Liverpool v Reading

After what seems like a long International break, Liverpool played host to Reading looking for their first home win at Anfield this season.

As is the trend this season, youth and experience filled the lineup with Suso and Sterling in the 11 with Suarez and Gerrard and a change in goal with Brad Jones coming in for the injured Reina.

Liverpool went on the attack early with Nuri Sahin breaking through in the 15th minute to unleash a dipping shot and Sterling curled a shot from 20 yards out but neither troubled McCarthy in the away goal.

Suarez and Gerrard combined to send Sterling down the left wing but he lacked a decision and the ball went for a goal kick but minutes later, Suarez created an opening but looped a shot over the crossbar.

Reading had to restructure midway through the first half with Jem Karacan having to come off after a 50/50 with Gerrard which ended badly for him and Gareth McCleary came on in his place.

As the half hour mark approached, Suarez directed the ball through the Reading defence and in ran Raheem Sterling to guide the ball past McCarthy into the bottom corner and start a roar from the home fans and become the youngest scorer for Liverpool in the league since the famous Michael Owen.

It was nearly 2-0 when Suarez swayed past his marker and last a fiery shot through the box but sadly it hit the hoardings rather than the back of the net. In recent weeks, Suarez has been criticised for his so-called theatrics but in the 38th minute he was awarded a free-kick which saw the 40,000+ home crowd give a sarcastic round of applause.


The resulting set-piece came to nothing but just before the break, was a supposed foul by Kaspars Gorkss on Suarez which wasn't awarded but left the Uruguayan limping down the tunnel as the half time whistle went.

The second half began with Liverpool testing McCarthy via Sterling and Johnson but the lead stayed at one.


Reading had their first chance of the game as McCleary swooped in behind Wisdom but was denied by Jones in the Liverpool goal and Jones denied McAnuff within minutes after a long range strike.

 

The Reading surge died down as Sterling crossed for Suarez but his instant shot flew into the stand and Skrtel tried a header just over after connecting to Gerrard's cross.

Johnson was denied on the line as Liverpool pushed for a second but had to settle for a narrow win as the game came to an end and signalled a first home win of the season despite not being convincing.

 

A tough set of games coming up begins with the hosting of Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala who sit top of the Russian League and on a long unbeaten run. 

 

Liverpool v Stoke

After defeat in the Europa League on Thursday to Udinese, Liverpool looked to bounce back at home to Stoke, a team that in recent years has had a good run when Liverpool came to them but this time its them looking to turn a record around with not winning at Anfield since 1959.

Youth again featured in the lineup with Suso and Andre Wisdom starting and Crouch and Adam returned to face their former club.

After 4 minutes, Suarez tumbled and complained of a kick from Huth but to no avail. Minutes later, Sahin's mistake nearly let Stoke in for an opening goal but the pressure was contained.

Both sides pushed for an opener and another Liverpool mistake in the 20th minute nearly let Stoke in this time Reina was at fault but kept out Kightly's chance.

Gerrard forced a great stop form Begovic on 27 minutes and Liverpool had another chance via Agger who stretched for a tap in which creeped wide of the post.

Sterling put Suarez in to set up Gerrard seven minutes later but Gerrard missed the target.

Halftime came and both were still level at 0-0, Johnson struck for goal and forced a save from Begovic and soon after came close with a chip which went over.

On the hour mark, Suarez broke and tried find the top corner but it slipped wide of the goal and a run from Agger setup Sterling but he took a first time shot and hit the post.

74 minutes gone and still 0-0 and Suarez tumbled in the box and many saw it as a dive as his fall and the tackle were seconds apart. He had a chance to shush the critics near the end but couldn't beat Begovic.

In the last minute, Gerrard's free kick was sprayed across goal by Skrtel but Suarez couldn't tap it in and that was it. Liverpool still await a first league win of the season at Anfield and now have a break due to the international schedule and face Reading in their next game on Oct 20th.

Other results from the weekend

Liverpool v Udinese

Back to the Europa League and Liverpool looked to make it two wins from two and keep up an unbeaten home European record which stretched back to 2009 vs Fiorentina.

