NEWS STORY : DEGEN MAKES COMEBACK AS RESERVES DRAW

NEWS STORY : DEGEN MAKES COMEBACK AS RESERVES DRAW
Jimmy Rice in Altrincham 29 January 2009



Liverpool Reserves were held to a goalless draw by arch-rivals Manchester United on Thursday night as Philipp Degen made his comeback from injury.

The result does nothing to improve the Reds' disappointing league position, though they can at least take comfort from looking down on joint bottom United.

Liverpool, who employed a slick 4-1-3-2 formation, could have got more from the game had they capitalised on a decent first-half showing.

Nabil El Zhar flicked a dangerous ball across the face of goal after just two minutes but no one was there. It took another nine minutes for either side to muster a shot when Gerardo Bruna picked up a loose ball before curling over.

One of few chances for David Ngog to repeat his goalscoring antics against Middlesbrough Reserves two weeks ago came after 23 minutes. The Frenchman had options but elected to turn and shoot only for Tomasz Kuszczak to smother.

The hosts were offering little in return, and when they did rouse towards the end of the half, they were twice denied by the rule book.

First, striker Lee Martin broke free of the Reds defence but all he got for his troubles was a yellow card after trying to con a penalty out of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Next Federico Macheda did find the net only to be denied by an offside flag.

A quiet half for Gulacsi, then; though he can expect a bill from Altrincham FC for booting TWO yellow balls over the stands.

The most memorable moment of the opening period came just before the break when, with Kuszczak in no man's land, Ngog parodied Maradona's famous handball before finding an empty net. Sadly for him, the referee was sharper than his counterpart from 1986 and gave the young striker a booking for his indiscretion.

More positive for Liverpool was the return of Swiss right-back Degen, whose first 45 of football since November were useful even if he was restricted to the odd tackle and a couple of surging runs down the right.

The sight of him walking sheepishly towards the bench with 10 minutes of the first half remaining prompted a few groans from Kopites who travelled along the M62 - though thankfully he was just requesting a replacement shin pad.

Having made a tentative step towards a first-team comeback, the Bosman signing watched from the bench as United upped the tempo at the start of the second half.

They would have gone in front through Macheda but for a superb close-range save from Gulacsi.

Perhaps Liverpool's best chance after the break came when the lively El Zhar crossed for Ngog, who skewed his volley.

Rarely do you see a league table with both Manchester United and Liverpool languishing at the wrong end, but that's the reality for Ablett and counterpart Ole Gunnar Solksejar following disappointing seasons. So, it was perhaps no surprise that, despite the best efforts of both sides to play good football, the game petered out as the night wore on.

The last action came with seconds to spare when El Zhar skipped past his man before firing into the side netting from a difficult angle.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Nabil El Zhar.

Bookings: Damien Plessis, David Ngog.

Gulacsi, Degen (Mendy 45), Darby (cap), Kelly, Spearing, Plessis, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ngog, Simon (Palsson 72), Bruna (Weijl 61). Subs: Bouzanis, Antwi.

CREDIT AND INFO BY HTTP://WWW.LIVERPOOLFC.NET

NEWS STORY YOSSI FRUSTRATED AS POINTS SLIP AWAY

NEWS STORY : YOSSI FRUSTRATED AS POINTS SLIP AWAY
Joe Curran 29 January 2009



Yossi Benayoun has challenged his Liverpool teammates to turn around their recent string of draws by defeating Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

The Israeli international opened the scoring against Wigan Athletic on Wednesday with an impressive goal four minutes before half-time, but Mido struck a late equaliser from the penalty spot to ensure the Reds of a seventh draw in ten matches.

Benayoun told Liverpoolfc.tv he was happy to get on the scoresheet for the second time this term and he has every confidence his teammates have the quality to turn things around soon.

"Scoring goals is good on a personal level, but the important thing is to play well for the team. I was quite happy with the way I played today, but it obviously wasn't good enough in the end," he said.

"We have to try to play better and must score the second goal when we are winning 1-0, but were unable to do that today.

"We had a lot of creative players on the pitch and we did our best. Everyone gave 100 per cent against Wigan but sometimes that is not good enough.

"But football can be like this. They only had one counter-attack near the end and got a penalty from it. We should have got a second goal before that to make sure of the win.

"We are very disappointed and expect to win these games, and we have to start winning games soon - that needs to start on Sunday with a very important game against Chelsea.

"Every game is important. We have to take three points against Chelsea just like we should have won against Wigan.

"It's important to take each game as it comes and Chelsea is the next game at home, so we have to concentrate and do our best against them.

"I'm sure that we will turn things around and start winning games soon - that is something we have to do. We definitely have the quality to do that - we have a lot of big players like Stevie, Carra and Torres - the next game will be massive for us."


Credit and Info By http://www.liverpoolfc.net

Last Match : WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 28 January 2009 19:45 , Barclays Premier League

