Reds Exit The Cup At Arsenal

After a last-gasp win at Fulham in midweek, Liverpool made their second trip to London in a week to face Arsenal with the prospect of a quarter final against city rivals Everton on the cards.

Liverpool surprisingly made changes despite the fact their next game is not for a full seven days but in came Jones, Agger and Allen as they looked to complete a mini double over Arsenal in February.

In a copy of the previous meeting between the sides, Liverpool had the first chance as Sturridge connected to a superb pass from Gerrard but he was denied a continuance of his scoring streak by a block from Fabianski. Minutes later, Sturridge had another chance via a pick out from Suarez which saw the Englishman collect the pass and round Fabianski but sadly saw his shot travel wide of the post.

The failure to convert the early chances was costly as in the 16th minute, Arsenal took the lead after a delivery from Arteta led to a melee in the area and the result was a collection by Oxlade-Chamberlain who hit a low finish past Jones. The SAS combined with Suarez hitting a superb volley but sadly for the visitors the move broke down. Sterling had a great chance to level on the half-hour as he swished past two markers and looked for team-mate in space but Flamini was able to block.

Skrtel was on hand to block a chance from Ozil and in stopping a rapid Arsenal counter-attack by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gerrard became the fifth player booked inside the first half while Fabianski was called into action just before the interval and was at full stretch to deny Suarez as the Uruguayan swept in a volley that was a tough test but at the break it remained 1-0.

 

Suarez began the second half as he ended the first with the ball and on the attack as an quick turn of pace allowed him to drive at Fabianski but the 'keeper denied him with an outstretched boot to retain the lead which increased when Oxlade-Chamberlain and Podolski exchanged with the latter hitting a superb shot that beat Jones and breached the net at pace. 

Sturridge created space and hit a curling shot that failed to trouble Fabianski but it was a sign of things to come as Liverpool pulled one back minutes later after Suarez was felled by Podolski in the area and Webb pointed to the spot. Gerrard stepped up looking for his second penalty goal this week and side-footed past Fabianski who dived the opposite way.

 

Liverpool could have been level rapidly after Coutinho and Sturridge combined but Fabianski put a stop to the move to keep his side in front but he was caught out with five minutes remaining as a superb free-kick from distance saw Agger connect when the Arsenal keeper had come out to punch but the ball drifted wide and meant Liverpool exited at the fifth round stage and were denied of a Merseyside derby in round six.

Captain Secures Lasp Gasp Win at Cottage

Fresh from the thrashing of Arsenal at the weekend, Liverpool travelled to face Fulham on Wednesday night looking to capitalise on the fact that Chelsea had dropped points at the top.

Yet again, Rodgers named an unchanged side for the fourth match in a row but a change on the bench saw academy star Joao Carlos Teixeira named for the first time. In recent weeks, Liverpool have blitzed their opponents from the start but this time around it was Fulham who had the first attack as Mignolet was forced into action to deny Tunnicliffe after a fine piece of play.

Fulham's pressure paid off as they took the lead in the eighth minute when Richardson raced past the visitors defence and he crossed into the area but as the ball found Toure it hit and and went past Mignolet to the joy of the home fans who could not believe their luck.

Suarez had an instant chance to respond when he found space and hit a powerful effort that via a deflection almost fooled Stekelenburg but the 'keeper was able to react and palm wide, the Uuruguayan had another chance in the 15th minute from a narrow angle while Sturridge evaded his marker and hit for goal from 20 yards but failed to trouble Stekelenburg.

Fulham could have doubled their lead when a dangerous cross from Richardson found Bent who headed over to quell the visiting fans fears of going two behind but the deficit was soon cancelled out as Gerrard swept forward a superb pass that Sturridge collected cleverly and finished with style past Stekelenburg to level at 1-1 into the break.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Liverpool on the attack and five minutes into the period they had a good chance to take the lead as Suarez guided a dangerous free-kick toward the far corner but as Stekelenburg rushed to deny it, the ball went wide of the post.

Sidwell looked to build on his strike at the weekend at Old Trafford as he tested Mignolet with a surprising chance from his won half but luckily for Liverpool, the Belgian collected it cleanly and at the other end, Suarez volleyed wide after being found in space by Sturridge's sweeping pass.

