LIVERPOOL 0-0 UTRECHT

                                                       MATCH REPORT

With Liverpool already having qualified for the knock out stage of the Europa League this was a welcome change of being a match with no pressure. Great to see Liverpool letting kids in for free for this match and reduced prices for adults a tremendous gesture by the club. A good chance for Hodgson to rest some of the regular players once again as he has done in all of the Europa League fixtures this season. Liverpool hoping to finish of their group with a convincing win at home in their final group game.

                                                     THE TEAM

As expected Roy made many changes to his team for this one from the team that lost to Newcastle at the weekend. Hodgson made a total of 10 changes and once again great to see so many youngsters starting and gaining more experience. Great to see the likes of Jones, Wilson, Kelly, Shelvey and Nathan Eccleston making his first start, also good to see other fringe players starting and Joe Cole who has had a tough start to life at Anfield and still trying to find his true form.

                                                     THE MATCH

With the reduced prices and free admission for kids and a very large and very loud travelling Utrecht support this made for a great atmosphere at Anfield. The game started off very slow paced and to be honest continued in this theme for most of the game. Utrecht passed very cautiously with much of their play being controlled between their defenders and their goalkeeper. Young Eccleston showing a bit too much passion with his first start picked up a deserved booking as he went flying in late on  a Utrecht player in the 6th minute. Then on 8 minutes Jovanovic made a good run into the Utrecht half and sent a 25 yard effort crashing off the Utrecht cross bar, this was about as good as it got as Utrecht looked to frustrate Liverpool and showed little in the way of ambition. Liverpool didn't show much in cohesion either as they looked like a team that had been flung together. Joe Cole found it hard to get into the game as he was playing out on the left and looked a frustrated figure at times. Young Kelly had a shaky start as Mertens looked to take him on at every opportunity and he almost let Utrecht in early in the game with a slack pass to Skrtel who did well to cut out the danger. Eccleston and Babel worked hard and made some good runs up front but they were not getting the service their runs deserved. Poulsen was being very sloppy in his play although Shelvey worked hard and was always looking to create something. Aurelio had a good chance with a free kick on the edge of the box but his shot hit the wall. Utrecht were dealt a blow when striker Van Wolfswinkel fell awkwardly and had to be stretchered off with a suspected broken collar bone right on the stroke of half time.
  The second half was only slightly better as Liverpool struggled to create chances. Babel had a fine run and shot narrowly wide of the target as he aimed to impress. The introduction of young Pacheco gave the game a bit of a lift and he created a good chance immediately sliding a pass through to Babel who failed to pick out a Red shirt in the box, and seconds later after good play by Jovanovic, Kelly broke down the right and drilled over a dangerous low cross which Babel almost got on the end of. Kuyt came on for the last 15 minutes mainly for sentimental reasons to face his former club and reach his 50th appearance for Liverpool in Europe. Liverpool pushed for a winner but the closest they came was in the last 5 minutes when Cole smashed a shot net bound from inside the box but it was brilliantly blocked by Sander Keller. Liverpool had to settle for the draw but it was a poor spectacle for the supporters but more experience for the youngsters which can't be bad.

                                                   SUMMARY

This was a very strange game with no pressure on the result but much pressure still mounting on Hodgson and his team's performances. This was a very poor game, Liverpool struggled to impress and looked disjointed with no cohesion although Utrecht looked to frustrate. Great to see the squad being used by Hodgson and especially the youngsters gaining more experience. Shelvey played really well in the middle of midfield, and Kelly came on to a very strong game after a shaky start, Wilson looked very assured at the back beside Skrtel then Kyrgiakos. Babel and Eccleston worked hard without much sevice. Aurelio played well at left back after being out for so long he seems to be getting sharper. Poulsen was very poor again and still doesn't look good enough, he gave the ball away sloppily quite often and Joe Cole is still struggling for form as he found it hard to influence the game I personally would rather see him play more central. Overall it was a poor game with not many chances although Utrecht showed  little intent and seemed happy with 0-0. Plus points were experience for the youngsters and game time for the fringe players.

