You'll Never Walk Alone -- The End...

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 18th January, 2010

Liverpool complete Aguero signing for British Record fee

Sergio Aguero to join Liverpool in summer​

Liverpool have have beaten the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United to sign highly-rated Argentine striker Sergio Aguero for a British Record fee believed to be ?39.7 million.

Reds have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old, who was reportedly courted by many of Europe's top sides, and he will leave Atletico Madrid for Anfield this summer subject to passing a medical. Aguero must also obtain a work permit but that will be a formality given his status as one of the continent's most coveted talents.

After making his name in the Argentine league as a teenager with Independiente, Aguero moved to Spanish club Atletico Madrid in 2006 for ?23 million. He made his debut for Argentina in the same year and has gone on to win more than 20 caps for Diego Maradona's side, and has found the back of the net 7 times.

His goal scoring ability during his time at Independiente and now at Atletico Madrid caught the eye and reports have linked him with possible transfers to the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and, most recently, Chelsea.

On Tuesday, Aguero was reported to have been in London to discuss a move to Stamford Bridge and visited the club's training ground. And Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, speaking this week, made no secret of his admiration for a striker who was also thought to have been a target of Barcelona.

"If you had a list of the Strikers around Europe who Chelsea could possibly sign, Sergio Aguero would be one of them," said Ancelotti. "I think he would be pretty much on everyone else's list as well because he is a fantastic prospect. If you look at the strikers who have a fantastic future, he would be one of them. But every other club in the league, from Arsenal and Manchester United, would like Aguero."

The signing of Aguero is a major coup for Reds manager Jose Mourinho as he spoke to the club's official website, "This is a major transfer for the whole club. Aguero is one of the brightest talents in the world and playing in Europe. He has a great goal scoring record in Spain and I am sure he will score more alongside Torres over here at Liverpool."

Sergio Aguero who was present at Liverpool 1-0 FA Cup fifth round victory over rivals Manchester United at Anfield told, "I'm happy to be joining such a big club. It will be a real pleasure to play in the English league which the best in Europe and challenge for the title."

Sergio Aguero will go to the World Cup in South Africa with Argentina before starting pre-season training with his new club Liverpool alongside his former Atletico Madrid teammates Fernando Torres and Ignacio Camacho.​

 

[m_vaughan]

Thats a cracking signing. I am happy because Atletico are weaker now. What's happening in La Liga by the way? And congrats on the win over United in the Cup.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 20th February, 2010

Goals from Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel gave Liverpool victory and sent Birmingham City back to the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead at St Andrews when Gerrard beat goalkeeper Joe Hart from 10 yards after Babel dummied Daniel Agger's long ball. Ryan Babel made it 2-0 after the break when he latched on to Alberto Aquilani's ball to fire in from close range. Birmingham's best chance came from the boot of Barry Ferguson whose 25-yard effort was comfortably saved by Pepe Reina.

The result was fair but Liverpool's win owed more to Birmingham's lack of discipline than their own attacking endeavours.

The Blues, who had not scored for more than three hours in the league, began brightly with some delightful exchanges taking place on their right between Seb Larsson and Stuart Parnaby. But for all their good intentions Alex McLiesh's men lacked the guile to cut through a fairly sturdy Liverpool defence.

Agger's long, low pass from the left-back slot was directed at Babel, but the crafty Dutch let the ball run under his legs knowing that Gerrard was behind him. The Englishman looked up once before firing a firm shot into Hart's right-hand corner, despite the keeper managing to get half a glove on the ball.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Blues who started to play like a side fancied by many as favourites to go down this season. McLiesh introduced strikers Hameur Bouazza and James McFadden after the break, but just as they were looking to assert their influence Liverpool grabbed their second.

Italian midfielder Aquilani, who was probably the man-of-the-match because of his sensational workrate, won the ball on the right and poked a pass in the direction of Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. This time it was Spaniard Torres who played a subtle dummy and let the ball run through to his burly team-mate who fired past the outstretched leg of Hart from just inside the six-yard area.