Sturridge had a go himself by racing down the right and hitting towards goal but a deflection
The 24-year-old took matters into his own hands by drifting from the right wing and clipping toward the goal but a deflection saw the ball go out for a corner and from that corner, Suarez fired from the edge of the area and saw the ball bounce achingly off the post.

Despite all of Liverpool's pressure, it was Fulham that scored next as Richardson took advantage of a loose ball after Skrtel had failed to complete a clearance and tapped into the empty net to regain the lead for the Cottagers three minutes after the hour.

Liverpool have grown to be able to comeback from a 2-1 deficit and with ten minutes they were level as Coutinho swished his way into space and struck a low curling shot that evaded Stekelenburg and levelled the score at 2-2.

In the 82nd minute, Rodgers continues his project of giving youngsters a chance as he introduced Teixeira for his senior debut for the club and as the visitors pushed for a winner, Coutinho sent an arrowed shot that sailed wide of the target.

The deciding goal came right at the end as Sturridge raced into the area and was felled by Riether with the referee pointing to the spot, Gerrard stepped up and slotted the ball past Stekelenburg to complete the comeback and seal the win that puts Liverpool only four points away from the summit of the table.

Fab Five Stuns Gunners

In what could be a season-changing week for Liverpool, they hosted the table toppers Arsenal with devastating consequences in the lunchtime kick-off.

Arsenal went into the tie as favourites after not losing at Anfield for seven years and on a current unbeaten run of ten games but they got an early blow as Liverpool took a shock lead with only a minute on the clock.

Suarez earned a free-kick down the left and up stepped Gerrard who swung in a superb cross which found Skrtel who powered the ball past Szczeny to a joyous roar from the Kop to give Liverpool a perfect start. Sturridge came close to making it 2-0  with a thundering effort that drew a reactive save from Szczesny but the Gunners could have drawn level when Skrtel saved Mignolet's blushes after the Belgian had parried into the path of Monreal who got a lucky bounce as the ball went towards the goal.

Skrtel completed a majestic first ten minutes with his second goal which came as Gerrard looped in a corner which the Slovakian collected and swept expertly past Szczesny as the home faithful erupted while the travelling Gunners sat stunned.

A lot of pre-match talk was about what Suarez would have done had he gone to Arsenal in the summer and he stunned them with a spectacular volley from 25 yards that cannoned off the post and achingly, Toure failed to convert the rebound past Szczesny.

After such a dominating win in the last home game, thoughts of a repeat gained pace as Liverpool struck a third as Suarez slipped a pass across the box to the onrushing Sterling who tapped home after a well-worked counter attack and despite having played only 16 minutes it looked like game over for Arsenal.

Three goals inside 16 minutes was something of a fantasy to the fans but it certainly wasn't a fantasy when three became four in the 20th minute as a miraculous pass from Coutinho split the Arsenal backline and Sturridge continued his stellar scoring spree as he hit past Szczesny to the disbelief of the travelling fans but the empahtic joy of the majority the Anfield crowd.

Arsenal needed a miracle comeback akin to that of Newcastle in their 4-4 meeting of 2011 but could have been further behind as Suarez hit wide as the half drew to a close but their hopes of Liverpool easing off the gas in the second period were false as Sterling hit his second and Liverpool's fifth right in front of an ecstatic Kop.

The England winger raced down the left and tested Szczesny who denied him only to see a second effort whistle past him and surely hand a vital and historic win for Liverpool. Arsenal made a triple change in order to prevent what was already a thrashing becoming a humiliation as Rosicky, Podolski and Gibbs entered the fray.

The changes bore fruit quickly as Arsenal changed their attacking technique and afforded Wilshere the chance to test Mignolet on the hour mark as he hit a dipping shot that the Belgian stopped to the anguish of the the Gunners number 10 and this prompted Suarez who was keen to prevent going a second successive game without scoring sweeping in a free-kick but to his dismay, Szczesny avoided conceding a sixth goal.

Surprisingly, the sixth and final goal of the game cam from Arsenal who were awarded a penalty after Gerrard brought down Oxlade-Chamberlain as the attacker headed for goal and the result saw Arteta clip the ball past the diving Mignolet to reduce the deficit to five meaning it would be sheer consolation for the league leaders.

