MAKE OR BREAK TIME

                MAKE OR BREAK TIME

The next couple of weeks are going to be very important for Liverpool with two games away to Chelsea, one in the League and one in the Carling Cup, and a home match against Manchester City sandwiched in between. Liverpool need to keep picking up points to continue in their quest for a top four place, and the cup tie will also be very important for the club as Liverpool are desperate for silverware after a barren spell.

The cup tie away to Chelsea comes less than 48 hours after the Manchester City match and Dalglish has expressed his anger at the date of the fixture and has threatened to play a second string team against Chelsea. I just wonder if the fixture would have been changed if it was Manchester United that was in our position, I’m sure the authorities would have bent over for Fergie.

I just have a feeling that these three matches will shape our season, if we can come away with decent results in these matches then I think we will kick on and have a really good season. City and Chelsea are two of the strongest sides in the league so it is going to be a great test for us, and it will let us see how we measure up.

In my view Liverpool have nothing to fear in these matches as we have a real attacking threat now and we are also looking solid at the back now. Chelsea  look good going forward but they do look dodgy defensively and are losing quite a few goals.

City are flying right now, but I think the players and supporters will be really up for it at Anfield and I can see us beating them on our own patch. Our squad is looking healthy and Carragher and Gerrard should be back for these matches too, which will be a real boost.

I would love to see us getting to a cup semi-final but I think Kenny will have to play his best team to win the cup tie with Chelsea, and it doesn’t look like he is going to do that, which is a shame, although we have a good squad and some great youngsters that may surprise Chelsea.

I can’t wait for these games and this international break has just been so frustrating as we have had to wait two weeks between matches. Hopefully everyone reports back fully fit after these matches as Kenny will need options over the coming weeks.

So exciting times for Liverpool supporters and I have confidence that we will do well in these games setting us up for the remainder of the season and giving other teams something to think about.

YNWA

LIVERPOOL 0-0 SWANSEA CITY MATCH REPORT

              LIVERPOOL 0-0 SWANSEA CITY MATCH REPORT

Liverpool returned to Anfield for the visit of newly promoted Swansea City after their good away win at West Brom last weekend. Swansea have had a good start to the season after promotion, but have struggled away from home with only one point away from home. Liverpool have struggled to win matches at home this season, with three draws recorded so far this season. Liverpool have struggled against newly promoted sides in recent times , with Norwich getting a point just two weeks ago at Anfield, Liverpool would be hoping put this problem behind them with a home win and keep them in the chase for a Champions League place.

             THE TEAM

Kenny kept the same team that won at the Hawthorns last week, which was no surprise to anyone, especially with Gerrard and Carragher still out injured . So Andy Carroll would start alongside Luis Suarez, which is what the Liverpool want to see mature. The unlucky Kuyt left on the bench once again.

                      THE MATCH

Liverpool started by putting Swansea under pressure early and they should have taken the lead in the 7^th minute when Downing produced a superb low cross which found the onrushing Andy Carroll only 6 yards out but the big striker smashed his effort off the crossbar, letting the visitors off the hook.

Suarez and Downing came close with efforts soon after as it looked like just being a matter of time before Liverpool would take the lead. But Liverpool were almost stunned on the half hour mark when Danny Graham hooked an effort on goal which Reina had to make a good stop from.

Back came Liverpool and Suarez was unlucky with a powerful left foot strike which saw Vorm make an excellent save from, turning the shot round the base of the post. Downing volleyed over the bar from the resulting corner.

The game became more stretched as the half wore on with Swansea starting to gain more confidence from surviving the difficult start to the match. Both teams went in at the half scoreless with Liverpool once again thinking about missed chances.

Dalglish brought on Dirk Kuyt for the second half, replacing Henderson, with the hope of breaking the deadlock. But Liverpool continued to toil for the opener and Reina almost got caught out when Graham closed him down when receiving an Enrique pass back, but the Spaniard just managed to clear to safety.

The second half was becoming very difficult for Liverpool to sustain any pressure as Swansea’s growing confidence was showing in their passing game as they continued to play their way out of trouble and almost scored when Dyer struck a low 20 yard effort at Reina, which the stopper spilled but he reacted quickly to block Graham’s follow up.

