Season  2004  -  2005

G.A.K. (Graz, Austria)  0 - 2  Liverpool

 
Tuesday 10 August 2004 19:45 Champions League Qualifier 3rd Round 1st Leg
 
G.A.K. Liverpool
0 - 2  (0-1)
 
GOAL
   Gerrard 23, 79
 
  1  Andreas Schranz
  4  Mario Tokic
  5  Anton Ehmann (c)
  6  Dieter Ramusch
  7  Joachim Standfest
  8  Samir Muratovic
 10  Alen Skoro
 11  Martin Amerhauser
 18  Emanuel Pogatetz
 20  Rene Aufhauser
 28  Roland Kollmann

 Subs:
 13  Franz Almer
 17  Daniel Pirker
 23  Gernot Sick
 25  Mario Majstorovic
 19  Matthias Dollinger
 26  Gernot Plassnegger
 22  Mario Bazina
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  6  John Arne Riise
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 28  Stephen Warnock
 15  Salif Diao
 34  Darren Potter
 10  Michael Owen
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Skoro (Bazina 62)
 Aufhauser (Sick 73)
 Amerhauser (Dollinger 85)
 Baros (Diao 72)
 Gerrard (Warnock 77)
 Finnan (Potter 84)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alain Sars (France)
 Booked:  Booked: Hamann 49
VENUE MANAGERS
Arnold Schwarzenegger St. (capacity )
Attendance: 15,000
Walter Schachner (G A K)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Notes:

  - For this match not was printed Official matchday programme.

  - Djibril Cisse makes his LFC debut

  - Jose Miguel Rey makes his LFC debut

  - Stephen Warnock makes his LFC debut

  - Darren Potter makes his LFC debut

  GERRARD SCORES TWICE AS RAFA MAKES DREAM START

  While the eyes of the world's media were trained on the Liverpool bench, the players Rafael Benitez did pick to start the game ensured the former Valencia boss got off to the best possible start in the Kop hot seat with a 2-nil win.

  We were warned before the match kicked off that AK Graz would prove a particularly tough test for this new-look Liverpool side but with all due respect to the Austrian champions, Benitez's team could have been four goals up before Steven Gerrard secured a vital away goal midway through the first-half at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium.

  The Liverpool captain, so close to leaving Anfield in the summer, scored a wonder goal after 23 minutes to stamp the visitor's authority on the game. When the ball fell to the skipper outside the area, Gerrard just rifled an unstoppable strike towards goal that gave Schranz absolutely no chance.

  Djibril Cisse, making his full debut alongside Milan Baros in attack, looked Liverpool's most dangerous player in the first-half and immediately struck up a neat partnership with the Czech striker and Euro 2004 Golden Boot winner. Time after time the pair linked up well with Gerrard and Kewell to keep the home side on the back foot.

  Sami Hyypia and Baros both went close with first-half headers and Gerrard had another wonderful strike disallowed in the second-half only for the captain to double his side's lead with just 11 minutes left after a low strike again gave the 'keeper little chance.

  Liverpool will travel home with a clear advantage before the teams meet again at Anfield in two week's time. As Gerard Houllier used to say, we're only at half-time in this two-legged affair but tonight Rafael Benitez will be a happy man - his players, and his captain in particular, did him proud.

  Teams

  GRAZER AK: Schranz, Pogatetz, Ehmann, Tokic, Standfest, Amerhauser, Aufhauser, Muratovic, Ramusch, Kollmann, Skoro. Subs - Almer, Bazina, Dollinger, Majstorovic, Pirker, Plassnegger, Sick.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Finnan, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Diao, Henchoz, Kirkland, Owen, Potter, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Referee: Alain Sars (France)

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 15,000

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Gerrard

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool start with Cisse and Baros in attack
2 mins : Josemi hacked down just 10 yards outside the GAK box
3 mins : Hyypia almost gives the Reds a dream start with a header from a Finnan free-kick which is well saved
3 mins : Cisse body-checked in a similar position to Josemi foul but Reds waste free-kick
9 mins : Long pass from Hyypia to Cisse cut out
10 mins : Kewell gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position
11 mins : Reds clear a testing free-kick with great work by Carragher
12 mins : Josemi attempts to chip the ball into the box into the path of Cisse
13 mins : Gerrard plays a brilliant ball through to Baros but his shot is well saved
19 mins : Kollmann bursts past Carragher into the area but fires his shot wide of Dudek's goal
23 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Stunning goal from the skipper as he rifles a 30 yard shot into the top corner
28 mins : Cisse is inches away from sliding home our second goal after Baros' cross shot from the right just evades him at the far post
28 mins : Cisse is inches away from sliding home our second goal after Baros' cross shot from the right just evades him at the far post
28 mins : Cisse is inches away from sliding home our second goal after Baros' cross shot from the right just evades him at the far post
32 mins : Baros heads just over after Cisse had turned Finnan's cross into his path. Liverpool well on top.
38 mins : Kewell crosses from the left and again Cisse comes close to finding the back of the net.
40 mins : Kewell swings in a corner from the left which Hyypia heads high over the Graz goal
41 mins : Michael Owen starts to warm up on the touchline and receives a great ovation from the Liverpool fans behind the goal
47 mins : Finnan floats a dangerous free kick into the area but Graz clear
49 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
50 mins : Cisse uses his electric pace to create a shooting chance but Schranz saves well down to his right
51 mins : The Graz goalkeeper is again called into action to cut out a low cross from Finnan
52 mins : Kollmann caught offside as the home team launch a rare attack into the Liverpool half
56 mins : Kollmann gets away from Hyypia inside the area to head Amerhauser's cross wide of the far post. Good chance.
60 mins : Baros sends a header goalwards but Schranz does well to turn the ball behind for a corner
64 mins : Hyypia tries his luck from 30 yards but the ball is deflected for a corner
66 mins : Gerrard blasts the ball into the net but the goal is ruled out for offside
49 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
65 mins : Substitution: Mario Bazina for Alen Skoro:
71 mins : Baros glances a header wide from Finnan's free kick
72 mins : Substitution: Gernot Sick for Rene Aufhauser:
73 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Milan Baros:
77 mins : Standfest hammers a shot high and wide over the bar
79 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard slots the ball home from Cisse's pass to double the Reds' lead

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Tottenham Hotspur  1 - 1  Liverpool

 
Saturday 14 August 2004 12:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
tot_hot.gif (1294 bytes)
Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool
1 - 1  (0-1)
 
GOAL
 Defoe 70  Cisse 38
 
  1  Paul Robinson
 14  Erik Edman
 26  Ledley King
  2  Noureddine Naybet
 29  Philip Ifil
 32  John Jackson
  8  Pedro Mendes
 15  Jamie Redknapp
  4  Sean Davis
 18  Jermaine Defoe
  9  Freddie Kanoute

 Subs:
 13  Kasey Keller
 12  Gary Doherty
 24  Thimothee Atouba
 11  Michael Brown
 20  Edson Silva
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  6  John Arne Riise
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 28  Stephen Warnock
 25  Igor Biscan
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Doherty (Naybet 71)
 Atouba (Jackson 71)
 Brown (Redknapp 82)
 Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle 63)
 Baros (Warnock 78)
 Hamann (Biscan 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
 Booked: Kanoute 6, Redknapp 15, Defoe 71  Booked: Sinama-Pongolle 69
VENUE MANAGERS
White Hart Lane (capacity 36,236)
Attendance: 35,105
Jacques Santini (Tottenham H)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J

  Notes:

  - Rafael Benitez first Premiership game in charge of Liverpool.

  - Djibril Cisse scores his first goal for LFC

  CISSE STRIKE NOT ENOUGH AS SPURS HIT BACK

  Djibril Cisse's first Premiership goal was not enough to secure an opening day victory for Liverpool at White Hart Lane, as Spurs hit back to secure a 1-1 draw.

  The Reds led through Cisse's first half strike but Jermaine Defoe levelled for Tottenham with 19 minutes remaining to deny Rafael Benitez a first league win as Liverpool boss.

  Cisse netted his first competitive goal for the club in the 38th minute. Finnan's cross from the right was nodded on by Carragher and the ball fell to the feet of the French striker who swept it home with a first time effort past keeper Robinson.

  It was a goal Liverpool thoroughly deserved, as they dominated the opening 45 minutes and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Gerrard was pulled down in the box by Ifil.

  However, they failed to maintain this momentum in the second period and in the 71st minute the home side drew level through Defoe, who turned inside the box and beat Dudek with a low shot that just crept inside the Pole's near post.

  Robinson came to Spurs' rescue minutes later when he spectacularly tipped a Carragher header over the bar but there was to be no further scoring and the spoils were shared.

  Teams

  Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Edman, Naybet, King, Ifil, Jackson, Mendes, Redknapp, Davis, Kanoute, Defoe. Subs - Keller, Brown, Doherty, Silva, Atouba.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Josemi, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Finnan, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Kirkland, Henchoz, Sinama Pongolle, Biscan, Warnock.

  Referee: Dermot Gallagher

  Conditions: Hot

  Attendance: Unknown

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia

  Breakdown

12:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : King in with an early challenge to stop Baros charging down the right
3 mins : Kewell goes on a run down the left but Davis clears the danger for Spurs
3 mins : Davis again goes in with a challenge, but this time concedes a free kick with a foul on Baros
4 mins : Kewell's free kick is headed high over the bar by Baros
6 mins : Booking: Freddie Kanoute: Late challenge on Didi Hamann after good play from the German
8 mins : Ifil plays the ball forward but Defoe can't control it and Dudek gathers easily
10 mins : Defoe is caught offside as Spurs work a decent opportunity inside the Liverpool area
11 mins : Cisse tries his luck with a spectacular 30 yard strike, but Robinson saves comfortably
14 mins : Cisse diverts the ball goalwards from Riise's knock-down, but his effort is straight at Robinson
17 mins : Great defending from Hyypia inside the area to prevent Defoe having a clear shooting chance
18 mins : Gerrard goes to ground under a challenge from Ifil but the ref waves away the penalty appeals
22 mins : Baros' shot is deflected over after good work by Finnan. Great chance.
23 mins : Booking: Jamie Redknapp: Foul on former team-mate Gerrard
25 mins : Jackson fires the ball towards Davis in the area but the Spurs midfielder heads well wide
27 mins : Gerrard's shot into the area is deflected well wide by Cisse
31 mins : Robinson is out quickly to gather Finnan's long ball aimed towards Baros
32 mins : Jackson drives in a low shot goalwards which Riise does well to clear
36 mins : Redknapp skies a shot over the bar as Liverpool clear a Spurs corner
37 mins : Kewell's cross from the left is miraculously cleared over the bar by Naybet
38 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: Cisse slots home from close range after Carragher nods the ball into his path
41 mins : Gerrard's volley from 30 yards dips just over the bar
43 mins : Hyypia's late with a challenge on Davis, conceding a free kick outside the area
13:31 GMT : Half Time Reached

13:48 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway
48 mins : Great run by Kewell down the left but he just fails to slide the ball into Baros' path after beating three players
48 mins : Redknapp drives a free kick from 25 yards straight into the Liverpool wall
50 mins : Gerrard is called into defensive action to hack the ball clear with Defoe lurking in the box
51 mins : The ball falls nicely for Jackson outside the area but he drills an effort wide of Dudek's goal
55 mins : Great play by Defoe to ghost past two Liverpool defenders but he chips his shot over the bar
59 mins : Great midfield play from Gerrard to win the ball in midfield and keep possession for Liverpool
62 mins : Kewell drives forward and sends a left footed shot drifting just wide of the far post
63 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Djibril Cisse:
68 mins : Riise's left footed free kick is deflected behind for a corner in front of the travelling Kopites
69 mins : Booking: Florent Sinama Pongolle:
69 mins : Substitution: Thimothee Atouba for John Jackson:
69 mins : Substitution: Gary Doherty for Noureddine Naybet:
70 mins : GOAL! Jermaine Defoe: Beats Dudek at his near post with a low shot
71 mins : Booking: Jermaine Defoe:
75 mins : Carragher forces a great save from Robinson with a point blank header
78 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Milan Baros:
80 mins : Defoe blasts wide from close range as Spurs fans prepare to celebrate a certain goal. Lucky escape for us
82 mins : Substitution: Michael Brown for Jamie Redknapp:
84 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Dietmar Hamann:
87 mins : Biscan shoots from 30 yards but Robinson saves at his near post
90 mins : Three added minutes to be played

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  2 - 1  Manchester City

 
Saturday 21 August 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Liverpool Manchester City
2 - 1  (0-1)
 
GOAL
 Baros 48, Gerrard 75  Anelka 45
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  6  John Arne Riise
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 28  Stephen Warnock
 25  Igor Biscan
 15  Salif Diao
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
  1  David James
  3  Ben Thatcher
  5  Sylvain Distin
 22  Richard Dunne
 18  Danny Mills
 10  Antoine Siberski
 26  Paul Bosvelt
  6  Claudio Reyna
 42  Bradley Wright-Phillips
 39  Nicolas Anelka
  8  Robbie Fowler

 Subs:
 32  Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard
 17  Sun Jihai
 24  Joey Barton
 28  Trevor Sinclair
 11  Jonathan Macken
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Rey (Diao 62)
 Finnan (Warnock 77)
 Kewell (Biscan 90)
 Sibierski (Barton 82)
 Bosvelt (Sinclair 82)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee:
 Booked: Hamann 86  Booked: Thatcher 27, Dunne 34, Bosvelt 74
 Sent Off: Dunne 85
VENUE MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 42,831
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Kevin Keegan (Manchester C)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes

  - The first time in 5 years LFC have triumphed after trailing at half-time. A 3-2 win over Tottenham on 1st of May 1999 was when Liverpool last completed a second-half recovery.

  REDS FIGHTBACK SECURES POINTS

  Liverpool produced an excellent second half display to come from behind and beat Manchester City 2-1 in front of a capacity Anfield crowd today.

  The Reds were reeling at half time after a mistake by Jerzy Dudek at the Kop end allowed Anelka to score his first goal of the season.

  Dudek had little to do before spilling the ball into Anelka's path, as it was an unchanged home side who took the game to their close city rivals.

  Gerrard, Kewell and Hyypia all went close in a first half where Liverpool threatened to break their visitor's resistance.

  Liverpool took just 3 minutes of the second half though to cancel out Anelka's opener, as Milan Baros took Gerrard's through pass and calmly lifted the ball over David James.

  And it was Baros involved again soon after when his surge into the area was brought to a halt by a firm challenge from Distan. Referee Graham Poll ignored the appeals for a penalty as the Reds looked to complete quick turnaround.

  That signalled a period of Liverpool pressure that lead to them getting their noses in front for the first time on 75 minutes. Skipper Steven Gerrard had been at the centre of everything the Reds produced and he was on hand again to fire into the net after Baros' shot had been blocked by the legs of James.

  Baros, Cisse and Gerrard himself had all previously come close as the Reds produced an all action second half display to seal the points.

  A miserable day for City was completed near to the end as Dunne received his second yellow card for a foul on Cisse and was sent off by referee Poll.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Finnan, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Biscan, Diao, Harrison, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Manchester City: James, Thatcher, Distin, Dunne, Mills, Sibierski, Bischoff, Reyna, Wright-Phillips, Fowler, Wright-Phillips. Subs - Barton, Ellegaard, Sinclair, Vassell,

  Referee: G Poll

  Conditions:

  Attendance:

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Milan Baros

  Breakdown

6 mins : Great burst of pace by Cisse down the right but he can't feed the ball into Kewell's path in the area
9 mins : Sibierski tries to find space on the edge of the box but runs the ball out for a Liverpool goal kick
9 mins : Sibierski tries to find space on the edge of the box but runs the ball out for a Liverpool goal kick
11 mins : Rasping drive from Gerrard from 30 yards but James saves low down
16 mins : More good play from Cisse as he takes Carragher's pass in his stride and wins a corner for the Reds
16 mins : Great corner from Kewell but it evades everyone in the penalty area
20 mins : Gerrard shows great defensive play to steal the ball off Anelka as the Frenchman races towards goal
25 mins : Long throw from Mills from the right is well held by Dudek in a crowded area
27 mins : Booking: Ben Thatcher:
29 mins : Kewell sends a well struck left footed volley towards goal but the ball dips just over the bar
32 mins : Kewell again shoots for goal but the ball is deflected behind for a corner. Liverpool stepping up the pressure now
38 mins : Booking: Richard Dunne:
39 mins : Kewell bends a free kick over the wall but straight at James
45 mins : GOAL! Nicolas Anelka: Mistake by Carragher and Dudek and Anelka takes advantage to slot the ball home
14:48 GMT : Half Time Reached

15:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : City get the second half underway attacking the Anfield Road End
48 mins : Finnan and Baros combine well down the right but City clear the danger in their own area
48 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Great finish by Baros who lifts the ball over James for the equaliser
50 mins : Baros goes down under a challenge from Distin but the referee waves away strong penalty appeals
58 mins : Liverpool survive as Anelka's volley flashes over Dudek's bar
61 mins : Gerrard shoots from distance, forcing James into an unconvincing save
62 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Josemi Josemi:
63 mins : Liverpool win another corner following a great burst by Carrgher into the area
65 mins : Finnan chips an effort over the bar after Cisse had done well to set him up 15 yards from goal
68 mins : Cisse's explosive pace gets him through on goal but James is out to save with his legs
70 mins : James makes a brilliant save to deny Baros as the Czech ace strides clear on goal
72 mins : James lucky to survive as he mis-judges a cross but Finnan can't turn the ball into Cisse's path
74 mins : Booking: Paul Bosvelt:
75 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: The skipper smashes the ball into an empty net after James had saved from Baros
77 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Steve Finnan:
82 mins : Substitution: Trevor Sinclair for Paul Bosvelt:
82 mins : Substitution: Joey Barton for Antoine Sibierski:
85 mins : Sending Off: Richard Dunne:
88 mins : Diao clears from near his own line as City look for a late leveller
90 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Harry Kewell:
90 mins : Three added minutes to be played
15:53 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  -  GAK (Graz, Austria)  0 - 1

 
Tuesday 24 August 2004 20:10 Champions League Qualifier 3rd Round 2nd Leg
 
 
"Liverpool" 0 - 1 "GAK"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     Tokic 55
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  2  Stephane Henchoz
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
  6  John Arne Riise
 34  Darren Potter
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 15  Salif Diao
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 37  Zak Whitbread
  3  Steve Finnan
 28  Stephen Warnock
 25  Igor Biscan
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
    1  Andreas Schranz
 25  Mario Majstorovic
 18  Emanuel Pogatetz
  4  Mario Tokic
  7  Joachim Standfest
 11  Martin Amerhauser
 20  Rene Aufhauser (c)
 23  Gernot Sick
 26  Gernot Plassnegger
 22  Mario Bazina
 28  Roland Kollmann

 Subs:
 13  Franz Almer
  6  Dieter Ramusch
  8  Samir Muratovic
 19  Matthias Dollinger
 24  Stefan Erkinger
 15  David Sencar
 21  Dominic Hassler
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Kewell (Warnock 58)
 Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle 74)
 Baros (Hamann 89)
   Plassnegger (Muratovic 70)
 Majstorovic (Dollinger 79)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain)
 Booked: Potter 43, Gerrard 61    Booked: Pogatetz 34, Plassneger 67, Aufhauser 68, Muratovic 74
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 42,950
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Walter Schachner (GAK)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Darren Potter makes his LFC debut

 

  REDS LOSE BUT STILL GO THROUGH

  Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League group stage but this was a far from comfortable night for Rafa's Reds as AK Graz pulled off a shock 1-0 victory at Anfield.

  Mario Tokic's stunning 55th minute strike was enough to seal victory for the Austrian double winners but thanks to Steven Gerrard's two goals in the first leg a fortnight ago it was not enough to dump us out of the competition.

  Liverpool were strong favourites to win this qualifying tie and although they have achieved their objective this result is a major disappointment.

  With 19-year old Academy graduate Darren Potter making his full debut on the right side of midfield the Reds began strongly and Gerrard went agonisingly close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes.

  However, the early momentum was not maintained. The visitors gradually settled and when they took the lead ten minutes after the interval it was well deserved.

  Liverpool's response was to tear into attack and Carragher, Cisse and Diao all peppered the Graz goal with shots from distance. Pongolle, on as a substitute for Cisse, forced the keeper into a save from close range but they could not muster a goal.

  Graz should have been reduced to ten men in the 77th minute when captain Aufhauser was shown his second yellow card of the night but he was bizarrely allowed him to remain on the pitch.

  Another goal for the Austrian's would have sent the tie into extra time and with this in mind an air of nervous tension hung over Anfield during the closing stages.

  Thankfully, it never came and Liverpool's name will be in the hat alongside the elite of European football when the Champions League group stage draw takes place in Monaco on Thursday.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek, Riise, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Kewell, Diao, Gerrard, Potter, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Biscan, Finnan, Hamann, Harrison, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock, Whitbread

  GAK (4-4-2): Schranz, Majstorovic, Pogatetz, Tokic, Standfest, Amerhauser, Aufhauser, Sick, Plassnegger, Bazina, Kollmann. Subs - Almer, Dollinger, Erkinger, Hassler, Muratovic, Ramusch, Sencar.

  Referee: L Medina Cantalejo (Spain)

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
1 mins : GAK kick off attacking the Kop
1 mins : Cisse shows great pace down the left to win Liverpool's first corner
4 mins : Baros goes down under a challenge in the area but fails to win a penalty
7 mins : Gerrard strikes a low shot wide after Kewell's free kick was slid into his path on the edge of the area
8 mins : Riise skips past a tackle in midfield and blasts a low shot wide from 25 yards
10 mins : Another good run by Baros down the right leads to the Reds winning another corner
10 mins : Another good run by Baros down the right leads to the Reds winning another corner
13 mins : GAK put together a neat move down the right but Liverpool clear when the ball comes into the box
16 mins : Cisse goes on another run down the left but his cross towards Gerrard is cleared by GAK for a corner
23 mins : Dudek is left clutching thin air as a free kick from the far side flashes past his post
26 mins : Bazina drags a shot wide of Dudek's goal from 20 yards
31 mins : Gerrard's free kick curled to the far post just evades the in-rushing Hyypia
33 mins : Booking: Emanuel Pogatetz:
35 mins : Kewell works space on the left and drives in a low cross which Schranz holds at the second attempt
42 mins : Booking: Darren Potter:
43 mins : Scare for Liverpool as a GAK free kick was delivered dangerously into the area - but the Reds survive
- : Half Time Reached

- : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway kicking towards the Kop
46 mins : Carragher finds Cisse down the right but the French ace runs the ball out of play
49 mins : Kewell's first time ball towards Baros is over-hit and Schranz gathers in the GAK goal
53 mins : GAK win a corner as Amerhauser's shot is deflected behind
55 mins : GOAL! Mario Tokic: Right foot rocket from 30 yards into top corner
58 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Harry Kewell:
59 mins : Carragher just fails to connect with Gerrard's deep free kick into the area
60 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard:
62 mins : Carragher shoots wildly over the bar following a good spell of Liverpool pressure
67 mins : Booking: Gernot Plassnegger:
67 mins : Cisse drills a volley over the bar after good link-up play with Baros
68 mins : Booking: Rene Aufhauser:
69 mins : Substitution: Samir Muratovic for Gernot Plassnegger:
69 mins : Gerrard plays a one-two with Diao on the edge of the area and shoots low at the GAK goalkeeper
74 mins : Booking: Samir Muratovic:
74 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Djibril Cisse:
78 mins : Diao drills a right footed shot just wide from 30 yards
79 mins : Substitution: Matthias Dollinger for Mario Majstorovic:
79 mins : Pongolle's shot from inside the area is easily saved by Schranz
82 mins : Dudek turns the ball around for a corner from a close range header
89 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Milan Baros:
90 mins : Three added minutes to be played

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Bolton Wanderers  -  Liverpool  1 - 0

 
Sunday 29 August 2004 16:05 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Bolton W" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (1-0)  
 
GOAL
 Davies 38    
 
 22  Jussi Jaaskelainen
 18  Nicky Hunt
  5  Bruno N'Gotty
 15  Radhi Jaidi
 11  Riccardo Gardner
 10  Jay Jay Okocha
 16   Ivan Campo
  6  Gary Speed
  7  Stelios Giannakopoulos
 14  Kevin Davies
  9  Henrik Pedersen

 Subs:
  1  Kevin Poole
  3  Julio Cesar
 20  Fernando Hierro
  4  Kevin Nolan
 23  Les Ferdinand
    1  Jerzy Dudek
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  6  John Arne Riise
 28  Stephen Warnock
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 21  Djimi Traore
 25  Igor Biscan
 13  Salif Diao
  9  Djibril Cisse
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Davies (Ferdinand 72), Giannakopoulos (Nolan 75), Okocha (Hierro 85)    Hyypia (Traore 14), Warnock (Cisse 45)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Uriah Rennie
 Booked: Hierro 90, Nolan 90    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Reebok Stadium (27,879)
Attendance : 27,880
  Sam Allardyce (Bolton W)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Luis Garcia makes his LFC debut

  - Xabi Alonso makes his LFC debut

  - Garcia scores on his debut, but the goal was wrongly disallowed.

  - Sami Hyypia breaks his nose after a clash with Kevin Davies.

  REDS CRASH TO FIRST DEFEAT

  Rafael Benitez's Liverpool have suffered their first Premiership defeat of the season after Kevin Davies' first half strike gave Bolton all three points at the Reebok Stadium.

  With Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia making their Liverpool debuts much was expected from Rafa's Reds, but it's already clear time is going to be needed for the manager to mould the team into a real Premiership force.

  The Spanish duo both performed well throughout, but the Reds were left licking their wounds after succombing to the only goal of the game seven minutes before half time.

  The result was tough on Liverpool who more than played their part in the action over the 90 minutes, but four points from the first nine is hardly the start Benitez was looking for from the season.

  The manager relegated Djibril Cisse to the bench to accommodate a new-look 4-5-1 formation, with Stephen Warnock replacing the injured Harry Kewell on the left and Alonso and Garcia starting on the right side of a five man midfield.

  The system didn't really work in the opening 45 minutes during which the Reds, who lost Sami Hyypia with a broken nose in the early stages, had plenty of possession around the home side's area but couldn't find the cutting edge to breach a well organised Bolton back line.

  Hamann drove one effort wide, Gerrard scuffed a shot straight into the arms of the Bolton goalkeeper and Warnock rolled a shot across the face of goal as Liverpool looked for a breakthrough.

  But it was Bolton opened the scoring against the run of play seven minutes before the break when lone striker Kevin Davies slotted the ball home from close range after a good run and cross from Henrik Pedersen.

  Benitez abandoned his 4-5-1 formation at half time, bringing Djibril Cisse off the bench to partner Milan Baros as the Reds looked for a more potent attacking threat and a way back into the game.

  Luis Garcia went close to an equaliser with a thumping volley into the side netting and then had another effort ruled out for offside with eight minutes to go when TV replays showed the former Barcelona man had timed his run perfectly and shouldn't have seen his 'goal' disallowed.

  Cisse then missed a golden chance to equalise when he blazed over with only the goalkeeper to beat. It was a poor miss from the French ace and one which summed up a frustrating afternoon for the Reds.

  Final score: Bolton 1-0 Liverpool

  Teams

  Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Gardner, Fortune, Meite, Hunt, Okocha, Campo, Speed, Giannakopoulos, Davies, Pedersen. Subs - Candela, Cesar, Hierro, Nolan, Poole.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Warnock, Alonso, Hamann, Gerrard, Baros, Garcia. Subs - Biscan, Cisse, Diao, Harrison, Traore.

  Referee: Uriah Rennie

  Conditions:

  Attendance:

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

L

M

Manchester United  2 - 1  Liverpool

 
Monday 20 September 2004 20:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Manchester United Liverpool
2 - 1  (1-0)
 
GOAL
 Silvestre 20, 66  O'Shea 54 og
 
 13  Roy Carroll
  4  Gabriel Heinze
  5  Rio Ferdinand
 27  Mickael Silvestre
  6  Wes Brown
 11  Ryan Giggs
 16  Roy Keane (c)
 22  John O'Shea
  7  Cristiano Ronaldo
 18  Paul Scholes
 10  Ruud Van Nistelrooy

 Subs:
 35  Ricardo
  3  Phil Neville
 15  Kleberson
 24  Darren Fletcher
 14  Alan Smith
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  9  Djibril Cisse

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
 21  Djimi Traore
 15  Salif Diao
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Smith (Scholes 85)  Hamann (Gerrard 39)
 Baros (Cisse 67)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Graham Poll
 Booked: Keane 71  Booked: Rey 45, Alonso 77
VENUE MANAGERS
Old Trafford (capacity 68,210)
Attendance: 67,857
Alex Ferguson (Manchester U)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

Official matchday programme  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Jerzy Dudek plays his 100th Premier league game for Liverpool.

  - Gerrard out for 2 months with broken metatarsal in his left foot.

  SILVESTRE DOUBLE SINKS REDS

  Goals in each half from Mikael Silvestre sent Liverpool crashing to their second Premiership defeat of the season on a night when they lost inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard to injury.

  Silvestre gave United a first half lead with a header from close range before Liverpool battled back after the break to equalise when Finnan's header was turned over his own line by John O'Shea. But the Reds were made to pay for slack defending midway through the second period when Silvestre repeated his first half effort with a thumping header to win the game for Alex Ferguson's men.

  To compound Liverpool's misery on a night of frustration at Old Trafford, captain Steven Gerrard was forced to leave the action with a foot injury towards the end of the first half.

  Liverpool were completely outplayed during the opening 45 minutes and were fortunate to be just one goal behind at the break.

  Mikael Silvestre made the breakthrough for the home side after 20 minutes when he was left totally unmarked in the area to comfortably head home Ryan Giggs' free kick to the far post.

  United were in rampant mood, with Ronaldo hitting the post and driving a volley wide, Van Nistelrooy blasting a shot at Dudek's legs and then heading over when he should have done better and Heinz testing the Liverpool goalkeeper with a looping header.

  Liverpool's only attacking contribution in the opening 45 minutes was a speculative shot from Josemi which drifted wide of the target.

  But Rafael Benitez's half time team talk must have been stern and to the point as his players came out with a renewed determination after the break and levelled the scores after 55 minutes.

  Xabi Alonso's free kick to the far post was directed back across goal by the head of Steve Finnan but the ball stuck the foot of John O'Shea before rolling over the line to the delight of the travelling Kopites.

  Sadly for the Reds their joy was short-lived as United regained the lead after 66 minutes when Silvestre again headed home from close range after another delivery from Giggs.

  Alonso went close to an equaliser with an effort from the halfway line which Roy Carroll managed to keep out, but in the end Liverpool were left to reflect on a poor first half display and two costly lapses in defence as time ticked away on their bid to salvage a point.

  Teams

  Manchester United: Carroll, Heinze, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Brown, Giggs, Keane, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Scholes, van Nistelrooy. Subs - Fletcher, Park, Smith, ,

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Kewell, Alonso, Gerrard, Finnan, Cisse, Garcia. Subs - Baros, Diao, Hamann, Kirkland, Traore.

  Referee: Graham Poll

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool kick-off attacking the Stretford End
3 mins : A late tackle from behind by Ferdinand sends Garcia crashing to the turf in agony
3 mins : Cisse mis-kicks in the United box as Liverpool launch the first attack of the night
8 mins : Hyypia clears the danger as United attack menacingly with Giggs
10 mins : Ronaldo strikes the post with a shot from distance after dribbling through the Liverpool midfield
12 mins : Dudek saves with his legs from Van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman wriggled free of Hyypia inside the box
14 mins : Hyypia heads back to Hyypia as United pile on more pressure
16 mins : Great tackle by Josemi thwarts another United attack down the Liverpool left
18 mins : Garcia overhits his forward ball as Liverpool struggle to impose themselves on this game
20 mins : GOAL! Mickael Silvestre: heads home unmarked at the far following a free-kick on the right by Ronaldo
24 mins : The United pressure continues and they force a corner on the right that thankfully comes to nothing
25 mins : Josemi tries his luck from way out but Liverpool's first shot on goal of the night fails to trouble Carroll in the United goal
28 mins : Van Nistelrooy heads into the arms of Dudek from close-range as the hosts threaten to increase their lead
32 mins : Ronaldo goes close with a half-volley after the ball dropped invitingly to him from 12-yards out
35 mins : A slip at the back by Ferdinand almost allows Liverpool in but Gerrard carelessly gives the ball away
36 mins : Dudek is forced to tip the ball over after Heinze rises above the Liverpool defence and directs a powerful header towards goal
37 mins : Dudek requires treatment after colliding with Scholes on the edge of the box but he's quickly on his feet again after treatment from Dave Galley
38 mins : A hobbling Gerrard is signalling to the bench that he may have to come off
39 mins : Van Nistelrooy gets a free header in at goal but, much to our relief, somehow fails to find the target
40 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Steven Gerrard:
42 mins : O'Shea heads straight at Dudek as Liverpool find themselves under pressure once more
45 mins : Booking: Josemi Josemi: for a deliberate handball

45 mins : United get the second half underway
48 mins : Garcia limps off injured but quickly returns after treatment
52 mins : Carragher looks to dragged to the floor by Heinze as he attempts to make contact with Alonso's free-kick from the left but Liverpool's penalty appeals fall on deaf ears
54 mins : GOAL! Steve Finnan: header from close-range from a free-kick on the right by Alonso
60 mins : Cisse is harshly judged to be offside as he races on to a long punt forward by Finnan
62 mins : Josemi blasts a 30-yard rocket of a shot just inches over the United bar
64 mins : A late flag denies Cisse a clear run through on goal following another good forward ball by Finnan
66 mins : GOAL! Mickael Silvestre: Powers a header into the roof of the net after losing his marker at a corner once again
67 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Djibril Cisse:
71 mins : Alonso almost catches Carroll off his line with a speculative shot just over the halfway line
71 mins : Booking: Roy Keane: for a foul on Finnan
76 mins : Ronaldo skins Josemi down the left flank but runs into a sea of yellow shirts on the edge of the box
77 mins : Booking: Xabi Alonso: for a foul on Ronaldo
78 mins : Heinze fires a free-kick over the Liverpool wall but straight into the arms of Dudek
81 mins : Liverpudlian appeals for handball by a United player in the area are waved away as Baros and Finnan strive to get us back on level terms for a second time
84 mins : Heinze deflects the ball behind for a corner as Liverpool threaten a late equaliser
85 mins : Substitution: Alan Smith for Paul Scholes:
89 mins : Smith shoots low into the arms of Dudek from outside the box
  Full time: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  3 - 0  Norwich City

 
Saturday 25 September 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Liverpool Norwich City
3 - 0  (1-0)
 
GOAL
 Baros 23, Garcia 26, Cisse 63  
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 28  Stephen Warnock
 23  Jamie Carragher
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 21  Djimi Traore
 15  Salif Diao
 25  Igor Biscan
  1  Robert Green
 27  Gary Doherty
  5  Craig Fleming
 16  Simon Charlton
  2  Adam Drury
 17  Marc Edworthy
  8  Gary Holt
 15  Youseff Safri
 20  Damien Francis
  6  Darren Huckerby
 18  Paul McVeigh

 Subs:
 21  Darren Ward
 26  Thomas Helveg
  9  Mattias Jonson
 10  David Bentley
 14  Leon McKenzie
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Alonso (Diao 65)
 Cisse (Traore 71)
 Warnock (Biscan 77)
 Safr (iBentley 46)
 Doherty (McKenzie 46)
 McVeigh (Jonson 73)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alan Wiley
 Booked: Hamann 48  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS/td>
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,152
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Nigel Worthington (Norwich C)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Djimi Traore plays his 50th league game for LFC.

  - Dietmar Hamann makes his 150th league appearance for LFC.

  ALONSO INSPIRES REDS TO EASY WIN

  Liverpool made it three home wins out of three in this season's Premiership with a well deserved 3-0 victory over newly promoted Norwich City at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

  Goals from Milan Baros, Luis Garcia and Djibril Cisse fired the Reds to a comfortable three points on an afternoon when Xabi Alonso was again outstanding in the centre of midfield.

  Rafael Benitez made three changes to the team that started Monday's defeat at Old Trafford. Steven Gerrard and Harry Kewell missed out through injury, while Josemi dropped to the bench. In came Dietmar Hamann, Milan Baros and Stephen Warnock.

  Fears that Liverpool would miss influential skipper Gerrard were quickly dispelled as the Reds raced out of the starting blocks.

  Their first shot on goal came as early as the third minute and it set the tone for the remainder of a match in which they were totally dominant.

  Norwich found themselves penned into their own half for long periods and it came as no surprise Baros opened the scoring on 23 minutes.

  The Czech striker found himself in possession of the ball on the edge of the box and without hesitation he picked his spot in the far corner with a clinical finish.

  Not content with one, the Reds continued to stream forward at every opportunity and three minutes later they doubled their advantage.

  Luis Garcia jinked his way into the Norwich box and his shot was deflected into the net off the leg of an unfortunate Craig Fleming.

  Come the second half the result was never in doubt. Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure and a third goal inevitably arrived just after the hour mark.

  The intelligent Alonso played a short free-kick to Cisse on the edge of the box and the Frenchman drilled a low shot into Robert Green's bottom right hand corner, before celebrating with a spectacular somersault.

  The architect of this emphatic victory was without doubt Man-of-the-match Alonso and when he left the field soon afterwards, to be replaced by Salif Diao, he did so to a well-deserved standing ovation.

  Despite a comfortable three-goal advantage it was heartening to see the Reds continue to pressforward at every opportunity during the remainder of the match - further evidence that the Rafalution is heading in the right direction.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Warnock, Alonso, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Biscan, Diao, Josemi, Kirkland, Traore.

  Norwich City: Green, Drury, Charlton, Fleming, Holt, Edworthy, McVeigh, Safri, Francis, Doherty, Huckerby. Subs - Bentley, Helveg, Jonson, McKenzie, Ward.

  Referee: Alan Wiley

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

Breakdown

1 mins : Norwich kick off attacking the Kop End
2 mins : Warnock almost feeds Baros after loose pass
3 mins : Riise screws a shot wide
4 mins : Baros threat is snuffed out on the edge of box
5 mins : Garcia is just wide with a curling shot from edge of the box
7 mins : There is confusion in the Norwich box as Cisse's looping header goes over
10 mins : Danger for Reds as Huckerby surges into their box
11 mins : Hamann and Alonso both have long range efforts blocked
12 mins : Charlton is alert to see off Baros
14 mins : Green can only parry Garcia's cross and is lucky when it just evades Cisse
16 mins : isse's sliced effort forces Green into a low save to his right
17 mins : There is a delay in play to allow a Norwich defender to receive treatment
20 mins : Liverpool almost break the deadlock, but Cisse's shot is blocked
21 mins : Warnock hits half volley into the ground and Green is able to gather comfortably
23 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Baros scores with a superb 20 yard drive that gives Green no chance
24 mins : oherty tries to reply quickly for Norwich, but his shot is straight at Dudek
26 mins : GOAL! Liverpool extend their lead as Garcia's shot is deflected past Green by Fleming
28 mins : aros again causes problems for the Norwich defence giving Cisse a half chance, but Green is quick to snuff this out.
31 mins : Edworthy is forced to clear for a corner after a dangerous drilled cross from Garcia
33 mins : Huckerby is disappointed not to get a free kick after a challenge from Riise at the dead ball line
34 mins : Baros almost adds to his tally with another fine long range effort and Green has to be agile to turn the ball away for a corner.
35 mins : Green gets down well to again deny the lively Baros
36 mins : A great cross from Alonso just evades Baros at the far post
37 mins : Referee iley calls the play back for a foul on Alonso
38 mins : Cisse's shot is deflected over for a corner
38 mins : Baros and Cisse combine well but Cisse's low cross fails to find anyone in six yard box
40 mins : Garcia curls over from 20 yards
42 mins : Liverpool turn defence into attack, but Edworthy stops Cisse as he closed in on Green

- : Half Time

45 mins : Substitution: David Bentley for Youseff Safri:
45 mins : Substitution: Leon McKenzie for Gary Doherty:
47 mins : Baros sees his blocked shot saved by Green
48 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
48 mins : Riise requires treatment after a foul by McVeigh
50 mins : Cisse's shot is blocked by Garcia when goalbound
52 mins : Warnock hits a good shot but Green is equal to it
53 mins : Liverpool continue to press
55 mins : Baros is stopped by an offside flag
57 mins : Riise's long rang effort is held by Green
57 mins : Riise is again involved when his flick header almost sets Cisse free
58 mins : McKenzie has to leave the pitch after receiving treatment
59 mins : Baros puts the ball in the Kop net, but it wont count as he's offside
62 mins : Liverpool are awarded a free kickn in a promising position after Fleming fouls Baros
63 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: Cisse drills a great shot into the Kop net after the f
63 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Xabi Alonso:
68 mins : Norwich look for a way back into the game with Huckerby and McVeigh swopping passes
69 mins : Daio escapes a booking after fouling McVeigh in the centre circle
70 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for Djibril Cisse:
70 mins : Baros and Garcia combine to make a chance for Daio, but Norwich defenders get back to clear
72 mins : Carragher is forced to stretch to clear the danger
73 mins : Hyypia is on hand to clear as Norwich look for a way through
73 mins : Substitution: Mattias Jonson for Paul McVeigh:
76 mins : Warnock heads down into the ground and wide after a cross from Finnan
77 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Stephen Warnock:
78 mins : Riise's cross is met by Baros, but he can't trouble the goalkeeper
80 mins : Finnan does well to retain possession and earns a free kick
80 mins : Norwich spring forward and Hyypia is forced to head clear from a Bentley cross
81 mins : It's Diao's turn to clear the danger as Norwich search for a consolation
83 mins : Hamann and Hyypia combine to clear after Huckerby's pace causes problems down Liverpool's left
86 mins : Good anticipation from Charlton puts McKenzie through, but Hyypia does well to force the ball out for a corner
87 mins : Huckerby is frustrated as Liverpool clear the corner easily
89 mins : The fourth official's board shows 2 minutes added time
90 mins : McKenzie brings Norwich forward, but there is no way through and Hyypia clears

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Olimpiacos (Athens, Greece)  -  Liverpool  1 - 0

 
Tuesday 28 September 2004 19:45 Champions League Group Phase
 
 
"Olympiacos" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (1-0)  
 
GOAL
 Stoltidis 17    
 
Team: Antonios Nikopolidis, Anastasios Pantos, Giorgios Anatolakis, Gabriel Schurrer, Dimitrios Mavrogenidis, Grigorios Georgatos, Pantellis Kafes, Ieroklis Stoltidis, Mihalis Kapsis, Yiannis Okkas, Rivaldo.

Subs: Athanasios Kostoulas, Nery Castillo, Milos Maric, Haris Pappat, Spiridon Vallas, Stylianos Venetidis, Kleopas Yiannou.
  Team: 1. Jerzy Dudekr, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 28. Stephen Warnock, 23. Jamie Carragher, 17. Josemi Rey, 14. Xabi Alonso, 10. Luis Garcia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 22. Chris Kirkland, 21. Djimi Traore, 7. Harry Kewell, 15. Salif Diao, 25. Igor Biscan, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle, 9. Djibril Cisse.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Mavrogenidis (Venetidis 72), Giovanni (Georgiadis 72), Georgatos (Vallas 85)    Warnock (Kewell 46), Rey (Cisse 73), Hamann (Diao 82)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
 Booked: Anatolakis 18, Pantos 31, Mavrogenidis 61, Pantos 83    Booked: Warnock 41, Finnan 92
VENUE   MANAGERS
Yorgos Karaiskakis Stadium ()
Attendance: 33,000
  Dusan Bajevic (Olympiacos)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Notes:

  - First time Liverpool lose to a Greek side.

  REDS LOSE FOR THE 1ST TIME ON GREEK SOIL

  Liverpool's travel troubles continued in Athens on Tuesday night as they crashed to a 1-nil defeat against an impressive Olympiacos side inside a deafeningly loud Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.

  The AK Graz Champions League qualifier aside, the Reds have failed to win away from Anfield this season - drawing at While Hart Lane and losing at both the Reebok Stadium and Old Trafford. That misserable record didn't look like coming to an end at any point tonight despite the best efforts of Rafel benitez's side.

  The home side looked threatening from the off and when Ioannis Okkas hit Jerzy Dudek's near post after just five minutes, the signs looked particularly ominous. The first and only goal of the match came just 12 minutes later when Ieroklis Stoltidis rose high to meet Rivaldo's inswinging free-kick and head the ball beyond Dudek. While the Liverpool goalkeeper was never favourite to stop the header, with Chris Kirkland now fit again and pushing hard for a first-team start, the pressure is certainly on the Pole.

  The last time the Reds visited Greece, Steven Gerrard and Nick Barmby were on the scoresheet as Gerard Houllier's team fought back from going behind twice to earn a respectable 2-2 draw. Houllier's successor Benitez had claimed on the eve of the match that you'll never see a side of his playing for a draw, but there's no question his flight back to Speke would have been far more comfortable had his side obtained one.

  Benitez made just one change to the side that crushed Norwich at Anfield on Saturday with Djibril Cisse making way for Josemi, with Steve Finnan being moved forward to right midfield and Luis Garcia partnering Milan Baros in attack. Harry Kewell, though not 100% fit after missing Saturday's Premiership fixture with a thigh strain, was included on the bench.

  With the Reds two points clear at the top of Group A going into the game, the match was never a 'must-win' as certain sections of the media had claimed in the build-up but Benitez will not have been happy with the way his side failed to create a single clear-cut opportunity during an opening 45 minutes in which Rivaldo almost single-handily ran the show. The half-time statistics told the whole sorry story when they reported the fact that the home side had 13 efforts on goal compared to just two - both of which were off-target - for the visitors.

  Something had to change at half-time and it came as no surprise when Kewell was introduced for the re-start. Stephen Warnock, booked after 41 minutes, was the player to make way. Whether it was Kewell's introduction or not, the flow of the game changed in the second-half as Liverpool took the game to Olympiacos.

  With the Merseysiders pushing forward in greater numbers, the home side found themselves having to defend deeper and deeper. John Arne Riise shot wide from a well-worked free-kick while Sami Hyypia and Harry Kewell both threatened to go close before the intervention of the referee's whistle.

  With Liverpool growing in confidence, Cisse was introduced to add to our firepower after 74 minutes with Josemi taking his place on the bench. Within seconds though, Olympiacos might have doubled their lead when Stoltidis crashed a header against the bar from a Rivaldo corner.

  Olympiacos were reduced to 10 men with just seven minutes to go when Anastasious Pantos was shown a second yellow card for tangling with Kewell but, even with an extra man, Liverpool couldn't score the goal that would have kept our record of having never lost on Greek soil alive.

  Liverpool must now hope that Olympiacos don't break their own record of having never won away from home in the Champions League.

  Teams

  Olympiacos: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Anatolakis, Schurrer, Mavrogenidis, Georgatos, Kafes, Stoltidis, Kapsis, Okkas, . Subs - Castillo, Kostoulas, Maric, Pappat, Vallas, Venetidis, Yiannou.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Warnock, Alonso, Hamann, Finnan, Baros, Garcia. Subs - Biscan, Cisse, Diao, Kewell, Kirkland, Sinama Pongolle, Traore.

  Referee: Pierluigi Collina

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia

  Breakdown

1 mins : Olympiacos kick-off amid a cacophony of noise
2 mins : Alonso commits the first foul of the night midway inside the Liverpool half but the resultant free-kick from Rivaldo comes to nothing
4 mins : Baros wins a corner which Warnock takes and the keepers is forced to punch clear
5 mins : Okkas cuts inside Hyypia and strikes the post with a low shot on Dudek's near side
9 mins : Carragher catches Rivaldo with a late tackle that sends the Brazilian crashing to the turf
12 mins : Finnan's twice taken free-kick is comfortably cleared by the Olympiacos defence
17 mins : GOAL! Ieroklis Stoltidis: rises high to head past Dudek following a Rivaldo free-kick out on the right
19 mins : Warnock's corner on the right is gathered with ease by Nikopolidis in the Olympiacos goal
22 mins : The noise inside the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium is incredible as the home fans continue to celebrate their sides opening goal
25 mins : Rivaldo goes close with a blistering strike from 25-yards out that flies just wide of Dudek's left hand upright
30 mins : Good tackle by Josemi on Okkas stops a promising Olympiacos attack
31 mins : Booking: Anastasios Pantos: for a foul on Finnan
36 mins : Giovanni gets in between two Liverpool defenders and heads narrowly wide from close-range as the home side threaten to increase their lead
41 mins : Booking: Stephen Warnock: for a foul on Kafes
42 mins : Dudek is forced to push the ball behind for a corner following the free-kick by Rivaldo and the resultant centre is headed over by Kafes
43 mins : Josemi's overhits his attempted through ball to Baros and the keeper is quickly off his line to take possession
45 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Stephen Warnock:
48 mins : Georgatos fires a shot wide from outside the box following some early 2nd half pressure by the hosts
53 mins : Garcia and Finnan combine well down the right flank to force a corner, from which Hyypia is adjudged to have fouled the keeper and Olympiacos regain control
55 mins : Riise blasts a 30-yard free kick well wide of the target as Liverpool struggle to drag themselves back into the game
60 mins : Finnan delivers a dangerous looking free-kick into the Olympiacos box but the ball is turned behind for a corner which the hosts then clear
61 mins : Booking: Dimitrios Mavrogenidis: for a foul on Baros
64 mins : Garcia is frustratingly caught offside as Baros looks to have played Kewell through on goals with a delightful pass on the edge of the box
68 mins : Georgatos tries his luck with a speculative long-range lob that ends high and wide of the Liverpool goal
72 mins : Substitution: Stylianos Venetidis for Dimitrios Mavrogenidis:
72 mins : Substitution: Georgios Georgiadis for Giovanni :
74 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Josemi Josemi:
75 mins : A lucky escape for Liverpool as Stoltidis heads against the bar from a corner on the right by Rivaldo
78 mins : Alonso's free-kick is headed behind for a corner by Rivaldo and Cisse then fires into the arms of the keeper from close-range
82 mins : Dudek saves low from Georgiadis who cuts inside from the right to shoot at goal
83 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Dietmar Hamann:
83 mins : Sending Off: Anastasios Pantos: a second bookable offence after he tangles with Kewell
85 mins : Substitution: Spiridon Vallas for Grigorios Georgatos:
87 mins : Georgiadis spurns a glorious opportunity to wrap the game up for Olympiacos when he fires wide from a tight angle with only Dudek to beat
89 mins : Alonso is injured by a late tackle as the yellow shirts pile forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser
90 mins : Kewell goes down in the box but referee Collina waves play on
92 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan:

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Chelsea -  Liverpool   1 - 0

 
Sunday 3 October 2004 16:05 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Chelsea" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Cole 64    
 
  1  Petr Cech
 13  William Gallas
  6  Ricardo Carvalho
 26  John Terry (c)
 20  Paulo Ferreira
 11  Damien Duff
  8  Frank Lampard
  5  Alexi Smertin
  4  Claude Makelele
 15  Didier Drogba
 22  Eidur Gudjohnsen

 Subs:
 23  Carlo Cudicini
 29  Robert Huth
 10  Joe Cole
 14  Geremi
 30  Tiago Mendes
   22  Chris Kirkland
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
 15  Salif Diao
  7  Harry Kewell
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  9  Djibril Cisse

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
 28  Stephen Warnock
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Drogba (Cole 38)
 Duff (Geremi 83)
 Smertin (Tiago 86)
   Rey (Baros 72)
 Diao (Hamann 78)
 Garcia (Steve Finnan 78)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Phil Dowd
 Booked:    Booked: Carragher 90
VENUE   MANAGERS
iStamford Bridge (42,449)
Attendance: 42,028
  Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Traore's and Kirkland's first start of the season.

  - 4th away defeat in a row!

  REDS SUFFER MORE AWAYDAY BLUES

  Liverpool suffered another bout of travel sickness at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as a Joe Cole strike, midway through the second half, condemned them to a fourth away loss of the campaign.

  The Chelsea and England midfielder turned home Frank Lampard's free-kick in the 64th minute to seal a slender 1-0 victory for the hosts.

  The first-half performance of Rafa's Reds was much improved from the midweek defeat in Athens but they failed to build on that after the break and paid the price.

  Benitez rung the changes for this testing trip to the capital. Out went Jerzy Dudek, Steve Finnan, Stephen Warnock, Dietmar Hamann and Milan Baros. In came Chris Kirkland, Djimi Traore, Salif Diao, Harry Kewell and Djibril Cisse.

  In a first half of few opportunities Cisse twice went close for the Reds, first with a free header that flashed wide in the 27th minute and then a fiercely struck drive from the edge of the box that curled narrowly past the post ten minutes later.

