Liverpool FC v Fulham FC: Preview

Kick Off - 8:30pm IST. Live on Star Sports HD 2 and starsports.com 

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Arsenal with victory over a struggling Fulham side on Saturday.

The 2-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium saw Brendan Rodgers' side slip five points behind the Gunners, who remained top of the Premier League, and allowed both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to move closer to them.

However, the Reds will be confident of getting the better of Martin Jol's team at Anfield given their strong record on their own turf. The Merseysiders have won four and lost one of the Premier League encounters at home this campaign.

On the other hand, Fulham are struggling at the wrong end of the table. Having collected just 10 points from as many matches, the Cottagers are two points above the bottom three in 16th.

The London outfit have lost their last three competitive matches, conceding nine goals in the process. That wretched run followed back-to-back wins over Stoke City and Crystal Palace in the league.

However, Fulham will take some confidence from their past trips to Anfield. In their last five Premier League clashes at Liverpool, they have kept three clean sheets.

+Liverpool FC 

Liverpool has right back Glen Johnson up to full fitness after the England international missed last weekend's defeat at The Emirates with illness.

Fellow full-back Jose Enrique, who has missed three matches with a knee problem, has trained this week and is in contention.

After his first 45 minutes' action in nearly seven weeks after a shoulder operation, playmaker Philippe Coutinho is pushing for a starting place.

+Fulham Football Club 

Fulham right-back Sascha Riether will sit out his side's trip to Anfield as he starts his three-match suspension after being found guilty of violent conduct for stamping on Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj.

Striker Hugo Rodellega will be out for five to six weeks with a muscle injury in his left leg and defender Matthew Briggs will be sidelined for another six weeks following his hernia operation.

Manager Jol will have to wait on the fitness of central defender Brede Hangeland (sciatic nerve) and attacking midfielder Bryan Ruiz (back) before naming his final squad for Saturday's match.

Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool FC: Match Report

+Liverpool FC suffered their second Barclays Premier League defeat of the season as they went down 2-0 to +Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday evening.

The Gunners took the lead inside the opening 20 minutes when Santi Cazorla reacted quickest to blast home after he'd watched a header rebound off the post.

The Reds began the second period in positive manner as they sought an equaliser, but Aaron Ramsey's dipping 20-yard drive doubled Arsenal's advantage just before the hour.

Luis Suarez hit the base of the post as Liverpool looked to claim something from the game, but Arsene Wenger's men held out to remain at the top of the table.

The pre-match team news confirmed Liverpool were without the services of Glen Johnson due to illness.

Screening in Kahawa, Kochi

Jon Flanagan was the England man's replacement, making his first appearance for the Reds since the FA Cup tie with Mansfield on January 6 in what was an otherwise unchanged starting line-up. Meanwhile, the fit-again Philippe Coutinho was named on the substitutes' bench.

The game got underway with second-placed Liverpool trailing table-toppers Arsenal by just two points, with both teams having only lost once in the opening weeks of 2013-14.

Tomas Rosicky fired the evening's first effort with six minutes on the clock, finding space inside the box only to see his effort across the face of goal diverted wide by the palm of Simon Mignolet.

At the other end, Jordan Henderson bounded into the area only to miscue when well positioned to shoot.

The opening exchanges had been fairly even, with the visitors having settled into their stride positively in north London.

However, Arsenal took the lead with 19 minutes on the clock when Bacary Sagna found space down the right. The full-back's centre picked out of the head of Cazorla, whose initial attempt cannoned against the post before he swept home the rebound.

Liverpool almost mustered a swift riposte, but Kolo Toure's downward header from Steven Gerrard's free-kick was blocked by the boot of the sprawling Wojciech Szczesny, though the flag was raised for offside in any case.

Back came the hosts and Mignolet needed to get down to repel Ramsey's drive after a slick one-two with Rosicky.

Brendan Rodgers opted to make a change during the break, introducing Coutinho into the action in place of Aly Cissokho.

The manager will undoubtedly have been urging more from his players going forward during his half-time team talk, and that's what was delivered in a positive opening to the second 45.

First, Suarez escaped the attentions of Arsenal's defence to race into space in the right channel of the box before toe-poking off target. Then, moments later, he was again afforded space in a dangerous area and the No.7's cross to the back post was volleyed over by Henderson.

