Last Match HiLighT : LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 MANCHESTER CITY

LIVERPOOL 1 - 1 MANCHESTER CITY Sunday 22 February 2009 15:00 , Barclays Premier League

KUYT ON TARGET BUT REDS HELD Craig Bellamy dealt a blow to Liverpool's title chances as Man City earned a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The former Red opened the scoring early in the second half before Dirk Kuyt equalised to leave Rafa Benitez contemplating a seven-point gap to leaders Man Utd. With United scraping victory over Blackburn on Saturday tea-time, the pressure was very much on Liverpool, who found themselves eight points adrift despite just one defeat all season. Benitez responded by selecting perhaps his strongest available side. With Xabi Alonso suspended and Steven Gerrard hamstrung, South American duo Lucas and Javier Mascherano were charged with stifling 12-goal Robinho in midfield. Fernando Torres and Kuyt, who between them scored all three goals in Liverpool's 3-2 victory at Eastlands in October, returned up front. The game was preceded by some moving words from Kop old boy Brian Hall in tribute to pitchside announcer Phil Easton, whose death earlier this month stunned everyone at Liverpool Football Club and many more besides. Fittingly, Phil's baton has been passed, for 2008-09 at least, to Radio City colleague Peter McDowall. With these sad formalities out of the way, Liverpool set about dominating their opponents pretty much from the word go. The hosts created three opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, the best of which fell to Torres after a lofted ball from Jamie Carragher was cut back by Yossi Benayoun. For once, the Spaniard's control let him down, and his shot was about as mis-placed as the story this week suggesting he fancied an appearance on Dancing on Ice. Next, three Liverpool players failed to attack an inviting ball into the box from Andrea Dossena. There was similar confusion on 22 minutes when first Torres, then Riera failed to hit the target in the midst of a goalmouth scramble. City were defending like a side with just one away win all season, but Liverpool's tally of missed chances was already totting up. The visitors fired a warning shot on the half-hour mark when Stephen Ireland found Robinho with a 50-yard pass before surging forward to receive the ball in the penalty area. He needn't have bothered, for his shot was rifled straight into the chest of a grateful Pepe Reina. Dossena then came close with a left-foot volley from distance, while Riera might have done better after Torres made a mug of Wayne Bridge down City's left. El Nino was at the centre of everything Liverpool did, and it was he who fed Benayoun 18 yards out as half-time approached. The Israeli couldn't keep his shot down, while minutes later Kuyt headed wide to leave the game in stalemate as Phil Dowd signalled for the interval. As has been the case all too often this season, Anfield was having to be patient. What the patrons didn't expect was a goal at the wrong end from a man once brought to Merseyside to win us the title. In curling a shot beyond Reina via the feet of Alvaro Arbeloa, Bellamy dealt a potentially devastating blow to Liverpool's championship ambitions. It took almost 15 minutes for the home side to recover after Riera was replaced by Nabil El Zhar. The little Moroccan, so effective from the bench in the early part of the season, whipped a lovely ball towards Torres only for Richard Dunne to get there first. It would take Liverpool until the 78th minute to wrestle an equaliser out of their increasingly resilient opponents when Benayoun struck a low cross into the box which, after a mis-hit shot from Torres, was rolled into the Kop net by Kuyt. The Dutch international almost got his second five minutes later with a thunderous drive from 25 yards which Shay Given could only parry. City's goalkeeper saved his new teammates again seconds later when El Zhar's cross was headed across the face of goal by Torres to Benayoun, who half-volleyed too close to Given. Kuyt nearly produced a winner with a turn and shot but it wasn't to be and Liverpool now have a mountain to climb if this is to be the season when we win our 19th league title. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher (captain), Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Mascherano, Leiva, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt. Subs - Hyypia, El Zhar, Babel, Ngog, Cavalieri, Aurelio, Spearing Manchester City: Given, Bridge, Dunne (captain), Onuoha, Richards, Ireland, Kompany, De Jong, Zabaleta, , Bellamy. Subs - Vassell, Hart, Blumer, Weiss, Caicedo, Evans, Garrido Referee: Phil Dowd Conditions: Mild Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Yossi Benayoun Breakdown 15:03 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Man City get the game underway attacking the Kop end 2 mins : Big shout out to Pete McDowell who has taken over from the late Phil Easton as pitchside announcer until the end of the season 4 mins : A fine run and cross from Arbeloa ends with Riera heading wide of target 9 mins : Carra clips a long ball towards Yossi but his touch off is fired high, wide and not so handsome by El Nino 10 mins : Benayoun does well to feed Kuyt on the right but his low ball in is brilliantly hacked clear by Dunne at the near post. Promising stuff from the Reds 14 mins : Dossena outwits ex-red Bellamy to earn the home side a goal kick. Needless to say Craig has had sometihng to say about it 15 mins : A quarter of an hour in and the pattern looks set with LFC probing and City looking to hit us on the break 17 mins : A flowing move involving Yossi and Lucas finishes with Dossena flashing a low ball straight across the middle of the City area. Someone should have been on the end of that 18 mins : Free-kick to the Reds on the edge of the area 19 mins : Benayoun curls an effort straight into the wall with the rebound coming to nothing 22 mins : The pressure is mounting. Arbeloa and Riera both sent over dangerous crosses that eventually led to a corner. From the right-wing delivery City somehow managed to survive with Riera coming close to stabbing home on the line 27 mins : Nice to see a couple of Reds legends taking in the game at Anfield today in the shape of King Kenny and Phil Thompson. Thommo is sporting an impressive tan! 30 mins : City should be ahead. The lull in the game comes to an explosive end as Ireland hits a long ball to Robinho before making up the ground to strike a tame effort at Reina. He then hits the rebound into the side netting. A great chance for the visitors 32 mins : First Booking: Richard Dunne: 35 mins : Dossena forces Given into action with a long range drive 37 mins : A lightning break sees Torres race beyond Bridge and cut the ball back for Riera, but the winger can't provide the finish as he fires narrowly wide 39 mins : The game has been halted while Richards receives treatment for a head injury 40 mins : The England man is back on and we are underway again 42 mins : Torres turns brilliantly and plays in Yossi but the Israel international smashes the ball way over the top of Given's goal 43 mins : City earn a corner that Reina just about manages to punch clear 45 mins : Two minutes of stoppage time 15:50 GMT : Half Time Reached 16:11 GMT : Second Half Begins 48 mins : GOAL! Craig Bellamy: 51 mins : The Reds are up against it now. The Welshman hit a well struck shot that touched off Arbeloa and flew into the corner of Reina's net 54 mins : As it stands Man United will remain eight points clear at the top having played the same number of matches as us 56 mins : There is a serious sense of frustration inside Anfield. The Kop is doing its best to try and boost the players 58 mins : Torres heads a corner high into the Kop 60 mins : Ireland curls a shot over the top after a clever City counter attack 63 mins : Substitution: Nabil El Zhar for Albert Riera: 65 mins : Substitute El Zhar almost makes an immediate impact but Torres can't get there ahead of Dunne to turn his cross home 66 mins : Almost curtains for LFC. A cross shot hits Ireland and trickles into the net... the sight of the referee's assistant's flag brings with it a huge sigh of relief from the home support 69 mins : Robinho is tripped right on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. Danger here... 70 mins : The Brazilian fires a shot just wide of the post and somehow manages to convince the ref it's a corner 71 mins : It's all City at the moment 74 mins : First Booking: Vincent Kompany: 76 mins : First Booking: Nabil El Zhar: 76 mins : Substitution: Fabio Aurelio for Andrea Dossena: 78 mins : GOAL! Dirk Kuyt: 79 mins : Kuyt levels with 12 minutes remaining after Torres miscued Benayoun's cross into his path. Game on. 81 mins : The game has completely changed and the Reds now have their tails up 83 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Javier Mascherano: 85 mins : Shay Given produces a miracle save to keep out Benayoun. LFC are pushing 87 mins : Kuyt fires one inches wide after taking Arbeloa's pass on the turn 88 mins : Substitution: Felipe Caicedo for Robinho : 90 mins : City have a free-kick as we enter the final moments 90 mins : Reina claims and the Reds launch one of their last attacks. Seven points behind the leaders unless we can snatch another last-gasp win against Mark Hughes' men 90 mins : Three minutes of stoppage time 16:56 GMT : Match Over