Birmingham still had 20 minutes to get back into the game but their best effort of the match had come earlier on when Ferguson managed to hit the target but failed to attach any power to his strike.

__________________________________________________​

Birmingham boss Alex McLiesh: "We got beaten by the better side who showed much more quality than we showed, and in the end they fully deserved their victory. The facts of the matter are teams we're playing just have that little edge over us in terms of quality. We just have to keep working very, very hard to stay in the premier league."

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "What we know is when he gets through on goal he doesn't miss. Today he delivered with an impressive goal that took the pressure off us and a great dummy. He showed intelligence and awareness. But in Britain what we enjoy is seeing players put in their graft. That's part of our culture and Ryan Babel did that and got a standing ovation for us."

__________________________________________________​

Birmingham: Hart, Parnaby, Johnson, Espinoza, Murphy(Queudrue 77), Larsson(C), Ferguson, Bowyer, McSheffrey(McFadden 46), Krivets(Bouazza 46), Benitez.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Johnson, Taylor, Ridgewell.

Booked: Espinoza, Larsson.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Aurelio, Camacho, Gerrard(C)(Mascherano 72), Aquilani, Babel(Riera 80), Kuyt, Torres(Destro 72).
Subs Noy Used: Diego, Lucas, Alexis Sanchez, Dossena.

Goals: Gerrard 24, Babel 61.

Att: 29,946.

Ref: M Hasley.

Man of the Match: Ryan Babel.​

 

[m_vaughan]

Babel was great in that game being involved in both goals. Deserved MoM. I don't particularly like Birmingham (since the Dugarry days) so dont mind seeing them get relegated as well.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 21st February, 2010

FA Cup holders Chelsea have been handed a home tie with winner of Crystal Palace and Fulham in the quarter finals of the FA Cup. Bolton Wanderers were given a home encounter against Premiership leader Liverpool in the draw at the FA headquarters.

Manchester City will visit Tottenham in another all-Premier League tie and the final tie will pit Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough at home to Everton, who comfortable beat Aston Villa at home.

Jose Mourinho's Liverpool side have just lost twice in the season so far and are currently six points clear at the top of the table and are through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

"At this stage with all good clubs, we have to play good football," said Mourinho. "Maybe Bolton would take this match more seriously as they are playing it at their home and are well place in the League. So we have to play at our best as always to be them."

The quarter final ties will be played on 21st-22nd March 2010.

Tottenham v Man City
Bolton v Liverpool
Middlesbrough v Everton
Chelsea v Crystal Palace or Fulham ​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Group Stage - 24 February 2010 20:15 GMT - Stade de Gerland - Lyon - France​

Honours even in Lyon

Torres in action against Lyon​

Olympique Lyonnais and Liverpool Fc played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie in Lyon.

The best opportunity fell to Fernando Torres midway through the first half but he was denied by a superb reflex save from Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, while moments earlier Lisandro Lopez failed to convert an opening from a Juninho free-kick.

Jose Mourinho had identified Juninho as one of the main threats and the Brazil midfielder demonstrated why on nine minutes, whipping in a dangerous free-kick from the Lyon right. The ball arrived at the feet of Lisandro Lopez, who had shaken off a hamstring strain to lead the home attack, but he seemed to be taken by surprise, allowing goalkeeper Pepe Reina to gather the loose ball. The Argentine international was causing some anxious moments for Jamie Carragher and the Liverpool vice-captain, was booked for a late lunge at the centre-forward.

Play was swinging from box to box with both sides committed to attack. Nihat tested Reina with a low effort after being played in by Sidney Govou, while Ignacio Camacho - in for the injured Alberto Aquilani - got on the end of a cross from Dirk Kuyt but headed meekly at Lloris. The visitors should have opened the scoring just before the half-hour, however, when Gerrard sent Torres through. The striker had time to set his sights and curl a right-foot shot towards the far corner only to be denied by Lloris's outstretched foot, the French keeper turning the ball past the post and to safety.

