Liverpool v Brighton Match Report

Liverpool soared into the next round of the FA Cup winning 6-1, with a little help from three own goals from Brighton.

Defender Martin Skrtel headed a ball from a corner kick in the early minutes to open the scoring. Brighton answered with a goal by Kazenga LuaLua from a free kick just outside the box.

The visitors may have made some intention known with the equaliser, but they seemed to lack any fighting power after that. Liverpool created most of the chances from there on.

Unfortunately for Brighton, they left their mark into their own net. The first of their own goals came just before halftime when a header from Reds’ defender Glen Johnson was cleared but then bounced back into the net by Brighton’s Liam Bridcutt.

In the second half, Andy Carroll stepped up to the plate, scoring from eight yards out after a fantastic pass from Stewart Downing.

Poor Bridcutt got his second own goal of the evening from a corner gone wrong. Reds’ captain Steven Gerrard was initially denied a goal but the loose ball was again bounced back in by Bridcutt, adding insult to injury.

Only three minutes later did Brighton’s final own goal come. Brighton’s Lewis Dunk attempted to keep Luis Suarez’s cross away from the goal with his knees. The consequence would be the ball going into his own net.

Suarez attempted to get on the score sheet finally when Dirk Kuyt was brought down in the box for a penalty. The Uruguayan missed his shot, but a few minutes later he redeemed himself with a goal.

It started out as a cross from defender Jose Enrique to Andy Carroll, who then headed it to Suarez. He then got his name on the scoresheet from one yard out, and ending the rout at 6-1.

Liverpool will now face Stoke City in the sixth round of the FA Cup.

Manchester United v Liverpool Match Report

Old Trafford hosted what is arguably the most heated game of the season when Liverpool visited this afternoon, but the Reds would walk away empty handed after Manchester United won 2-1.


The drama started before the whistle even blew. The eyes were more on Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra during the players’ handshakes. While it was expected for the two to shake hands and move on, it was Suarez who refused to shake Evra’s hand, leaving the Red Devils’ captain clearly angry.

Suarez soon seemed to be the distraction between Evra and Rio Ferdinand when the two defenders clashed, seeing Ferdinand land on his neck. A couple of minutes later the veteran would be up again.

Liverpool wasted no time putting the pressure on. Glen Johnson tested keeper David De Gea early on with a low shot but De Gea was able to get it away.

Formally retured Paul Scholes nearly put the Red Devils ahead with a close header but it went straight to Reds’ keeper Pepe Reina.

Danny Welbeck tried again but it was cleared by Daniel Agger when Welbeck made an attempt to find Wayne Rooney in the box.

Just before halftime, Liverpool were granted a corner kick. It was taken by Stewart Downing, and the ball went to Martin Skrtel who blasted it over the bar.

Suarez was left furious a couple minutes later when Ferdinand tackled him. The Uruguayan expected a free kick and was not given it. With his anger escalating, manager Kenny Dalglish kept motioning him to calm down.

More drama at halftime when there was pushing and shoving in the tunnel, with the police having to get involved. It took the players about five minutes to get to their dressing room.

Wayne Rooney scored the first goal of the game from a corner kick in the opening minutes of the second half.

Only a few minutes later, Rooney would double that lead. A pass from Valencia allowed Rooney to easily make it 2-0. It was poor defending from Liverpool.

He tried to make it a hat trick but finally the defense pulled through and the ball was cleared away.

Dalglish made some essential changed in the 61st minute with strikers Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy replacing midfielders Stewart Downing and Jay Spearing. His final change would be Charlie Adam for Drik Kuyt with 15 minutes left to play.

With only ten minutes left, of all players it was Suarez who got the ball past De Gea to get Liverpool on the scoreboard.

Johnson’s powerful kick nearly leveled it up for the Reds but De Gea sprung it away over the bar. Nothing would come from the corner given.

Of course the scuffle could not be laid to rest. After the final whistle, celebrations from Manchester United players brought in front of Suarez caused more pushing and shoving from the two teams.

Liverpool v Spurs Match Report

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur's meeting at Anfield ended in a stalemate in what was an important game for both teams.

While Liverpool were without defender Jose Enrique for the first time, Spurs were without their manager Harry Redknapp, who could not get to the game due to a glitch in transportation. The Reds also were able to include Luis Suarez back on the roster after the Uruguayan served his eight match ban (nin in total) imposed by the FA.

There was some excitement in the beginning however, when a cat occupied the pitch in the first ten minutes. It took a couple of minutes, but a steward managed to remove the feline from Tottenham’s penalty area.

Finally some real excitement started on the pitch about 20 minutes later. Charlie Adam curled a ball Dirk Kuyt’s way but the Dutch International was offside. A couple minutes later, young Jay Spearing took a shot from outside the box, just nicking the post.

Defender Glen Johnson tried his luck in opening the scoring five minutes before halftime but Spurs’ keeper Brad Friedel stopped it.

Gareth Bale responded for Tottenham but had no power behind his back-kick and Reina caught it.

The second half saw Liverpool even more alive against the Spurs. Even defender Martin Kelly got in on the chances by firing from 25 yards out, but again Friedel saved the effort.

Finally the most talked about man of the last few months was welcomed back onto the pitch. Suarez substituted Kuyt in the 65th minute. He immediately made his presence known by nearly opening the scoring himself but Spurs’ Scott Parker cleared the ball away.

Only a couple minutes later, Parker would find himself on the ground, responding to an accidental kick by Suarez. The Urguayan is booked for it.

Carroll had a brilliant opportunity to finally do it for Liverpool but the ball, which bounced back from the post after Daniel Agger’s attempted header, went clear over the net when the striker was less than ten yards out.

The Reds saw yellow again thanks to Martin Skrtel’s high-flying tackle into Bale.

Poor Carroll could not get that ball to go where it needed to. Glen Johnson’s cross found his head but Carroll headed it too wide.

Despite all the great chances for Liverpool left and right, it was Tottenham with the best chance. Bale had nothing but the ball and a lot of space, until Reina came out. Although a bit messy, the ball was cleared away.

The game ended with both teams taking away a mere point.