REDS HELD TO LATICS DRAW Liverpool have been held to a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium after a late Mido penalty cancelled out Yossi Benayoun's first-half strike. Mido scored from the penalty spot on his Wigan debut with eight minutes of the match remaining to earn an unlikely draw for Steve Bruce's side after Benayoun jinked in to fire home from close range at the end of the first half for Liverpool. Lucas Leiva took down the Egyptian striker after a Wigan counter-attack and referee Phil Dowd had no other option but to indicate for a spot kick. The result means the Reds are now two points behind league leaders Manchester United with one more game played than Alex Ferguson's side. Rafa Benitez's side have also slipped to third in the table on goal difference after Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. It will undoubtedly be looked upon as two points dropped, and the Reds will surely be disappointed after dominating for much of the match. With his Liverpool charges playing important games in the space of seven days, Benitez took the opportunity to rotate his squad for this clash with Wigan. Yossi Benayoun came into the side in place of Dirk Kuyt on the right wing, while Fabio Aurelio replaced Andrea Dossena at left-back and Xabi Alonso made way for Lucas Leiva in the centre of midfield. Latics' manager Steve Bruce had no such luxury, however, and was forced into making three last-minute changes after Chris Kirkland, Titus Bramble and Antonio Valencia all pulled up with injuries. Mike Pollitt started between the sticks, while Emmerson Boyce came in at the centre of defence and Michael Brown started in place of Valencia on the right wing. The Reds began the match brightly and tested the Latics rearguard with a series of searching balls within the opening five minutes. Steven Gerrard floated over a searching free-kick on two minutes which flashed past Pollitt's goal, and Benayoun showed the odd glimmer of trickery when coming in from the right wing. With Wigan fielding a new-look starting line-up, they looked a lot less organised than what we have become used to seeing from a Steve Bruce side. Javier Mascherano enjoyed a lot of time on the ball, and the Liverpool back four were allowed to push up in support of the attacks. Then a left-sided Ryan Babel got some space to link up with Steven Gerrard to produce Liverpool's best chance of the half so far on 11 minutes. The Dutch forward jinked past two players before threading a ball to the Reds skipper, who put in a pinpoint cross for Fernando Torres . El Nino came agonisingly close to scoring with a glancing header, but his effort rebounded off the post and, fortunately for Wigan, to safety. That's twice the Spanish striker has hit the post in as many league games - surely it would be only a matter of time until he finally found the net. Torres created a chance out of nothing for himself five minutes later. Picking the ball up 20 yards out with his back to goal, he turned and struck a first-time pot shot which went narrowly wide. The number nine was certainly seeing a lot of the ball. But Liverpool were by far the superior team here throughout the first half. Never mind goalmouth action, the continuous pressure from Rafa Benitez's side restricted Wigan to only a handful of forays into the opposition's half. Their first opportunity of the match came only after 25 minutes had past, and even that lobbed header was comfortably collected by Pepe Reina. Benayoun created another opportunity for the Reds just before the half-hour mark. The Israeli utility man dummied from an Alvaro Arbeloa pass to allow Ryan Babel space before picking the ball up on the right-hand side of the penalty near the goal line, but his cross was just between Torres and Gerrard, where neither could get anything on it to get a shot on goal. Lucas surged forward from midfield two minutes later and with the Wigan defence backing off, the Brazilian had a lot more time than he first thought to get a shot in. He disappointingly scuffed his effort wide despite having the space to inflict more damage. But then Liverpool gifted Wigan an opportunity to take the lead against the run of play on 35 minutes. Five blue shirts were left unmarked inside the penalty area as a dangerous ball came in, but Emmerson Boyce couldn't get anything behind his header and Reina easily saved. The Reds were really let off the hook there. The Latics had certainly come back into the proceedings and appealed for a penalty when Martin Skrtel seemed to take down Paul Scharner in the penalty area. But referee Phil Dowd waved play on. But Liverpool responded to the pressure in the best possible way and took the lead through Yossi Benayoun with four minutes of the half left to play. Mascherano brought the ball forward and did especially well to pick out Benayoun's run into the area. The Israeli kept his composure to take the ball around Pollitt before firing into the empty Wigan goal from an acute angle. A great finish from a tight angle on the right-hand side. After scoring the winner in this fixture last year, the JJB Stadium was proving to be a very happy hunting ground for Benayoun, and Liverpool went into the break with a deserved one-goal cushion - but only after Steven Gerrard came close to getting a second on the stroke of half-time with a fantastic shot from over 30 yards out. A testy opening to the second half ensued, with both sides hacking long passes forward but enjoying no real breaks. Aurelio tried a long-range shot from a centrally placed, free-kick; Maynor Figueroa went on a marauding run at the Reds defence, but even though Wigan looked the brighter team, there wasn't much to shout about in the first 15 minutes of action after the break - a lot of loose passes were going astray. But Wigan continued to improve and were starting to show some of the dangerous forays forward they penetrated Liverpool with at Anfield fixture earlier on in the season. That nail-biting 3-2 victory might have been punctuated by the always dangerous Amr Zaki, but this one seemed to be much more about a team effort from Steve Bruce's side. They were starting to reap the benefits of a changed gameplan and really getting under Liverpool's skin. Liverpool really needed a cushion here, and were always at risk of letting in an equaliser from an ever-improving Wigan Athletic outfit. Amr Zaki really came into the game midway through the second half after a quiet 65 minutes and looked dangerous out on the left flank. Ryan Babel took up a much more advanced position when Fernando Torres made way for Albert Riera on 71 minutes. With a crucial match against Chelsea on the horizon, it seemed that Benitez was looking to rest his Spanish striker. Steven Gerrard almost added a second goal for the Reds on 74 minutes. The number eight gained a couple of yards from his marker before cutting in from the right flank and hitting a fierce shot on the half volley, but the strike skidded narrowly wide. Goalscorer Benayoun was next to make way, with Dirk Kuyt coming on with 15 minutes remaining. With both sides cancelling each other out, this match had gone into something of a lull by the 76th minute, but then, with the game seemingly heading for a 1-0 victory, Lucas Leiva took down Jason Koumas to give away a penalty with seven minutes remaining. Mido made no mistake on his debut to level the scores from 12 yards. It was a bitter pill for Liverpool to swallow after dominating for so long, but no one could complain with the referee's decision to point to the spot - everyone in the ground could see that Lucas had made contact with Koumas. The equaliser had really put the wind in Wigan's sails, and they continued to attack. Substitute Koumas nearly nicked it for the Lancashire side in injury time with a thunderous free-kick. Liverpool will look upon this result as a missed opportunity as the match finished honours even. History might record this as a 1-1 draw, but it certainly feels like a defeat tonight. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Babel, Mascherano, Leiva, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Alonso, Keane, Dossena, Riera, Cavalieri, Kuyt, Agger Wigan Athletic: Pollitt, Figueroa, Scharner, Boyce, Melchiot (captain), De Ridder, Brown, Cattermole, Taylor, Zaki, . Subs - Camara, Watson, Kingston, Rodallega, Kapo, Edman, Koumas Referee: Phil Dowd Conditions: Cold Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

Last Match HiLight : LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 EVERTON

LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 EVERTON Sunday 25 January 2009 16:00 , FA Cup 4th Round