Man Of The Match -  Wilson   strolled through the game and dealt with anything he had to do, looked very comfortable, good on the ground and dominant in the air, looks very promising.

NEWCASTLE 3-1 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                                              MATCH REPORT

Another away fixture for Liverpool and with high hopes of improving on a very poor record away from home this year. Confidence high going into this match after such a good performance against Aston Villa. But I was worried when I heard of the departure of Chris Hughton from Newcastle earlier in the week. Worse still with a new manager in Pardew being installed as new manager before Liverpool faced them. I often find teams with new managers getting good results in their first games in charge. But with confidence high I was hoping for a good performance from Liverpool.

                                            THE TEAM

With Torres available after the birth of his son, I was expecting him to come straight back into the team and I wasn't disappointed, very tough on Babel making way for him though as he had played very well in his last two starts. Again good to see Hodgson playing with two men up front away from home in the shape of N'Gog and Torres. Also I am pleased in the way Hodgson is trying to keep a settled team.

                                            THE MATCH

Pretty much a mixed atmosphere at the start as the Newcastle fans have not been happy with events in the last week. The game started at a slow tempo with Liverpool very comfortable at the start and able to pass the ball around. The first real chance came with Kyrgiakos firing in a shot after the ball broke to him after a Meireles free kick. But with Newcastle's first real chance of the match they took the lead, when a Barton free kick was met by the head of Carroll who headed across goal to the incoming Nolan who fired past Reina from close range, there was a hint of offside about it but the goal was given. Liverpool responded with Maxi heading over from a Johnson pass and Torres shot wide from a free kick from the edge of the box. But Newcastle still looked threatening with Carroll and Ameobi and on 30 minutes Reina made a good save when Carroll hit a good volley from the edge of the box after a good knock down from Ameobi. Then Meireles hit a volley which deflected off N'Gog before being cleared off the line by Gutierrez. Seconds later Meireles gifted Newcastle a great opportunity with a pass straight to Ameobi who ran towards the Liverpool penalty box before shooting which deflected off Kyrgiakos and just went past Reina's right hand post as Reina was left stranded. Liverpool shouted for a penalty just before half time when Maxi seemed to be tripped just inside the box but play was waved on. Then right on half time Kyrgiakos headed just past the post from a corner.
  Liverpool got the perfect start to the second half when they found themselves level on 49 minutes when Taylor and Campbell hesitated on the edge of the box allowing Kuyt to collect the ball and fire a shot which took a slight deflection off Taylor and past Krul. This goal gave Liverpool a boost and they started to dominate as they pegged Newcastle back. Torres had two good chances, his first a header straight at Krul, then Konchesky played a quick free kick through to Torres but his shot was thwarted by Krul who spread himself to block his effort. Then Andy Carroll had a free diving header which he should have done better with as he headed over. Newcastle then made a change bringing on Nile Ranger who almost scored just a minute after coming on for Ameobi, after a Skrtel slip he was through with only Reina to beat but he fired just wide. But Liverpool found themselves under pressure and it was no surprise when Newcastle took the lead on 80 minutes. A long clearance from Krul was headed on by Carroll which Joey Barton managed to get on the end of and shoot past Reina. As Liverpool tried to push for an equaliser late on they were punished when Carroll hit a great goal from outside the area giving Reina no chance and ending Liverpool's hopes sending them to their 7th defeat of the season.