TORRES DEFIANT OVER TROPHY CHANCES

NEWS STORY : TORRES DEFIANT OVER TROPHY CHANCES
Paul Hassall 09 February 2009



Fernando Torres is optimistic Liverpool will go on to enjoy a successful campaign after his last-gasp winner at Portsmouth kept the Reds in the title hunt.

The Spaniard admits Rafael Benitez's men have not been at their best of late, but is confident they will start to improve in the coming weeks as the Champions League tie with Real Madrid looms ever closer.

"We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best," he said.

"But we're not bad, maybe it's just that we're stifled by lesser teams who are happy with a draw.
"We are better against the big teams and we have to show that against Real Madrid. "We're getting back players that have been absent with injury like me.

"It all depends on how you look at things. You can be pessimistic and think we have been knocked out of the Cup and that it was tough for us to win.

"Or you can think positively, which is what I do, and see that we are fighting for the league, that we're in the last 16 of the Champions League, that on the whole we are better than previous years.

"That's what I think." The Reds now face a two-week break before a home clash with Manchester City is followed by the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.

Being a former Atletico star, Torres is relishing the prospect of a return to his homeland and is targeting a first ever win at the home of the reigning Spanish champions.

"It is the most attractive tie of the Champions League," he said. "One of the teams with the best history in Europe against one with the greatest in England and only one can remain in the competition.

"For me it's not just another game and that's not just for my Atletico past: it is an extra motivation for anyone to face Madrid in Europe.

"I have never won in the Bernabeu and with all the respect that I deserve and they have for us, I really want go and look like equals against Real.

"There is no favourite, apart from maybe each team at home. That the second leg is at our place might be an advantage, but that doesn't always prove true.