But the Reds' promising work was almost undone when Olivier Giroud beat Martin Skrtel to Toure's under-hit pass, but the striker's attempted chip found the side netting.

Arsenal didn't have to wait long to claim a second, however, when Ramsey connected with a half-volley that looped over Mignolet and found the back of the net from 20 yards on 59 minutes.

Victor Moses replaced Flanagan as Liverpool attempted to set about salvaging something from the clash, and they almost had a goal back when Suarez's outside-of-the-foot effort struck the base of the post from a tight angle.

Liverpool continued to toil in their endeavours to reduce the arrears, and Suarez spurned a gilt-edged chance in the dying moments as he side-footed wide when through on goal as Arsenal held on to clinch victory.

Courtesy: LiverpoolFC.com

Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC: Preview

+Arsenal and +Liverpool FC will look to underline their Barclays Premier League title credentials when they meet at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side are top of the table having going eight matches unbeaten in the top flight following their opening-day loss to Aston Villa. But the London outfit have lost their last two home matches against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League and Chelsea in the Capital One Cup.
Wenger made a host of changes for Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea as the Frenchman failed to secure his first win over Jose Mourinho. However, the Arsenal boss insisted the defeat would have no detrimental effect to their league form as they prepare for a stern test against the Merseysiders.

The likes of Wojciech Szczesny, Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil are set to be restored to the starting line-up, while Mikel Arteta returns following a one-match suspension but Wenger still has several injuries to contend with, with midfielder Mathieu Flamini set to miss out once again due to a groin problem he sustained in the victory at Crystal Palace last weekend. Theo Walcott (abdominal), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Yaya Sanogo (back), Abou Diaby (knee) and Lukas Podolski (hamstring) all remain sidelined.

Playmaker Philippe Coutinho returns to the Liverpool squad following a shoulder injury but boss Brendan Rodgers has a doubt over left-back Jose Enrique (knee). Liverpool have not lost to Arsenal in the Premier League in their last three visits to the Emirates Stadium and the Anfield club will fancy their chances of avoiding defeat once again as they boast an unbeaten away record in the League this season.

Rodgers' free-scoring side have not lost in their last four matches in the top flight, scoring 12 goals in the process. Luis Suarez has scored six goals in four Premier League outings since returning from suspension and the Uruguay striker has also scored in his last two trips to Arsenal, a club who tried to sign him several times in the close-season.

Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have formed a formidable partnership and the England striker is the leading scorer in the Premier League with eight goals.

+Arsenal  (from): Fabianski, Szczesny,  Viviano, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Frimpong, Gnabry, Miyaichi,  Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Bendtner, Giroud, Park.

+Liverpool FC (from): Jones, Mignolet, Agger, Cissokho, Flanagan, Ilori, Johnson, Kelly, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Alberto, Allen, Coutinho, Gerrard, Henderson, Ibe, Lucas, Moses, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez.

Match Appointments
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Assistants: S Burt, M McDonough.
Fourth Official: M Jones.

Match Telecast on +ESPN  and +ESPN HD from 2300 hrs.

Courtesy: PremierLeague.com

[Match Day 5] Liverpool FC vs. Manchester United FC: Review

Robin van Persie's late penalty earned Manchester United a controversial 2-1 victory over 10-man Liverpool in their Barclays Premier League match at Anfield.

The Dutch striker secured the win when he fired his spot-kick past Pepe Reina after Glen Johnson had brought down Luis Antonio Valencia, who fell down at the slightest touch, and it moved United into second spot in the table with 12 points, one point behind leaders Chelsea.

The first match at Anfield since the Hillsborough report cleared Liverpool's fans of blame for the deaths of 96 of their number at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, sparked into life after 39 minutes when Liverpool’s Jonjo Shelvey was red-carded for a studds-up challenge on Jonny Evans.

However, the home side went ahead straight after half-time through Steven Gerrard's shot in the area. United hit back after 51 minutes through Rafael Da Silva's curling shot before Van Persie's late strike meant that after five games Liverpool are still looking for their first league win of the season and still remain in the relegation zone.

One of the fiercest rivalries in football was briefly put to one side before kick-off as players and fans from both clubs respectfully marked a tribute to those killed in the Hillsborough tragedy.

Once the whistle went, it was Liverpool who settled down quicker, controlling the much of the first period. Gerrard went close to giving them the lead while Fabio Borini had a half chance.

