Liverpool v Manchester City Match Preview

Liverpool will be battling Manchester City tonight for a crucial three points at Anfield.

The Merseyside Reds will have a lot to prove as they have been unable to beat the Blues of Manchester in their last four meetings. If Liverpool fail to pull off a win, their hopes of clinching a Champions League spot will definitely be gone.

Manchester City have suffered in away form though so far in 2011, a weakness Liverpool will indeed pounce on.

The Reds have been unlucky with injuries this season, including captain Steven Gerrard’s groin injury which will see him out for the rest of the season. Daniel Agger will also see the sidelines for the rest of the season with knee problems. Manager Kenny Dalglish’s choices for the back will be limited with Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson also out with hamstring. Fabio Aurelio remains in doubt.

Roberto Mancini’s side is not enduring much luck either. Kolo Toure was suspended earlier in the season by failing a drugs test, Shay Given’s shoulder is still on the mend, and Jerome Boateng is out for the remainder of the season as well after undergoing knee surgery.

A win for Manchester City would put them in third place, one point above Chelsea and ten points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Three points for Liverpool would keep them in sixth place, but still in contention for that highly desired Europe placement while closing the gap on fifth place Tottenham.

Kick-off is at 8pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports 1.

Sunderland v Liverpool Match Report

Liverpool ssecured a much needed three points at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

It was the Premier League debut for new Red Andy Carroll and alongside Luis Suarez, although the Reds were without their captain Steven Gerrard due to a groin injury.

Liverpool’s first goal came from a controversial penalty. Midfileder Jay Spearing was fouled by the Black Cats’ John Mensah right at the edge of the box. It was given as a penalty and safely taken by Dirk Kuyt.

The second goal came after halftime from Luis Suarez. The midfielder secured it from a tight angle from a throw in by Dirk Kuyt. This was the second goal for the Uruguayan international since joining Liverpool in January.

Although Sunderland started off as the livelier side, they failed to make anything of it leaving goalkeeper Pepe Reina without much to do and a clean sheet in the end.

The Black Cats also lost three players due to injury, including Sulley Muntari, Danny Welbeck and Kieran Richardson.

Luis Suarez also suffered a strain in the 89th minute and was replaced by Joe Cole. The extent of this injury is currently being assessed.

However before his departure, Luis Suarez already proved that he will be vital in Liverpool’s future.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp told the official website: "I think he'll prove to be a great acquisition for the Barclays Premier League, not just Liverpool."

Liverpool are currently in sixth place on the Barclay’s Premier League table, just four points off Tottenham in fifth and that highly desired European spot.

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 Manchester United Match Report

Liverpool saw a triumph over Manchester United in a 3-1 win at Anfield yesterday afternoon.

While Sir Alex Ferguson was looking for a bigger lead on top of the table, Kenny Dalglish was out to put a stop to that, and his side pulled through.

However, the win did not go without a hitch. Several heated arguments and yellow cards arose from the clash of the two Premier League giants.

United’s Nani required a stretcher after a challenge by Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, landing the co-captain a yellow and starting a confrontation between the two sides.

Then Rafael proceeded with a tackle on the Reds’ Lucas soon after, which resulted in even more words exchanged.

In the end, Dirk Kuyt scored a hattrick against the Red Devils, with new signing Luis Suarez proving to be a vital role in the win. Liverpool have not had a hattrick against Manchester United since Peter Beardsley in 1990.

Javier Hernandez put a stop to the clean sheet in extra time, but United had no chance of taking any points.

Liverpool’s 35 million pound striker, Andy Carroll, also made his debut on the pitch after a prolonged start due to injury.

Although Manchester United are still sitting on the top of the Premier League table by three points, Liverpool fans rejoiced all over the world as their biggest rivals had fallen at Anfield. The Reds of Merseyside will be holding their heads up high, as their team was a strong force against Sir Alex Ferguson’s weaker side.

While Dalglish expressed his happiness at the win, Ferguson remained quiet as he imposed a 'media blackout,' which includes his teams own station, MUTV.
Liverpool are currently in sixth place on the Premier League table, six points away from that desired Champions League qualifying position.

Gerrard launches new foundation

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced his new charitable foundation this week.