GERRARD STRIKE EARNS REDS REPLAY Liverpool's FA Cup dream is still alive after Steven Gerrard's second-half equaliser earned a 1-1 draw with Everton in a hard-fought fourth round clash at Anfield. The inspirational midfielder netted his second Merseyside derby goal within a week to cancel out Joleon Lescott's 27th minute header and secure a replay at Goodison Park. It was the least Liverpool deserved after dominating throughout the contest, and the Skipper's 15th goal of the season means we will now face yet another meeting with the Blues to decide which side will book a fifth round tie at home to Aston Villa or Doncaster Rovers. Heading into the 210th Merseyside derby Rafael Benitez made four changes to the team that had drawn 1-1 in the first match of the double header with David Moyes' side on Monday night. The inclusion of Ryan Babel and attack-minded full-backs Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena was a sign of Liverpool's intent, and further evidence of the Reds' desire came after just 20 seconds when Xabi Alonso sent a drilled effort just wide of Tim Howard's far post from 25 yards. The visitors had barely recovered when Fernando Torres sent a devilish ball in from the right, but Babel could not react in time to turn an effort goalwards. There was much more purpose to Liverpool's play than in the early stages of the league encounter and on 12 minutes Gerrard found Jamie Carragher just inside the visitors' penalty area. The defender dragged the ball away from his marker with a sublime piece of skill before fizzing a shot into the side netting. It was an outrageous piece of play by the vice-captain and proved to be the highlight of the Red's early dominance. On the eve of the contest Everton had suffered the blow of losing creative midfielder Mikel Arteta through injury and they rarely looked capable of opening up the home side in open play. However, they were always threatening from set pieces and despite enduring a barrage of attacks, they broke forward to open the scoring from their first corner of the match on 27 minutes. Pienaar's searching delivery from the left found Cahill unmarked at the far post and when he headed towards goal, Lescott was on hand to nod it into the net from underneath Pepe Reina's nose. The Reds stopper - whose last appearance in the FA Cup came in the final itself against West Ham in Cardiff in 2006 - had been little more than a spectator prior to the goal, and he had little to do in the remainder of the match as Everton sat back, desperately hoping to defend their lead. As expected, the Reds pushed for an equaliser but struggled to get in behind the Toffees' rearguard, with Javier Mascherano's deflected strike from distance the closest they came prior to the interval. However, as they attacked the Kop end, Liverpool stepped it up a gear in the second 45 and after initially going close with an unorthodox overhead effort, Gerrard pulled the hosts level on 54 minutes. The ball was fed into Torres midway inside the Everton half and after holding off two defenders he expertly back heeled a pass into the skipper's path, and he raced through to steer a low effort beyond Howard at his near post. The initiative was now with the home side and the inspirational number eight was nearly celebrating again just three minutes later, but the Blues stopper made a magnificent save to keep him out after Torres had chested the ball into his path. It was one-way traffic at this point and as the clock ticked down Everton became more and more desperate in their bid to force a replay. Dirk Kuyt went close to winning it but saw his low shot beaten away by Howard before Torres' goalbound strike from Gerrard's cut back was somehow deflected to safety by a Blues defender. With just minutes left Liverpool continued to push, but they could not fashion a second goal and must now secure their second Goodison Park win of the season, if they are to maintain their hopes of reaching Wembley. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Hyypia, Leiva, Riera, Ngog, Cavalieri, Benayoun, Aurelio Everton: Howard, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Hibbert, Osman, Neville (captain), Castillo, Pienaar, Cahill, Anichebe. Subs - Yobo, Gosling, Nash, Jacobsen, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Van der Meyde Referee: Steve Bennett Conditions: Fine Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

NEWS STORY : RAFA'S MESSAGE TO LIVERPOOL STARS

NEWS STORY : RAFA'S MESSAGE TO LIVERPOOL STARS
Jimmy Rice at Anfield 19 January 2009


Rafa Benitez has told his disheartened players they still have an excellent chance of ending Liverpool's long wait for a league title despite missing out on top spot with a 1-1 draw against Everton.

Steven Gerrard looked to have given the Reds all three points with a wonderful hit from 30 yards. Anfield was stunned, however, when Tim Cahill nodded home at the near post with just minutes remaining.

The result puts Liverpool level on points with leaders Manchester United, who have a superior goal difference and a game in hand.

Asked how big a blow a derby draw was to his side's title hopes, Benitez replied: "It is too soon. We are in a very good position. It could be better, but we have to look at the positives. We are level on points at the top with Man Utd and it's January. We are also through in the Champions League and the Cup.

"We have to be disappointed because we dropped two points when we were winning with three minutes to go, but still there are a lot of positives.

"You have to think about whether we would have wanted to be in this position if you asked back in August - I can guarantee that 100 per cent of the fans would have said yes.

"I have told the players - and it's not easy because everyone is disappointed - that they have to look at the positives.

"We can play better. Some players are coming back from injury and they will improve."

Asked if the foul from Yossi Benayoun which led to Everton's equaliser was avoidable, Benitez added: "I have seen the replay of how we conceded and maybe it wasn't necessary. The delivery was really good but maybe we could have done better."

Reporters also quizzed Benitez on whether he regretted substituting Fernando Torres shortly before the leveller.

He said: "I do not know what difference it would have made to have a very tired Torres on the pitch defending this free-kick."

Credit and Info By : http://www.liverpoolfc.net/

LAST MATCH STATS : LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 EVERTON

LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 EVERTON Monday 19 January 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League