After 39 minutes Liverpool's hopes of a first league victory were hit when Shelvey went in feet first in on Evans and was shown a red card by referee Mark Halsey.

The red card looked like turning the match in United's favour but it was Liverpool who took the lead a minute into the second period. Johnson surged into the United area and when the ball looped up to Gerrard, the Liverpool captain had time to slam a precise left-footed shot past Anders Lindegaard.

The celebrations around Anfield were soon silenced when Rafael equalised six minutes later, curling a left-foot shot beyond the reach of Reina from a tight angle on the right.

Making their extra man count, United began to enjoy more possession although Liverpool, despite being down to 10 men, continued to show a threat.

Luis Suarez blasted a shot across the face of goal, but as Liverpool continued pushing men forward in search of victory Valencia seized possession in his own half and set off on a run that was ended by a foul in the penalty area from Johnson.

Van Persie, who missed from the spot this season for United, had to wait four minutes as Daniel Agger received treatment but he kept his cool to send a left-footed effort into the corner despite Reina almost saving it.

Match Ratings

Jose Reina: Should have done better. 6

Martin Kelly: Excellent on the right flank for Liverpool. 7

Daniel Agger: Had a good game. Substituted at 81' after sustaining an injury. 7

Martin Skrtel: Had a good game. 7

Glen Johnson: Had a good game going forward, but his mistakes led to both the goals. 7

Joe Allen: Excellent performance for the entire match. 8

Steven Gerrard: Captain Fantastic delivers again in an important match. Man of the Match. 9

Jonjo Shelvey: Good till he got the red card. A moment of foolishness cost the team the game. 6

Fabio Borini: Was really good in the first half. Substituted at half-time after sustaining a swollen ankle. 6

Luis Suarez: Was able to go past the United defenders with ease more often. A penalty was turned down against Suarez. 8

Raheem Sterling: Was excellent on the right flank. Got past Evra with ease. Was substituted with Jordan Henderson to give stability to the midfield. 8

Substitutes

Suso: Brilliant. The debutant didn't show a nerve during the high intensity match. Came in for Borini at half-time. 8

Jordan Henderson: Held the midfield together once he was sent in by Rodgers. Came in for Raheem Sterling at 66’. 7.5

Jamie Carragher: Held the defense together without letting in another goal. Came in for Agger after Agger sustained a knee injury. N/A

Stats

LIVERPOOLV.MANCHESTER UNITED

·Attack

1	Goals	2
14	Total Shots (including blocked shots)	8
6	Shots on target	3
2	Blocked Shots	2
4	Shots from outside the box	5
10	Shots from inside the box	3
50%	Shot Accuracy (excluding blocked shots)	50%
52%	Possession (%)	48%
46.80%	Duels won (%)	53.20%
55.60%	Aerial Duels Won (%)	44.40%
13	Interceptions	16
0	Offsides	1
7	Corners	3
459	Total Passes	420
11.10%	Long Passes (%)	11.70%
84.70%	Passing Accuracy (%)	85%
72.20%	Passing Accuracy opp. Half (%)	77.40%
26	Total Crosses	18
15.40%	Successful Crosses (%)	33.30%
23	Tackles	29
69.60%	Tackles Won (%)	72.40%
19	Clearances	44
14	Fouls Conceded	7
1	Yellow Cards	2
1	Red Cards	0

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard

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[Match Day 5] Liverpool FC vs. Manchester United FC: Preview

• Match on 23^rd September 2012 from 1330 BST.
• Match live on ESPN and ESPN HD from 1755 IST.
• Match taking place at Anfield.

Does it get bigger than this? No, the North West derby is by far the greatest rivalries in England. Two teams separated by just 33 miles on road, but separated by a lot of rivalries and bitter incidents, the most recent one in October of 2011, when Luis Suarez was handed 8-match ban and£40,000 for having called Patrice Evra a racist word. These two teams have won a total of 119 trophies between them, which includes 37 top flight titles, 18 FA Cups, 12 League Cups, 8 Champions Leagues, 3 Europa Leagues and 34 domestic charity shields.

North West Derby dates back to 1895, when the 1^st match between the two teams was played. That instance of the fixture ended up comfortably winning the match by 7-1. Even though the all-time record is in favor of Manchester United with 72-51-62, one should never take Liverpool lightly in this fixture. The latest instance of this fixture ended up with a 2-1 victory Manchester United.

