FC Gomel v Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool opened up their Europa campaign with a 1-0 win against FC Gomel in Belarus tonight. It was also Brendan Rodger’s first official game at the helm.

To mark the occasion of Jamie Carragher’s 700^th appearance, the defender was given the captain’s armband. A few players were missing from the squad, including Luis Suarez, Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy, due to the Olympics.

Unfortunately for Joe Cole, the returning Red was taken off 25 minutes into the first half with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by youngster Raheem Sterling.

Just before halftime, Brad Jones had to make a desperate save from a tight angle on an attack from Gomel’s Aleksandr Alumona, who outran Skrtel toards the goal.

In the start of the second half, Glen Johnson was replaced by Martin Kelly. 

Fabio Borini found his first chance.  Defender Jose Enrique picks out the Italian, but Borini’s angle is too tight and the ball goes right to Gomel’s keeper.

Steven Gerrard gave a free-kick that nearly made it in thanks to the head of a Gomel player but it went inches wide of the post.

In the 64^th minute, Gomel nearly went one up. Sergey Krozeka’s strike hit the post fiercely, only to have it bounce back. Dmitri Platonov took his chance on the rebound from six yards out but it went flying past the goal. 

Rodgers then made the substitution of Lucas for Jordan Henderson. It was welcomed sight for many after missing the Brazilian for most of last season.

Stewart Downing saved the evening in the 67^th minute with an amazing strike 25 yards out past defenders and the goalkeeper straight into the back of the net. 

Another chance for Gomel came from Alumona again, but it went past the post, summing up their night.

Gomel seemed to have tapered off of their aggressiveness they exhibited in the first half. They fell back and Liverpool too became more defensive in the final minutes in an effort to keep them ahead on the night.

And it worked. Though the Reds still seemed to be in pre-season mode and are still learning the new tactics of Rodgers, they will go into the second leg at Anfield ahead.

SC Braga v Liverpool Match Preview

Liverpool have made the trip to Portugal today to face SC Braga in the last-16 round of the Europa League.

The team travelled with Andy Carroll, who is expected to make a full debut at Braga’s ‘Quarry’ stadium tomorrow night.

"It's been a long process rehabilitating him - about eight or nine weeks - but we are happy with the result," said Dr Peter Brukner, the head of sports medicine and science for the club.

"He'll play some more minutes against Braga and hopefully he'll be involved more and more with each game

However, the Reds will be without the likes of Steven Gerrard. The skipper did not travel to Portugal with the team for undisclosed reasons. Gerrard has been dealing with a groin issue but still managed the full 90 minutes against Manchester United last Sunday.

Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger are also out with injury.

Meanwhile, Braga may seem to struggle against the Reds. The Portuguese side has lost seven out of 10 times against English teams. They are currently sixth in the Portuguese Liga.

This will be the first time Liverpool and SC Braga meet in a UEFA competition.

Kick-off is at 6pm and will be shown live on Channel 5 in the UK.

Liverpool v Utrecht Match Report

Liverpool and Utrecht had a repeat of the last time they met, with a 0-0 draw in their final Europa group match.

Reds manager Roy Hodgson had said before the match that Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina would both start for the team, but neither made an appearance on the pitch, in preparation of the Fulham game on Saturday.

The team Hodgson put out consisted of several reserve players meant to get their chance to shine, however the game came off dull.

Milan Jovanovic had the greatest chance of a goal for Liverpool only eight minutes in, but the ball just hit the crossbar.

Utrecht’s Van Wolfswinkel needed to be stretchered off just before halftime after falling awkwardly and breaking his collarbone.

The second half did not improve for either team. Joe Cole tried to score a late game winner, but the goal was stopped by the Utrecht defence.

Utrecht pushed in the final moments to do the same, but was denied by Reds’ keeper Brad Jones.

Overall, most of the players just seemed absent on the pitch for both teams, leaving fans bored and disappointed.

Though Utrecht was already out of the competition, the away fans cheered their team with a standing ovation while Liverpool were met with boos from their fans, even though the team has already qualified for the Europa League knockout stages.

The knockout round will begin in mid-February.

Liverpool v FC Utrecht Match Preview

Though Liverpool have nothing to lose or gain from their clash with Utrecht, they will want to leave the Europa League group stages on a high note.

The Reds have already qualified for the knockout round while FC Utrecht failed to make it.

However, the Dutch side will still be playing for pride tomorrow night at Anfield.

Liverpool are still expected to play a fairly strong team, including Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina.

Manager Roy Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv today, “Pepe Reina likes to play. He would like to play in this one and I'm not going to be the one who says to him, 'You want to play, so you don't play.’ “

A few reserve players will also be given their chance to shine.

Hodgson continued about the reserves, “It is a good chance to give some players a run out. It's a good chance for Jonjo (Shelvey) to show what he can do again. He's played a lot of European games and done very well.”

Utrecht are also expected to play a strong squad.

The teams first met in Holland late September that ended in a 0-0 draw.


The match kicks off at 8:05pm and will be shown live on channel Five. Tickets are currently on sale for £20 for adults and children 16 and under go free with any adult ticket purchased.

Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool Match Preview

Liverpool FC today travelled to Romania to face Steaua Bucharest in tomorrow night’s Europa League match.

They travel without the likes of captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher due to injury, placing the captaincy in the hands of keeper Pepe Reina.

The team also left without Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles and Glen Johnson so they can remain rested and fit for Monday night’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Summer signing Danny Wilson will take the place of Carragher in what will be his second game for the Reds whil Ryan Babel and Milan Jovanovic are also expected to start.

Midfielder Joe Cole is expected to make his first appearance after a hamstring injury left him out for five weeks.

Younger players such as Daniel Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston have also travelled with the team and will take advantage of the European night to show manager Roy Hodgson what they are capable of.

The final side decided to play against Steaua tomorrow night is expected to be a weaker side, but Hodsgon says it gives the younger players a chance to shine.

Hodgson told BBC: “I have faith in the young players and whatever happens on Thursday night I won't lose faith in them.”

“But it's an opportunity for them to force their way into my attention even more.”

Liverpool need only one point from the group stages of the Europa League to ensure a place in the knockout stages.

Steaua Bucharest will do everything they can to stop this though as they look to redeem themselves after a 4-1 defeat at Anfield last September.

A win for Steaua will make them tied in points with Liverpool on the Group K table and closer to that knockout round spot.