an Arsenal player but Madrid said the reports were false as the Turkish midfielder attended training in the Spanish capital.

Now, it is reported that both Real Madrid and Arsenal are failing to agree terms as the Gunners are unwilling to accept a loan deal and were pushing for a permanent deal.

This has prompted reports in Spain that Sahin’s agent Reza Fazeli has met with senior Liverpool officials in an attempt to revive the possibility of a loan move to Anfield.

It is understood that Liverpool withdrew their interest in signing the former Borussia Dortmund player last Saturday after learning that he wanted to join Arsenal.

It is uncertain whether Real are willing to sanction the permanent sale of Sahin even though Jose Mourinho has made it clear that the player will benefit from a season in the Premier League.

Sahin would strengthen the midfield options of Wenger, who sanctioned the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona for £15 million on Monday and is also likely to be without Jack Wilshere for the first three months of the season through injury.

We know how Wenger deal in the transfer market – buy cheap, gain profit later. He will not pay over the odds to get his players.

Mourinho and Rodgers has a good relationship back at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool could use Rodgers’ influence to scupper Arsenal’s deal.

We’ll soon find out where Nuri Sahin will play his football this weekend.

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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