Review: Chelsea 0 Liverpool 2

2 Times The Charm As Liverpool Reach Semi Finals Of The League Cup

Maxi sends us 1 up and runs off to celebrate with Craig

If we play like that, can we play Chelsea every week? I was very happy with the result and performance of the squad players in tonight's League Cup Quarter Final against Chelsea.

I Thought the 1st half was more of a chess match, and both teams really cancelled each other out with very few goal scoring chances. With the even flow of the game i though we edged it and was pretty happy with how it was all going, sure we should of been 1 up with the Carroll penalty being saved but i think that was all a reflection of how the 1st half paned out, happy to be 0-0 but unlucky to not to be 1-0 in front.

Chelsea came out more motivated and determined in the second half and really dominated the game for 10-15mins  without really troubling us too much in the box. This is were we countered and a lovely ball from Henderson to Bellamy and then a defense splitting cross from Bellamy giving Maxi a tap in, much like how Maxi scored a week ago! 1-0 to us!

Kelly thunders a header past the Chelsea keeper to make it 2-0!

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Chelsea and as Chelsea boss AVB was about to make changes a Liverpool corner drilled to the far post saw an unmarked Martin Kelly rise up and head past the Chelsea keeper to make it 2-0, and in a blink of an eye we looked unstoppable!

Once the 2nd went in you could see we were just happy with what we have, Lucas, Bellamy and Henderson all had great games, and it was a fantastic performance from everyone on the pitch.  it's not all sunshine and roses though as Lucas who has been doing a great job filling in for Stevie G came off with what looked to be a serious knee injury, let's hope that's not the case he has finally been playing well and to get injured now would be a great blow for him, and us.

Overall it was a well rounded performance, not many teams can make Chelsea look rubbish twice on the bounce, and we did. Coates, Kelly played well, as did Adam when subbed on and Spearing did a great job again as the ball wining midfielder.

A great win , i am hopeful and confident that we can go all the way this year!

FTK MoM: Craig Bellamy

Craig was outstanding tonight, full of enthusiasm, creativity, energy and passion. He was involved in everything good about our attacking play creating both goals and generally being a nuisance for Chelsea






pics: liverpoolfc.tv

Review: Liverpool 1 v Manchester City 1

Reds Unlucky Not To Take 3 Points At Anfield

This was the "ultimate" test for us, undefeated league leaders at anfield could we win? would be be competitive? the answer is yes!

We were by far the better team through out the 90mins today. i thought we passed the ball well, quickly and accurately. We created plenty of chances, especially late on and if it wasn't for the heroic efforts of city keeper Joe Hart we would of been the 1st team to beat Man City in the league this season.

But again there were weaknesses in our game that has, and will cost us points this season if not worked on. Set pieces, especially corners quick and high into the box have made us come undone time after time, and again Man City exploited this. With their only real threat on our goal they score, a drilled in corner deflecting off Kompany's shoulder into the net saw us go behind, undeservedly.

The lads responded magnificently though and with 2 mins we were level when Adam found him self with aches of space out side the box a hopeful drive at goal took a wicked deflection wrong footing Joe Hart and nestling in the back of the net to make it 1-1

Ex Toffeman Lescott helps us out making it 1-1!

The 2nd half was more competitive for all it's lack of goal mouth action it was quick and entertaining. We really enforced our game on man city and i thought that the back 4 did a great job keeping the City All Stars quiet.

Once Mario Ballotelli  was subbed on and then sent off i had to laugh, what a moron what a Jekyll and Hide type player, what a nightmare! luckily for us his sending off was the catalyst to more domination but without out the killer touch.

I that that Carroll was lively when he came on for Kuyt almost winning the game for us if it wasn't for the heroic save from Hart.

Overall even though i feel we should of won the game i am happy with a point. i'm also happy with the performance and effort of the boys, a job well done!

On a side note i thought that it was a very nice gesture to hold a minutes silence for Gary Speed and Brad Jones' sun Luka. Luka Lost his battle with leukemia late last week and Gary Speed took his own life in the early hours  of Sunday morning. I would like to extend my greatest condolences to both families in this tough time and know that they will never walk alone.