  Chelsea enjoyed plenty of possession without ever really threatening Kirkland's goal, although Lampard should have done better with a diving header from 12-yards out shortly before the half-time whistle.

  The home side continued to pile on the pressure during the early stages of the second half and Kewell was forced to head off the line in the 57th minute. It was only a brief respite however and shortly afterwards, from a free-kick by Lampard on the right, Cole converted into Kirkland's bottom left-hand corner.

  Baros, Hamann and Finnan were sent on as the boss attempted to change the shape of the game but it was to no avail.

  Finnan forced Chelsea keeper Peter Cech into a vital save in the final minute but that was as close as Liverpool came to rescuing a point and they slumped to another disappointing defeat that leaves them languishing in 11th place in the Premiership.

  Teams

  Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Carvalho, Terry (c), Ferreira, Duff, Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Drogba, Gudjohnsen. Subs - Cole, Cudicini, Geremi, Huth,

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia (c), Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Diao, Garcia, Cisse, Kewell. Subs - Baros, Dudek, Finnan, Hamann, Warnock.

  Referee: Phil Dowd

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
2 mins : Liverpool retain possession in midfield
2 mins : Josemi slip lets Duff in but Kirkland saves well
3 mins : Resulting corner is cleared by Reds
4 mins : Duff escpaes on the left again and Hyypia does well to clear
5 mins : Confusion between Diao and Alonso gives Drogba chance but he screws wide
6 mins : Chelsea threaten down the left again. This time Gallas cross has to be cleared
8 mins : Duff feeds Drogba on the left and his cross is deflected for another corner
8 mins : Corner is cleared
9 mins : Liverpool look to respond with Kewell making progress on the left
10 mins : Riise cross almost reaches Cisse but Chelsea get it away
10 mins : Kewell again does well on the left but he cant find anyone with a low cross
11 mins : Alonso cross to the far post almost finds Garcia, but he is unable to reach and Chelsea escape
12 mins : Carragher covers well to clear for a corner
13 mins : Lampards corner goes out on the far side
14 mins : Liverpool pen Chelsea in
14 mins : Danger on the left again as Lampard takes Drogba's pass and shoots wide
15 mins : Cisse does excellently before delivering a good ball into the box
17 mins : Kirkland punches clear as Drogba closes in
18 mins : This time Kirkland uses his head to clear
18 mins : Lampard will take free kick from the left
18 mins : Josemi heads the free kick for a corner
19 mins : Josemi clears again from Duff's corner
19 mins : Traore does really well to block Drogba drive
20 mins : Chelsea build again
21 mins : Liverpool awarded free kick in their own half
22 mins : Appeals for handball as Riise's header is handled in the Chelsea box, but Reds have to settle for a corner
22 mins : Hyypia stretches at the far post but cant turn corner back across goal
23 mins : Good header away by Carragher
24 mins : Liverpool try to break but Terry intercepts
26 mins : Garcia ball fails to find Cisse
27 mins : Reds get free kick as Drogba fouls Josemi
27 mins : Great chance for Reds as Kewell's cross is headed wide by Cisse
28 mins : Cisse runs at Chelsea and Terry is forced to block
29 mins : Drogba breaks now and Kirkland is down well. Its a corner
29 mins : Carragher heads the corner clear
30 mins : Carragher recovers brilliantly to stop Drogba, but Chelsea have another corner
30 mins : Shot corner to Smertin and combination of Traore and Risse clear
32 mins : Good pressure from Diao forces Makelele into a mistake
33 mins : Carvalho throws himself at the ball to prevent Risse of a good chance
34 mins : Lampard shoots from 20 yards but pulls it wide
36 mins : Chelsea play the ball around in defence
36 mins : Makelele fouls Kewell to give Reds a free kick in their own half
37 mins : Cisse spins Ferreira and hits a great shot that is deflected for a corner
38 mins : Chelsea smuggle the corner clear
38 mins : Substitution: Joe Cole for Didier Drogba:
39 mins : Gudjohnsen's ball is too strong for Duff and its runs out of play
41 mins : Liverpool threaten again with Kewell and Garcia
41 mins : Lampard is guilty again as this time he puts a free header wide from 12 yards
42 mins : Kirkland sweeps the ball clear as Chelsea attack again
43 mins : Gallas goes past two on the left before being stopped by Diao
44 mins : Smertin long shot is blocked well by Hyypia
45 mins : Duff flashes one dangerously across the six yard box but Reds escape
45 mins : Chelsea have a free kick on the left
- : Half Time Reached

- : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool have first attack of second half but it breaks down
47 mins : Chelsea attack now and have a free kick in a dangerous position
47 mins : Kirkland does well to hold Lampard's free kick
48 mins : Liverpool move the ball well and Riise gets a shooting chance, but is well wide
50 mins : Cisse crosses straight to Cech with Riise well placed
51 mins : Ferreira plays Cole in but he can only find the side netting from a tight angle
52 mins : Neat work between Risse and Traore but Terry clears
53 mins : Duff swings free kick into Reds box and Carragher is at full stretch to clear
54 mins : Garcia's shot is deflected wide, but Cisse was offside in any case
56 mins : Kewell cant control as Reds look to come forward
56 mins : Chelsea have a corner on the right
57 mins : Chelsea almost score as Kewell heads Cole's shot off the line
58 mins : Alonso will swing a free kick in from the left
58 mins : The free kick is too deep and goes out for a goal kick
60 mins : Good pressure from Reds on the left, but Chelsea keep them out
61 mins : Kirkland watches nervously as Ferreira's cross drifts over his crossbar
62 mins : Alonso is caught out in possession, but Josemi wins the ball back
63 mins : Chelsea have a freekick after Diao fouls Smertin
64 mins : GOAL! Joe Cole: Joe Cole turns Lampard's cross past Kirkland
65 mins : Kirkland makes a great save from Cole, but Cole was offside
66 mins : Traore's cross to the far post is disappointing as it's too long
68 mins : Josemi cant find a Red shirt as Liverpool look to respond
69 mins : The head of Carragher stops Cole getting his second from Duff's cross
70 mins : Cisse takes on the Chelsea defence, but is crowded out
70 mins : Baros strips to come on
71 mins : Smertin's cross is deflected to Kirkland
71 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Josemi Josemi:
73 mins : Baros looks to get involved
74 mins : Chelsea have a corner from the left
74 mins : Carragher almost scores an own goal, but is header goes for another corner
75 mins : Hyypia clears the corner and the ball falls fortunately to Kirkland
75 mins : Liverpool will have a free kick in a dangerous position
76 mins : Alonso's right footed delivery goes out without finding a Red shirt
77 mins : Kewell is penalised for a foul on Ferreira
78 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Salif Diao:
78 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Luis Garcia:
79 mins : Kirkland has to race from his goal ward off Duff threat
82 mins : Liverpool retain possession, but the move breaks down
82 mins : Great run and cross from Carragher forces Ferreira into last ditch defending
83 mins : Substitution: Geremi Geremi for Damien Duff:
84 mins : Liverpool escape as Gudjohnsen screws a good chance wide
86 mins : Substitution: Tiago Mendes for Alexi Smertin:
86 mins : Reds have a freekick central about 20 yards out
87 mins : Alonso curls the freekick straight into the arms of Cech
88 mins : Gudjohnsen should have finished the match but shoots well over
89 mins : Liverpool have a throw deep in Chelsea territory
89 mins : Terry does well to deprive Kewell of a good chance
90 mins : Cole has a great chance, but Kirkland saves.
90 mins : Great shot from Finnan is punched clear by Cech as Reds search for an equalizer
90 mins : There are three minutes of stoppage time
90 mins : Alonso covers his face in disgust after overhitting a free kick in a good position
90 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan: Finnan is cautioned for a foul on Lampard

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Fulham  2 - 4  Liverpool

 
Saturday 16 October 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Fulham Liverpool
2 - 4  (2-0)
 
GOAL
 Boa Morte 24, 30  Knight og. 50, Baros 71, Alonso 79, Biscan 90
 
  1  Edwin Van der Sar
  3  Carlos Bocanegra
  6  Zat Knight
 30  Adam Green
  2  Moritz Volz
 14  Papa Bouba Diop
 11  Luis Boa Morte
  4  Steed Malbranque
  7  Mark Pembridge (c)
  8  Brian McBride
 17  Tomasz Radzinski

 Subs:
 12  Mark Crossley
 20  Claus Jensen
 21  Zeshan Rehman
 36  Billy McKinlay
 15  Collins John
 22  Chris Kirkland
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 15  Salif Diao
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 10  Luis Garcia
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 28  Stephen Warnock
 14  Xabi Alonso
 25  Igor Biscan
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Radzinski (John 75)  Diao (Alonso 46)
 Garcia (Warnock 88)
 Baros (Biscan 90)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent) Linesmen: East, D C Richards 4th Official: Andy Hall
 Booked: Green  Booked: Rey 48, Garcia 60, Traore 63
 Sent Off: Rey 77
VENUE MANAGERS
Craven Cottage (capacity 17,541)
Attendance: 21,884
Chris Coleman (Fulham)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Xabi Alonso scores his first goal for LFC

  - Liverpool's first away win of the season.

  - Liverpool comes back from 0-2 at halftime to win 4-2.

  - Liverpool's 4,000th League game.

  ALONSO INSPIRES REDS TO SUPERB FIGHTBACK

  Liverpool produced an excellent second half fightback to earn all three points against all the odds at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

  Reds boss Rafa Benitez will be delighted to get his first away win,
but it was all so different at half time after poor defending had given his side an uphill task.

  Fulham benefited from some shocking Reds defending, with two goals from Luis Boa Morte giving them a 2-0 half time lead.

  But A Zak Knight own goal and strikes from Milan Baros and Xabi Alonso turned the tables just when it looked like Liverpool would suffer more away day woes.

  It was Xabi Alonso who can most be credited for the Reds revival, as they were a different team after his half time introduction for Diao.

  The Spanish maestro produced a superb display and it was fitting that
it was he who got the winner after he'd dragged the Reds back into the game.

  Liverpool's travelling army will have been happy just to have seen
their side close the defecit, but Alonso had other ideas and sent them wild with an excellent free kick on 81 minutes.

  Igor Biscan came off the bench to seal the points deep into injury time and Rafa Benitez will now be hoping his side can build on their first away win of the season.

  Teams

  Fulham: Van Der Sar, Bocanegra, Fontaine, Knight, Volz, Boa Morte, Diop, Pembridge, Malbranque, Jensen, Radzinski. Subs - Crossley, John, McBride, McKinlay, Rehman.

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Riise, Diao, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Alonso, Biscan, Dudek, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Referee: S Bennett

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
5 mins : Van Der Sar gets down well to foil Cisse
8 mins : Liverpool have a throw midway into Fulham's half
9 mins : Garcia shoots over
10 mins : Risse unmarked at the far post, but Garcia cant find him
14 mins : Good play from Baros forces Fulham to concede a corner
15 mins : Fulham get the corner clear
16 mins : Good defending by Knight blocks Baros' path
18 mins : Carragher concedes a corner
19 mins : Diop is offside from the corner and Liverpool will have a free kick
20 mins : Pembridge is just wide from a free kick 30 yards out
22 mins : Hyypia defends well as Fulham press
22 mins : Hyypia deflects Fulham's shot for a corner
23 mins : GOAL! Luis Boa Morte: Diao mistake lets Fulham in
28 mins : Liverpool almost equalise as Riise heads Josemi's cross just wide
29 mins : GOAL! Luis Boa Morte: Garcia loses possession and Boa Morte gives Kirkland no chance
32 mins : Van Der Sa is out well to foil Reds
34 mins : Carragher makes a vital clearance to stop McBride making it three
36 mins : Traore does well, but his cross doesnt find a red shirt
39 mins : Liverpool look to get back into the game, but Fulham are quick to close them down
43 mins : Baros makes progress into the Fulham's half but again it breaks down
45 mins : There will be one minute of added time
45 mins : Liverpool will have a corner from the right
45 mins : Hyypia's header is deflected for another corner
- : Half Time Reached

45 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Salif Diao:
- : Second Half Begins
48 mins : Booking: Josemi Josemi:
49 mins : Fulham have a corner
49 mins : Alonso gets ball clear and Baros wins a throw in
49 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Baros' shot is deflected past Van Der Sa
51 mins : Reds press for an equaliser
51 mins : Diop requires treatment after a tackle from Alonso
52 mins : Garcia cant control when well placed
53 mins : Traore does well deep in Fulham territory
54 mins : Volz covers well to clear the danger
57 mins : Fulham have a throw deep in their own half
58 mins : Cisse shows his pace, but Knight defends well
58 mins : Carragher defends brilliantly to deny Boa Morte a chance of a third
60 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia: Garcia is booked for a foul on Pembridge
61 mins : Hyypia recovers well to clear
63 mins : Booking: Djimi Traore:
65 mins : Baros is fouled by Knight to give Liverpool a free kick deep in the Fulham half
66 mins : Cisse's shot is deflected for a corner
66 mins : Diop heads behind for another corner
66 mins : Cisse flicks over from Baros' corner
68 mins : Liverpool have another corner
69 mins : Garcia volleys wide of Van Der Sa's right hand post
72 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Baros scores after Garcia's effort is only parried by Van Der Sa
76 mins : Substitution: Collins John for Tomasz Radzinski:
76 mins : John is straight into the action running at the Reds defence
78 mins : Sending Off: Josemi Josemi: Josemi sees Red after collecting second booking for foul on Boa Morte
81 mins : GOAL! Xabi Alonso: Alonso sends travelling fans wild with a brilliant free kick
87 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Luis Garcia:
88 mins : Kirkland saves well from Diop to preserve lead
89 mins : Alonso blazes over
90 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Milan Baros:
93 mins : GOAL! Biscan nets a fourth with a superb sidefooted finish from the edge of the box
- : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  -  Deportivo (La Coruna, Spain)  0 - 0

 
Tuesday 19 October 2004 19:45 Champions League Group Phase
 
 
"Liverpool" 0 - 0 "Deportivo"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     
 
Team: 22. Chris Kirkland, 23. Jamie Carragher, 17. Josemi Rey, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 14. Xabi Alonso, 10. Luis Garcia, 9. Djibril Cisse, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 28. Stephen Warnock, 7. Harry Kewell, 25. Igor Biscan, 15. Salif Diao, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle.
  Team: Jose Molina, Joan Capdevila, Jorge Andrade, Cesar Martin, Manuel Pablo Garcia, Albert Luque, Aldo Duscher, Mauro Silva, Victor Sanchez, Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron.

Subs: Gustavo Munua, Pedro Munitis, Lionel Scaloni, Diego Tristan, Fran, Enrique Pablo Amo, Romero.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Riise (Kewell 66), Cisse (Finnan 76), Garcia (Sinama Pongolle 84)    Mauro Silva (Scaloni 58), Pandian (iRomero 82), Valeron (Fran 86)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Anders Frisk (Sweden)
 Booked: Hamann 35, Baros 90    Booked: Luque 10, Duscher 76, Victor 90
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 40,236
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Javier Irureta (Deportivo)

  Price:J3,00

  REDS FRUSTRATED AS POINTS DROPPED

  Liverpool were made to rue a host of missed first half chances as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a plucky Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions League at Anfield tonight.

  Reds boss Rafa Benitez will be encouraged by the manner in which his side dominated their illustrious Spanish opponents, but he now knows they face a stiff task if they are to progress beyond the group stages of this competition.

  Difficult away trips to Deportivo and Monaco are next up for Rafa's men, but they would have looked far less daunting had they capatilised on an array of chances in an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

  Kicking off attacking the Kop End, it appeared the Reds were intent on carrying out their Manager's instructions as they battled for every ball and didn't allow their opponents to settle.

  And their superiority soon transformed itself into goal chances with Baros and Cisse in particular will be wondering how they failed to hit the back of the net.

  In truth, Deportivo keeper Molina was probably the Man of the Match, but the Reds' strikers were guilty of spurning chances with the goal at the mercy.

  Deportivo came into the game a lot more in the second half and almost grabbed an undeserved winner through Valeron, but it was again the Reds who looked the better team.

  The excellent Baros continued to worry the Deportivo defence and his strike partner Cisse frustrated to find Molina in top form.

  As time ran out Referee Frisk waved away hopeful appeals for a penalty as Pongolle fell in the box, but the Reds missed their chance in a first half that will become even more frustrating should they fail to reach the last 16.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Biscan, Diao, Dudek, Finnan, Kewell, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Deportivo La Coruna: Molina, Capdevila, Andrade, Martin, Garcia, Luque, Duscher, Silva, Sanchez, Pandiani, Valeron. Subs - Amo, Munitis, Munua, Romero, Scaloni, Tristan,

  Referee: A Frisk (Sweden)

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Milan Baros

  Breakdown

1 mins : Cisse and Baros get the game underway for Liverpool
1 mins : Cisse heads wide from Traore's cross into the Deportivo area
2 mins : Baros swings in a great corner but the ball evades everyone in the box
6 mins : Garcia almost slides the ball into Baros' path as Liverpool continue to dominate the early stages
8 mins : Foul by Hyypia on Pandiani gives Deportivo a free kick
9 mins : Booking: Albert Luque:
11 mins : Garcia threads the ball through to Cisse but the Reds' striker is flagged offside
11 mins : Garcia threads the ball through to Cisse but the Reds' striker is flagged offside
14 mins : Cesar's goalbound effort is headed off the line by Riise. Escape for the Reds.
15 mins : Alonso's drive from long range flies wide of goal
18 mins : Cisse is denied a goal by a brilliant challenge in the area after good work by Garcia
24 mins : Baros' cross is volleyed goalwards by Cisse but Molina makes a good save down to his left
27 mins : Baros rounds the keeper and seems certain to score only for a late challenge from Pablo to deny him. Great chance.
33 mins : Alonso's long range effort gives Garcia a great chance as the ball bounces fortunately, but the Reds' number ten sees his effort turned over for a corner
35 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
40 mins : Baros turns into space 25 yards out and drills a right footed shot wide of the far post. Good effort.
46 mins : Deportivo get the second period underway, attacking the Kop end
49 mins : Cisse's free kick is deflected wide of target
52 mins : Garcia needs treatment after falling awkwardly on the edge of the box
55 mins : More good play from Baros but his one-two with Riise in the area doesn't come off
58 mins : Substitution: Lionel Scaloni for Mauro Silva:
60 mins : Valeron misses a great chance to score when he fails to convert an excellent cross from the right hand side.
64 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for John Arne Riise:
66 mins : Cisse brings a save from Molina with a well struck shot following good wing play by Kewell
75 mins : Booking: Aldo Duscher:
76 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Djibril Cisse:
78 mins : Kewell cuts inside and drives a low shot towards the corner, but Molina saves
81 mins : Substitution: Enrique Romero for Walter Pandiani:
83 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Luis Garcia:
85 mins : Substitution: Fran for Juan Carlos Valeron:
89 mins : Booking: Victor Sanchez:
90 mins : Kewell flashes a free kick just wide of the far post. Good effort
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
90 mins : Hamann blasts a free kick well over the bar

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool -  Charlton Athletic   2 - 0

 
Saturday 23 October 2004 17:15 Barclays Premiership
cha_athl.gif (1353 bytes)
"Liverpool" 2- 0 "Charlton Athletic"
(0-0)
GOAL
  Riise 52, Garcia 74  
Team: Chris Kirkland, Djimi Traore, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann, Luis Garcia, Milan Baros, Djibril Cisse.

Subs:  Jerzy Dudek, Salif Diao, Harry Kewell, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Stephen Warnock.

Team: .Dean Kiely, Jonathon Fortune, Hermann Hreidarsson, Chris Perry, Luke Young, Dennis Rommedahl, Matt Holland, Danny Murphy, Graham Stuart, Shaun Bartlett, Kevin Lisbie.

Subs: Steve Anderson, Talal El Karkouri, Jason Euell, Bryan Hughes, Francis Jeffers

SUBSTITUTIONS
  Kewell (Riise 64) Pongolle (Baros 77) Warnock (Traore)  Jeffers (Rommedahl 62) Euell (Bartlett 71) Hughes (Lisbie 78)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee : Andy D'Urso
  Booked: Jeffers 70
VENUE MANAGERS
 Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance : 41625
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)Alan Curbishley (Charlton Athletic)

 

  RIISE AND GARCIA SECURE POINTS

Liverpool remain the only side with a 100% home record after superb goals from John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia gave them all three points against Charlton at Anfield this evening.

Unlike Tuesday night's Champions League draw with Deportivo, the Reds were not made to rue a host of missed chances as Riise and Garcia's second half strikes gave them a deserved victory.
 
Rafa Benitez's side were always in command of this late kick off, but it had looked they might suffer another night of frustration before Riise's 52nd minute strike.
 
Not that anything should be taken away from their performance though, as they were excellent from start to finish.
Luis Garcia, Milan Baros, Djibril Cisse and Sami Hyypia will all of wondered how they didn't have the Reds in front as Charlton stopper Dean Kiely became the second visiting keeper this week to put in a man of the match performance.
 
But Rafa's men were rewarded for their persistence when first Riise and then Garcia almost burst the Kop net with brilliant long range strikes.
 
Ex Liverpool favourite Danny Murphy enjoyed a warm reception from the Anfield crowd, but that will be all he took away from this game as his former team mates continued their recent improvement.
 
The Reds had opportunities to make it three late in the game, with Garcia in particular firing a great volley narrowly wide. But they will go into next week's Carling Cup match with Millwall in good heart after an impressive win.

Teams

Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Dudek, Sinama Pongolle, Kewell, Diao, Warnock
 
Charlton Athletic: Kiely, Fortune, Perry, Hreidarsson, Young, Rommedahl, Holland, Murphy, Stuart, Lisbie, Bartlett. Subs - Jeffers, Euell, El Karkouri, Anderson, Hughes
 
Referee: A D'Urso
 
Conditions: Wet
 
Attendance: 41625
 
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Luis Garcia

Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool kick off attacking the Anfield Road End
2 mins : Garcia heads narrowly wide from Finnan's cross as Liverpool launch their first attack of the game
2 mins : Riise has a great chance to score inside the area but takes too many touches and loses the opportunity
6 mins : Riise hammers a low shot wide from the edge of the area as the Reds continue to dominate
7 mins : Bartlett's low drive from 20 yards doesn't worry Kirkland as he gathers easily on the rain sodden turf
9 mins : Hyypia seems certain to score with a close range header but Kiely somehow keeps the ball out
12 mins : Cisse drives a brilliant low free kick off the inside of the Charlton post. It has to be a matter of time before we score
13 mins : Baros heads wide from close range after Charlton fail to clear inside their area
17 mins : Baros has a free header from Garcia's cross but can't keep it away from Kiely who saves comfortably
27 mins : Murphy's cross finds Bartlett's head but the Charlton striker concedes a free kick
33 mins : Riise's teasing cross into the area is turned away for a Liverpool corner
34 mins : Cisse drags a left footed shot wide of the far post after good work by Traore to win possession for the Reds
36 mins : Cisse's shot is deflected into the path of Baros who fires high and wide of the Charlton goal
39 mins : Kirkland drops a well flighted ball into the area but the ref blows for a foul on the Liverpool 'keeper
45 mins : One added minute to be played
46 mins : Charlton get the second period underway
49 mins : Alonso's free kick needs to be dealt with by Kiely who turns the ball behind for a corner
51 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Left foot volley from 25 yards into the corner of the Kop net
57 mins : Murphy bends a free kick to the far post but the ball drifts harmlessly out of play
61 mins : Baros can't convert Garcia's low centre following another spell of Liverpool pressure
62 mins : Substitution: Francis Jeffers for Dennis Rommedahl:
64 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for John Arne Riise:
65 mins : Baros creates a golden chance for Finnan but the Irish full back clips his shot wide of the far post
70 mins : Booking: Francis Jeffers:
71 mins : Substitution: Jason Euell for Shaun Bartlett:
74 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Great curling shot into the top corner from 25 yards
76 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Milan Baros:
77 mins : Substitution: Bryan Hughes for Kevin Lisbie:
69 mins : Cisse shows great pace down the right but can't pick out a team-mate with his low cross
86 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Djimi Traore:

Millwall -  Liverpool   0 - 3

 
Tuesday 26 October 2004 19:45 League / Carling Cup 3rd Round
 
 
"Millwall" 0 - 3 "Liverpool"
  (0-1)  
 
GOAL
     Diao 18, Baros 70, 90
 
  1  Graham Stack
 17  Kevin Muscat (c)
 12  Darren Ward
  2  Matt Lawrence
  5  Adrian Serioux
 27  Alan Dunne
  8  David Livermore
 25  Marvin Elliott
 20  Jody Morris
  9  Neil Harris
  4  Jo Tessem

 Subs:
 13  Andy Marshall
 15  Josh Simpson
 37  Barry Cogan
 33  Joe Healy
 23  Mark McCammon
    1  Jerzy Dudek (c)
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 21  Djimi Traore
 28  Stephen Warnock
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 37  Zak Whitbread
 25  Igor Biscan
 34  Darren Potter
 15  Salif Diao
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
  5  Milan Baros
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Serioux (McCammon 78)
 Dunne (Healy 79)
   Sinama-Pongolle (Baros 52)
 Mellor (Finnan 65)
 Warnock (Riise 81)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) Linesman: P W Barnes, M J Calrns
 Booked: Serioux 41, Muscat 80    Booked: Diao 35, Mellor 51, Baros 80
VENUE   MANAGERS
The New Den (capacity 20,146)
Attendance: 17,655
  Dennis Wise (Millwall)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Zak Whitbread makes his LFC debut

  BAROS HITS TWO AS REDS THRASH LIONS

  A first-half goal from Salif Diao and two second-half strikes from Milan Baros ensured Rafael Benitez made a perfect start to his domestic cup career as Liverpool boss.

  The Reds had never played at the New Den before but despite leaving the pitch battered and bruised from a series of scathing challenges from Kevin Muscat in particular, his young side did their new boss proud.

  Benitez had made 10 changes from the side who beat Charlton at Anfield on Saturday with no fewer than four Youth Academy graduates in Neil Mellor, Stephen Warnock, Zak Whitbread and Darren Potter starting the match. Only Whitbread, however, had never featured before in a competitive match for the Reds.

  The three goals, which ensured Liverpool's hopes of landing the cup for a record eighth time remain alive, came from two of the more senior internationals in the experimental line-up.

  Diao's low strike after 17 minutes was the direct result of the home side failing to clear a corner and while it sent the Reds in 1-nil up at the interval, the result was practically sealed with 20 minutes remaining when Baros, on as a substitute for Neil Mellor, hit a low drive beyond the Millwall goalkeeper. If Millwall thought they might still be able to fight their way back into the tie, those hopes were finally killed off when Baros added his second and Liverpool's third in injury time.

  Despite the scoreline, Liverpool had to battle for this win and Rafael Benitez will have learnt a lot about some of the more inexperienced players in his squad. The faces may have changed from Saturday, but the result was exactly the same. A good night's work, all in all.

  Teams

  Millwall: Stack, Dunne, Lawrence, Serioux, Muscat (captain), Elliott, Livermore, Morris, Ward, Harris, Tessem. Subs - Marshall, Simpson, McCammon, Healy, Cogan.

  Liverpool: Dudek (captain), Traore, Henchoz, Whitbread, Josemi, Warnock, Diao, Biscan, Potter, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Kirkland, Baros, Finnan, Riise, Carragher.

  Referee: Alan Wiley

  Conditions: Dry

  Attendance: 17,655

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Zak Whitbread

  Breakdown

1 mins : Millwall get the game underway
3 mins : Whitbread clears under pressure
5 mins : Dudek is out bravely to save at the legs of Harris
7 mins : Reds break but Mellors shot is blocked for a corner
8 mins : Warnock's corner is eventually cleared by Millwall
10 mins : Good play from Millwall but Harris is offside
11 mins : Biscan shoots from 30 yards but it rolls harmlessly to the goalkeeper
13 mins : Reds awarded a free kick in a promising position
14 mins : Igor has great headed chance from Potter's free kick but he puts it wide
15 mins : Diao plays Mellor in on the left but his cross is cleared
17 mins : Good work from Josemi on the right earns Liverpool a corner
18 mins : GOAL! Salif Diao: Diao is on hand to poke home the loose ball
23 mins : Dudek makes a good save to deny Tessem
24 mins : Liverpool come under threat from Serioux's long throws
27 mins : Warnock searches out Pongolle with a header but Millwall intercept
28 mins : Pongolle hits a shot from the right corner of the box, but he's wide
31 mins : A foul by Diao gives Millwall a free kick in a dangerous position
31 mins : Diao slices his clearance to give Millwall a corner
32 mins : Traore tackles Tessem to concede another corner
33 mins : Harris heads the corner over but the referee had already given a free kick
35 mins : Booking: Salif Diao: Diao goes into the book for a late tackle
38 mins : Liverpool contain Millwall in their own half
38 mins : Millwall break forward, but are caught offside
40 mins : Tessem's flick on runs through to Dudek
41 mins : Pongolle plays Mellor in, but he shoots tamely into the arms of the goalkeeper
41 mins : Booking: Adrian Serioux:
44 mins : Potter is penalised for a foul
45 mins : Mellor flicks on but Warnock can't get to it despite his best efforts
46 mins : Great chance for the Reds as Pongolle goes around the keeper, but he cant convert from a tight angle
47 mins : Pongolle requires treatment, but is ok to resume
50 mins : Reds have a free kick after Josemi is fouled
51 mins : Booking: Neil Mellor: Mellor is cautioned for a foul on Muscat
52 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Florent Sinama Pongolle: Pongolle cant recover and has to go off
53 mins : Dudek saves well
56 mins : Liverpool are troubled by another long Serioux throw, but it comes to nothing
58 mins : The noise level increases as Diao wins a strong tackle
58 mins : Mellor goes clear, but the ball wont come down for him and it's cleared
60 mins : Baros does well on the left, but his pull back is cleared
63 mins : Whitbread covers well to clear from Serioux
65 mins : Whitbread makes up for his own mistake to make an excellent tackle
65 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Neil Mellor:
67 mins : Warnock requires treatment after a strong tackle from Muscat
68 mins : Dudek catches Morris' freekick on the goal line
70 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Great vision by Warnock gives Baros his chance
75 mins : Liverpool build with Biscan
77 mins : Millwall have a free kick on the edge of Liverpool's box
78 mins : Substitution: Mark McCammon for Adrian Serioux:
80 mins : Booking: Milan Baros:
80 mins : Booking: Kevin Muscat:
83 mins : Liverpool almost make it three after Ward heads against his own bar
84 mins : Biscan goes close
85 mins : Liverpool get a free kick as Harris' feet are high
81 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Stephen Warnock:
88 mins : Millwall have a free kick on the left
90 mins : There will be 3 minutes of stoppage time

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Blackburn Rovers  Liverpool  2 - 2

 
Saturday 30 October 2004 17:15 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Blackburn Rovers" 2 - 2 "Liverpool"
  (2-1)  
 
GOAL
 Bothroyd 15, Emerton 45    Riise 7, Baros 54
 
  1  Brad Friedel
  2  Lucas Neill
  6  Craig Short
 14  Nils-Eric Johansson
 25  James McEveley
 18  Steven Reid
  8  Tugay Kerimoglu
 16  Barry Ferguson
  7  Brett Emerton
 10  Paul Dickov
 27  Jay Bothroyd

 Subs:
 13  Peter Enckelman
 24  Andy Todd
  5  Garry Flitcroft
 15  Yourri Djorkaeff
 11  Jonathan Stead
   22  Chris Kirkland
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 14  Xabi Alonso
  9  Djibril Cisse
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 28  Stephen Warnock
 10  Luis Garcia
 15  Salif Diao
  7  Harry Kewell
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Bothroyd (Stead 64)    Cisse (Garcia 38)
 Finnan (Kewell 55)
 Hamann (Diao 81)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
 Booked: Tugay 60, Stead 69    Booked: Rey 45
VENUE   MANAGERS
Ewood Park (capacity 31,367)
Attendance: 26,314
  Mark Hughes (Blackburn R)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Cisse breaks his leg in first half.

  CISSE INJURY OVERSHADOWS 2-2 DRAW

  Liverpool will be glad to see the back of Ewood Park after a suspected broken leg to Djibril Cisse over shadowed this evening's Premiership draw with Blackburn Rovers.

  The Reds forward was taken to hospital after falling awkwardly
late in the first half and early indications suggest he may have
suffered the same fate as Milan Baros and Jamie Carragher at Ewood last season.

  Goals from John Arne Riise and Milan Baros gave the Reds a share of
the points, but Rafa Benitez will have been devastated to see his young French striker in such despair.

  If a leg break is confirmed, it is terrible bad luck for Cisse, especially as he had begun to show signs of his huge potential in recent games.

  And with Tuesday's vital Champions League clash with Deportivo just days away, it gives Benitez a real headache.

  He is also without Florent Sinama Pongolle after he was injured against Millwall and now has just Milan Baros and Neil Mellor to call upon as recognised strikers.

  The day had started brightly for the Reds after John Arne Riise had given them a deserved lead on 7 minutes. But the home side were on terms soon after when Emerton broke the offside trap and gave Bothroyd an easy chance to score.

   Emerton was Liverpool's chief tormentor all evening and it was he
who gave Blackburn the lead in first half stoppage time.

  It took Liverpool just eight second half minutes to draw level though.
A good ball from Luis Garcia, who had replaced Cisse, gave Milan Baros a clear run on the Blackburn goal and he finished superbly.

  Reds keeper Chris Kirkland made a great save from Dickov late in the game and John Arne Riise had to clear from his own goalline to keep the scores level.

  Riise and Kewell had a chances to win the game late on, but the main talking point of this game will be Djibril Cisse's terrible injury and we will all wish him a speedy recovery.

  Teams

  Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, McEveley, Johansson, Short, Neill, Emerton, Gresko, , Reid, Dickov, Taylor. Subs - Djorkaeff, Enckelman, Flitcroft, Stead, Todd.

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Finnan, Baros, Cisse. Subs - Diao, Dudek, Garcia, Kewell, Warnock.

  Referee: R Stiles

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: John Arne Riise

  Breakdown

16:16 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Blackburn kick off attacking the goal behind which the 7,000 away fans are gathered
2 mins : Long range drive from Cisse which Friedel saves as the ball heads towards the top corner
5 mins : Neill gets a dangerous cross into the area which Hyypia defends well for Liverpool
6 mins : Riise sends Baros through on goal but Short makes a late tackle to stop Baros having a clean shot on goal
7 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Low shot into the far corner after a sensational pass from Alonso
10 mins : Carragher concedes a corner as Blackburn look for a quick response
15 mins : GOAL! Jay Bothroyd: Blackburn are level as Bothroyd converts Emerton's cross from close range
17 mins : Great defending from Carragher who deals with the danger posed by Dickov in the box
26 mins : Traore needs treatment after a late challenge from goalscorer Bothroyd
30 mins : Bothroyd and Dickov almost link up in the Liverpool area but Kirkland sees the danger
32 mins : Hyypia's header from Finnan's corner drifts high over the bar
33 mins : Friedel is forced to punch the ball clear as Baros shoots at goal from 20 yards
35 mins : The stretcher comes on for the injured Cisse who looks unable to continue after falling awkwardly
39 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Djibril Cisse:
45 mins : Booking: Josemi Josemi:
45 mins : GOAL! Brett Emerton: Low shot into far corner after Reds fail to clear in their own area
17:05 GMT : Half Time Reached

17:20 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool kick off the second half
46 mins : Reid's cross deflects off Traore and goes behind for a Blackburn corner
48 mins : Baros is furious after the ref gives a goal kick when the Czech ace thinks it should be a Liverpool corner
51 mins : Alonso bends a free kick from 25 yards over the Blackburn goal
53 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Baros finishes from close range after running onto Garcia's pass
55 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Steve Finnan:
57 mins : Riise over-hits a cross from a great position down the left side of the area
60 mins : Booking: Tugay : Late challenge on Baros
64 mins : Substitution: Jonathan Stead for Jay Bothroyd:
66 mins : Baros runs the length of the field into the area but then fails to pass the ball and the chance is gone
69 mins : Booking: Jonathan Stead:
73 mins : Excellent run by Emerton down the left but he eventually runs out of pitch as the ball rolls out of play
73 mins : Curling effort from 25 yards by Kewell which Friedel saves away to his right hand side
74 mins : Kirkland forced to make a great one handed save as Stead's shot is heading for the top corner
78 mins : Desperate defending as the Reds hack the ball off their own line in a goalmouth scramble
79 mins : Sensational save from Kirkland to deny Dickov a certain goal from close range
81 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Dietmar Hamann:
87 mins : Riise misses a great chance to win the game when his left footed shot is well saved by Friedel
89 mins : Garcia's curling effort is deflected just wide for a late corner
90 mins : Two added minutes to be played
18:08 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

L

Liverpool  -  Birmingham City  0 - 1

 
Saturday 6 November 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
  bir-city.jpg (1772 bytes)
"Liverpool" 0 - 1 "Birmingham City"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
    Anderton 76
 
Team:   Team:
 22  Chris Kirkland
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  4  Sami Hyypia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  7  Harry Kewell
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
 15  Salif Diao
 25  Igor Biscan
 33  Neil Mellor
    1  Maik Taylor
 29  Mario Melchiot
  4  Kenny Cunningham
  5  Matthew Upson
 21  Julian Gray
  7  Jesper Gronkjaer
  6  Muzzy Izzet
  8  Robbie Savage
 25  Stephen Clemence
 22  Damien Johnson
 16  Emile Heskey

 Subs:
 12  Ian Bennett
  3  Jamie Clapham
 11  Stan Lazaridis
 32  Darren Anderton
 33  Dwight Yorke
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Sinama-Pongolle (Finnan 65)
 Riise (Mellor 73)
 Hamann (Biscan 85)
   Anderton (Clemence 63)
 Lazaridis (Gronkjaer 63)
 Clapham (Izzet 88)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Uriah Rennie
 Booked: Rey 44, Garcia 61, Hamann 72    Booked: Johnson 74
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 42,669
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Steve Bruce (Birmingham C)

Official matchday programme  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Season's first loss at home.

  REDS SUFFER EURO HANGOVER

  Liverpool have lost their unbeaten home record after a Darren Anderton goal was enough to give Birmingham City a shock 1-0 win at Anfield this afternoon.

  The Reds were without their first choice forward line after Milan Baros joined Djibril Cisse on the injury list and it showed as they failed to take advantage of a number of good opportunities.

  Birmingham had shown little ambition before Anderton's goal silenced the home crowd, but Rafa Benitez will point to a host of missed chances as hs side's undoing.

  City boss Steve Bruce made life difficult for the Reds as he packed his midfield and started with just Ex Red Emile Heskey up front.

  But Benitez's side, fresh from their Champions League win in Spain on Wednesday, put their injury woes aside and took the game to their Midlands rivals.

  Both Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso tested City Keeper Taylor inside an opening 10 minute spell that suggested Liverpool would continue their excellent home form.

  And Luis Garcia was guilty of wasting his side's best chance of the first half when he blazed over from just eight yards shortly before the interval.

  The Reds started the second half intent on breaking Birmingham's resistance and they didn't come closer to it than in the 55th minute when a double goal line clearance saved the visitor's.

  Both Jamie Carragher and Luis Garcia will wonder how they didn't score after they seemed to certain too. And their agony was magnified when Anderton sealed the points on 76 minutes.

  There had seemed little as a Birmingham corner floated into the box, but Savage's knockdown found Anderton and he had the simple task of prodding the ball into the empty net.

  Reds boss Rafa Benitez will hope Milan Baros can make a speedy recovery from his hamstring injury as a lack of firepower has cost him his first home points today.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Kewell, Garcia, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Dudek, Diao, Mellor, Biscan, Finnan.

  Birmingham City: Taylor, Gray, Cunningham, Upson, Melchiot, Gronkjaer, Savage, Clemence, Johnson, Izzet, Heskey. Subs - Clapham, Anderton, Yorke, Lazaridis, Bennett.

  Referee: U Rennie

  Conditions: Wet

  Attendance: 42,669

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

1 mins : Birmingham kick off attacking the Kop
2 mins : Gronkjaer tries to latch onto Heskey's header but the ball rolls behind for a goal kick
4 mins : Liverpool get the ball into the area from the right hand side but Riise's glancing header goes well wide
5 mins : Brilliant shot on the run by Kewell is expertly palmed away by Taylor. Great effort
6 mins : Alonso sends a shot goalwards from 25 yards but this time Taylor makes an easier save
8 mins : Izzet's low cross from the right is turned wide by Heskey from close range
11 mins : Riise sets up a chance for Pongolle on the left but his shot is deflected for a corner
14 mins : Savage's curling free kick into the area is well held by Kirkland
15 mins : Kirkland comes out quickly to deny Izzet a shot at goal as the Birmingham man finds himself in space
18 mins : Traore concedes a corner after a good break by Johnson down the right
22 mins : Izzet's free kick is met by Heskey's head but the ball drifts well wide
24 mins : Garcia has a great chance on his right foot but his shot is turned away by Taylor
30 mins : Garcia runs through on goal and somehow manages to blaze his shot over when it seemed easier to score
37 mins : Pongolle fires wide from a tight angle following a free kick into the area
40 mins : Upson climbs highest to head over a corner at the Kop end
43 mins : Booking: Josemi Josemi:
45 mins : One added minute to be played

46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway
47 mins : Strong handball appeals from the Liverpool players but the ref waves away the penalty claims
50 mins : Gray ghosts past a couple of players in the area but fails to get a meaningful cross into the danger zone
54 mins : Hamann charges through on goal but can only drive his shot straight at Taylor, Another chance goes begging
55 mins : Alonso sends a shot goalwards on the volley from 25 yards but he lifts it over the target
61 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia:
62 mins : Substitution: Darren Anderton for Stephen Clemence:
62 mins : Substitution: Stan Lazaridis for Jesper Gronkjaer:
65 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Florent Sinama Pongolle:
66 mins : Kewell heads towards goal after a good move but can't trouble Taylor
68 mins : Hamann's volley from 30 yards skip through into the arms of the Birmingham goalkeeper
70 mins : Birmingham clear off their own line in the space of seconds as Hamann and Garcia go close to breaking the deadlock
71 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
72 mins : Substitution: Neil Mellor for John Arne Riise:
73 mins : Booking: Damien Johnson:
76 mins : Good run by Gray wins Birmingham a corner
76 mins : GOAL! Darren Anderton: Anderton scores from close range following a corner
79 mins : Kewell's ambitious volley from distance flies disappointingly wide
85 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Dietmar Hamann:
86 mins : Biscan almost makes a chance with his first touch but the visitors clear
88 mins : Substitution: Jamie Clapham for Muzzy Izzet:
89 mins : Garcia's drilled free kick is headed over by Biscan from close range

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Lverpool - Middelsboroug  2 - 0

 
Wednesday 10 November 2004 20:00 Carling Cup 4th round
mid.gif (1472 bytes)
"Liverpool" 2-0 "Middelsboroug"
(0-1)
GOAL
    Diao 18, Baros 70, 90
Team: Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Stephane Henchoz, Zak Whitbread, Steve Finnan, Salif Diao, Igor Biscan, Darren Potter, Neil Mellor, Florent Sinama Pongolle.

Subs: Patrice Luzi, Richie Partridge, David Raven, John Arne Riise, John Welsh.

Team: Carlo Nash, Franck Queudrue, Colin Cooper, Andrew Davies, Chris Riggott, Boudewijn Zenden, James Morrison, Warnock Doriva, Stuart Downing, Joseph-Desire Job, Mark Viduka.

Subs: George Boateng, Daniel Graham, Anthony McMahon, Mark Schwarzer, Mark Wilson

SUBSTITUTIONS
  Partridge (Pongolle 69) Welsh (Diao 76) Riise (Warnock 82)  Graham (Morrison 81)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee : H M Webb (S Yorkshire)
VENUE MANAGERS
 Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance : 28176
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Steve McLaren (Middlesbrough)

 

  BAROS HITS TWO AS REDS THRASH LIONS

A first-half goal from Salif Diao and two second-half strikes from Milan Baros ensured Rafael Benitez made a perfect start to his domestic cup career as Liverpool boss.

The Reds had never played at the New Den before but despite leaving the pitch battered and bruised from a series of scathing challenges from Kevin Muscat in particular, his young side did their new boss proud.
 
Benitez had made 10 changes from the side who beat Charlton at Anfield on Saturday with no fewer than four Youth Academy graduates in Neil Mellor, Stephen Warnock, Zak Whitbread and Darren Potter starting the match. Only Whitbread, however, had never featured before in a competitive match for the Reds.
 
The three goals, which ensured Liverpool's hopes of landing the cup for a record eighth time remain alive, came from two of the more senior internationals in the experimental line-up.
 
Diao's low strike after 17 minutes was the direct result of the home side failing to clear a corner and while it sent the Reds in 1-nil up at the interval, the result was practically sealed with 20 minutes remaining when Baros, on as a substitute for Neil Mellor, hit a low drive beyond the Millwall goalkeeper. If Millwall thought they might still be able to fight their way back into the tie, those hopes were finally killed off when Baros added his second and Liverpool's third in injury time.
 
Despite the scoreline, Liverpool had to battle for this win and Rafael Benitez will have learnt a lot about some of the more inexperienced players in his squad. The faces may have changed from Saturday, but the result was exactly the same. A good night's work, all in all.

Teams

Liverpool: Dudek (captain), Traore, Henchoz, Whitbread, Josemi, Warnock, Diao, Biscan, Potter, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Kirkland, Baros, Finnan, Riise, Carragher
 
Millwall: Stack, Dunne, Lawrence, Serioux, Muscat (captain), Elliott, Livermore, Morris, Ward, Harris, Tessem. Subs - Marshall, Simpson, McCammon, Healy, Cogan
 
Referee: Alan Wiley
 
Conditions: Dry
 
Attendance: 17,655
 
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Zak Whitbread

Breakdown

1 mins : Millwall get the game underway
3 mins : Whitbread clears under pressure
5 mins : Dudek is out bravely to save at the legs of Harris
7 mins : Reds break but Mellors shot is blocked for a corner
8 mins : Warnock's corner is eventually cleared by Millwall
10 mins : Good play from Millwall but Harris is offside
11 mins : Biscan shoots from 30 yards but it rolls harmlessly to the goalkeeper
13 mins : Reds awarded a free kick in a promising position
14 mins : Igor has great headed chance from Potter's free kick but he puts it wide
15 mins : Diao plays Mellor in on the left but his cross is cleared
17 mins : Good work from Josemi on the right earns Liverpool a corner
18 mins : GOAL! Salif Diao: Diao is on hand to poke home the loose ball
23 mins : Dudek makes a good save to deny Tessem
24 mins : Liverpool come under threat from Serioux's long throws
27 mins : Warnock searches out Pongolle with a header but Millwall intercept
28 mins : Pongolle hits a shot from the right corner of the box, but he's wide
31 mins : A foul by Diao gives Millwall a free kick in a dangerous position
31 mins : Diao slices his clearance to give Millwall a corner
32 mins : Traore tackles Tessem to concede another corner
33 mins : Harris heads the corner over but the referee had already given a free kick
35 mins : Booking: Salif Diao: Diao goes into the book for a late tackle
38 mins : Liverpool contain Millwall in their own half
38 mins : Millwall break forward, but are caught offside
40 mins : Tessem's flick on runs through to Dudek
41 mins : Pongolle plays Mellor in, but he shoots tamely into the arms of the goalkeeper
41 mins : Booking: Adrian Serioux:
44 mins : Potter is penalised for a foul
45 mins : Mellor flicks on but Warnock can't get to it despite his best efforts
46 mins : Great chance for the Reds as Pongolle goes around the keeper, but he cant convert from a tight angle
47 mins : Pongolle requires treatment, but is ok to resume
50 mins : Reds have a free kick after Josemi is fouled
51 mins : Booking: Neil Mellor: Mellor is cautioned for a foul on Muscat
52 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Florent Sinama Pongolle: Pongolle cant recover and has to go off
53 mins : Dudek saves well
56 mins : Liverpool are troubled by another long Serioux throw, but it comes to nothing
58 mins : The noise level increases as Diao wins a strong tackle
58 mins : Mellor goes clear, but the ball wont come down for him and it's cleared
60 mins : Baros does well on the left, but his pull back is cleared
63 mins : Whitbread covers well to clear from Serioux
65 mins : Whitbread makes up for his own mistake to make an excellent tackle
65 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Neil Mellor:
67 mins : Warnock requires treatment after a strong tackle from Muscat
68 mins : Dudek catches Morris' freekick on the goal line
70 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Great vision by Warnock gives Baros his chance
75 mins : Liverpool build with Biscan
77 mins : Millwall have a free kick on the edge of Liverpool's box
78 mins : Substitution: Mark McCammon for Adrian Serioux:
80 mins : Booking: Milan Baros:
80 mins : Booking: Kevin Muscat:
83 mins : Liverpool almost make it three after Ward heads against his own bar
84 mins : Biscan goes close
85 mins : Liverpool get a free kick as Harris' feet are high
81 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Stephen Warnock:
88 mins : Millwall have a free kick on the left
90 mins : There will be 3 minutes of stoppage time

Liverpool  -  Crystal Palace  3 - 2

 
Saturday 13 November 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 3 - 2 "Crystal Palace"
  (2-1)  
 
GOAL
 Baros 23 p., 45, 90 p.    Kolkka 44, Hughes 53
 
Team: 22. Chris Kirkland, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 23. Jamie Carragher, 17. Josemi Rey, 4. Sami Hyypia (c), 16. Dietmar Hamann, 7. Harry Kewell, 14. Xabi Alonso, 10. Luis Garcia, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 25. Igor Biscan, 33. Neil Mellor, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle.
  Team: Gabor Kiraly, Mikele Leigertwood, Tony Popovic (c), Emmerson Boyce, Danny Granville, Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson, Aki Riihilahti, Michael Hughes, Joonas Kolkka, Dougie Freedman.

Subs: Julian Speroni, Mark Hudson, Wayne Andrews, Vassilis Lakis, Tom Soares.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Riise (Finnan 62) Rey (Mellor 79), Baros (Sinama Pongolle 90)    Routledge (Lakis 65), Riihilahti (Soares 76)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Phil Dowd
 Booked: Baros    Booked: Kolkka, Hughes 79, Kiraly 90
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 42,862
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Iain Dowie (Crystal P)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Milan Baros scores his first hat-trick for Liverpool and the first hat-trick at Anfield since 5.5.2001.

  EAGLES GROUNDED BY SUPERB BAROS

  Milan Baros returned from injury with a superb hat-trick to give Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield today.

  The Reds had sorely missed their leading scorer in last week's home defeat to Birmingham and we saw just why as he produced a display full of pace, power and clinical finishing.

  Last week's headlines had been all about Liverpool's failure in front of goal, but that was forgotten as Baros had the Kop singing with joy
with the winning goal just when it looked like being another frustrating afternoon.

  Crystal Palace came to Anfield brimming with confidence after an excellent recent run and it showed as they further endorsed their claims to stay in the Premiership with another good performance.

  Iain Dowie, having to cope without leading scorer Andy Johnson, set his side with five across the middle in an attempt to frustrate the Reds and it seemed to work as they failed to create any meaningful chances in the early exchanges.

  The match sparked to life though in the 23rd minute when Liverpool were awarded a penalty for Leigertwood's foul on Baros. And Baros picked himself up to send Kiraly the wrong way to give Liverpool the lead.

  It had looked as if Rafa's men would hold that lead until the interval, but Joonas Kolkka stunned the Kop on the stroke of half time with an excellent half volley that gave Kirkland no chance.

  The Reds restored their lead just a minute later however, as Baros was again in the right place at the right time to convert Alonso's cross from close range.

  Baros almost made it 3-1 right at the start of the second half when his flick header forced Kiraly into a smart save at his near post. But the Reds were pegged back again on 53 minutes when Michael Hughes found himself unmarked to head home a cross from the scorer of Palace's first goal Joonas Kolkka.

  Riise, Baros and Alonso all had chances after Palace's equaliser, but with time running out it looked as if Liverpool's home record would further be dented.

  With Baros on the field though, the Reds always had a chance and they grabbed victory from the jaws of disappointment in the last minute when Baros scored from spot after being brought down by Granville.

  Rafa Benitez will have been unhappy to have seen his side twice squander a lead, but he will be delighted to get back to winning
ways after last week's defeat.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia (c), Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Kewell. Subs - Biscan, Dudek, Finnan, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle.

  Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Boyce, Popovic (c), Kolkka, Routledge, Riihilahti, Watson, Leigertwood, Freedman, Hughes. Subs - Andrews, Hudson, Lakis, Soares, Speroni.