With time ticking away Dalglish brought on Bellamy for Carroll to ignite a bit of pace with Liverpool rarely threatening the Swansea goal in the second half. With time running out Liverpool finally pressured the visitors’ goal with Kuyt having an effort blocked and Agger heading onto the roof of the net.

But Swansea could have won it late on but Gower skied Graham’s knock down from close range. Liverpool responded and thought they had scored the winner in the last couple of minutes when Kuyt found the net from an Agger knock down, but the celebrations were short lived as offside was given. Then in stoppage time Vorm superbly tipped over a Glen Johnson volley, earning the visitors a point and leaving Liverpool once again frustrated at home.

        SUMMARY

I can’t complain about the team as I was glad to see Kenny keep a settled team after the good win last week, although I do like to see Kuyt in the side. Anyway, this had to be a win for Liverpool and the result is a massive blow for us, with massive games coming up against Chelsea and Man City I felt we couldn’t afford more dropped points at home. To be fair to Swansea they deserved their point and made it difficult for us, but we should be winning these games especially at home. We didn’t really play well although it could have been oh so different if Carroll had scored early on. But we have to be able to grind out results even when we are off form, as all the successful teams seem to do. The pleasing thing was another clean sheet and we are keeping our unbeaten run going but overall great disappointment in another frustrating day.

THE LIVERPOOL WAY

                THE LIVERPOOL WAY

What a difference Kenny has made since his return back in January, it has been quite remarkable the transformation of the club’s fortunes. With superb backing from the new owners who gave Kenny the much needed finances to rebuild the threadbare squad, things at this great club are starting to go in the right direction.

No promises or shouting from the roof tops about Liverpool going to win this or win that or sign him or build a new stadium tomorrow. Everyone at Liverpool is pulling in the same direction and singing of the same hymn sheet, it is just like the good old days, when Liverpool went quietly about their business, collecting scores of silverware in the process.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and nobody at the club is promising instant success, and the supporters understand this as well. If success does come then this season then the club will just take it in their stride and not blow their trumpet about it like other clubs do. There is a great sense of purpose and sense of daily improvement at the club from on the park to the hierarchy.

Kenny brought in a lot of new faces in the summer and in my opinion this was needed as too many youngsters were asked to step up to the plate last season, maybe a bit too soon, although in no way did they look out of place as Liverpool have some great talent flourishing in the youth teams. But to ask youngsters to play week in week out at the highest level is a very big ask, so Kenny went out and brought some talented individuals in with great experience with the likes of Adam, Downing and Bellamy.

The squad now has quality in every position with competition for places in every position which is very important. Reina has Doni as back up and I saw him at Ibrox the other week and he looked very good. At right back we have Johnson, Kelly, Flanagan and Carragher who can all play there. On the left there is the impressive Enrique, Glen Johnson, Agger, Aurelio and young Jack Robinson who is a tremendous prospect. In the centre of defence we have Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Wilson, Coates and we also have the option of Martin Kelly to play there also. On the left side of midfield we have Downing, Bellamy, Aurelio and Maxi who has been unlucky to miss out in so many matches this season. On theright side we have Henderson, Kuyt, Johnson and Downing and Gerrard can also be used there. The centre of midfield is very strong too with Lucas, Adam, Gerrard, Spearing and Henderson another option for the middle. Up front we have Suarez, Carroll, Kuyt, Bellamy and Gerrard can also be used higher up the park. So personally I am very pleased with the squad we have as we look to challenge for trophies and at least a top four place.

But what I like best about Liverpool over recent months is our style of play, we are now playing a far more attacking style of play compared to our defensive style that we have played over far too many years for my liking. Yes we have been losing more goals than we are used to and so far we have not scored near as many goals as we should have, but the amount of chances we are creating is superb and the goals will come. The football we are now watching is similar to the style of play Kenny had his team playing in his first stint as manager. The passion and work rate of the players is much better to see and the players look as if they are enjoying there football.

The new signings including the much maligned Andy Carroll are starting to gel and they will all be important players for us this season and for the future. So I am very pleased with the progress we have made over recent months and I think we will at least finish in the top four this season, with hopefully a trophy in the cabinet too. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season with continuation of the Liverpool Way.

