Unirea Urziceni 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool had to come from behind in a 3-1 victory away to Unirea Urziceni to make the last 16 of the Europa League.
The Reds led 1-0 from the Anfield leg last week, a goal which was quickly cancelled out on Thursday night through Bruno Fernandes’ thumping header after 19 minutes.
Liverpool were rattled amid a hostile atmosphere in Bucharest, but midfielder Javier Mascherano eased their fears with a ferocious strike just before the half-hour mark.
After Unirea pressured with a series of consecutive corners, Ryan Babel scored with a snapshot when the Romanians failed to clear a Steven Gerrard free-kick.
Liverpool looked much more comfortable after the break and it was Gerrard who put the tie out of sight when he stroked in after 57 minutes to seal a 4-1 aggregate score.
Manager Rafa Benitez will be pleased with his side’s fighting spirit but the night was dampened somewhat after defender Martin Skrtel was stretchered off on 66 minutes clutching his right ankle. Read more »
Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool
Neither side were able to make the most of some promising build-up play as the first half drew to a close.
Arsenal, though, had more urgency following the restart, as Arshavin drilled the ball into the side-netting.
At the other end, Lucas Leiva drilled his angled shot over after being played into the right side of the Arsenal penalty area by Dirk Kuyt.
Steven Gerrard’s determination released Ngog down the middle, but Gallas recovered to make a brilliant saving tackle just inside the 18-yard box.
Rosicky’s touch was then too heavy after the Czech Republic winger was put clear down the left channel by Arshavin.
Arsenal were in the ascendancy now. Read more »
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Both teams went into this 213th Merseyside derby in good form. Liverpool were begining to pick up form after a poor start to the season were as Everton were on a rich vain of form having recently beating Wigan away in there previous Premier League fixture . But it was a typical derby game and form went out of the window.
There were tackles flying in from every angle and it was a throw back to a 70’s derby which we haven’t really seen down the years. But it didn’t take to long before Liverpool seen Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos see red after a two footed challenge on Everton Marouane Fellaini.
Liverpool felt Steven Pienaar challenge on Javier Mascherano earlier should of seen red before Sotirios Kyrgiakos seen red but all the South African got was a yellow card. Even former ex-Everton player Andy Gray said he should off been sent off for the challenge.
But this was a tough afternoon for referee Martin Atkinson which got worse with the amount of high over the top challenges during the first half.
Marouane Fellaini was competiting for a challenge which then resulted Dirk Kuyt being kicked in the head he was then cautioned. Read more »
Pre-match
Both teams went into this match in pretty average form. Bolton were sitting in 15th at kick off – only a point above the drop zone, even after the win over Burnley last time out.
Liverpool have had a poor season so far and good performances have been swiftly followed by a bad ones – win against Man U then lose to Fulham; outplay Spurs then fail to turn up against Wolves. The only time we have strung consecutive wins in the league this year was four games in August and September. Although we never played any top teams in that time, the first victory was against Bolton and the Reds will be hopeful that today’s win will be the start of another run; one that will lead us to that all-important 4th place.
Liverpool picked an attacking line up with only Mascherano sat in front of the back 4, as Aquilani came in for Lucas. Kuyt moved to the right wing as Maxi made way for Ngog – presumably Rafa thought his pace would be an asset. Bolton made one change – Mark Davies, the victim of the infamous Gallas tackle, came in for Klasnic as Owen Coyle looked to add a bit of security for his back line and played with Kevin Davies as a lone striker; a strategy many teams use at Anfield, to some effect.
Liverpool’s quest for a top-four finish hit a stumbling block as Wolves claimed a precious point in their survival bid in a scrappy goalless draw at Molineux on Tuesday night.
The Reds were looking to close in on a UEFA Champions League position with maximum points against a side who had lost their last three matches and failed to score in as many games.
Rafa Benitez, whose agent has played down reports linking the Spaniard with a move to Juventus, named an attacking line-up with talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard back in the line-up after overcoming a hamstring injury while recent signing Maxi Rodriguez made his full debut on a cold night in the West Midlands.
Despite Liverpool’s positive team selection, it was the hosts who created the best chances on the night as the tireless Kevin Doyle stabbed a shot a yard the wrong side of the goal before Kevin Foley missed a close-range header in the first half. Read more »