  Referee: P Dowd

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Milan Baros

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
1 mins : Palace kick-off attacking the Kop
3 mins : Garcia wins a corner on the right that keeper Kiraly deals with comfortably
5 mins : Watson's shot is deflected behind for a corner from which he then forces Kirkland into a low diving save
7 mins : Alonso goes off for treatment on an injury to his nose
8 mins : A good cross from the left by Traore is well handled by Kiraly
12 mins : Carragher gets goal side of the Palace defence but they manage to get back in time to deflect his shot wide for a corner
21 mins : Alonso tries his luck with a speculative long-range strike that sails over the bar
22 mins : Leigertwood brings down Baros in the box and Liverpool are awarded a penalty
23 mins : Penalty Scored! Milan Baros: sends the keeper the wrong way to open the scoring
30 mins : Baros is felled in the box again but this time referee Phil Dowd waves away Liverpool's penalty appeals, much to the frustration of the Reds players and supporters
37 mins : Kewell displays some fancy footwork on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked by the legs of a Palace defender
39 mins : A determined Baros almost dribbles his way through the entire opposition defence
44 mins : GOAL! Joonas Kolkka: cuts in from the left and fires a shot beyond the reach of Kirkland
45 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: from a centre by Alonso he converts from close-range
- : Half Time Reached
- : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Baros goes in search of his hat-trick but handles the ball as he closes in on goal
48 mins : Baros shoots wide of the Kop goal from the right hand corner of the box
53 mins : GOAL! Michael Hughes: Kolkka crosses from the left and Hughes nets with a free header
55 mins : Riise rifles a low volley just wide of the upright following a Garcia corner
58 mins : Alonso goes close with a curling free-kick
62 mins : Alonso is tripped on the edge of the 'D' and from the resultant free-kick Riise hammers a shot narrowly wide
62 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for John Arne Riise:
65 mins : Josemi blazes an effort high over the bar
65 mins : Substitution: Vassilis Lakis for Wayne Routledge:
69 mins : Garcia heads disappointly into the Kop from a Finnan cross on the right
70 mins : Finnan does well to whip in another centre and this time Baros is unlucky to see his stooping header go wide
72 mins : Alonso shoots over from 25-yards out
74 mins : Liverpool continue to pile the pressure on and it's Kewell turn to go close with a header
76 mins : Substitution: Tom Soares for Aki Riihilahti:
79 mins : Booking: Michael Hughes: for a foul on Baros
79 mins : Substitution: Neil Mellor for Josemi Josemi:
83 mins : Traore fires wide as times starts to run out for the Reds
87 mins : Everty player bar Kirkland is in the Palace half as the Reds push frantically forward
89 mins : Baros is brought down and Liverpool are awarded another penalty
90 mins : Booking: Gabor Kiraly: for protesting
90 mins : Penalty Scored! Milan Baros: keeps his cool to complete his hat-trick
91 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Milan Baros:
- : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Middlsborough  - Liverpool  2 - 0

 
Saturday 20 November 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Middlsborough" 2 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (1-0)  
 
GOAL
 Riggott 36, Zenden 62    
 
  1  Mark Schwarzer
 29  Anthony McMahon
  5  Chris Riggott
  6  Gareth Southgate
  3  Franck Queudrue
 15  Ray Parlour
  7  George Boateng
 32  Boudewijn Zenden
 19  Stewart Downing
 36  Mark Viduka
 18  Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink

 Subs:
 12  Carlo Nash
 23  Colin Cooper
 20  Doriva
  8  Szilard Nemeth
 16  Joseph-Desire Job
   22  Chris Kirkland
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
 23  Jamie Carragher
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
  7  Harry Kewell
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 25  Igor Biscan
  8  Steven Gerrard
 33  Neil Mellor
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Hasselbaink (Job 86)
 Zenden (Nemeth 89)
   Hamann (Gerrard 57)
 Sinama (Sinama-Pongolle 70)
 Alonso (Biscan 84)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett
 Booked: Zenden, Southgate, Boateng 77    Booked: Hyypia 29, Rey
VENUE   MANAGERS
Riverside (capacity 35,049)
Attendance: 34,751
  Steve McLaren (Middlesbrough)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Gerrard's first appearance for two months after injury.

REDS CRASH AT THE RIVERSIDE

  Goals in each half from Chris Riggott and Boudewijn Zenden have sent Liverpool crashing to a 2-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium.

  Middlesbrough claimed the points after dominating much of the game and taking full advantage of Liverpool's current injury plight which saw them start the game without a recognised striker on the field.

  Rafael Benitez is not the sort of manager to go looking for excuses after a defeat, but even he won't be able to hide the fact that Liverpool, naturally, are going to suffer without their main strikers over the coming days and weeks.

  A trip to the Riverside is a tricky prospect even with a fully fit squad, but when you travel there without your leading scorer and your most expensive player then you know it will take an almighty effort to carve out a result.

  Liverpool showed plenty of endeavour and commitment at the Riverside but lacked the cutting edge to regularly open up a resolute Middlesbrough defence.

  However, while excuses can be made for why the Reds looked light-weight in attack, the same reasons can't be given to explain why Middlesbrough were presented with their opening goal after poor marking inside the Liverpool six yard box.

  The Reds have endured enough painful experiences this season of conceding goals from set-pieces, so to see Chris Riggott ghosting in unmarked to head home from just a few yards out to break the deadlock must have left Rafa in despair.

  Riggott took full advantage of slack defending in the Liverpool area to head Downing's cross powerfully past Kirkland for the game's opening strike.

  It was a goal the home side deserved after building up a spell of pressure in the first half which suggested the breakthrough wasn't far away.

  Steve McLaren's side could have opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Ray Parlour burst into the area but his cross to the unmarked Mark Viduka was brilliantly intercepted by Jamie Carragher.

  French full back Frank Quedrue headed narrowly over and Chris Kirkland was called into action to keep out Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's effort as Liverpool struggled to impose their authority on the match.

  Riggott's strike nine minutes before the break from Stuart Downing's cross served to spark Rafa's men into action and Luis Garcia thought he was celebrating an equaliser before the break, only for the assistant referee to flag for offside as the Spaniard struck the ball into the net.

  Liverpool could have levelled shortly after the re-start when Kewell headed goalwards from Alonso's free kick, but his effort was brilliantly turned onto the bar and away by Schwarzer in the 'Boro goal.

  To the delight of the travelling Kopites, captain Steven Gerrard was introduced to the action after 55 minutes as he replaced Didi Hamann to bring to an end seven weeks of frustration sat on the sidelines with a foot injury.

  Gerrard's first contribution was to curl a free kick to the far post where Garcia arrived to smash a volley over the bar.

  Just when Liverpool looked capable of getting back into the match they shot themselves in the foot by needlessly conceding possession and ultimately conceding the second goal.

  Alonso, usually so effective with the ball at his feet, inexplicably gifted possession to the home side who wasted no time in working a chance for Zenden in the area and the Dutch winger made no mistake with a crisp finish.

  Garcia summed up Liverpool's afternoon in the closing stages when, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he dragged his shot disappointingly wide of the target.

  With a vital trip to Monaco looming in midweek before champions Arsenal come to Anfield next weekend, Liverpool need to bounce back quickly from this untimely setback to get their season back on track.

  Teams

  Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Queudrue, Riggott, Southgate, McMahon, Downing, Boateng, Zenden, Parlour, Hasselbaink, Viduka. Subs - Cooper, Job, Nemeth, Pogatetz,

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Hamann, Finnan, Garcia, Kewell. Subs - Biscan, Dudek, Gerrard, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle.

  Referee: S Bennett

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

1 mins : Boro get the game underway
4 mins : Alonso searches out Garcia, but his pass is too long
5 mins : Kewell heads goalwards but it's comfortable for Schwarzer
16 mins : Carragher makes an excellent interception just when it seems Viduka might score
22 mins : Queudrue has a great chance, but he completely misses his kick
25 mins : Downing darts menacingly into the box, but Carragher is there once again
29 mins : Booking: Sami Hyypia:
30 mins : Riise shoots with the outside of his left foot, but its wide
32 mins : Kirkland block brilliantly from Hasselbaink's fierce shot
36 mins : GOAL! Chris Riggott: Riggott gives the home side the lead from close range
38 mins : Kirkland has to rush from his goal to foil Viduka after Alonso lost the ball
40 mins : Garcia thinks he's equalised, but his goal is ruled out for offside
45 mins : Viduka should have made it 2-0, but he shoots wide

49 mins : Kewell's header looks destined for the net, but Schwarzer somehow saves
50 mins : Carragher makes a vital block
52 mins : Alonso heads wide from Josemi's cross
53 mins : Hasselbaink screws a shot well wide
55 mins : Downing cuts inside Josemi and shoots wide
57 mins : Substitution: Steven Gerrard for Dietmar Hamann:
58 mins : Garcia hits a great volley, but it's deflected wide. The Reds are deprived a corner though
60 mins : Parlour flashes a great shot just wide
61 mins : Parlour gets a warning from the referee for a late challenge on Traore
62 mins : Kewell gets clear in the box, but a Boro defender manages to get back and stop a good chance
63 mins : GOAL! Boudewijn Zenden: Alonso loses the ball in midfield and Zenden's goal is allowed to stand despite being offside
65 mins : Hyypia is walking a tightrope with the referee having already been booked
67 mins : The partisan home crowd are again screaming for a card after Hasselbaink runs into Josemi
69 mins : Parlour shoots straight at Kirkland from 18 yards
70 mins : Riggott concedes a corner
70 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Josemi Josemi:
71 mins : Carragher heads over from the corner
72 mins : Riggott gets back just when Pongolle looks like scoring
73 mins : Garcia curls a tame shot into the arms of Schwarzer
73 mins : Kewell goes around Schwarzer, but cant convert from a tight angle
76 mins : Kewell almost threads Pongolle through but Boro clear
77 mins : Booking: George Boateng:
80 mins : Garcia shoots from outside the box, but it's blocked
81 mins : Liverpool have a corner
81 mins : Hyypia deflects the ball goalwards, but it's easy for Schwarzer
83 mins : Liverpool come forward looking for a way back into the game, but it looks unlikely they will
84 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Xabi Alonso:
84 mins : Riise shoots wide as hopes fade
86 mins : Hasselbaink shoots wide after combining with Viduka
87 mins : Substitution: Joseph-Desire Job for Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink:
88 mins : Traore requires treatment after falling heavily
90 mins : Gerrard feeds Pongolle, but no one can connect with his shot as it runs across the six yard box
90 mins : Substitution: Szilard Nemeth for Boudewijn Zenden:

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Monaco (Monaco) -  Lverpool 1- 0

 
Tuesday 23 November 2004 19:45 Champions League Group Phase
 
 
"Monaco" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Saviola 54    
 
 30  Flavio Roma
  3  Patrice Evra
  6  Jaroslav Plasil
 13  Douglas Maicon
 15  Akis Zikos
 18  Shabani Nonda
 19  Sebastien Squillaci
 21  Pontus Farnerud
 32 Gael Givet (c)
 10  Ernesto Chevanton
  9  Javier Saviola

 Subs:
  1  Fabien Audard
  4  Francois Modesto
 12  Josef Oshadogan
  5  Diego Perez
 35  Hassan El Fakiri
  8  Mohamed Kallon
 24  Emmanuel Adebayor
   20  Chris Kirkland
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 25  Igor Biscan
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 10  Luis Garcia
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 28  Stephen Warnock
 14  Xabi Alonso
  7  Harry Kewell
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 15  Salif Diao
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Chevanton (Perez 67)
 Saviola (Adebayor 73)
 Farnerud (Modesto 79)
   Garcia (Rey 3)
 Traore (Kewell 58)
 Rey (Warnock 64)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)
 Booked:    Booked: Traore 41, Hamann 45, Warnock
VENUE   MANAGERS
Stade Louis II (capacity 20,000)
Attendance: 15,000
  Didier Deschamps (Monaco)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

Official matchday programme  Price:

  Notes:

  - Rey needed 20 stitches in a head wound.

  REDS BATTERED AND BRUISED IN MONACO

  Liverpool's Champions League hopes took turn for the worse inside the Louis II stadium in Monaco on Tuesday night as Rafael Benitez's side were beaten by a solitary second-half goal from fellow countryman Javier Pedro Saviola.

  While the Reds can still qualify for the next round, the task in hand was made all the more harder by tonight's defeat coupled with Olympiacos beating Deportivo La Coruna in Athens. Liverpool now must beat Olympiacos by two clear goals at Anfield in December if they're to progress in this season's tournament.

  If tonight's set of results weren't bad enough, the 2,500 travelling Liverpool supporters had to suffer the sight of two of their heroes being stretched off down the tunnel in front of them. The sight of Liverpool players being carried off the pitch in recent weeks has become an all too frequent event and tonight, Luis Garcia and Josemi left the pitch in a similar fashion to Djibril Cisse three weeks ago. Josemi was carried off with a badly cut eye after a sickening but accidental clash of heads but even more worrying for the Liverpool bench was the injury picked up by Garcia.

  Just when Rafael Benitez thought he had been reduced to the absolute bare minimum in the Anfield strikers department, he was dealt yet another devastating blow when Luis Garcia, a midfielder forced to play in attack in the absence of Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros, appeared to pull a hamstring in his left leg in only the second minute of the game. With Michael Owen choosing to leave the day the season started, Benitez was already struggling for proven strikers to rotate before Cisse was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg at Ewood Park and Baros was struck down by a hamstring injury on international duty last week which could see him out for another three weeks.

  While we'll have to wait to see how serious the injury to Garcia is, the fact that he was stretchered off with his hands covering a face showing severe signs of pain doesn't look good. With Arsenal to come on Sunday at Anfield, Liverpool have been left with only two inexperienced strikers in Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor to choose from.

  While Mellor started tonight's match, Pongolle and Harry Kewell, a midfielder who like Garcia has been used as a makeshift striker this season, began the game on the bench. Mellor for Kewell wasn't the only change from the team who started and lost against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday. Xabi Alonso and Josemi (who came on for Garcia) were both relegated to the bench with Steven Gerrard and Igor Biscan coming in to strengthen the midfield.

  Indeed it was Biscan who enjoyed Liverpool's only chance of the first half when he managed to make room inside the box for a shot that drifted just wide of Flavio Roma's goal in front of the Liverpool fans.

  While Liverpool were particularly shot shy in the first half, Monaco were no better with only Javier Pedro Saviola threatening Chris Kirkland's goal with a low drive across the face of the goal and past his left post.

  The chance, coming after 44 minutes, was a stark warning of what Saviola was capable of and the threat became all too real when the Spaniard put the home side ahead 10 minutes after the restart. Saviola appeared to handle the ball inside the area before sending his shot past Kirkland but despite the protests of every player in yellow, the referee signalled for the goal to stand.

  Even with Josemi stretchered off 10 minutes after the goal, Liverpool battled on and might have equalised through both Gerrard and Sami Hyypia. First Gerrard forced Roma into a low save from a long-range shot while the keeper had to be at his very best to deny a goal bound Sami Hyypia header with just five minutes remaining. It was the closest the visitors would come to have anything at all positive to return home to Merseyside with.

  Teams

  Monaco: Roma, Evra, Plasil, Squillaci, Maicon, Givet, Zikos, Farnerud, Nonda, Chevanton, Saviola. Subs - Adebayor, Audard, El Fakiri, Kallon, Modesto, Oshadogan, Perez.

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Hamann, Gerrard, Garcia, Mellor. Subs - Alonso, Diao, Dudek, Josemi, Kewell, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

1 mins : Mellor and Gerrard kick the game off for Liverpool
1 mins : Garcia wins an early free kick for the Reds on the right
2 mins : Hamann's lofted ball forward is too strong for Hyypia to keep in play
2 mins : Garcia pulls up after appearing to pull a hamstring and needs a stretcher to help him off the field
4 mins : Kirkland is out quickly to head clear as Monaco launch an attack
5 mins : Riise heads the ball towards Mellor but the Monaco goalkeeper is out to save low down
5 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Luis Garcia:
8 mins : CORRECTION: LFC substitution - Josemi replaced Garcia
15 mins : Zikos launches the ball forward but Kirkland is happy to watch it drift wide of his goal
17 mins : Chevanton fires a free kick well wide of the goal from 30 yards
19 mins : Traore's the latest Liverpool player to need treatment after falling awkwardly in a challenge
22 mins : Good defending by Traore to clear following good play by Saviola
27 mins : Carragher has to move quickly in his own area to concede a corner and prevent a cross coming in
31 mins : Biscan almost creates space for Mellor to get a shot in with some excellent play in the midfield
33 mins : Good play by Hyypia to intercept as Monaco pile forward again in search of the breakthrough
36 mins : Biscan's shot on the half volley from inside the area goes wide
37 mins : Nonda takes an age to get a shot in when well placed and Liverpool eventually clear
41 mins : Booking: Djimi Traore:
43 mins : Expert defending from Carrahgher to clear heroically for a corner
44 mins : Saviola fires inches wide of the far post as Monaco seriously test the Liverpool goal for the first time
45 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
20:31 GMT : Half Time Reached

20:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Monaco kick off the second period
47 mins : Riise has a chance to cross from the left but scuffs it and Roma saves easily
48 mins : Excellent chance for Saviola outside the area but he drives it wide off the outside of his left foot
50 mins : Maicon's cross from the right just misses Saviola's head before Kirkland clutches the ball low down
53 mins : Quick Liverpool break as Gerrard finds space in midfield but his pass to Mellor is well over-hit
55 mins : GOAL! Javier Saviola: Saviola controls the ball in the area and smashes it past Kirkland for the game's first goal
56 mins : Long range free kick from Gerrard which is well held by Roma
59 mins : Substitution: Josemi Josemi for Djimi Traore:
61 mins : Josemi suffers a cut to the head following a nasty collision with one of the Monaco players
64 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Josemi Josemi:
65 mins : Gerrard swings in a free kick which Roma punches away under pressure
66 mins : Gerrard has a shooting chance after good work by Kewell but fires his shot at Roma
72 mins : Kirkland gets down quickly to keep out a vicious low drive from Farnerud
74 mins : Substitution: Shedi Adebayor for Javier Saviola:
76 mins : Maicon works his way into a good position on the right but then blasts the ball well wide of the goal
78 mins : Substitution: Francois Modesto for Pontus Farnerud:
81 mins : Booking: Stephen Warnock:
85 mins : Hyypia's header brilliantly saved by Roma as the equaliser looked inevitable

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool- Arsenal 2- 1

 
Sunday 28 November 2004 16:05 Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 2 - 1 "Arsenal"
  (1-0)  
 
GOAL
 Alonso 41, Mellor 90    Viera 57
 
Team: 22. Chris Kirkland, 6. John Arne Riise, 23. Jamie Carragher, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 7. Harry Kewell, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 14. Xabi Alonso, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle, 33. Neil Mellor.

Subs: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 28. Stephen Warnock, 18. Antonio Nunez, 15. Salif Diao, 25. Igor Biscan.
  Team: Jens Lehmann, Lauren, Kolo Toure, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, Francesc Fabregas, Robert Pires, Jose Reyes, Thierry Henry.

Subs: Mathieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Manuel Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Robin van Persie.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Sinama Pongolle (Nunez 69)    Reyes (Van Persie 67)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alan Wiley
 Booked:    Booked: Viera 59, Henry 84
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 43,730
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

  Price:J3,00

  LATE MELLOR STRIKE SECURES DESERVED WIN

  A last minute wonder strike from Neil Mellor gave Liverpool a deserved 2-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield today.

  The game had looked set to end in a draw after Patrick Viera had cancelled out Xabi Alonso?s first half stike, but Mellor had other ideas as he latched on to a loose ball and swept a wonderful half volley past Lehman from 25 yards. The goal almost lifted the roof off Anfield and put the smiles back on Liverpool faces after consecutive defeats to Middlesbrough and Monaco.

  The midweek loss of Luis Garcia, Djimi Troare and Josemi to add to Milan Baros and Djbril Cisse left Rafa Benitez with few options for the visit of a full strength Arsenal side. But he needn?t have worried as his side produced a performance to silence their critics.

  The question on the lips of Reds? fans before the game had been who would score the goals and Benitez handed that responsibility to Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama Pongolle. And they were helped significantly by a midfield four that got forward at every opportunity.

 Hamann, Alonso, Kewell and Gerrard all looked to test Lehman in the opening half and the Reds may have felt they should have had a penalty when Gerrard?s 3rd minute burst into the box was ended by a challenge from Toure.

  Liverpool went on to dominate the first half and deserved the 41st minute lead given to them by Alonso?s strike. Steven Gerrard looked close to a return to his brilliant best after his return from injury and it was his ball that found Alonso in acres of space to apply a smooth finish beyond Lehman.

  The lead lasted just 12 second half minutes though as Patrick Viera scored from Arsenal?s first attack of any note. The French midfielder exchanged passes with Robert Pires before advancing on Kirland and finishing coolly into the Anfield Road net.

  Despite Arsenal?s goal, Liverpool continued to get the better of their illustrious rivals and driven on by a vocal home crowd they tried everything in an attempt to restore their advantage. And Man of the Match Gerrard almost did that when his 78th minute strike forced Lehman into a fingertip save.

  Mellor?s injury time strike gave Liverpool more than they had expected, but Rafa Benitez will already have been encouraged by the manner of the performance and the return to form of Steven Gerrard. Antonio Nunez also made his first team bow as a second half substitute and everyone at Anfield will be feeling a lot better after a difficult week.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Hamann, Gerrard, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Biscan, Diao, Dudek, Nunez, Warnock

  Arsenal: Lehmann, Cole, Campbell, Toure, , Pires, Fabregas, Vieira, Ljungberg, Henry, Reyes. Subs - Almunia, Flamini, Hoyte, Senderos, van Persie.

  Referee: A Wiley

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 43,730

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

1 mins : Arsenal kick off attacking the Kop
2 mins : Gerrard's corner from the left is too strong for Hyypia to meet inside the area
3 mins : Gerrard goes down after a run into the box but the ref doesn't give a penalty
5 mins : Riise fouls Lauren in full flight, giving the Gunners a free kick which Henry wastes
11 mins : Henry attempts a mazy run in the area but Liverpool defend well and clear
13 mins : Alonso turns and shoots from 25 yards but the ball drifts wide
17 mins : Henry sends a cross into the area but it's no problem for Kirkland to deal with
20 mins : Gerrard's free kick takes a deflection and goes behind for a corner
24 mins : Good run by Gerrard but Kewell's touch is poor and the chance for a shot on goal is gone
28 mins : Riise sends Mellor through but the youngster is flagged offside as his shot clips the top of the bar
30 mins : Kewell sends a header goalwards which Lehmann clutches to his right
34 mins : Hyypia rises to meet Alonso's corner but can only head the ball well over
41 mins : GOAL! Xabi Alonso: Right foot rocket into top corner from 30 yards. Brilliant strike.
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway
49 mins : Good challenge by Gerrard on the far side to keep Liverpool on the attack
54 mins : Finnan sees off the challenges of two Arsenal players to keep possession. Liverpool doing well.
55 mins : Magical play by Pongolle down the left but his cross is cleared
56 mins : Hamann lets fly from 30 yards but Lehmann saves low down
57 mins : GOAL! Patrick Vieira: Chipped finish from close range after brilliant Arsenal move
59 mins : Booking: Patrick Vieira:
61 mins : Mellor sets up a shooting chance for Alonso but this time the Spaniard blasts well wide
65 mins : Mellor almost bursts through the middle but Toure clears the danger
67 mins : Substitution: Robin van Persie for Jose Reyes:
68 mins : Henry chips the ball into the area and into Kirkland's arms
69 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Florent Sinama Pongolle:
72 mins : Gerrard's cross into the area forces Toure into some last ditch defending to keep the ball out
73 mins : Gerrard drives into the area and shoots into the side netting
78 mins : Mellor's shot is saved by Lehmann and Kewell blasts the rebound miles over
82 mins : Henry goes for goal from 40 yards but misses the target
83 mins : Booking: Thierry Henry:
85 mins : Kirkland is down quickly to keep out Henry after a speedy Arsenal break
90 mins : Two extra minutes to be played

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Tottenham Hotspur  1 - 1  Liverpool

 
Wednesday 1 December 2004 19:45 League / Carling Cup 5th Round
 
Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool
1 - 1  (0-0)
extra-time (3-4 on pealty, 1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0-0)
GOAL
 Defoe 108  Sinama-Pongolle 117 p
 
  1  Paul Robinson
 16  Retro Ziegler
 30  Anthony Gardner
 26  Ledley King
 17  Noe Pamarot
 24  Thimothee Atouba
 11  Michael Brown
 23  Michael Carrick
 27  Rohan Ricketts
 10  Robbie Keane
  9  Freddie Kanoute

 Subs:
 25  Marton Fulop
  2  Noureddine Naybet
  8  Pedro Mendes
 15  Jamie Redknapp
 18  Jermaine Defoe
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 28  Stephen Warnock
 37  Zak Whitbread
 31  David Raven
 18  Antonio Nunez
 25  Igor Biscan
 34  Darren Potter
 15  Salif Diao
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
 22  Chris Kirkland
 26  Richie Partridge
 32  John Welsh
 41  Mark Smyt
 42  Robbie Foy
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Ricketts (Defoe 65)
 Keane (Mendes 85)
 Mellor (Welsh 51)
 Nunez (Smyth 69)
 Diao (Partridge 110)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Neale Barry
 Booked: Pamarot 38, Gardner 78  Booked: Welsh 58
VENUE MANAGERS
White Hart Lane (capacity 36,236)
Attendance: 36,100
Martin Jol (Tottenham H)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Antonio Nunez makes his LFC debut

  - David Raven makes his LFC debut

  - Mark Smyth makes his LFC debut

  Penalty:

  1 - 0 Defoe
  1 - 1 Henchoz
  2 - 1 Carrick
  2 - 2 Partridge
  2 - 2 Kanoute (Saved)
  2 - 2 Potter (Saved)
  2 - 2 Brown (Missed)
  3 - 2 Welsh
  3 - 3 Ziegler
4 - 3 Sinama-Pongolle

  RAFA'S RED ROOKIES DO IT AGAIN

  Liverpool's remarkable progress in this season's Carling Cup continues after an inexperienced Reds squad performed heroically to defeat Tottenham on penalties in the quarter-final at White Hart Lane.

  On another proud night for the club, the Reds' up and coming youngsters performed admirably to book a place in the last four of the competition.

  Florent Sinama-Pongolle scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out but every player was a hero as Rafa's red rookies defied the odds again.

  Despite starting slowly they grew in stature as the game progressed fully deserved this victory.

  Even though a place in the final of this competition was tantalising close Rafael Benitez opted to field a virtual second-string side, handing a senior debut to 19-year old full-back David Raven and also including fellow youngsters Stephen Warnock, Zak Whitbread and Darren Potter in the starting eleven.

  There was also a first start for Antonio Nunez and recalls for Jerzy Dudek, who captained the side, Stephane Henchoz, Igor Biscan and Salif Diao.

  In contrast, Spurs were almost at full strength and it was they who started the game brighter in front of a capacity crowd at White Hart Lane.

  After just five minutes Liverpool were given a scare when Freddie Kanoute turned Zak Whitbread inside the area and hit the bar with a well-struck shot.

  The home side continued to enjoy the majority of possession and Rohan Ricketts spurned a glorious opportunity when he headed wide from close-range on 19 minutes.

  Dudek was the busier of the two keepers and he twice kept Martin Jol's men at bay with impressive saves as the half wore on.

  Liverpool's inexperience during the first period was evident, although debutant Raven was an impressive performer who did not look out of his depth at this level.

  The attacking partnership of Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama-Pongolle failed to trouble Paul Robinson in the Tottenham goal and early in the second half Mellor was replaced by reserve captain John Welsh.

  Spurs remained in the ascendancy and Robbie Keane missed an open goal after a mistake by Dudek but the big Pole quickly made amends when denying thesame player with stunning fingertip save.

  After 69 minutes Benitez handed another graduate from the club's Academy a senior debut when he sent on pacy attacker Mark Smyth to replace Nunez.

  An England youth international, Smyth got involved immediately and went close to breaking the deadlock just moments after entering the fray with a low drive that forced Robinson into a low save.

  The Reds were certainly looking livelier as the game entered its closing stages and Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner was lucky not be sent off when he stopped Pongolle in his tracks as the French strike attempted to run clear through on goal.

  Welsh then tried his luck with a shot from distance that sailed narrowly over the bar and Liverpool, roared on by a vociferous contingent of 2,800 freezing Liverpudlians, had a vastly experienced Tottenham on the rack.

  Spurs will have been relieved to heard the full-time whistle but with the bit between their teeth the Reds started extra-time as they'd finished the 90 minutes and Welsh had the travelling fans on their feet with a right-footed curler that was just inches wide.

  If anyone deserved a goal at this stage it was Liverpool but it was Spurs who finally broke the deadlock through Defoe, 12 minutes from time. Kanoute crossed low and Defoe converted from close-range.

  It was a cruel blow and the Benitez Babes looked to heading for a heartbreaking exit from the Carling Cup. However, this epic tie was not over and with just five minutes remaining Pongolle scored from the spot and force a penalty shoot-out.

  Defoe, Henchoz, Carrick and Partridge all netted before the pendulum swung Liverpool's way when Dudek saved from Kanoute. Unfortunately, Potter then hit a post but Brown blazed over the bar. Welsh put the Reds ahead for the first time and although Ziegler equalised, Pongolle secured an unforgettable triumph by converting his second penalty of the night.

  With a place in the Cardiff final now just two games away this set of players seem determined to go all the way and who would bet against them?

  What a night!

  Teams

  Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Ziegler, Gardner, King, Pamarot, Atouba, Brown, Carrick, Ricketts, Keane, Rasiak. Subs - Defoe, Fulop, Mendes, Naybet, Redknapp.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Henchoz, Whitbread, Raven, Potter, Biscan, Diao, Nunez, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Foy, Kirkland, Partridge, Smyth, Welsh.

  Referee: Neale Barry

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: David Raven

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool get the quarter final underway
1 mins : Whitbread concedes an early corner from Carrick's delivery into the area
1 mins : Henchoz's clearance goes straight to Pamarot but his cross is too strong
4 mins : Warnock does well to keep Ricketts at bay inside the box, but he is forced to concede another corner
5 mins : Kanoute turns well in the box but blasts his shot against the bar. Best chance so far
6 mins : Potter exchanges passes with Biscan in midfield before firing high and wide from 30 yards
9 mins : Kanoute goes for goal again but this time scuffs his shot well wide
11 mins : Great goalkeeping from Dudek to smother the ball under pressure from Ziegler
15 mins : Ziegler sends a vicious left footed drive into the side netting of Dudek's goal
19 mins : Ricketts somehow misses the target with a free header from 8 yards following Kanoute's cross
21 mins : Dudek scampers across his goal to keep out a deflected shot from Keane
27 mins : Brown is well placed outside the area but drags his shot well wide
29 mins : Great defending by Henchoz as Ricketts prepared to cross into the danger zone
35 mins : Ricketts has a chance from a tight angle but blasts his right footed shot wide of the far post
37 mins : Keane turns Diao inside the area but Dudek makes a fine stop
38 mins : Booking: Noe Pamarot: Foul on Pongolle
45 mins : One extra minute to be played
46 mins : Tottenham get the second period underway
47 mins : Weaving run by Pongolle down the left almost creates a chance for the Reds
48 mins : Potter's forward ball almost finds Mellor but Spurs clear
49 mins : Potter's corner to the near post is clutched by Robinson. Good start to second half by Liverpool
51 mins : Substitution: John Welsh for Neil Mellor:
53 mins : Keane misses an open goal after Dudek fails to hold the ball under a challenge
58 mins : Booking: John Welsh:
59 mins : Brilliant save from Dudek to turn Keane's goalbound volley over for a corner
65 mins : Substitution: Jermaine Defoe for Rohan Ricketts:
68 mins : Welsh shoots from 30 yards but Robinson is untroubled
69 mins : Substitution: Mark Smyth for Antonio Nunez:
71 mins : Smyth's low drive is well saved by Robinson at his near post
78 mins : Booking: Anthony Gardner: Foul on Pongolle when the Reds' striker was through. Should have been a red card
82 mins : Welsh shoots from distance but the ball was always rising over the bar
84 mins : Biscan charges forward but has the ball taken off him just as he was about to shoot
85 mins : Substitution: Pedro Mendes for Robbie Keane:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be added
90 mins : Diao shoots over after the chance had been created for him by Biscan's trickery
91 mins : Liverpool kick off the first period of extra time
94 mins : Kanoute fires a shot goalwards on the turn which clears the bar
95 mins : Welsh curls an effort just wide with his right foot. As close as we've come tonight
96 mins : Welsh forces another save from Robinson after Pongolle had been held up in the area
99 mins : Sensational tackle from Raven to deny Defoe a clear shot on goal.
106 mins : Defoe turns and shoots from 20 yards but Dudek saves well
108 mins : GOAL! Jermaine Defoe: Close range finish from Kanoute's cross
110 mins : Substitution: Richie Partridge for Salif Diao:
114 mins : Robinson turns Pongolle's header over from close range
115 mins : Penalty Scored! Florent Sinama Pongolle: Struck the pen into the bottom corner to get the Reds back on terms
120 mins : End of extra time: Penalties pending
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Jermaine Defoe:
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Stephane Henchoz:
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Michael Carrick:
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Richie Partridge:
120 mins : Kanoute misses pen for Spurs
120 mins : Potter misses pen in shoot-out
120 mins : Brown misses pen in shoot-out
120 mins : Penalty Scored! John Welsh:
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Retro Ziegler:

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Aston Villa- Lverpool 1- 1

 
Saturday 4 December 2004 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Aston Villa" 1 - 1 "Liverpool"
  (1-1)  
 
GOAL
 Solano 44    Kewell 17
 
  1  Thomas Sorensen
  6  Gareth Barry
  2  Mark Delaney
  4  Olaf Mellberg (c)
  3  J Lloyd Samuel
 11  Solano
 24  Steve Davis
  8  Gavin McCann
 15  Ulises De la Cruz
 18  Carlton Cole
  9  Juan Pablo Angel

 Subs:
 13  Stefan Postma
 19  Liam Ridgewell
 16  Mathieu Berson
 17  Peter Whittingham
 22  Luke Moore
   22  Chris Kirkland
  6  John Arne Riise
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 18  Antonio Nunez
 14  Xabi Alonso
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 21  Djimi Traore
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 15  Salif Diao
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Cole (Moore 35)
 McCann (Berson 69)
 
   Nunez (Rey 46)
 Mellor (Traore 62)
 Sinama-Pongolle (Gerrard 82)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Halsey
 Booked: Mellberg 79    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Villa Park (capacity 42,584)
Attendance: 42,593
  David O'Leary (Aston V)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J

  Notes:

  - Harry Kewell's first goal for LFC for 33 games since 29th February 2004.

ROUGH LUCK FOR LIVERPOOL AS IT FINISHES 1-1

  Liverpool will again be cursing their luck after a controversial refereeing decision deprived them of all three points against Aston Villa at Villa Park today.

  Harry Kewell had broken his scoring duck to give the Reds a deserved lead after they had dominated the first half. But a poor decision by referee Mark Halsey gave Nolberto Solano the chance to equalise with half time imminent.

  With the contrasting and decisive offside decisions at Middlesbrough still fresh in the memory, Rafa Benitez will again be wondering what his side have to do to record a victory away from Anfield.

  Liverpool started the game brightly as Neil Mellor twice found himself in space deep inside Villa territory. And then a poor punch from Sorenson caused panic inside the opposition penalty area.

  It continued to be one way traffic as the Reds looked comfortable in possession while their Midlands rivals looked anything but. Liverpool's passing was sharp and incisive and it seemed only a matter of time before they would break the deadlock.

  John Arne Riise threatened to do just that after 10 minutes when he cut inside and unleashed a drive which was held by Sorenson. But we didn't have to wait too long for the Reds to capitalise on their early dominance as Harry Kewell latched onto Jamie Carragher's centre to score his first goal in 34 games and give Liverpool the lead.

  It was the least that Rafa's men deserved and they continued to turn the screw on Villa as they searched for only their second away win in the Premiership this season. It took a great save from Sorenson to prevent Neil Mellor from doubling their advantage after 24 minutes.

  The home side were controversially level when Nolberto Solano scored a free kick on the stroke of half time. It was completely against the run of play and equally harsh on the Reds as it appeared no offence had been committed.

  Liverpool players were furious when referee Halsey gave a free kick against Jamie Carragher after Gavin McCann had gone down on the edge of the box and the ex Everton player was even seen to apologise afterwards. Nevertheless the goal stood and Liverpool'searly work had been undone.

  Steven Gerrard almost restored the Reds' lead early in the second half with a free kick that was saved by Sorenson. And to their credit, the Reds didn't allow the injustice of Villa's equaliser to affect them as they continued to play the better football.

  Rafa Benitez made a change on the hour when he brought Djimi Traore on for Neil Mellor and pushed Harry Kewell upfront on his own. But it didn't affect the rhythm of his side and Gerrard and Kewell both had chances as the Reds looked the only likely winners.

  A winner never materialised though and the Reds were made to settle for a draw. They will take a lot of heart from another good performance as they continue to improve.

  The story of this game though will centre on a poor refereeing decision, but it will be of no consolation to Liverpool and Rafa Benitez as their play deserved much more than they got.

  Teams

  Aston Villa (4-4-2): Sorensen, De La Cruz, Delaney, Mellberg (c), Samuel; Solano, Davis, McCann, Barry, Cole, Angel.
Subs - Berson, Moore, Ridgewell, Taylor, Whittingham, Postma.

  Liverpool (4-5-1): Kirkland, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Hamann, Nunez, Gerrard (c), Mellor. Subs - Diao, Dudek, Josemi, Sinama Pongolle, Traore.

  Referee: M Halsey

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 42,593

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

15:01 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Villa kick-off attacking the goal where the majority of travelling Liverpudlians are seated
2 mins : Good move by Liverpool down the right is started by Nunez and ends with Mellor doing well to force a corner
4 mins : A teasing centre by Hamann causes problems for Sorensen and Villa are relieved to clear the danger
7 mins : Liverpool are dominating the early stages and lone striker Mellor is seeing a lot of the ball
10 mins : Riise chests the ball down and cuts in from the left before unleashing a powerful shot into the arms of Sorensen
16 mins : Hamann is fouled just outside the box by Mellberg and Liverpool are awarded a free-kick
17 mins : GOAL! Harry Kewell: heads in from close-range after Carragher heads the ball back across goal from Gerrard's set-piece
22 mins : Liverpool are threatening to run away with this game and have been very impressive so far
24 mins : Great diving save by Sorensen denies Mellor following another flowing attack
32 mins : Gerrard fires wide on the volley after a sublime pass from Alonso
35 mins : Substitution: Luke Moore for Carlton Cole:
38 mins : Gerrard forces Sorensen into a low save after cutting in from the right
41 mins : Mellor almost siezes on a slack back-pass by Mellberg but Sorensen is quick off his line to clear the danger
43 mins : Villa win a free-kick after McCann takes a dive following a tackle by Carragher
44 mins : GOAL! Nolberto Solano: expertly taken free-kick gives Kirkland no chance
15:48 GMT : Half Time Reached

16:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Josemi Josemi for Antonio Nunez:
48 mins : Brilliant back-heel by Gerrard releases Kewell but he over-runs the ball as a promising break was on the cards
52 mins : Gerrard curls a free-kick around the Villa wall but Sorensen gets down well to save
43 mins : Alonso shoots over from just outside the box
56 mins : A timely challenge by Delaney stops Gerrard in his tracks as he charges towards goal
62 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for Neil Mellor:
66 mins : Gerrard stings the fingers of Sorensen with a rasping drive that the keeper saves at his near post
68 mins : Kirkland does well to tip the ball over the bar from a Solano free-kick
69 mins : Substitution: Mathieu Berson for Gavin McCann:
70 mins : Kewell spurns a good opportunity after breaking through on the right side of the area
79 mins : Booking: Olaf Mellberg: deliberate handball
80 mins : Alonso heads wide from a Gerrard corner on the right
82 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Steven Gerrard:
88 mins : Solano fires wide as Villa apply some late pressure
89 mins : Kewell flashes a shot across the face of goal with what could be our last chance
16:51 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool- Oimpiacos (Athens, Greece) 3- 1

 
Wednesday 8 December 2004 19:45 Champions League Group Phase
 
 
"Liverpool" 3 - 1 "Olympiacos"
  (0-1)  
 
GOAL
 Sinama Pongolle 47, Mellor 80, Gerrard 86    Rivaldo 27
 
Team: 22. Chris Kirkland, 23. Jamie Carragher, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 7. Harry Kewell, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 18. Antonio Nunez, 14. Xabi Alonso, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 2. Stephane Henchoz, 28. Stephen Warnock, 17. Josemi Rey, 15. Salif Diao, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle, 33. Neil Mellor.
  Team: Antonios Nikopolidis, Anastasios Pantos, Giorgios Anatolakis, Gabriel Schurrer, Stylianos Venetidis, Georgiadis, Pantellis Kafes, Ieroklis Stoltidis, Pedrag Djordjevic, Rivaldo, Giovanni.

Subs: Giannou, Efthimios Kouloucheris, Milos Maric, Nery Castillo, Ivan Rezic, Spiridon Vallas, Yiannis Okkas.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Djimi Traore (Sinama Pongolle 46), Baros (Mellor 78'), Finnan (Rey 85)    Georgiadis (Rezic 70), Venetidis (Maric 84), Giovanni (Okkas 87)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez
 Booked: Gerrard, Alonso, Carragher    Booked: Kafes, Venetidis, Anatolakis
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 42,045
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Dusan Bajevic (Olympiacos)

  Price:J3,00

  REDS THROUGH IN ANFIELD THRILLER

  On a night to rank alongside the finest in Anfield history Liverpool sensationally secured their place in the knockout phase of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Olympiacos.

  Second half goals from Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Neil Mellor and Steven Gerrard cancelled out a first half free-kick by Rivaldo to complete an incredible comeback and raise the roof off an ecstatic Kop.

  With a win by two clear goals required, Gerrard struck the all-important goal just four minutes from time to spark unbridled scenes of delirium.

  The pre-match talk had centred on the welcome return of Milan Baros who had missed the previous five games with a hamstring injury. The Czech striker replaced Neil Mellor in the lone attacking role, while the only other change from Saturday's starting line-up saw Djimi Traore come in for the suspended Didi Hamann.

  With such high rewards at stake the atmosphere was electric as the two teams entered the field. The banners were once again out in force on the Kop, while at the opposite end an impressive 3,000 strong army of away fans were colourful and vociferous.

  The drama began immediately. Straight from the kick-off Liverpool forced three corners in quick succession and from the third Baros almost headed home a sensational early opener. Rising high to meet Gerrard's set-piece his effort was headed off the line by a Greek defender but when the referee signalled the majority of Anfield thought he'd indicated the ball had crossed the line. Unfortunately, he had blown up for a foul.

  Gerrard then saw a shot deflected behind for another corner, from which Hyypia headed into the side-netting, much to the embarrassment of the fans in the Kemlyn Road, who thought he'd scored.

  Only three minutes had passed. The pace was fast and the tempo high.
Rivaldo attempted to redress the balance with a speculative long-range free-kick that sailed high into the Kop but from a similar position soon afterwards he caused Kopites hearts to flutter when Gerrard had to deflect his effort narrowly over the bar.

   As usual, the Reds skipper was involved all over the pitch and on 20 minutes he saw a hopeful back-flick inside a crowded area bounce agonisingly back off the foot of the post.

  At this point Liverpool were well on top and seemingly in the driving seat but Anfield was rocked when Rivaldo broke the deadlock six minutes later.

  Baros lost possession on the edge of the Olympiacos box and was made to pay the ultimate penalty. The ball fell to the feet of Rivaldo, who then proceeded to shrug off the challenge of Alonso and run half the length of the field before being brought down by Hyypia as he threatened to run clear through on goal.

  The resultant free-kick should have caused no problem but Nunez stepped out of line and the ball flew straight in past a grounded Kirkland.

  It was a killer-blow. And with Monaco running riot in La Coruna it meant the Reds now needed to score three to progress.

  The fans did their best to lift the players' spirits with a rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone as the second half commenced and it seemed to work.

  Rafa's men began the second period as they did the first and Pongolle, a half-time substitute for Traore, made an immediate impact. Kewell cut in from the left and centred to Pongolle who made no mistake converting from close-range.

  It changed the mood around Anfield in an instant. Suddenly there was hope but as the decibels grew louder so too did Liverpool's anxiety to get another goal.

  Gerrard's frustration boiled over in the 55th minute when he fouled Stoltidis when attempting to launch an attack from his own half. It earned him a yellow card and one-game suspension.

  There was further frustration for the skipper seven minutes later when his speculative volley from 30-yards squirmed under the Greek keeper and into the net, only for him to then discover that the ref had already blown for an earlier infringement.

  Liverpool continued to press forward but when an unmarked Kewell headed into the arms of the keeper 15 minutes from time you sensed it was not going to be our night.

  But not one player in a red shirt gave up the fight and when Mellor came off the bench and made it 2-1 on 80 minutes Anfield exploded.

  The Greeks were visibly shaken and the red tide surged forward. Time continued to tick away and as the clock moved onto 86 minutes Gerrard unleashed a 30-yard screamer that whistled into the far corner of the net.

  It's debatable whether this famous old ground has ever known scenes like the ones that followed and with a place in the last 16 of Europe's premier cup competition secured, let's hope more will follow.

  We've heard all about the legendary European occasions of the past against Inter Milan and St Etienne.

  This was as good, if not better!

  Teams

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Gerrard, Nunez, Baros, Kewell. Subs - Diao, Dudek, Henchoz, Josemi, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Olympiacos: Nikopolidis, Venetidis, Anatolakis, Schurrer, Pantos, Djordjevic, Kafes, Stoltidis, Pappat, Kapsis, . Subs - Castillo, Kouloucheris, Maric, Okkas, Rezic, Vallas, Yiannou.

  Referee: Manuel Gonzales

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Florent Sinama-Pongolle

  Breakdown

19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Liverpool get the game underway and instantly win a corner
1 mins : Gerrard's corner is easily held by the goalkeeper but Liverpool immediately win another one
2 mins : Baros thinks he's given the Reds the lead but the ref blows for a foul as half of Anfield celebrates the goal that never was
4 mins : Hyypia heads Gerrard's corner into the side netting as the home side completely dominate the early stages
6 mins : Kirkland has to come out quickly to clear under pressure from Rivaldo
8 mins : Rivaldo blasts a free kick from 35 yards well over the Liverpool goal
13 mins : Great defending by Hyypia to intercept a pass which almost sent Giovanni clear on goal
21 mins : Alonso's free kick into the box is sent crashing against the base of the post by Gerrard's clever flick. Good effort
25 mins : Riise crosses for Baros in the area but his shot is deflected and the Greeks clear
25 mins : Rivaldo goes on a brilliant run and wins a free kick on the edge of the area
27 mins : GOAL! Rivaldo : Left footed free kick wrong footed Kirkland to give the Greeks the lead
28 mins : Riise blasts well wide from a decent position on the left hand side
36 mins : Alonso's free kick from distance dips over the Olympiacos goal
42 mins : Booking: Pantellis Kafes:
43 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher:
45 mins : Djordjevic's free kick goes through the wall but Kirkland is down quickly to hold
45 mins : Booking: Giorgios Anatolakis:
20:33 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:48 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Djimi Traore:
47 mins : GOAL! Florent Sinama Pongolle: Kewell crosses from the left and Pongolle turns it home
51 mins : Rivaldo bends a free kick into the area which Gerrard heads clear
55 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard: The skipper is booked and so suspended for the next round if Liverpool progress
57 mins : Finnan fires a great cross into the area after good work from Nunez, but the Greeks clear the danger
60 mins : Rivaldo has space wide on the left but hammers a drive well wide of Kirkland's goal
62 mins : Gerrard's shot squirms through the keeper's arms and into the net but the ref had already blown for an Olympiacos free kick
65 mins : Kewell is brought down on the left edge of the area, giving the Reds a good shooting chance
66 mins : Gerrard's free kick from 30 yards clears the Olympiacos cross bar
70 mins : Substitution: Ivan Rezic for Georgios Georgiadis:
74 mins : Giovanni volleys an effort over the bar from 20 yards. Time ticking away for the Reds now. Two more goals needed.
75 mins : Kewell heads straight into the keeper's arms following a great cross by Pongolle
78 mins : Substitution: Neil Mellor for Milan Baros:
79 mins : Booking: Stylianos Venetidis:
80 mins : GOAL! Neil Mellor: Mellor slots home from close range to set up a dramatic finale. One more goal needed
85 mins : Substitution: Josemi Josemi for Steve Finnan:
86 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Roght foot rocket from 20 yards into corner. Great goal.
87 mins : Substitution: Yiannis Okkas for Giovanni :
90 mins : Rivaldo curls a free kick into Kirkland's arms
21:37 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Everton- Lverpool 1- 0

 
Saturday 11 December 2004 12:45 Barclays Premiership
"Everton" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
(0-0)
GOAL
 Carsley 68
Team: Nigel Martyn, Alessandro Pistone, Alan Stubbs, David Weir, Tony Hibbert, Kevin Kilbane, Tim Cahill, Thomas Gravesen, Lee Carsley, Marcus Bent, Leon Osman.

Subs: Duncan Ferguson, James McFadden, Steve Watson, Richard Wright, Joseph Yobo.
Team: Chris Kirkland, John Arne Riise, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Josemi, Harry Kewell, Salif Diao, Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard, Neil Mellor, Florent Sinama Pongolle.

Subs: Xabi Alonso, Jerzy Dudek, Steve Finnan, Antonio Nunez, Djimi Traore.
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Bent (Ferguson 76), Gravesen (Yobo 83), Osman (Watson 87)  Hamann (Nunez 66), Pongolle Traore (74), Diao (Alonso 79)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
 Hibbert 27, Ferguson 84  Diao 29, Riise 58, Josemi 65
VENUE MANAGERS
Goodison Park (capac.: 40,260)
Attendance: 40,552
David Moyes (Everton)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 

  REDS SUFFER DERBY DEFEAT

A second half strike from Lee Carsley has condemned Liverpool to a 1-0 defeat in today's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Reds now find themselves 12 points behind their bitter rivals and Rafa Benitez will hope to forget his first experience of the derby. It is Liverpool's first derby defeat in five years and they will be particularly disappointed not to have built on the momentum
built up by good results over Arsenal, Aston Villa and Olympiacos.

There were a few raised eyebrows when the Liverpool side was announced and Rafa Benitez had made five changes from the side which triumphed over Olympiacos. And those changes seemed to tell as Everton made the better start to the match.

Of course, as is usual in derby matches, chances were of a premium, but Tim Cahill was guilty of missing his side's best chance of the first half after 22 minutes. It came when Bent got clear on the right and his cross found Cahill with the goal at his mercy, but his point blank header drifted wide of Kirkland?s right hand post.

  And just as Cahill had stood with his head in his hands, Neil Mellor repeated the motion as he wondered how Nigel Martyn had kept his 32nd minute header out of the Gwladys Street net after Steven Gerrard's free kick found him unmarked at the far post. Everton managed to scramble the ball clear in the ensuing chaos, but that chance signalled a better period of play for the Reds.

  They came into the match a lot more after Mellor's chance and Sami Hyypia came close as half time approached. But the Everton threat was ever present and at the other end it took a great tackle from Riise to stop Osman just when it looked like the Blues' forward had got clear..

  The second half started with the Reds again in the ascendancy and Salif Diao was almost an unlikely scorer when he fizzed a great volley just over from 18 yards. But it wasn't to last and they found themselves a goal down after 68 minutes when Lee Carsley scored with a curled shot from the edge of the box. Questions will again be asked of Chris Kirkland, but he looked unsighted as Carsley's shot beat him.Only league leaders Chelsea have kept more clean sheets than Everton and Liverpool were now faced with an uphill task. That was almost impossible task soon after when John Arne Riise had to clear off the goal line to keep it at 1-0.

  Liverpool weren?t going to give it up easily though and Steven Gerrard in particular wasn't prepared to accept defeat. He threatened Martyn's goal twice in quick succession and on the second occasion he forced a fine save from the Everton keeper.

  The Reds made last ditch attempts to draw level, but there was to be no equaliser though and it will be the blue half on Merseyside that will have the bragging rights after this 200th derby.

  It is an extremely disappointing day for Liverpool and they now have to pick themselves up for Tuesday's game with Portsmouth when they will hope to start the task of getting back in the title race straight away.

  Teams

  Everton (4-5-1): Martyn, Pistone, Stubbs, Weir, Hibbert, Kilbane, Cahill, Gravesen, Carsley, Bent, Osman. Subs - Ferguson, McFadden, Watson, Wright, Yobo.