Rodgers continued his trend of mixing youth and experience and Liverpool came close to a great start after only eight minutes as Assaidi threatened with a quick dart into the box, Shelvey shot from range and Coates failed to direct a header past Brkic.

Both sides pushed for an opening goal and Udinese had a chance in the 14th minute as Benatia troubled Reina with a header which the home keeper duly saved.

Shelvey's start to the season has been mixed with good scoring performances and the sending off against Manchester United but on 23 minutes, it was the positive side that appeared as he opened the scoring from a nice move which featured his fellow U21 teammates. Henderson fed Shelvey who then fed Downing and Downing surged into the box and supplied the cross for Shelvey to head home.

Liverpool from there dominated possession for the rest of the half and at half time went in happy with the lead. However as they began the second half, Udinese struck level within 30 seconds as sub Lazzari crossed for Di Natale who timed his run to perfection to slot the ball past Reina from 12 yards.

 Both sides pushed to create a lead and Liverpool looked to be pushing further with 25 minutes to go as the cavalry in Suarez and Gerrard entered the fray in place of Assaidi and Henderson.

A controversial incident came when Downing outpaced his marker with a darting run down the left only to be hauled down by Pinzi who received a booking though on replaying the foul, a red card would not have been a harsh decision. From the resulting set-piece, Suarez shot goal wards only to be denied by his own player in Shelvey who strangely cleared it off the line.

Liverpool's luck began to slip as their plan fell to pieces in two shocking minutes as an Udinese free kick looked to be going straight to Reina but was headed in by the unfortunate Coates on 70 minutes and was swiftly followed by an easy goal for Pasquale from range and left Anfield in stunned silence.

A lifeline did come in the 75th minute as Suarez looped in an exquisite free kick to put Liverpool one goal away from levelling from 25 yards out. He also had chances to level, first with a close range header and then with a near post save by Brkic.

Liverpool increased the pressure but Sterling saw his shot from 12 yards ricochet over and mean that the 100% start to the group stage was now over and Udinese had secured a vital win over Liverpool.

The group progress had been made a bit harder with Anzhi also winning with Liverpool still to travel to Russia and Italy which are tough to got to and win in most cases but will be harder with the added pressure of sitting third in the group.

Next up is Stoke, in which Liverpool will be hoping to secure a first home win of the season in the league and secure a back to back win coupled with the Norwich triumph.

Other Results on matchday two

 

Norwich v Liverpool

After reaching the next round of the League Cup, Liverpool travelled to Norwich looking for their first league win of the season and the lineup was a mix of youth and experience with league debuts for Andre Wisdom and Suso and senior member Suarez and Gerrard back in the 11.

Liverpool began electrically with a goal from Suarez after 65 seconds after he danced into the box and after two touches powered the ball past Ruddy and Liverpool were up and running

Within minutes it could have been two for Liverpool as Agger headed over from Sahin's free kick, Norwich had a golden chance to equalise on 10 minutes as Jackson hit the post from a Snodgrass cross which Reina pushed onto the post.

23 minutes gone and Liverpool were denied a penalty as Suarez hit the deck after a challenge from Leon Barnett but the referee waved away the appeals. Liverpool went close to a second on 36 minutes as Agger produced some sublime play to open up the home defence but Suarez knocked the ball wide.

Suarez redeemed himself from that miss with a superb second goal after robbing the ball off Turner he produced a sublime finish into the corner and Liverpool were flying high with seven minutes left of the half. 

Halftime arrived and Liverpool went in happy and 45 minutes away from their first league win of the season and as the second half began it was almost a dream start for Norwich as   Morison sprays a cross to the back post and Surman powers a shot at goal and Snodgrass produces a howler as he misses from two yards and the ball went over the bar

Their hopes were dashed a minute later by Nuri Sahin with his first league goal and his third this week after two in the League Cup, as he tapped in from Suarez's pass to put Liverpool three up.

Suarez secured his second consecutive hat trick at Carrow Road on 58 minutes as he sent the ball spinning into the net from 22 yards out with Ruddy having no chance of stopping it and Liverpool surely had their first win and led 4-0.