Liverpool were now enjoying the bulk of possession in midfield, and Ryan Babel and Torres passed up decent half-chances from the edge of the area. With half-time approaching Juninho troubled Reina again with a long-range set-piece but the Spanish international was equal to the task, smothering the shot low to his left.

Lyon showed more composure after the break and, within minutes of the restart, Govou brought another stop from Reina with a snapshot from 20 metres. However, Liverpool were still fashioning the better openings and Javier Mascherano should have done better on 52 minutes when Kuyt freed him with another defence-splitting pass. The former Boca Juniors favourite slid his attempt the wrong side of Lloris' left-hand post. At the other end, left-back Fabio Grosso went close with a rasping drive which rose just over the junction of post and crossbar.

Claude Paul sacrificed Nihat for Bafetimbi Gomis with half an hour to go, but it made little difference to the pattern of play with Liverpool pouring forward looking for a priceless away goal. In the closing minutes Lyon pressed for the breakthrough that would give them a slender advantage for the return game but Lopez could not connect with another tempting Juninho cross, making Liverpool the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

__________________________________________________​

Lyon: Lloris, Grosso, Mensah(Boumsong 78), Cris, Clerc, Makoun(Kallstrom 72), Santos, Juninho(C), Govou, Nihat(Gomis 61), Lopez.
Subs Not Used: Leandri, Tafer, Delgado, Gassama.

Booked: Mensah.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Aurelio, Mascherano(Lucas 60), Camacho(Appiah 77), Gerrard(C), Babel(Alexis Sanchez 65), Kuyt, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Riera, Dossena, Destro.

Booked: Carragher.

Att: 40,969.

Ref: G Rocchi.

Man of the Match: Dirk Kuyt.​

 

[Dutch]

Last updated: 18th January, 2010

Liverpool complete Aguero signing for British Record fee

Sergio Aguero to join Liverpool in summer​

Liverpool have have beaten the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United to sign highly-rated Argentine striker Sergio Aguero for a British Record fee believed to be ?39.7 million.

Reds have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old, who was reportedly courted by many of Europe's top sides, and he will leave Atletico Madrid for Anfield this summer subject to passing a medical. Aguero must also obtain a work permit but that will be a formality given his status as one of the continent's most coveted talents.

After making his name in the Argentine league as a teenager with Independiente, Aguero moved to Spanish club Atletico Madrid in 2006 for ?23 million. He made his debut for Argentina in the same year and has gone on to win more than 20 caps for Diego Maradona's side, and has found the back of the net 7 times.

His goal scoring ability during his time at Independiente and now at Atletico Madrid caught the eye and reports have linked him with possible transfers to the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and, most recently, Chelsea.

On Tuesday, Aguero was reported to have been in London to discuss a move to Stamford Bridge and visited the club's training ground. And Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, speaking this week, made no secret of his admiration for a striker who was also thought to have been a target of Barcelona.

"If you had a list of the Strikers around Europe who Chelsea could possibly sign, Sergio Aguero would be one of them," said Ancelotti. "I think he would be pretty much on everyone else's list as well because he is a fantastic prospect. If you look at the strikers who have a fantastic future, he would be one of them. But every other club in the league, from Arsenal and Manchester United, would like Aguero."

The signing of Aguero is a major coup for Reds manager Jose Mourinho as he spoke to the club's official website, "This is a major transfer for the whole club. Aguero is one of the brightest talents in the world and playing in Europe. He has a great goal scoring record in Spain and I am sure he will score more alongside Torres over here at Liverpool."

Sergio Aguero who was present at Liverpool 1-0 FA Cup fifth round victory over rivals Manchester United at Anfield told, "I'm happy to be joining such a big club. It will be a real pleasure to play in the English league which the best in Europe and challenge for the title."

Sergio Aguero will go to the World Cup in South Africa with Argentina before starting pre-season training with his new club Liverpool alongside his former Atletico Madrid teammates Fernando Torres and Ignacio Camacho.​

Bloody hell and I thought the money was going to be spent on re-doing the toilets at the Kop end! have you seen that wallpaper!? It's awful!