                                          SUMMARY

Another very disappointing away day for us, especially after looking so good after equalising, I thought we were the team that was looking the more likelier to go on and win. I thought early in the match we were comfortable without creating too much then with Newcastle's first attack we were down 1-0. I thought we were dictating most of the play but when Newcastle stepped up their game I felt we didn't respond especially in the second half as a second Newcastle goal looked like coming. A big moment in the game was Torres missing from close range. But I felt the game changed when Nile Ranger came on for Newcastle and he caused so many problems and he seemed to give Newcastle a lift which we couldn't respond to. The second goal was terrible defending, a long clearance headed on by Carroll who was being challenged by Lucas the smallest player in the team, why Kyrgiakos or Skrtel wasn't challenging is beyond me then Skrtel made a mess of trying to clear allowing Barton to finish as Johnson tried to challenge. The third goal was poor as Carroll ws given the freedom of the park as Lucas made no attempt to close him down. Kyrgiakos battled hard all day as Carroll is a difficult opponent. Skrtel was pretty dodgy, Lucas was pretty quiet in the middle. Meireles had another good game for us. Maxi was quiet and Kuyt scored but I felt he never gave us much. N'Gog was poor and Torres just doesn't look sharp at all. Overall far too many players underperforming once again. Hodgson is being slated once again but I can't question his team selection, but I do have question marks over his motivational skills as he doesn't look like a motivator to me. But then should players on 100 grand a week need motivating, the players need to stand up and be counted when the going get
s tough. At home next week but its our away form that has to be sorted out.

Man Of The Match -  Meireles  I thought he had a great game once again, some really good passes always trying to create, although nearly cost us with that sloppy pass to Ameobi. He was the shining light in another dark night.

YNWA

This Week

There has been a lot of transfer speculation this week as the January transfer window looms. We just need to take it with a pinch of salt as who knows where all these stories come from. The few stories I have heard have been Saurez of Ajax maybe coming to Anfield, I think he is a cracking striker and would be a great addition to the team. Elmander from Bolton is another one mentioned and he has been on fire this season. £15 million for Ashley Young of Aston Villa is another, he is a very good player and the type we need, a good wide man with plenty of pace which we have lacked but price tag seems a bit steep in my mind. Right back Rod Fanni from Rennes is hotly tipped to be moving to the Reds with new sporting director Comolli conducting the process.
 There is many more I'm sure you have heard about I am only mentioning a few as there is more every minute getting named.
  But on to team matters there is speculation that Glenn Johnson is unsettled at Liverpool and might leave, time will tell, we have good back up in that position and with Fanni being mentioned who knows. Gerrard won't feature tomorrow against Newcastle but should hopefully return next week against Fulham. Torres will be back which is good news although I know many of you won't agree but I like to stick to a winning team and I wouldn't change the team for tomorrow night and if things are not going to plan then you have Torres or others to come off the bench and hopefully change things. It will be difficult tomorrow especially with Newcastle with a new manager, as teams always seem to get a lift when they have a new manager, but with such a good performance against Villa confidence should be high, so here's hoping for another win. Its good to see that Agger is close to fitness and may be available for the Fulham game. Here's hoping for a good win tomorrow night and an improvement in our away form.

YNWA

LIVERPOOL 3-0 ASTON VILLA MATCH REPORT

                                                  MATCH REPORT

Liverpool had to win this game to keep in touch after another defeat away to Spurs last week. With the return to Anfield of former manager Houllier it was sure to be an emotional evening, as he is still fondly remembered here. With Villa struggling for form at the moment and like Liverpool with injuries, serious hopes of a home win  here. 

                                                  THE TEAM

The youngsters that played in Bucharest on Thursday I'm sure were resigned to the fact that more experienced players would be used for this match. With Gerrard, Carragher and Torres with a late call off due to his wife going into labour, meant that this would be far a more difficult match than anticipated. Skrtel, Johnson and Konchesky came back into defence after Thursday's absence. In midfield Maxi, Kuyt, Meireles and Lucas came in. Good to see two up front again in the form of Babel and N'Gog. Great to see Babel getting another chance after his good performance on Thursday night.