Liverpool pay their respects to the Jones and Speed families

FTK MoM: Glen Johnson

Glen was terrific all night. He showed us how he can defend as a right back, and how he can attack as an extra winger. He was lively, energetic and outstanding all game.

Review: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2

Maxi makes it 1-0!

I am pleased with the result and the performance on the weekend Liverpool played to Chelsea's weeknesses and we profited from it big time.

Proof of this was the first goal, great pressing from Charlie Adam forced a mistake from Mikel who basically gifted us the ball, 3 passes later it was 1-0 to us.

I was surprised that Maxi and Bellamy started the game, this proved to be a master stroke  as they both had great games, although maxi did go quiet in the second half.

I also thought that Adam and Lucas had great games in the middle of the park, they really made it difficult for chelsea to play thier own way, and this was key!

The Sturridge goal was a little soft i thought,  no one really wanted to tackle Malouda as he entered the box, the scuffed shot turned cross was perfectly waited for Dean to equalize. Other than that and one fantastic save from Reina later on Chelsea didn't really threaten us too much, even with Liverpool old boys Torres and Meireles subbed on.

Pepe Reina did a great job again in goal, as the captain he really showed great leadership by example and it really helped our back four keep chelsea at bay.

The Lads celebrate going 2-1 up with only 5 mins to play thanks to a great Johnson goal

FTK MoM: Charlie Adam

Charlie was great all game, consistent performer who really rattled the Chelsea midfield and made a crucial tackle to send us on our way to victory!






pics: liverpoolfc.tv

Preview: Chelsea

Today i preview our date with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. After the international break i hope that all Liverpool players will come back fit and ready for this important game.

A side plot to this game is that we are also due to meet Chelsea in the Carling Cup Quarter Finals 3 days later, but because of the Tottenham game and the local organized protest in the nations capital the FA have decided to move the fixture FORWARD a day, that's right forward. The dust would barely have time to settle on the Premier League game when we have to play them again 48 hours later!

I'm not one to whinge about a congested fixture list but this is ridiculous. The FA have now put pressure on both clubs to perform entertaining and important games just 48 hours apart.

Moving on.... It's nearly imposable to pick who will play on Sunday as most of the players still haven't returned from international duty. I can say that i think that we would be lucky to see Carra and Stevie back in the line up this weekend, even after Stevie pin pointed this game as his return date. On form alone i would like to see Enrique, Suarez, Kuyt and Adam start, slim pickings i know but we really haven't gelled yet as a team, and those 3 stand out to me; oh and Pepe is a given.

Let's look at Chelsea:

Wheres the ball john? in the net!

They have been leaking goals all season only keeping 5 clean sheets in all competitions thus far, but they are scoring more goals then they are conceding, so does it matter that much? yes!

Chelsea's back 4 are vulnerable at the moment and at their last outing at home to Arsenal saw them shell 5 goals. it seems like AVB hasn't settled on his 1st choice yet and this could only aid us in breaking them down on Sunday. They are still a strong and physical side with their keeper peter cech  commanding his box, but if they defend like they did against arsenal we can easily beat them.

In the Midfield it looks like AVB likes to play 3, a holding midfielder and 2 central that link up with the front 3. I think here is where the game will be won or lost on Sunday, and here's why..

We typically play with 4 in the midfield using Lucas as a holding- floating midfielder, Adam as the play maker and Downing/Kuyt as the wingers.  so we have one extra man, at a guess Lucas will be give a marking job to do against Ramires (if he plays) this should free up space just in front for Adam to ping the ball around.

If we get stuck in, win the 50/50's in the middle third  play short and patiently i don't see why we can't beat Chelsea.

That being sad Chelsea will probably look to use their left and right backs to get the ball forward to the front 3 by passing the midfield, if we press high here and don't give Cole/Bosingwa time on the ball we can blunt the Chelsea attack

Mata has been great since joining Chelsea

Up front they are a force to be reckoned with, an embarrassment of riches. with players like Mata, Torres, Drogba, Anelka and Sturridge all playing well, and finding the net regularly.