Anyway great signing although I hope it doesn't bust the bank. How much have you got in the bank and how are stadium developments going!?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Bloody hell and I thought the money was going to be spent on re-doing the toilets at the Kop end! have you seen that wallpaper!? It's awful!

Anyway great signing although I hope it doesn't bust the bank. How much have you got in the bank and how are stadium developments going!?

Well it all depends if Liverpool win the league in the game ...If we do win it and if we are able to send some fringe players which I signed for free like Appiah then surely I will have the money and plus I am paying Atletico around 10m in installments so that doesnt make it a problem..

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 28th February, 2010

Mourinho fires warning

Mourinho warns against complacency​

Liverpool chief Jose Mourinho has warned his squad about getting complacent over their bid to win their first ever Premier League title.

The Reds have powered their way to a commanding position at the summit of the table this season, and some bookmakers have even paid out on them winning the title. They remain ten points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, having played the same number of games.

But Mourinho is quick to point to La Liga, where Real Madrid have seen their seemingly insurmountable 13-point lead reduced to just five points.

"Real Madrid have been playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday since January," opined Mourinho. "They did have an 13-point lead, now it is five and for the first time this season they lost a game after being in front. It is a warning, and there are plenty of them, that if you take your foot off the pedal you can get a kick on the face."

The Portuguese insists that winning the Premier League is their biggest opportunity to win a 'major trophy'. "I would be happy if we only won the Premier League from this point," he said. "It is a major trophy. I would love to see us winning the UEFA Champions League. That is my big desire. But at this moment the Premier League has to be the best opportunity. If we keep our heads straight and focused we have a big chance."​

 

[ajay.bhat]

Love your presentation man
as a liverpool supporter myself ..m so happy to see liverpool topping the table !

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 28th February, 2010

Jose Mourinho faces his old club Chelsea at Anfield, in a match which Chelsea must win to stay in hunt of their first Premier League title after three years.

Form Guide
The host and current Premier League leaders are unbeaten since losing for time this season to Manchester City on 11th of January. Jose Mourinho side are ten points clear at the top and this win over Chelsea will virtually end their title hopes this season.

On the hand Chelsea are also in some good form of their own and haven't lost since the start of the new year. Carlo Ancelotti's men who are ten points behind Liverpool have scored fourteen goals since then and conceded just three.

Team News
Liverpool have some midfield worries as Alberto Aquilani(sprained ankle) and Ignacio Camacho(thigh sprain) have been both ruled out of this match, while Javier Mascherano is doubtful with an hamstring injury. Defender Martin Skrtel will have to pass a late fitness test to play in this match as he recovers from his groin strain.

Chelsea have problems of their own. Skipper and defender John Terry has been ruled out of this vital clash with damaged neck, while midfielder Deco is out for weeks with damaged elbow. German skipper Michael Ballack is doubtful with a strained knee ligaments injury.

Star Man
Fernando Torres will be the man to watch for the Merseyside team as the Spaniard has scored 20 times in the 34 games he has featured in this season so far. While for the visitors it will be Michael Essien, the Ghana skipper has the ability to pull the strings from midfield if given the opportunity.

Rivals Watch
Wigan successfully held Manchester City to a goalless draw at the DW Stadium, and Manchester United and Arsenal battle against each other in the final of the Carling Cup at Wembley.

Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Appiah, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt, Torres.

Chelsea: Cech, Cole, Alex, Caravlho, Bosingwa, Montolivo, Essien, Rolfes, Cole, Lampard, Drogba.

Referee
Rob Styles will officiate the game. He has taken charge of 13 games this season, handing out 57 yellow cards and one red cards.