                                                   THE MATCH

Liverpool started well and in only the second minute when a Meireles cross from a free kick caused problems in the Villa penalty area, resulting in Kuyt firing a volley high and wide. There looked a real sharpness about Liverpool as they passed the ball about well. Liverpool were rewarded with their good play in the 14th minute when a corner was headed back across goal by Martin Skrtel and David N'Gog dived to header the ball into the net giving Liverpool a deserved lead. Then only two minutes later Liverpool doubled their lead when a clever ball by Lucas over the top of the Villa defence found Babel, looking slightly offside turned and shot first time low past Friedel into the far corner of the net, it was a superb finish. Liverpool were bouyed by this and kept their passing game going with Villa not threatening at all. Kyrgiakos should have done better on the half hour mark when he headed over from a corner. The lively Babel almost scored right on half time with a curling shot just past the post after a clever pass by Meireles. So Liverpool went in 2-0 to the good at the half.
 The second half started with Villa pushing a bit more and Liverpool sitting back a little hoping for a counter attack. Then in the 53rd minute came the turning point of the match when Downing got free down the left and cut the ball back to Agbonlahor who was brilliantly denied by a point blank save from Reina. Then only two minutes later Liverpool counter attacked with N'Gog racing down the left and unselfishly played the ball to the supporting Maxi and he brilliantly side footed the ball into the top corner of Friedel's net giving him no chance. It was a superb goal from one end of the park to the other and it was the killer goal. Liverpool really played now with so much confidence and had more chances. Johnson after a mazy run hit a great shot which Friedel did well to save. Two minutes later Johnson had another shot but this time he blazed over. Kyrgiakos met another corner kick with his head only to see it cleared off the line by Hogg defending the back post. So Liverpool had to settle for 3-0 but it was an impressive performance with so many key players missing.

                                             SUMMARY

I thought this would be very tough to get a win especially with so many key players missing and with the added late call off to Torres. But the team played very well and could have scored more. The only player I could criticise was Kuyt as his touch and passing was very poor at times but as usual his workrate is very important. Johnson had a very good defensive display with some good covering and tackles. Kyrgiakos and Skrtel were dominant with Konchesky looking solid on the left. Lucas and Meireles were superb in the middle really controlling the game. Maxi played well down the left with a superb goal. N'Gog and Babel played well together and caused Villa many problems and great to see both players scoring.  It really was a great team performance and very encouraging to see others stepping up to the plate. Great to see Reina get his 100th clean sheet making him the quickest goalkeeper in the club's history to do this.

Man Of The Match - Meireles    So many good performances but I give it to Meireles, his passing and workrate was immense and he never gave the ball away all night, he really had a superb game and he is getting better with every game.

YNWA

STEAUA BUCHAREST 1-1 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                              MATCH REPORT

Liverpool being very close to qualifying for the knockout stages and thinking a draw would do with the reassurance of a final home game against Utrecht to come, were obviously going to make changes to the team for this one as Hodgson has done in this competition from the start. It never is easy away from home in Europe and with Steaua who have a great history in Europe would not make this easy for Liverpool who were hoping to keep their unbeaten Europa League record going.

                            THE TEAM

I was never going to be able to predict the team for this one as wholesale changes were expected with Aston Villa our next League game at home on Monday night. Many regulars didn't even travel. Reina was on the only player starting from the Spurs fixture last Sunday and it was great to see him captaining the side. I was very encouraged and pleased to see so many youngsters and fringe players starting the match. Kelly, Wilson, Pacheco and Shelvey given great experience by starting. Also great to see Aurelio, Cole and the enigmatic Babel playing too. The team selected really interested me in how they would cope in this one.

