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

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Last updated: 21st March, 2010

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Manchester United hung on in the title race by coming from 2-0 down to beat leaders Liverpool - thanks to a last gasp Michael Owen goal - despite Paul Scholes' sending off.

Lucas headed Liverpool in front from a cross by Glen Johnson, who was later clattered by Scholes and the referee produced a straight red. Lucas' deflected drive doubled the lead before Antonio Valencia volleyed home to cut the deficit. Wayne Rooney made it 2-2 with a penalty and Manchester United won it when Michael Owen drive was was deflected in his own net late on by Jamie Carragher.

It was a remarkable turnaround, as for large spells Manchester United failed to cope with the driving rain, slippery pitch and Liverpool's greater desire. John O'Shea, playing at left-back because Patrice Evra is out injured, looked a shadow of his normal self - and even Michael Carrick looked shockingly out of sorts in midfield.

Liverpool, by contrast, were focused on their task and punished some slack defending when Lucas rose unchallenged to thump home a header from Johnson's excellent delivery out on the right touchline. Further evidence of Manchester United's lack of concentration came when Scholes produced a foul throw, but if that was comedy of sorts, there was nothing funny about the Englishman's challenge on Johnson which followed.

He slid in and clearly planted studs on Johnson's standing leg at ankle height, and was given his marching orders by referee Stuart Attwell. Down to 10 men, Manchester United needed to hit back quickly and almost snatched an equaliser when O'Shea's shot deflected off Vidic and skidded narrowly wide.

The Red Devils were rocked when Michael Carrick hesitated on the edge of the box, the ball found its way to Lucas and his side-foot shot arrowed into the corner via Vidic's ankle. Game over, it seemed - and the end of Manchester United's fading title hopes, but then everything changed as on the hour mark Manchester United woke up, and Liverpool went to sleep.

From Nani's corner, Valencia stole in completely unmarked at the far post to volley in and hand Manchester United the defending champions a lifeline they had barely deserved. They were level six minutes later, however, when Rooney crashed in from the penalty spot after Daniel Agger brought down Nani.

Rooney had a chance to win it for Manchester United after substitute Michael Owen cut the ball back to him but the Englishman fired high and wide from 12 yards. But he was not to rue his miss as Manchester United managed to scramble a victory when Owen's shot was deflected, the final touch off the unfortunate Carragher, and keeper Pepe Reina could not keep it out.

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Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "I don't feel unlucky. Angry isn't the right word because we are all angry with ourselves. That result today was a result which came from committing suicide. We just fell apart from 60 minutes. We gifted them the first goal, and the second goal was poor. And then we started to panic a little bit."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "I am very proud of our performance. The first half we didn't play badly but everything went against us. Their first shot on target was a goal, we had a player sent off and just before half-time they score a second. But we did absolutely everything to win the game and we got a very important victory for us. I was not upset with the sending-off of Scholes because his foot was a bit high. I feel it was more a protective tackle than an aggressive one but he was too high - I don't complain."

__________________________________________________​
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio(Dossena 81), Mascherano(Camacho 60), Lucas, Gerrard(C), Riera(Babel 80), Alexis Sanchez, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Degen, Kuyt, Skrtel.

Booked: Johnson, Carragher, Torres, Babel.

Goals: Lucas 16, 44.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick(Anderson 90), Nani(Hargreaves 78), Berbatov(Owen 76), Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Evans, Park, Giggs.

Sent Off: Scholes (34).

Booked: Berbatov, Carrick, O'Shea.

Goals:
Valencia 64, Rooney 70 pen, Owen 90.

Att: 45,330.

Ref:
S Attwell.

Man of the Match: Lucas.
 

shantanu_rooney

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Last updated: 23rd March, 2010

Torres eyes Treble Glory

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Fernando Torres ambitious

Fernando Toores has revealed the opportunity to recreate history has gripped the Liverpool dressing room. The Reds are on course to win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup crowns this season.

Should Jose Mourinho's men prove successful in their treble quest, they will be the third club in the hostory of football to do so after Manchester United in 1999 and Barcelona last season.

Torres admits that opportunity has caught the imagination of a squad desperate to end the 2009/10 campaign with an impressive medal collection. "All the players are talking about what we can do because its unique," said the Spain international. "It's all we talk about at the moment - how good it would be if we could go all the way in every competition.

"There is a lot of determination now to do it after the Manchster United defeat. I suppose there would be a lot of disappointment if we didn't win everything now. I don't want to sound greedy, but at Liverpool there is always a duty to win everything you play for and every time we lose a game there is a lot of disappointment around the place.