What ever combination AVB decides to start the game on Sunday we will need to be at our best to keep them out.
Although Torres and Drogba haven't been gelling up front Sturridge, Anelka or Mata can easily step in

PITA in a Blue Shirt

Skrtel, Agger, Enrique and Johnson will need to have games of their lives to keep the front 3 quiet, it's by far Chelsea's strong point and with our nervous defense there will be goals in this game.

But which manager has one eye on the Carling Cup game 2 days later? which manager is going to show his hand at Stamford bridge on Sunday? who knows. what i do know is that both sets of fans will want 110% from their teams in both games.

With Suarez in hot form and developing a partnership with Carroll this game is our for the taking. i predict a 2-1 to Liverpool with Suarez double and Torres coming off the bench to score for Chelsea.

Thank you for reading, and i would love to hear from you so comment below!
YNWA
Stu - FTK
Pics: chelseafc.com

Review: Liverpool 0 Swansea City 0

TOP 4 NO MORE....?

I would be lying if i told you if i was happy with the result against Swansea City. Another 2 points dropped in the race for a top 4 spot, and if we can't beat teams like Swansea i find it hard to see us in a European spot at all come may.

Carroll thumps the cross bar in our only clear chance

For a 0-0 game it was fairly open and attacking, players had loads of space to move and pass the ball but both teams really lacked the killer touch in the final third to get the 3 points.

Credit to Swansea though, they worked hard, played their game and it nearly did the trick, and i would have to say that they were the better team over the 90 mins.

Other than Carroll's early chance that smacked the cross bar we didn't really threaten Vorm's goal until late in the second half.

Henderson was merely a spectator with a kit on in the first half and i wasn't at all surprised when he was replaced by Kuyt at half time.

Pepe heroics deny Swansea a winner

There were some positives about the performance, Downing was lively down the flanks, creating all sorts of problems for the Swansea defense, although Swansea left allot of space down the left hand side for our wide players to exploit.
Pepe Reina was critical in goal making some great saves to keep Swansea from snatching the game late on, his distribution was excellent and his passion to lead by example was evident.

Enrique was solid at the back, as where Agger and Skrtel, although rarely tested they showed great concentration and fitness to keep Swansea at bay.

With an international break now upon us and the next game away to Chelsea i really hope that Kenny has enough time to work with his players in preparing for the game.


i think if i was to sum up the game, and the next fixtures for us in one sentence it would be. "We must improve". BRING ON CHELSEA!!

FTK MoM: Pepe Reina

Pepe was by far our best player out there, alert, strong and influential. Critical saves, and excellent distribution capping off a well rounded performance.

The 2011/12 Squad Photo

Liverpool FC have just released this years Squad photo,
THIS IS WHAT A REAL FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS LIKE!

Preview: Swansea City

Today i preview our next premier league game against EPL newcomers Swansea City.

With it now confirmed that Stevie G will be out with another infection until at least Christmas we are really going to have to back the midfield that has done the job for us to a point already this season.

Lucas, Adam, Downing and Kuyt/Bellamy must perform if we are going to get the 3 points at home this weekend, that being said i also thing that our very leaky defense need to step up, and provide the team and the fans with a clean sheet, let's make Anfield a fortress again!

Swansea City currently sit in 10th place after 10 games played with their away form being particularly poor having only picked up 1 point from the last 4 games away even though 2 of those away days where against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Stevie G out till late November?

Like any EPL game we shouldn't go into the game thinking it's won, we'll need to work hard at the back, and play quickly going forward. We have been guilty recently of being wasteful in front of goal too. this has to stop, we need to take our chances and out results to bed  as soon as possible. Easier said then done i know.

Looking at the Swansea squad and i can't really pick out any players i see as being key to getting anything out of the game, Ashley Williams with 11 apps, Mark Gower leads the assists with 3, and Danny Graham is their top scorer with 4.

On the Liverpool side, i wouldn't be surprised if Bellamy gets a start, his pace and physical presence could be key to winning the 50/50's out wide, i would also like to see Lucas play the ball wining role in the middle of the park to break up any possible Swansea count attacks.


Overall i think a confident, clinical performance is needed on Saturday, and i believe we have the team to get 3 points

Prediction: Liverpool 3 Swansea 0