Odds
Liverpool 5/4, Draw 11/5, Chelsea 7/4.​

 

[Dutch]

Sorry mate but I have got 10 bucks says Chelsea are about to spoil the party and will come away with at least a draw. There are some tired legs on the Liverpool benches and there is a bit of unrest due to the big new signing coming in! Ego's being ignited and all that. Jose is going to have to do some very tactical and clever man-management to push this season to it's climax.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 28th February, 2010

Steven Gerrard's double saw Liverpool move thirteen points clear at the top of the table, while it virtually ended Chelsea's title hopes this season.

Ricardo Carvalho hit the post from five yards in the first half but Joe Cole put Chelsea in front with a near-post header on 63 minutes. Gerrard equalised with a low drive after Glen Johnson's long pass was laid off to him by Lucas. And on 86 minutes Gerrard poked home the winner after a Stephen Appiah flick-on.

Liverpool began in more cautious fashion, allowing Chelsea plenty of time on the ball, while laying in wait in their defensive third to snuff out the attacks. With Joe Cole and Ricardo Montolivo hugging the touchlines, Chelsea used the width to good effect but without really penetrating.

Italian Montolivo sliced one shot high and wide when well placed and drove in a volley that was comfortably saved by Pepe Reina. But while Chelsea were on top with their short passing game in the first 20 minutes, Liverpool's more direct approach dictated the play in the second part of the first half.

A lively Torres sparked the change and he should have scored when clean though on goal but he miscontrolled the ball. As the game opened up, Liverpool scrambled clear after two goalwards toe-pokes from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, and Carvalho hit the upright from five yards after sliding in at the back post.

Back came Liverpool and Alexis Sanchez seemed set to score but missed his kick in the penalty area before the ball was hacked away and Petr Cech just managed to divert Dirk Kuyt's dangerous low cross.

The desire to win the game was obvious from both sides and straight after the interval Simon Rolfes was prevented from giving Chelsea the advantage when his vicious volley was superbly stopped by Reina.

Liverpool continued with their route-one approach and Torres was through again after a long pass by Javier Mascherano but Carvalho recovered to do enough to put him off. And then Chelsea turned defence into attack, literally, as Joe Cole beat his marker at the near post to head in from a Lampard corner to score his first goal for the club this season.

But the Englishman's delight soon turned sour when he was forced off with an ankle injury - and suddenly Liverpool stepped up through the gears. After a couple of wasted chances, most notably a scuffed shot from Lucas, another long pass paid dividends as the ball eventually fell to Gerrard, who lashed in a low drive from the edge of the box.

The impetus was now all with Liverpool and when substitute Stephen Appiah headed on another long ball, Gerrard was there to flick the ball beyond Cech, who could not get a strong enough hand to it.

It proved enough to secure three points for Liverpool and increase the gap on Arsenal to thirteen points, while inflicting only a second league defeat of the season on Chelsea.

__________________________________________________​

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "Gerrard was not good when he played against Lyon, but today he was very very good. We played well, especially in the second half against a very good team. We showed great character to come back from one down and win the game against a very good side like Chelsea. We are thirteen points clear at the top, but Arsenal still have a game in hand, still then the title is now for ours to lose it."

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti: "We will fight until the end and we are not worried about the future but are disappointed now obviously. Today we were unlucky and I thought we played well. We were 1-0 up and were unlucky with their first goal which I thought was really offside. Appiah came on for them, and they decided to play long ball, which put us under a lot of pressure and that was the only way they could trouble us. In the end we lost the game. It is disappointing because we gave everything but now the priority has to be the next game."

__________________________________________________​

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard?, Alexis Sanchez(Appiah 70), Torres(Destro 90).
Subs Not Used: Diego, Riera, Skrtel, Babel, Dossena.

Booked: Mascherano, Kuyt, Appiah.

Goals: Gerrard 76, 86.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira(Ivanovic 71), Caravlho, Alex, Cole, Montolivo(Anelka 45), Essien, Rolfes, Lampard?, Cole(Zhirkov 69), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Belletti, Bosingwa, Mancienne.

Booked: Essien, Cole, Cole, Lampard, Drogba.

Goals: Cole 63.