REDS HELD TO DERBY DRAW Liverpool have drawn level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League after Tim Cahill cancelled out Steven Gerrard's strike to secure a point for the Blues in the 209th Merseyside derby at Anfield. It was a pulsating match from start to finish, but Liverpool will be disappointed not to take more from this clash after enjoying so much possession in the second half. The result means the Reds are second only on goal difference at the league summit. The singing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was always going to be particularly rousing for a match as big as this, but it seemed that the recent death of massive Reds fan, Bobby Wilcox, and Gerry Marsden being made a Freeman of the city on the same day as this derby clash made the singing of the Liverpool anthem extra special. This wasn't so much one of those derbies which started off with flying tackles and hard challenges -Howard Webb didn't even blow for the first foul until after seven minutes - it was more of a high tempo affair with plenty of chances in the opening minutes. Only 35 seconds had gone when Blues forward Victor Anichebe chested down and shot goalwards at the Kop end. Pepe Reina got just enough to it to make sure the shot went out for a corner, but it served as proof that David Moyes' side had not come to make up the numbers here. A great flick from Fernando Torres two minutes later sparked off Liverpool's first attack of the match, but Albert Riera put too much on his lofted cross after gaining possession on the left flank and the ball went out for an Everton goal kick. Robbie Keane found space on the right with five minutes gone and had two opportunities to find his striking partner Torres in the six-yard box. But Everton recovered quickly and managed to intercept both of the Irish marksman's low efforts. Torres got himself into another great position four minutes later and probed the Blues' defence, looking for a way through. But the Spanish striker was ushered away by the stoic Everton rearguard. Dirk Kuyt had a half chance to open the scoring on 12 minutes. The Dutchman picked up the ball from a Steven Gerrard free-kick on the far-right corner of the Everton six-yard box and unleashed a snap shot on the half volley, but his effort was well blocked. Everton looked frustrated by Livepool's superior amount of possession and began to give away a string of free-kicks in dangerous areas on the 15-minute mark. Joleon Lescott, Leighton Baines and Tony Hibbert were well drilled in defending from set pieces, but the likes of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio were getting closer with each free-kick and the Reds could have found the net on a number of occasions. Rafa Benitez's charges were enjoying much less space five minutes later, however. With Phil Neville stirring things up in the middle of the park and Phil Jagielka putting himself about at the centre of Everton's defence, Everton had made a vast improvement on the opening passages of play and were starting to ruffle Liverpool's feathers. But every time they looked to have gained a grip on the game, Liverpool went down the other end and reminded the Blues once again of their attacking threat. Torres made an incisive run from the right flank to set up Xabi Alonso for a pot shot on 25 minutes. Standing on the edge of the area, Alonso didn't have long to strike the ball, but he teed himself up and struck a fine shot goalwards, which Everton did well to block. Then Torres found himself running through on goal and bearing down on Blues stopper Tim Howard. The Spanish striker did the hard part by staying on his feet and keeping Jagielka at bay, but his cool dink rebounded to safety, leaving most of Anfield wondering how Liverpool had not taken the lead. It was by far the best chance of a fast and furious match so far. Torres might not have started a first team game since November, but he looked sharp as ever from the off - it could only bode well for the remaining 60 minutes. Everton continued to press and tested Reina with a series of lobbed crosses into the Liverpool box. Unorthodox they might have been, but the Reds' keeper managed to flap away the threat as half-time approached at Anfield. This was definitely their best spell of the match so far, but Liverpool's defence, particularly Martin Skrtel, withstood the pressure to make sure the scores stayed at 0-0 going into the break. The opening 45 minutes stayed to a familiar pattern: when one team had a chance, the other side would have just as good an opportunity down the other end. And things where no different here when Anichebe put a rolled cross into the Liverpool penalty area. Skrtel cleared things up at the back before Liverpool started their own attack at the other end. Riera took the ball in an advanced position before firing a fierce shot at the Blues' goal. The Spaniard didn't get a clean connection on it, however, and the ball spun into the Everton fans in the Anfield Road end before the referee blew for half-time. The second half began with a flurry of snow, but the wintery weather did nothing to chill this lively encounter and Everton had yet another half chance from a low cross just one minute after the restart. Anichebe rolled speculative ball in, but Reina was on hand to clear the danger. Then Liverpool had a penalty appeal waved away by the referee. It looked like Torres had been pushed over inside the penalty area, but even though Howard Webb was well placed right behind the incident, he waved play on, deeming there to be nothing wrong with the challenge. Torres had got himself into another great position from a quick foray forward, but the Spaniard could only look on from the floor as he rued another missed opportunity. Liverpool had another great opportunity a few minutes later. Kuyt collected the ball in the Everton six-yard box before taking two touches and laying off to Gerrard. The Reds' captain slid in a low drive which Howard palmed away into the path of Sami Hyypia, but the Fin's close-range effort rebounded out for a goal kick. This period of sustained pressure continued for some time, and it seemed like it would only be a matter of time until the Reds took the lead. They had no corners during the whole of the first period, but now they had enjoyed a string of them in a 15-minute spell. Torres had another chance to get on the scoresheet after 62 minutes, this time from just outside the penalty area. The number nine quickly turned and shot, but his effort went about a yard over. And the pressure finally paid for Liverpool when Steven Gerrard scored one of his trademark goals on 68 minutes. The centrally placed Reds captain picked up around 25 yards out from Albert Riera before taking one touch and unleashing an unstoppable shot straight past Tim Howard and into the net. It seemed that there would be only one outcome when the ball left Gerrard's right foot, and within seconds he was revelling in the joy of scoring another goal against Liverpool's local rivals. What a way to mark his 250th game as Liverpool captain. Liverpool allowed David Moyes' side to attack after that, however. Everton managed to get a few breaks and they made the Reds pay when Yossi Benayoun took down Steven Pienaar on the left flank. Tim Cahill found the net after Arteta drifted in the resulting free-kick, leaving the Reds with less than two minutes to regain their lead. The Australian midfielder scrambled the ball home to ensure the Blues took a point from this closely fought contest. Having enjoyed the best of the posession and led with less than two minutes to go, Liverpool will disappointed not to get anything more than just a point. But on reflection, a draw is probably a fair result. Liverpool might have had more chances, but Everton came with a gameplan and stuck to it. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Riera, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs - Benayoun, Babel, Leiva, Dossena, Cavalieri, Arbeloa, Mascherano Everton: Howard, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Hibbert, Pienaar, Cahill, Neville (captain), Arteta, Osman, Anichebe. Subs - Van der Meyde, Rodwell, Castillo, Nash, Jutkiewicz, Kissock, Gosling Referee: Howard Webb Conditions: Fine Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

HUNT: WHY TORRES CAN LAND NUMBER 19

HUNT: WHY TORRES CAN LAND NUMBER 19
Paul Hassall 18 January 2009

Roger Hunt believes the return of Fernando Torres can help fire Liverpool to their first title since 1990.

The club's all-time leading scorer in the league is convinced the Spaniard will give Rafael Benitez's side the edge in the second-half of the season and is tipping his former team to end the campaign with championship number 19.

"They can reclaim top spot if they beat Everton and this is the best chance they have had in a long time. I think they can win it and I think they will win it," Hunt said in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv.

"When Liverpool drop points the other teams don't seem to take advantage and with Torres now coming back to fitness, I expect them to go from strength to strength.

"Fernando has had a stop-start season so far, but if he stays fit and gets his form back, then it can only benefit us because he has that extra bit of pace and ability to get a goal out of nothing. With him playing regularly up top, I think we'll have a great chance."