  Liverpool (4-5-1): Kirkland, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Josemi, Kewell, Diao, Hamann, Gerrard, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Alonso, Dudek, Finnan, Nunez, Traore.

  Referee: S Bennett

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 40,552

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia

  Breakdown

1 mins : Gerrard and Mellor get the derby underway
1 mins : Everton win the game's first free kick as Hyypia fouls Bent
3 mins : Great tackle by Pistone to prevent Pongolle charging down the Liverpool right
4 mins : Osman clips a cross to the far post which Josemi manages to clear
6 mins : Kewell heads Gerrard's free kick back across the face of goal but the ball drifts behind for a goal kick
8 mins : Good run and shot by Kewell on the edge of the box but Martyn makes a comfortable save to his right
12 mins : Liverpool win their first corner as Riise's cross is deflected behind
14 mins : Mellor's glancing header from Gerrard's free kick goes wide of the far post
20 mins : Nice passine move from the Reds on the edge of the Everton area comes to nothing as Mellor is flagged offside
22 mins : Bent's cross into the box finds the head of Cahill but the Aussie amazingly heads wide. Best chance so far
27 mins : Booking: Tony Hibbert: Foul on Mellor
29 mins : Booking: Salif Diao:
31 mins : Gerrard wins free kick on right hand side after Liverpool break quickly
32 mins : Martyn makes miraculous save to keep out Mellor's close range header and then saves again after a scramble inside the box. As close as we've gone so far
37 mins : Weir has to act quickly to clear the ball as Pongolle prepares to latch onto Mellor's header
38 mins : Brilliant tackle from Riise to deny Osman a shooting chance after a speedy Everton break
39 mins : Hyypia turns Stubbs 12 yards from goal but drives his right footed volley just over
42 mins : Kewell delays too long on the edge of the box and the shooting chance is gone
43 mins : Mellor runs forward to within shooting range and then drags his left footed shot wide
45 mins : One extra minute to be played
45 mins : Kirkland misses the ball as it comes into the area but the Reds escape
46 mins : Everton get the second period underway. No changes for either side at the break
47 mins : Osman goes on a mazy run outside the box which Diao brings to an end with a clearance
47 mins : Osman again worries the Reds with a rising shot from 25 yards which goes high and wide
53 mins : Diao shoots narrowly over after Gerrard's free kick had been half dealt with by the Blues defence
53 mins : Gerrard completely fluffs a free kick as he slips when attempting to whip it into the danger zone
57 mins : Booking: John Arne Riise:
60 mins : Foul by Josemi on the edge of the box gives the home side a good opportunity
62 mins : Gravesen curls the resulting free kick over Kirkland's goal
64 mins : Booking: Josemi Josemi:
66 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Dietmar Hamann:
67 mins : Nunez has a chance to race clear down the right but overplays the ball and can't get his cross in
68 mins : GOAL! Lee Carsley: Right footed shot from outside the area beyond Kirkland into the net
70 mins : Riise scrambles the ball off the line as Cahill goes close to adding a second for the home side
74 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for Neil Mellor:
75 mins : Gerrard smashes the ball wide as it falls nicely to him on the edge of the box
75 mins : Correction: Traore on for Pongolle
76 mins : Substitution: Duncan Ferguson for Marcus Bent:
78 mins : Gerrard forces a fine save from Martyn with a curling right footed effort
79 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Salif Diao:
80 mins : Traore does well on the left to win a corner for Liverpool
80 mins : Riise gets his head to the ball from Gerrard's corner but it goes well wide for an Everton goal kick
81 mins : Kirkland loses the ball on the edge of his box but the ref decides he's been fouled
83 mins : Substitution: Joseph Yobo for Thomas Gravesen:
84 mins : Booking: Duncan Ferguson:
87 mins : Substitution: Steve Watson for Leon Osman:
89 mins : Nunez crosses into the area and Stubbs heads behind for a corner
90 mins : Four added minutes to be played

Liverpool - Portsmouth 2 - 1

 
Tuesday 14 December 2004 20:00 Barclays Premiership
"Liverpool" 1 - 1 "Portsmouth"
(0-0)
GOAL
 Gerrard 70  LuaLua 90
Team: Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, Harry Kewell, Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann, Antonio Nunez, Milan Baros, Steven Gerrard.

Subs: Paul Harrison, Josemi, Neil Mellor, John Arne Riise, Florent Sinama Pongolle.
Team: Jamie Ashdown, Andy Griffin, De Zeeuw, Linvoy Primus, Dejan Stefanovic, Lomana Lua Lua, Amdy Faye, Steve Stone, Gary O'Neill, Peter Berger, Ricardo Fuller.

Subs: Shaka Hislop, Matthew Taylor, Eyal Berkovic, Mezague, Aliou Cisse.
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Baros (Pongolle 82), Nunez (Josemi 89)  Fuller (Taylor 61), Faye (Berkovic 85)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Co Durham)
VENUE MANAGERS
 Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 35,064
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth)

 

  TWO POINTS DROPPED AS POMPEY FORCE DRAW

  Liverpool have been frustrated in their bid to make it seven home wins this season after Lomana Lua Lua resuced a point for Portsmouth in the last minute.

  Steven Gerrard thought he was again the Liverpool hero with the opener 20 minutes from time, but Pompey had other ideas and extended Joe Jordan's unbeaten run as caretaker manager with a late leveller.

  It means the Reds have failed to capitalise on their game in hand and have only managed to close the gap on the top four to six points.

  Questions will doubtless be asked about Jerzy Dudek's contribution to the late goal, but manager Rafael Benitez will be more concerned by the number of chances his players squandered in the second period as they looked to kill the game off.

Liverpool have benefited from a number of late goals themselves this season, notably against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Olympiacos, but how significant the sucker punch they fell victim to at Anfield tonight will be come the end of the season remains to be seen.

The Reds had failed to sparkle in a first half played against a backdrop of the flattest atmosphere Anfield has witnessed this season.

Portsmouth at home may not carry the same high profile as the visits of Arsenal or Olympiacos, but the points are no less important as the Reds chase Champions League football for next season. It was a shame the team or their fans couldn't inspire each other during a dismal opening period. Thankfully, players and supporters alike improved considerably after the break and had it not been for that late shock it would have been a perfect night for the home side.

  Liverpool's only attacks of note during the first 45 minutes came inside the first ten minutes when Milan Baros came close to converting Steven Gerrard's well drilled centre and Dietmar Hamann was inches away from making a perfect contact to Steve Finnan's glancing header, but he only managed to turn the ball wide.

  Managerless Portsmouth were happy to defend in numbers and wait for opportunities to hit Liverpool on the break. The fact they came so close on a few occasions to exploiting that tactic to the full only served to increase the anxiety among the home supporters.

  Lomana Lua Lua twice used his searing pace to create opportunities for himself which, thankfully, he wasted and Gary O'Neill almost looped the ball over the recalled Jerzy Dudek and into theKop net on the stroke of half time.

  Liverpool almost broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half but Steven Gerrard, having done the hard work in finding space for himself in the area, then lifted a half volley over the frame of the goal.

  As the Reds visibly stepped up a couple of gears Harry Kewell was next to go close when he first blasted a low shot left footed wide across goal and then had a go with his right foot but again missed the target when an opportunity presented itself on the edge of the area.

  Antonio Nunez was next to go close after 57 minutes when Gerrard picked him out with a fine pass, but the Spaniard's low drive was well blocked by Ashdown's legs.

  The Portsmouth goalkeeper made an even better save two minutes later when Hamann ghosted unmarked into the area but, with the Kop preparing to celebrate the game's opening goal, the German midfielder's header from point blank range was brilliantly turned away.

  The deserved breakthrough finally came 20 minutes from the end when Steven Gerrard added to his ever-increasing repertoire of great Kop end goals with another beauty.

  Liverpool were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal and Gerrard stepped up to smash it into the roof of the net off the underside of the goal frame.

  The Reds seemed set to secure the much-needed points as the match ticked into stoppage time but Portsmouth, who frustrated Liverpool in the FA Cup here last season, had other ideas.

  A hopeful ball into the area was only half palmed clear by Jerzy Dudek and Lua Lua, who was a threat throughout, was left unmarked to head into the gaping goal.

  Two points gone and a night of frustration for Rafa's Reds.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Hamann, Nunez, Baros, Gerrard. Subs - Harrison, Josemi, Mellor, Riise, Sinama Pongolle.

  Portsmouth (4-5-1): Ashdown, Griffin, De Zeeuw, Primus, Stefanovic, LuaLua, Faye, Stone, O'Neil, Berger, Fuller. Subs - Cisse, Hislop, Karadas, Keene, Taylor.

  Referee: Mark Clattenburg

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 35,064

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

1 mins : Baros and Gerrard kick the game off towards the Anfield Road end
2 mins : Good running from baros forces a throw-in near the corner flag
4 mins : Portsmouth force two corners in a row
6 mins : Traore puts Pompey under pressure with a long cross that is headed out for a throw-in
7 mins : First chance of the game as Gerrard crosses low for Baros who is beaten to the ball by Ashdown
8 mins : Reds go close with a header in a packed penalty box
10 mins : Good pass and move from Liverpool but Gerrard slips on the ball before he can shoot
14 mins : Good defensive tackle by Hamann breaks up Pompey attack
15 mins : Nunez gives away a free-kick trying to win the ball back
16 mins : Great passing football from the Reds leads to a corner
21 mins : Berger applauds the Kop before taking a short corner
24 mins : LuaLua goes close with a low shot after Pompey break out of defence with pace
25 mins : Nunez side-foots the ball into the arms of Ashdown from close range
27 mins : Great flick-on by Baros to Kewell but the No.7 loses the ball before shooting
29 mins : Poor cross from Baros fails to find a red shirt
33 mins : Great low ball from Alonso is cut out just before it reaches Steven Gerrard on the edge of the box
34 mins : Reds with yet another corner as they up the tempo slightly
36 mins : Kewell kicks the ball out of play by mistake as the Reds attack 3 against 3
41 mins : Lua Lua bursts into the area but shoots tamely at Kirkland
43 mins : O'Neill goes close with a looping shot which just clears Dudek's far post. Lucky escape for us
46 mins : Pompey kick off the second half
46 mins : Nunez attempts to play Baros in but his pass is misplaced
47 mins : Fantastic turn and shot from the captain but it sails just over the bar
48 mins : Good run from kewell but his low shot fizzes just wide
50 mins : Nenez's cross to Baros forces a corner
50 mins : Traore is hacked down just inside the Pompey half and wins a free-kick
51 mins : Kewell wins another free-kick on the edge of the box
54 mins : Good effort from Kewell flies just wide of Ashdown's post
56 mins : Great save at point-blank range from Ashdown when Gerrard headed the ball into the box to create a clear chance for Nunez
58 mins : Another great save from Ashdown as Hamann looked to have headed the Reds into the lead
60 mins : Baros wins a corner as Liverpool go all out attack
61 mins : Substitution: Matthew Taylor for Ricardo Fuller:
63 mins : Baros goes down in the box but the referee waves play on
64 mins : Nunez's cross forces another corner which Alonso volleys against the Pompey defence
65 mins : Neat play on the edge of the box by Kewell but his shot flies over the bar
67 mins : Low shot from Kewell well held by Ashdown
70 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Fantastic strike from the captain as he blasts a free-kick into the back of the net
76 mins : Good battling by Gerrard wins a throw-in
79 mins : Pongolle preparing to come on as a sub
81 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Milan Baros:
83 mins : Pongolle loses the ball and then wins a free-kick
83 mins : Alonso's quick free-kick is too fast for Pongolle
84 mins : Substitution: Eyal Berkovic for Amdy Faye:
85 mins : Dudek saves well from a dangerous cross
86 mins : Pongolle and Kewell both try their luck at goal but after Flo's shot is blocked, Kewell sees his low drive well saved
88 mins : Substitution: Josemi Josemi for Antonio Nunez:
90 mins : Lua Lua forces Dudek into a low save with a late shot

Liverpool - Newcastle United 3 - 1

 
Sunday 19 December 2004 13:30 Barclays Premiership
"Liverpool" 3 - 1 "Newcastle United"
(2-1)
GOAL
 Bramble 34 og, Mellor 38, Baros 60  Kluivert 32
Team: Jerzy Dudek, John Arne Riise, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, Harry Kewell, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Milan Baros, Neil Mellor.

Subs: Dietmar Hamann, Paul Harrison, Antonio Nunez, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Djimi Traore.
Team: Shay Given, Olivier Bernard, Titus Bramble, Andrew O'Brien, Robbie Elliott, Kieron Dyer, Lee Bowyer, Jermaine Jenas, James Milner, Shola Ameobi, Patrick Kluivert.

Subs: Darren Ambrose, Steve Harper, Charles N'Zogbia, Laurent Robert.
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Garcia (Nunez 73), Mellor (Pongolle 75), Kewell (Traore 85) kluivert Robert (58), Milner (N'Zogbia 72), Dyer (Ambrose 80)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Graham Poll
Booked: Bowyer (53)
Sent Off: Bowyer (77)
VENUE MANAGERS
 Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,856
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Graeme Souness (Newcastle UNITED)

 

  FESTIVE CHEER AT ANFIELD AS REDS BEAT TOON

  On a bitterly cold Anfield afternoon Liverpool warmed up for Christmas in style with a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

  Despite going behind to a debatable 32nd minute goal from Patrick Kluivert, the Reds hit back to claim a welcome three points ahead of the busy festive period.

  The comeback was sparked by a Titus Bramble own goal. Neil Mellor then netted to give the home side a half-time lead and Milan Baros completed the scoring on the hour mark.

  Having seen two points snatched from their grasp against Portsmouth in midweek this was a must-win fixture for Liverpool as they try to stay in touch with the leading clubs at the top of FA Barclaycard Premiership.

  Rafael Benitez welcomed Luis Garcia back to his starting line-up following injury and also recalled Neil Mellor and John Arne Riise. Former Magpie Didi Hamann dropped to the bench, as did Djimi Traore and Antonio Nunez.

  Newcastle boss Graeme Souness had to make do without his talismanic skipper Alan Shearer, while Craig Bellamy was a late withdrawal and replaced by Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert.

  Ex-Red Souness had never won at Anfield as an opposition manager and with the Geordies also struggling in the league of late this was an equally important match for him and his players.

  It had been ten years since the Toon Army last won at Anfield and straight from the first whistle it was evident that Liverpool were determined to extend their Mersey misery.

  The Reds kicked off attacking the Kop and immediately launched onto the offensive. Baros cut in from the right with a forceful run but his centre was blazed disappointingly over by the returning Garcia after just two minutes.

  Gerrard then headed wide as Liverpool set the tone for what was to be a fairly one-sided opening. As a spectacle it was not what we've come to expect from this fixture but it did liven up as the half wore on.

  In a rare break forward by the visitors, Bernard flighted a free-kick narrowly wide of Dudek's left-hand post in the 20th minute, following a foul by Hyypia on Kluivert.

  It was Liverpool though who looked the most likely to break the deadlock and as the half hour mark approached Gerrard advanced towards goal from a central position and unleashed a fiercely struck low shot from 25-yards that flew just past the upright.

  It was somewhat surprising then that Newcastle took the lead in the 32nd minute. Dyer opened up the Reds defence with a pass that sent Bowyer scampering towards goal on the right. The former Leeds man centred and Kluivert was on hand to convert, although television replays later proved that the Dutchman was clearly offside at the time of Dyer's pass and the goal should not have stood.

  Fortunately, the Geordies' joy was short-lived. Liverpool responded positively with a rocket shot from Riise that hit the side netting and then from a corner on the left Titus Bramble, under pressure from Hyypia, headed into his own net to level the score.

  No-one could have begrudged Liverpool the goal and the home fans were cheering again moments later when Mellor fired the Reds ahead with a neat side-footed finish into the bottom corner from 12-yards out, following good play by Baros.

  As half-time approached it should have been 3-1. Alonso picked out Garcia with a sublime pass but given saved the subsequent shot at goal.

  Liverpool continued to press forward following the restart and Baros had the ball in the net for third time in the 53rd minute when he challenged for a high ball with Given, came out on top and finished from close-range, only for referee Graham Poll to frustratingly blow up for a foul.

  There could be no denying Baros his moment of glory seven minutes later however when he raced onto a through ball by Kewell, kept his cool to round Given and rolled the ball into an empty goal.

  A two-goal cushion was ample reward for Liverpool's domination and, although Jenas shot narrowly over from close-range and Robert stung the fingers of Dudek with a well-struck free-kick, the destiny of the points were now never in doubt.

  Any faint hope the visitors may have harboured were distinguished 13 minutes from time when one time Anfield transfer target Lee Bowyer was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after he fouled Pongolle.

  All in all, a satisfactory afternoon's work for Rafa's Reds who provided their freezing fans with a heart-warming pre-Christmas present.

  Let's hope there are more gifts waiting to be unwrapped over the next fortnight.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Baros, Mellor. Subs - Harrison, Sinama Pongolle, Nunez, Hamann, Traore

  Newcastle United (4-4-2): Given, Bernard, O'Brien, Bramble, Elliott, Dyer, Jenas, Bowyer, Milner, Kluivert, Ameobi. Subs - Harper, N'Zogbia, Ambrose, Robert

  Referee: Graham Poll

  Conditions: Bright but cold

  Attendance: 43,856

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Milan Baros

  Breakdown

Match Starts
1 mins : Liverpool kick off attacking the Kop end
1 mins : Late change to Newcastle team: Kluivert starts instead of Bellamy who injured his back during the warm-up
2 mins : Baros creates a golden chance for Garcia but the Spaniard blasts his shot high over the goal
7 mins : Finnan's cross is headed out of the area to Gerrard who sends a looping header wide. Liverpool on top so far
12 mins : Milner finds space on the left but his shot is deflected into the arms of Dudek
16 mins : Gerrard finds Garcia in space on the right but the flag goes up for offside
20 mins : Finnan's cross from the right is well defended by Newcastle and then Riise wastes possession on the edge of the box
21 mins : Bernard's free kick from 25 yards flashes just wide of Dudek's left hand post
25 mins : Ameobi pressures Hyypia into conceding a corner at the Anfield Road End
26 mins : The corner comes to nothing as Ameobi heads wide
28 mins : Gerrard shrugs off two challenges on the edge of the area before firing a right footed shot inches wide
31 mins : Garcia strikes a half volley goalwards from a tight angle but Given makes an easy save
32 mins : GOAL! Patrick Kluivert: Kluivert converts Bowyer's low cross from close range
34 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: Hyypia gets a touch to divert home an instant equaliser
34 mins : CORRECTION: Liverpool's goal has been credited as a Titus Bramble own goal
38 mins : GOAL! Neil Mellor: Mellor slots the ball into the corner of the net after a great turn from Baros
45 mins : Two extra minutes to be played
45 mins : Garcia misses a great chance to extend the lead as his low shot is stopped by Given
Half Time Reached
Second Half Begins
46 mins : Newcastle kick off the second half attacking the Kop
47 mins : Bowyer swings a corner into the area but Liverpool clear comfortably
47 mins : Baros again troubles the Newcastle defence and wins a corner for his team
48 mins : Gerrard drives a low ball into the area but it misses everyone in Red
53 mins : Booking: Lee Bowyer: Booked for late challenge on Alonso
54 mins : Baros has the ball in the back of the net but the goal is ruled out for a foul on Given
56 mins : Bowyer heads off the line as Kewell clips the ball back towards the Newcastle goal after a spell of Liverpool pressure
57 mins : Booking: Robbie Elliott:
57 mins : Substitution: Laurent Robert for Patrick Kluivert:
60 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Takes Kewell's pass in his stride, rounds the 'keeper and slots home
64 mins : Jenas fires over from 10 yards when presented with a great chance to get the visitors back into the game
67 mins : Long range drive from Jenas which Dudek saves low down
70 mins : Dudek makes a fine save to turn Robert's well struck free kick over the bar
71 mins : Substitution: Charles N'Zogbia for James Milner:
73 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Luis Garcia:
74 mins : Gerrard curls a corner into the area which Nunez heads over
75 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Neil Mellor:
77 mins : Sending Off: Lee Bowyer: Dismissed for second yellow after foul on Pongolle
80 mins : Substitution: Darren Ambrose for Kieron Dyer:
81 mins : Kewell sends another shot wide of goal as Liverpool look to add a fourth
83 mins : Gerrard hits the roof of the Anfield Road End stand with a mis-kicked shot from 25 yards
84 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for Harry Kewell:
85 mins : Sensational overhead kick attempt from Baros which doesn't miss the goal by much

West Bromwich Albion - Liverpool  0 - 5

 
Sunday 26 December 2004 18:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"West Bromwich A" 0 - 5 "Liverpool"
  (0-1)  
 
GOAL
     Riise 18, 83, Sinama-Pongolle 51, Gerrard 55, Garcia 89
 
  1  Russell Hoult
  2  Riccardo Scimeca
  4  Thomas Gaardsoe
  6  Darren Purse
 19  Neil Clement
  7  Jason Koumas
 10  Andy Johnson
  8  Jonathan Greening
 16  Cosmin Contra
  9  Geoff Horsfield
 34  Robert Earnshaw

 Subs:
 29  Tomasz Kusczczak
  3  Paul Robinson
 18  Lloyd Dyer
 11  Zoltan Gera
 17  Rob Hulse
    1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
 18  Antonio Nunez
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 28  Stephen Warnock
 15  Salif Diao
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Gera (Johnson 45)
 Hulse (Earnshaw 72)
   Gerrard (Alonso 62)
 Garcia (Baros 66)
 Warnock (Finnan 70)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
 Booked:
 Sent Off: Contra 39
   Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Hawthorns (capacity 28,003)
Attendance: 27,533
  Bryan Robson (W B A)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price:

  Notes:

  - Milan Baros missed a penalty on 39'

  - "I don't think I have ever played in a match where we have dominated so much against another Premier League side. I was almost possessed with the thought of scoring a hat-trick." - Riise

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT AS REDS RUN RIOT

  Goals from John Arne Riise (2), Florent Sinama Pongolle, Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia ensured a Happy Christmas for Liverpool as they beat West Bromwich Albion 5-0 at the Hawthorns today.

  The travelling Red army, who braved freezing conditions and jams on the M6, were singing for joy after this Boxing Day bonanza.

  Rafa's men were never in danger despite some indecisive defending and they gained their second league away win at the expense of Brian Robson's side, who stay rooted to the bottom of the Premiership.

  Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez again showed he wasn't afraid to rotate his players as he made four changes from the side that beat Newcastle last week. Although two of them changes, the absence of Neil Mellor and Harry Kewell, were forced upon him as the young striker failed to recover from a bout of tonsillitis and Kewell has a groin strain.

  The eleven that did start showed they were suffering no ill effects from the festive period as they made a bright start with Steven Gerrard blazing a shot just over after good build up on the left.

  And, in what was an entertaining opening, the Baggies belied their lowly position as they looked to impose themselves on the Reds from the first whistle. They were grateful to Darren Purse though when his eighth minute interception prevented what looked to be a great chance for Milan Baros.

  Gerrard went close again soon after, but then it was the turn of Sami Hyypia to save his side as the game swung from end to end. It had seemed Geoff Horsfield would score after Carragher's misdirected left him clean through, but the tall Finn recovered the situation with a brilliant tackle.

  And in keeping with the start of the game, the Reds swiftly went down the other end and this time took the lead through John Arne Riise. Captain Steven Gerrard made it possible with a superb pass, but Riise was equally impressive as he swept his left foot volley passed Hoult in the Albion goal.

  That prompted a rendition of 'how did you score that goal' from the travelling Reds, but they'll have had the hearts in their mouths when Koumas almost equalised with a free header that required Dudek to save.The game continued to flow both ways, but it was Liverpool who looked most likely and they missed a golden chance to increase their lead when Milan Baros saw his penalty saved by Hoult after Contra had handled Nunez's header on the goal line. Contra saw red for his crime, but Baros couldn't capitalise and the score remained 1-0.

  The second half began with the Reds again in the ascendancy and Riise came close to a second with a fierce drive from 25 yards. But they were still forced to defend resolutely with Robert Earnshaw, who was their chief tormentor, keeping them busy.

  Any thoughts of an Albion equaliser where quickly erased though as Florent Sinama Pongolle stormed into the box to make it 2-0 from Riise's cross. Pongolle had started the move and continued into the box to smash the passed Hoult and into the goal behind where the Reds fans were seated.

  And those same fans were sitting comfortably when Steven Gerrard turned from provider to scorer to make it 3-0 on 54 minutes.

  As for the home fans, they were on their feet only to convey their dissatisfaction at what looked liked turning into a red rout.

  Benitez even had the luxury of giving Gerrard and Baros a rest with some 20 minutes remaining, but his side continued to sweep forward almost at will. And it was a joy to watch after some disappointing results on the road.

  Riise, Gerrard, Nunez and Garcia all threatened to pour on the agony for Albion, but Rafa will be more than satisfied with the performance of his side and he will hope they can take their good form into Tuesday's game with Southampton.

  We're in for a treat if they do.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Nunez, Baros, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Harrison, Warnock, Garcia, Diao, Alonso.
 
  West Brom (4-4-2): Hoult, Scimeca, Gaardsoe, Purse, Contra, Koumas, Johnson, Clement, Greening, Horsfield, Earnshaw. Subs - Robinson, Gera, Hulse, Dyer, Kuszczak.

  Referee: R Styles
 
  Conditions: Cold & Dry

  Attendance: 27,533
 
  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: John Arne Riise

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool get the game underway
1 mins : Baros creates an early chance for Gerrard but the skipper shoots over with his right foot
6 mins : Gerrard tries to slide a pass into Baros' path but the Baggies defence clears
6 mins : Finnan defends well to concede the game's first corner, but the WBA set piece comes to nothing
8 mins : Pongolle and Riise link well down the left but Purse intercepts for the home side
9 mins : Liverpool's first corner is drifted into the six yard box by Gerrard but straight into the arms of Hoult
12 mins : Gerrard sends another effort goalwards from 25 yards but just clears the crossbar
15 mins : Brilliant defending by Hyypia to deny Horsfield a shot on goal after a mistake by Carragher
15 mins : Baros almost gets clear in the West Brom area but is denied by a last ditch tackle from Purse
17 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Riise opens the scoring with a left footed volley after a brilliant pass from Gerrard
22 mins : Dudek makes an easy save as Koumas fails to seriously test him with a close range header
29 mins : Greening finds space on the left but can't deliver a cross into the area
35 mins : The home side win a couple of corners in quick succession but Liverpool continue to defend well
39 mins : Sending Off: Cosmin Contra: Deliberate handball inside the area
39 mins : Baros misses from the penalty spot after Contra's deliberate handball
46 mins : Substitution: Zoltan Gera for Andy Johnson:
47 mins : Riise almost nets his second with a long range free kick which flies just wide
52 mins : GOAL! Florent Sinama Pongolle: Controlled right footed volley from Riise's cross puts the Reds two up
55 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Right footed free kick from 25 yards into bottom corner
61 mins : Riise drives another shot towards goal but misses the post by inches
62 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Steven Gerrard:
64 mins : Hoult makes a terrific save to turn Riise's thunderous effort over for a corner
66 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Milan Baros:
67 mins : Riise again goes for goal with a rasping left footed volley but misses the target
69 mins : Nunez finds space on the right but shoots across goal with Garcia well placed in the middle
70 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Steve Finnan:
72 mins : Substitution: Rob Hulse for Robert Earnshaw:
73 mins : Pongolle curls an effort just over the bar following brilliant play from Garcia to create the opening
82 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Rasping drive into roof of the net as Riise nets his second and Liverpool's fourth

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  1 - 0  Southampton

 
Tuesday 28 December 2004 16:30 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Liverpool Southampton
1 - 0  (1-0)
 
GOAL
 Sinama-Pongolle 44  
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 28  Stephen Warnock
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 14  Xabi Alonso
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 10  Luis Garcia
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 21  Djimi Traore
 15  Salif Diao
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 18  Antonio Nunez
    1  Antti Niemi
 33  Paul Telfer
 19  Danny Higginbotham
  6  Andreas Jakobsson
 16  Martin Cranie
 18  Rory Delap
 10  Neil McCann
  8  Matt Oakley
 20  David Prutton (c)
 36  Brett Ormerod
 24  Dexter Blackstock

 Subs:
 13  Paul Smith
 15  Ala Eddine Yahia
 31  Yoann Folly
 12  Anders Svensson
  7  Kevin Phillips
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Finnan (Diao 29)
 Mellor (Nunez 68)
 Garcia (Hamann 87)
 Oakley (Svensson 58)
 Blackstock (Phillips 65)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
 Booked:  Booked: Prutton 10, McCann 25, Jakobsson 29
VENUE MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 42,382
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Harry Redknapp (Southampton)

 Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Southampton used away kits: blue shirt & navy shorts & navy socks.

  - Jerzy Dudek 150th game for LFC.

  REDS GO WITH THE FLO AND END 2004 ON A HIGH

  Liverpool ended 2004 on a high by recording their third successive win in the FA Barclaycard Premiership thanks to a solitary strike from Florent Sinama-Pongolle against Southampton.

  Despite looking like they were suffering from a Christmas hangover for much of the first half, the Reds recovered to take the lead on the stroke of half-time and it was enough to claim all three points.

  Pongolle's goal was his second in as many matches and means Liverpool end the year well in contention for a coveted top four finish.

  With the club in the midst of a demanding festive schedule, Rafael Benitez made four changes to the team that started the convincing 5-0 rout of West Brom on Boxing Day.

  Neil Mellor returned to the attack after recovering from tonsillitis, replacing the rested Milan Baros, while the three substitutes at the Hawthorns - Stephen Warnock, Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso - also took their places in the starting line-up, at the expense of Djimi Traore, Antonio Nunez and Didi Hamann.

  While Liverpool took the field high on confidence and looking to chalk up their third straight victory, Southampton made the long trip north with morale seriously dented.

  New Saints boss Harry Redknapp was searching for his first win in the St Mary's hot-seat and his team are languishing near the foot of the table following a wretched first half to the season.
 
  Making the visitors' task even more difficult was the omission from their travelling squad of highly-rated striker James Beattie, who is expected to leave the club when transfer window opens on Saturday.

  A one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Asian earthquake was impeccably observed prior to kick-off and the sombre mood inside the stadium continued for most of a low-key opening half.

  John Arne Riise tested the keeper as early as the second minute with a low shot after cutting in from the left. Alonso then had a shot deflected behind for a corner and Pongolle fired into the side-netting after being played through on goal by Gerrard.

  But this bright start soon waned and the majority of the crowd must have wished they'd have stayed at home and polished off the remainder of the turkey.

  Jerzy Dudek didn't have a save to make and the closet Southampton came to threatening his goal was when David Prutton flashed a long-range shot narrowly wide.

  Liverpool lost Steve Finnan through injury shortly before the half-hour mark,   following a foul by Neil McCann, and as the interval approached the sound of George Sephton's half-time dedications over the Anfield tannoy system seemed more and more appealing.

  But as final plans were being made for the half-time dash to the tea bar Pongolle broke the deadlock. It came out of the blue and Redknapp was left tearing his hair out in the director's box at the manner of the goal his team conceded.

  Saints striker Dexter Blackstock gave away possession and was punished for his sins. Alonso fed Pongolle with a perfectly thread through ball and the young French striker coolly netted past Antti Niemi with a low right-footed finish.

  There was a scare early in the second half when Dudek flapped at a Southampton corner from the left but it was Liverpool who looked more likely to increase their lead.

  Pongolle twice spurned opportunities to add to his tally in front of the Kop and a close-range Mellor shot brought a stunning diving save from Niemi.

  However, there were more than a few anxious moments in the Liverpool half of the field whenever Southampton pushed forward.

  A second goal was needed to ease the nerves of the home fans and only the crossbar denied Riise with a fierce volley with twelve minutes remaining, following a sublime cross-field pass by Gerrard.

  Moments later, Niemi came to the visitors' rescue with another fine save when substitute Nunez crossed impressively from the right and Garcia headed towards goal.

  For all their efforts Liverpool just couldn?t must a second breakthrough and it was with widespread relief referee Mark Halsey's final whistle was greeted.

  This was in no way the most thrilling of afternoon's at Anfield and those who turned up in anticipation of another yuletide goal-fest will have left disappointed.

  But three points are three points and with the final ball of 2004 having now been kicked, it's safe to say that the Reds are heading in the right direction.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Warnock, Alonso, Gerrard (captain), Garcia, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Diao, Hamann, Nunez, Traore, Harrison
 
  Southampton (4-5-1): Niemi, Crainie, Jakobsson, Higginbotham, Telfer, McCann, Prutton (captain), Oakley, Delap, Ormerod, Blackstock. Subs - Smith, Svensson, Yahia, Phillips, Folly

  Referee: M Halsey
 
  Conditions: Dry & Cold

  Attendance: 42,382

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Florent Sinama Pongolle

  Breakdown

1 mins : Southampton get the game underway
2 mins : Riise cuts in from the left and hits a right footed shot which Niemi saves
5 mins : Alonso's shot is deflected for a corner
8 mins : Garcia's cross just too long for Pongolle
10 mins : Booking: David Prutton: The Saints captain is booked for a foul on Garcia
11 mins : Pongolle bursts down the right and hits the frame with his shot
16 mins : Mellor shoots weakly into the arms of Niemi
23 mins : Liverpool continue to look to unlock a tight Saints defence
25 mins : Finnan requires treatment after a tackle from McCann
25 mins : Booking: Neil McCann: McCann is booked for foul on Finnan
29 mins : Booking: Andreas Jakobsson: obstruction on Pongolle
29 mins : Riise blasts a shot wide
29 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Steve Finnan: Finnan cant recover and has to go off
34 mins : Prutton threatens Dudek's goal with a shot that goes just wide
37 mins : Riise does well to get a cross in, but Mellor can only turn the ball over the bar
39 mins : Neat play between Gerrard and Pongolle almost gives Gerrard a chance
44 mins : GOAL! Florent Sinama Pongolle: Pongolle takes Alonso's pass and finishes brilliantly
45 mins : Liverpool have a corner late in the half
45 mins : Mellor shoots wide
Half Time Reached

Second Half Begins
48 mins : Liverpool escape as Dudek misses the flight of the ball and a goal line clearance is required
50 mins : Pongolle has a chance to make it two, but pulls his shot over
55 mins : Pongolle has another good chance, but he blasts over from the edge of the box
58 mins : Substitution: Anders Svensson for Matt Oakley:
61 mins : Dudek is required to make a save as Southampton look for an equaliser
63 mins : Alonso's shot is deflected for a corner
64 mins : Mellor shoots tamely into the arms of a grateful Niemi
65 mins : Substitution: Kevin Phillips for Dexter Blackstock:
67 mins : Mellor draws a great save from Niemi with a blistering shot that was flying in
68 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Neil Mellor:
70 mins : McCann gets free on the left and hooks a dangerous shot across the face of the Liverpool goal
74 mins : The Reds have a corner after Garcia's shot is deflected
77 mins : Warnock attacks down the left, but it breaks down
78 mins : Riise almost breaks the crossbar with a fierce shot
80 mins : Only a great save from Niemi keeps it at 1-0 as he somehow stops Garcia's header
83 mins : Southampton have a corner
83 mins : Liverpool clear and Pongolle tries to break, but he's fouled by Prutton
87 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Luis Garcia:
88 mins : Liverpool have a throw deep in Saints territory
90 mins : There will be 2 minutes added time
90 mins : Liverpool are denied a penalty as Riise is brought down by Niemi
90 mins : Gerrard forces Niemi into another save

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool F.C.

Liverpool - Celsea  0 - 1

 
Saturday 1 January 2005 12:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 0 - 1 "Chelsea"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     Cole 80
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 23  Jamie Carragher
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 28  Stephen Warnock
 15  Salif Diao
 18  Antonio Nunez
 33  Neil Mellor
    1  Petr Cech
 13  William Gallas
 26  John Terry (c)
 20  Paulo Ferreira
  2  Glen Johnson
  8  Frank Lampard
  4  Claude Makelele
 30  Tiago Mendes
 11  Damien Duff
 22  Eidur Gudjohnsen
 16  Arjen Robben

 Subs:
 23  Carlo Cudicini
 10  Joe Cole
 15  Geremi
  9  Mateja Kezman
 15  Didier Drogba
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Alonso (Nunez 27)
 Riise (Mellor 86)
   Gudjohnsen (Drogba 61)
 Duff (Cole 76)
 Robben (Kezman 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mike Riley (W Yorkshire)
 Booked: Garcia 47, Hamann 90    Booked: Lampard 21, Johnson 84
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,886
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Lampard breaks Alonso's ankle.

  COLE STRIKE SINKS UNLUCKY LIVERPOOL

  An 80th minute goal from Chelsea substitute Joe Cole has condemned Liverpool to their second home defeat of the season, but they deserved so much more.

  It is the second time this season Cole has come off the bench and sunk the Reds after he did the same at Stamford Bridge, but Rafa’s men should have been out of sight before he’d even entered the fray.

  They were deprived a clear penalty when Tiago handled in the box on 39 minutes and Petr Cech continued his excellent form in the Chelsea goal with some great saves.

  This defeat brings to an end of latest unbeaten run, but they can take heart from another spirited performance in which they had Jose Morinho’s men rattled for long periods.

  The match was also overshadowed by the loss of Xabi Alonso, who suffered a broken ankle in a first half tackle with Lampard. Yet more injury woe for Rafa Benitez, who has had no luck in that department.

  Reds fans arriving at Anfield hoping for a cure to their heavy heads. Might have been covering their eyes at the sight of Chelsea’s teamsheet, which boasted an embarrassment of riches. And in the knowledge that Jose Mourinho’s table toppers had conceded just 8 league goals so far this season, they might have expected their hangovers to last a while longer.

  That said, Liverpool are not found wanting for quality themselves and; as they proved in their thrilling defeat of Arsenal here, they can beat anyone at Anfield.

  Maybe with the success of that game in mind, Reds boss Rafa Benitez employed the same system of a lone striker, with Steven Gerrard supporting from a five man midfield. And it was Florent Sinama Pongolle who was handed the task of finding the goals to make it four wins on the bounce for Liverpool.

  The stakes were high for both teams and that was apparent in a slow opening, but it was the Reds who showed the first signs of cohesion and they pressed Chelsea back.

  They soon had their first chance too; and what a chance it was. Petr Cech will have been as surprised as anyone to see Djimi Traore bearing down on him, but he kept Traore’s shot out and the ball was smuggled clear.

  Chelsea must have been hurt because they swiftly went down the other end and almost took the lead through Robben. It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight to see the Dutchman scampering clear of the Reds defence, but Dudek stood his ground and made a vital save when a goal looked inevitable.

  Not to be out done, Liverpool quickly attacked again and we saw the games the games 3rd good chance come to nothing as Alonso failed to catch Riise’s cross with the goal gaping.

  The Reds suffered a blow after 27 minutes when Xabi Alonso had to go off after being fouled by Frank Lampard. The Chelsea man was booked for his crime, but Liverpool’s punishment was much more severe as we later learned that Alonso had broken his ankle.

  The Reds suffered a blow after 27 minutes when Xabi Alonso had to go off after being fouled by Frank Lampard. The Chelsea man was booked for his crime, but Liverpool’s punishment was much more severe as we later learned that Alonso had broken his ankle.

  It is wretched luck for Rafa Benitez and Liverpool after their season has been continually blighted by injuries to key men.

  And you’d have forgiven them for feeling sorry for themselves when. They were denied a certain penalty after Tiago had handled the ball in the penalty area after 39 minutes. Referee Riley even appeared to put his whistle to his mouth as if to give it and the Kop held it’s breath, but he saved his and didn’t blow.

  It was expected Chelsea couldn’t play any worse in the second half than they did in the first and this was found true as early as the 49th minute when Gudjohnsen almost scored.

  The Reds were soon back in the ascendency though and they continued to rattle their much vaunted West London rivals. But for all their hard work and pressing, chances were still few and far between.

  Luis Garcia and Steven Gerrard came closest to a second half goal for Liverpool, but in truth the second half didn’t live up to the expectancy generated by the first half.

  That was until the introduction of Joe Cole, who followed his winner at Stamford Bridge with another strike from 18 yards after 80 minutes had been played.

  It was not deserved as Chelsea had been somewhat disappoiting given their lofty position.

  Liverpool haven’t taken any points here, but they will take plenty of credit for another good performance.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann, Luis Garcia, Steven Gerrard, Florent Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Salif Diao, Paul Harrison, Neil Mellor, Antonio Nunez, Stephen Warnock.

  Chelsea (4-5-1): Petr Cech, William Gallas, John Terry, Paulo Ferreira, Glen Johnson, Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, Tiago Mendes, Damien Duff, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Arjen Robben. Subs - Joe Cole, Carlo Cudicini, Didier Drogba, Geremi Geremi, Mateja Kezman.

  Referee: M Riley

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 43,886

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool kick off attacking the Kop in the first half
2 mins : Liverpool win the game’s first free kick as Gudjohnsen fouls Finnan
4 mins : Riise embarks on a powerful run down the left but eventually concedes a goal kick to the visitors
9 mins : Gerrard curls in a free kick from a dangerous area but mis-kicks the ball and sends it out of play
10 mins : Garcia’s shot on the edge of the area is well blocked by Terry
12 mins : Riise crosses from the left forcing Terry to concede a corner under pressure from Pongolle
15 mins : Traore is presented with the first chance of the match but his low left foot shot is well saved by Cech
18 mins : Robben breaks clear of the Liverpool defence but delays his shot and is evantually denied by a fine Dudek save
18 mins : Riise’s cross along the six yard box is just too strong for Garcia to get to with the goal gaping
21 mins : Booking: Frank Lampard:
25 mins : Gerrard wins the ball in midfield and then tests Cech with a long range shot
27 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Xabi Alonso:
33 mins : Robben sets up Tiago 20 yards from goal but his low shot is stopped by Dudek
38 mins : Liverpool have hand ball appeals waved away by the ref following Gerrard’s cross into the area
42 mins : Brilliant save by Cech from Hyypia following a scramble in the area. Reds well on top
45 mins : Well struck drive from Robben well held as Chelsea break quickly
45 mins : Brilliant effort from Carragher which just clears the bar

45 mins : Chelsea kick off the second period
47 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia:
49 mins : Gudjohnsen is inches away from giving Chelsea the lead but can’t quite make contact with the ball
51 mins : Riise and Pongolle combine in the area but Chelsea defend well
60 mins : Gerrard wins the ball and creates a chance for Garcia who drives over
61 mins : Substitution: Didier Drogba for Eidur Gudjohnsen:
68 mins : Great skill from Garcia in his own half resulting in an almost perfect pass for Riise down the left
69 mins : Gerrard finds the ball at his feet but, from a tight angle, drives his effort wide of the far post
76 mins : Substitution: Joe Cole for Damien Duff:
80 mins : GOAL! Joe Cole: Right footed shot deflected past Dudek
83 mins : Substitution: Mateja Kezman for Arjen Robben:
84 mins : Dudek keeps Liverpool in the game with a smart save from Lampard’s shot
85 mins : Substitution: Neil Mellor for John Arne Riise:
88 mins : Garcia has a great chance to equalise but directs a close range header straight at Cech
90 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Norwich City - Liverpool  1 - 2

 
Monday 3 January 2005 12:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
norwich_c.jpg (2444 bytes)  
"Norwich City" 1 - 2 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Jarvis 88    Garcia 58, Riise 64
 
Team: 1. Robert Green, 16. Simon Charlton, 27. Gary Doherty, 5. Craig Fleming, 26. Thomas Helveg, 6. Darren Huckerby, 10. David Bentley, Philip Mulryne, 20. Damien Francis, 9. Mattias Jonson, 14. Leon McKenzie.

Subs: 12. Paul Gallacher, 3. Adam Drury, 11. Jim Brennan, 28. Danny Crow, 23. Ryan Jarvis.
  Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 23. Jamie Carragher, 6. John Arne Riise, 28. Stephen Warnock, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 15. Salif Diao, 18. Antonio Nunez, 10. Luis Garcia, 33. Neil Mellor.

Subs: 40. Paul Harrison, 31. David Raven, 21. Djimi Traore, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 24. Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Mulryne (Brennan 67), McKenzie (Crow 67), Francis (Jarvis 78)    Mellor (Sinama-Pongolle 62), Nunez (Hamann 77), Riise (Traore 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire) Linesmam: P Kirkup, D Bryan 4th Official: Dermot Gallagher
 Booked: Francis 41, Bentley 57    Booked: Finnan 53, Hyypia 61, Warnock 92
VENUE   MANAGERS
Carrow Road (capacity 24,349)
Attendance :24,503
  Nigel Worthington (Norwich C)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

 GARCIA AND RIISE NET FIRST WIN OF 2005

  Liverpool have got their first win of 2005 on the board after second half goals from Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise were enough to see off the challenge of Norwich at Carrow Road.

  The Reds recovered from a poor first half display to dominate the game and leave Norfolk with three much needed and well deserved points.
 
  But they were made to endure a nervy finale after Norwich sub Ryan Jarvis had given the home fans hope with a curling shot into the top corner of Jerzy Dudek's net four minutes from time.

  It was just the result Liverpool desired after the defeat to Chelsea and the victory keeps them well on course to make a strong challenge for fourth place over the second half of the campaign.

  It takes the Reds festive total of points to nine from twelve, a healthy return which could have made for even better reading had a certain Mr Riley not intervened on New Year's Day.

  Liverpool failed to sparkle during a disjointed and disappointing first period at Carrow Road during which those supporters who set off from Merseyside at 5am to get to East Anglia in time for kick-off must have wished they'd stayed at home in bed. It was that bad.

  Rafael Benitez made a bold decision to make four changes to the team which lost to Chelsea two days ago, but the team he selected did little to justify the faith shown in them as they battled to break down Nigel Worthington's relegation battlers.

  The home side were rarely a threat but the Liverpool midfield failed to stamp their authority on the game meaning that quality service to the forward line was almost non-existent.

  As usual, it was Steven Gerrard who was left to try and lift his team and that he did with two long range efforts which went close to forcing Green into action.
 
  After surviving an early spell of home pressure at the start of the second period Liverpool finally found a cutting edge in attack to take the lead after 57 minutes.

  Norwich were on the front foot and pinning Liverpool back when the Reds broke quickly with Riise launching a long ball over the top for Garcia to latch on to and brilliantly lift the ball over Green and into the back of thenet.

  The goal visibly boosted Liverpool and they wasted no time at all in adding a second to secure the points.

  Substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle was the architect with a low shot which Green did well to palm away, but the Norwich goalkeeper could do nothing when the ball landed at the feet of Riise who made no mistake with an emphatic left footed shot.

  Norwich battled on gamely and gave themselves hope of salvaging an unlikely draw when Canaries sub Ryan Jarvis cut inside Djimi Traore and curled a great shot past Dudek into the roof of his net.

  Thankfully, it was little more than a consolation for the home side as Rafa's Reds held on to secure the points.

  Teams
 
  Norwich City (4-5-1): Green, Charlton, Fleming, Doherty, Helveg, Huckerby, Bentley, Mulryne, Francis, Jonson, McKenzie. Subs - Gallacher, Drury, Brennan, Jarvis, Crow.

  Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Diao, Nunez, Garcia, Mellor. Subs - Harrison, Raven, Sinama Pongolle, Hamann, Traore.

  Referee: Howard Webb

  Conditions: Bright sunshine

  Attendance: Unknown

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: John Arne Riise

  Breakdown

3 mins : Mellor blazes an early chance high over the bar after finding space on the right
5 mins : Nunez cross is headed behind for a corner
9 mins : Doherty shoots wide with Norwich's first opportunity
11 mins : Jonson suffers a head injury and is forced to leave the field for treatment
17 mins : Gerrard tries his luck with a speculative strike from distance that fails to threaten
18 mins : Finnan fouls Huckerby and free-kick in a dangerous position from which Doherty heads over
21 mins : Dudek saves comfortably from Jonson
25 mins : Gerrard cuts in from the left and flashes a shot narrowly wide of Green's far post
25 mins : Hyypia receives treatment following a clash of heads with Fleming
30 mins : Riise fires wide with his right foot from 12-yards out
37 mins : Good defending by Carragher quells any danger as Norwich come forward
41 mins : Booking: Damien Francis: for a foul on Hyypia
45 mins : Doherty heads straight at Dudek from a free-kick that is floated into the heart of box from a central position 25-yards from goal
45 mins : Garcia blasts disappoiningly over following a promising Liverpool attack
46 mins : Nunez overhits a cross from the right
48 mins : A good opportunity opens up for Riise on the left but Mellor is caught offside
53 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan: for a foul on Huckerby
55 mins : Liverpool survive a Norwich penalty appeal after the ball appears to strike Carragher's hand inside the box
57 mins : Booking: David Bentley: for a foul on Nunez
58 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: great lob over Green after a superb pass from Riise
61 mins : Booking: Sami Hyypia: for a foul on McKenzie
62 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Neil Mellor:
63 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: converts from close-range after Green had saved from Pongolle
67 mins : Substitution: Jim Brennan for Philip Mulryne:
67 mins : Substitution: Danny Crow for Leon McKenzie:
68 mins : Gerrard fires into the arms of Green from the edge of the box
77 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Antonio Nunez:
78 mins : Substitution: Ryan Jarvis for Damien Francis:
82 mins : The linesman is injured and replaced by the fourth official
83 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for John Arne Riise:
88 mins : GOAL! Ryan Jarvis: superb curling effort into Dudek's top corner
90 mins : Gerrard wins a corner as four minutes injury time is added onuring the later stages of the match against Norwich City

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Watford  1 - 0

 
Tuesday 11 January 2005 20:00 League / Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg
 
 
"Liverpool" 1 - 0 "Watford"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Gerrard 56    
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
 23  Jamie Carragher
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 12  Dietmar Hamann
 18  Antonio Nunez
 10  Luis Garcia
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 33  Neil Mellor

 Subs:
 40  Paul Harrison
 28  Stephen Warnock
 25  Igor Biscan
 34  Darren Potter
  5  Milan Baros
   13  Paul Jones
 19  James Chambers
  5  Neil Cox
 29  Jay DeMerit
 14  Jermaine Darlington
 10  Paul Devlin
  4  Brynjar Gunnarsson
  2  Neil Ardley
  8  Gavin Mahon
 25  Hameur Bouazza
 17  Heidar Helguson

 Subs:
  1  Alec Chamberlain
 20  Lloyd Doyle
 22  Dominic Blizzard
  7  Bruce Dyer
  9  Danny Webber
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Mellor (Baros 53)
 Hamann (Biscan 71)
 Sinama-Pongolle (Warnock 78)
   Ardley (Blizzard 81)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Dunn (Gloucestershire)
 Booked:    Booked: Chambers 76
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 35,739
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Adrian Boothroyd (Watford)

  Price: J3,00

 REDS HAVE ONE FOOT IN THE FINAL BUT ONLY JUST

  Liverpool have one foot in the Carling Cup Final after an own-goal by Neil Cox gave them a hard fought 1-0 semi-final first leg victory over Watford at Anfield.

  On a difficult night for the Reds, the Coca-Cola Championship outfit put up a gallant fight before Cox headed into his own net after 55 minutes when attempting to clear a goalward bound shot from Steven Gerrard off the line.

  It was with widespread relief that the home fans greeted the breakthrough but Liverpool will know that they still have a job to do in the second leg at Vicarage Road in a fortnight's time.

  The Reds began this tie as strong favourites but Rafael Benitez was taking no chances against a side that had beaten Premiership opposition in Southampton and Portsmouth in previous rounds.

  With a place in the Cardiff final tantalisingly within reach Benitez resisted the temptation to field a weakened team and decided to recall his big-guns for the visit of Ray Lewington?s team.

  Of the 'Carling Kids' who had performed so admirably in steering Liverpool to this stage only Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama-Pongolle started against the Hornets, as captain Steven Gerrard, Didi Hamann and Jamie Carragher all returned.

  A sea of yellow balloons from the 6,000 strong visiting fans greeted the two teams as they entered the field. Anfield was not full to capacity but there was a real cup-tie atmosphere ringing around the ground as the match kicked-off and, for those old enough to remember, parts of the playing surface resembled the River Plate stadium in Argentina during the 1978 World Cup with litter strewn across it.

  The Carling Cup may not be the most prestigious trophy Liverpool are chasing this season but it represents arguably their most realistic route to glory and the Reds began in determined fashion.

  The best moment of the opening exchanges came in the 13th minute when Antonio Nunez raced to the by-line before delivering an impressive cross that Pongolle blazed over.

  Rafa's men enjoyed the majority of the early possession without ever really troubling Liverpool's former on-loan keeper Paul Jones, who was between thesticks for the Hornets.