YNWA

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-2 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

      WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-2 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

Liverpool travelled to the Hawthorns on the back of a great midweek win at Stoke in the Carling Cup, but Liverpool were hoping to get back to winning ways in the League after two draws in their last two league matches. West Brom were going into the match with some decent form too and on the back of a great win over their local rivals last weekend. Liverpool lost at the Hawthorns in this fixture last season soon after former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson had taken charge, so Liverpool were hoping for a better result this time around as they try to keep in touch of a top four place.

            THE TEAM

The big team news regarding Liverpool was the absence of Gerrard and Carragher who had injuries, but better news for the travelling support was the news that Suarez was starting after shaking off a knock from Wednesday night. Glen Johnson came back into the side at right back with Enrique coming back into the side at left back, Agger partnered Skrtel in the middle of defence. The midfield saw Downing start on the left with Henderson on the right and Lucas partner Charlie Adam in the middle. Andy Carroll got another start up front alongside the form man, Suarez.

          THE MATCH

Liverpool went on the offensive from the first whistle with Enrique splitting the home defence with a raking pass, but for once Suarez failed to control the ball when clean through. Moments later Suarez teed up Adam but his effort went well over.

Liverpool were asking all the questions and they took the lead in the 9^th minute after Suarez was impeded in the box by Jerome Thomas, but the penalty was only given after referee Lee Mason noticed his assistant’s flag. The West Brom players protested the decision, but Charlie Adam kept his nerve to send Foster the wrong way from the spot and give the visitors a deserved lead.

Liverpool continued to press after taking the lead and were continuing to create chances and they thought they had won another penalty after a Carroll header struck the arm of a West Brom defender. Suarez seemed to be involved in everything and most of the chances were falling to the striker, but his luck in front of goal was deserting him, his best chance came when Skrtel teed up 6 yards out but his effort went high over the bar.

West Brom were not giving the Liverpool defence much trouble in the first half although Scharner saw his long-range effort well blocked by Skrtel. Liverpool scored a second on the stroke of half-time when a superb first time pass by Suarez sent Carroll clear, the big striker stabbed a low shot beyond the advancing Foster and into the net. The 2-0 score line was well deserved by the visitors.

West Brom almost pulled a goal back right at the start of the second half but Tchoyl saw his low shot just miss Reina’s far post. The home side were starting to have more possession as they tried to get back into the game but Liverpool were dangerous on the break and continued to create chances. Suarez had a few efforts on goal and he eventually saw an effort end up in the net only to be flagged offside.

Enrique saw a brilliant effort spectacularly saved by Foster as it looked like he would score his first goal for his new club. Andy Carroll had a stinging shot well saved by Foster as Carroll and Suarez showed glimpses of a blossoming partnership.

West Brom continued to press for a goal but they never really threatened Reina’s goal and Liverpool almost got the icing on the cake when Downing smashed a shot in injury time off Foster’s near post, but it was a very good performance from Liverpool and got them back to winning ways in the league.

           SUMMARY

I thought this could be a tricky fixture for Liverpool especially with Carragher and Gerrard absent. But I do believe we have strength in depth now this season and Kenny still managed to field a very strong team. I have to say I expected more from West Brom but you can only beat the team you face and I thought Liverpool totally dominated the match. Reina was virtually redundant as Liverpool dictated the play away from home. This time last year we feared every away game but credit to Kenny and his coaching staff he has Liverpool taking the game to his opponents away from home, especially with sticking two up front. Stonewall penalty kick and the ref should have gave it himself with no need of help from his assistant. Great to see Carroll score and this could be the making of him, with glimpses of an understanding with Suarez in this match. Impressed with Lucas again in the middle of the park complimenting Adam and Enrique is superb at left back, but Suarez is unbelievable and is so important to Liverpool right now. Overall it was a great professional performance from Liverpool  away from home.

Man Of The Match – Suarez- just for a change, well its getting so obvious now isn’t it, another superb game, amazing how he failed to score.

STOKE CITY 1-2 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

     STOKE CITY 1-2 LIVERPOOL MATCH REPORT

With no European football for Liverpool this season the Carling Cup has taken on extra importance. Drawn away to Stoke was not the kindest draw for Liverpool but they would know what to expect after losing 1-0 to them recently in the league. Kenny has stated how important this competition is for the club and he has proved with his team selections in previous rounds of the competition. The last time Liverpool visited Stoke at this stage of the competition was in 2000-01 when they won 8-0 on their way to lifting the cup.