Att: 45,349.

Ref: R Styles.

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 1st March, 2010

Torres delighted with Win

Torres in action along with Frank Lampard​

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was delighted with his side's victory over Chelsea as they moved thirteen points clear at the top of the table.

A brace from skipper Steven Gerrard was enough to give Liverpool a comeback win over their rivals, but much of the headlines were dominated by Joe Cole's injury which was termed as the turning point in the game. Joe Cole injured his ankle and had to be substituted in 69th minute just six minutes after he had scored the opener.

Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins felt the injury to Joe Cole was the turning point in the game, but Torres believes the injury did not have too much influence on the outcome of the contest.

"It's always nice to beat Chelsea and it's opened up a huge gap now at the top of the league," Rooney told Sky Sports. Asked whether he thought the injury was a turning point, Torres said: "We were always on top. The Chelsea players were tired at the end, but overall I don't think it would have made any difference.

"We know it's in our hands now - we have to try and win as many games as possible and stay top of the league. We've got a good mix in the dressing room and we know what we have to do between now and the end of the season."

Torres again to find the net for the fourth successive game, but the Spain international is not worried by his goal drought. Torres added: "I'm delighted with the win. I know the goals will come. I'm not too concerned with that."​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 6th March, 2010

Liverpool scraped into the semi-finals of the FA Cup thanks to their inform keeper but were made to work for their progress by a valiant Bolton side.

Stephen Appiah powered in a left-foot shot to put the visitors ahead but the goal galvanised Bolton. Liverpool keeper Diego Cavalieri palmed away a Geremi free-kick and denied Johan Elmander when one-on-one as Bolton created plenty of chances. But they were frustrated by Diego and their lack of a finishing touch as they bowed out of the competition.

The fervour of the Reebok Stadium crowd and the romance of the tie, combined with the reward for the winner, appeared to have affected both sets of players early on. Bolton's towering centre-back Sebastien Puygrenuer caught Liverpool striker David N'Gog with a stray arm and the home side had to be especially wary of letting the occasion get to them.

The Trotters suffered a blow when they allowed Appiah to run on to a low N'Gog cross and shoot home from just inside the box. But the setback seemed to give Bolton focus and they mounted a spell of sustained pressure that led to them being denied on several occasions.

Matty Taylor latched on to a Geremi ball to the near post and, instead of shooting, overran the ball as he tried to take it around keeper Diego Cavalieri. A Fabrice Muamba strike was blocked by Mikel San Jose and Riga volleyed agonisingly over before Diego palmed a Geremi free-kick just wide at full stretch.

Elmander had an angled shot saved by the busy Diego Cavalieri as Liverpool were again indebted to their Brazil keeper. The tie should have then been level when Matty Taylor fizzed in a low cross across goal but both Geremi and Elmander failed to get the telling touch.

Bolton continued to strive for a deserved equaliser and Taylor sent an angled drive high as his miss epitomised his side's profligacy and Diego's form. Diego was again at full-stretch to keep out an effort from his team-mate Martin Skrtel, who diverted the ball goalwards from an attemped clearance.

Premiership leaders Liverpool will go into the draw for the semi-finals of the FA Cup - to be played at the Wembley Stadium - at 1330 GMT on Monday.

__________________________________________________​

Bolton: Jaaskelainen?, Rcketts, Cahiil, Puygrenier, Samuel(O'Brien 71), McCann, Riga(Makukula 70), Taylor, Muamba, Geremi(Steinsson 80), Elmander.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Knight, Gardner, Hunt.

Booked: Elmander.

Liverpool: Diego, Deggen(Johnson 80), Skrtel, San Jose, Dossena, Plessis(Mascherano 80), Camacho?, Appiah, Riera(Babel 67), Alexis Sanchez, N'Gog.
Subs Not Used: Reina, Carragher, Gerrard, Torres.

Goals: Appiah 23.

Att: 27,643.

Ref: M Riley.

Man of the Match: Diego Cavalieri.​