Claire House, a children’s hospice in Wirral, and Fairbridge Merseyside, also a children’s charity, will be the beneficiaries of the skipper’s foundation.

The foundation will be working alongside the Consortium for Street Children for a good cause for children nationally and internationally, but will have a focus on Liverpool.

Steven said: "I am delighted to launch this Foundation. The money raised will help give thousands of disadvantaged children a brighter future here in the UK and beyond. I am looking forward to working with SGF's partners and helping make a lasting difference to children's lives."

He said he enjoyed seeing “the smiles on the kids’ faces” and that it was “fantastic” to see their reactions.”

He added: “There’s a big pleasure in giving something back to my city.

“I’ve been to different organisations in Liverpool that are in desperate need of money, and I feel I’m in a position where I can raise a lot. I think if you’re a footballer and you’ve enjoyed the kind of success that I have, the least you can do is give that back to people who need it.”

Steven also expressed his attitude towards helping people, that it is never too late to do good and turn things around.

Gerrard follows in the footsteps of fellow Red Jamie Carragher, who launched his 23 Foundation last year for local underprivileged children.

Liverpool v Wigan Match Preview

Liverpool will surely walk through the tunnel at Anfield tomorrow with their heads held high after a big win over Chelsea last Sunday.


The Merseyside Reds are seeking their fifth consecutive win to put them even closer to a Champions League position.

They will play Wigan, who are in danger of being relegated, sitting in 18th place and a mere two points from the very bottom of the Premier League table.

Wigan will face a fitness boost with the return of midfielder James McCarthy from an ankle injury. However, defender Gary Caldwell could still be sidelined after fracturing his cheekbone, but may still play with a face mask.

Although he missed the England friendly against Denmark this week due to a groin issue, captain Steven Gerrard will be available for the Reds.

Defenders Martin Kelly and Martin Skrtel are both doubtful with their ankle and thigh injuries, respectively. Midfielder Joe Cole is also a doubt with his knee injury.

New signing Luis Suarez is expected to be on the pitch at some point, but his fellow new striker Andy Carroll is still fighting for fitness with a thigh injury.

Kick-off is at 3pm.

Who’s in and who’s out…?

Another transfer window has closed and this time it comes with a big sigh of relief after the madness Liverpool endured this January.

The new owners not only brought in manager Kenny Dalglish, but also an impressive couple of signings sure to make their positive mark on the pitch in a Red shirt. This has clearly sent a message to the fans that the owners mean serious business and plan to rectify the mess left behind by the previous duo.

Late last week, the Reds gained Ajax captain Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan international striker was named Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2010. The transfer fee was at a reported £22.3 million. Suarez received the legendary number 7 shirt, once worn by King Kenny himself. Suarez has already expressed to the club and fans that he is eager to play football with the Reds and give something special to the fans by becoming a “champion.”


Andy Carroll was a surprise grab in the last few hours of the transfer window. The English striker was bought from Newcastle at a reported record breaking transfer fee of approximately £35 million, after turning in his transfer request to his former club. Carroll will be taking over the number 9 shirt.
The Liverpool Reserves also gained a promising young star in the form of 17 year-old Conor Thomas, who is on loan from Conventry City but looking for a more permanent move. Thomas has represented England in the U17’s and has already made his FA Cup debut when his side played against Birmingham this past weekend.

When it comes to ‘who’s out,’ Liverpool made quite a few changes. The biggest of them all was the loss of Spanish striker Fernando Torres to Chelsea for a record fee of £50 million. The former number 9 put in his transfer request last Friday, only to have it denied. However, the club agreed to let the player talk with the London-based club if the fee was right. Chelsea met the terms late in the transfer window, turning Torres from a Red to a Blue in the last few hours.

Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky also left the club on the last day on an ‘emergency loan’ to Nottingham Forest. He will start as early as tonight for the Championship side.

Last week, Liverpool also sold Ryan Babel to German club Hoffenheim. The Dutch forward was said to have gone for a mere £6 million after signing a two and a half year deal with the club.

Although Liverpool may have lost the likes of Fernando Torres, there is no doubt amongst fans that the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll will boost the club back in a top fighting position.

The newly adjusted and improved team will play their first Premier League match after the transfer window tomorrow night against Stoke City at Anfield.