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid last summer, El Nino has developed a lethal partnership with skipper Steven Gerrard.

It is an understanding Hunt feels could be crucial again this season, and he is also backing Robbie Keane to show his best form in the title run-in.

"Torres has a very good understanding with Gerrard and I think that can be key," he said. "But it's not just Gerrard who can form a partnership with him. I thought when we first signed Keane that he would develop a good link with Torres because he is such a clever player.

"Some say it hasn't quite come off yet, but I think Keane has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. He's scored some goals recently against the likes of Arsenal and Bolton and I think he can still have a big say in the latter stages of the season."

Last match HiLiGhT : STOKE CITY 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL

STOKE CITY 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL Saturday 10 January 2009 17:30 , Barclays Premier League

REDS STILL TOP DESPITE STOKE DRAW Liverpool have stretched their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League despite being held to a goalless draw at Stoke City. The Reds produced a disjointed performance in their first league match of 2009 but did enough to earn a share of the spoils and increase their advantage to four points ahead of Manchester United's clash with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. It was a frustrating evening for Rafael Benitez and his men who twice went close to winning it late on when two Steven Gerrard efforts bounced back off the woodwork. Prior to the clash, the Reds boss had made six changes from the side that saw off Preston in the FA Cup, with Martin Skrtel returning to partner Sami Hyypia at the heart of the defence. It was the Slovakian's first start since October and his inclusion suggested the Reds were expecting to encounter a series of aerial assaults from the Potters. It is a game-plan that has served Tony Pulis' men well this season, and after Dirk Kuyt guided Albert Riera's pinpoint cross wide on eight minutes, they nearly grabbed a shock lead with their first set piece of the match. A long throw from Rory Delap was only half-cleared by the Liverpool defence and when Amdy Faye launched an up-and-under, the midielder arrived late in the box to crash a shot from six yards against the crossbar. It was a let-off, but one that the Reds would learn from. Indeed, the remainder of the first-half was a scrappy affair, with both Hyypia and Skrtel in imperious form at the back, while at the other end Kuyt saw a drilled effort from a tight angle beaten away by Thomas Sorensen. Rafa and co will have been frustrated by their first-half display and they began the second 45 determined to make a marked improvement. However, they nearly came unstuck on 50 minutes when Pepe Reina's rushed clearance fell straight at the feet of Stoke striker Dave Kitson. The former Reading man ran through on goal and rounded the Spanish stopper, only to lift his shot into the side netting with the goal gaping. Liverpool responded by introducing Fernando Torres into the proceedings and his presence on the pitch almost inspired an immediate breakthrough on 61 minutes, but Hyypia thrashed a shot over after Lucas Leiva had headed back across goal. El Nino has scored six goals for the Reds this season - all away from Anfield and all from the 55th minute onwards - but there would be no lucky number seven on this occasion, as Stoke held firm. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Riera, Mascherano, Leiva, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Kuyt. Subs - Torres, Plessis, Keane, Dossena, Cavalieri, El Zhar, Babel Stoke City: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Shawcross, Faye (captain), Wilkinson, Etherington, Whelan, Faye, Delap, Kitson, Cresswell. Subs - Griffin, Pugh, Tonge, Sonko, Olofinjana, Simonsen, Lawrence Referee: Unknown Conditions: Very cold Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia Breakdown 17:32 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Stoke City get the match underway 1 min : Late change for Stoke as Diao is injured in the warm-up and replaced by Whelan 3 mins : Free kick to Stoke in a dangerous area 25 yards from goal in a central position 3 mins : Whelan curls the kick high over Reina's goal as Stoke waste a good chance to hit the target 5 mins : Benayoun sends in a deep cross towards Riera but the ball is too high 8 mins : Kuyt glances a header just wide as Riera delivers an accurate cross from the left 11 mins : Delap's first long throw of the afternoon is headed clear 12 mins : The Reds bar is rattled as Delap blasts off the underside of the bar and the ball bounces to safety 16 mins : Liverpool enjoying good possession but not yet tested Sorensen in the Stoke goal 20 mins : Delap picks up a sloppy Lucas pass and charges forward, but his cross is easy for Reina 22 mins : Sorensen saves well as Kuyt goes for goal from a tight angle 30 mins : Shawcross heads home but the goal is ruled out for offside. Stoke have had the better of the last few minutes 37 mins : Riera delivers from the left but Benayoun doesn't gamble in the box and the chance is gone 39 mins : Hyypia concedes a corner from another long throw 18:19 GMT : Half Time Reached 18:34 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Liverpool get the second period underway 47 mins : Torres is warming up, just as he was throughout the half time interval 47 mins : Free kick in a good area for Liverpool as Gerrard is fouled on the right hand side 48 mins : Gerrard's free kick is headed behind by Shawcross for a corner 49 mins : Now we have a corner thanks to a Mascherano run - already this is better 49 mins : But Sorensen does well to hold the corner kick at the second attempt 50 mins : Reina's kick goes straight to Kitson but the Stoke striker can only fire into the side netting 53 mins : Great defending by Carragher to concede a corner under pressure from Shawcross 59 mins : Stoke win another corner which causes a foul on Reina in the ensuing scramble 60 mins : Substitution: Fernando Torres for Albert Riera: 63 mins : Gerrard has space in the box but Faye makes up ground to make a good challenge 64 mins : First Booking: Steven Gerrard: 65 mins : Gerrard squares the ball to Mascherano who blazes a shot miles over the goal 66 mins : First Booking: Matthew Etherington: 67 mins : Lucas heads the ball across goal and Hyypia is well off target with his shot from a tight angle 70 mins : Stoppage in play as Faye requires treatment on the pitch for cramp 72 mins : Another Delap throw is met by another headed clearance from Hyypia - our best player so far this evening 73 mins : Kitson heads over as another Delap throw is hurled into the box 76 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Yossi Benayoun: 77 mins : Lucas gives away a free kick on the edge of the area 77 mins : First Booking: Lucas Leiva: 78 mins : Substitution: Liam Lawrence for Matthew Etherington: 78 mins : Whelan bends the kick just the wrong side of the post. Good effort 83 mins : First Booking: Andy Wilkinson: 84 mins : Gerrard's free kick crashes off the bar and away for a throw 87 mins : Three minutes plus stoppage time to go - can we find a crucial winner? 88 mins : Substitution: Danny Pugh for Dave Kitson: 89 mins : Babel's shot is deflected behind for a corner 90 mins : Agonisingly close as Torres heads into Gerrard's path and the skipper clips the outside of the post. So close 19:23 GMT : Match Over