"I'd gladly take two of the three trophies we play for now, but, yes, we do want to win the lot. We know it's going to be hard but it is in our hands. We are in a great position at the moment. We've got a chance to win everything and there is a real determination not to throw anything away."
 

shantanu_rooney

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Last updated: 3rd April, 2010

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Javier Mascherano scored the winner which earned Liverpool three priceless points against Stoke City in a lively encounter at Anfield.

They should have led by half-time as Torres saw two headers cleared off the line and Ryan Babel had a goal ruled out for offside. Mascherano finally found the net after the break, poking home after Ryan Shawcross had impeded his own goalkeeper. James Beattie's overhead shot tipped onto the bar was Stoke's best chance in a frantic second half as Liverpool held on.

The win leaves the Merseysiders nine points ahead of Arsenal, who are to play on Sunday, and almost ten points ahead of Manchester United who defeated Portsmouth at home to gain third position in the league.

Any plans Stoke may have had for the afternoon were thrown into disarray as early as the third minute, when Rory Delap was stretched off with a knee injury. This may explain why they seemed so out of sorts for most of the first half, as the home side dominated without managing to get on the scoreboard.

Torres came close when he got on the end of Fabio Aurelio's cross from the left, only to see his goal-bound header cleared from under the bar by Shawcross. Aurelio was a constant threat on the left, weaving his way through the defence only to fire straight at Thomas Sorensen, before Torres saw another goal-bound header cleared off the line, this time by Liam Lawrence.

Stoke did not produce a shot worthy of note in the half, and the first meaningful statistic they contributed was when Andy Griffin earned the first booking of the match for a clumsy challenge on Torres. From the resulting free-kick by Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani flicked on to Babel, who poked in from close range, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Mascherano finally found the back of the net for Liverpool just after half-time, bundling home from close range after Sorensen was obstructed by Shawcross, and this lit the fuse for a much more exciting second half.

Beattie came within inches of levelling when his stunning overhead shot was superbly tipped onto the bar Pepe Reina, but the home side hit back when Alberto Aquilani pounced on a dreadful defensive mix-up to put the ball in the net, only to be denied by yet another offside flag.

Mascherano's booking for a foul on Griffin could prove costly as it earned him a suspension, and after that he put his efforts into defending Liverpool's lead in the face of a fierce Stoke City attack. Mamady Sidibe was replaced by Richard Cresswell as the visitors threw everything into attack, but for all their industry, Etherington's shot fumbled behind for a corner was a rare serious threat to the Liverpool goal.

The home side dug in to defend in depth and responded perfectly by earning vital three points after two consecutive deafeats to Bolton and Manchester United.

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Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "The players deserve great credit not just for the way they played but in the circumstances in which they played because we didn't just battle, scrap and run and fight we actually played it on quite a few occasions. We had maybe three kicked off the line, a couple have gone down Thomas Sorensen's throat which could have gone either side and we've had a couple of goals disallowed which were touch and go and not a massive amount came from Stoke."

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis:
"We came here with a patched up side and then lost Rory Delap through injury in the first five minutes. Liverpool have played to their strengths and we found that difficult especially in the first 45 minutes. Anfield is a very difficult place to come to. I do not think we got a lot of protection from the referee and I am disappointed with a few things that went on."

__________________________________________________​
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Aurelio, Mascherano, Gerrard(C), Aquilani(Lucas 80), Babel, Kuyt(Alexis Sanchez 70), Torres(Destro 88)
Subs Not Used: Diego, Appiah, Riera, Degen.

Booked:
Mascherano, Aquilani.

Goals:
Mascherano 49.

Stoke: Sorensen, Neill(Wilkinson 90), Shawcross, Faye, Griffin(C), Lawrence, Whitehead, Delap(Etherington 4), Soares, Sidibe(Cresswell 71), Beattie.
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Higginbotham, Davies, Dickinson.

Booked: Neill, Griffin.

Att: 43,771.

Ref:
S Bennett

Man of the Match: Thomas Sorensen.
 
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shantanu_rooney

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Last updated: 4th April 2010

Liverpool suffer Babel injury blow

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Babel to miss some key matches

Liverpool have been dealt a severe blow with the news that Dutch winger Ryan Babel is facing up up to six weeks on the sidelines with a torn muscle in his thigh.

The 23-year-old lasted for 89 minutes of the Reds' 1-0 win to Stoke City in the Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday before being forced off and scans have now revealed the extent of the damage.

Early indications suggest Babel could miss Liverpool's next eight games, including Champions League quarter final both legs against Chelsea, FA Cup semi-final tie against Everton at the Wembley and even Liverpool's Premier League ties against West Ham, Sunderland and Portsmouth.

Babel will miss no international matches for his country Holland and could make his return for the travel to the Emirates to face the title rivals Arsenal who are currently just six points behind Liverpool on April 28th .