"I am well aware that they will be very dangerous in the Champions League. They always have been.

"But in cup games, and the other day is the exception that proves the rule, we are like a fish in water.

"The league is harder because there are clubs who have more money and you can tell that."

Skipper Steven Gerrard faces a race against time to overcome his hamstring injury and face the nine times champions on February 25, with El Nino desperate for the Reds number eight to make a rapid recovery.

"He is irreplaceable," he said. "Every great team has a model player, one whose home is there, one who stays there for life.

"People come and people go and he always stays. Here that's Gerrard. Liverpool is him and 10 others. He is everything for us.

"They're saying he'll be out for three weeks, let's hope it's less. I hope and would love his lay-off to be shorter."


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TORRES: I DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANYWHERE ELSE

NEWS STORY : TORRES: I DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANYWHERE ELSE Paul Eaton 10 February 2009

Fernando Torres has again pledged his long-term future to Liverpool following reports that Barcelona are weighing up a summer bid for his services.

Speaking ahead of Spain's friendly with England on Wednesday night, the Liverpool striker insists he is happy at Anfield and isn't considering a move away.

"I don't see myself playing for Real Madrid, or Barcelona or Chelsea or any other team," he said.

"I see myself playing for Liverpool. I have a long contract and that's that."

After netting late winners in each of Liverpool's last two league games against Chelsea and Portsmouth, El Nino is hopeful his injury problems are now a thing of the past.

"This year what I am more worried about are injuries," he added. "I have had many problems since last summer but I hope I will be okay now until the end of the season."

And Torres is keeping his fingers crossed that Reds skipper Steven Gerrard can make a speedy return to first team action after a hamstring problem.

"Hopefully Steven will be okay too," he said. "He's a special player and a vital part of our team and we need him fit again soon.

"I don't know how long it will take for his leg to heal, but we wish him the best and hope we can have him back as quick as possible. "If it is in time for the Champions League game with Real Madrid even better."

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NEWS STORY : NGOG IN FOR TORRES AT POMPEY

NEWS STORY

NGOG IN FOR TORRES AT POMPEY Jimmy Rice at Fratton Park 07 February 2009

David Ngog replaces Fernando Torres for this evening's clash at Fratton Park, while Fabio Aurelio comes into central midfield.

Torres played 101 minutes in midweek and is not yet ready to play three games in a week, meaning his French understudy gets a first Premier League start against Portsmouth.

Alongside Torres on the bench will be Xabi Alonso, who has an ankle knock, meaning Aurelio stands in as a makeshift midfielder in the absence of the suspended Lucas and hamstrung Steven Gerrard.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez has selected five at the back, with Daniel Agger returning. The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Agger, Carragher, Skrtel, Mascherano, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Torres, Hyypia, Riera, Alonso, Kuyt, El Zhar.


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PORTSMOUTH 2 - 3 LIVERPOOL

PORTSMOUTH 2 - 3 LIVERPOOL Saturday 07 February 2009 17:30 , Barclays Premier League