Last Match : PRESTON NORTH END 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL

Last Match HiLighT

PRESTON NORTH END 0 - 2 LIVERPOOL Saturday 03 January 2009 17:25 , FA Cup 3rd Round

TORRES BACK WITH A GOAL AS REDS PROGRESS Goals from Albert Riera and the returning Fernando Torres saw Liverpool book their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 victory in Preston. Riera hit an unstoppable drive midway through the first half before substitute Torres tapped in from close range with seconds to go to ensure the Cup shocks suffered by Manchester City, Chelsea and Stoke earlier in the day were not repeated in Lancashire. Equally as pleasing was the return to footballing matters of Steven Gerrard, who set up El Nino to renew their prolific partnership after the Spaniard's hamstring injury. Rafael Benitez's selection reflected both the strength of the opposition (Preston are just outside the Championship play-off positions) and the importance of the FA Cup to Liverpool's season after two years without a trophy. Of the 11 who started, just two could be described as fringe players: Dutch winger Ryan Babel and second choice goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri. It took 13 minutes for Liverpool's class to show when Riera twisted past two defenders before cutting back to Robbie Keane, who skewed his shot wide. Seconds later a right-foot drive from Steven Gerrard was fumbled by Andy Lonergan, but the Preston goalkeeper recovered before any of those in red could capitalise. The visitors were not having it all their own way, mind. Midfielder Richard Chaplow, who starred for Burnley when they knocked Liverpool out of the Cup in 2005, made Cavalieri work from range on 22 minutes. Moments later Wallace drove down the left before curling into the grateful palms of our Brazilian goalkeeper. The travelling Reds were keeping themselves busy with chants of Shankly, Shankly. The legendary Liverpool manager did enough in his time as a Preston player to have a stand named in his honour; one fittingly given over to the visiting supporters for this third round tie, and one which was about to erupt. Few in the Shankly Kop were holding their breath on 25 minutes when Riera collected possession on the right-hand side of Preston's box. But the Spain international quickly manoeuvred the ball onto his left foot before tricking his way into a yard of space and smashing beyond the helpless Lonergan. It would have been two on 40 minutes but for a superb save from Lonergan when Keane weaved his way into a scoring position on the edge of the six-yard box. Five minutes later Keane again had his head in his hands when Gerrard put a goal on a plate with a fine cross to the back post. A volley was the Irishman's only option but his connection was poor and the ball whacked the hoardings. Perhaps it affected his confidence. Seconds before half-time Keane was again presented with a golden opportunity to double Liverpool's lead. But, with the goal at his mercy, the striker instead chose to cut back to Riera, whose shot was bravely blocked. The enforced change of Lucas for Xabi Alonso didn't stop the Reds picking up where they left off when the second half got underway, with Gerrard sending in a devilish ball to Keane, whose shot was deflected out of play. Agger headed wide from the subsequent corner. It was turning into a busy afternoon for Lonergan, whose acrobatic save denied the excellent Gerrard from 20 yards. All these chances were doubtless whetting the appetite of Torres, sitting on the Reds bench after seven games out with a hamstring tear. Preston were creating little in return, though they did have the ball in the back of the net through substitute Stephen Elliott midway inside the second period. Sadly for Alan Irvine's men, Jon 'The Beast' Parkin had been bear-hugging Jamie Carragher for the previous 10 seconds at least. Still, it roused the hosts, who proceeded to bully and harass Liverpool for the next 10 minutes. A let off arrived when a teasing ball across the face of Cavalieri's goal reached Sean St Ledger, but the centre-back couldn't connect with sufficient bite. Time for Torres. It seemed El Nino would have just one run and shot to show for his 15 minutes on the pitch until Gerrard burst clear in injury time before unselfishly passing to his old mate, who tucked into an empty net. Please note that due to FA rules, we are unable to show highlights of the game on Liverpoolfc.tv until midnight on Sunday night. Teams Liverpool: Cavalieri, Insua, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Gerrard (captain), Keane. Subs - Skrtel, Torres, El Zhar, Ngog, Leiva, Aurelio, Reina Preston North End: Lonergan, Davidson, Mawene, St Ledger, Jones, Wallace, McKenna (captain), Chaplow, Sedgwick, Parkin, Mellor. Subs - Nolan, Brown, Carter, Whaley, Nicholson, Elliott, Neal Referee: Martin Atkinson Conditions: Freezing Attendance: 23,046 Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Daniel Agger Breakdown 17:27 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Liverpool get the tie underway at Deepdale 1 min : Parkin turns in the area but is flagged offside as he turns and shoots for goal 3 mins : Jones crosses from the right for Preston but Cavalieri is able to watch the ball drift wide 5 mins : Agger concedes a free kick 30 yards from goal in a central position 5 mins : Wallace takes the kick and forces Cavalieri into a save. Corner to Preston 6 mins : Mawene wins the ball in the air from the corner but directs it off target 10 mins : Liverpool have their first spell of pressure but Preston defend resolutely 12 mins : Riera does well on the left and crosses for Keane but the Irishman can't get a shot on target from a good area 13 mins : Gerrard turns and shoots at goal but Lonergan is well placed to stop the effort from the skipper 17 mins : Alonso bends in a dangerous looking cross which St Leger heads clear 21 mins : Chaplow strikes for goal but it's an easy stop for Cavalieri 23 mins : Good run from Gerrard wins Liverpool their first corner of the match 25 mins : GOAL! Albert Riera: Riera fires a brilliant shot into the roof of the net to break the deadlock 31 mins : Babel has a great chance to double the lead but totally mis-kicks in front of goal. We're in total control now 34 mins : First Booking: Richard Chaplow: 36 mins : Agger tries his luck and wins a corner as his shot is deflected behind 38 mins : Perfect pass from Alonso to find Keane, but Lonergan makes a smart stop as Keane tries to clip the ball over him 43 mins : Carragher thinks he should have a corner and is furious as the referee instead awards a goal kick 44 mins : Keane somehow shoots wide in front of goal after a great cross from Gerrard. Should be 2-0 18:13 GMT : Half Time Reached 18:28 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Substitution: Lucas Leiva for Xabi Alonso: 46 mins : Early free kick for Preston on the left - but it comes to nothing 47 mins : Another chance goes begging as Agger heads wide from Gerrard's corner into the area 49 mins : Gerrard wins a corner off St Ledger - second half continuing in same pattern as first period 50 mins : No news on Alonso's injury - but he limped off gingerly at end of first period 51 mins : Preston threaten as Parkin and St Ledger combine but Cavalieri is out quickly to collect 55 mins : Substitution: Eddie Nolan for Callum Davidson: 56 mins : Liverpool win a free kick in centre of the field which leads to Mascherano smashing a shot just over 58 mins : Gerrard is in space but Lonergan holds onto his long range drive 59 mins : Better stop from Longeran to keep out the skipper this time - but it's another corner 61 mins : Riera drives a low cross into the danger zone but can't find a red shirt 61 mins : Substitution: Stephen Elliott for Neil Mellor: 64 mins : St Ledger has the ball in the net but the goal is ruled out for a foul in the box 65 mins : Babel crosses from the right to Gerrard who directs a header wide 65 mins : Billy Jones is well off target with an ambitious drive from distance 67 mins : Wallace wins a corner as Preston look for an equaliser 69 mins : Best spell of the game for Preston - can our defence hold firm? 72 mins : Substitution: Fernando Torres for Robbie Keane: 75 mins : Great chance for St Ledger who misses in front of goal after a Wallace free kick 75 mins : Torres gets his first touch and turns superbly before blasting wide 80 mins : Substitution: Barry Nicholson for Richard Chaplow: 80 mins : We're ten minutes away from a place in the fourth round 81 mins : Substitution: Fabio Aurelio for Javier Mascherano: 86 mins : Lonergan makes another stop from another Gerrard shot 90 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Gerrard charges forward and squares for Torres to slot the ball home 19:19 GMT : Match Over Info and Credit by : www.liverpoolfc.net