Mignolet made up for the penalty miss as he denied Arteta from a well-worked set piece with Coutinho switching the focus onto Szczesny with a clever drive. Sterling came close to a famous hat-trick when he was denied by the leg of Szczesny but was able to celebrate minutes later when the final whistle blew as Liverpool dealt a crucial blow to those who have written them off for any title challenge this season and also to Arsenal's hopes of a perfect week.

Baggies Claim Draw After Toure Blunder

Liverpool had a brilliant chance to go clear in fourth after both Tottenham and Man United dropped points on Saturday but had to settle for a draw away to West Brom after a horror pass from Toure.

Rodgers named an unchanged side from the midweek victory over Everton and Liverpool had an early chance to open the scoring after Yacob fouled Suarez and gave the Uruguayan the chance to replicate his recent successes from set-pieces with a free-kick but the resulting effort deflected out of play off the wall.

Suarez was picked out by his strike partner Sturridge but a resolute Baggies defence crowded Suarez and prevented any further danger in the attack. However in the 25th minute, Sterling broke down the wing and slipped the ball to Suarez who swept a cross to the back post which was cleverly met by Sturridge who opened the scoring with his 50th league goal.

West Brom could have been two down after 33 minutes when Suarez tried to convert from Coutinho's corner and Toure attempted to force the ball over the line but was thwarted by Foster and the defence as Liverpool had the momentum. Coutinho hit wide and at the other end, Gera hit a powerful effort that luckily for Mignolet sailed wide of the post.

The second half began with West Brom looking to level the score early and had a great chance after Gerrard had tripped Gera but Brunt curled the resulting free kick too high but had another good chance within minutes as he connected with a volley which was blocked by Flanagan.

Mignolet was forced into a superb save after a West Brom corner met the head of McAuley who tested the Belgian's reflexes but to no avail as Liverpool remained 1-0 in front but their lead could have increased just before the hour mark as Suarez swayed through the defence and was left with only Foster to beat but the finish was too close and the Englishman denied him.

West Brom drew level but in unbelievable circumstances as while in possession on the edge of his own area, Toure passed across the box and it rolled straight to Anichebe who finished superbly past Mignolet to the joy of the home fans while the travelling kopites could not believe what had just transpired.

Rodgers made an instant double swap as Allen and Kelly replaced Coutinho and Flanagan and Toure had a chance to make up for his error as a corner came into his path but he mistimed the header and it went wide.

Both sides pushed for a winner but had to settle for a point each but I think it is more a point gained for the hosts and two valuable points dropped for Liverpool in the fight for fourth place.

Toffees Come Unstuck Against Rampant Reds

After securing a FA Cup fifth round draw away to Arsenal, Liverpool played host to fierce rivals Everton in the Merseyside Derby with devastating results for the boys in Blue.

Only three changes were made from the team that defeated Bournemouth with Flanagan, Mignolet and Sterling returning while Brad Smith was named on the bench as Rodgers looked for a first win over Everton.

Surprisingly, Everton had the first scoring chance as Barkley collected the ball and raced forward and uleashed a powerful effort that skimmed over the crossbar but Liverpool replied and Howard was called into action by a strong volley from Henderson and Suarez and Sterling combined with the former hitting a shot that drew a comfortable save from Howard.

Howard found himself busy again as Sterling connected to a Sturridge pass and hit goalwards but was denied by the American, Henderson and Suarez exchanged passes with the Uruguayan taking a shot that was cleared for a corner, he took the set-piece himself and found his captain perfectly who hit past Howard and sent Anfield into celebration.


Everton were dealt a double blow as after the goal, star striker Lukaku went off injured and in his place came Naismith who scored a double at the weekend and Liverpool sensed a chance to go further in front and as the SAS combined, Sturridge curled a shot achingly over the bar as Everton needed a response.

They did respond and forced Mignolet into a stretching save as Jagielka tested the Belgian who was then beaten by fellow countryman Mirallas who hit an effort from 20 yards that despite beating Mignolet went wide.

Mirallas' miss was the prelude to a spectacular response as Coutinho created a superb through ball that sliced the Everton backline open and found Sturridge who took a touch and to stunning effect lifted the ball over Howard to the astonishment and joy of the Kop.

Before the dust could settle on the second goal, it was three as Toure loft the ball forward and Sturridge connected to race towards the Everton goal and lob a superb effort high into the air and accurately into the far corner as Howard was beaten for the second time in as many minutes.