LATE DRAMA AS TORRES PUTS REDS TOP An injury-time winner from substitute Fernando Torres sent Liverpool back to the top of the league after a dramatic 3-2 win at Fratton Park. The Reds twice came from behind through Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt before El Nino's ninth goal of the season saw them leapfrog Manchester United until Sunday at least. All five goals came in an unbelievable second half, and though Liverpool had trailed through David Nugent and Hermann Hreidarsson, the victory was deserved. Changes were expected following the extra-time defeat to Everton just 72 hours earlier, though the extent no doubt shocked some of the hardcore Scousers who braved the arctic conditions at Fratton Park. With Torres and Xabi Alonso deemed fit enough only for the bench, rookie striker David Ngog got his first Premier League start, while Fabio Aurelio stood in as a makeshift midfielder, something he was occasionally asked to do by Benitez at Valencia. Elsewhere, there were five at the back, with Daniel Agger returning. Liverpool started brightly but it was one of their ex stars who was first to threaten when some great hold up play from Nugent allowed Peter Crouch to ghost into the box before shooting straight at Pepe Reina in front of the travelling Kop. The visitors were dominant from there, as if Benitez's starters felt they had a point to prove. One of those to impress was Agger, who found Alvaro Arbeloa with a superb lofted pass. The full-back seemed to take Pompey by surprise with an early ball to Yossi Benayoun, who strode into the area only to squander his shot. Next Aurelio, assuming free-kick duty in the absence of Alonso and the hamstrung Steven Gerrard, brushed the post with a 25-yard bender. The Brazilian looked a natural in midfield, though had his head in hands on 16 minutes after skewing wide following some slick football from Ngog and Ryan Babel. Aurelio's midfield partner was next to be denied. The sight of Javier Mascherano directing a scorcher into the bottom corner on 26 minutes took David James by surprise, but the former Reds stopper did just enough to tip wide. At the other end, Pompey's threat was largely restricted to set-pieces, although a turn and shot from Crouch as half-time loomed caused temporary alarm. Liverpool started the second half on the front foot, with Ngog winning a corner after skipping past two defenders. Minutes later Howard Webb waved away penalty protests following an apparent handball from Glen Johnson. If the visitors felt hard done by, things soon evened themselves out when a slip from Agger saw him inadvertently palm the ball away from a blue shirt. No penalty, said Mr Webb. The away fans were starting to bounce in tribute to their £20million substitute, though it was Kuyt who Benitez introduced for Ngog after 56 minutes. The Dutchman almost made an instant impact. It was Benayoun who skipped effortlessly past Hreidarsson before finding Kuyt, who drove the ball across the six-yard box only for Babel to miss an open goal. Then, on 62 minutes, a breakthrough at the wrong end. And to add insult to injury, it came from an Evertonian as Nugent latched onto a superb throughball from, who else, Crouch before keeping his cool to slot underneath Reina. The irony would not have been lost on Sunday newspaper writers had Crouch inflicted a serious blow to Liverpool's title challenge, but just seven minutes later the big man was instrumental in restoring parity. It was the England striker's mis-judged back pass that was handled by James, resulting in an indirect free-kick 10 yards out. Substitute Alonso took the faintest of touches before Aurelio thundered into the bottom corner and it was 1-1. Cue tremors around Fratton Park as Torres entered the fray. El Nino had 15 minutes to make the difference, but his task was about to be made almost impossible, for it was Portsmouth who struck next. The goal came on 77 minutes when Nadir Belhadj's in-swinging free-kick was nodded beyond the despairing Reina by an unmarked Hreidarsson. If Liverpool were to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top, another one of those early-season comebacks would be required. The first step to exactly that was taken on 84 minutes when Torres burst clear of Sylvain Distan before cutting back to Kuyt, who took two touches before blasting into the top corner from a difficult angle. Then, after one minute of injury time, mission impossible was complete when Benayoun's pinpoint cross was met by a bullet header from Torres. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Agger, Carragher (captain), Skrtel, Arbeloa, Dossena, Mascherano, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog. Subs - Hyypia, Torres, El Zhar, Riera, Cavalieri, Kuyt, Alonso Portsmouth: James, Hreidarsson, Campbell (captain), Distin, Johnson, Belhadj, Basinas, Mullins, Davis, Nugent, Crouch. Subs - Pamarot, , Kranjcar, Gekas, Begovic, Mvuemba, Lauren Referee: Howard Webb Conditions: Very cold Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fabio Aurelio Breakdown 17:33 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Liverpool get the game underway at Fratton Park 2 mins : Snap shot from Nugent fails to trouble Reina 5 mins : Nugent finds Crouch in the box but the former Red can't beat Reina from close range 6 mins : It looks like we're playing three central defenders, two wing-backs, Aurelio and Mascherano in the middle and then Babel and Benayoun behind Ngog 7 mins : Dossena wins a free kick off Johnson after a foul on the left hand side 8 mins : Great chance for Benayoun but he scuffs a left footed shot into the side netting 11 mins : Aurelio bends a free kick fractions wide of James' post - great effort from the Brazilian. Good start from Liverpool 15 mins : Good run by Babel down the left leads to a spell of good passing from the Reds. We're dominating so far 17 mins : Aurelio goes close again with a left footed shot from 20 yards which is disappointingly wide 25 mins : Great effort from Mascherano who forces James into a diving save away to his left 27 mins : Reina makes a comfortable stop from a Basinas free kick from 25 yards 28 mins : Agger catches Basinas with a challenge and the Portsmouth debutante needs treatment 35 mins : Crouch turns outside the box and smashes a shot over the goal. The game has gone a bit scrappy of late 18:20 GMT : Half Time Reached 18:37 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Portsmouth get the second half underway with the scores still goalless 46 mins : Early shot from Ngog wins Liverpool a corner in front of their own fans 46 mins : Substitution: Niko Kranjcar for Hayden Mullins: 51 mins : Good play from Ngog leads to a promising attack but in the end James is out to gather 55 mins : Substitution: Dirk Kuyt for David Ngog: 58 mins : Golden chance for Babel to open the scoring but he somehow fails to make contact in front of goal from Kuyt's cross 61 mins : GOAL! David Nugent: Nugent slides the ball under Reina from close range to open the scoring 66 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Andrea Dossena: 67 mins : James handles a backpass, giving Liverpool a free kick inside the area 69 mins : GOAL! Fabio Aurelio: Aurelio fires home the free kick low past James 71 mins : James saves well from a stinging drive from Kuyt 75 mins : Kuyt has the ball in the net from Aurelio's pass but is flagged offside 76 mins : Substitution: Fernando Torres for Ryan Babel: 77 mins : GOAL! Hermann Hreidarsson: Pompey regain the lead as Hreidarsson heads home unmarked from in the box 81 mins : Benayoun has half a chance but James is out quickly to clear the danger 84 mins : GOAL! Dirk Kuyt: Kuyt smashes the ball into the roof of the net to level the scores - can we win it now? 88 mins : First Booking: Hermann Hreidarsson: 90 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Torres heads home a sensational winner from Aurelio's cross

NEWS STORY

TORRES KEEN FOR MORE DERBY GLORY

In-form Fernando Torres is hoping for a repeat of his heroics at Goodison earlier in the season when Liverpool take on Everton for a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup tonight.