                          THE MATCH

Liverpool started the match on the back foot and and sat very deep as Steaua took the initiative. Steaua controlled the early proceedings winning a few corners and free kicks without really testing Reina. But then with just over ten minutes played Steaua should have taken the lead when a cross from the left was headed over the bar. Liverpool responded and with their first real venture forward Jovanovic did well playing the ball wide to Babel who made a yard of space before crossing the ball to Jovanovic who produced a great header directing into the corner of the Steaua net totally against the run of play. Liverpool should have doubled their lead soon after when Babel broke down the left and squared the ball to Cole who was clean through but his first touch let him down and the chance was gone. Jovanovic had started the game well with a few good runs forward and looked like he was trying to impress. Babel also looked lively in the early stages for Liverpool. But Steaua continued to press and Bicfalvi came close volleying just wide of Reina's right hand post from the edge of the box. Then right on half time Steaua should have equalised when Stancu held off the aireal challenge of Kyrgiakos in the box and found himself with just Reina to beat but he shot well wide and Liverpool went in at the half with a 1-0 lead. The second half scripted the same as the first half with Steaua doing all the pressing and Liverpool under pressure to hold their lead. Early in the second half Alves had a header from close range which Reina held. But Steaua got their deserved equaliser on the hour mark in bizarre fashion when a blocked cross by Aurelio spun into the air and was headed towards goal by Bonfim from about 15 yards out, it seemed like a routine save for Reina but it somehow managed to squirm between his legs and over the line for the equaliser. The rest of the game followed the same theme as Steaua went for the winner and Liverpool defending stoutly. Liverpool were unlucky not to take the lead again in the 65th minute when an Aurelio corner was headed by Kyrgiakos only to see it come off the top of the Steaua cross bar. Steau came close in the latter stages when Stancu's curling effort just landed onto the top of Reina's net. Liverpool held on for the precious draw but it was not easy.

                            SUMMARY

Not the most important fixture we will play this year hence Roy's team selection but it turned out a great result considering so many first choice players missing. Tremendous to see Pacheco, Kelly, Wilson and Shelvey starting. We did play second fiddle for most of the game as Steaua dominated but I thought the defence played really well, Wilson and Kyrgiakos held firm in the middle and Kelly defended superbly as the winger he faced tried to take him on at every opportunity with very little success. I thought Shelvey played really well and looked very confident on the ball never misplacing a pass. Jovanovic started well but faded but a great header from him for our goal. I was very disappointed with Pacheco as I felt the game passed him by, not involved enough. Joe Cole was another disappointment as he continuely gave the ball away and missed a great chance to score when Babel sent him clean through his first touch letting him down., but he must be a bit rusty after being out so long so it was a big ask. Babel played really well and looked like he was their to impress and in my view he did, great assist for the goal. A good result and plenty of positives to take out of this performance.

Man Of The Match - Babel   he looked hungry and played as a team player holding the ball up making good runs and making the right passes, great cross for our goal and superb work to set up Cole. He's gave something for Hodgson to think about now.

YNWA

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-1 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

                        MATCH REPORT

I thought this would be a very tough fixture especially with Tottenham's form in recent weeks. Our away form has been so poor aswell, but with Spurs playing in midweek and Liverpool having the week off I was hoping this would give us a slight advantage. A win would put as right in the thick of it in the chase for a top four place.

                      THE TEAM

About as strong as Hodgson could field although I was disappointed once again at Kyrgiakos not starting again, I prefer him to Skrtel. Very pleased at playing two forwards away from home especially against a team that is very attack minded.