NEWS STORY:RAFA: GERRARD PLAYS, TORRES IN SQUAD Jimmy Rice 02 January 2009

NEWS STORY
RAFA: GERRARD PLAYS, TORRES IN SQUAD Jimmy Rice 02 January 2009

Rafa Benitez today confirmed Steven Gerrard will feature in the FA Cup third round clash with Preston North End on Saturday, while Fernando Torres returns to the squad.

The Liverpool boss is expected to make changes for the Deepdale trip but his skipper will play after excelling since the squad returned to training on Wednesday. In his first press conference since returning from a kidney stone operation, Benitez said: "Steven has been okay, training normally. I said in the statement that I've talked to him. I am supporting him 100 per cent. The best thing for us is that he is focused on football, training well and he will play tomorrow.

"Everyone has been supporting him. We know what's going on and it's clear that it's a special situation but we have to support him because we trust him."

Asked if Gerrard was mentally ready to play, Benitez added: "He will play, and that means, for me, he's ready.

"He is a professional and a very, very good one. He will just be thinking about football. Hopefully he will score some goals, play as well as he was before and everyone will be talking about the game."

On what kind of team will step out in Lancashire, and whether Torres will return after seven games out with a hamstring tear, Benitez said:

"It will be a strong team and we'll try to keep the momentum.

"Maybe we will change some players but we'll still have a very good team on the pitch.

"Gerrard is playing well and hasn't played too many games - he was injured for a long time during different parts of the season. It's not like Dirk Kuyt, who has played every game.

"It's the same with Torres, who's been injured. He and Gerrard have not played too many games so they can play.

"Torres will be in the squad. If we need him he can play. He is not 100 per cent because he hasn't got the match fitness. But he is ready."

Benitez will be further boosted by the imminent return of Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel from injury.

They, along with Torres, will be like three new signings, according to the gaffer.

"They have been very good players for us in the past, so it'll be like signing three new players," said Benitez.

"They are very cheap signings because we haven't spent much money!"

Quizzed on whether there would be any new additions to the squad in January, the boss replied: "If we need something we will try. But we are in a good position and we'll try to use the players we have now."

Meanwhile, Benitez stressed the importance of the FA Cup to Liverpool's season.

He said: "We will try to progress. The FA Cup is a fantastic competition for us so we'll try to progress and go to Wembley if possible.

"It will be difficult. Preston are doing well in the league and we know that to play against Liverpool is always a motivation. We know it will be a classic Cup game."

The tie will see Preston striker Neil Mellor face his former club. Mellor scored six goals in 21 games for Liverpool, and Benitez said:

"Mellor was a very good player for us. He scored fantastic goals against Olympiacos and Arsenal. They were very important goals.

"He is a great finisher and can score a lot of goals - hopefully in the league, not the Cup."

Info and Credit by : www.liverpoolfc.net

Last Match : NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 - 5 LIVERPOOL

Last Match : NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 - 5 LIVERPOOL

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 - 5 LIVERPOOL Sunday 28 December 2008 12:00 , Barclays Premier League