The news comes a major blow to Reds boss Jose Mourinho, who has seen his side struggle of late after a brilliant start to the 2009-10 campaign picking up just three points of possible nine in the last three matches.

"It's a big blow for us because he has been in great form since recently and especially in the Champions League," said Mourinho. "I'm not going to put any targets on his return. He will be back when he's back, but we have lost him for the foreseeable future."
 

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Last updated: 5th April 2010

Agger wary of Drogba threat

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Drogba could cause Liverpool problems

Daniel Agger has admitted that he regards Didier Drogba as his most formidable opponent. The Liverpool defender will come up against Drogba when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Drogba helped to fire the Blues past Liverpool in last season's quarter-finals and Agger feels he will once again present the main threat. The Dane nevertheless believes his side can gain revenge and progress to the last four at Chelsea's expense.

He said: "It's going to be tough, of course, they have so many good players including Drogba. But we feel we can win it. When people ask me about who was the most dangerous striker, I always say Didier Drogba.

"In a way he's becoming stronger and stronger. He's been having some injury problems in the last few months but now he's scoring goals, he's scored five or six in the last eight games or something like that and we know it will be difficult to stop him.

"But really, we think we can do it. We know what Drogba did in the quarter-final last time and they beat us, but we feel we can beat them at any time."

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been playing at their best and Agger expects the star duo to shine once again. "It will not be easy, when you play Chelsea they are always such a tough opponent, but the way we are playing we have probably the confidence on our side," Agger explained.

"The small things as always will make the difference in this competition. But we are confident, we have form and we have some top-class players. Torres is sheer magic, he is one of the best, if not the best, strikers in the world and he's a key player to the side title ambitions.

"Gerrard is the best midfielder in the world, there is no doubt about that. This is probably the best season of his career. I feel proud and really lucky to play alongside him, and he gives us the inspiration to do anything."
 

shantanu_rooney

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Last updated: 7th April 2010

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Chelsea and Liverpool meet in the UEFA Champions League for the sixth season in succession as they prepare to do battle in the 2009/10 quarter-finals.

Form Guide
The hosts Chelsea haven't been in the best of forms this season in the Premier League. They have not won a single game in the last five Premier League matches out of which they have drawn four and lost once against Liverpool. But in the Champions League this season they have been beaten only once by Marseille and have won the rest seven matches.

Liverpool too have struggled of late in the Premier League, having won just once in the last three Premier League matches and have lost two, one against Bolton at the Reebok and one against bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield. In the Champions League, Liverpool haven't fired all cylinders yet as they have won just four of the eight they played so far.

Team News
Chelsea will be without their two new key players Simon Rolfes and Ricardo Montolivo as they are ineligible for this season's European matches, while young striker Daniel Sturridge is out with a chest injury.

Liverpool have problems of their own, as both of their left backs Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena are out with a twisted knee and hamstring injury, while Ryan Babel will also miss the encounter due a thigh injury.

Star Man
John Terry would be the one to watch out for from the Chelsea team, as they have conceded just three goals in the ten European matches they have played so far this season. Being the first leg away from home, Javier Mascherano will play a huge role in this match as he could be vital to break the Chelsea attacks.

Possible Starting XI
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Ballack, Cole, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Alexis Sanchez, Kuyt, Torres.

Odds
Chelsea 5/1, Draw 9/4, Liverpool 7/4.

Referee
Ivan Bebek will officiate this game. He has taken charge of 7 games so far this season handing out 12 yellow cards.
 

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Quarter-Finals - 7 April 2010 20:15 GMT - Stamford Bridge - Chelsea - England

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Torres gives Reds the edge

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Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard enjoy the winner

A Champions League goal from Fernando Torres gave Liverpool FC a significant advantage in their quarter-final against Chelsea FC as the Merseyside side withstood fierce second-half pressure to win in London.

Jose Mourinho's men may be struggling for form in the Primera League but having continued their impressive European run, they will be confident of booking a semi-final place in next Wednesday's second leg after expertly nullifying their fellow English opponents. Chelsea's hopes suffered an early setback when Torres struck the vital away goal after just 16 minutes, and things might have got worse for Carlo Ancelotti's team who were outplayed for long spells of the first half. Despite improving markedly after the break, the London club never found the key to unlock the visitors' stubborn rearguard.

Facing Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League for the sixth successive season, the hosts seemed to be suffering from confidence in the opening exchanges as Liverpool seized the initiative. The Merseyside outfit created their first opportunity on eight minutes when Steven Gerrard slipped Lucas clear through the middle, only for Petr Cech to race off his line to smother. Yet Cech, outstanding against Panathinaikos in the previous round, was picking the ball out of his net eight minutes later. Lucas' slide-rule pass found Alexis Sanchez in space on the left and after the Chelsea goalkeeper failed to hold his first-time shot, Sanchez flicked the ball across for the inform Torres to tap in his first goal in almost five matches.