With both teams issuing statements condemning the chants against the disasters faced by the teams, this match will be one of the most anticipated matches off-late. Also, this is the 1st Premier League match that Liverpool is playing at Anfield after the Hillsborough Independent Panel had submitted their report few days back.

Liverpool

Liverpool are going into this fixture sitting beside the relegation zone with 2 points after scoring only 3 goals in their 4 premier league games, while they have conceded 8 goals in those matches. The main worry for any Liverpool fan would the inability of the main striker Luis Suarez to find the back of the net. He has featured as the Center Forward in all 4 of Liverpool Premier League matches, but has netted only 2 goals, even though he has had umpteen chances.

The Liverpool defense is another cause of concern. They have leaked 8 goals, of which 4 have been gifts to the opposition.

But then, there is something that would lift some pressure off any Liverpool fan. That would be the outcome of their 1^st European league match in almost 2 years, where the Liverpool ‘reserve’ won 5-3 against a full strength BSC Young Boys Bern of Switzerland in Bern.

Expected Line-up: Reina; Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Allen, Shelvey, Gerrard; Sterling, Suarez, Borini

Key Players: Joe Allen, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez

Manchester United

Manchester United would be one the happier off the teams going into the fixture with a decent run of 4 victories in all competitions, the last fixture being a home European match against Galatasaray, which they ended up winning by 1-0.

Wayne Rooney will not feature in this fixture with the striker stretchered off few weeks back, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also expected to miss this match, as the presence of Nemanja Vidic will be at most crucial for the Devils.

United has already scored 10 goals of which 3 had been scored by their star signing, Robin van Persie against Southampton FC, which they have conceded 5 goals in their 4 matches, which might be a worry for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Expected Line-up: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Scholes; Valencia, Kagawa, Nani; van Persie

Key Players: Shinji Kagawa, Paul Scholes, Robin van Persie

Previous Season Meeting

At Anfield: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United (Gerrard, Hernandez)

At Old Trafford: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Rooney ^[2], Suarez)

2012-13 So Far

Liverpool

(L) 3-0 vs. West Bromwich Albion FC at The Hawthorns

(D) 2-2 vs. Manchester City FC at Anfield

(L) 0-2 vs. Arsenal FC at Anfield

(D) 1-1 vs. Sunderland AFC at The Stadium of Light

Manchester United

(L) 1-0 vs. Everton FC at Goodison Park

(W) 3-2 vs. Fulham FC at Old Trafford

(W) 3-2 vs. Southampton FC at St. Mary’s Stadium

(W) 4-0 vs. Wigan Athletic FC at Old Trafford

Prediction

Liverpool FC 2-2 Manchester United FC

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[Match Day 4] Sunderland AFC vs. Liverpool FC: Preview

• Match at 1730 BST on Saturday, 15^th September 2012.
• Telecast in India on ESPN from 2155 IST.
• Match taking place at The Stadium of Light.

Liverpool travel to Sunderland this weekend to face Martin O’Neill and his men in what promises to be a repeat of the Arsenal debacle, unless Brendan Rodgers can make them score.

The Merseysiders are off to their worst start to a new season in a long time, which has left Rodgers under enormous pressure.

However, his relentless belief in winning games “the Liverpool way” is admirable.

Most new managers who have made the step up to a big club would have had their hand forced under in such circumstances. It has not been the case for Rodgers, so far.

Sunderland FC will look to improve on their league position from last year. In Martin O’Neill, they have a man whose tactical acumen alone will promise them safety from relegation.

Sunderland, with two points from two, currently occupy the 13^th spot in the Premiership standings while Liverpool just have the two clubs trailing them; as they find themselves in the danger zone with just a solitary point to show for in three games played.

Sunderland

Sunderland should get back Lee Cattermole, Phil Bardsley, Wes Brown and David Vaughan into their match day squad for the Reds' visit, as they search for their first league win in the 2012-13 term.

Winger Adam Johnson is likely to miss with a thigh injury, after he withdrew from the England squad for their World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine.

Expected Line-up: Mignolet; Cuéllar, O’ Shea, Gardener, McClean; Cattermole, Sessegnon, Colback, Richardson; Larsson, Campbell

Liverpool

Liverpool, embarrassingly, occupy a spot in the relegation zone as it stands in 18th, and despite their rivals not seriously harboring thoughts of fare welling them to the Championship at season's end, it's nonetheless a horrific start to Brendan Rodgers' reign at Anfield.