  As for Watford, they were clearly not overawed by the occasion and gradually grew in confidence. With the wind playing havoc with high balls the Reds defence found themselves under pressure shortly after the quarter hour mark and Brynjar Gunnarsson forced Jerzy Dudek into an important low diving save when he rose unmarked in the box to head a cross from the right.

  Back in 1986 Ray Lewington suffered a 10-0 defeat here in this competition with Fulham but the visitors were showing no signs of capitulating in such a manner this time around.

  Half-time approached with Watford in high spirits but late pressure by the Reds almost quashed their optimism. Only a timely tackle by Chambers prevented Mellor racing clean through on goal following a through ball by Gerrard and Cox was then forced to turn the ball over his own bar after Nunez again crossed menacingly.

  Mellor was enduring a frustrating night in front of goal and five minutes into the second half he was again denied, this time by the legs of Jones. It was to be his last contribution. With Liverpool desperate for a breakthrough he was substituted for Milan Baros shortly afterwards.

  It was to prove an inspired change. Within minutes, Baros found space down the left and centred. The ball fell to Gerrard and his goalward bound shot was helped into the net by the head of Cox on the goal line.

  The Czech striker was a revelation. Ten minutes later he had the ball in the back of the net only for his strike to be ruled out for offside and then dragged a low shot narrowly wide of the far post after working hard to win the ball on the edge of the box.

  Liverpool will have no doubt liked a second goal to give them a more comfortable cushion for the return leg but in the end they were grateful for what they had.

  With Watford pushing forward in search of an equaliser a lapse in concentration at the back almost allowed Helguson a clear goalscoring opportunity.Thankfully Steve Finnan was on hand to make a vital interception and then Djimi Traore cleared the danger with a solid tackle.

  Four minutes from time Cox went close to redeeming himself with a long-range free-kick that was deflected narrowly over the bar and a nervous finale ensued before victory was confirmed.

  There could have been no complaints had Watford snatched a draw late on and this tie is far from over.

  But thanks to the earlier misfortune of Cox it's advantage Liverpool and another trip Cardiff is shimmering on the horizon.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Traore, Finnan, Nunez, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Mellor, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Baros, Biscan, Harrison, Potter, Warnock.

  Watford: Blizzard, Ardley, Carlisle, Jarrett, Chambers, Bouazza, MacKay, Mahon, Henderson, Bangura, Young. Subs - Chamberlain, Foster, Francis, King, Osborne.

  Referee: Steve Dunn

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Antonio Nunez

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
1 mins : Mellor and Pongolle kick off towards the Kop
1 mins : Dudek gets an early touch for a goal-kick
2 mins : Hamann finds Pongolle who in turn tries to set up Mellor but Watford just manage to clear
2 mins : Pongolle enjoys a good run in the Watford box but the ball is eventually cleared
4 mins : Pongolle almost gets a header in on goal from a great break and good cross by Nunez
5 mins : Garcia tries his luck from 30 yards but his shot is wide
9 mins : Garcia goes down holding his ankle after being brought down following a nice touch of skill in the middle of the park
10 mins : Gasps around Anfield as Gerrard goes down after colliding with a Watford player but he picks himself up
13 mins : Pongolle volleys over after a great cross from Nunez
16 mins : Great save by Dudek from a header by Gunnarsson
19 mins : Good run from Hamann on the edge of the box but he fails to get a shot in
23 mins : Mellor header from a Hamann cross is easily saved
32 mins : mellor is caught in an offside position after a flick-on by Pongolle
38 mins : Garcia is stopped in his tracks out on the wing as Liverpool mount another attack
39 mins : Good break from watford but Dudek manages to collect the ball after a wayward header
45 mins : Gerrard corner smashed into the box by Hamann but soon cleared
- : Half Time Reached

- : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Watford get the second half underway attacking the Kop
46 mins : Garcia goes on a run in the box but the ball goes out for a goal-kick
47 mins : Pongolle goes down outside the box but no foul is given
48 mins : Gerrard attempts to curl a shot into the top corner but it's too high
50 mins : Gerrard sets up Mellor but his low shot is well saved
52 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Neil Mellor:
53 mins : Gerrard sees his side-footed shot well saved after being set up by Pongolle
55 mins : Own Goal! Neil Cox: Gerrard shot headed into the Watford goal by Cox
58 mins : Hamann concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position
59 mins : Baros goes off on a run at goal but is punished by the referee for a push just outside the box
60 mins : Bouazza smashes the ball over Dudek's goal from close range
65 mins : Great ball from Gerrard to Nunez but the ball eventually goes out of play
66 mins : Baros scores an absolutely amazing goal but it's ruled out for being offside
67 mins : Pongolle goes down under a challenge clutching his ankle in pain
70 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Dietmar Hamann:
72 mins : Baros is unlucky not to control the ball when Nunez sets him up outside the area
73 mins : Great last-ditch tackle by Traore in the box after a dangerous break by Watford
74 mins : Low shot from Baros is just wide of the Watford goal
76 mins : Booking: James Chambers:
76 mins : Low shot from Gerrard well saved by Jones
77 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Florent Sinama Pongolle:
82 mins : Substitution: Dominic Blizzard for Neal Ardley:
80 mins : Igor penalised foe using his elbow in a challenge
85 mins : Coc sends a free-kick into the box but it's blocked by Garcia's hand
86 mins : Mahon hits a shot at goal but it's deflected over
87 mins : Warnock's high clearance is chased down by baros but Jones gets there first
88 mins : Traore makes a vital interception in the box to prevent a clear goalscoring chance
90 mins : Two minutes injury time added on
- : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Lnchester United  0 - 1

 
Saturday 15 January 2005 12:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 0 - 1 "Manchester United"
  (0-1)  
 
GOAL
     Rooney 21
 
Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 12. Mauricio Pellegrino, 23. Jamie Carragher, 10. Luis Garcia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 5. Milan Baros, 19. Fernando Morientes.

Subs: 40. Paul Harrison, 28. Stephen Warnock, 18. Antonio Nunez, 25. Igor Biscan, 24. Florent Sinama Pongolle.
  Team: Roy Carroll, Phil Neville, Wes Brown, Mickael Silvestre, Gabriel Heinze, Darren Fletcher, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha.

Subs: Howard, Miller, John O'Shea, Bellion, Fortune.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Riise (Sinama Pongolle 72), Morientes (Nunez 75), Hamann (Biscan 79)    Ronaldo (O'Shea 67), Saha (Fortune 79), Rooney (Bellion 90)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
 Booked: Carragher, Nunez    Booked: Brown, Rooney, Fortune, Keane
 Sent Off: Brown 65
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 44,183
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Alex Ferguson (Manchester U)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Mauricio Pellegrino makes his LFC debut

- Fernando Morientes makes his LFC debut

- Traore's 100th game for Liverpool.

- 3rd home defeat vs. Utd in a row.

Burnley - Lverpool  1 - 0

 
Tuesday 18 January 2005 19:45 FA Cup 3rd Round
 
 
"Burnley" 1 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Traore 52 og    
 
Team: 12. Brian Jensen, 2. Lee Roche, 3. Mohammed Camara, 4. John McGreal, 25. Jean-Louis Valois, 5. Frank Sinclair, 11. Tony Grant, 17. Micah Hyde, 7. Richard Chaplow, 22. Gary Cahill, 10. Ian Moore.

Subs: 1. Danny Coyne, 16. Paul Scott, 14. Matthew O'Neill, 15. Joel Pilkington, 23. Mark Yates.
  Team: 25. Jose Reina, 4. Sami Hyypia, 21. Djimi Traore, 28. Stephen Warnock, 37. Zak Whitbread, 31. David Raven, 32. John Welsh, 18. Antonio Nunez, 25. Igor Biscan, 34. Darren Potter, 24. Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

Subs: 40. Paul Harrison, 36. Jon Otsemobor, 41. Mark Smyth, 33. Neil Mellor, 5. Milan Baros.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Dickov (Kuqi 67)    Baros (Traore 65), Mellor (Welsh 75)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Clattenberg (Co Durham)
 Booked: Chaplow 71    Booked: Raven 64, Mellor 85
 Sent Off: Nunez 87
VENUE   MANAGERS
Turf Moor (capacity 22,619)
Attendance: 19,033
  Steve Cotterill (Burnley)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J2,50

  Notes:

  - Djimi Traore scored an own goal on 51'

  - This programme printed for match Burnley - Liverpool 7 january, but how yuo can understend this match was postponed on 18 january.

  TRAGEDY FOR TRAORE AS REDS CRASH OUT

  Liverpool have crashed out of this year's FA Cup after a freak Djimi Traore own goal sent them to a deserved 1-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley at Turf Moor this evening.

  It was much as the Reds could have expected after a disappointing performance left question marks over the decision to play a weakened side for this 3rd Round tie.

  Traore's moment of madness came on 52 minutes, but they could count themselves lucky to have not been behind sooner. Not even the second half introduction of Milan Baros could rescue the Reds and they are now left to concentrate their efforts elsewhere.

  Rafa's side finished the game with 10 men after Antonio Nunez capped a bad night by being sent off for throwing an elbow in frustration.

  Reds fans heading along the M65 towards Turf Moor this evening may have had a sense of deja-vu as their wipers worked overtime to repel the heavy downpour that was threatening to sweep this game away for a second time.

  But, a delayed kick off aside, their journey was not wasted as they arrived to find Burnley's re-laid pitch had stood the test of the latest round of wicked weather.

  A look at the Liverpool team sheet revealed that Rafa Benitez had kept his word and put his faith in youth as the Reds began their quest to reach the wind free calm of a sunny afternoon in Cardiff.

  And given his Kop Kids' heroics in reaching the last four of the Carling Cup, Rafa's faith could not be questioned. However it was fair to assume they would face a rough ride, not just from the weather, but from a Burnley side that hadn't conceded a goal
in their last five home games.

  Only three regulars remained from the side beaten by Manchester United on Saturday as Zak Whitbread, David Raven, John Welsh, Darren Potter and Stephen Warnock were joined by Igor Biscan, Antonio Nunez and Florent Sinama Pongolle in the starting eleven. And Milan Baros was on the bench for what must have been insurance purposes. It was hoped he wouldn't be needed.

  Any thoughts of a night off for the Czech hitman were almost dissolved as soon as the game got underway. Burnley started at a furious pace and immediately offered a chance for Jerzy Dudek to rebuild his confidence after Saturday's indiscretion.

  He was called into action as early as the 4th minute when Chaplow got clear and forced him into a smart stop. And he was on hand again just a minute later to save Hyde's strike from 18 yards.

  That early spell of Burnley pressure set the tone for the rest of the first half as the Reds failed to get to grips with their opponents robust style and an uneven playing surface. And they were again fortunate when Frank Sinclair failed to control a free header from point blank range.

  We had to wait until the 27th minute for Liverpool's first sight of goal when Biscan maybe should have done better with a free header of his own when well placed. And Pongolle wasted an excellent chance to give them a deserved lead as half time approached. We hoped for better in the second half.

  We got it at first, when Nunez crossed and Pongolle headed narrowly over. But the Reds went behind soon after when Djimi Traore made an entry into the 'what happened next' catalogue.

  There had seemed little danger as Chaplow's loss cross rolled tamely towards the leggy defender, but he got his longs legs in a twist an inexplicably back flicked the ball into his own net. Traore held his head. We awaited the arrival of Baros.

  We didn't wait long; and Rafa Benitez will surely have wished he had more of his top guns to call upon. Traore was the man to make way and he looked suitably dejected as he sat in the dug out. He was a man of the match contender before his moment of madness.

  Liverpool started playing when they went behind. They had too. But the tie was almost put beyond them after 73 minutes when Dudek was again forced into an excellent save from Chaplow?s low drive.

  The Reds responded immediately, but Potter chose the wrong option and shot when he should have played Baros in. But as the game swung from end to end, you got the impression that they were in more danger ofgoing further behind than drawing level.

  As it was, Igor Biscan wasted their only remaining chance and their
night to forget was complete when Nunez got a straight Red with
barely minutes remaining.

  It's goodbye to the FA Cup for another year. Regrets? There's sure to be a few.

  Teams

  Burnley (4-5-1): Jensen, Camara, McGreal, Valois, Sinclair, Hyde, Roche, Grant, Chaplow, Cahill, Moore. Subs - Coyne, O'Neill, Pilkington, Scott, Yates.

  Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Dudek, Traore, Hyypia, Whitbread, Raven, Warnock, Welsh, Biscan, Nunez, Potter, Sinama Pongolle. Subs - Harrison, Mellor, Baros, Smyth, Otsemobor.

  Referee: M Clattenberg

  Conditions: Cold & Windy

  Attendance: Unknown

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jerzy Dudek

  Breakdown

20:00 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Burnley kick-off attacking the goal behind which the Liverpool fans are seated
2 mins : Dudek gets an early touch as the home side apply pressure down the left and Hyypia plays the ball back to his keeper
4 mins : Chaplow races free of the Liverpool defence and Dudek has to get down low to save
5 mins : Dudek comes to Liverpool's rescue again, this time pushing long-range effort by Hyde behind for a corner
6 mins : Cahill heads narrowly over from the corner as the Clarets enjoy some early pressure
7 mins : Traore goes down injured following a challenge by Sinclair and Dave Galley is quickly on to apply treatment
8 mins : Potter's low free-kick from the left is easily gather at the near post by keeperJensen
9 mins : Warnock is spoken to by the ref for kicking out at Cahill
15 mins : Nunez is forced off the pitch temporarily after a collision with Welsh
21 mins : A good move down the right ends with a Potter cross sailing high over the bar
23 mins : A great interception by Traore cuts out a dangerous looking centre from Chaplow
23 mins : Hyde fires wide as the ball falls to him on the edge of the box
24 mins : Good cross by Nunez is well held by Jensen
27 mins : A goalward bound Biscan header from a corner on the right is blocked in the six-yard by the leg of a Burnley defender
32 mins : Biscan carelessly concedes a corner and from the resultant kick Hyypia has to head clear twice
36 mins : Liverpool's players are in the wars again and Warnock has to briefly leave the action after sustaining a head injury
40 mins : Pongolle wins the ball of Roche and races through on goal but fails to spot an unmarked Biscan and eventually loses possession
41 mins : Welsh tries his luck with a speculative shot from 25-yards out that fails to trouble Jensen
43 mins : Raven scuffs a shot wide following a promising move that stemmed from a Welsh pass in the centre of the Burnley half
45 mins : The fourth official indicates that there will be two minutes of time added on
44 mins : Potter shoots from distance and forces Jensen into a low save
20:47 GMT : Half Time Reached
21:03 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Potter and Pongolle get the second half underway
46 mins : Warnock has an early shot on goal but Jensen is alert and makes the save
50 mins : A great cross by Nunez is flicked on by the head of Pongolle and goes just over
52 mins : Own Goal! Djimi Traore: turns the ball into his own net when attempting to clear a low cross from Chaplow
59 mins : The physio is on again, this time to apply treatment to Pongolle
63 mins : A good headed clearance by Whitbread clears the danger as Hyde floats in a cross from the right
64 mins : Booking: David Raven:
65 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Djimi Traore:
66 mins : Hyde blazes over as Burnley threaten to increase their lead
70 mins : Booking: Richard Chaplow: for a foul on Pongolle
71 mins : Chaplow spurns a glorious opportunity to put the Clarets two ahead when he fires wide from inside the box
72 mins : Potter drags a low shot wide of the goal as Liverpool strive to save themselves from a cup upset
75 mins : Substitution: Neil Mellor for John Welsh:
76 mins : Baros bursts through down the right and the ball rebounds to Nunez who fires over
80 mins : Baros cuts in from the left but shoots frustratingly into a wall of defenders
81 mins : Mellor attempts to lob Jensen from just inside the area but his effort goes just over the bar
83 mins : Biscan shoots disappointingly wide and wastes a great opportunity following good work by Warnock
85 mins : Booking: Neil Mellor: for a foul on Grant
86 mins : Sending Off: Antonio Nunez: for an elbow on Grant
90 mins : Warnock blasts a free-kick into the wall
91 mins : Booking: Milan Baros: for arguing with the referee
21:52 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Southampton - Liverpool  2 - 0

 
Saturday 22 January 2005 12:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Southampton" 2 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (2-0)  
 
GOAL
 Prutton 4, Crouch 22    
 
Team: 1. Antti Niemi, 19. Danny Higginbotham, 39. Calum Davenport, 5. Claus Lundekvam, 33. Paul Telfer, 18. Rory Delap, 38. Jamie Redknapp, 12. Anders Svensson, David Prutton, 14. Peter Crouch, 35. Mikael Nilsson.

Subs: 13. Paul Smith, 6. Andreas Jakobsson, 8. Matt Oakley, 36. Brett Ormerod, 34. Kenwyne Jones
  Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 28. Stephen Warnock, 12. Mauricio Pellegrino, 23. Jamie Carragher, 10. Luis Garcia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 5. Milan Baros, 19. Fernando Morientes.

Subs: 20. Scott Carson, 21. Djimi Traore, 31. David Raven, 25. Igor Biscan, 24. Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Nilsson (Jakobsson 76), Svensson (Jones 89)    Warnock (Sinama-Pongolle 46), Hyypia (Raven 67), Hamann (Biscan 78)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
 Booked: Redknapp 38    Booked: Hamann 50, Garcia
VENUE   MANAGERS
St Mary's St. (capacity 32,551)
Attendance: 32,017
  Harry Redknapp (Southampton)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price:

  Notes:

  - David Raven's first Premier league game.

- Liverpool's 3rd defeat in a row.

  TWO-GOAL SAINTS SINK POOR REDS

Liverpool's hopes of securing qualification for next season's Champions League via fourth spot in the FA Barclays Premiership seem to be fading after an afternoon to forget at the St Mary's Stadium.

  First half goals from David Prutton and Peter Crouch condemned the Reds to a disappointing 2-0 defeat that will raise serious doubts about their chances of overhauling Mersey neighbours Everton for the lucrative prize of a place in Europe's elite competition.

  Rafael Benitez was handed a massive boost prior to kick-off when Steven Gerrard was declared fit to play. The influential skipper had been suffering from a thigh injury that had prevented him from training during the week and was considered a major doubt for this fixture.

  The return of Gerrard was one of eight changes to the team that had started Tuesday's dismal FA Cup defeat at Burnley as Benitez recalled his senior stars, only Jerzy Dudek, Sami Hyypia and Stephen Warnock retaining their places after the Turf Moor debacle.

  After a depressing week results wise it was vitally important for the Reds to bounce back positively against a struggling Southampton side but they got off to the worst possible start.

  With just four minutes on the clock Mauricio Pellegrino carelessly conceded possession on the edge of his own box, allowing Prutton to play a neat one-two with Crouch before coolly converting past Dudek with a low angled effort.

  It was a goal that gave the home crowd a huge lift and Liverpool offered little in response.

  Morientes had appeals for a penalty appeals waved away by referee Alan Wiley in the 10th minute when he went down in the box under a challenge from Davenport, while Gerrard later blazed one over from the edge of the area following a pacy run down the right by Baros.

  It was not good viewing for the travelling Liverpudlians who had been up bright and early for the long trip to the south coast and it was to get worse after 22 minutes when another Saints attack carved open the Liverpool defence. Prutton found himself in acres of space on the right and his centre was headed home by an unmarked Crouch.

  Gerrard replied with Liverpool's best effort of apoor opening half, a venomous low drive that Niemi had to get down well to hold, but Rafael Benitez had Dudek to thank for the fact his side did not go in at the break further behind when he twice pulled off impressive saves, first to deny Delap and then Crouch.

 The half-time whistle could not come quick enough and the only hope was that the second half could not be any worse.

  Florent Sinama-Pongolle replaced Warnock at the break and his introduction was a positive move. The young Frenchman took up a position wide on the right and his lively forward running immediately had Southampton on the back foot.

  With renewed optimism Liverpool looked revitalised and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Baros drilled a low shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide of the upright.

  Gerrard then saw a fiercely struck free-kick shave the top of the crossbar and Morientes fired over after doing well to create space for himself 25-yards from goal.

  Southampton, however, continued to pose a threat whenever they pushed forward. Redknapp tested Dudek with a long-range free-kick, while the aerial ability of Crouch was a constant source of irritation.

  Young David Raven came on for his Premiership debut after Hyypia was forced to leave the field with an injury but with time ticking by the desperation for some intervention at the opposite end was getting stronger by the minute.

  With defeat staring them in the face Baros and Gerrard both went close with commendable efforts from distance but Southampton held on to provide Harry Redknapp with a much-celebrated first Premiership win as Saints boss.

  For Liverpool, a third straight defeat does not make for happy reading and neither does the League table after this latest loss.

  Teams

  Southampton: Niemi, Higginbotham, Lundekvam, Davenport, Telfer, Delap, Redknapp, Svensson, Prutton, Crouch, Nilsson. Subs - Smith, Ormerod, Jakobsson, Jones, Oakley

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Hyypia, Pellegrino, Carragher, Riise, Hamann, Gerrard (captain), Garcia, Morientes, Baros. Subs - Carson, Traore, Raven, Sinama Pongolle, Biscan

  Referee: Alan Wiley

  Conditions: Dry and mild

  Attendance: 32,017

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Florent Sinama-Pongolle

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool get the game underway
1 mins : Baros has an early half chance
4 mins : GOAL! David Prutton: A mistake in defence gives Prutton a chance which he finishes well
7 mins : Liverpool under pressure and Pellegrino has to clear
9 mins : Garcia crosses into the box and Morientes makes a nuisance of himself
10 mins : Morientes goes down in the box, but no penalty
14 mins : Prutton lets one fly from longe range and its well wide
17 mins : Hyypia requires treatment after a clash of heads
21 mins : Gerrard shoots over from Baros cross
22 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Crouch is left unmarked and has the simple task of heading passed Dudek
29 mins : Warnock crosses into the box as Liverpool look for a way back into the game
30 mins : Garcia gives the ball away and Liverpool now have a corner to defend
32 mins : Liverpool give the ball away again and Delap misses an excellent chance to make it 3-0 as Dudek saves
33 mins : Niemi saves well as Gerrard responds with a shot at the other end
38 mins : Booking: Jamie Redknapp: Ex Red Redknapp is booked for a foul on Garcia
41 mins : Crouch shoots from outside the box and Dudek saves comfortably
45 mins : Gerrard plays Garcia in, but Niemi smothers his shot
Half Time Reached
Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Stephen Warnock: Rafa drafts in extra firepower
46 mins : Pongolle gets into the action straight away
50 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann: Hamann is booked for a foul on Prutton
50 mins : Redknapp forces Dudek to save
51 mins : Morientes gets his first sight of goal, but his shot is blocked
51 mins : Baros shoots agonisingly wide of the left hand post
57 mins : Reds have a free kick in a dangerous position after Redknapp handballs
58 mins : Gerrard hits the Southampton bar with a great strike
59 mins : Great run and cut back from Pongolle, but Southampton get it clear
60 mins : Great skill by Morientes, but he shoots over
62 mins : Prutton shot is deflected wide, but Hyypia is down in build up
66 mins : Hyypia does well to clear, but his injury means he now has to go off
67 mins : Substitution: David Raven for Sami Hyypia: Hyypia gives way to what looks like a hamstring injury
70 mins : Another mistake almost gives Crouch another chance
75 mins : Pongolle heads wide from Raven's cross
76 mins : Baros does well and then flashes a shot wide from 18 yards
76 mins : Substitution: Andreas Jakobsson for Mikael Nilsson:
78 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Dietmar Hamann: Rafa's last throw of the dice
79 mins : Good play between Baros and Biscan threatens Southampton goal, but it's cleared
79 mins : Further news on Sami Hyypia is that he has twisted his hip
82 mins : Gerrard is unlucky with a shot just wide
87 mins : Liverpool continue to struggle as time ebbs away
89 mins : Substitution: Kenwyne Jones for Anders Svensson:
89 mins : Garcia crosses into the box, but no Liverpool player can get near it
90 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia:
90 mins : There will be 3 extra minutes
90 mins : Dudek saves at the second attempt as Southampton look to compound Reds misery

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Watford - Liverpool  0 - 1

 
Tuesday 25 January 2005 19:45 League / Carling Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg
 
 
"Watford" 0 - 1 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     Gerrard 77
 
 13  Paul Jones
 14  Jermaine Darlington
  5  Neil Cox
 29  Jay DeMerit
 19  James Chambers
 10  Paul Devlin
  4  Brynjar Gunnarsson
  8  Gavin Mahon
  2  Neil Ardley
 25  Hameur Bouazza
 17  Heidar Helguson

 Subs:
  1  Alec Chamberlain
 20  Lloyd Doyle
 23  Anthony McNamee
  7  Bruce Dyer
  9  Danny Webber
    1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 23  Jamie Carragher
 25  Igor Biscan
 12  Dietmar Hamann
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
  5  Milan Baros
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 10  Luis Garcia
 34  Darren Potter
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Bouazza (Webber 56)
 Gunnarsson (Dyer 77)
 Devlin (McNamee 80)
   Baros (Sinama-Pongolle 85)
 Sinama-Pongolle (Garcia 89)
 Gerrard (Potter 90)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mike Riley (W Yorkshire)
 Booked:    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Vicarage Road (20,800)
Attendance: 19,797
  Ray Lewington (Watford)
)Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price:  

  Notes:

    - Igor Biscan 100th game for Liverpool.

  - Pongolle was on for four mins before exiting with a serious knee injury.

  STEVIE TAKES REDS BACK TO CARDIFF

  Rafa Benitez will celebrate his first season in charge at Anfield by leading his players out in a major cup final after Steven Gerrard's second half goal gave the Reds a two goal aggregate victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

  The Carling Cup may not have been at the top of Rafa's priorities at the start of the season, but the timing of this victory over the Hornets couldn't have been better as the Reds put their recent troubles behind them to see off the valiant challenge of their Championship opponents.

  After three straight defeats the Reds knew another loss tonight would have given their growing army of critics even more ammunition to hurl in their direction but, despite never reaching top gear at Vicarage Road, Benitez's boys produced the kind of gritty performance demanded on nights like this to secure their place in the Cardiff showpiece next month.

  It also means the Reds are assured of at least a UEFA Cup place next season - although Benitez will be hoping this result can kick-start Liverpool's Premiership form as they look to close in on the top four and a place in next season's Champions League instead.

  It was a night of celebration for the Reds but also one of despair for young striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle who survived just three minutes as a second half substitute before being taken off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury. The Anfield injury curse looks to have struck again.

  The first half was a low key affair with Liverpool always looking the more dangerous of the two teams but Watford, spurred on by a partisan home crowd, always felt they were in the contest when only trailing to Steven Gerrard's goal at Anfield two weeks ago.

  Fernando Morientes went closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half with a low shot which was deflected narrowly wide after good link-up play with Steven Gerrard.

  Gerrard himself could have netted after running half the length of the field but, just as a shooting opportunity presented itself, he instead opted for a passto Milan Baros at the far post but the Czech ace was crowded out and the opportunity was lost. Gerrard was to make no such mistake in the second half.

  Liverpool, despite dominating, were always vulnerable with just a one goal aggregate lead and they survived a nervy moment just before the break when Mike Riley - the official who denied the Reds a clear penalty against Chelsea on New Year's Day - this time gave a dubious decision in our favour when he ruled Mauricio Pellegrino's challenge on Bouazza to be legal when TV replays suggested otherwise.

  Baros wasted a golden chance six minutes into the second period when he ran clean through on goal, only to be denied by a last ditch challenge from Watford skipper Neil Cox.

  Liverpool defended well against spirited attacks from the home side during the second half and always looked capable of breaking to good effect at the other end.

  Morientes almost got a shot in on goal after good play by Gerrard shortly after the hour mark and then Igor Biscan and Mauricio Pellegrino both went close after 70 minutes when Biscan's shot was deflected for a corner and Pellegrino's header from the dead ball delivery was hacked clear by the Watford defence.

  Liverpool settled any nerves they may have been feeling 16 minutes from time when Steven Gerrard emerged as the hero once again with a fine right footed finish after good play by Morientes and Riise.

  It was a goal which killed off the hopes of Watford and sent the travelling Liverpudlians into ecstasy behind the goal.

  "We're all going to Cardiff" sang the joyous fans after Stevie's strike as they looked forward to their sixth final at the stadium in just four years.

  It was never a cup tie which got the blood boiling or which saw Liverpool play their best football - but after three straight losses that'll be the last thing on Rafael Benitez's mind.

  The result was all that mattered tonight and the Reds did more than enough to secure a place at the Millennium Stadium on February 27 where they will face either Manchester United or Chelsea.

  With both teams having done the double over the Reds this season let's hope the sweet smell of revenge is in the air when the Reds face Alex Ferguson's or Jose Mourinho's men in four and a half week's time.

  It should be some final!

  Teams

  Watford: Jones, Darlington, Cox, Gunnarsson, Ardley, Chambers, Demerit, Mahon, Devlin, Bouazza, Helguson. Subs - Chamberlain, Doyley, Dyer, McNamee, Webber.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Pellegrino, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Hamann, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Carson, Garcia, Potter, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Referee: Mike Riley

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

1 mins : Watford kick-off attacking the end where the Liverpool fans are seated
2 mins : Good defensive header by Carragher halts an early Watford attack
6 mins : Great 30-yard pass by Gerrard picks out Baros on the right but Liverpool eventually lose possession through Hamann
10 mins : Biscan blazes a speculative effort well wide of the goal from the centre circle
13 mins : Helguson is flagged offside as he attempts to charge through the middle of the Reds defence
18 mins : Riise delivers a dangerous cross from the left but Mahon heads clear with Morientes lurking menacingly
22 mins : Watford win the first corner of the night
23 mins : But thankfully it comes to nothing
24 mins : A through ball by Morientes is frustratingly just a little too strong for Baros
25 mins : Baros does well down the right and forces Liverpool's first corner
25 mins : Riise scuffs a shot disappointingly wide
26 mins : Morientes turns on the edge of the box and goes agonisingly close with a low shot that is deflected just past the upright
27 mins : Baros and Morientes combine and the Czech fires a shot into the arms of Jones
29 mins : Mahon drills a low shot wide of Dudek's goal from outside the
29 mins : Mahon drills a low shot wide of Dudek's goal from outside the
31 mins : Great tackle by Mahon stops Baros in his tracks as he advances towards goal
32 mins : Liverpool break swiftly with Gerrard down the right but he opts to pass instead of going for goal himself and a promising move peters out when Baros is knocked off the ball on the edge of the box
39 mins : Pellegrino stoops low to head clear at the near post as Darlington whips in a teasing centre from the left
40 mins : Riise miscues a right-footed shot from the corner of the area
42 mins : Finnan comes to Liverpool's rescue as Devlin gets in behind Traore and plays a dangerous ball across the face of goal
45 mins : Just one minute of time is added on at the end of the first half
45 mins : Good sliding tackle by Pellegrino denies Mahon a goalscoring opportunity as the interval approaches
47 mins : Morientes heads well wide following a cross from the left by Riise
47 mins : Morientes requires treatment from the physio after a clash with DeMerit
50 mins : Baros is sent clean through on goal by Gerrard but Cox gets across to make a vital last-ditch tackle
51 mins : Morientes tries his luck with a spectacular overhead kick that is not too far away
53 mins : Watford break dangerously through the middle but Helguson wastes a good opportunity
54 mins : Pellegrino clears in the six-yard box as the home side apply some pressure
55 mins : Substitution: Danny Webber for Hameur Bouazza:
59 mins : Liverpool fans appeal for a penalty after Gerrard is felled by Chambers in the box but Riley waves play on
62 mins : Baros wins a corner with a forceful run into the Watford box from the right touchline
64 mins : Riise embarks on a rampaging run down the left but Baros and Morientes are unable to convert his cross
68 mins : A Biscan header gives Morientes a clear sight of goal but takes one touch too many and the Watford defence are able to get back in numbers and block his shot
71 mins : A low shot from Biscan is deflected narrowly past the far post and from the subsequent corner Pellegrino has a header blocked by a packed Watford defence
76 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: runs through from midfield and finishes clinically with a low shot into the bottom corner
77 mins : Substitution: Bruce Dyer for Brynjar Gunnarsson:
80 mins : Substitution: Anthony McNamee for Paul Devlin:
84 mins : Helguson heads over from an Ardley corner
84 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Milan Baros:
86 mins : Pongolle goes down in agony after pulling up and he leaves the field on a stretcher
88 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Florent Sinama Pongolle:
89 mins : The travelling Liverpool fans belt out Gerry Marsden's Anfield anthem as they celebrate the prospect of another trip to Cardiff

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Charlton Athletic  1 - 2  Liverpool

 
Tuesday 1 February 2005 20:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Charlton Athletic Liverpool
2 - 1  (1-0)
 
GOAL
 Bartlett 20  Morientes 61, Riise 79
 
  1  Dean Kiely
 12  Hermann Hreidarsson
 15  Talal El Karkouri
 24  Jonathon Fortune
  2  Luke Young
 14  Jerome Thomas
  8  Matt Holland
 13  Danny Murphy
 18  Paul Konchesky
 17  Shaun Bartlett
 20  Bryan Hughes

 Subs:
 30  Stephan Andersen
  7  Radostin Kishishev
  9  Jason Euell
 11  Francis Jeffers
 21  Jonatan Johansson
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 25  Igor Biscan
 10  Luis Garcia
 19  Fernando Morientes
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 34  Darren Potter
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Thomas (Kishishev 60)
 Hughes (Euell 66)
 Holland (Jeffers 78)
 Morientes (Smicer 88)
 Garcia (Potter 90)
 Riise (Warnock 90)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Neale Barry (N Lincolnshire)
 Booked:  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
The Valley (capacity 26,500)
Attendance: 27,102
Alan Curbishley (Charlton A)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J2,50

  Notes:

  - Fernando Morientes scores his first goal for LFC

  - Smicer makes his first appearance of the season after being injured since July 2004.

  NANDO OFF THE MARK AS REDS NET CRUCIAL WIN

  Fernando Morientes scored his first goal for Liverpool as the Reds fought back to earn a crucial 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday night.

  The Spanish striker struck shortly after the hour mark to cancel out a 20th minute opener by Shaun Bartlett and John Arne Riise went on to net a deserved winning strike with 12 minutes remaining.

  In what was a vitally important game in the race for Champions League qualification Liverpool dared not lose and on the evidence of their second half performance fourth placed Everton will be looking nervously over their shoulders.

  The Reds started sprightly and enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges. Gerrard struck the bar as early as the 7th minute, after Kiely had saved from Garcia, and Baros then went close with a long-range shot.

  But against the run of play the home side took the lead. Former Red Danny Murphy did well to force a corner and it was from his subsequent delivery that Bartlett headed home.

  Liverpool responded positively to the setback of going behind, only to find Kiely in inspired form. The keeper denied both Gerrard and Morientes, while the crossbar came to Charlton's rescue for a second time in the 56th minute when an effort from Riise bounced frustratingly back off the woodwork.

  The Reds refused to let up and they finally got their just rewards when Morientes fired home with a well struck left-footed shot.

  With the bit between their teeth they continued to press forward and it came as no surprise when Riise slotted the winning goal. Morientes released him and the Norwegian made no mistake with a low finish.

  The half-time whistle could not come quick enough and the only hope was that the second half could not be any worse.

  Chances went begging to increase the lead further before referee Neale Barry blew the final whistle to confirm a priceless Liverpool win.

  Teams

  Charlton Athletic: Kiely, Hreidarsson, El Karkouri, Fortune, Young, Thomas, Holland, Murphy, Konchesky, Bartlett, Hughes. Subs - Anderson, Euell, Jeffers, Johansson, Kishishev

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Garcia, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Carson, Pellegrino, Potter, Smicer, Warnock

  Referee: Neale Barry

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 27,102

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Morientes

  Breakdown

20:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Charlton get the match underway
2 mins : Garcia concedes the games first free kick with a foul on Konchesky
3 mins : Baros chases the ball down the right but Hreidrasson watches the ball roll out of play
6 mins : Garcia has a shot saved and Gerrard follows up with a goal bound shot which Kiely brilliantly turns onto the bar
11 mins : Baros drives a shot wide from 25 yards after creating space for himself. We're dominating so far
12 mins : Gerrard clatters into Murphy as the two good mates go head to head in midfield
17 mins : Carragher bursts forward and sees a left footed shot deflected behind for a corner
18 mins : Morientes' header loops over the bar following another Liverpool attack
19 mins : Murphy finds space and drives a low cross along the six yard line which Finnan has to clear
21 mins : GOAL! Shaun Bartlett: Bartlett arrives unmarked to head powerfully into the net following a well delivered corner
24 mins : Gerrard shoots from distance forcing Kiely into a save at his near post
27 mins : Good defending by Traore to prevent a corner but Charlton still threatening
28 mins : Hyypia prevents a certain second Charlton goal with a tackle on Hughes as he's about to tap home
29 mins : Riise's dipping left footed volley beats Kiely but goes over the bar
30 mins : Gerrard shoots again from 25 yards but this time misses the target by a long way
33 mins : Thomas almost breaks clear but Traore defends well
33 mins : Morientes misses a sitter when his close range shot from three yards is kept out by Kiely
35 mins : Baros goes close this time with a header over the bar from Hyypia's knock-back
35 mins : Dudek makes a brilliant diving save to stop a glancing header going into the far corner of his goal
38 mins : Traore again uses his speed to good effect to stop Charlton entering the Liverpool area
43 mins : Gerrard has a great shooting chance on the edge of the area but drags his effort well wide
45 mins : One added minute to be played
20:48 GMT : Half Time Reached

21:04 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool kick off the second half looking for a way back into the game
48 mins : Kiely wins a race with Baros to prevent the Liverpool striker getting a shot on goal
52 mins : Good run by Thomas down the right but he eventually runs out of pitch and concedes a goal kick
54 mins : Baros does the hard work on the edge of the box but then makes a mess of his pass to Garcia and the chance is gone
56 mins : Riise crashes a left footed shot off the bar as Liverpool hit the woodwork for the second time tonight
58 mins : Garcia's shot is deflected for a corner as Liverpool pile on the pressure
60 mins : Substitution: Radostin Kishishev for Jerome Thomas:
61 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: Well drilled left footed shot into the back of the net for a deserved equaliser
63 mins : Amazing defending by Traore to deny Murphy a tap in
66 mins : Substitution: Jason Euell for Bryan Hughes:
71 mins : Riise and Morientes almost combine in the area as Rafa's Reds go for the winner
72 mins : Gerrard's shot from 25 yards takes a wicked deflection before being tipped over by Kiely for a corner
73 mins : From the corner Hyypia finds space in the box but fires his left footed shot just wide
74 mins : Kishishev finds space on the right of the area but wastefully lifts his shot well wide of target
77 mins : Garcia's shot in the area is blocked and Charlton get lucky in the area as they're able to clear the danger
78 mins : Substitution: Francis Jeffers for Matt Holland:
80 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Morientes finds Riise and the Norwegian makes no mistake with a low finish
86 mins : Riise crosses from the left but can't find a team-mate as Liverpool loook to kill the game off
88 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Fernando Morientes:
90 mins : Substitution: Darren Potter for Luis Garcia:
90 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for John Arne Riise:

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Fulham  3 - 1

 
Saturday 05 February 2005 15:00 Barclays Premiership
"Liverpool" 3 - 1 "Fulham"
(1-1)
GOAL
 Morientes 8, Hyypia 63, Baros 77  Cole 15
Team: Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Igor Biscan, Steven Gerrard (c), Luis Garcia, Milan Baros, Fernando Morientes.

Subs: Scott Carson, Dietmar Hamann, Mauricio Pellegrino, Vladimir Smicer, Stephen Warnock.
Team: Edwin Van Der Sar, Liam Rosenior, Carlos Bocanegra, Zat Knight, Zeshan Rehman, Mark Pembridge, Lee Clark (c), Papa Diop, Luis Boa Morte, Andy Cole, Tomasz Radzinski.

Subs: Mark Crossley, Alain Goma, Claus Jensen, Sylvain Legwinski, Brian McBride.
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Biscan (Hamann 65), Baros (Smicer 82), Riise (Warnock 89)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
Booked: Booked: Rehman 26, Diop 51, Pembridge 69
VENUE MANAGERS
 Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,534
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Chris Coleman (Fulham)

 

  SECOND HALF BRACE SEALS ANOTHER CRUCIAL WIN

Liverpool boosted their aspirations of achieving a coveted top four finish in this season's FA Barclays Premiership with a crucial 3-1 win over Fulham this afternoon.

Second half goals by Sami Hyypia and Milan Baros sealed a victory that closes the gap on Everton to just four points.

Fernando Morientes had earlier netted his first Anfield goal to give the Reds an 8th minute lead but Andy Cole levelled shortly afterwards and for long periods it looked as though this game would end 1-1.

Despite enjoying long periods of domination Liverpool found it difficult to breach a stubborn Fulham rearguard and it was with widespread relief that the two second half goals were greeted.

Rafael Benitez opted to field the same starting eleven that had performed so well against Charlton in midweek and the bright opening they made to this game pointed to another crucial victory.

Those hopes were raised further when Morientes opened the scoring. Nando is quickly becoming a crowd favourite and he endeared himself to the fans again with a glancing header from a Garcia cross that gave Van der Sar no chance.

It was a well deserved breakthrough but one that the Reds frustratingly failed to build on. In the 15th minute Garcia gave conceded possession in the centre circle and was punished for his error. The ball was played out wide to Boa Morte. He centred from the left and Cole converted with a diving header.

  The equalising goal took the sting out of what had been an impressive start by the Reds and we had to wait until the 63rd minute before the ascendancy was regained.

Riise was fouled out wide on the left and Gerrard's delivery from the subsequent set-piece was turned home by the head of the big Finn.

Thirteen minutes from time Baros added a third and ensured there would be no nervous finale when he fired low past Van der Sar from close-range following a good run and cross by Riise.

  Team

  Liverpool (4-3-1-2): Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard (c), Garcia, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Carson, Hamann, Pellegrino, Smicer, Warnockю

  Fulham (4-5-1): Van Der Sar, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Knight, Rehman, Pembridge, Clark (c), Diop, Boa Morte, Cole, Radzinski. Subs - Crossley, Goma, Jensen, Legwinski, McBride.

  Referee: Rob Styles

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 43,534

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: John Arne Riise

  Breakdown

15:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Fulham kick off attacking the Kop
2 mins : Liverpool start well as Gerrard threatens on the right
3 mins : The Referee waves away appeals for a penalty as Baros goes down
5 mins : Fulham have a corner as Radzinki's shot is deflected wide
5 mins : Danger as the corner comes in, but Liverpool clear
8 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: Morientes scores his second Reds goal with a glancing header from Garcia's cross
11 mins : Reds dominate as goal increases confidence
12 mins : Liverpool have a free kick in a dangerous position
12 mins : Riise's goal bound shot is blocked
14 mins : Indecisive defender gives Clark a chance, but he screws over
16 mins : GOAL! Andy Cole: Cole has a simple chance to head home from Boa Morte's cross
22 mins : Fulham have a corner
22 mins : Danger again for Liverpool as the corner flashes dangerously wide
24 mins : Liverpool will have a free kick dead centre of Fulham's goal after Garcia is fouled
25 mins : Gerrard's clever free kick finds Carragher, but his header is easily saved by Van der Sar
26 mins : Booking: Zeshan Rehman: Rehman is booked for a foul on Baros
27 mins : Good play between Baros and Garcia almost gets Morientes in, but Van Der Sar rushes out and gathers
28 mins : Boa Morte bursts into the box, but Hyypia is there to stop him
29 mins : Morientes is brought down, but the referee waves play on
33 mins : Traore does well down the left, but his pass inside is intercepted
36 mins : Van Der Sar saves from Biscan after great skill from Morientes
37 mins : Liverpool sweep forward, but Gerrard hits his shot high and wide
41 mins : Fulham threaten, but Dudek is able to watch the ball spin wide
45 mins : Boa Morte requires treatment after collision with Biscan
15:48 GMT : Half Time Reached
16:04 GMT : Second Half Begins
48 mins : Baros gets in on the right and Van der Sar does well to kick clear his cross
48 mins : Another chance for Baros, but he's blocked at point blank range
52 mins : Booking: Papa Diop: Diop is cautioned for a foul on Riise
53 mins : Gerrard's shot is blocked
55 mins : Liverpool apply the pressure
55 mins : Gerrard has Van der Sar srambling as he twists before hitting a half volley narrowly over
57 mins : Baros crosses from the right, but Riise can't control his volley and it drifts wide
57 mins : Knight gets back to foil Baros just when he looks like getting clear
63 mins : Liverpool have a free kick on the left
64 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: Hyypia meets Gerrard's cross with a great header that gives Van der Sar no chance
65 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Igor Biscan:
67 mins : Carragher covers well as Fulham threaten
69 mins : Booking: Mark Pembridge: The ex Evertonian is booked for a foul on Hamann
70 mins : Gerrard crosses again, but this time Fulham clear
73 mins : Hamann fizzes a shot at Van der Sar, but he's equal to it
74 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia: Garcia is booked for high feet
75 mins : Baros looks to play Garcia in, but it's cleared
77 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Milan smashes in Riise's cross to make it 3-1
81 mins : Boa Morte wonders how he hasn't scored as some last ditch defending foils him
82 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Milan Baros: goalscorer Baros gives way to Smicer, who is making a welcome Anfield return
85 mins : Finnan and Smicer combine before Van der Sar has to stretch to stop Finnan's cross
88 mins : Play is stopped as Riise receives treatment for a knock
89 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for John Arne Riise: Man of the match Riise is replaced by Warnock
90 mins : There will be 3 minutes added time

Birmingham City  2 - 0  Liverpool

 
Saturday 12 February 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
bir-city.jpg (1772 bytes)
Birmingham City Liverpool
2 - 0  (2-0)
 
GOAL
 Pandiani 38 p, Gray 45  
 
  1  Maik Taylor
 29  Mario Melchiot
  4  Kenny Cunningham (c)
  5  Matthew Upson
  3  Jamie Clapham
  8  Jermaine Pennant
 22  Damien Johnson
 25  Stephen Clemence
 21  Julian Gray
 16  Emile Heskey
  9  Walter Pandiani

 Subs:
 12  Ian Bennett
  2  Oliver Tebily
 32  Darren Anderton
 36  Mehdi Nafti
  7  Robbie Blake
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 25  Igor Biscan
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 19  Fernando Morientes
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 18  Antonio Nunez
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Melchiot (Tebily 18)
 Pennant (Nafti 84)
 Pandiani (Blake 89)
 Biscan (Smicer 46)
 Riise (Nunez 63)
 Finnan (Pellegrino 79)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
 Booked: Tebily 49, Heskey 71  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
St Andrews (capacity 30,009)
Attendance: 29,318
Steve Bruce (Birmingham C)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Notes:

  - Sami Hyypia 300th game for LFC.

  REDS FAIL TO CLOSE GAP ON BLUES

  Liverpool have failed to close the gap on fourth placed Everton after going down to their tenth defeat of the season at St Andrews this afternoon.

  With Everton having already lost to Chelsea before the Reds kicked off, the 2-0 defeat at Birmingham will prove a bitter pill to swallow for Rafael Benitez who must have hoped his side could have reduced the gap on their city rivals to just a couple of points.

  But a miserable first half performance in the Midlands rendered that scenario unlikely as Birmimgham netted two goals without reply to win the game before the break.

  The Reds were their own worst enemies after 37 minutes when Sami Hyypia - making his 300th appearance for the Reds - pulled back former team-mate Emile Heskey in the area and on-loan striker Walter Pandiani slotted home the penalty to give the home side the lead.

  That advantage was doubled in the final minute of the half when the lively Jermaine Pennant drifted past John Arne Riise in the area and crossed for Julian Gray to smash the ball into the back of the net with a well executed volley.

  The lead was fully deserved after Birmingham prevented the Reds creating a genuine goalscoring chance whilst always looking dangerous when attacking the Liverpool half of the field.

  Rafael Benitez, understandably, replaced Igor Biscan with Vladimir Smicer at the break in a change of formation which saw Steven Gerrard return to the centre of midfield and Milan Baros move from his right midfield role to partner Morientes in attack.

  However, Liverpool failed to improve during the second half and went down meekly to their seventh away league defeat of the campaign.

  The only chances of note in the second period came late on when Smicer drove Djimi Traore's cross high and wide and JamieCarragher saw a stoppage time header hacked off the line.

  The victory ensured Birmingham became the first team this season to complete the double over the Reds and means Liverpool now have almost no room for error over their remaining games if they are to claim that coveted fourth position at the end of the campaign.

  Teams

  Birmingham City: Taylor, Clapham, Upson, Cunningham, Melchiot, Gray, Clemence, Johnson, Pennant, Heskey, Pandiani. Subs - Bennett, Morrison, Tebily, Blake, Nafti.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Hamann, Baros, Gerrard, Morientes. Subs - Carson, Warnock, Pellegrino, Smicer, Nunez.

  Referee: Howard Webb

  Conditions: Sunny but cold with wintry showers

  Attendance: 29,318

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Morientes

  Breakdown

1 mins : Birmingham kick-off attacking the goal behind which the Liverpool fans are seated
3 mins : Hyypia concedes the first corner of the match when blocking a cross from Heskey
4 mins : Heskey is flagged offside following a long ball out of the Birmingham defence
7 mins : Gerrard whips in a cross from the right but Morientes can't connect and Melchiot heads clear
8 mins : Pandiani shoots into the side-netting from a tight angle
10 mins : Carragher heads behind for a corner as Pandiani lies in wait after a dangerous ball in from the right
14 mins : Pennant does well to get in another cross from the right but Dudek is on hand to comfortably gather
15 mins : Gerrard embarks on an impressive attacking foray and only a last ditch challenge by Clapham prevents Morientes from converting his centre
17 mins : A crucial defensive header by Finnan denies Gray a clear shot at goal on the left edge of the six-yard box
18 mins : Substitution: Oliver Tebily for Mario Melchiot:
20 mins : Riise gets in behind right-back Tebily but fails to find Morientes with his subsequent low cross
22 mins : Hyypia fouls Heskey 30-yards from goal and the home side are awarded a free-kick that Gerrard clears with ease
24 mins : Riise gets goal side of Tebily again and wins a free-kick when he's pulled back by the struggling defender
25 mins : Gerrard rolls the set piece to Riise but the Norwegian mis-kicks on the edge of the box
30 mins : Riise blocks a far post volley by Pennant
30 mins : Morientes beats two players with a great piece of skill but then shoots straight at the keeper
31 mins : Heskey shoots high and wide after getting the better of Hyypia 25-yards from goal
32 mins : A neat one-two between Gerrard and Riise promises much but the final ball runs disappointingly to Taylor in the Birmingham goal
34 mins : Dudek stands his ground well to deny Pennant after the youngster is sent racing through on goal by Pandiani
37 mins : Hyypia concedes a penalty when he allows Heskey to get goal side of him in the box and then pulls him back
38 mins : Penalty Scored! Walter Pandiani: keeps his cool to finish clinically
42 mins : Riise spurns a great opportunity to test the keeper when he heads wide at the far post following a good right wing cross by Finnan
45 mins : GOAL! Julian Gray: converts from close-range after Liverpool fail to clear and Pennant crosses
45 mins : Liverpool force two corners in first half stoppage time but are unable to get a goal back before the break

46 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Igor Biscan:
47 mins : Birmingham force a corner and Liverpudlian hearts are in their mouths again before Hamann clears the danger
49 mins : Booking: Oliver Tebily: for a foul on Baros
54 mins : Hyypia has to head over as Gray delivers a teasing cross from the left
56 mins : A good ball over the top by Finnan almost releases Smicer down the right but it has too much pace on it and runs out for a goal kick
59 mins : Dudek boots the ball disappointingly out of play from inside his own area as Liverpool struggle to step up a gear in this game
63 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for John Arne Riise:
70 mins : Baros drills a low shot wide with Liverpool's first effort on goal of the second half
71 mins : Booking: Emile Heskey: for a foul on Hamann
72 mins : Gerrard charges forward and links well with Traore to win a corner
73 mins : But the ball is comfortably cleared by the Birmingham defence much to the frustration of the visiting fans
76 mins : A determined run by Gerrard comes to a sudden halt when he's expertly tackled by Cunningham in the box
79 mins : Substitution: Mauricio Pellegrino for Steve Finnan:
82 mins : Smicer blazes high over the bar with a disappointing finish to a good move involving Nunez and Traore
84 mins : Substitution: Mehdi Nafti for Jermaine Pennant:
88 mins : It's sad to say but Liverpool are being outclassed as this game reaches a close by some slick passing by the hosts
89 mins : Substitution: Robbie Blake for Walter Pandiani:
90 mins : Carragher has a header cleared off the line

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Bayer 04 (Leverkusen, Germany)   3- 1

 
Tuesday 22 February 2005 19:45 Champions League 1/8 Final 1st Leg
 
 
"Liverpool" 3 - 1 "Bayer 04"
  (2-0)  
 
GOAL
 Garcia 15, Riise 35, Hamann 90    Franca 90
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  7  Harry Kewell
 25  Igor Biscan
 10  Luis Garcia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 32  John Welsh
 18  Antonio Nunez
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 34  Darren Potter
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
    1  Hans-Jorg Butt
 25  Bernd Schneider
 29  Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker
  4  Juan
 35  Diego Placente
 28  Carsten Ramelow (c)
 10  Paul Freier
  7  Rуbson Ponte
 16  Jacek Krzynowek
  9  Dimitar Berbatov
 12  Andriy Voronin

 Subs:
 20  Tom Starke
 26  Sascha Dum
 13  Daniel Bierofka
 27  Gonzalo Castro Randon
 11  Franca
 23  Landon Donovan
 17  Clemens Fritz
Team:    
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Kewell (Le Tallec 76)
 Baros (Potter 8)
 Riise (Smicer 89)
   Ponte (Donovan 69))
 Voronin (Franca 69)
 Freier (Bierofka 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
 Booked: Dudek 52, Hamann 58    Booked: Ponte 44, Freier 50
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 40,952
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Klaus Augenthaler (Bayer 04)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Gerrard suspended.