After two late goals saw off the challenge of Chelsea at the weekend, Torres is closing in on his best form once again after recovering from a hamstring injury.

It was Torres' deadly double which claimed three league points at Everton back in September and tonight he'll be looking to maintain his record of never having been on the losing side against our city rivals.

"It was a fantastic day for me that last time I played in a derby at Goodison Park," he recalled. "I was lucky enough to score two goals and we won the game so it was a good moment for us.

"It is true that Liverpool have not been beaten by Everton since I came here but that does not mean anything in this game.

"It would be fantastic if we could keep that run going because it would mean that we are in the next round but we know we will have to work really hard for this to happen.

"We want to keep advancing in the cup, this is another target for us.

"Beating Everton away will be very difficult but we will do our very best because we know that it will be fantastic for our fans if we can beat Everton at Goodison.

"Unfortunately, we could not beat Everton on the last two occasions that we played them at home.

"We know that they will be even more dangerous on their own ground in front of their own fans but we also know that we have another chance to win."

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Last Match Stats : EVERTON 1 - 0 LIVERPOOL

EVERTON 1 - 0 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 04 February 2009 20:10 , FA Cup 4th Round Replay

TEN-MAN REDS CRASH OUT OF FA CUP Liverpool are out of this season's FA Cup after crashing to a 1-0 extra-time defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. The Reds endured a torrid evening against the Blues and went down to a Dan Gosling goal on 118 minutes after Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence in normal time. Having drawn the first two matches of this Merseyside derby trilogy, Rafael Benitez's men went into the final clash against their neighbours with the rallying cry of skipper Steven Gerrard ringing in their ears. The inspirational number eight urged his teammates to build on the momentum of Sunday's last-gasp win over Chelsea by securing a place in the fifth round; but it became somewhat of an uphill battle as the night wore on, especially when the club captain was forced off with a hamstring strain after just 16 minutes. It was a huge blow for the Reds who had started brightly, with Xabi Alonso fizzing a 25 yarder just wide on eight minutes. Rafael Benitez's men were the more dominant in possession but the enforced substitution of Gerrard for Yossi Benayoun seemed to disrupt their flow and from that moment on the game developed into a tough battle. The Blues knew their best hope would once again come from set pieces and their first sight of Pepe Reina's goal came when Leon Osman volleyed well over after latching on to an up-and-under from a half-cleared corner. It seemed to boost the home side's confidence and they nearly grabbed the opener just shy of the half hour mark, but Tim Cahill mis-kicked following an almighty scramble in the visitors' penalty area. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got in the first 45, with any trace of goalmouth incident overshadowed by the type of full-blooded challenges that had been something of a missing ingredient in our previous meetings this campaign. The Reds tried to inject some urgency into their play in the second period but as the half wore on the game remained tense and scrappy. It looked more and more likely that one goal was going to settle it and the Reds nearly got it on 61 minutes. Alonso picked the ball up midway through the Everton half before delivering a sublime defence-splitting pass for Albert Riera whose low shot was brilliantly blocked by Howard. Everton responded and 10 minutes later Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill combined to tee up Osman but the midfielder saw his drilled strike crash back off the near post. With extra-time looming Liverpool suffered another huge body blow when they were reduced to 10-men after Lucas was handed a second yellow card for a foul on Joleon Lescott. It instantly handed the advantage to David Moyes' side and as the match moved beyond the 90 minutes they took the game to the Reds with Cahill inches away from turning home Leighton Baines' inviting cross. Osman then fired straight at Reina before the Spaniard pulled off a stunning double stop to keep out both, the midfielder's long range strike, and substitute Gosling's follow-up. It was all Everton at this point and from the resulting corner Cahill flashed a flick header just past the far post. Arteta then saw a deflected free-kick arrow just wide as the Blues ended the first period of extra-time well on top. Liverpool's best hope appeared to be a penalty shoot-out but just when that looked likely Everton put together the move that would win them the match. Substitute Andy Van Der Meyde picked up the ball on the right and sent a cross to the far post that Gosling took down, and after initially hesitating, he curled an effort beyond Reina into the far post to sink the Reds. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Leiva, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Hyypia, Mascherano, El Zhar, Cavalieri, Babel, Agger, Benayoun Everton: Howard, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Hibbert, Osman, Arteta, Neville (captain), Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini. Subs - Yobo, Rodwell, Castillo, Jacobsen, Nash, Gosling, Van der Meyde Referee: Alan Wiley Conditions: Mild Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher Breakdown 20:11 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Liverpool get the game underway at Goodison 2 mins : Fellaini concedes an early free kick for a foul on Arbeloa 3 mins : Pienaar has the ball by the corner flag but Liverpool crowd him out and win the ball back 4 mins : Poor tackle from Osman on Dossena gives us a free kick in a good area on the left 4 mins : It's a good delivery from Gerrard but there's a foul in the box and Everton have a free kick 6 mins : Torres wins a corner off Lescott and limps away from the challenge 6 mins : Terrific effort from Alonso who fizzes a right footed shot just wide from distance 9 mins : Good start to the game by us. We're dominating possession and playing in the Everton half of the field 14 mins : Benayoun is getting ready to come on 15 mins : It's going to be Gerrard coming off when the play stops 16 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Steven Gerrard: 17 mins : Fellaini is all over Alonso and concedes a free kick. He probably deserved a booking 19 mins : First Booking: Tim Cahill: 23 mins : Benayoun has space to run into down the right but the resulting shot is poor and Howard gathers comfortably 25 mins : Osman blasts a volley over from outside the box 26 mins : News coming through that Gerrard was forced off with a hamstring injury 27 mins : Good run by Dossena down the left forces Everton into conceding another free kick 28 mins : Lucas gives away a dangerous free kick which Arteta drives into the wall 33 mins : Kuyt has space but delays his pass and eventually Riera is flagged offside 37 mins : Lucas is down and needing treatment after a tackle from Pienaar 43 mins : First Booking: Steven Pienaar: Booked for a dreadful tackle on Lucas 21:00 GMT : Half Time Reached 21:16 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Everton get the second half underway 47 mins : First Booking: Phil Neville: 48 mins : First Booking: Lucas Leiva: 53 mins : Skrtel and Benayoun combine well down the right but Everton defend well again 53 mins : Substitution: Dan Gosling for Marouane Fellaini: 55 mins : Hibbert swings in a cross from the right which is easily held by Reina 60 mins : Substitution: Jack Rodwell for Steven Pienaar: 61 mins : Best chance so far falls to Riera who is fed the ball brilliantly by Alonso but Howard is out quickly to smother 68 mins : Good spell of pressure by us ends with Kuyt's header looping into Howard's arms 71 mins : Osman smashes a shot against the post as Everton go close to taking the lead 72 mins : First Booking: Mikel Arteta: 76 mins : Sending Off: Lucas Leiva: Sent off for two bookable offences 80 mins : Substitution: Javier Mascherano for Albert Riera: 82 mins : Rodwell tries from distance but doesn't trouble Reina 85 mins : Time ticking away - we're heading for extra time and maybe penalties 88 mins : First Booking: Xabi Alonso: 22:06 GMT : 90mins over -> Extra Time Pending 22:11 GMT : Extra Time 1st Half Begins 91 mins : Everton kick off the first period of extra time 96 mins : Gosling is foiled by Reina as Everton win a corner 97 mins : Cahill comes within inches of scoring as his header flies just wide 101 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Fernando Torres: 22:27 GMT : End of 1st half of extra time 22:27 GMT : Start of 2nd half of extra time 115 mins : Substitution: Andy Van der Meyde for Phil Neville: 112 mins : First Booking: Tony Hibbert: 117 mins : GOAL! Dan Gosling: Gosling curls the ball past Reina to open the scoring 120 mins : Two minutes left to play 22:46 GMT : Match Over