However, Norwich began the comeback four minutes later as Morison slammed the ball past Reina after the Liverpool keeper failed to keep hold of Martin's shot and Norwich had pulled one back.

The comeback lasted barely six minutes as Liverpool hit their fifth courtesy of Steven Gerrard after collecting the ball from a Barnett deflection, he powered it past the ailing Ruddy.

Both sides pushed for more goals and the last of the match came three minutes from the end as a lapse in the Liverpool defence by Martin Skrtel allowed Grant Holt to score Norwich's second with a tidy finish.

Holt's goal made no difference to the result and as the final whistle went, Liverpool had secured their first league win of the season in style with Suarez hitting top form and fully deserving the matchable and the Man of the Match award.

                                                                                          Other results from this afternoon..

West Brom v Liverpool (Capital One Cup)

After the defeat on Sunday, Liverpool began tonight looking to bounce back and the lineup showed yet again the 'kids' would be the ones trying for the first domestic win of the season.

Liverpool's plan suffered an early blow after only four minutes as a mistake by Brad Jones saw Gabriel Tamas open the scoring for West Brom and Liverpool were on the back foot. 

Romelu Lukaku nearly made it 2-0 but saw his shot denied by a well timed interception by Jamie Carragher and a couple of minutes later he set up Rosenberg who saw his shot well saved by Jones.

Liverpool had a great chance to equalise as Assaidi flew down the left and curled towards the near post but as Yesil arrived he was unable to guide the ball in.

The equaliser did come on 17 minutes as Downing spotted Wisdom out on the right and the full back put in Sahin who let fly from 30 yards out, the  shot troubled Foster in the home goal and smashed in.

With halftime approaching, Liverpool started a break as Assaidi fed Yesil who looked to have been clipped as he went to break through the West Brom defence but stayed on his feet and was sadly dispossessed by Jonas Olsson.

After the interval, Liverpool continued where they had left off with Pacheco and Yesil exchanging passes just outside the area but as the Spaniard went to shoot, the ball was intercepted.

Both sides pressed for a winner but it was Liverpool who again had a great chance as Yesil's close range shot crept over the crossbar and it seemed like the away side would be the next to score as Sahin dominated the possession in the middle and the attacks became more expansive.

Pacheco came close twice with the first coming after beating his marker to loop a shot over Foster which pinged onto the cross bar and his second chance saw him fire low at Foster with the keeper pushing away the goal-bound shot.

In the 80th minute, Liverpool wrote a new piece of history as 16-year-old Jerome Sinclair came on to become the youngest-ever Liverpool player to play for the 'senior' team when he replaced Yesil while Pacheco departed for Suso.

Suso made an instant impact as he ran at the West Brom defence with confidence before sliding a pass to Assaidi who then squared the ball to the back post for Sahin to tap in and secure a brace and surely the passage into the fourth round for Liverpool.


The final whistle went and Liverpool secured their first domestic win of the season and a place in the fourth round in which they were drawn at home to Swansea, a reunion for manager Brendan Rodgers in October on the cards.

Other results in round three

Liverpool v Manchester United

After a hard fought win on Thursday against Young Boys, Liverpool hosted Manchester United at Anfield in what would be an emotional occasion.

Both sides of fans took part in the pre match tribute to the 96 lost at Hillsborough which was observed with utmost respect and the pre-match handshake caused no problems unlike previous matches.

Liverpool started the better and created numerous chances but as is the Liverpool way this season they couldn't hit the target. Borini and Suarez each had great chances to break the deadlock and the pace and skill of Sterling and Kelly created openings for the home side.

However the balance of the game changed dramatically on 39 minutes as Jonjo Shelvey received his marching orders with a straight red card for a challenge on Evans which on replay looked to be the right decision but Evans may have received a booking as it looked like both went in hard on each other.

Half time came and both sides went in equal at 0-0 with Liverpoool hoping their numerical disadvantage wouldn't cost them the game.

A surprise substitution saw Suso make his Premier League debut in place of Fabio Borini and Liverpool started the half in the best possible way as Steven Gerrard slammed home in the 46th minute, Glen Johnson's attempted burst into the box saw the ball fall into Gerrard's path and he beat Lindegaard with a low finish.