  - Le Tallec's first game under Rafa.

REDS IN THE EURO DRIVING SEAT

  Liverpool have one foot in the quarter-final of the Champions League after goals from Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Didi Hamann secured a 3-1 first leg advantage against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 at Anfield on Tuesday night.

  Garcia and Riise both netted in the first half and that looked to be the end of the scoring until Hamann added a third in the 90th minute and Franca scored an injury time consolation.

  The late Leverkusen goal took the gloss of what was a hard-earned and impressive victory but the Reds are still in a good position ahead of the return at the BayArena in a fortnight's time.

  With Steven Gerrard suspended and Fernando Morientes ineligible this was always going to be a difficult match against the side that eliminated Liverpool from this competition in 2002.

  Harry Kewell was back in Rafael Benitez's starting line-up after two months out injured, while Sami Hyypia captained the side in the absence of the suspended Gerrard.

  It was Liverpool who applied the early pressure, forcing two corners in the opening three minutes but the first real goalscoring opportunities fell to the visitors.

  Freier cut in menacingly from the right and crossed to Ponte who fired over, then Berbatov tested Dudek with a stinging long-range drive that the Pole failed to collect at the first attempt.

  But just as Leverkusen looked to be gaining the upper hand Liverpool made the all-important breakthrough. Igor Biscan's inch perfect through ball opened up the German defence. Garcia, having timed his run to perfection, latched onto the pass and kept his cool to finish low past Butt.

  In what was developing into an entertaining end-to-end encounter Leverkusen should have drew level shortly before the half hour mark. Finnan's intended header back to Dudek fell way short but Berbatov somehow dragged his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

  Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 35th minute. Harry Kewellwas fouled by Placente just to the right of the German goal and Riise beat Butt at his near post from the subsequent free-kick with an exquisitely placed curling shot.

  The Reds emerged from the half-time break with a determination to score more and Baros, Kewell and Carragher all went close as the Leverkusen goal was put under siege.

  It was not all one-way traffic, however, and the threat of an away goal lurked menacingly throughout a tense second half. Voronin and Freier fired narrowly over and just wide respectively, while Dudek was forced to full off a fine save to deny Schneider.

  In the final minute of normal time Hamann looked to have sealed Liverpool's passage into the last eight with well-struck free-kick into the Kop net but almost immediately Franca pounced at the opposite end to snatch a consolation that keeps this tie alive.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Kewell. Subs - Carson, Le Tallec, Nunez, Potter, Smicer, Warnock, Welsh.

  Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Butt, Placente, Bracker, , Schneider, Krzynowek, Ponte, Ramelow, Freier, Berbatov, Voronin. Subs - Bierofka, Castro Randon, Donovan, Dum, Fritz, Starke,

  Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Igor Biscan

  Breakdown

19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Leverkusen kick off attacking the Kop in the first half
1 mins : Baros charges down the right but his deep cross can't quite find Riise at the far post
3 mins : Riise's deflected cross into the area is punched clear by Butt as Liverpool exert the early pressure
4 mins : Hamann's volleyed effort from the edge of the area is deflected behind for the game's first corner
8 mins : Carragher clears the danger inside his own area as the Germans break swiftly down the left
11 mins : Freier goes on a mazy run down the right and crosses for Ponte who skies his shot into the Kop
13 mins : Berbatov's long range shot is punched clear by Dudek before the Reds' defence clears
15 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Great ball from Biscan to find Garcia and the Spaniard makes no mistake with a low finish
16 mins : Berbatov's low shot from distance flies narrowly past Dudek's right hand post
25 mins : Riise delivers a left footed free kick into the area which the Germans clear for a corner
26 mins : Leverkusen clear the corner as far as Riise who fires a left footed volley wide of target
28 mins : Berbatov races clear on goal following a defensive lapse but drags his shot wide of the post. A real escape for the Reds
29 mins : Ponte evades the challenge of Traore in the area but shoots straight at Dudek
35 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Brilliantly curled free kick by Riise into the bottom corner doubles our lead
38 mins : Baros races towards goal but blasts a long range shot well over the bar
44 mins : Booking: Paul Freier:
20:31 GMT : Half Time Reached

20:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
20:46 GMT : Match Starts
46 mins : Liverpool get the second half underway
48 mins : Baros finds space down the right but over-hits his cross to the far post
52 mins : Booking: Jerzy Dudek:
54 mins : Baros has space on the edge of the box but curls his shot wide of the target. Great chance goes begging.
58 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
59 mins : Voronin wastes a great chance to get the Germans back into the tie when he shoots over from 12 yards
67 mins : Biscan sets Kewell racing through on goal but the Aussie fires into the side netting
68 mins : Substitution: Franca for Andriy Voronin:
68 mins : Substitution: Landon Donovan for Robson Ponte:
70 mins : Baros goes one on one with the goalkeeper but sees his low shot turned behind for a corner
72 mins : Carragher's effort from close range is heroically saved by Butt as the Reds press for a third goal
74 mins : Freier's effort from 30 yards hits the side netting and Dudek follows up with a splendid save as the Reds clear their area
76 mins : Substitution: Anthony Le Tallec for Harry Kewell:
80 mins : Brilliant defending from Finnan as Bayer threaten to create a shooting chance
81 mins : Dudek stands and watches as a deflected shot from 20 yards dips just over his goal
82 mins : Substitution: Daniel Bierofka for Paul Freier:
85 mins : Substitution: Darren Potter for Milan Baros:
89 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for John Arne Riise:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
90 mins : GOAL! Dietmar Hamann: Didi curls home a free kick from 25 yards to give us a 3-0 lead in the tie
90 mins : GOAL! Franca : Late shock for the Reds as the Germans pull a goal back
21:35 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Chelsea - Liverpool  3 - 2

 
Sunday 27 February 2005 15:00 League / Carling Cup Final
Cardiff
 
"Chelsea" 3 - 2 "Liverpool"
  (0-1)  
extra-time (3-2, 1-1, 1-1, 0-1)
GOAL
 Gerrard 79 og, Drogba 107, Kezman 111    Riise 1, Nunez 113
 
Team: Petr Cech, William Gallas, 6. Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, 20. Paulo Ferreira, J Jarosik, 8. Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Damien Duff.

Subs: Eidur Gudjohnsen, Glen Johnson, 9. Mateja Kezman, Tiago Mendes, Lenny Pidgeley.
  Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 23. Jamie Carragher, 7. Harry Kewell, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 10. Luis Garcia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 19. Fernando Morientes.

Subs: 20. Scott Carson, 12. Mauricio Pellegrino, 25. Igor Biscan, 18. Antonio Nunez, 5. Milan Baros.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Gudjohnsen (Jarosik 45) Kezman (Gallas 74) Johnson (Cole 81)    Kewell (Nunez 56), Traore (Biscan 67), Morientes (Baros 74)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
 Booked: Lampard 27    Booked: Hyypia 13, Traore 34, Hamann 79, Carragher 117
VENUE   MANAGERS
Millennium Stadium (capacity: )
Attendance: 71,622
  Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J

  Notes:

  - Steven Gerrard scored an own goal

  - Antonio Nunez scores his first goal for LFC

  - The score was 1-1 after normal time.

  CUP HEARTBREAK AS REDS LOSE IN EXTRA TIME

  Extra time goals from Chelsea's Dider Drogba and Mateja Kezman have condemned Liverpool to a 3-2 defeat in today's League Cup Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

  Both goals came in the second period of extra time after Steven Gerrard had headed into his own net on 79 minutes and it was tough luck on Liverpool after they put everything to try and win a record 8th League Cup.

  Antonio Nunez hit back on 113 minutes to give the Reds a lifeline, but they couldnt recover and are now left to reflect on a game that had everything.

  It took the Reds just 45 seconds of the match to take the lead and what a goal it was. Fernando Morientes was the creator when he got clear on the right and his cross found Riise at the far post to volley left footed beyond the static Cech.

  Riise's early goal made a cagey first half inevitable and we'd played almost 30 minutes before Chelsea threatened Jerzy Dudek's goal. Having said that, Chelsea did come into the game a lot more before the
interval and Drogba came close before Garcia was forced to clear off the goal line with Dudek beaten.

  Chelsea came out fighting in the second half and there were nervous moments when referee Steve Bennett appeared to reach for a card for already booked Djimi Traore, but we were relieved when a free kick was the only punishment.

  You can imagine Jose Mourinho had some strong words with his players at half time because they certainly came out a different side and Liverpool had to hold on as they swept forward in waves of attacks.

  It was one such attack, on 55 minutes, that came closest to seeing Chelsea draw level. And it was Jerzy Dudek, much maligned for his part in Bayer Leverkusen's away goal on Tuesday, who was the hero.

  The Polish stopper has taken his fair share of criticism in the last few days, but he was at his brilliant best to first deny Gudjohnsen and then foilGallas when an equaliser looked certain.

  It was obvious from benitez's nervous pacing of the touchline that he wasn't happy with the way his side were being pegged in their own half, but they almost had some breathing space when Garcia and Hamann showed how to counter attack. Only a great save from cech prevented Hamann from doubling the advantage after Garcia had played him in.

  The Reds were defending again soon after and this time it was Riise who had to clear off his own goal line. And Liverpool nerves were increased when Steven Gerrard missed a guilt edged chance to extend the lead.

  For all the Chelsea pressure, it didn't look like Liverpool were in any great danger, but all that changed on 79 minutes when Steven Gerrard scored an own goal when trying to clear.

  Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was sent from the bench shortly before the end of the game for continually berating referee Steve Bennett and he was forced to watch the remainder of the game from the stands.

  Liverpool now had to pick themselves up again for extra time. But pick themselves up they did and they more than matched Chelsea in the additional 30 minutes and Biscan missed a great chance to save the need for penalties.

  That miss was to prove costly soon after when first Drogba and then Kezman struck to earn Jose Mourinho his first silverware as Chelsea boss.

  Liverpool will take plenty of credit from this game, but the travelling red army will not be taking the cup back to Liverpool with them.

  Teams

  Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Carvalho, Terry, Ferreira, Jarosik, Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Drogba, Duff. Subs - Gudjohnsen, Johnson, Kezman, Mendes, Pidgeley

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Kewell, Morientes. Subs - Baros, Biscan, Carson, Nunez, Pellegrino

  Referee: Steve Bennett

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

15:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Chelsea get the Cup Final underway
1 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Riise smashes home a left footed volley from Morientes' cross to give the Reds a dream start
3 mins : Riise runs at Ferreira on the edge of the area but the defender clears
6 mins : Hyypia concedes a corner under pressure from Drogba down the left
9 mins : Liverpool deal with a deep Chelsea free kick as Carvalho fouls Traore
13 mins : Booking: Sami Hyypia: Late challenge on Drogba
17 mins : Ferreira delivers a free kick into the area but the Reds clear. We're looking comfortable so far
22 mins : Gerrard concedes a free kick 30 yards from goal which Lampard drives straight into Dudek's arms
26 mins : Booking: Frank Lampard: Booked for a late challenge on Luis Garcia
27 mins : Dudek turns Drogba's effort around the post and then Garcia heads off the line from Lampard following the corner
31 mins : Duff finds space on the right side of the Liverpool area but can't find a team-mate with his low cross across goal
34 mins : Booking: Djimi Traore:
39 mins : Great defending from Traore as Duff threatens to burst into the area down the Chelsea right hand side
15:49 GMT : Half Time Reached
16:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Eidur Gudjohnsen for J Jarosik:
47 mins : Duff fires a left footed shot wide of target after Chelsea work a quick free kick
49 mins : Cole wins a challenge on the edge of the area but then sees his left footed shot blocked
53 mins : Drogba is clear on goal but can't get the ball under control and Finnan clears
54 mins : Dudek saves brilliantly from Gudjohnsen's downward header and then gets up quickly to keep out Gallas' rebound
55 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Harry Kewell:
64 mins : Liverpool break forward quickly and Garcia finds Hamann who sees his shot well saved by Cech
65 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Djimi Traore:
70 mins : Biscan breaks forward and blasts a long range effort well off target
71 mins : Good defending from Riise to head Gallas' teasing left wing cross over his own goal
73 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Fernando Morientes:
73 mins : Substitution: Mateja Kezman for William Gallas:
74 mins : Gerrard slides a shot wide of goal under pressure from Ferreira as Liverpool threaten a second goal
77 mins : Baros almost gets clear on goal before Terry intercepts with a timely tackle. Nunez picks up the ball and crosses for Garcia who wins a corner off Ferreira
78 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
79 mins : Own Goal! Steven Gerrard: The skipper heads a free kick into his own net to gift Chelsea the equaliser
80 mins : Substitution: Glen Johnson for Joe Cole:
80 mins : Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho dismissed from the dug-out for gesturing to Liverpool fans after Chelsea's equaliser
84 mins : Dudek saves brilliantly from Duff and the irish winger then sends a second effort wide of target
85 mins : Dudek requires treatment after taking a knock in the ankle from Duff
89 mins : Kezman gets away from Riise inside the area but volleys high over the goal
90 mins : Six added minutes to be played as Lampard drives a right footer over the goal
90 mins : Baros misses a great chance to grab a winner as he slices a volley wide with only the goalkeeper to beat
16:56 GMT : 90mins over -> Extra Time Pending
17:01 GMT : Extra Time 1st Half Begins
91 mins : Liverpool get extra time underway
92 mins : Duff crosses from the left to Drogba whose header crashes back off the base of the post
99 mins : Lampard finds space on the left but his cross into the danger zone is too strong
100 mins : Hamann shoots from distance but Cech gathers comfortably
104 mins : Biscan heads over from a great possession after Gerrard had found Garcia in the area
17:16 GMT : End of 1st half of extra time
17:17 GMT : Start of 2nd half of extra time
106 mins : Chelsea get the second period of extra time underway
107 mins : GOAL! Didier Drogba: Drogba bounces onto a long throw into the area to give Chelsea the lead
111 mins : GOAL! Mateja Kezman: Kezman stabs the ball home from close range after Dudek saves from Gudjohnson
112 mins : GOAL! Antonio Nunez: Nunez heads home from close range to set up a grandstand finish
113 mins : Booking: Damien Duff:
116 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher:
17:34 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Newcastle United  1 - 0  Liverpool

 
Saturday 5 March 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Newcastle United Liverpool
1 - 0  (0-0)
 
GOAL
 Robert 70  
 
  1  Shay Given
 19  Titus Bramble
 18  Aaron Hughes
  6  Jean Alain Boumsong
  2  Stephen Carr
 29  Lee Bowyer
 32  Laurent Robert
  8  Kieron Dyer
 15  Amdy Faye
 23  Shola Ameobi
  9  Alan Shearer

 Subs:
 12  Steve Harper
 27  Steven Taylor
  4  Nicky Butt
  7  Jermaine Jenas
 11  Patrick Kluivert
 20  Scott Carson
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 25  Igor Biscan
 10  Luis Garcia
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 11  Vladimir Smicer
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 28  Stephen Warnock
 32  John Welsh
 18  Antonio Nunez
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Ameobi (Kluivert 67)
 Bowyer (Jenas 77))
 Dyer (Butt 88)
 Smicer (Nunez 75)
 Pellegrino (Le Tallec 82)
 Baros (Warnock 87)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Howard Webb
 Booked: Faye 32, Robert 34  Booked: Gerrard 58, Smicer 74
VENUE MANAGERS
St James Park (capacity 52,193)
Attendance: 52,323
Graeme Souness (Newcastle U)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes

  - Scott Carson makes his LFC debut

  - Smicer starts his first game of the season.

  - Le Tallec makes his first Premier League appearance of the season.

  LIVERPOOL LOSE VITAL GROUND

  Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification have taken a massive blow after they were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at St James Park this afternoon.

  The Reds remain eight points behind their Mersey rivals Everton in 4th place after a trademark Laurent Robert free kick gave Newcastle the points in a game that lacked both in quality and in chances.

  And Rafa Benitez now has a huge task if he is to secure a place in next season's premier European club competition.

  Benitez was forced to make five changes to his side that lost in last week's cup final after Dudek, Morientes, Hamann, Traore and Kewell all succumbed to injury.

  He handed a senior debut to Scott Carson and the young stopper had little to do before turning to pick the ball out of the net after 70 minutes. Carson had managed to get a fingertip to Robert's blistering drive, but he couldn't keep it out.

  Chances were few and far between in this game and Liverpool, with Milan Baros recalled, struggled to make any impression on Shay Given's goal.

  Their best moments came in the first half when Gerrard and Garcia both went close, but in truth their forward play was far from inspired and far from giving them the goals they came here looking for.

  Steven Gerrard did missed a guilt edged injury time chance to salvage a point, but that was not before Kluivert had missed a similarly good chance to extend the home side's lead.

  Newcastle's win gives Graeme Souness his first win over the Reds as a Manager, but it may have much more significance for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez as their hopes for Champions League qualification fade further into the distance.

  Teams

  Newcastle United: Given, Hughes, Boumsong, Bramble, Carr, Robert, Dyer, Faye, Bowyer, Ameobi, Shearer. Subs - Butt, Harper, Jenas, Kluivert, Taylor.

  Liverpool: Carson, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Pellegrino, Finnan, Biscan, Gerrard (c), Smicer, Baros, Garcia. Subs - Dudek, Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock, Welsh.

  Referee: Howard Webb

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Mauricio Pellegrino

  Breakdown

15:03 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Newcastle kick-off attacking the Gallowgate end
3 mins : Carson kicks long up field with his first touch on his debut
4 mins : Baros is flagged offside following a forward ball by Carragher
5 mins : Smicer has a 25-yard shot blocked by the legs of Boumsong on the edge of the box
6 mins : Pellegrino tackles Shearer to concede the first corner of the afternoon
7 mins : Roberts overhits his kick and any danger is averted
8 mins : Gerrard's shot across goal takes a deflection and narrowly misses the far post
10 mins : Carragher loses out to Ameobi and Newcastle threaten with a cross from Robert but Pellegrino clears with a stooping header
11 mins : Bowyer fires high and wide with a hopeful effort from just outside the box
15 mins : Carragher is penalised for push in the back on Shearer but Robert's free-kick fails to trouble Carson
16 mins : Baros makes a determined run down the right and wins a corner
20 mins : Robert whips in a dangerous looking cross from the left that fortunately deflects off Pellegrino for a corner
22 mins : Great defending by Pellegrino denies Bowyer a shot on goal
23 mins : Hyypia clears off the line after Dyer fires in a shot following a punch out by Carson
25 mins : A slack back pass by Hughes almost allows Baros a clean run in on goal but Given is quick off his line to clear
26 mins : Baros fails to control a delightful ball over the top of the home defence by Gerrard and a good opportunity is wasted
27 mins : Ameobi gets goal side of Carragher but Hyypia is on hand to clear any danger as the ball is played across the Reds box
30 mins : It's Biscan's turn to boot the boot the ball away following another menacing in-swinging corner from the right
31 mins : From yet another corner on the right Ameobi heads narrowly over at the far post
32 mins : Booking: Amdy Faye: for a tackle from behind on Biscan
34 mins : Booking: Laurent Robert: for a late foul on Finnan
35 mins : Bowyer dives in to block a Smicer shot on the edge of the Newcastle box
38 mins : A poor ball by Riise deep in the Newcastle half results in a swift breakaway by the hosts but thankfully it comes to nothing
42 mins : Garcia tries his luck with a spectacular dipping left-footed volley from outside the box that goes just over Given's bar
44 mins : Good distribution from Carson almost releases Garcia down the right but the Newcastle defence get back in numbers to quell the threat
15:49 GMT : Half Time Reached

16:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool get the 2nd half underway and Garcia is immediately clattered by Bowyer
48 mins : Baros gets away from Bramble but the ball gets stuck under his feet and a promising attack peters out
51 mins : Bowyer almost decapitates Gerrard with another rash challenge
52 mins : Garcia's low shot from 25-yards out bobbles narrowly wide of the Newcastle upright
55 mins : Robert drives a 40-yard free-kick well wide of the Liverpool goal
57 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard: for using his forearm to fend off Boumsoung
62 mins : A good defensive header by Riise clears the danger from a corner by Robert
63 mins : Carragher covers well as Ameobi chases a through ball by Bramble
64 mins : A cruciall interception by Hyypia takes the ball away from the toe of Shearer as the striker lines up a shot just inside a crowded box
67 mins : Substitution: Patrick Kluivert for Shola Ameobi:
68 mins : More good defensive play by Carragher sees him slide in to cut out the danger as Carr crosses from the right
70 mins : GOAL! Laurent Robert: a stunning strike from the Frenchman who curls a free-kick from the right into Carson's top corner
72 mins : Robert tries his luck again from the same position but this time Carragher heads clear
74 mins : Booking: Vladimir Smicer: for a foul on Carr
75 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Vladimir Smicer:
77 mins : Substitution: Jermaine Jenas for Lee Bowyer:
82 mins : Liverpool break but Garcia's fails to find Baros with a decisive pass much to the Czech striker's annoyance
83 mins : Substitution: Anthony Le Tallec for Mauricio Pellegrino:
84 mins : Robert shoots wide from a free-kick in a central position 30-yards from goal
86 mins : Shearer blazes well wide with an angled effort from the right
88 mins : Substitution: Nicky Butt for Kieron Dyer:
88 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Milan Baros:
89 mins : Kluivert turns Carragher on the edge of the box but somehow drags his low shot just wide
90 mins : Garcia plays Gerrard through and the skipper agonisingly fires wide
16:53 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Bayer 04 (Leverkusen, Germany) - Liverpool 1- 3

 
Wednesday 9 March 2005 19:45 Champions League 1/8 Final 2nd Leg
 
 
"Bayer 04" 1 - 3 "Liverpool"
  (0-2)  
 
GOAL
 Krzynowek 88    Garcia 28, 32, Baros 67
 
Team: 1. Hans-Jorg Butt, 25. Bernd Schneider, 29. Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, 28. Carsten Ramelow (c), 35. Diego Placente, 19. Marko Babic, 13. Daniel Bierofka, 16. Jacek Krzynowek, 23. Landon Donovan, 11. Franca, 9. Dimitar Berbatov.

Subs: 20. Tom Starke, 26. Sascha Dum, 15. Sezer Ozturk, 40. Timo Rottger, 27. Gonzalo Castro Randon, 17. Clemens Fritz, 12. Andriy Voronin.
  Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 28. Stephen Warnock, 23. Jamie Carragher, 10. Luis Garcia, 25. Igor Biscan, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 16. Dietmar Hamann, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 20. Scott Carson, 31. David Raven, 13. Anthony Le Tallec, 11. Vladimir Smicer, 34. Darren Potter, 32. John Welsh, 18. Antonio Nunez.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Berbatov (Voronin 32), Donovan (Fritz 53), Ramelow (Castro 70)    Hamann (Smicer 62), Carragher (Welsh 70), Finnan (Nunez 74)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alain Sars (France)
 Booked: Bierofka 44    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Bay Arena (capacity: 22,500)
Attendance: 23,000
  Klaus Augenthaler (Bayer 04)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price:

  Notes:

  - John Welsh makes his first Champions League appearance.

  SUPER REDS CRUISE THROUGH IN STYLE

  Liverpool tonight confirmed their status as one of the elite team's in Europe by coasting to a 3-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and securing a place in the quarter-final of this season's Champions League.

  A first half double from Luis Garcia set the Reds on their way and Milan Baros completed a memorable win (6-2 on aggregate) that exorcised the ghosts of three years ago when Leverkusen eliminated Gerard Houllier's side from this competition.

  The starting eleven at the BayArena showed three changes to the one that began the weekend defeat at Newcastle. Jerzy Dudek and Didi Hamann returned, while Stephen Warnock was drafted in to play left back.

  With a 3-1 first leg advantage Liverpool kicked off in the knowledge that they had one foot already in the last eight but were well aware of what happened in April 2002.

  In what was a tense and tentative opening the Reds, sporting their allow-yellow away strip, were happy to soak up the early Bayer pressure but once Garcia opened the scoring in the 26th minute they were all but home and dry.

  Steven Gerrard was the creator, stinging the fingers of the keeper with a stinging shot and then whipping in a cross from the resultant corner that the Spaniard was on hand to convert.

  It was a goal that sent the travelling Liverpudlians into raptures and it was to get even better six minutes later when Garcia added a second. Again Gerrard was involved. This time he fired in a corner from the right. Biscan nodded the ball on and the former Barca man tapped home from close-range.

  As the interval approached only a fine one handed save by Butt denied Garcia what would have been a remarkable hat-trick but it didn't matter much because as a contest this tie was done and dusted.

  With a 5-1 aggregate deficit to chase there was no way back for the Germans and although they twice went close to breaching the Reds rearguard early in the second half the game understandably petered out.

  Gerrard went close to increasing the lead with a fierce shot that forced Butt into a low save before Baros emphatically fired home a third with a volley from inside the box following good play by Smicer and Riise.

  Krzynowek netted a late consolation for the hosts but it failed to take the shine of job well done by Rafa's men.

  Teams

  Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Butt, Babic, Bracker, Placente, Schneider, Krzynowek, Donovan, Ramelow (c), Bierofka, Berbatov, . Subs - Castro Randon, Dum, Fritz, Ozturk, Rottger, Starke, Voronin.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Gerrard (c). Subs - Carson, Le Tallec, Nunez, Potter, Raven, Smicer, Welsh.

  Referee: Alain Sars

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Luis Garcia

  Breakdown

19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Liverpool kick off towards the Reds fans inside the BayArena
2 mins : Gerrard attempts to play Baros through on goal but the pass is too fast for the Czech star
4 mins : Garcia plays Baros in on the edge of the box but his low shot is easily saved
8 mins : Good defending by Finnan sees the ball out for a goalkick
10 mins : Baros is brought down in the area but the referee waves away all penalty appeals
13 mins : Hamann goes down injured trying to collect a pass from Baros
15 mins : Hyypia puts the ball behind for Bayer's first corner
15 mins : The corner goes out for a goalkick when Berbatov heads it over Dudek's goal
17 mins : Hyypia concedes a free-kick in a very dangerous position which Finnan then heads behind for another corner
20 mins : Baros goes down in the area again after collecting a Gerrard pass but once again the referee waves away any penalty appeals
23 mins : Good run from Baros but his attempt to cut the ball back for Gerrard from the byline is thwarted
24 mins : Franca mis-kicks a golden opportunity for leverkusen to take the lead after Berbatov had set him up with a clear opportunity
25 mins : Gerrard has a fantastic shot well saved after great link-up play with Baros
26 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Great touch to a brilliant Gerrard cross
29 mins : Garcia blasts a shot wide of the goal
30 mins : Warnock wins a corner to be taken by Gerrard
32 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Garcia doubles Liverpool's lead on the night from a Gerrard corner
37 mins : Garcia shoots over the bar after being set up brilliantly by Baros
39 mins : Great tackle from Warnock stops a Bayer attack in it's tracks
41 mins : Baros goes down clutching his face in the area
45 mins : Dangerous break by Bayer ends up with the ball going behind for a goalkick
20:31 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Gerrard and Bros get the second-half underway
50 mins : Finnan and Garcia combine to clear a Leverkusen attack
52 mins : Garcia shoots wide after great run and cut back from Gerrard
53 mins : Substitution: Clemens Fritz for Landon Donovan:
54 mins : warnock wins a free-kick just inside the Leverkusen half
55 mins : Franca shoots over after Hyypia is beaten on the edge of the area and the ball find the No.11 in clear space
57 mins : Good defending by Warnock prevents a corner
32 mins : Substitution: Andriy Voronin for Dimitar Berbatov:
44 mins : Booking: Daniel Bierofka:
60 mins : Good save from Dudek maintains Liverpool's 2-nil lead on the night
62 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Dietmar Hamann:
63 mins : Great move involving Baros and Gerrard but after Stevie's shot is saved, Baros fails to follow up the rebound
66 mins : GOAL! Milan Baros: Smicer plays the ball to Riise who heads the ball onto Baros to put away
68 mins : Substitution: Gonzalo Castro Randon for Carsten Ramelow:
68 mins : Substitution: John Welsh for Jamie Carragher:
71 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Steve Finnan:
72 mins : Voronin tries his luck from distance but his shot is well held by Dudek
76 mins : Another shot from distance is again saved with ease by Dudek
83 mins : Hyypia clears the ball as Leverkusen press in hope of a miracle
84 mins : Fantastic block by Warnock inside the area when it looked like Bayer were about to score
86 mins : Smicer shoots from distance but his shot is blocked outside the area
88 mins : GOAL! Jacek Krzynowek: Low drive past Dudek
88 mins : Baros breaks clear but his cut back is cut out
89 mins : Voronin draws a great low save out of Dudek
21:34 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  Blackburn Rovers 0- 0

 
Wednesday 16 March 2005 20:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 0 - 0 "Blackburn Rovers"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
 28  Stephen Warnock
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 23  Jamie Carragher
 10  Luis Garcia
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  5  Milan Baros
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 25  Igor Biscan
 18  Antonio Nunez
    1  Brad Friedel
  2  Lucas Neill
 24  Andy Todd
 29  Ryan Nelsen
 14  Nils-Eric Johansson
 15  Aaron Mokoena
  7  Brett Emerton
 18  Steven Reid
  5  Garry Flitcroft
 12  Morten Gamst Pedersen
  9  Jonathan Stead

 Subs:
 13  Peter Enckleman
 14  Nils-Eric Johansson
 22  Dominic Matteo
  8  Tugay Kerimoglu
 19  Paul Gallagher
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Smicer (Riise 46)
 Baros (Nunez 70)
 Warnock (Biscan 82)
   Johansson (Matteo 62)
 Stead (Gallagher 74)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Barry Knight (Orpington, Kent)
 Booked: Gerrard 29    Booked: Flitcroft 32
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 37,763
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Mark Hughes (Blackburn R)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - By David Maddock in the Mirror: WILL the real Liverpool please stand up? Will the real Liverpool please stand up? I'd better say that twice, for the benefit of both personalities of this schizophrenic team. You never know which one will be listening.

  It is as though Rafael Benitez's side feel that the only worthy route into next season's Champions' League is by winning the damn thing. They don't seem interested in qualifying through finishing fourth in the Premiership."

  REDS DRAW A BLANK AGAINST BLACKBURN

  Liverpool managed to close the gap on fourth-placed Everton but it was by one point and not three as Blackburn Rovers held them to a frustrating goalless draw at Anfield this evening.

  In a game of few clear-cut goalscoring opportunities the Reds failed to break down a stubborn Rovers rearguard and their Champions League qualification aspirations were made to pay as a consequence.

  This hugely disappointing results means now they trail the Blues by seven points going into Sunday's 201st Merseyside derby and watching Toffees boss David Moyes will have left Anfield with little to worry about.

  With the need for maximum points a necessity, Rafael Benitez made three changes to the side that had started last week's Champions League tie in Leverkusen. As expected, Fernando Morientes returned but there was widespread surprise at the decision not to start with Sami Hyypia and John Arne Riise, both of whom dropped to the bench.

  FA Cup semi-finalists Blackburn also had some notable absentees among their first eleven, with quarter-final match winner Paul Dickov and ex-Red Davey Thompson both ruled out late through injury.

  A lacklustre first half saw the Reds play some neat football at times but the killer finish was lacking. Neither goalkeeper has had a save of note to make and the highlight of a pretty poor opening 45 minutes was an impressive run and cross from the left by man-of-the-match Stephen Warnock after 19 minutes and a close-range effort that Mauricio Pellegrino blazed over shortly before the interval.

  As the game wore on the sense of anxiety among the crowd became increasingly evident and the mood was not helped three minutes after the restart when Milan Baros spurned a glorious opportunity, blazing high and wide from inside the box after Riise, on as a substitute for Smicer, had cut in menacingly from the left.

  Riise then drilled low free-kick narrowlywide of the upright but the expected second half onslaught failed to materialise and Steven Reid could have snatched the points for the visitors with an equally well-struck set-piece at the opposite end 12 minutes from time.

  Fortunately, it was just off target but come the final whistle the atmosphere around Anfield couldn't have much worse if it had have gone in.

  Without a doubt, this was a case of two points dropped rather than a point gained and a glance at the League table tonight suggests it's now going to be an uphill task to achieve a top four finish.

  Victory on Sunday could reignite our challenge but if that is to happen then the performance will have to be much-improved on what we saw tonight.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Pellegrino, Finnan, Smicer, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Biscan, Carson, Hyypia, Nunez, Riise.

  Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Pedersen, Johansson, Todd, Neill, Reid, Flitcroft, Mokoena, Emerton, Nelsen, Stead. Subs - Enckelman, Gallagher, Johnson, Matteo,

  Referee: Barry Knight

  Conditions: Unavailable

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Stephen Warnock

  Breakdown

20:03 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Liverpool kick off attacking the Kop in the first half
2 mins : Gerrard fires the ball forward towards Finnan but hits it with too much pace giving Blackburn a goal kick
3 mins : Stead wins the ball from Flitcroft's header but Carragher defends well for Liverpool to clear the danger
5 mins : Baros goes down under a heavy challenge and requires treatment from the Reds physio
10 mins : Todd drifts a long free kick into the Liverpool area which Dudek gathers easily
12 mins : Finnan and Morientes combine well for the Reds but can't create a scoring chance as the ball rolls out of play behind the Blackburn goal
18 mins : Baros is flagged offside as he prepares to run clear on goal following Hamann's pass
19 mins : Brilliant ball across the face of goal from Warnock which nobody in red can latch onto in the area
24 mins : Garcia lofts the ball into the area forcing a corner from the Rovers defence. Blackburn then comfortably deal with the set piece delivery
29 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard: Booked for late challenge on Reid outside area
30 mins : Blackburn waste the resulting free kick with a tame shot into the Liverpool wall
32 mins : Booking: Garry Flitcroft:
37 mins : Pellegrino shoots left footed from 30 yards but fails to seriously trouble Brad Friedel in the Kop goal
39 mins : Good run by Baros into the area is rewarded with another Liverpool corner
41 mins : Pellegrino skies a volley into the Kop as he stretches to reach Gerrard's curling corner kick
44 mins : Stead's shot on the turn in the area goes wide of Dudek's right hand post
45 mins : Garcia fires a free kick into the area which is headed behind for a corner
20:50 GMT : Half Time Reached

21:06 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Vladimir Smicer:
46 mins : Crunching tackle from sub Riise fires up the crowd at the start of a crucial half for the Reds
47 mins : Dudek clutches the ball under pressure and is then fouled by Reid as he challenges for the ball inside the six yard box
48 mins : Riise finds space on the left and crosses for Baros who slices a poor effort well wide of the target. Our best chance of the game so far
51 mins : Liverpool win their first corner of the second period following a sustained spell of pressure around the Rovers area
56 mins : Neither Baros or Garcia can take advantage of a rare lapse in the Blackburn defence as space opened up outside the area
57 mins : Riise hammers a free kick from 20 yards just past Friedel's post. Liverpool getting closer.
59 mins : Stead's left footed shot from the left of the area is deflected behind for a corner
62 mins : Substitution: Dominic Matteo for Nils-Eric Johansson:
64 mins : Dudek has to react quickly to beat Reid in a race for the ball in the area after an impressive Blackburn attack
70 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Milan Baros:
75 mins : Substitution: Paul Gallagher for Jonathan Stead:
77 mins : Blackburn win a free kick 30 yards from goal following a challenge from Gerrard
78 mins : Reid drives the free kick hard and low but well wide of Dudek's goal
82 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Stephen Warnock:
83 mins : Morientes wins a header inside the area but the ball drops kindly for Friedel to collect
86 mins : Riise blasts a free kick from 30 yards low into the Blackburn wall. Poor effort from a good position
89 mins : Biscan tries his luck from distance but can't find the target from 30 yards
90 mins : Three added minutes to be played at the end of the game
21:55 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Everton  2- 1

 
Sunday 20 March 2005 16:05 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 2 - 1 "Everton"
  (2-0)  
 
GOAL
 Gerrard 27, Garcia 32    Cahill 81
 
Team:   Team:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 28  Stephen Warnock
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 23  Jamie Carragher
 10  Luis Garcia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
  5  Milan Baros
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
  4  Sami Hyypia
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 25  Igor Biscan
 18  Antonio Nunez
   25  Nigel Martyn
  3  Alessandro Pistone
  4  Alan Stubbs
  5  David Weir
 22  Tony Hibbert
 20  Joseph Yobo
 17  Tim Cahill
 26  Lee Carsley
 14  Kevin Kilbane
 21  Leon Osman
  7  Marcus Bent

 Subs:
  1  Richard Wrigh
  2  Steve Watson
 15  Gary Naysmith
  8  James Beattie
 10  Duncan Ferguson
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Nunez (Warnock 21)
 Biscan (Hamann 40)
 Smicer (Morientes 43)
   Beattie (Yobo 45)
 Ferguson (Bent 55)
 Watson (Pistone 84)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
 Booked: Finnan 81
Sent Off: Baros 77
   Booked: Weir 40, Yobo 41, Osman 45, Hibbert 86
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 44,224
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
David Moyes (Everton)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Benitez had to make three substitutions in first half because of injuries.

  - It's the first time all three subs are used in first half in a competitive match for Liverpool.

  - Hyypia on the bench for the second game in a row.

  - Garcia played the second half with injury.

  DERBY DELIGHT AS REDS CLOSE THE GAP

  Liverpool have closed the gap in the race for 4th place to just four points after goals from Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia gave them a well earned 2-1 victory over Everton at Anfield today.

  Both Liverpool goals came in the first half and were no more than the Reds deserved after an all action opening had given the upper hand over their city rivals.

  The Reds were forced to play the last 12 minutes with 10 men after Milan Baros was sent off, but they hung on after Tim Cahill had given hope with a 81st minute strike and they thoroughly deserved the three points.

  Rafa's men are now hot on the heels on David Moyes' 4th place side and they will surely take the fight for Champions League qualification to the wire if they continue play with the verve and desire they showed today.

  Their breakthough came after 27 minutes when Luis Garcia was fouled on the edge of the box and Steven Gerrard fired in the resultant free kick. And they were 2-0 soon after when Luis Garcia raced in to head in to the Kop net after Martyn could only parry Morientes' brilliant volley.

  Three enforced first half substitutions meant Liverpool were living dangerously in the second half, but it was Everton who were clinging on when Milan Baros twice spurned guilt edged chances to put his side in the comfort zone.

  To be fair to Baros it was only excellent last ditched defending from Weir and a lucky hanging leg of Martyn that kept it at 2-0.

  Baros' luck didn't improve improve either because he was sent off for a tackle on Stubbs after 77 minutes. Late though Baros' tackle was, he was maybe a little unfortunate to see red after some tough Everton tackling had seen them collect only four yellow cards.

  But at the end all that mattered was the scoreline and this win puts Liverpool with firmly in the race to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Pellegrino, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Morientes, Baros. Subs - Carson, Hyypia, Nunez, Biscan, Smicer

  Everton: Martyn, Pistone, Weir, Stubbs, Hibbert, Kilbane, Carsley, Cahill, Yobo, Osman, Bent. Subs - Wright, Watson, Ferguson, Beattie, Naysmith

  Referee: R Styles

  Conditions: Dry

  Attendance: 44,224

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

16:06 GMT : Match Starts
1 mins : Liverpool get the game underway attacking the Kop in the first half
1 mins : Great cross from Garcia to the far post but Carsley beats Riise to the ball to concede a corner
3 mins : Garcia and Morientes combine well in the area but Everton do well to clear the danger
4 mins : Baros latches onto a poor header from Stubbs but can't find a team-mate inside the area
6 mins : Garcia curls a ball to the far post but the wind takes it away from Riise. Impressive start from the Reds
13 mins : Garcia's short free kick creates a shooting chance for Gerrard but the skipper's drilled effort is blocked before Hamann fires the loose ball wide
20 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Stephen Warnock:
21 mins : Finnan drives a left footed shot wide of Martyn's goal from 25 yards
23 mins : Garcia lifts a volley over the bar after Martyn failed to clear his area with a punch
27 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard slots home a free kick low into the right hand corner of the Kop net
32 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Garcia heads home from close range after Martyn turns Morientes' brilliant shot onto the bar
33 mins : Baros bursts clear down the right but drags his shot well wide of target
36 mins : Garcia hammers a left footed volley into the Kop after Everton again failed to clear the danger
39 mins : Booking: David Weir:
39 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Dietmar Hamann:
40 mins : Booking: Joseph Yobo:
43 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Fernando Morientes:
45 mins : Two extra minutes to be played
45 mins : Booking: Leon Osman:
45 mins : Carsley bends a free kick over the wall but wide of target
16:54 GMT : Half Time Reached

17:11 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: James Beattie for Joseph Yobo:
49 mins : Biscan runs 50 yards with the ball to the edge of the area but can't test Martyn with his shot
50 mins : Stubbs falls over the ball leaving Baros a clear run on goal, but the Czech ace can't shoot before a challenge comes in from Weir to concede a corner. Great chance gone
53 mins : Gerrard calls Martyn into action with a swerving volley from the corner of the box
55 mins : Substitution: Duncan Ferguson for Marcus Bent:
63 mins : Ferguson jumps with Pellegrino but catches the Liverpool defender in the face as they challenge for the ball
64 mins : Baros lets fly with a volley from 30 yards which just clears the Everton goal. Terrific shot
68 mins : Baros misses another sitter when he can only strike the ball against the legs of Martyn from close range
71 mins : Cahill shoots from the edge of the area but the ball goes straight into Dudek's arms
77 mins : Sending Off: Milan Baros: Late challenge on Stubbs
81 mins : GOAL! Tim Cahill: Right footed drive into the corner from Ferguson's knock down
82 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan:
83 mins : Substitution: Steve Watson for Alessandro Pistone:
86 mins : Booking: Tony Hibbert:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
17:59 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Bolton Wanderers 1- 0

 
Saturday 2 April 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 1 - 0 "Bolton Wanderers"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
 Biscan 86    
 
Team: 20. Scott Carson, 12. Mauricio Pellegrino, 23. Jamie Carragher, 3. Steve Finnan, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 25. Igor Biscan, 32. John Welsh, 18. Antonio Nunez, 10. Luis Garcia, 8. Steven Gerrard (c).

Subs: 4. Sami Hyypia, 11. Vladimir Smicer, 13. Anthony Le Tallec, 19. Fernando Morientes.
  Team: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Bruno N'Gotty, Tal Ben Haim, Vincent Candela, Fernando Hierro, Stelios Giannakopoulos, Gary Speed, Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Davies.

Subs: Kevin Poole, Radhi Jaidi, Ivan Campo, Jay-Jay Okocha, Henrik Pedersen.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Riise (Le Tallec 60), Welsh (Smicer 73), Nunez (Morientes 79)    Hunt (Okocha 50), Giannakopoulos (Pedersen 64), Hierro (Campo 83),
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett
 Booked: Pellegrino 74    Booked: Hierro 32, Haim 73, Candela 82
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,755
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Sam Allardyce (Bolton W)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - John Welsh is in the starting line-up for the first time.

  BISCAN TAKES REDS ONE POINT BEHIND BLUES

  Liverpool are just one point behind Everton in the race for fourth following a late Igor Biscan header against Bolton at Anfield.

  The Croatian struck just five minutes from time from Djimi Traore's deep cross to send Anfield into ecstacy.

  It had looked for so long as though the breakthrough was never going to come as Liverpool struggled to break down a stubborn Bolton back line but Biscan, so often criticised during his Reds' career, was in the right place at the right time at the back post to give the Reds a vital win in the race for Champions League football next season.

  The result means Liverpool now lie just one point behind Everton ahead of the Blues' visit to the Midlands on Sunday to face West Bromwich Albion.

  Liverpool struggled to cope with Bolton's direct style of play in the early stages and almost conceded an opening goal after just five minutes when Steve Finnan somehow headed Stelios' goalbound shot off his own line.

  It was the visitors' making all the running early on as the Reds tried to become accustomed to their new team set-up, which saw John Welsh and Igor Biscan in the centre of midfield and Steven Gerrard playing just behind Luis Garcia in attack.

  It was Gerrard who went closest to scoring for the home side in the first half when his low drive from a 25 yard free kick was well kept out by Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

  Antonio Nunez came close to giving the Reds a dream start to the second half when his well struck shot on the volley from John Arne Riise's deep cross forced the Bolton 'keeper into a smart save at his near post.

  Liverpool went even closer after 56 minutes when Riise got on the end of Nunez's cross and saw his low shot from a tight angle scrambled off the line by Bolton defender Ben Haim.

  Benitez used all three substitutes during the second half, introducing Anthony Le Tallec, Vladimir Smicer and Fernando Morientes in a bid to find a goal, but as the minutes ticked by it looked like it wasn't going to be the Reds' day.

  Then, with the clock showing 85 minutes, Traore dribbled along the goal line beforechipping to the far post for Biscan to head home.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Carson, Traore, Pellegrino, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Welsh, Nunez, Gerrard, Garcia. Subs - Dudek, Le Tallec, Smicer, Morientes, Hyypia.

  Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Candela, NGotty, Haim, Hunt, Gardner, Speed, Hierro, Giannakopoulos, Nolan, Davies. Subs - Poole, Pedersen, Okocha, Campo, Jaidi.

  Referee: Steve Bennett

  Conditions: Warm

  Attendance: 43,755

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Djimi Traore

  Breakdown

2 mins : Great sliding tackle by Traore denies Stelios from breaking free down the right
4 mins : Gardner heads over from close-range following a Bolton corner
5 mins : Carson saves low from Stelios who fires in a long-range from the right
6 mins : A deflected shot by Biscan is easily saved by Jaaskelainen
8 mins : Finnan makes a double headed clearance on the line to keep out a fierce drive by Stelios
9 mins : Davies heads wide from another Bolton corner as the visitors continue to pile on some early pressure
11 mins : Jaaskelainen is penalised for handling a back-pass and Liverpool are awarded a free-kick in the Bolton area
12 mins : Gerrard lays the set-piece off to Riise but the shot is blocked by a packed defensive wall
20 mins : Riise goes down in the box following an off-the-ball incident with Hunt but no foul is given and both players are spoken to by the ref after squaring up to each other
21 mins : Garcia drills a ball across the face of the Bolton goal but there are no Liverpool players there to take advantage
24 mins : Carragher almost puts through his own net with a header that is spectacularly tipped around the post by Carson
25 mins : Nolan stings the fingers of Carson with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box
28 mins : A Gerrard free-kick from 30-yards out is parried by Jaaskelainen
30 mins : Haim is given a lecture by the ref following a blatant foul on Garcia
31 mins : Booking: Fernando Hierro: for a foul on Nunez
33 mins : Haim makes a crucial clearance as Traore crosses low from the left
40 mins : Welsh tries his luck from distance but his shot sails into the Kop
45 mins : One minute of time is added on
47 mins : Jaaskelainen is quick off his line to deny Riise

48 mins : A rasping Nunez volley on the right edge of the box forces Jaaskelainen into a fine diving dave
50 mins : Substitution: Jay-Jay Okocha for Nicky Hunt:
50 mins : Speed volleys wide with a speculative effort from distance
52 mins : Gerrard shoots over
54 mins : Carson punches clear from a N'Gotty free-kick that is lofted high into the Reds penalty area
56 mins : Haim clears off the line after Riise goes for goal with an angled drive following an impressive centre by Finnan
59 mins : Davies heads wide from a Stelios corner
60 mins : Substitution: Anthony Le Tallec for John Arne Riise:
63 mins : A good passing move by Liverpool ends with a Le Tallec shot from the edge of the box being deflected into the arms of the keeper by Haim
64 mins : Substitution: Henrik Pedersen for Stelios Giannakopoulos:
72 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for John Welsh:
73 mins : Booking: Tal Ben Haim: for a foul on Smicer
74 mins : Booking: Mauricio Pellegrino: for a foul on Davies
77 mins : Carson gets a touch on a long-range strike from Okocha and concedes a corner
78 mins : From the subsequent corner Finnan clears a Davies header off the line
78 mins : Substitution: Fernando Morientes for Antonio Nunez:
81 mins : The crowd are roaring Liverpool on as the strive for a winning goal
82 mins : Jaaskelainen punches clear a teasing Gerrard free-kick
83 mins : Substitution: Ivan Campo for Fernando Hierro:
84 mins : Davies hooks a ball across the face of goal but fortunately for Liverpool no Bolton players are on hand to convert
85 mins : GOAL! Igor Biscan: heads home from a Traore cross
88 mins : Carson goes down injured when rushing off his line to prevent a shot from Nolan but is quickly back on his feet after treatement
90 mins : Four minutes of time added on

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  2 - 1  Juventus (Turin, Italy)

 
Tuesday 5 April 2005 19:45 Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg
 
Liverpool Juventus
2 - 1  (2-0)
 
GOAL
 Hyypia 10, Garcia 25  Cannavaro 63
 
 20  Scott Carson
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 25  Igor Biscan
 10  Luis Garcia
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 28  Stephen Warnock
 32  John Welsh
 18  Antonio Nunez
 14  Xabi Alonso
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 34  Darren Potter
  1  Gianluigi Buffon
 19  Gianluca Zambrotta
 28  Fabio Cannavaro
 21  Lilian Thuram
 27  Jonathan Zebina
  8  Emerson
 20  Manuele Blasi
 11  Pavel Nedved
 16  Mauro Camoranesi
 10  Alessandro Del Piero (c)
  9  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

 Subs:
 12  Antonio Chimenti
  4  Paolo Montero
  7  Gianluca Pessotto
 18  Stephen Appiah
 24  Ruben Olivera
 17  David Trezeguet
 25  Marcelo Zalayeta
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Baros (Nunez 66)
 Le Tallec (Smicer 73)
 Blasi (Pessotto 46)
 Del Piero (Trezeguet 61)
 Zabina (Montero 80)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
 Booked:  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 41,216
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Fabio Capello (Juventus)

  Price: J3,00

  REDS WIN ROUND ONE

  Liverpool will take a slender one goal lead to Turin after goals from Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia gave them a hard fought 2-1 victory over Juventus in tonight's Champions League Quarter Final First Leg at Anfield.

  Rafa's men dominated the first 45 minutes of this emotionally charged clash and were good value for the 2-0 half time lead given to them by Sami Hyypia and Luis Garcia. But Juventus grabbed the upper-hand and a crucial away goal after the interval through defender Fabio Cannavaro.

  The Reds took the lead after just 10 minutes when Garcia flicked Gerrard's cross to Sami Hyypia at the far post and he finished with some aplomb, volleying hard passed Buffon.

  Hyypia was only playing because Mauricio Pellegrino couldn't, but he returned to partner Jamie Carragher in the centre of defence and made a vital contribution at both ends of the pitch.

  And if Hyypia's opener had the Kop on it's feet, Luis Garcia's second after 25 minutes will have lifted the elated fans right off them.

  There seemed little threat as Garcia ran on to the ball 25 yards out, but he unleashed a superb dipping volley that gave Buffon no chance.

  Liverpool threatened to run away with the tie when Baros twice went close to making it three, but they would be forced to defend resolutely as Juventus came forward after the break.

  Capello's men had come close to a goal in the first half through Del Piero and Ibrahimovic, but they had to wait until the 64th minute for their away goal and when it came, it came from a unlikely source. Defender Fabio Cannavaro on hand to head passed Carson and give the Italians hope for the return leg.

  Liverpool will make the journey to Turin with confidence after more than matching their much vaunted opponents.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Carson, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Garcia, Baros, Le Tallec. Subs - Alonso, Dudek, Nunez, Potter, Smicer, Warnock, Welsh.