                    THE MATCH

Liverpool really played well in the first half and caused Spurs a lot of problems, Meireles and Lucas played very well and Meireles creating some dangerous attacks with some great passes. It really was an end to end game but Liverpool having the best of the chances, Torres had a couple of great chances which not so long ago he would have buried, but he is still trying to find his true form. At the other end Carragher had a great goal line block as the game swung from end to end. Liverpool took the lead just before half time through an unlikely scorer, Martin Skrtel proding the ball home from a corner after his initial header had been blocked. 1-0 at half time and it should have been more when Torres superbly played in Maxi who should have scored as he was clean through but he took to many touches and the chance was lost.
  Spurs came out more threatening after half time and started causing Liverpool more problems. They should have equalised when they were awarded a penalty after N'Gog raised his hands in a defensive wall at a free kick. Defoe missing the resulting penalty pulling it wide of Reina's right hand post. But their pressure told and they equalised when Skrtel diverted a low cross into his own net, giving him a very mixed day. The game was stretched now with both teams going for a winner, Liverpool looked like they should have won a penalty when Kuyt was scythed down but the referee Atkinson played on. Liverpool were dealt a blow when Carragher dislocated his shoulder in the last five minutes, an injury that will keep him out for three months, Krgiakos coming on for him. But insult to injury and heartbreak was to follow when Crouch flicked on a through ball and with Konchesky caught sleeping, Lennon raced onto it and slid the ball past Reina winning the game in stoppage time.

                       SUMMARY

It really was a great spectacle of a game but like most of our season not getting the result we need. Big blow with Carragher's injury and he will be a big miss. I liked the way Hodgson put out his team to have a go at Spurs and we really did create a lot of chances which we lived to regret by not taking more of them. But it was encouraging to create as many chances away from home as we have not being doing that in previous games. The game could have went either way but once again luck deserted us. Disappointing obviously but we really have to take so many positives from this performance.

YNWA

OUR RUN UP TO THE NEW YEAR

I have had a look at our fixtures running up to the New Year and I thought I would give it a go at predicting how we are going to get on . The fixture list seems not too bad to me with more home games than away games. But we need to get our away form sorted out, it really is a major concern and we have no chance of finishing in the top four unless we sort it out. A really good win the other week away to Bolton, especially with the run of form Bolton are on at the moment. But back to some poor away performances at Wigan and Stoke reminding us that we still have big problems away from home. At home our form has been better other than that disaster at home to Blackpool. I do think Hodgson is changing things slightly without making wholesale changes to the team on a weekly basis to try and improve. I am happy that he is trying to get a settled team, but very happy that in recent games he has been giving Torres support up front, which has made Torres look a happier player and I hope he continues with this, Kuyt and his workrate is really looking like the perfect foil for Torres.

                                    PREDICTIONS

28/11/10  AWAY   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
I don't give us much hope here I'm afraid, we don't have a great record here and Spurs are flying at the moment. Minus Gerrard is a massive miss for us, but encouraging that Cole may be back. Hopefully Spurs will be feeling the effects of their midweek exertions whereas we have had a week off. But I don't think we will come away with any points here.
02/12/10  AWAY  STEAU BUCHAREST
Hodgson will put out too strong a team for this one as he will be looking to the next League game, but with our position in the Europa League there won't be too much concern on the result. But I still think we will get a draw here.
 06/12/10 HOME  ASTON VILLA
I'm sure there will be a great welcome back for Gerrard Houllier but I don't think it will be a happy return for him. We will keep up our good home form here with a win.
11/12/10  AWAY  NEWCASTLE
Once again I will have concerns over our away form for this one, Newcastle who have been up and down so far this season. But I do think we will get a point in this one.
15/12/10  HOME  UTRECHT
With a weakened team for this game we will still be too strong at home for Utrecht and can look forward to the knockout stages of the Europa League in the new year.
18/12/10  HOME  FULHAM
Another win for me at home in this one as I expect our home form to continue.
26/12/10  AWAY  BLACKPOOL
Blackpool have been a tough nut to crack this season and I think we will find it hard, I think we will come away with a point though.
29/12/10  HOME  WOLVES
We will end the year with another home win setting us up for the new year in good spirits.

                   OVERALL
So with these fixtures I reckon we will be 11 points better off in the League by the end of the year, and after Sunday's game we will be unbeaten for the rest of the year. Hopefully we can pick more up away from home than I have predicted but I'm not sure we will unless we start pressuring higher up the park. Still, if we get 11 points I think we would be fairly happy with that.
  Let's look forward to the rest of the year.

YNWA