       THE TEAM

Kenny made 8 changes for the visit to Stoke from the team that drew with Norwich at the weekend. But the team Kenny selected certainly wasn’t a weakened side as he has so many more options and strength in depth this season. Dalglish obviously selected a team to cope with the Stoke’s dangerous set-piece tactics. The team read, Reina, Kelly and Agger at full-backs and Carragher and Coates in the middle of defence. The midfield had Maxi on the left and Henderson on the right with Lucas and Spearing in the middle, with Carroll and Suarez up front. There was also a very strong bench with Aurelio, Kuyt, Adam, Doni,Skrtel,Flanagan and Bellamy. There was a big surprise with no mention of Gerrard  on the team sheet.

      THE MATCH

As ever a tremendous atmosphere for this match at the Brittania Stadium, and it was Liverpool who threatened first when Carroll had a chance with a free header from a left wing corner. Suarez almost beat the Stoke offside trap as he started menacingly.

But Stoke had the next chance when Walters saw a curling effort worry Reina as it flew just over. But Liverpool were on the front foot and dictating the play and Carroll was unlucky with a stinging shot which Sorenson could only parry to the onrushing Suarez but he could only direct his effort wide of the target with the ball rebounding to him so quickly.

Stoke were playing second fiddle to a very sharp looking Liverpool side, but they did have their moments, mostly from the menace of Delap’s long throws.

Liverpool were playing some great football in the first half as Stoke struggled to cope with their movement. A great move involving Lucas and Maxi resulted in a low cross to Suarez but his close range effort was superbly saved by Sorenson as Suarez cursed his luck once again.

Liverpool showed they were not going to be intimidated with Stoke’s physical approach as Carragher showed when he was booked for a strong challenge midway through the first half.

Liverpool once again were not getting their reward in goals for their superb play similar to the match last weekend and they were dealt a blow just before half-time when Stoke took the lead. A mistake by Coates allowed Walters to get down the right flank before crossing to Jones who headed past Reina stunning the visitors. Suarez almost equalised in stoppage time but he dragged his shot wide.

The second half started with Liverpool still creating chances although the second half was contested more evenly. But Liverpool did manage to equalise, and what a way to do it. Suarez collected the ball on the left before producing a sublime nutmeg on Shotton giving himself a sight of goal from the edge of the box, Suarez then spectacularly curled a shot into the far corner of Sorenson’s goal giving the keeper no chance.

Liverpool and their supporters were buoyed by this goal and were now looking for the winner. But with all the enterprising play from the visitors they could not find a winner so Dalglish brought on Bellamy for Maxi with about ten minutes to go to ignite some pace into Liverpool’s attack and he made an immediate impact hitting the post with a shot from 20 yards after good link up play with Carroll.

With extra time looming Liverpool snatched the winner with 5 minutes remaining when Henderson found Suarez at the back post with a volleyed cross and the Uruguay striker headed past Sorenson sending the visiting support wild. Stoke bombarded the Liverpool goal in the latter stages but the visitors held on to book a place in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.

               SUMMARY

A superb performance and result from Liverpool. The desire and work ethic of the players was superb. Stoke is such a difficult place to go, and to go behind after playing so well in the first half was like a kick in the teeth, but the response was brilliant. Dalglish put out a very strong team, but I was worried their would be a lack of creativity in the midfield without Adam and Gerrard, but I was oh so wrong, some of the passing was superb as we created so many chances. Andy Carroll was flying around the park like a man on a mission and his link up play was very good, all that was lacking from the big man was a goal. The defence was superb as they had to withstand many long throws. Coates was very impressive apart from the mistake for Stoke’s goal. But it was great to see us get a win we so greatly deserved after being left frustrated against Norwich. So many great performances from Liverpool players but I think Agger deserves a mention, he was superb on the left side of defence and creative going forward. But Suarez is amazing, unplayable at times and deserved his superb goals, For me, this was the performance of the season so far.

Man Of The Match – Suarez- it just had to be. He is unbelievable right now and got the goals his performance deserved.