TORRES: WE ALWAYS BELIEVED WE'D WIN

NEWS STORY
TORRES: WE ALWAYS BELIEVED WE'D WIN Joe Curran 02 February 2009

Fernando Torres claims Liverpool always believed they could get the better of Chelsea - even as the score remained goalless with injury time looming.

The Spanish striker finally broke the deadlock after 89 frustrating minutes before adding another seconds before the final whistle.

Torres believes 'the Liverpool way' of fighting right to the death saw them through yet again.

"We always thought we could win - that is the Liverpool mentality," said the 24 year old.

"We had to keep on working until the end. A lot of goals are scored near the end of games in England, and we knew that it could be like this in this game. "I am very happy. We knew before that this was a massive game. We needed to get the three points and stay close to Manchester United in the league. "We knew before that we needed to win. We have a lot more confidence now, of course. "It's a very long title race. We know that United are at the top of the table at the moment but we have time and are going to fight until the end. It brings us closer than before, and we know that we still have a chance."

El Nino admits he is happy to have bagged his first goals at Anfield in eight months following a season blighted by injuries.

"It's very important for me because they were my first goals after the injuries and we will all have more confidence after this as well," he added. "It is fantastic for me - to score at home, and against Chelsea. It has been very frustrating not to be able to play. I am very happy, but more for the result."