  Juventus: Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Thuram, Zebina, , Blasi, Nedved, Camoranesi, Del Piero, Ibrahimovic. Subs - Appiah, Chimenti, Montero, Olivera, Pessotto, Trezeguet, Zalayeta.

  Referee: Frank De Bleeckere

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 41,216

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Luis Garcia

  Breakdown

18:45 GMT : Match Starts
4 mins : Emerson's pass towards Caoranesi in the area is well defended by Traore
6 mins : Garcia drives a shot goalwards which Buffon is happy to let fly into the side netting
9 mins : Baros' first touch lets him down as Gerrard gives him a chance to run at goal
10 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: Hyypia volleys home left footed after Garcia flicked on from a corner
16 mins : Good run by Le Tallec down the right is rewarded with a corner as the Reds continue to dominate the early stages
19 mins : Le Tallec just fails to connect in front of goal as the chance for a second goes begging
24 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Great goal from Garcia as he beats Buffon with a volley from 25 yards
25 mins : Ibrahimovic hits the post as Juventus threaten as Nedved turns the rebound wide
30 mins : Carson makes a great save from close range as Del Piero shoots for the corner of the net
31 mins : Buffon clutches the ball under his own bar as Riise fires a 30 yard free kick at the Juve goal
32 mins : Gerrard creates space outside the area but drags his shot wide of the target
40 mins : Del Piero heads into the roof of the net but the linesman's flag is up for offside
19:31 GMT : Half Time Reached

19:47 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Gianluca Pessotto for Manuele Blasi:
46 mins : Juventus win an early corner as they look for a way back into the game
51 mins : Riise bends in a free kick to the far post which evades everyone and rolls out of play
54 mins : Nedved finds space outside the box after a Juventus break but fires well wide
59 mins : Del Piero shoots from outside the area but it doesn't trouble Carson in the Liverpool goal
60 mins : Substitution: David Trezeguet for Alessandro Del Piero:
63 mins : GOAL! Fabio Cannavaro: Cannavaro scores with a header past Carson from close range
66 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Milan Baros:
70 mins : Nunez delivers a good cross from the right wing but the Juve defence deal with it well
71 mins : Riise's shot on the run hits a Juventus defender on its way behind for a corner at the Kop end
73 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Anthony Le Tallec:
78 mins : Liverpool defend desperately as Nedved gets clear in the area but his cross comes to nothing
80 mins : Substitution: Paolo Montero for Jonathan Zebina:
90 mins : Two extra minutes to be played
20:34 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Manchester City  1 - 0  Liverpool

 
Saturday 5 March 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Manchester City Liverpool
1 - 0  (0-0)
 
GOAL
 Musampa 90  
 
  1  David James
 16  Nedum Onuoha
 22  Richard Dunne
  5  Sylvain Distin (c)
 41  Stephen Jordan
  6  Claudio Reyna
 24  Joey Barton
 26  Paul Bosvelt
 14  Kiki Musampa
  8  Robbie Fowler
 10  Antoine Siberski

 Subs:
 12  Nick Weaver
 18  Danny Mills
 30  Christian Negouai
 40  Lee Croft
 42  Bradley Wright-Phillips
 20  Scott Carson
 23  Jamie Carragher
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 28  Stephen Warnock
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 10  Luis Garcia
 25  Igor Biscan
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  4  Sami Hyypia
 21  Djimi Traore
 32  John Welsh
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Onuoha (Mills 67)
 Bosvelt (Croft 73)
 Sibierski (B Wright-Phillips 83)
 Garcia (Smicer 68)
 Morientes (Welsh 78)
 Riise (Traore 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mike Riley Linesmen: M J Canns, M Tingey
 Booked: Barton 45  Booked: Carragher 34
VENUE MANAGERS
City of Manchester Stadium (48,000)
Attendance: 47,203
Stuart Pearce (Manchester C)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J2,50

  Notes:

  - Liverpool's 500th Premier League match.

  - Carragher plays his 350th match for Liverpool.

  - Gerrard is in the starting line-up for the 250th time.

  CITY STRIKE LATE TO DENT HOPES OF 4TH

  Liverpool have missed the chance to overtake Everton in 4th place after a last minute goal from Musampa sent them crashing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City today.

  The Reds had looked set to take 4th place on goal difference, but they were sunk by Musampa's late strike and they now face the prospect of seeing Everton again extend their lead to four points when they play Crystal Palace tomorrow.

  Rafa's men will be devastated to have conceded so late on, but it was only the agility of Scott Carson that had kept them in the game before that.

  Carson took the blame for his mistake that gave Juventus their goal at Anfield on Tuesday, but he more than made amends with a series of stops that will restore any confidence lost.

  His first save came after just 10 minutes when he reacted brilliantly to hold Distin's effort and he was alert again to save at the feet of Sibierski as half time approached.

  At the other end, the game unfortunately mirrored a number of other disappointing away performances for Rafa's men as they failed to carve out any meaningful chances and ex-Red David James will have enjoyed a comfortable afternoon.

  And they required the sharp relexes of Carson again in the 65th minute when he tipped Musampa's fierce drive against the post.

  The Reds could have snatched the points late on when Steven Gerrard could only find the side netting when well placed, but that might have been harsh on a City side beginning to play well for caretaker boss Stuart Pearce.

  City secured their first win under Pearce with Musampa's late strike, but it was a goal that will have more significance on Liverpool's season.

  It is perhaps apt that on Grand National day Liverpool have fallen when they had to chance to take 4th place, but we will hope that they still have the stamina to stay the course of the marathon Premiership season.

  Teams

  Manchester City: James, Jordan, Distin, Dunne, Onuoha, Musampa, Barton, Bosvelt, Reyna, Fowler, Sibierski. Subs - Croft, Mills, Negouai, Weaver, Wright-Phillips.

  Liverpool: Carson, Warnock, Carragher, Pellegrino, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Garcia, Le Tallec, Morientes. Subs - Dudek, Hyypia, Smicer, Traore, Welsh.

  Referee: Mike Riley

Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Scott Carson

  Breakdown

14:03 GMT : Match Starts
3 mins : Morientes has an early sight of goal but the ref blows for an infringement
4 mins : Pellegrino does well to hold off the challenge of Sibierski as the City striker attempts to race through on goal
8 mins : Garcia is narrowly caught offside as a Gerrard through ball threatens to split open the home defence
10 mins : Carson pulls off a great diving save to deny Distin who heads towards goal from a Jordan free-kick out on the left
15 mins : Excellent sliding tackle by Warnock blocks a Reyna shot on goal
17 mins : Biscan tracks back well to halt a promising City attack down the right
18 mins : Le Tallec steers a shot wide from close-range following a Garcia centre but the linesman had already flagged for offside
19 mins : Musampa shoots wide after finding space just outside the Reds box
23 mins : Le Tallec fires over with a chance on the edge of the six-yard box after Riise picked him out with a cross from the left
26 mins : Biscan heads wide from a right wing Finnan centre
30 mins : Dunne makes a crucial interception as Riise plays a teasing ball across the face of the City goal
32 mins : Garcia blazes over with a speculative strike from just outside the box
33 mins : Biscan forces James into a low diving save that is only scambled away at the second attempt
34 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher: for a foul
35 mins : Garcia leaves the field temporarily for treatment from the physio after going down under a City challenge
37 mins : Warnock requires treatment after going down in agony following a challenge with Sibierski
44 mins : Warnock combines well with Morientes but his cross from the left is comfortably gathered by James
45 mins : Carson saves at the feet of Sibierski
45 mins : Booking: Joey Barton: for striking out at Le Tallec
14:51 GMT : Half Time Reached

15:09 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool resume positively and Gerrard goes close with a shot at the back post after a flowing move
50 mins : Musampa shoots low at Carson but the youngster handles well
56 mins : James is quick off his line to save at the feet of Le Tallec as the Reds begin to apply some pressure
60 mins : Fowler hits the Liverpool wall with a long-range free-kick
65 mins : Carson tips a stinging shot from Musampa onto the bar as Liverpool survive a major scare
67 mins : Substitution: Danny Mills for Nedum Onuoha:
68 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Luis Garcia:
70 mins : Finnan turns the ball behind for a corner as City threaten with Barton and Fowler
73 mins : Substitution: Lee Croft for Paul Bosvelt:
76 mins : Jordan shoots high over the Liverpool bar from 25-yards out
78 mins : Substitution: John Welsh for Fernando Morientes:
80 mins : Gerrard fires into the side-netting after being sent through on goal by Smicer
83 mins : Substitution: Djimi Traore for John Arne Riise:
83 mins : Substitution: Bradley Wright-Phillips for Antoine Sibierski:
87 mins : A free-kick by Dunne is charged down by Carragher on the edge of the Reds box
88 mins : Reyna fires in a shot that flies narrowly wide of the Liverpool goal
89 mins : GOAL! Kizito Musampa: drills in a low shot from the edge of the box to beat Carson
90 mins : Wright-Philips drags a shot narrowly wide of the far post
15:57 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Juventus (Turin, Italy)  0 - 0  Liverpool

 
Wednesday 13 April 2005 19:45 Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg
 
Juventus Liverpool
0 - 0  (0-0)
 
GOAL
   
 
  1  Gianluigi Buffon
 21  Lilian Thuram
  4  Paolo Montero
 28  Fabio Cannavaro
 16  Mauro Camoranesi
  8  Emerson
 24  Ruben Olivera
 19  Gianluca Zambrotta
 11  Pavel Nedved
  9  Zlatan Ibrahimovic
 10  Alessandro Del Piero (c)

 Subs:
 12  Antonio Chimenti
  7  Gianluca Pessotto
 15  Alessandro Birindelli
 34  Andrea Masiello
 18  Stephen Appiah
 20  Manuele Blasi
 25  Marcelo Zalayeta
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
 25  Igor Biscan
 18  Antonio Nunez
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 32  John Welsh
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 34  Darren Potter
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
  9  Djibril Cisse
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Olivera (Zalayeta 46)
 Montero (Pessotto 82)
 Camoranesi (Appiah 83)
 Nunez (Smicer 58)
 Baros (Cisse 75)
 Garcia (Le Tallec 84)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia) Linesmen: Nikolay Golubev, Tihon Kapustin 4th Official: Igor Egorov
 Booked: Montero 52, Ibrahimovic 62, Zambrotta 65, Emerson 73  Booked: Alonso 28, Finnan 77
VENUE MANAGERS
Stadio Dell'Alpi (capacity 69,041)
Attendance: 55,464
Fabio Capello (Juventus)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Notes:

  - For this match not was printed Official matchday programme.

  - First games for Alonso (out 3 1/2 months and Cisse (out 6 months), completing remarkable recoveries.

  EURO JOY FOR HEROIC REDS IN TURIN

  Liverpool have deservedly clinched a place in the last four of the Champions League after heroically holding Juventus to a goalless draw on a memorable night in Turin.

  In a game of nail-biting tension the Reds produced an impressively disciplined performance to shut out their hosts and preserve their 2-1 first leg advantage.

  At times it was backs to the wall stuff but Rafa's men passed the ball with precision and defended resolutely to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with Chelsea.

  In a first half of few goalscoring opportunities the best chance fell to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after just eight minutes but thankfully he fired over from a central position six-yards from goal.

  When in possession Liverpool looked comfortable all night and after going in at the interval with their heads held high they came out after the break and almost snatched the lead through Baros.

  Latching on to a perfectly threaded through ball from Alonso the Czech striker got goal side of the Juve defence but with only the keeper to beat agonisingly rolled his shot wide of the post.

  At the opposite end Dudek saved superbly from an Emerson header, with was the home sides first effort on target.

  As the minutes ticked by the nerves became more and more frayed and Liverpool survived a major scare when Traore headed against his own post following a Juventus free-kick.

  It was not all one way traffic though and with Cisse completing his amazing recovery from a broken leg by replacing Baros late in the second half the Reds continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.

  Biscan headed over with seven minutes remaining but in the end it didn't matter. At the opposite end Juve couldn't find the key to unlock the Liverpool defence and the long-awaited final whistle was the signal for ecstatic scenes among the players and travelling fans.

  This was an occasion to rank alongside any in this club's illustrious European history and every player in a red shirt deserves credit for the part they played in it.

  Well done lads!

  Teams

  Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Thuram, Montero, Nedved, Olivera, , Camoranesi, Del Piero, Ibrahimovic. Subs - Appiah, Birindelli, Blasi, Chimenti, Masiello, Pessotto, Zalayeta.

  Liverpool (4-4-2): Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Biscan, Nunez, Baros, Garcia. Subs - Carson, Cisse, Le Tallec, Potter, Smicer, Warnock, Welsh.

  Referee: Valentin Ivanov

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 55,464

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia

  Breakdown

19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : The game gets underway in Turin
3 mins : Good chasing play by Baros keps the pressue on Juve
3 mins : Good challenge by Hyypia halts a Juve attack
4 mins : Ibrahimovic is caught offside in Reds box
7 mins : Traore brought down in his own area
7 mins : Garcia shoots from outside the area but there is no power involved in the strike
9 mins : Great rcovery tackle from Biscan in front of the penalty area
10 mins : Alonso tackle on Del Piero stops Juve attack
11 mins : Ibrahimovic misses the best chance of the game so far
13 mins : Emerson concedes a free-kick due to a foul on Nunez
14 mins : Riise caught offside from a brilliant Alonso pass
16 mins : Del Piero dives when tackled by Traore
16 mins : Hyypia's free-kick is too long for Baros
18 mins : Great run by Garcia into the box but Buffon gets their first
20 mins : Juve caught offside yet again
22 mins : Biscan brought down near the half-way line
23 mins : Nedved caugt offside after a very dangerous attack
26 mins : Good defensive header by Hyypia in his own area
28 mins : Booking: Xabi Alonso: Booked for preventing a free-kick from being taken
30 mins : Baros concedes a free-kick in the Juve half
31 mins : Emerson brings down Nunez in full flight
32 mins : Juve win a corner after a free-kick in a dangerous position is cleared behind
32 mins : Emerson is closed down in the area before he can make space for a shot
33 mins : Great defensive header by Carragher clears the danger
35 mins : Nedved caught offside in a controversial decision
41 mins : Baros run and cross easily gathered by Buffon
42 mins : Alonso caught with a challenge on his knee but he's OK
43 mins : Corner to Juve but Emerson strikes a long-range shot wide
45 mins : Two minutes of stoppage time added for the first half
20:32 GMT : Half Time Reached

20:47 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Marcelo Zalayeta for Ruben Olivera:
46 mins : Del Piero heads the ball behind for a goalkick
47 mins : Nedved leaves is foot in on a challenge on Finnan
48 mins : Good header from Traore clears a Juve attack
49 mins : Baros does well but one on one with Buffon he misses the target under pressure
50 mins : Riise goes on a good run but is stopped on the edge of the Juve box
51 mins : Garcia is brought down as he ties to run at goal
52 mins : Booking: Paolo Montero: Foul on Garcia
54 mins : Garcia brought down near the half-way line
55 mins : Vladimir Smicer preparing to come on
56 mins : baros shot deflected behind for a corner
57 mins : Nunez wins a corner befor making way for Smicer
58 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Antonio Nunez:
58 mins : Baros and Smicer try a neat one two in the box but it's broken up
59 mins : Carragher concedes a very dangerous free-kick
60 mins : Smicer goes down holding his face in the centre circle
62 mins : Booking: Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Foul on Sami Hyypia
63 mins : Biscan concedes another free-kick in a dangerous position
63 mins : Biscan concedes another free-kick in a dangerous position
63 mins : Emerson header easily saved by Dudek
64 mins : Foul on Milan Baros
64 mins : Booking: Gianluca Zambrotta:
66 mins : Carragher loses the ball on the edge of the area but Dudek makes a good save
67 mins : Baros loses the ball as he tries to beat a man as Liverpool counter at pace
69 mins : Biscan brought down after a great run into Juve defence
72 mins : Scare in the box but Traore clears
73 mins : Traore concedes corner with great tackle on Nedved
74 mins : Booking: Emerson : Kick at Biscan
75 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
76 mins : Emerson shoots wide for a throw-in
77 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan:
77 mins : Juve hit the post in a mad scramble involving Traore and Dudek
78 mins : Riise wins a throw-in deep inside Juve half
79 mins : Cisse caught offside
82 mins : Substitution: Gianluca Pessotto for Paolo Montero:
85 mins : Substitution: Anthony Le Tallec for Luis Garcia:
84 mins : Dudek saves well from Del Piero free-kick
87 mins : Zambrotta attempts a cross but linesman flags for offside
88 mins : Le Tallecs attempts a cross/shot that flies wide
89 mins : Finnan stabs the ball clear
89 mins : Brilliant clearance from Hyypia in his box
90 mins : Three minutes injury time added
90 mins : Mix up between Hyypia and Dudek but Hyypia clears
21:35 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool  2 - 2  Tottenham Hotspur

 
Saturday 16 April 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur
2 - 2  (1-1)
 
GOAL
 Garcia 44, Hyypia 63  Edman 12, Keane 55
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 28  Stephen Warnock
 23  Jamie Carragher
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 18  Antonio Nunez
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 25  Igor Biscan
  5  Milan Baros
  1  Paul Robinson
 34  Stephen Kelly
 14  Erik Edman
 26  Ledley King
 20  Michael Dawson
  7  Simon Davies
 23  Michael Carrick
 19  Andrew Reid
  4  Sean Davis
  9  Freddie Kanoute
 10  Robbie Keane

 Subs:
 24  Radek Cerny
  5  Goran Bunjevcevic
 16  Retro Ziegler
 31  Dean Marney
 18  Jermaine Defoe
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Warnock (Riise 35)
 Nunez (Cisse 77)
 Alonso (Biscan 85)
 Reid (Ziegler 72)
 Keane (Defoe 88)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
 Booked:  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 44,029
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Martin Jol (Tottenham H)

  Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - Players of Liverpool and Tottenham H played black bandages in memory of tragedy in Hillsborough.

  - Steven Gerrard missed a penalty on 58'

  - Finnan's 50th league game for LFC.

  HYYPIA RESCUES POINT FOR REDS

  Sami Hyypia's second half strike has taken Liverpool to within three points of fourth place after the Reds twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in a thriller at Anfield.

  Tottenham twice led in the game as Erik Edman and then Robbie Keane gave Spurs hope of an away victory, but on both occasions Liverpool levelled with strikes from Luis Garcia and Sami Hyypia to leave both teams with a point apiece.

  The Reds will probably feel it's a case of two points dropped as they battle to catch Everton, but after the heroics in Turin in midweek Rafa Benitez couldn't have asked for more effort or commitment from his players.

  Tottenham dominated the early stages and deservedly took the lead in the 12th minute when Swedish defender Erik Edman netted his first goal in English football.

  After collecting the ball 30 yards from goal he silenced the Kop with a stunning left footed drive which saw the ball nestling in the top corner of Jerzy Dudek's net.

  Spurs were full value for their lead after impressing with some fine passing football, but as soon as Liverpool settled down and got to grips with their playing system they became more of a threat as an attacking force.

  The equaliser duly arrived in the final minute of the half when Luis Garcia scored for the 11th time this season when he curled a shot perfectly into the roof of the net with Paul Robinson well beaten.

  Liverpool began the second half well but again fell behind ten minutes after the break when Irish striker Robbie Keane's header from close range took a wicked deflection before landing in the corner of the net.

  The Reds didn't deserve to be behind at that stage and were handed an immediate chance to level the scores when referee Mark Halsey awarded a penalty at the Kop end after Gerrard had been sent tumbling in the area.

  Gerrard decided to take the penalty himself and, although he sent Robinson the wrong way, the ball missed the target and flew high and wide into the Kop.

  But Liverpool's disappointment didn't last too long as Sami Hyypia soon levelled the game again with a ferocious right footed volley from the edge of the box which flew past Robinson.

  Luis Garcia then fired narrowly over as the Reds searched for the lead while Steve Finnan came even closer with a low shot which missed the far post by inches following a great pass from Gerrard.

  Dudek had to save from Simon Davies late on as Spurs looked for a winner, but Liverpool went even closer with almost the final kick of the game when Gerrard struck the base of the post with a low drive.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Pellegrino, Finnan, Alonso, Gerrard, Nunez, Garcia, Morientes. Subs - Riise, Cisse, Carson, Traore, Biscan.

  Tottenham Hotspur: Robinson, Edman, Dawson, King, Kelly, Davies, Reid, Carrick, Davis, Kanoute, Keane. Subs - Cerny, Bunjevcevic, Ziegler, Defoe, Marney.

  Referee: Mark Halsey

  Conditions: Dry and mild

  Attendance: 44,029

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

  Breakdown

1 min : Tottenham kick-off attacking the Kop
2 mins : Great ball by Alonso picks out Garcia on the left and earns warm applause from the stands
6 mins : Kanoute is flagged offside following a long punt forward by Davis
10 mins : Garcia shot from 25-yards out hits the arm of King but play is waved on
12 mins : GOAL! Erik Edman: a wonder strike from 30-yards that took Dudek completely by surprise
15 mins : Carrick concedes possession in a dangerous position but Garcia runs into a wall of Tottenham defenders and Carrick is allowed to get back and make amends
18 mins : Warnock makes a timely intervention as Tottenham's slick passing threatens to open up the Reds defence
21 mins : Robinson is forced to punch clear following a teasing centre from the left by Warnock
22 mins : Warnock shoots wide from the edge of the box
24 mins : Nunez effort from the right edge of the area is blocked by the legs of King
28 mins : Warnock looks to be struggling with an injury
30 mins : Dawson fouls Garcia in a central position 25-yards from goal and a free-kick is given
31 mins : Alonso and Warnock play the set-piece to Gerrard but his fierce drive is charged down by the Spurs wall
34 mins : King heads behind for a corner from a right wing centre by Gerrard
35 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Stephen Warnock:
37 mins : Nunez makes a determined run into the Spurs box but drags his shot way wide of the far post
40 mins : Gerrard bounces a shot of the turf with a right-footed volley but Robinson gathers comfortably
44 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: sweet curling effort from the edge of the box into Robinson's far top corner
45 mins : Great save by Robinson denies Morientes with a header from a Gerrard's cross
45 mins : Keane fires over on the turn with a speculative effort
48 mins : A delightful back-heel by Garcia almost releases Finnan inside the Spurs box
52 mins : Reid goes close with Tottenham's first chance of the 2nd half
55 mins : GOAL! Robbie Keane: header from a Kanoute cross that takes a wicked deflection off Carragher
57 mins : Gerrard is fouled in the box by Carrick and a penalty is awarded
58 mins : Gerrard blazes his kick well wide and Liverpool are left to rue a glorious opportunity
63 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: stunning right-footed volley from the edge of the box
67 mins : Dawson almost turns the ball past his own keeper as Liverpool put the pressure on
68 mins : Garcia fires narrowly over with an angled effort
69 mins : Finnan drills a low shot inches wide of the far post after Gerrard plays him through
70 mins : Alonso tries his luck with a shot from inside his own half but Robinson isn't troubled
72 mins : Alonso curls a free-kick just wide of the near post
72 mins : Substitution: Retro Ziegler for Andy Reid:
77 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Antonio Nunez:
80 mins : Davies whips in a dangerous looking cross from the right but Dudek handles well
81 mins : Riise is way off target with a volley from the left edge of the box
85 mins : Substitution: Igor Biscan for Xabi Alonso:
85 mins : Dudek does well to tip a long-range Davies effort over the bar
88 mins : Garcia fires disappointly over following good play down the left by Riise
88 mins : Substitution: Jermaine Defoe for Robbie Keane:
90 mins : A Gerrard shot comes agonisingly back of the post
90 mins : Morientes frustratingly blazes over from close-range
  Full time: Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Portsmouth  1 - 2  Liverpool

 
Wednesday 20 April 2005 19:45 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Portsmouth Liverpool
1 - 2  (1-2)
 
GOAL
 Kamara 34  Morientes 4, Garcia 44
 
 30  Jamie Ashdown
 18  Aliou Cisse
  6  Arjan De Zeeuw
  3  Dejan Stefanovic
  8  Steve Stone
 14  Matthew Taylor
 11  Giannis Skopelitis
 26  Gary O'Neill
 22  Richard Hughes
 21  Diomansy Kamara
 32  Lomano Lua-Lua

 Subs:
  1  Shaka Hislop
  2  Linvoy Primus
 23  Patrick Berger
 19  Ricardo Fuller
 27  Aleksandar Rodic
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
 25  Igor Biscan
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
 19  Fernando Morientes
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 17  Vladimir Smicer
  8  Steven Gerrard
  9  Djibril Cisse
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 De Zeeuw (Primus 46)
 Stone (Berger 66)
 LuaLua (Fuller 76)
 Garcia (Smicer 46)
 Biscan (Gerrard 66)
 Baros (Cisse 75)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Howard Webb
 Booked: Hughes 50  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
Fratton Park (capacity 19,179)
Attendance: 20,205
Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J

  Notes:

  - Carragher plays his 250th league match for Liverpool.

  - Milan Baros's plays his 100th match for Liverpool.

  REDS STAY IN THE CHASE

  Liverpool have kept themselves in the race for 4th place after first half goals from Fernando Morientes and Luis Garcia gave them a crucial 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park tonight.

  The win enables Rafa's men to move menacingly ahead of Bolton in 5th place and keeps them within touching distance of the promised land of the 4th place currently occupied by Everton.

  The Reds were in front after just 4 minutes and what a welcome goal it was for Fernando Morientes. It was created by John Arne Riise on the right and his cross caused confusion in the box where Nando was on hand to scramble the ball home.

  It could have all been very different though but for the 1st minute offside flag that cancelled out Lua Lua's early strike. And that early scare proved to be an indication of the threat carried by a Portsmouth side buoyed by the arrival of new Manager Alain Perrin.

  Morientes had a chance to make it 2-0 after 25 minutes, but he couldn't keep his header down. And that miss looked to be costly when Diomansy Kamara leveled for the home side soon after.

  The goal coming after the Reds had failed to clear a corner allowing Kamara to score from close range.

  It was hard to deny Pompey their equaliser but just when thoughts were turning to half time, Luis Garcia weighed in with his 12th goal of the season to restore Liverpool's advantage with a fine header. That's an impressive return from Luis, who is rapidly becoming a Premiership force.

  Garcia's goal proved to be his last contribution though as he was replaced by Smicer at the break, but the Reds emerged for the second half and were almost given some breathing space by Riise, who's shot was saved by the legs of Ashdown.

  Liverpool hearts were in their mouths after 57 minutes when Steve Stone missed what can only be described as a sitter. And tension continued to rise when Riise again failed to take advantage of another good chance on 70 minutes.

  Portsmouth keeper Ashdown continued to sparkle in goal to keep us on the edge of our seats and weneeded a fine save from Dudek to make the points safe, but Liverpool hung on and have hope and plenty to play for as they head into what is sure to be a thrilling season's climax.

  Teams

  Portsmouth: Ashdown, Taylor, De Zeeuw, Stefanovic, Cisse, Hughes, O'Neill, Skopolitis, Stone, Kamara, LuaLua. Subs - Berger, Fuller, Hislop, Primus, Rodic.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Biscan, Garcia, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Carson, Cisse, Gerrard, Pellegrino, Smicer.

  Referee: H Webb

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

  Breakdown

18:49 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Portsmouth get the game underway
1 min : Lua Lua goes around Dudek and slots the ball home but the goal is ruled out for offside. Real let off for Liverpool
2 mins : Riise's cross from the left is well defended by Pompey
3 mins : Baros latches onto an error by Stefanovic but can only shoot at Ashdown. Great chance for the Reds
4 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: Nando slots home from close range after Baros sees a shot saved. Great start for the Reds
9 mins : Lua Lua can't find Stone on the edge of the area after a promising Portsmouth attack
13 mins : Ashdown is out quickly to beat Morientes to the ball after a poor back pass from De Zeeuw
14 mins : Riise fires a volley goalwards from a tight angle but the ball drifts wide of the far post
22 mins : Morientes goes down in the area but the ref isn't interested in any penalty appeal
25 mins : Finnan floats a cross to the far post where an unmarked Morientes heads wastefully over from a good position
26 mins : Kamara fails to get a cross in from a good position on the left and a Portsmouth chance goes begging
31 mins : Lua Lua lofts the ball over Dudek but the goalkeeper recovers in time to turn the ball away to safety. Great save.
33 mins : GOAL! Diomansy Kamara: Liverpool fail to deal with a corner and Kamara converts from close range after Finnan's goal-line clearance
39 mins : Dudek makes a fine save to deny Kamara from close range after an exciting run from Lua Lua
43 mins : Sensational pass from Alonso gives Riise a chance but he directs his shot wide of the far post
44 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Garcia beats Ashdown with a well directed header into the corner of the net
19:36 GMT : Half Time Reached

19:53 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Luis Garcia:
46 mins : Substitution: Linvoy Primus for Arjan De Zeeuw:
48 mins : Riise is presented with a clear shooting chance in the area but Ashdown saves with his legs
48 mins : Smicer aims for the far corner with a low drive but just misses the far post
50 mins : Booking: Richard Hughes: Late challenge on Carragher
51 mins : Baros turns and shoots outside the area but Ashdown saves well
56 mins : Riise's curling corner to the far post is too strong for Hyypia
56 mins : Riise cuts inside onto his right foot and drives a low shot wide as Liverpool begin to dominate
57 mins : Stone misses a sitter in front of goal from Hughes' cross. Great chance for Pompey
58 mins : Alonso's dipping effort from outside the area is turned over for a corner by Ashdown
62 mins : Substitution: Patrik Berger for Steve Stone:
65 mins : Kamara's 20 yard drive is gathered well by Dudek low down
66 mins : Substitution: Steven Gerrard for Igor Biscan:
70 mins : Riise has another great chance but can't get the ball out from under his feet as he prepares to shoot
72 mins : Substitution: Ricardo Fuller for Lomana LuaLua:
74 mins : Dudek makes a flying save to keep out Berger's long range rocket
75 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
82 mins : Alonso shoots from 20 yards but Ashdown makes another save, turning the ball behind for a corner
84 mins : Gerrard's free kick from 25 yards comes back off the Portsmouth wall
87 mins : Skopilitis shoots from 25 yards but fails to trouble Dudek as the ball flies wide
20:40 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Crystal Palace  1 - 0  Liverpool

 
Saturday 23 April 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
Crystal Palace Liverpool
1 - 0  (1-0)
 
GOAL
 Johnson 33  
 
 28  Gabor Kiraly
 26  Gonzalo Sorondo
 25  Fitz Hall
  6  Tony Popovic
  3  Danny Granville
  7  Wayne Routledge
 12  Mikele Leigertwood
 15  Aki Riihilahti
 17  Michael Hughes
 19  Tom Soares
  8  Andy Johnson

 Subs:
  1  Julian Speroni
 14  Ben Watson
 32  Vassilios Lakis
 10  Sandor Torghelle
 27  Nicola Ventola
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
 21  Djimi Traore
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
 23  Jamie Carragher
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 32  John Welsh
  5  Milan Baros
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
  6  John Arne Riise
 25  Igor Biscan
 34  Darren Potter
  9  Djibril Cisse
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Onuoha (Mills 67)
 Bosvelt (Croft 73)
 Sibierski (B Wright-Phillips 83)
 Garcia (Smicer 68)
 Morientes (Welsh 78)
 Riise (Traore 83)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire)
 Booked: Routledge 45, Granville 54  Booked: Carragher 35, Morientes 45, Gerrard 59, Finnan 77, Riise 87
VENUE MANAGERS
Selhurst Park (capacity 26,400)
Attendance: 26,043
Iain Dowie (Crystal P)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  REDS SUFFER CRUSHING BLOW

  Liverpool may now have to win the Champions League to qualify for the competition next season after an Andy Johnson goal condemned them to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace today.

  Wednesday night's Semi Final first leg against Chelsea now becomes even more important after Rafa's men failed to capatalize on Everton's slip against Birmingham earlier in the day.

  And with games running out that will surely provide their best chance of ensuring they are playing in Europe's premier European competition next term.

  The first half of this match wasn't for the purists as it lacked as much in quality as it did in goal chances, but it was lit up by Andy Johnson after 33 minutes when he stooped to head Palace into the lead.

  There had been little between the sides, they were as poor as each other, before that goal, but it served as an inspiration for Iain Dowie's strugglers and Johnson nearly scored again after shrugging off Pellegrino.

  Liverpool's first half display regrettably mirrored so many other disappointing away performances this season, as they failed to chalk any chances worthy of note. And they also saw their Champions League aspirations take a blow when Milan Baros limped off shortly before the break.

  We expected the Reds to come out for the second half with stern words from Rafa ringing in their ears, but they were fortunate not to find themselves two down straight away when Soares failed to make proper contact allowing Pellegrino to clear off the line.

  And as Palace, spurred by the threat of relegation, continued to come forward they were in danger again soon after when Hughes volleyed narrowly wide.

  The second half didn't get much better either. It had been reasonable to expect, with what was at stake, that Liverpool would throw everything at Palace. But that didn't materialize and they created as few chances as they had in the first half. Only Gerrard's late shot troubling Kiraly, who saved well.

  Results elsewhere meant that this win is increases Palace's chances of avoiding relegation and, if we didn't know it before, we know more than ever now that it will be results elsewhere that dictate whether Liverpool make 4th place this season.

  Of course they'll have to do their bit and it has been a very disappointing day today.

  Teams

  Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Hall, Popovic, Sorondo, Leigertwood, Riihilahti, Hughes, Soares, Routledge, Johnson. Subs - Lakis, Speroni, Torghelle, Ventola, Watson.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Pellegrino, Traore, Gerrard, Le Tallec, Welsh, Finnan, Baros, Morientes. Subs - Biscan, Carson, Cisse, Potter, Riise.

  Referee: Dermot Gallagher

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

14:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool get the game underway wearing their yellow away kit
1 min : Baros takes an early knock and is struggling to continue
4 mins : After a couple of minutes treatment off the field Baros rejoins the action
6 mins : Hall fouls Traore on the left side, giving the Reds a free kick which Hyypia heads wide from an offside position
9 mins : Popovic forces a fine save from Dudek with a looping header following Hughes' well delivered free kick
13 mins : Morientes bursts forward impressively with the ball but is eventually crowded out as he tries to thread a pass to Baros
17 mins : Good defending from Carragher in the area as he prevents Johnson from shooting with a well timed tackle
25 mins : Pellegrino requires treatment off the field after taking a knock to the face
26 mins : Granville fires in a shot from the left which Dudek holds well at his near post
28 mins : Traore sends a dangerous low ball into the area which Kiraly does well to hold
33 mins : GOAL! Andy Johnson: Johnson glances the ball into the corner of Dudek's net following Routledge's shot
37 mins : Substitution: Darren Potter for Milan Baros:
39 mins : Morientes' looping header towards goal from Finnan's cross is held by Kiraly
40 mins : Johnson gets away from Pellegrino and Carragher before firing wide
45 mins : Two extra minutes to be played
14:49 GMT : Half Time Reached

15:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Palace get the second period underway
47 mins : Soares misses a sitter in front of goal as he mis-kicks, allowing Pellegrino to clear for a corner
50 mins : Hughes sends a stinging volley crashing just wide of Dudek's left hand post. Escape for Liverpool
53 mins : Substitution: John Arne Riise for Mauricio Pellegrino:
54 mins : Booking: Danny Granville:
59 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard:
61 mins : Traore finds space down the left but can't pick out a team-mate with his cross
68 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Djimi Traore:
71 mins : Gerrard almost finds Morientes but the ball hits the Spaniard's heel and rolls out of play for a goal kick
75 mins : Johnson beats Hyypia in a race down the right but can't find Soares with his low cross
75 mins : Potter cuts inside onto his right foot and forces a save from Kiraly
77 mins : Booking: Steve Finnan:
79 mins : Cisse fires a bouncing volley towards goal but Kiraly does well to hold
81 mins : Dudek has to be alert to beat Johnson to the ball as the Palace striker races through
83 mins : Cisse latches onto a loose ball in the area but fails to connect properly and Kiraly makes an easy stop
86 mins : Brilliant diving save from Kiraly to prevent Gerrard's well struck shot nestling in the far corner
87 mins : Booking: John Arne Riise:
90 mins : Carragher lifts the ball over when well placed inside the area
90 mins : Three added minutes to be played
90 mins : Substitution: Ben Watson for Tom Soares:
15:53 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Chelsea (London, England) - Liverpool   0 - 0

 
Wednesday 27 April 2005 19:45 Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg
 
 
"Chelsea" 0 - 0 "Liverpool"
  (0-0)  
 
GOAL
     
 
  1  Petr Cech
  2  Glen Johnson
 26  John Terry (c)
  6  Ricardo Carvalho
 13  William Gallas
 30  Tiago Mendes
  4  Claude Makelele
  8  Frank Lampard
 22  Eidur Gudjohnsen
 15  Didier Drogba
 10  Joe Cole

 Subs:
 23  Carlo Cudicini
 29  Robert Huth
  5  Alexi Smertin
 14  Geremi
  9  Mateja Kezman
 16  Arjen Robben
 24  Mikkel Forssell
    1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 25  Igor Biscan
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 28  Stephen Warnock
 18  Antonio Nunez
  7  Harry Kewell
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 13  Anthony Le Tallec
  9  Djibril Cisse
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Tiago (Robben 59)
 Cole (Kezman 78)
   Baros (Cisse 64)
 Biscan (Kewell 85)
 Garcia (Smicer 90)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alain Sars (France)
 Booked: Cole 58, Kezman 79    Booked: Biscan 56, Alonso 86
VENUE   MANAGERS
iStamford Bridge (42,449)
Attendance: 40,497
  Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: J3,00

  REDS BATTLE TO BRILLIANT BRIDGE DRAW

  Liverpool have given themselves a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League final after holding Chelsea to a goalless draw in the first leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

  It would perhaps be premature to suggest the hard work has been completed following a resolute display in London, but Liverpudlians everywhere will already be licking their lips at the prospect of next week's return leg with a place in Istanbul at stake.

  The one downer on the night for the Reds was a late booking for Xabi Alonso which rules him out of next week's second leg.

  The Reds were well worth their draw after restricting Chelsea to only a handful of good chances while always looking capable of causing problems at the other end of the field.

  Chelsea created more of the openings in the first half, but Liverpool also did enough to remind Jose Mourinho's men they weren't here just to make up the numbers.

  John Arne Riise maybe should have done better when a shooting chance presented itself after 18 minutes, but he could only drive his effort straight at Petr Cech when a shot either side of the Chelsea goalkeeper could have brought a greater reward.

  Cech was forced into an even better save shortly before the half time whistle when he flew away to his right hand side to brilliantly turn Milan Baros' glancing header around the post for a corner.

  Chelsea always looked dangerous going forward and should have broken the deadlock when Didier Drogba had just Jerzy Dudek to beat inside the area. But, thankfully, he drove his effort well wide.

  Frank Lampard had an even better opportunity shortly after but he blazed wildly over on the volley inside the six yard box following a sustained spell of Chelsea pressure.

  Chelsea introduced Arjen Robben to the action after an hour while Liverpool responded by bringing on Djibril Cisse in place of Milan Baros.

  Amd Cisse almost made an immediate impact when he found space on the right side of the area but blasted his shot on the run high over Cech's goal.

  The Reds controlled Chelsea much better after the break and in the end looked as capable of grabbing an away goal as the home side did over securing the victory most neutrals expected they would canter to.

  Liverpool can be more than pleased with their night's work as they msde a mockery of the 31 point gap which exists between the two clubs in the league table to force a goalless draw which perfectly sets up the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

  It should be another Anfield European night to savour.

  Teams

  Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Carvalho, Terry (c), Johnson, Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Mendes, Drogba, Gudjohnsen. Subs - Cudicini, Forssell, Geremi, Huth, Kezman, Robben, Smertin.

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Biscan, Gerrard, Garcia, Baros. Subs - Carson, Cisse, Kewell, Le Tallec, Nunez, Smicer, Warnock.

  Referee: Alain Sars

  Conditions:

  Attendance: Unavailable

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Unavailable.

  Breakdown

18:46 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Drogba kicks the game off for Chelsea
1 min : Long ball fails to find Drogba on the edge of the area
2 mins : Alonso ball into the box fails to find Baros after good work by Gerrard
6 mins : Garcia attempts to play ball through to Baros but Terry collects
7 mins : Finnan clears a dangerous Joe Cole cross with his head
9 mins : Garcia cross goes behind for a goalkick with Traore lurking at the back post
10 mins : Dudek gets down well to save from a Joe Cole shot
11 mins : Drogba falls over in the area under pressure from Hyypia and attempts to claim a penalty. Referee doesn't even consider it
13 mins : Great chance for Drogba who drags a close-range shot wide after great skill from Cole
14 mins : Riise crosses into the box but there's no one there to connect
15 mins : Great tackle by Traore on Cole
18 mins : Riise shoots from close range after good work in the box but his strike is blocked
20 mins : Another good cross from Riise but again there's no one in the box
21 mins : Hyypia does well to stop lampard's advance down the wing
22 mins : Lampard shoots over from inside the area when it looked easier to score
26 mins : Igor shot blocked just outside the area
27 mins : Lampard shot deflected behind off Carragher for a Chelsea corner
29 mins : Chelsea win dubious free-kick in a dangerous position after Biscan is judged to have used a high foot
30 mins : Drogba heads over from a Chelsea corner
33 mins : Traore shoots but the ball goes out for a throw-in
33 mins : Gerrard free-kick is whipped into the box but the ball is cleared before Chelsea win a free-kick
35 mins : Garcia goes down in the area but no penalty is awarded after Johnson is judged to have got the ball
38 mins : Baros almost gives the Reds the lead after a great header from a Gerrard cross is saved by Cech
40 mins : Lampard free-kick easily caught by Dudek
42 mins : Very close scrape for Reds as ball bounces around the box before going behind for a goalkick
44 mins : Gerrard free-kick into the box well cleared by Chelsea's defence
45 mins : Drogba caught in offside position
19:32 GMT : Half Time Reached

19:48 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Gerrard and Baros get the second half underway
46 mins : Baros concedes a free-kick while attempting to pass Terry
47 mins : Lampard free-kick cleared but Blues win a corner
49 mins : Great run from Cole but Dudek saves low
50 mins : Gerrard goes down on the edge of the Chelsea area but doesn't get the free-kick
52 mins : Riise cross goes behind for a goalkick
53 mins : Riise does well to shield the ball out of play for a goalkick
54 mins : Drogba goes down injured on the half-way line
56 mins : Booking: Igor Biscan: Booked for throughing the ball away after conceding a free-kick
58 mins : Booking: Joe Cole: Foul on Traore
58 mins : Substitution: Arjen Robben for Tiago Mendes:
60 mins : Drogba wins a corner off Traore
60 mins : Chelsea corner evades everyone in the box
61 mins : Good battling by Baros and Riise wins Reds a throw in
63 mins : Cisse ready to come on
64 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
66 mins : lampard free-kick goes behind for a goalkick
67 mins : Great play from Reds but Cisse fires over the bar
69 mins : Garcia goes down after Terry treads on his foot
71 mins : Liverpool starting to get better and better
72 mins : Drogba wins a corner off Carragher
72 mins : Cisse broght down by Makelele
76 mins : Dudek almost slips in front of his own goal
77 mins : Substitution: Mateja Kezman for Joe Cole:
78 mins : Booking: Mateja Kezman: Foul on Traore
79 mins : Great defending by Reds on the edge of the box
82 mins : Kezman causes a scare inside the Liverpool area but the ball is cleared
83 mins : Chelsea free-kick in a dangerous position
83 mins : Dudek punches the free-kick away
86 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Igor Biscan:
86 mins : Booking: Xabi Alonso: Will now miss return leg
88 mins : Gerrard fires high and wide of Cech's goal
89 mins : Dudek catches the ball as Chelsea threaten with a long pass
90 mins : Great run by Ciise which wins Reds a corner
91 mins : Reds corner wasted for offside
92 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Luis Garcia:
20:36 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Middlsborough 1- 1

 
Saturday 30 April 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 1 - 1 "Middlsborough"
  (0-1)  
 
GOAL
 Gerrard 52    Nemeth 4
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 28  Stephen Warnock
 23  Jamie Carragher
 12  Mauricio Pellegrino
  7  Harry Kewell
 18  Antonio Nunez
 14  Xabi Alonso
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 19  Fernando Morientes

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
  4  Sami Hyypia
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 10  Luis Garcia
  9  Djibril Cisse
   22  Bradley Jones
 24  Andrew Davies
  4  Ugo Ehiogu
  6  Gareth Southgate (c)
  3  Franck Queudrue
 32  Boudewijn Zenden
  7  George Boateng
 20  Doriva
 15  Ray Parlour
 18  Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink
  8  Szilard Nemeth

 Subs:
 35  David Knight
  2  Michael Reiziger
 21  Stuart Parnaby
 19  Stewart Downing
 25  James Morrison
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Pellegrino (Garcia 46)
 Nunez (Cisse 73)
 Warnock (Hamann 84)
   Nemeth (Downing 62)
 Parlour (Parnaby 78)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Phil Dowd Linesmam: A Garratt, D Kellett
 Booked: Nunez 29, Garcia 74    Booked: Doriva 58, Parlour 72, Zenden 82
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity 45,362)
Attendance: 43,250
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Steve McLaren (Middlesbough)

 Price: J3,00

  Notes:

  - John Arne Riise 200th game for LFC.

 

 

  GERRARD STRIKE CLOSES THE GAP SLIGHTLY

  Liverpool's aspirations of achieving a top four finish in this season's Premiership just about remain alive after Steven Gerrard rescued a point against Middlesbrough with a wonder strike in front of the Kop.

  As Everton crashed to defeat at Fulham Gerrard's 52nd minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Anfield ensured the Reds narrowed the gap between the two Mersey rivals to three points, although the Blues still have a game in hand.

  Slizard Nemeth had earlier fired the visitors in front and it was only following the arrival of Luis Garcia as a half-time substitute that Liverpool raised their game.

  With the second leg of the Champions League semi-final looming large in the minds of everyone at Anfield there was no surprise that Rafa's team selection showed five changes.

  With fourth place seemingly slipping away before this afternoon it was only natural that the impending visit of Chelsea ranked higher on the list of priorities both on and off the pitch.

  That said, both the manager and the captain's pre-match insistence that they would not be giving up the chase and the vocal encouragement from the crowd prior to kick-off ensured the stadium was bristling with atmosphere as the game got underway.

  Unfortunately, the feel-good factor was quickly deflated when Nemeth silenced the Kop after just four minutes.

  The Slovakian international ran unopposed through the centre of the Liverpool defence before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner past a diving Dudek.

  A sterile affair then unfolded until Nunez crossed impressively from the right and Riise headed narrowly over in the 19th minute. It was Liverpool's first noteworthy effort on goal but it prompted a more offensive attitude and Riise forced young 'keeper Jones to spill a fierce long-range drive shortly afterwards.

  The Norwegian seemed determined to mark his 200th appearance for the club with a goal and on the half-hour mark he tried his luck again, this time with a 25-yard volley that hit the side-netting.

  Nunez did likewise from the opposite edge of the box minutes before the interval but it was evident that Liverpool needed an injection of creativity if they wereto break down this Boro defence.

  A change at the break saw Luis Garcia replace Mauricio Pellegrino and the diminutive Spaniard immediately made his presence felt. Forcing Jones into fine save with a header and generally making a nuisance of himself in and around the opposition box.

  The equalising goal was not long in coming and when it did it was well worth the wait. The ball fell invitingly to Gerrard 30-yards from goal and his swerving dipping half volley sailed sweetly into the far top corner, beyond the grasp of Jones.

  As the Anfield decibels grew louder the Red tide surged forward with increasing force. Kewell stung the fingers of the keeper with a low strike from distance, while Morientes went close with a header.

  As the minutes ticked by the desperation for a winning goal intensified. Sadly it was not to be and although ground has been gained on fourth placed Everton the mood was not one of celebration at the final whistle.

  Hopefully it will be on Tuesday. Roll on the big one!

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Pellegrino, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Gerrard, Nunez, Kewell, Morientes. Subs - Hyypia, Carson, Hamann, Cisse, Garcia.

  Middlesbrough: Jones, Queudrue, Southgate, Ehiogu, Davies, Zenden, Boateng, , Parlour, Hasselbaink, Nemeth. Subs - Knight, Downing, Reiziger, Parnaby, Morrison.

  Referee: Phil Dowd

  Conditions: Mild and overcast

  Attendance: 43,250

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

14:01 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Boro get the game underway attacking the Kop in the first half
2 mins : Doriva's speculative effort from 35 yards doesn't trouble Dudek as the ball rolls well wide
4 mins : GOAL! Szilard Nemeth: Nemeth runs through the heart of the Liverpool defence before slotting past Dudek
12 mins : Nunez delivers a great cross from the right hand side but can't pick out a team-mate inside the area
17 mins : Boateng escapes a booking following a rash tackle on Finnan
19 mins : Riise heads just over following another good Nunez cross from the right
27 mins : Riise's well struck volley from 25 yards is spilled by Jones before the Boro defence scramble the ball clear
29 mins : Booking: Antonio Nunez:
30 mins : Riise again goes for goal with a long range volley but this time fires just wide
36 mins : Dudek is relieved to gather the ball on his goal-line following a scramble in the Liverpool area
42 mins : Carragher clears from inside the six yard box to deny Hasselbaink a tap in from close range
44 mins : Nunez turns inside the area before firing a right footed shot wide of target
14:49 GMT : Half Time Reached

15:04 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Mauricio Pellegrino:
47 mins : Morientes goes down under a challenge and needs treatment from Dave Galley
50 mins : Jones makes a brilliant save to turn Garcia's powerful header over the bar for a corner
52 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Wonderful volley from the skipper as he levels the scores with a brilliant shot into the top corner
58 mins : Booking: Doriva :
59 mins : Morientes glances a header wide of target from Riise's deep cross
59 mins : Jones spills Kewell's long range shot but Southgate clears the loose ball before Morientes can pounce
61 mins : Jones is again called into action as he turns Kewell's left footed volley around the post for a corner
62 mins : Substitution: Stuart Downing for Szilard Nemeth:
70 mins : Garcia's long range strike is held by Jones at the second attempt
72 mins : Booking: Ray Parlour:
72 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Antonio Nunez:
74 mins : Booking: Luis Garcia:
76 mins : Fantastic defending from Southgate to prevent Garcia or Morientes getting a shot on goal
78 mins : Substitution: Stuart Parnaby for Ray Parlour:
82 mins : Booking: Boudewijn Zenden:
83 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Stephen Warnock:
15:54 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - Chelsea (London, England)   1 - 0

 
Tuesday 3 May 2005 19:45 Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg
 
 
"Liverpool" 1 - 0 "Chelsea"
  (1-0)  
 
GOAL
 Garcia 4    
 
Team: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 6. John Arne Riise, 21. Djimi Traore, 23. Jamie Carragher, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 25. Igor Biscan, 10. Luis Garcia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 5. Milan Baros.

Subs: 20. Scott Carson, 28. Stephen Warnock, 32. John Welsh, 18. Antonio Nunez, 7. Harry Kewell, 11. Vladimir Smicer, 9. Djibril Cisse.
  Team: 1. Petr Cech, 13. William Gallas, 6. Ricardo Carvalho, 26. John Terry, 14. Geremi Geremi, 10. Joe Cole, 8. Frank Lampard, 4. Claude Makelele, 30. Tiago Mendes, 15. Didier Drogba, 22. Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Subs: 23. Carlo Cudicini, 24. Mikael Forssell, 29. Robert Huth, 2. Glen Johnson, 9. Mateja Kezman, 33. Nuno Morais, 16. Arjen Robben.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Baros (Cisse 59), Hamann (Kewell 72) Garcia (Nunez 84)    Tiago (Robben 68), Cole (Kezman 68), Geremi (Huth 76)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
 Booked: Baros 8    Booked: 
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 42,529
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

  Price:J3,00

 
  WE'RE GOING TO ISTANBUL

  It's a proud night for Liverpool Football Club after Luis Garcia's first half goal gave them victory over Chelsea and a place in their 6th European Champions Cup Final later this month.

  The Reds had to defend resolutely after Garcia's early strike gave them the edge, but Chelsea's Premiership winning bubble was well and truly burst on an emotionally charged night at Anfield.

  And Liverpool fans will enjoy a great night's celebration before joining the scramble for tickets and flights for a final against either AC Milan or PSV Eindhoven.

  We had expected an electric atmosphere for this massive match, but even by Anfield standards, this was something very special.

  And the sheer velocity of the home support spurred Liverpool into a coat-throat opening that brought them the crucial goal.