The lead lasted barely five minutes before a spectacular effort by Rafael drew United level with an equaliser of pure class, he collected the ball on the right-hand side of the Liverpool area and bent in a superb shot that left Reina powerless as the ball curled in off the far post.

Luis Suarez had a great chance to regain the lead on the hour mark with a powerful shot from just outside the box which forced a good save from Lindegaard and five minutes later, Suso had a great chance but again Lindegaard kept the scores level.

Raheem Sterling departed the field and Jordan Henderson entered the fray on 66 minutes and Sterling received a great ovation for his good performance.

Suarez broke through  and sprayed the ball across the box but no team mates were in attendance to tap the ball in and regain the lead in the 69th minute.

Penalty to Manchester United on 76 minutes and Johnson conceded it as Valencia advanced into the box and the two collided as Reina came out. Daniel Agger left the field on a stretcher at the other end of the pitch and on came Jamie Carragher. 

No surprise as Robin Van Persie puts the penalty to Reina's left side after a four minute delay and despite getting a touch to the ball he couldn't keep it out and United led 2-1 and Liverpool needed a miracle to claim their maiden win of the season.

Things got worse in injury time as Martin Kelly limped off leaving Liverpool with only nine on the pitch and after six minutes of added time the whistle went and United took the points leaving Liverpool winless after five games.

Other results this weekend

Dare I say it, this is relegation form and I can't see it getting better this season, luck is just not with us and Norwich next Saturday is a must-win no matter what as winless after five is embarrassing enough.

Young Boys V Liverpool

Liverpool began their Europa League group campaign away in Switzerland to Young Boys and with a massive clash against Manchester United on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers made 11 changes.

Debuts were handed to Suso, Wisdom and Assaidi and Dani Pacheco gained his first start since April 2011. Liverpool were given a very early lead on 4 minutes as Stewart Downing's cross flew into the area with Spycher's headed clearance then ricocheting off Ojala and past 'keeper Wolfli in a comical and unlucky scene. Young Boys nearly drew level straight away but Bobadilla's shot was well saved by Brad Jones.

Assaidi had the chance to put Liverpool 2-0 up on 24 minutes but his shot drifted wide to keep the margin to a single goal and Suso's cut back on 36 minutes failed to reach an unmarked Pacheco. Two minutes later that proved to be costly due to an error by Enrique who took the ball past his own keeper and as he cleared it broke to Nuzzolo and he levellled the score with an easy finish.

Liverpool went 2-1 up on 40 minutes after an amazing leap by Andre Wisdom, Wisdom's powerful header flew in at the far post for his first senior goal on his debut and put Liverpool in front just before half time. Young Boys came so close to levelling two minutes before the break as Farnerud's shot came back off the upright ensured a half time lead for Liverpool.

Young Boys equalised on 52 minutes courtesy of Ojala who made up for his comical own goal from earlier on with a well postitioned header past Brad Jones to score his first goal for the club and put his team back in the game.

Bobadilla's quick break on 63 minutes released Zarate who chipped over Jones and put Young Boys ahead 3-2 just after Borini entered the fray. Zarate departed the field barely two minutes after giving his side the lead and Borini nearly equalised soon after but failed to beat the keeper leading to Assaidi's departure and the entry of Shelvey.

Shelvey had been on barely five seconds and Liverpool were level thanks to Seb Coates with a superb header which flew in past Wolfli as Borini put the 'keeper off on 66 minutes.

 Liverpool went 4-3 up after a nice run by Fabio Borini down the left spry the ball to Henderson who with one touch sets up Jonjo Shelvey to side foot into the goal on 76 minutes and Raheem Sterling came on for Stewart Downing.

Farnerud came close to equaising on 81 minutes but saw hiw shot saved by Jones but on 88 minutes, Jonjo Shelvey scored his second with a run down the middle and then took it past two defenders before powering a shot from the edge of the area which blew past Wolfli in the Young Boys net to seal the win in an eight goal thriller.

A great way to prepare for Sunday and to send a message to the other teams in the group that despite fielding a youthful side, Liverpool can still perform and win well.



Other results tonight were as follows...