Adding further scarlet to the faces of those on Merseyside is that they are struggling with a near-fit squad, with just Joe Cole (hamstring) and Lucas (thigh) their only casualties early in the season.

If Liverpool are looking for motivation, the report from Hillsborough Independent Panel on Wednesday might just provide exactly that.

Expected Line-up: Reina; Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson; Gerrard, Allen, Sahin; Sterling, Suarez, Borini.

Previous Season Meeting

At The Stadium of Light: Sunderland AFC 1-0 Liverpool FC (Bendtner)

At Anfield: Liverpool FC 1-1 Sunderland AFC (Suarez, Larsson)

Key Players

Sunderland: Sessegnon, Larsson

Liverpool: Allen, Gerrard

2012-13 So Far

Liverpool

(L) 3-0 vs. West Bromwich Albion FC at The Hawthorns

(D) 2-2 vs. Manchester City FC at Anfield

(L) 0-2 vs. Arsenal FC at Anfield

Sunderland AFC

(D) 0-0 vs. Arsenal FC at The Emirates

(Postponed) vs. Reading FC at The Stadium of Light

(D) 2-2 vs. Swansea City AFC at Liberty Stadium

Prediction

Sunderland AFC 0-1 Liverpool FC

Remember the Beach Ball? #YNWA

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[Match Day 3] Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Preview

• Match live on ESPN and ESPN HD on Sunday from 17.55 IST.
• There have been seven 90th minute or later goals scored in the last seven Premier League games between Liverpool and Arsenal and five in the last four.
• Liverpool have picked up just 19 points in 21 Premier League games in 2012.
• Arsenal have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches, but five of the other six games have been draws.

A heavyweight clash at Anfield sees Liverpool and Arsenal look for their first victories of the season after a summer of change for both sides. Brendan Rodgers’ side have one loss and one draw, whereas Arsene Wenger has two goalless draws so far.

Liverpool

Liverpool were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by West Bromwich Albion on the opening day and were ahead twice against champions Manchester City last weekend before succumbing to a 2-2 draw. Silly defensive mistakes cost Rodgers his first victory as Reds boss and the Scotsman is hoping for the victory he has craved as Liverpool manager. An added element for the game sees Nuri Sahin, who decided to join Liverpool ahead of Arsenal, available to make his debut for the Reds.

As well as Sahin, Daniel Agger is back available for the Reds after serving a suspension. Sebastian Coates replaced Agger in last week’s draw against City and is expected to drop to the bench. Lucas Leiva has been ruled out for three months with the thigh problem suffered last time out, but Rodgers has a fully-fit squad available. One player who will not play is Charlie Adam after the Scottish international completed a £4m move to Stoke City, while Jay Spearing and Andy Carroll completed loan moves to Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United, repectively.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s summer has been eventful once again after the departures of Robin van Persie and Alex Song to Manchester United and Barcelona respectively. Theo Walcott’s future was in doubt before the transfer deadline, but the England international has not left for another club this summer. Arsenal have started the season looking promising, but they have failed to score and have goalless draws at home to Sunderland and away at Stoke City.

Wenger has Laurent Koscielny available from a calf injury and the Frenchman is expected to slot back into the centre of defence. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny faces a fitness test on a rib injury and Vito Mannone could again feature in goal, hoping to build on the clean sheet kept at the Britannia Stadium last weekend. The Gunners have lost another striker in Nicklas Bendtner, who has signed for Juventus on a season long loan.

This corresponding fixture last season saw Robin van Persie’s double give Arsenal the victory that inspired them on to a third placed finish. Liverpool vs Arsenal always throws up classic fixtures and there is optimism for another great game with both sides keen to get their win tallies underway.

Probable Line-ups

Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Allen, Sahin, Gerrard; Sterling, Suarez, Borini

Arsenal: Mannone; Jenkinson, Mertersacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs; Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla; Podolski, Giroud, Gervinho

Players to watch out

Liverpool – Allen, Sahin, Suarez

Arsenal – Arteta, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud

Last Meeting

• ·         At Anfield: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal (Koscielney [OG], van Persie 31’, 90+2’)
• ·         At Emirates: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool (Ramsey [OG], Suarez)

Prediction

Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal

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