Credit and Info By : www.liverpoolfc.net

Last MaTcH HiLiGhT :LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 CHELSEA

LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 CHELSEA Sunday 01 February 2009 16:00 , Barclays Premier League

LAST-GASP TORRES SINKS CHELSEA Fernando Torres struck a last-gasp double to claim a sensational 2-0 victory for Liverpool against 10-man Chelsea. The Reds produced a dominant second-half display against the Blues and deservedly claimed the three points when El Nino grabbed his first Anfield goals of the season on 89 and 94 minutes. It means Rafael Benitez's men move up to second place in the table and are now two points behind leaders Man United who still have a game in hand. The Reds had gone into the match with the Londoners hoping to send out a message that they were still very much a part of the title race. Vice Captain Jamie Carragher had urged his teammates to make a statement of their intent and they duly set about making life uncomfortable for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men. A lightning break after just 60 seconds almost provided the perfect start but for once Steven Gerrard failed to make the most of an opening on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area. Amidst the backdrop of snowfall both sides showed a keen appetite for the contest and in the early exchanges there were some thunderous challenges, but little in the way of actual attempts at goal. Xabi Alonso went some way to altering that stat with a stinging 25 yarder that Petr Cech managed to tip over the bar at full stretch, but it remained an evenly matched contest throughout the half. The Reds looked the more likely to make a breakthrough with a series of long range efforts that will have caused some concern for the visitors, particularly when Javier Mascherano's thunderbolt was spilled by Cech. Sadly for Rafa and co there was no red shirt close enough to take advantage. The game needed a goal and it could so easily have arrived on the half hour mark when Jamie Carragher crossed from the right for Torres, but the Spaniard's turn and shot was brilliantly blocked by a Chelsea defender. As the half finally came to close the Reds could claim to have edged it and with a touch of luck they could have gone in ahead. Albert Riera evaded two challenges and forced a smart save out of Cech with Ashley Cole lucky to see the rebound smash off his knee and wide of the far post. A second-half onslaught at the Kop end was the order of the day and Dirk Kuyt went close to an immediate breakthrough when he stabbed an effort wide following Alex's mistake. Mascherano then floated a pass to Gerrard inside the area but despite a superb knockdown from the skipper, Torres saw his goal-bound effort well blocked. The Reds were turning the screw and could easily have been awarded a penalty on 56 minutes when John Terry appeared to bring down Kuyt, but referee Mike Riley refused to point to the spot. Tensions were reaching fever pitch and Liverpool were handed a huge advantage just shy of the hour mark when Frank Lampard was shown a straight red card for a high tackle of Alonso. The dismissal inspired a crescendo of noise inside Anfield with the Reds surging forward to chants of 'attack, attack; attack, attack, attack'. Gerrard saw his free-kick deflected to safety by the Chelsea wall and Mascherano headed Carragher's cross just over before Alonso's curler cannoned off back off the crossbar. The home side were camped inside the Chelsea half and must have thought they had finally scored on 72 minutes. A corner from the right fell at the feet of Torres and as the striker turned he unleashed a fizzing effort at goal that was somehow hacked clear on the line. Substitute Yossi Benayoun twice came close late on before El Nino saved the day with a sublime near post header from Fabio Aurelio's pinpoint cross. And it got better four minutes into injury-time when the Spaniard lashed home the loose ball after Benayoun was challenged in the penalty area. It means Liverpool have completed their first league double over Chelsea since 1990 - the last time they won the title. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Benayoun, Agger, Ngog, Dossena, Babel, Leiva, Cavalieri Chelsea: Cech, Cole, Terry (captain), , Bosingwa, Malouda, Lampard, Ballack, Obi Mikel, Kalou, Anelka. Subs - Ferreira, Hilario, Stoch, , Ivanovic, Mancienne, Drogba Referee: Unknown Conditions: Snow Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Torres Breakdown 16:01 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : It's second v third in the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea get the match underway at a snowy Anfield - they're playing towards the Kop end 1 min : Torres initiates an attack through the middle and plays in Gerrard on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, but the Blues usher him away 2 mins : Cech fires a free-kick upfield 3 mins : The referee blows for a foul after Albert Riera took down Bosingwa, apparently 4 mins : My word, that is proper snow 6 mins : Riera plays in Torres down the left. El Nino puts a ball across for Kuyt, but the referee blows for another foul - this time Gerrard was at fault after attempting to control on the edge of the area 7 mins : A pleasing one-two between Kuyt and Arbeloa runs on a bit too far - the idea was there though 8 mins : Gerrard chips in a free-kick goalwards, but it runs over into the travelling Chelsea fans 9 mins : Riera cuts inside, but his pass finds a blue shirt 10 mins : It's been a testy opening ten minutes - both sides are sizing each other up here at a chilly Anfield 11 mins : Chelsea nearly found a way through there, but it turned out that Kalou was offside 12 mins : Fantastic shot from Alonso is tipped over by Cech 12 mins : The Spanish midfielder came close to getting another goal against Big Phil's men there - he really hit it from 19 yards and Cech had to stretch in order to keep the scores at 0-0 14 mins : Masch tidies things up at the centre - good work 14 mins : Liverpool are pushing for a goal here, but Chelsea seem content to play on the counter 15 mins : Malouda looks to get in down the left, but Carragher ushers him away 16 mins : Ballack disposesses Riera and floats a ball into the Liverpool penalty area, but Carra is there again to clear the danger 17 mins : Ballack has scored his only three goals of this season in the last four games. 