Everton needed an Istanbul-type comeback to claim anything from the game and Mignolet was forced into an early save by Osman who had come on at half-time but it was to no avail as Liverpool hit a fourth as Suarez connected to a mistake from Jagielka on the half-way line and raced the length of the Everton half to finish past Howard.

Four should have been five when Sterling raced into the area and was fouled by Howard who conceded a penalty but received no further action and Sturridge was given the chance for a ha-trick by regular taker Gerrard but blazed the ball into the Kop.

McCarthy had a good chance to pull one back but Mignolet saved low from his clipped effort and at the final whistle, the Anfield faithful celebrated a superb win that is their highest in the Derby since 1982 and they move on triumphantly to West Brom on Sunday.

SAS Combine to Down Cherries

The Merseyside Derby awaits on Tuesday but today saw Liverpool travel to face AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup fourth round with a number of changes that saw Jones, Kelly and Moses come in as the SAS continued their partnership.

Bournemouth started well and had a superb chance early on as Surman headed for goal but saw his effort go over the bar, Arter hit a threatening pass across the area which was cleared by Kelly and Francis tested Jones with a clever free-kick.

Liverpool began to get into the game with Moses and Suarez both creating space but it was minutes later that they made an impact as Suarez picked out Moses who fired past Camp to open the scoring and give the visiting fans some joy after 26 minutes.

Bournemouth fought back and Surman forced a vital block from Toure with Elphick heading over from a dangerous corner, both sides pushed for a goal as Suarez capitalised on a defensive mistake to pick out Henderson who hit over the bar.

Skrtel ensured that the lead stayed with Liverpool by denying Arter who's effort looked set to beat Jones as the game went into the half-time break. Bournemouth continued where they had left off by pegging Liverpool back which saw a tactical switch of Gerrard dropping to centre back while Sktrel had to be treated after a collision with Surman.

The change didn't phase Liverpool though as they increased the lead on the hour-mark when Gerrard found Coutinho who in turn found Suarez and the Uruguayan picked out his fellow SAS partner Sturridge who hit past Camp for a 2-0 lead.


Bournemouth could have gone further behind in the 76th minute when Sturridge returned the favour to Suarez but the resulting lobbed effort went over the bar and Liverpool held on for a safe passage to the fifth round which will be drawn tomorrow.

Gerrard Rescues Reds In Villa Draw

After the eight goal thriller against Stoke last week, Liverpool looked to continue their fine home form but had to settle for a points after a  fightback against Aston Villa.



Sturridge made his first start since returning from injury in place of Lucas but it was the visitors that made the best start as after only 45 seconds, Agbonlahor latched on to a header and faced Mignolet one-on-one but hit past the wrong side of the post. 

Villa looked to be the better side as they attacked menacingly again as Weimann picked out Westwood with a cross but the resulting shot drew a comfortable save from Mignolet. Sturridge responded for the hosts as he hit a curler that narrowly went over but Villa went even closer as Westwood swung in a corner and Clark connected to head against the post.

Liverpool's setup meant the counter attack was theit main tactics and but it served a cost as Agbonalhor raced down the left and past Toure to sweep a cross to the far post and saw Weimann convert after ghosting in front of Gerrard.

Sterling tested Guzan after being found by Suarez but it was Villa scored next and Agbonlahor was again the creator as he hit a threatening cross which was achingly missed by Mignolet and headed into the open net by Benteke as thoughts cast to Villa's 3-1 win at Anfield last year in which the scorers were replicated.

 As the half-time interval neared Liverpool got themselves back in the game as the Sturridge made it two in two after being expertly setup by Henderson from the edge of the area and the striker hit past Guzan to a raucous cheer from the home fans.

Rodgers made a change and Lucas came on in place of Coutinho as the formation reshuffled and eight minutes later, Liverpool were level as Guzan conceded a penalty after looking to have fouled Suarez and Gerrard coverted from the spot to rescue Liverpool yet again with his 22nd successful  Premier League penalty.

Villa had to push to regain the lead and came very close as Delph hit a powerful effort which narrowly missed the target and Guzan was soon forced to deny Liverpool twice in a couple of minutes as Johnson picked out Suarez who tested the American and then he denied Henderson after the SAS combined.

Suarez looked to put Liverpool in front with one of his trademark set-pieces but sadly he hit it wide and as both teams pushed for a winner it was to no avail as they had to settle for a point apiece.