LIVERPOOL 1-1 NORWICH CITY MATCH REPORT

      

Liverpool was hoping to put newly promoted Norwich to the sword in their quest for at least a top 4 place. Liverpool who drew 1-1 with Manchester United last weekend would be hoping to get back to winning ways against Paul Lambert’s charges. Norwich have impressed so far this season with their style of play, they have played an attractive attacking style with tremendous displays without reward at Chelsea and more recently at Old Trafford. Norwich go into the match on the back of great win against Swansea last weekend and will give them great confidence.

         THE TEAM

Dalglish made two changes to the side that drew with Manchester United last week with Glen Johnson coming in for Kelly and Craig Bellamy replacing the suspended Lucas. A big night for Dirk Kuyt making his 250^th appearance for Liverpool. Liverpool started with a very attacking line-up with Gerrard and Adam in the middle of midfield with Downing on the right and Bellamy on the left of midfield with Kuyt and Suarez up front. Andy Carroll had to be content with starting on the bench once again.

                                      THE MATCH

Liverpool attacked from the start and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Skrtel headed off the bar from an Adam corner, then two minutes later Suarez made a brilliant turn before shooting wide.

Liverpool were dominating the early stages with Suarez and his brilliant best. Then in the 10^th minute Bellamy made a great run down the left before crossing low to Suarez and his first time effort was tipped onto the post. Moments later Suarez tried a chip from outside the box but it floated over the bar.

The chances kept coming for Liverpool and another one went a begging when Suarez shot wide after being played in by Johnson. But Norwich showed the threat they had Morrison powered a header straight at Reina from a corner kick. Then moments later Norwich had another effort from long range saved by Reina.

Then on the half hour mark Kuyt had a header blocked from a corner. Liverpool continued to create chances as the half wore on, but just as it looked as Norwich would hold until half-time Liverpool took the lead after tussle for the ball involving Suarez broke to Bellamy who ran into the box before shooting past Ruddy via a deflection.

Norwich started the second half sharply and Pilkington was unlucky with a low shot bringing out a save from Reina. A minute later Kuyt couldn’t direct his header on target from a Downing cross as Liverpool responded.

A few minutes later a piece of brilliance on the edge of the box by Suarez left the Norwich defence bewildered but his shot was deflected onto the post as he cursed his luck. Liverpool was still threatening and Gerrard made one of his trademark runs into the box but he shot weakly.

But Norwich drew level on the hour mark when Adam lost possession looking for a foul and Pilkington’s dangerous was headed into the Liverpool by substitute Holt who beat Reina to the ball.

Shortly after Holt could have scored a second with another header but for a great reaction save from Reina. Norwich were certainly encouraged by the goal and Liverpool were struggling to find their first half fluency.

Dalglish brought on Henderson for Bellamy and Carroll for Downing in the latter stages to try and win the game but it wasn’t until stoppage time when the best chances came first a brilliant cross from Gerrard found the head of Carroll but his header went agonisingly wide from 6 yards out. Then with just about the last kick of the ball Suarez  smashed a volley on target but Ruddy pulled off an amazing save to earn Norwich a point and leave Liverpool frustrated.

                            SUMMARY

I was expecting nothing less than a win here tonight as I feel we have to win these type of games if we are to challenge this season. I liked the look of the team Kenny selected as it had a very attacking look about it. We started on fire and could have been four up inside 20 minutes but couldn’t get one. I just had a bit of a feeling these missed chances could come back to haunt us and unfortunately it did. We had some great attacking play, especially from Downing and Bellamy on the flanks and Suarez was causing all sorts of problems, the only thing lacking from him was he couldn’t find the net. The referee didn’t give Suarez much as I felt he was constantly fouled, leaving the striker frustrated. We did lose a bad goal as Norwich posed more of a threat second half, with Reina getting caught out. But these things can happen. We were very unlucky right at the end with Carroll and then Suarez’s volley. I’m left very disappointed with the result as both Chelsea and Manchester United have struggled against Norwich this season but managed to win, where we failed to. But I’m very encouraged with the performance and the amount of chances we created and I’m sure the goals will come over a very long season.

Man Of The Match – Suarez – once again, unplayable at time, lost count of the number of attempts he had on goal, only a goal was missing from his night.