18 mins : Riley gives Masch and Ballack a ticking off after a bit of handbags 19 mins : Reina sets Aurelio free down the left 19 mins : Mascherano shoots from out on the right, which Cech parries before clearing 20 mins : Bosingwa takes down Riera with an over-zealous aerial challenge. Liverpool free-kick 20 mins : First Booking: Javier Mascherano: 20 mins : That booking has been on the cards for some time now 21 mins : Malouda takes down Aurelio, things are getting rather feisty 23 mins : First Booking: Ashley Cole: 23 mins : Cole took down Kuyt to guarantee a booking there 24 mins : Chelsea have really come into things now. They're getting the ball down and playing 26 mins : Gerrard and Torres combine and come close to finding a way through, but Chelsea manage to clear 27 mins : Kuyt storms down the wing on the break, but the attack fizzles out 29 mins : An horse-like backheel from Alonso brings a cheer from the Anfield crowd. It came after another Chelsea clearance 30 mins : Cech looks to dribble the ball out of his area, and nearly pays for it when Riera attemtps to tackle 32 mins : Torres tees himself up for a shot from nine yards out, but his effort is blocked 36 mins : Riera looks to play a long pass, but it just runs straight through to Cech 37 mins : It's more of the same kick and run stuff here at Anfield. Chelsea have been clearing everything 39 mins : Chelsea threaten at the other end, but Skrtel gets it away 40 mins : Gerrard sets up an attack 41 mins : Bosingwa hoofs clear 42 mins : Riera thunders a great shot in at Cech, but somehow the Chelsea defence puts it out for a throw after the keeper got a hand to it 43 mins : Liverpool corner 43 mins : Cech punches clear. Someone might want to tell him it could be an idea to catch it every now and then 45 mins : Chelsea have a free-kick in a dangerous position 45 mins : Carragher clears 16:48 GMT : Half Time Reached 17:03 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway. We are shooting towards the Kop end 46 mins : First Booking: Xabi Alonso: 47 mins : Bosingwa looks in a lot of pain after that challenge from Alonso 48 mins : Aurelio thumps clear from a lofted long ball 49 mins : Some good build-up play from Liverpool is looking promising here 51 mins : Gerrard picks the ball up in space and finds Kuyt on the right, who puts a cross in which deflects off a Chelsea defender. Liverpool corner 52 mins : Kuyt tries a speculative dink of a shot after the Gerrard corner misses everyone else and finds the Dutchman on the far side. It goes a couple of yards wide 53 mins : First Booking: John Obi Mikel: 53 mins : This is a good spell for Rafa's men. Now Torres tries a shot, which is blocked 54 mins : The snow is really whipping around the place now 55 mins : Mascherano looks for options and finds Alonso 56 mins : Arbeloa storms down the right and plays in Kuyt, who is tackled by John Terry just before a potential shot. Good stuff 57 mins : Arbs is looking lively here - he's right in the thick of it 58 mins : Exclusive news: Today's official attendance is 44,174 - you heard it here first 60 mins : Sending Off: Frank Lampard: 61 mins : First Booking: John Terry: 64 mins : That sending off has really stoked things up at anfield - Liverpool have a free-kick 23 yards out. Game on 65 mins : John Terry heads clear, then Arbeloa floats in a cross which Mascherano tries a header from. The Argentine heads just over 66 mins : Ballack tries to throw Reina off the ball, but he's having none of it 68 mins : Gerrard comes close with a header, but Cech clears for a corner 68 mins : The Reds latest attack hits the bar before Cech clears for another corner. We're getting closer 68 mins : Substitution: Deco for Florent Malouda: 69 mins : Substitution: Didier Drogba for Nicolas Anelka: 69 mins : Drogba is booed by pretty much the whole of Anfield 70 mins : First Booking: Steven Gerrard: 70 mins : Mike Riley reckons Gerrard dived there 71 mins : Aurelio brings the ball up the left flank 72 mins : The Brazilian tries a shot, but yes - you've guessed it, Chelsea manage to block it 73 mins : Torres comes agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, but the Blues' defence clear it off the line 74 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Albert Riera: 74 mins : The Spanish striker is having a right good go here, but a stoic Chelsea keep hacking it away 75 mins : 15 minutes left to find a way through 76 mins : Alonso tries to pick out a shot, but it skids wide. Great build-up play, but the end product wasn't there 77 mins : Liverpool are throwing everything at the Chelsea rearguard 78 mins : Arbeloa takes down Kalou 78 mins : The Kop roar on the Reds to attack 79 mins : Torres acrobatically turns and shoots, but Cech comfortably collects 80 mins : Fantastic effort from Benayoun. He cuts inside from the left before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot. Cech gets a hand to it and puts out for a corner 81 mins : Torres has yet another shot blocked, Chelsea attack on the counter 81 mins : Dirk is disposessed just inside the penalty area 83 mins : Another great shot from Yossi 83 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Javier Mascherano: 85 mins : Substitution: Miroslav Stoch for Salomon Kalou: 87 mins : Liverpool keep attacking, but to no avail 89 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: 89 mins : Torres heads home to surely secure the points for Liverpool! 90 mins : There will be a minimum of five minutes added time 90 mins : Anfield is bouncing 90 mins : Substitution: David Ngog for Fernando Torres: 90 mins : Liverpool have won!