  Only 3 minutes had passed when Gerrard's flick sent Baros surging clear. He appeared to be brought down by Cech as he prodded the ball past him, but cries for a penalty were quickly replaced by screams of joy as Luis Garcia raced in to put the ball in the Kop net.

  Garcia's goal was the only notable goal action in a first half that saw Chelsea push Liverpool back, but fail to trouble Jerzy Dudek.

  As expected the second half was a nervy affair and you could almost hear the finger nails being chewed on the Kop. But those fans needn't have worried because their defence and their goalkeeper refused to give way to Chelsea's wave after wave of attacks.

  Dudek needed to be at his best on 67 minutes to make a smart save from Lampard. But for the most part he was excellently protected by a backline marshalled superbly by Carragher and Hyypia.

  For all the Chelsea pressure though Liverpool showed they still had an attacking threat of their own and Cisse almost made the game safe with a header that Cech was forced to save.

  He had an even better chance in stoppage time, but in the end it didn't matter and it will be Liverpool and not Chelsea who will carry the hopes of the country into the final.

  What an achievement for Rafa, his players and everyone at the club.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Baros. Subs - Carson, Cisse, Kewell, Nunez, Smicer, Warnock, Welsh.

  Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Carvalho, Terry, Geremi, Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Mendes, Drogba, Gudjohnsen. Subs - Cudicini, Forssell, Huth, Johnson, Kezman, Morais, Robben.

  Referee: Lubos Michel

  Conditions:

  Attendance:

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

  Breakdown

18:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick off attacking the Kop in the first half
1 min : Early free kick for Chelsea after Finnan fouls Cole
2 mins : Long free kick from Lampard is easily held by Dudek under pressure
4 mins : GOAL! Luis Garcia: Garcia slots home from close range after Baros beats Cech to the ball. What a start
7 mins : Great run by Baros into the area but he's stopped in his tracks by Carvalho
7 mins : Booking: Milan Baros:
13 mins : Hamann's shot from 20 yards is blocked before it can trouble Cech
15 mins : Drogba gets in behind the Liverpool defence down the right but can't find a team-mate in the six yard box
18 mins : Tiago cuts inside onto his left foot but sends a low shot rolling wide
23 mins : Gerrard almost slides the perfect ball into Garcia's path but Gallas makes a good tackle
24 mins : Garcia carelessly gives the ball away allowing Cole to run down the left, but his cross to the far post goes behind
26 mins : Hamann sends a fierce shot goalwards from 20 yards but it lands in Cech's arms
32 mins : Makelele rolls the ball dangerously into the area but Liverpool defend well and Dudek collects
40 mins : Drogba goes down under a challenge from Carragher and requires treatment on the field
19:31 GMT : Half Time Reached
19:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Chelsea kick off for the second half
47 mins : Riise slices a left foot shot wide as the ball falls to him outside the area. Difficult chance
51 mins : Hyypia concedes a corner under pressure from Lampard at the Kop end
58 mins : Chelsea enjoying long spells of possession without forcing Dudek into action
59 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
62 mins : Drogba curls in a 30 yard free kick well over Dudek's goal
64 mins : Gudjohnsen runs into space but smashes his shot well over the frame of the goal
67 mins : Dudek makes a brilliant save to his right to keep out Lampard's well struck free kick
68 mins : Substitution: Mateja Kezman for Tiago Mendes:
68 mins : Substitution: Arjen Robben for Joe Cole:
72 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Dietmar Hamann:
75 mins : Robben fires a left footed shot over the bar after good work by Lampard
75 mins : Substitution: Robert Huth for Geremi Geremi:
77 mins : Cech makes a comfortable save from Cisse's close range header after a good cross from Traore
83 mins : Great defending from Makelele as he stops Cisse in his tracks 30 yards from goal
83 mins : Substitution: Antonio Nunez for Luis Garcia:
89 mins : Cisse's low shot is destined for the corner until it gets deflected. Corner for the Reds
90 mins : Six extra minutes to be played
94 mins : Cech makes great stop to deny Cisse as Reds look for second
20:38 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Arsenal - Liverpool 3- 1

 
Sunday 8 May 2005 16:05 Barclays Premiership
 
 
"Arsenal" 3 - 1 "Liverpool"
  (2-0)  
 
GOAL
 Pires 25, Reyes 28, Fabregas 90  Gerrard 51
 
Team: Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Toure, Lauren, Robert Pires, Francesc Fabregas, Patrick Vieira (c), Gilberto Silva, Jose Reyes, Robin van Persie.

Subs: Jeremie Aliadiere, Manuel Almunia, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Edu.

  Team: Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan, John Arne Riise, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Dietmar Hamann, Milan Baros, Steven Gerrard.

Subs: Igor Biscan, Scott Carson, Djibril Cisse, Harry Kewell, Vladimir Smicer.

 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Van Persie (Bergkamp 78), Pires (Edu 78), Reyes (Aliadiere 86)    Riise (Kewell 45), Baros (Cisse 45), Hamann (Smicer 78)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Graham Poll
Booked:   Booked: Baros 15, Hamann 23
VENUE   MANAGERS
 at Highbury (capacity 38,500)
Attendance: 38,119
  Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 

REDS GO DOWN FIGHTING

Liverpool will have to win the Champions League and hope for a change of heart from UEFA if they are to play in the competition again next season after a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal today makes a 4th place Premiership finish impossible.

The Reds produced a brave and spirited second half fightback, but it wasn't enough to repair the damage done by first half goals from Pires and Reyes. And they must now look to the Champions League Final in Istanbul on May 2th to finish the season on a high.

We knew before this game that victory would mean a lot to both sides and it showed in a frantic first half that saw two disallowed goals and countless near misses before Arsenal gained the advantage.

It was Liverpool who started the game the better and Milan Baros would have had a clear run on goal had he been able to control. But the Reds were soon on the back foot and were grateful to see Jose Reyes' 11th minute 'goal' ruled out for offside.

Liverpool had a disallowed goal of their own soon after when Milan Baros scored only to see it cancelled out because of handball. And as the game swung from end to end, Fabregas was just wide with a superb long range strike.

The home side took the lead after 25 minutes through a Robert Pires free kick and they extended their lead three minutes later when Reyes shot through the legs of Dudek.

It was slightly harsh on the Reds after they had matched the former Champions in opening exchanges, but they were then forced to hang on for half time as Arsenal's confidence grew.

Harry Kewell and Djibril Cisse were introduced at the start of the second half and the Reds came out as if having received a roasting from Rafa and they were given hope by Steven Gerrard's deflected goal after 51 minutes.

Now it was Liverpool's turn to grow in confidence and they went on to produce a brilliant second half display that almost brought a drematic revival.

But chance after chance was missed and while they'll leave Highbury with plenty of credit, their poor record away from home in the Premiership continued.

They were perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Lauren appeared to foul Kewell and Luis Garcia came close more than once.To rub salt in our wounds, Fabregas scored an undeserved 3rd for Arsenal in injury time, but by then it didn't matter.

And although the race for 4th may be over, Liverpool look in great shape as they now turn their attention to their 6th European Champions Cup Final.

Teams

Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann, Cole, Senderos, Toure, , Pires, Fabregas, Vieira (c), Silva, Reyes, van Persie. Subs - Aliadiere, Almunia, Bergkamp, Campbell,

Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Dudek, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Garcia, Hamann, Baros, Gerrard. Subs - Biscan, Carson, Cisse, Kewell, Smicer

Referee: G Poll

Conditions:

Attendance:

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

Breakdown

15:08 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick off wearing their yellow away kit
3 mins : Garcia almost sends Baros through on goal but the Czech ace fails to control the ball
7 mins : Gerrard and Hamann work a clever free kick outside the area but Baros is flagged offside
11 mins : Dudek spills Van Persie's shot into Reyes' path but the linesman flags for offside as the Spanish striker slots the ball into the net. Escape for Liverpool.
13 mins : Lehmann makes a great save to deny Riise from close range - but the Norwegian should have set up Garcia for a tap-in
14 mins : Fabregas lets fly from long range and just misses the target by inches
14 mins : Booking: Milan Baros: Booked for deliberate handball
17 mins : Van Persie's cross to the far post finds Pires whose header is deflected by Finnan behind for a corner
19 mins : Traore drives in a dipping shot from long range which Lehmann stops on his line
21 mins : Dudek makes a brilliant finger-tip save to turn Lauren's volley from 6 yards onto the bar
22 mins : Pires just misses the far post as a Liverpool defensive mistake allows him a shot at goal
23 mins : Booking: Dietmar Hamann:
24 mins : GOAL! Robert Pires: Pires curls a 25 yard free kick into the corner of Dudek's net to break the deadlock
28 mins : GOAL! Jose Reyes: Reyes runs through the heart of the Reds defence and drives the ball into the far corner
36 mins : Liverpool have good possession outside the box but Traore's pass to Gerrard is careless and Arsenal get the ball back
37 mins : Dudek is down quickly to his right hand side to keep out Van Persie's shot on the turn
15:55 GMT : Half Time Reached
16:12 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
46 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for John Arne Riise:
46 mins : Cisse tries a speculative shot at goal with his first touch of the game
51 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard's free kick is deflected beyond Lehmann and the ball lands in the corner of the net
55 mins : Cisse blazes a shot wildly over the bar from 20 yards following another impressive Liverpool breakaway. Much better second half so far
60 mins : Hamann is late with a challenge on Senderos and is fortunate to escape a second yellow card from ref Graham Poll
62 mins : Garcia wastes a great chance to equalise when he delays a shot in the area after a great pass from Gerrard. He wins a corner though.
68 mins : Cisse receives the ball on the edge of the area and turns before firing over Lehmann's goal
68 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Dietmar Hamann:
69 mins : Substitution: Dennis Bergkamp for Robin van Persie:
69 mins : Substitution: Edu for Robert Pires:
71 mins : Lehmann flies away to his left to palm away Gerrard's well struck shot from 25 yards. Garcia is offside for the follow-up
76 mins : Brilliant work from Cisse down the right as he delivers a great cross into the area which has Lehmann struggling
79 mins : Fabregas smashes the ball into the back of the net but the linesman rules out the goal for offside
84 mins : Reyes goes down under a challenge from Traore but has penalty appeals waved away
86 mins : Substitution: Jeremie Aliadiere for Jose Reyes:
88 mins : Hyypia glances a header wide of target from Gerrard's curling free kick
90 mins : GOAL! Francesc Fabregas: Fabregas slots home under Dudek after a brilliant one-two inside the area
17:02 GMT : Match Over

Liverpool - Aston Villa 2- 1

 
Sunday 15 May 2005 15:00 FA Barclays Premier League
 
 
"Liverpool" 2 - 1 "Aston Villa"
  (2-0)  
 
GOAL
 Cisse 20 p., 27    Barry 67
 
Team: 20. Scott Carson, 23. Jamie Carragher (c), 17. Josemi Rey, 6. John Arne Riise, 28. Stephen Warnock, 12. Mauricio Pellegrino, 18. Antonio Nunez, 14. Xabi Alonso, 25. Igor Biscan, 7. Harry Kewell, 9. Djibril Cisse.

Subs: 1. Jerzy Dudek, 3. Steve Finnan, 4. Sami Hyypia, 16. Dietmar Hamann, 5. Milan Baros.
  Team: 1. Thomas Sorensen, 15. Ulises de la Cruz, 6. Gareth Barry, 5. Martin Laursen, 2. Mark Delaney, 14. Eric Djemba Djemba, Steven Davis, 7. Lee Hendrie, 11. Nolberto Solano, 9. Juan Pablo Angel, 10. Darius Vassell.

Subs: 25. Wayne Henderson, 3. J Lloyd Samuel, 8. Gavin McCann, 22. Luke Moore, 18. Carlton Cole.
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Kewell (Baros 60), Biscan (Hamann 70), Nunez (Finnan 79)    Vassell (Moore 45), Hendrie (Samuel 48), Angel (Cole 64)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Barry Knight
 Booked:    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362)
Attendance: 43,406
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
David O'Leary (Aston Villa

  Price:J3,00

  Notes:

  - Dietmar Hamann's makes his 250th appearance for LFC.

- Cisse first time in the starting line-up since 31st October because of his broken leg

CISSE MAKES IT A HAPPY ENDING

Liverpool will head for the Champions League Final with confidence after two goals from Djibrl Cisse gave them a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in their final league game of the season at Anfield today.

  There might have been little riding on this game, but try telling that to Liverpool players dreaming of a starting place in Istanbul on May 25th.

  And no one made more of the chance to impress Rafa than Cisse, who completed his comeback from serious injury with two well taken first half goals.

  Victory here confirms a 5th place Premiership finish for the Reds, but a look at Rafa's starting eleven suggested that his attention had already started to switch to AC Milan.

  Only three of those who had started at Arsenal last week started today as Benitez chose to rest some of his big names. But he wasn't let down by those who came in as they warmed up for the final with a win.

  They were in front on 20 minutes when Cisse scored from the spot after being brought down by Delaney. And Cisse doubled their advantage just seven minutes later when he slammed the ball passed Sorensen after good work from Josemi on the right.

  The game had been a pretty low key affair before Cisse stole the show, but he had the fans on their feet after scoring his first goals since September 2004.

  It would fair to say the second half belonged to Villa, although it might have been different had Sorensen not beat away Nunez's fierce drive.

  But as it, Liverpool were hanging on at times after Delaney had brought David O'Leary's side back into the game on 67 minutes.

  Cisse almost made the points safe with a superb long range effort on 75 minutes, but he had already done enough to ensure he was the Man of the Match. And Riise almost had a late goal of the season entry when volleying against the bar from 30 yards.

  In the end though, this was the perfect tonic for Rafa and his men as they set off for Istanbul to hopefully bring the European Cup home for good.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Carson, Warnock, Carragher, Pellegrino, Josemi, Riise, Alonso, Biscan, Nunez, Cisse, Kewell. Subs - Baros, Dudek, Finnan, Hamann, Hyypia

  Aston Villa (4-4-2): Sorensen, de la Cruz, Barry, Laursen, Delaney, Djemba Djemba, Davis, Hendrie, Solano, Angel, Vassell. Subs - Cole, Henderson, McCann, Moore, Samuel

  Referee: B Knight

  Conditions:

  Attendance: 43,406

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Djibril Cisse

  Breakdown

14:01 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick off attacking the Anfield Road End
1 min : Delaney sends in a cross to the Liverpool area but it's too strong for Angel to latch on to
2 mins : Hendrie fires a left footed shot goalwards which Carson fists away
6 mins : Cruz delivers a cross from the right which Carragher heads behind for a corner
10 mins : Cruz again finds space down the right but Riise blocks his cross and concedes a corner
11 mins : Cisse runs at the heart of the Villa defence but can't find a way past Barry
16 mins : Riise's free kick from the angle of the 18 yard box flies high and wide over the goal
18 mins : Carragher goes on a brilliant run past several Villa players before crashing a shot into the side netting. Great effort
19 mins : Penalty Scored! Djibril Cisse: Cisse slots home from the spot after being brought down in the area
27 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: Cisse drives his second into the corner after good work from Josemi
33 mins : Biscan turns and shoots from the edge of the area but can't keep his effort on target
35 mins : Solano bends a free kick into the area which Liverpool defend well through Pellegrino
39 mins : Kewell has a great chance to add a third following Cisse's great pass, but his curling shot drifts over
41 mins : Vassell clips a volley just wide of Carson's goal as Villa launch a rare attack on the Reds' goal
44 mins : More explosive play from Cisse as he gets clear down the right and drives a cross towards the danger zone
14:47 GMT : Half Time Reached
15:04 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Luke Moore for Darius Vassell:
48 mins : Substitution: JLloyd Samuel for Lee Hendrie:
49 mins : Solano's free kick from 25 yards takes a deflection off the wall and fails to trouble Carson
50 mins : Nunez stings Sorensen's fingertips with a rasping drive from close range which is well saved by the Villa goalkeeper
51 mins : Pellegrino risest highest in the area but can't direct his header on target
52 mins : Moore gets in behind the Reds' defence but can't find a way past Carson with his left footed shot
58 mins : Alonso fires in a curling corner from the far side but Sorensen handles well
60 mins : Substitution: Milan Baros for Harry Kewell:
64 mins : Substitution: Carlton Cole for Juan Pablo Angel:
67 mins : GOAL! Gareth Barry: Barry pulls one back for Villa with a shot from close range
70 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Igor Biscan:
72 mins : Solano curls a free kick over the wall and onto the roof of the net. Good effort and very close to an equaliser.
73 mins : Moore goes close to an equaliser with a shot just wide on the turn
76 mins : Sorensen makes a fine diving save to his right to keep out Cisse's low strike as the Reds' number 9 searches for his hat-trick
78 mins : Riise crashes a shot off the top of the bar with a brilliant shot from 30 yards
79 mins : Substitution: Steve Finnan for Antonio Nunez:
83 mins : Riise pokes a shot towards goal after losing the ball inside the area, but he can only direct it into the side netting
84 mins : Moore's looping header comes back off the top of the bar as Villa threaten a second
85 mins : Baros sets up Cisse 12 yards from goal but his shot lacks power and is easily saved
90 mins : Davis sends a powerful shot flashing just wide of the post in stoppage time
15:52 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Liverpool - AC Milan (Milan, Italy)  3 - 3

 
Wednesday 25 May 2005 19:45 Champions League Final
Instanbul (Turkey)
 
"Liverpool" 3 - 3 "AC Milan"
  (0-3)  
  extra time (3-2 on penalty, 3-3, 3-3, 3-3, 0-3)
GOAL
 Gerrard 54, Smicer 56, Alonso 59    Maldini 1, Crespo 39, 43
 
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  3  Steve Finnan
  4  Sami Hyypia
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Djimi Traore
 23  Jamie Carragher
  7  Harry Kewell
  8  Steven Gerrard (c)
 14  Xabi Alonso
 10  Luis Garcia
  5  Milan Baros

 Subs:
 20  Scott Carson
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 11  Vladimir Smicer
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 25  Igor Biscan
 18  Antonio Nunez
  9  Djibril Cisse
    1  Dida
  3  Paolo Maldini (c)
 13  Alessandro Nesta
 31  Jaap Stam
  2  Cafu
 22  Kaka
  8  Ivan Gattuso
 20  Clarence Seedorf
 21  Andrea Pirlo
 11  Hernan Crespo
  7  Andriy Shevchenko

 Subs:
 46  Christian Abbiati
 10  Rui Costa
  5  Alessandro Costacurta
 24  Vikash Dhorasoo
  4  Kakha Kaladze
 15  Jon Dahl Tomasson
 27  Serginho
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Kewell (Smicer 23)
 Finnan (Hamann 46)
 Baros (Cisse 85)
   Crespo (Tomasson 86)
 Seedorf (Serginho 86)
 Gattuso (Costa 111)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez Linesman: Oscar David Martinez Samaniego, Clemente Ayete Plou 4th Official: Arturo Dauden Ibanez (All Spain) UEFA Delegate: Gerhard Karl (Austria)
 Booked: Carragher 76, Baros 78    Booked:
VENUE   MANAGERS
Ataturk Olympic Stadium ( )
Attendance: 65,000
  Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)
Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan)

  Price: J5,00

  Notes:

  - Xabi Alonso missed a penalty on 59'

  - His kick was saved by Milan goalkeeper Dida but he reacted quickly to drive the rebound into the roof of the net.

  Match decided by penalties:

  0-0 Serginho missed
  1-0 Hamann
  1-0 Pirlo saved
  2-0 Cissй
  2-1 Tomasson
  2-1 Riise saved
  2-2 Kaka
  3-2 Smicer
  3-2 Schevchenko saved

  Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties and 6-5 in total.

  LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE ONCE AGAIN

  Liverpool are Kings of Europe once again after claiming the trophy for a fifth time with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over AC Milan at the Ataturk Stadium on Wednesday night.

  On what will go down as THE most incredible night in this club's illustrious history the Reds amazingly fought back from a 3-0 half-time deficit and won the cup on penalties.

  Jerzy Dudek was the hero, saving the decisive spot-kick from Andriy Shevchenko, but every player in Red was a hero on an unforgettable occasion in Istanbul.

  A first minute goal from Paolo Maldini and a double strike from Hernan Crespo just before the break looked to have left the Reds' hopes of Champions League glory seemingly in tatters before an amazing fightback saw them draw level.

  Three goals in a frantic five-minute second half spell sent Liverpudlians everywhere wild with delight and must have thrilled television viewers across the world.

  It was captain Steven Gerrard who got the comeback underway with a glancing header on 54 minutes. At the time it seemed nothing but a mere consolation but when Vladimir Smicer, in his last game for the club, then fired a long-range effort past Dida two minutes later belief and hope rung around the ground.

  In the 59th minute Gerrard was brought down in the box and from the resultant spot-kick it was 3-3. Alonso's first effort was saved by the diving Dida but he gloriously made no mistake with the rebound to spark ecstatic scenes among the travelling Liverpool fans.

  In what was the club's first European Cup Final since 1985, Liverpool fans converged on the Ataturk Stadium in their thousands and vastly outnumbered the fans from Milan.

  Their presence helped create an electric atmosphere but they were stunned into silence after just one minute when Maldini volleyed home from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick after Djimi Traore fouled Kaka.

    Rafael Benitez's team struggled to recover from the shock of this early setback and Luis Garcia was forced to head off the line as Milan threatened further goals. Andriy Shevchenko had a goal ruled out for offside before and to compound Liverpool's problems Harry Kewell limped off injured after 23 minutes.

  Hernan Crespo, the Argentinean striker on-loan from Chelsea, doubled the Italian's advantage in the 39th minute when converting from close-range and to every Liverpool fans horror he then added a third two minutes before the break when he chipped over Dudek.

  It seemed all over until the most miraculous of comebacks saw the Reds send this dramatic match into extra-time. There was to be no further scoring, although Liverpool had Jerzy Dudek to thank for a stunning double late save to deny Shevchenko, and for the second time a European Cup Final involving Liverpool was to be settled by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.

  Hamann, Cisse and Smicer scored, Riise's effort was saved but Serginho blazed over and Dudek saved from Pirlo and Shevchenko to win the cup for Liverpool.

  Old big ears is back. And this time it's for good! Campioni Liverpool!!!

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Traore, Hyypia,  Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Garcia, Kewell, Baros. Subs - Carson, Cisse, Smicer, Hamann, Josemi, Nunez, Biscan

  AC Milan: , Maldini, Stam, Nesta, , , Seedorf, Gattuso, Pirlo, Shevchenko, Crespo. Subs - Abbiati, Kaladze, Costacurta, , Costa, Tomasson, Dhorasoo

  Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez

  Conditions: Warm

  Attendance: 65,000

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard

  Breakdown

18:47 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick off towards the end with their own fans
1 mins : GOAL! Paolo Maldini: Header from a free kick gives the Reds the worst possible start
3 mins : Milan Baros wins a corner for Liverpool
3 mins : Riise smashes a volley into the box but it's blocked before Sami Hyypia's header is well saved
6 mins : Hyypia concedes a corner but the resulting kick ends up in Dudek's hands
8 mins : Gerrard free-kick goes behind after Kewell can't reach it
9 mins : Kewell wins a free-kick in the centre of midfield
11 mins : Nice work by Baros and Kewell in the box but it comes to nothing
13 mins : Milan win another corner off Hyypia
14 mins : Garcia clears off the line as Crespo looked to have doubled Milan's lead with a brilliant header
16 mins : Riise's cross fails to find Milan Baros at the back post
18 mins : Harry Kewell struggling to overcome a knock to the ankle
20 mins : Vladimir Smicer preparing to come on it looks like
22 mins : Substitution: Vladimir Smicer for Harry Kewell:
23 mins : Stam beats Baros to the ball as the striker raced down on goal
28 mins : Sevchenko beats Dudek but his goal is ruled out for offside
31 mins : Great work by Traore as he shields the ball into Dudek's path
32 mins : Garcia blazes a shot high over the bar from outside the area
33 mins : Baros is draggd down but the free-kick is given against him
35 mins : Great build up play involving Gerrard and Baros but from inside the area, Garcia shoots wide
37 mins : Dudek saves from Crespo but the on-loan striker is given offside
39 mins : GOAL! Hernan Crespo: Crespo shoots from close range to double Milan's lead
42 mins : Smicer draws a good save out of Dida in the Milan goal
43 mins : GOAL! Hernan Crespo: Crespo beats the offside trap and beats Dudek for the second time
19:33 GMT : Half Time Reached

46 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Steve Finnan:

19:49 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Milan kick off the second half as Benitez throws on Hamann in place of Finnan. Carragher moves to right-back with Traore in the centre
46 mins : Gerrard makes a strong run through the centre but then can't keep the ball in play
48 mins : Milan win a corner but the danger ic cleared by Sami Hyypia
49 mins : Alonso blasts a long range shot just wide
51 mins : Hyypia concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position after a mistake by Traore
52 mins : Brilliant save from Dudek after a great shot from Shevchenko
53 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Great header from a John Arne Riise cross. Come on!
59 mins : Penalty to Liverpool
56 mins : GOAL! Vladimir Smicer: Great goal from the Cz
60 mins : GOAL! Xabi Alonso: Penalty kick is saved but rebound is in
64 mins : Still shocked by the turnaround in events here. Almost impossible to work
64 mins : Hyypia defends well to stop a long ball from Milan
66 mins : Goalkick for Liverpool
67 mins : Maldini cross goes behind for another goalkick
68 mins : Garcia loses the ball in the Milan half after a good Reds move
69 mins : Traore clears off the line to save what looked to be Milan's 4th goal
70 mins : Good play again from Liverpool but Gerrard's shot from distance is too high
72 mins : Garcia penalised for a foul in the area
73 mins : Great run from Smicer but he shoots high over the bar
74 mins : Milan win a goal kick after Baros can't win a through ball
76 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher:
78 mins : Baros penalised for a foul
79 mins : Amazing tackle from Carragher stops Shevchenko in the area
80 mins : Another great tackle - this time from Djimi Traore
78 mins : Booking: Milan Baros: Foul on Nesta
84 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Milan Baros:
84 mins : Substitution: Jon Dahl Tomasson for Hernan Crespo:
85 mins : Substitution: Serginho for Clarence Seedorf:
86 mins : Cisse runs into trouble but wins throw in
87 mins : Last ditch tackle from Carragher saves a goal but concedes a corner
88 mins : Milan go desperately close with a close range header that is just wide
89 mins : The clock is ticking until extra-time as Reds win throw-in
90 mins : Two minutes of injury time added on
20:36 GMT : 90mins over -> Extra Time Pending

20:42 GMT : Extra Time 1st Half Begins
1 min : Extra-time is underway with Liverpool attacking the end with their own fans
2 mins : Liverpool starting extra-time well with good passing
3 mins : Hyypia concedes a free-kick in a dangerous position
4 mins : Pirlo blasts a free-kick over Dudek's bar
4 mins : Cisse cauught offside from a Riise pass
7 mins : Great defending from Liverpool again as they win another throw-in
8 mins : Hamann wins a free-kick in his own half
9 mins : Tomasson caught offside
10 mins : Great defending by Gerrard in his own box
11 mins : Milan causing a few scares late in the first-half of extra time
13 mins : Gerrard is forced to concede a corner with good defending but the resulting kick is saved by Dudek
14 mins : Smicer goes down with cramp but lifts himself to carry on
20:58 GMT : End of 1st half of extra time

21:00 GMT : Start of 2nd half of extra time
16 mins : Will it be penalties or will we have a winner? Second half of extra-time underway
16 mins : Long ball to Cisse is too far for the striker to reach
17 mins : Cisse wins a corner
18 mins : Riise corner blocked but Hamann wins another corner
19 mins : Cisse goes for glory with a weak shot when Garcia was in space
20 mins : Carragher goes down with cramp after a Milan Scare in our penalty area
110 mins : Substitution: Rui Costa for Ivan Gattuso:
22 mins : Milan corner goes behind for a goalkick
22 mins : Alonso wins a free-kick
24 mins : Hamann concedes a free-kick right on the edge of the area
24 mins : Garcia deflects the free-kick behind for a corner
27 mins : What an absolutely brilliant save from Dudek to deny Milan a late goal
28 mins : Cisse wins a vital free-kick
30 mins : Good run from Hamann and now LFC have free-kick in dangerous position
21:16 GMT : End of extra time: Penalties pending

21:17 GMT : Penalties being taken
120 mins : Serginho misses the first penalty. Shoots over the bar
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Dietmar Hamann: Straight in
120 mins : Pirlo has his penalty saved by Dudek
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Djibril Cisse:
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Jon Dahl Tomasson:
120 mins : John Arne Riise misses his penalty
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Kaka :
120 mins : Shevchenko misses. We've WON!
120 mins : Penalty Scored! Vladimir Smicer:
21:31 GMT : Match Over

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

Wrexham (Wrexham, Wales)  1 - 2  Liverpool

 
Wednesday 21 July 2004 19:45 Friendly
 
Wrexham Liverpool
1 - 2  (1-1)
 
GOAL
 Sam 20  Le Tallec 24, 78
 
  1  Andy Dibble
 20  Simon Spender
  4  Steve Roberts
  5  Brian Carey
  6  Dennis Lawrence
 10  Darren Ferguson
  8  Danny Williams
  2  Jim Whitley
 19  Andy Holt
 11  Chris Llewellyn
 23  Hector Sam

 Subs:
 13  Matt Baker
 15  Craig Morgan
 18  Shaun Pejic
 17  Mark Jones
 21  Levi Macken
 26  Matty Done
  -  Chris Kirkland
  -  Djimi Traore
  -  Steve Finnan
  -  Sami Hyypia (c)
  -  John Welsh
  -  Igor Biscan
  -  Harry Kewell
  -  Danny Murphy
  9  Djibril Cisse
  -  Carl Medjani
 11  Anthony Le Tallec

 Subs:
  -  Jerzy Dudek
  -  David Raven
  -  Zak Whitbread
  -  Stephen Warnock
  -  Jon Otsemobor
  -  Darren Potter
  -  Salif Diao
  -  John Arne Riise
  -  Robbie Foy
  -  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Roberts (Pejic 46)
 Sam (Jones 50)
 Whitley  (Mackin 64)
 Holt (Done 82)
 Dibble (Baker 82)
 Kirkland (Dudek 46)
 Finnan (Raven 46)
 Hyypia (Whitbread 46)
 Medjani (Warnock 46))
 Traore (Otsemobor 46)
 Welsh (Potter 46)
 Biscan (Diao 46)
 Murphy (Riise 46)
 Kewell (Foy 46)
 Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle 46)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Mark Warren
 Booked:  Booked: Traore 41, Hamann 45, Warnock
VENUE MANAGERS
Racecourse Ground (capacity 15,500)
Attendance: 14,978
Dennis Smith (Wrexham)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 Price: J

  Notes:

  - After out Sami Hyypia with field, captain was John Arne Riise in the second half.

  LE TALLEC DOUBLE SEALS FRIENDLY WIN

  Djibril Cisse got his Liverpool career up and running tonight but it was fellow French youngster Anthony Le Tallec who stole the show with two goals as the Reds got their pre-season preparations off to a winning start with a 2-1 win at Wrexham.

  Cisse was the star attraction for the Reds fans who packed into the Racecourse Ground and their new idol did his best to crown his debut with a goal - but one free kick opportunity and a half chance with an overhead kick apart, he was unable to trouble the Wrexham goalkeeper.

  Le Tallec was the only player to stay on the field for the entire 90 minutes and he repaid his manager's faith with an excellent double to serve notice that he intends playing more of a part in the first team this season.

  Benitez used 21 players in his first match as Reds manager, including many of the club's Academy youngsters who were often frozen out and devoid of any opportunities to stake their claim under the previous regime.

  Steven Warnock, Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread, David Raven and Robbie Foy were all given a chance to impress and all can be pleased with their contributions as they look forward to potentially making the grade at Anfield this season.

  The home side took a surprise lead after 19 minutes as the Liverpool defence conceded their first goal in the Benitez era.

  The Reds defence failed to deal with a cross from the right and after Lawrence had directed the ball towards goal Hector Sam was on hand to slot the ball past Chris Kirkland.

  That setback served to spark Liverpool into action and they deservedly levelled the scores just four minutes later. Igor Biscan, who was an impressive figure in midfield, crashed a shot against the base of the post and French youngster Anthony Le Tallec was first to the loose ball to tap home the equaliser.

  Benitez made ten changes to his team at half time, with only Le Tallec surviving from the side which kicked off the game.

  It was young Scot Robbie Foy who had the first chance of the second period but his low shot from distance drifted just the wrong side of Andy Dibble's goal.

  Florent Sinama Pongolle, named yesterday by the manager as one of his four striking options for the coming season,enjoyed his second half run out and came close on a couple of occasions to giving the Reds the lead.

  He forced Dibble into a fine low save with a low shot early in the second half and then slid a right footed effort just wide of the far post following an excellent Liverpool move.

  Le Tallec and Pongolle were a real handful for the Wrexham defence throughout the second period and they carved open another chance after 70 minutes when Pongolle latched onto his team-mates pass but lifted the ball over the bar.

  The duo linked up again eight minutes later, this time to deadly effect as Pongolle dribbled through the Wrexham defence and unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Le Tallec who made no mistake with a low finish into the far corner.

  Good performance, good win and a good start to a bright new Anfield era.

  Teams

  Wrexham: Dibble, Carey, Lawrence, Roberts, Holt, Ferguson, Whitley, Williams, Spender, Llewellyn, Sam. Subs - Baker, Done, Jones, Macken, Morgan, Pejic,

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Traore, Hyypia (c), Medjani, Finnan, Kewell, Biscan, Welsh, Murphy, Cisse, Le Tallec. Subs - Diao, Dudek, Otsemobor, Potter, Riise, Sinama Pongolle, Whitbread.

  Referee: Mr M Warren

  Conditions:

  Attendance:

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Anthony Le Tallec

  Breakdown

- : Match Starts
1 mins : Wrexham kick-off attacking the goal behind which the majority of Liverpool fans are housed. Le Tallec starts in attack alongside Cisse.
2 mins : Cisse gets his first touch in a Liverpool shirt when he collects the ball 25-yards from goal but his intended cross his headed comfortably clear by a Wrexham defender.
3 mins : The first Rafael Benitez chant bellows out of the away end at the Racecourse Ground.
4 mins : Cisse is played through on goal by Murphy but the new signing had strayed fractionally offside.
6 mins : Liverpool win the first corner of the night and a delightful back flick by Cisse presents Le Tallec with an opportunity from close-range that fires narrowly wide.
9 mins : This may only be a friendly but the new boss is constantly up off the bench giving advice and encouragement to his players.
14 mins : Le Tallec tries his luck with a lofted effort from a tight angle that lands on top of the net.
19 mins : A timely block by Hyypia deflects a goalward bound shot by Ferguson behind for a corner.
20 mins : GOAL! Hector Sam: close-range header following hesitation in the Liverpool defence.
24 mins : GOAL! Anthony Le Tallec: Low shot by Biscan comes back off the post and Le Tallec has the easy job of tapping the rebound into an empty net.
27 mins : A spectacular overhead kick by Cisse out by the right-hand corner flag earns the Frenchman a rousing round of applause from the crowd and when the ball comes back to him he shoots narrowly over from a tight angle.
28 mins : Cisse seems to have hurt himself in the earlier incident and requires treatment from Dave Galley before rejoining the action.
33 mins : Carey blasts over after finding space on the edge of the Liverpool box following a Wrexham corner.
35 mins : Kewell is left in a crumpled heap after a very late tackle by Spender.
37 mins : Cisse forces Wrexham keeper Dibble into a low diving save with a powerful strike from distance.
40 mins : Spender slices a shot wide after good play down the right by Llewellyn.
41 mins : Kewell exacts his revenge on Spender with an over the top tackle that earns him a ticking off from the ref.
- : Half Time Reached

- : Second Half Begins
45 mins : Liverpool make nine substitutions for the second period, with only Le Tallec and Kirkland staying on. The subs are Dudek, Diao, Riise, Otsemobor, Whitbread, Warnock, Foy, Potter, Raven and Pongolle.
46 mins : Foy has an early shot at goal with a long-range strike that veers just wide.
48 mins : Dibble saves with his legs to deny Pongolle who was played through on goal by Le Tallec.
53 mins : Le Tallec lifts a free-kick over the Wrexham wall but fails to get his effort on target.
60 mins : Pongolle shows his skill when running at the defence then drags a low shat narrowly wide of the far post.
62 mins : Pongolle and Le Tallec combine well with the latter forcing Dibble to turn the ball behind for a corner.
65 mins : Substitution: Levi Macken for Jim Whitley:
73 mins : Pongolle fires over from six-yards out but to be fair it was a difficult chance that came to him late.
78 mins : GOAL! Anthony Le Tallec: great play by Pongolle and a cool finish by his fellow French gem.
86 mins : Warnock concedes a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool box.
87 mins : Ferguson fires the kick narrowly over the bar.

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool F.C.

Celtic (Glasgow, Scotland)  1 - 5  Liverpool

 
Tuesday 27 July 2004 01:00 Champions World Series
Hertford (USA)
Celtic Liverpool
1 - 5  (0-2)
 
GOAL
 Beattie 72  Riise 5, Owen 17, Cisse 62, 76, Henchoz 69
 
Image with site www.historicalkits.co.uk  22  David Marshall
 49  Scott Cuthbert
 16  Ulrik Laursen
  5  Joos Valgaeren
 23  Stanislav Varga
 11  Stephen Pearson
  4  Jackie McNamara
 46  Aiden McGeady
  8  Alan Thompson
 12  David Fernandez
 10  John Hartson

 Subs:
  3  Mohamed Sylla
 18  Neil Lennon
 19  Stilian Petrov
 33  Ross Wallace
  9  Chris Sutton
 17  Didier Agathe
 37  Craig Beattie
 22  Chris Kirkland
 18  John Arne Riise
 23  Jamie Carragher
  4  Sami Hyypia
  3  Steve Finnan
  7  Harry Kewell
 25  Igor Biscan
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 11  Vladimir Smicer
  5  Milan Baros
 10  Michael Owen

 Subs:
  1  Jerzy Dudek
 40  Paul Harrison
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 28  Stephen Warnock
 37  Zak Whitbread
  8  Steven Gerrard
 13  Danny Murphy
 15  Salif Diao
  9  Djibril Cisse
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Fernandez (Beattie 46)
 McGeady (Agathe 46)
 Laursen (Petrov 46)
 Hyypia (Henchoz 46)
 Smicer (Murphy 46)
 Hamann (Diao 46)
 Biscan (Gerrard 46)
 Owen (Cisse 46)
 Baros (Sinama-Pongolle 46)
 Kewell (Warnock 69)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Alex Prus (U S A)
 Booked: Thompson 18  Booked:
VENUE MANAGERS
Rentschler Field Stadium (capacity )
Attendance: 24,271
Martin O'Neill (Celtic)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

  Price: $10,00

  Notes:

  - Local data match 26 July 22:00.

  CISSE AT THE DOUBLE AS REDS THRASH CELTIC

  Liverpool kicked off their tour of the United States and Canada by thrashing Celtic 5-1 in the Rentschler Field Stadium in Hertford, East Connecticut in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

  Djibril Cisse (2) and Stephane Henchoz both scored their first goals for Liverpool to wrap up the game in the second-half after John Arne Riise and Michael Owen had powered the Reds into a 2-nil lead after just 16 minutes of the first-half. Celtic scored a late consolation goal from the spot after 73 minutes when Craig Beattie picked himself up from a foul by Salif Diao to put his penalty beyond Chris Kirkland but Cisse's second after 76 minutes restored the four-goal cushion.

  Celtic's USA tour opened with a 4-2 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend in Seattle and they could have been behind tonight within the first minute as Rafael Benitez's side started the match in blistering form.

  After great work from Michael Owen - starting his first game since Euro 2004 alongside Milan Baros in attack - Harry Kewell was unlucky not to open the scoring when he saw his close-range shot somehow blocked inside the area.

  The Liverpool fans inside the Rentschler Field Stadium in Hertford, East Connecticut didn't have too long to wait for the opening goal however and when it arrived after four minutes, it was rather special. Igor Biscan, brilliant in midfield, helped win a free-kick and from all of 35 yards, Riise unleashed a rocket that was never going to be stopped. If you thought Riise's free-kick against Fabien Barthez at Anfield was good, you're going to love watching this one.

  Liverpool continued to attack with style and pace and when the team switched to a more direct style after 16 minutes, the lead was doubled. When the ball was played through the middle, Owen controlled the ball expertly and then chipped David Marshall in the Celtic goal.

  Benitez started the match with four players who travelled to Portugal in Dietmar Hamann, Vladimir Smicer, Owen and Baros but it was the revitalised Igor Biscan who caught the eye most often with a stunning performance in the centre of midfield. The new Liverpool manager has only had good things to say about the Croat since taking charge at Anfield and the midfielder who struggled to win the confidence of the fans last season looks like a totally different player this term.

  Benitez, as expected, shuffled his pack at half-time with Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy, Salif Diao, Stephane Henchoz, Djibril Cisse and Florent Sinama-Pongolle replacing Biscan, Smicer, Hamann, Sami Hyypia, Owen and Baros respectively.

  Cisse, the club's record signing, made an immediate impact after just one minute on the pitch when he found space in the Celtic area to unleash a shot which cruelly rebounded back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

  His first goal came after 62 minutes though and after Stephane Henchoz had sent a right-footed volley into the back of the net, Cisse scored his second of the night after great work from Danny Murphy.

  Celtic did score a late consolation goal from the spot after a foul in the area by Salif Diao but it was never going to be enough to take the shine off tonight's electrifying performance.

  Teams

  Celtic: Marshall, Cuthbert, Laursen, Valgaeren, Varga, Pearson, McGeady, McNamara, Thompson, Fernandez, Hartson. Subs - Agathe, Beattie, Lennon, Petrov, Sutton, Sylla, Wallace.

  Liverpool: Kirkland, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Biscan, Hamann, Smicer, Baros, Owen. Subs - Cisse, Diao, Gerrard, Henchoz, Murphy, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock.

  Referee: Alex Prus

  Conditions:

  Attendance:

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Djibril Cisse

  Breakdown

1 mins : Celtic get the game underway.
2 mins : Great start by the Reds as Owen crosses from the left and Kewell's close-range effort is blocked by a Celtic defender.
4 mins : Liverpool are well on top in the early stages and an exciting run by Biscan comes to an abrupt halt when the Croatian midfielder is fouled 30-yards from goal.
5 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: bursts the back of the net from the resultant free-kick with a long-range thunderbolt.
7 mins : Celtic attempt to hit back and Kirkland does well to palm the ball behind for a corner following a Hartson cross.
9 mins : Hyypia heads over with a flicked header from a Kewell free-kick on the left.
12 mins : Liverpool are playing some delightful football and Kewell is unlucky not to get on the end of a Finnan cross from the right.
15 mins : Hartson shoots from the edge of the box but Kirkland isn't troubled and the ball trickles wides.
17 mins : GOAL! Michael Owen: an exquisite lob over the advancing Celtic keeper after a great through ball by Riise
21 mins : The Reds are threatening to run riot and another well-worked move ends with Biscan fvolleying narrowly wide.
24 mins : Smicer fires over the bar from a tight angle after running onto a perfectly timed pass by Baros.
26 mins : Booking: Alan Thompson: foul
32 mins : A brave block by Hamann stops a goalward bound effort by Lennon.
33 mins : Celtic begin to apply some pressure and Hyypia does well to avert the danger by turning the ball behind for a corner.
38 mins : Hartson heads wide at the far post following a Celtic corner.

45 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Michael Owen:
45 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Milan Baros:
45 mins : Substitution: Stephane Henchoz for Sami Hyypia:
45 mins : Substitution: Steven Gerrard for Igor Biscan:
45 mins : Substitution: Danny Murphy for Vladimir Smicer:
45 mins : Substitution: Salif Diao for Dietmar Hamann:
45 mins : Substitution: Craig Beattie for David Fernandez:
45 mins : Substitution: Didier Agathe for Aiden McGeady:
45 mins : Substitution: Stilian Petrov for Ulrik Laursen:
46 mins : Cisse finds space in the Celtic box and hits the post with a low shot.
52 mins : Kirkland gets down well to make a decent save from Agathe.
62 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: a simple tap in from a Murphy centre, his first for the club
65 mins : Agathe heads into the sidenetting at the far post.
69 mins : GOAL! Stephane Henchoz: a right-footed half volley from 12-yards out, his first for the club too
69 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Harry Kewell:
72 mins : Diao brings down a Celtic forward and a penalty is awarded.
72 mins : GOAL! Craig Beattie: Kirkland dives the right way and gets a hand to the resultant penalty but is unable to keep it out
76 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: a great second goal by our new French striker who ran onto a Murphy through ball before beating a defender and sliding the ball home.
77 mins : Beattie curls an effort high and wide of Kirkland's far post.

  © Copyright of Official Site Liverpool FC

L

A.S. Roma (Roma, Italy)  1 - 2  Liverpool

 
Wednesday 4 August 2004 1:00 The Champions World Series
New York (U.S.A.)
A.S. Roma Liverpool
1 - 2  (1-1)
 
GOAL
 Delvecchio 21  Cisse 30, Owen 85
 
   12  Carlo Zotti
 32  Vincent Candela
 25  Leandro Curfe
  5  Philippe Mexes
  2  Christian Panucci
 19  Giuseppe Scurto
 21  Gaetano D'Agostino
 15  Olivier Dacourt
 29  Raffaele De Martino
 24  Marco Delvecchio
  9  Vincenzo Montella

 Subs:
 31  Traianos Dellas
 34  Fabrizio Grillo
  -  Maurizio Lanzero
 11  Daniele Corvia
 25  Alessio Cerci
 28  Valerio Virga
 35  Alessandro Simonetta
  1  Jerzy Dudek
  2  Stephane Henchoz
 23  Jamie Carragher
  4  Sami Hyypia (c)
  3  Steve Finnan
  6  John Arne Riise
 21  Igor Biscan
  8  Steven Gerrard
  7  Harry Kewell
  5  Milan Baros
  9  Djibril Cisse

 Subs:
 17  Jose Miguel Rey
 13  Danny Murphy
 16  Dietmar Hamann
 28  Stephen Warnock
 37  Zak Whitbread
 10  Michael Owen
 24  Florent Sinama-Pongolle
 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 Candela (Lanzero 73)
 Dacourt( Corvia 77)
Montella (Cerci 77)
 Gerrard (Hamann 38)
 Finnan (Murphy 46)
 Biscan (Diao 46)
 Kewell (Warnock 46)
 Baros (Owen 46)
 Cisse (Sinama-Pongolle 46)
 Hyypia (Whitbread 60)
 
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Michael Kennedy (U.S.A.)
 Booked: Montella 66, Mexes 88  Booked: Riise 61
VENUE MANAGERS
Giants Stadium (capacity )
Attendance: 25,028
Cesare Prandelli (Roma)
Rafael Benitez (Liverpool)

 Price: $10,00

  REDS WIND UP US TOUR WITH A WIN

  Liverpool brought the curtain down on their North American tour with a 2-1 win against Serie A side AS Roma at the Giants Stadium in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

  Michael Owen grabbed the winning goal five minutes from time to seal victory. Djibril Cisse had earlier netted his third goal for the club on the half hour to cancel out Marco Delvecchio's opener.

  In what was a bright start to the game both sides showed a willingness to attack but it was Roma who took the lead in the 21st minute.

  A good move down the left by Candela resulted in Panucci threading a ball into the Liverpool box and an unmarked Delvecchio turned it home from close range past a helpless Dudek.

  The end-to-end action continued and it came as no surprise when Liverpool levelled nine minutes later. Baros and Gerrard combined 25-yards from goal to release Risse down the left and the Norwegian coolly rolled the ball sideways to Cisse who made no mistake sliding the ball into the empty net.

  Biscan and Cisse then went close to scoring but there was a major scare for the Reds six minutes before the interval when influential skipper Gerrard was forced to leave the field after taking an earlier knock on the ankle.

  Liverpool certainly finished the half strongest and right on the half-time whistle Kewell stung the fingers of Roma keeper Zotti with a blistering left-footed strike that was superbly turned around the post.

  New signing Josemi came on for his debut at the break and slotted in with ease at right back, showing some good touches when coming forward and defending solidly.

  Liverpool continued the second period where they'd left off in the first but couldn't convert their possession into further goals.

  Dietmar Hamann was handed the Liverpool captaincy for the first time when Hyypia made way for young Whitbread on the hour mark, but Roma almost stole the lead against the run of play soon after when Mexes shot against the outside of the upright from a tight angle.

  Montella then managed to wriggle free ofCarragher inside the penalty area only for Dudek to race off his line and force the striker to fire wide.As the half wore on the game petered out as a spectacle and, a scuffed effort from 25-yards out by Diao apart, chances on goal were few and far between.

  We were seemingly heading for a penalty shoot-out but with five minutes remaining Hamann made a determined run towards the Roma goal and the ball fell to Michael Owen who showed his class to tuck the ball past Zotti.

  Roma immediately struck back and hit the post through Panucci but Liverpool held on to make it two wins out of three on their summer tour.

  Teams

  Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz, Finnan, Riise, Biscan, Gerrard, Kewell, Cisse, Baros. Subs - Whitbread, Owen, Hamann, Sinama Pongolle, Warnock, Gonzales Rey, Murphy
 
  AS Roma: Zotti, Candela, Mexes, Curfe, Panucci, Scurto, D'Agostino, Dacourt, De Martino, Montella, Delvecchio. Subs - Dellas, Simonetta, Cerci, Grillo, Lanzero, Virga, Corvia
 
  Referee: Michael Kennedy
 
  Conditions: Humid

  Attendance: Unknown
 
  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Igor Biscan

  Breakdown

1 mins : Liverpool kick off in the sparsely populated Giants Stadium
2 mins : Riise beats four men on an exciting run down the left but eventually runs into the last defender and loses possession
9 mins : A great tackle from Stephane Henchoz prevents Montella shooting at goal
11 mins : Finnan takes a kick in the face off Candela but is fit to continue
14 mins : Cisse shows great pace to get away down the right but his cross is turned behind by Mexes for a corner
20 mins : D'Agostino forces a good save from Dudek with a curling shot
20 mins : GOAL! Marco Delvecchio: Delvecchio plays a one-two with Pannuci and puts Roma into the lead
26 mins : Carragher floats the ball in towards Kewell but Roma clear the danger inside their own area
28 mins : Gerrard looks for Baros in the area but the pass is just too strong and Roma can regain possession
30 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: Riise does well in the area to find Cisse and the French ace makes no mistake with a cool finish
32 mins : D'Agostino sends in a free kick which is glanced wide by Mexes. No trouble for Dudek.
33 mins : Biscan does well to create shooting space on the edge of the area but drifts his shot just wide
36 mins : Carragher tries to get onto the scoresheet for a rare goal but can't keep his well struck shot on target
37 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Steven Gerrard:
42 mins : Great play by Biscan to set up Baros in the area. The Czech ace goes down under a challenge but the penalty appeals are turned down
44 mins : Biscan tests the Roma goalkeeper with an excellent header from inside the area
45 mins : Kewell sends a sizzling shot goalwards which the Roma goalkeeper does well to keep out]
44 mins : Biscan tests the Roma goalkeeper with an excellent header from inside the area

46 mins : Substitution: Florent Sinama Pongolle for Djibril Cisse:
46 mins : Substitution: Michael Owen for Milan Baros:
46 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Harry Kewell:
46 mins : Substitution: Danny Murphy for Steve Finnan:
46 mins : Liverpool's first corner of the second half almost finds the head of Hyypia
50 mins : Pongolle bursts past three players before being cynically brought down by Mexes
46 mins : Substitution: Jose Miguel Gonzales Rey for Stephane Henchoz:
54 mins : Panucci gets a free header in the six yard box but can't find the target
56 mins : Warnock's corner is headed goalwards by Diao but cleared by the Roma defence
60 mins : Substitution: Zak Whitbread for Sami Hyypia:
62 mins : Booking: John Arne Riise:
64 mins : Roma come close to regaining the lead as Mexes heads against the post from close range
66 mins : Delvecchio turns away from his marker and shoots wide of the post. Roma stepping up a gear now.
68 mins : Roma waste another chance as Delvecchio shoots over following good play by Montella
71 mins : Substitution: Maurizio Lanzero for Vincent Candela:
72 mins : Josemi charges down the right and wins a corner as his cross is deflected behind
74 mins : Substitution: Alessio Cerci for Vincenzo Montella:
74 mins : Substitution: Daniele Corvia for Olivier Dacourt:
75 mins : Panucci heads over Dudek's bar after finding a yard of space inside the Liverpool box
79 mins : Diao scuffs a shot just wide as Liverpool look for a winner
83 mins : GOAL! Michael Owen: Hamann sets up Owen and the Reds striker finishes confidently to give us the lead.

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