FIVE-STAR REDS END THE YEAR ON TOP Liverpool will head into 2009 top of the Barclays Premier League after a double from Steven Gerrard and other goals from Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and Xabi Alonso (penalty) secured a 5-1 win at Newcastle United. The Reds dominated throughout a one-sided encounter and followed up their emphatic Boxing Day success over Bolton with another superb attacking display to clinch a second successive league victory at St James' Park for the first time in 21 years. It means Rafael Benitez's men are now three points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Fulham. A lively contest saw the home side create the first real opportunity of the match when United centre back Fabricio Coloccini unleashed a fierce drive that flew just over on seven minutes. It inspired an instant response from the visitors, with Dirk Kuyt forcing a smart save from Shay Given from a tight angle before Gerrard broke through the middle, only for the Newcastle stopper to block his shot with his feet. The Republic of Ireland keeper is regarded as one of the best in the business and he proved his quality again on 11 minutes with a magnificent one-handed stop to keep out another stinging drive from the Reds skipper after good play by Babel down the left. It was one-way traffic at this point and only Sami Hyypia will know how he failed to find the net when he guided a free header from Gerrard's left-wing free-kick inches wide. Next it was Emiliano Insua's turn to stretch the Magpies defence with a driven cross that somehow evaded everyone in the six yard box before falling to Kuyt at the far post. The Dutchman showed good composure to steady himself and thread a low pass into Lucas who was somehow denied by the inspired-Given from point blank range. Less than 20 minutes into the match and the Reds should have already had the three points in the bag. It was turning into a case of Liverpool versus Shay Given and he again denied Lucas with an agile dive to keep out the Brazilian's header while Hyypia's flicked volley was hacked off the line. It was only a matter of time until Liverpool's dominance paid dividends and on 31 minutes they finally beat Newcastle's man of the match to break the deadlock. A patient team move ended with Javier Mascherano feeding Yossi Benayoun on the right hand side of area and his cut back found our inspirational number eight, who made no mistake with a well placed strike that crashed in off the post. It was the skipper's 12th goal of the season and one that would provide the catalyst for another emphatic Reds triumph. Given had single-handedly kept Rafael Benitez's side at bay for just over half an hour, but after such an impressive show of defiance, he soon find himself picking the ball out of the net again just five minutes later. The Magpies had already shown vulnerability at set pieces and so it came as no surprise when Hyypia finally took full advantage of some sloppy defending to thump a bullet header into the top corner. The giant Finn was having a quiet day at the back and seemed to be enjoying himself in the opposition penalty area. So much so, that he almost grabbed his second of the game on 40 minutes when he saw his header from Daniel Agger's flick-on beaten away by Given. As the first-half entered stoppage time, the travelling Kop must have wondered how we hadn't run up a cricket score, and they will have been left hugely frustrated when the Reds switched off at a corner to allow David Edgar to reduce the arrears with a near post header. "Game on" was the rallying cry from the home support who now felt a point was very much on the cards, particularly given Joe Kinnear's record against Liverpool. The Magpies boss had only lost three of his 19 matches as a manager against Liverpool prior to the clash, and he would have hoped his side would respond in the second 45 and take advantage of their good fortune to maintain his proud run. However, if the Geordie faithful were expecting a second-half revival they were to be disappointed, as Liverpool continued where they left off and restored their two-goal cushion within four minutes of the restart. Yet again, the hosts failed to clear a corner from the right and when the ball fell to Babel inside the six yard box, he was allowed the luxury of miscuing his attempted back-heel before sweeping it beyond Given and the five Newcastle defenders on the goal-line. Substitute Geremi almost made it interesting on the hour mark when he crashed a 25 yard free-kick against the crossbar, but there was to be no stopping Liverpool, who added a fourth on 66 minutes. Lucas picked up the ball in the centre circle and played a sublime through ball to Gerrard, who raced clear of his man to clip the ball over Given and claim his second of the match. So often this season, the Reds have failed to score the goals their performances have deserved, but not on this occasion, as substitute Alonso capped a five-star display with a well struck penalty 14 minutes from time to equal our biggest ever victory at St James' Park. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Babel, Mascherano, Leiva, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Kuyt. Subs - Alonso, Keane, Ngog, Riera, Cavalieri, Skrtel, El Zhar Newcastle United: Given, Enrique, Taylor, Coloccini, Edgar, N'Zogbia, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Owen (captain), Duff. Subs - Ameobi, Carroll, Kadar, , Lua Lua, , Harper Referee: Mark Halsey Conditions: Cold Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard Breakdown 12:03 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : The game is underway at St James Park 1 min : N'Zogbia wins a throw on the left hand side after good play by ex-Red Guthrie 4 mins : Babel gets round the back of the Newcastle defence but his low cross is cleared 7 mins : First shot of the game is from Gerrard who sends a right footed effort well over the goal 8 mins : Newcastle respond at the other end as Collocini fires a rasping drive just wide of target 11 mins : Great chance for Gerrard to open the scoring but he delays his shot and Newcastle get the ball away 12 mins : Bad challenge from Carragher on Owen leads to a free kick to the home side on the left 14 mins : It's Gerrard v Given again and once more the Newcastle stopper comes out on top to palm away a fierce effort from our skipper 16 mins : Insua is down after a late tackle from Gutierrez. Free kick on the left for Liverpool 17 mins : Gerrard floats the ball in towards Hyypia and the big Finn glances a header just wide when perhaps he should have done better 20 mins : How hasn't Lucas scored? The ball is squared into his path but Given denies him from one yard out 21 mins : Another close shave as Lucas' header is flying towards the far corner until Given fists the ball to safety. 22 mins : How is this game still goalless? We could be five or six goals up already 27 mins : The ball falls for Gerrard outside the box but his first time shot drifts well wide 31 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard breaks the deadlock with a deserved goal after shooting into the top corner from Benayoun's pass 36 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: The lead is doubled as Hyypia heads home Gerrard's corner from 12 yards 42 mins : Given makes another save from another Hyypia header 45 mins : GOAL! David Edgar: Edgar heads home in first half stoppage time to give the home side hope 12:50 GMT : Half Time Reached 13:07 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Liverpool get the second period underway 46 mins : Substitution: Shola Ameobi for Jose Enrique: 47 mins : Ameobi gets in behind Insua but his cross is too strong and Liverpool can clear 48 mins : Gerrard wins a corner on the far side after good play by Benayoun 50 mins : GOAL! Ryan Babel: Babel turns the ball home from close range after Newcastle fail to deal with a corner 54 mins : Agger is penalised for a foul as Newcastle win a free kick in a dangerous area on the right 54 mins : Substitution: Geremi for Nicky Butt: 57 mins : First Booking: Javier Mascherano: 59 mins : Geremi almost makes an instant impact but his free kick crashes back off the bar 60 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Yossi Benayoun: 66 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard latches onto Lucas' defence splitting pass to clip the ball over Given 68 mins : Decent stop from Reina to keep out a well struck shot from Duff 69 mins : Substitution: David Ngog for Steven Gerrard: 71 mins : Reina collides with the post after dealing with a long ball into the area 74 mins : First Booking: Steven Taylor: 76 mins : Penalty Scored! Xabi Alonso: Alonso slots home from the spot after Ngog is felled in the area 79 mins : Substitution: Martin Skrtel for Dirk Kuyt: 79 mins : Substitution: Kazenga Lua Lua for Michael Owen: 80 mins : Lua Lua tries his luck from long range but it's a tame effort and easily saved 89 mins : Given saves from Lucas and Ngog heads wide of an open goal 90 mins : First Booking: Shay Given: 13:55 GMT : Match Over