With Didier Drogba isolated in attack and his closest ally Frank Lampard being well marshalled by an authoritative Javier Mascherano, Chelsea struggled to make inroads. A tame 21th-minute attempt from Drogba – easily saved by Pepe Reina – sparked a slight improvement, and John Terry twice came close to connecting with Ballack set-pieces. But Liverpool's passing remained fluid, and with Sanchez, Torres and Dirk Kuyt seamlessly interchanging positions, the Reds threatened at regular intervals. They nearly added a second on the half-hour after Kuyt escaped the attentions of Ashley Cole on the right and crossed for Torres, who looked poised to score again before Terry's outstretched leg diverted the ball fractionally wide.

If Chelsea's first-half display had been strangely muted, they came out firing after the restart, enjoying their first period of sustained pressure. Lampard's dangerous strike was deflected wide by Martin Skrtel before, moments later, Michael Ballack's fizzing low effort was spilled without consequence by Reina. Ashley Cole was next to try his luck and, though the left-back blasted high over the bar, the more positive approach was greeted by a roar of approval from the Stamford Bridge fans.

The introduction of Joe Cole and Salmon Kalou also gave Chelsea more cutting edge and the Reds defence was suddenly stretched. Didier Drogba deflected Kalou's shot narrowly wide in the 70th minute before Lampard squandered his team's best chance of the night, firing across Reina but centimetres past the post having been played through by Terry. Substitute Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole nodded over, then Terry's powerful header was touched over by Reina as Chelsea finished strongly, yet Liverpool clung on tenaciously to their advantage.

__________________________________________________​
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry(C), Caravalho, Cole, Belleti(Anelka 65), Ballack(Cole 60), Essien, Deco(Kalou 60), Lampard, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Zhirkov, Alex, Malouda.

Booked: Terry, Essien, Belletti.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Mascherano, Gerrard(C), Lucas(Aquilani 72), Alexis Sanchez, Kuyt, Torres(Destro 88).
Subs Not Used: Diego, Riera, Dossena, Camacho.

Booked: Carragher.

Att: 41,740.

Ref: I Bebek.

Man of the Match: Pepe Reina.
 
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Quarter-Finals - 7 April 2010 20:15 GMT - Stamford Bridge - Chelsea - England

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Torres gives Reds the edge

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Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard enjoy the winner

A Champions League goal from Fernando Torres gave Liverpool FC a significant advantage in their quarter-final against Chelsea FC as the Merseyside side withstood fierce second-half pressure to win in London.

Jose Mourinho's men may be struggling for form in the Primera League but having continued their impressive European run, they will be confident of booking a semi-final place in next Wednesday's second leg after expertly nullifying their fellow English opponents. Chelsea's hopes suffered an early setback when Torres struck the vital away goal after just 16 minutes, and things might have got worse for Carlo Ancelotti's team who were outplayed for long spells of the first half. Despite improving markedly after the break, the London club never found the key to unlock the visitors' stubborn rearguard.

Facing Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League for the sixth successive season, the hosts seemed to be suffering from confidence in the opening exchanges as Liverpool seized the initiative. The Merseyside outfit created their first opportunity on eight minutes when Steven Gerrard slipped Lucas clear through the middle, only for Petr Cech to race off his line to smother. Yet Cech, outstanding against Panathinaikos in the previous round, was picking the ball out of his net eight minutes later. Lucas' slide-rule pass found Alexis Sanchez in space on the left and after the Chelsea goalkeeper failed to hold his first-time shot, Sanchez flicked the ball across for the inform Torres to tap in his first goal in almost five matches.

With Didier Drogba isolated in attack and his closest ally Frank Lampard being well marshalled by an authoritative Javier Mascherano, Chelsea struggled to make inroads. A tame 21th-minute attempt from Drogba ? easily saved by Pepe Reina ? sparked a slight improvement, and John Terry twice came close to connecting with Ballack set-pieces. But Liverpool's passing remained fluid, and with Sanchez, Torres and Dirk Kuyt seamlessly interchanging positions, the Reds threatened at regular intervals. They nearly added a second on the half-hour after Kuyt escaped the attentions of Ashley Cole on the right and crossed for Torres, who looked poised to score again before Terry's outstretched leg diverted the ball fractionally wide.

If Chelsea's first-half display had been strangely muted, they came out firing after the restart, enjoying their first period of sustained pressure. Lampard's dangerous strike was deflected wide by Martin Skrtel before, moments later, Michael Ballack's fizzing low effort was spilled without consequence by Reina. Ashley Cole was next to try his luck and, though the left-back blasted high over the bar, the more positive approach was greeted by a roar of approval from the Stamford Bridge fans.

The introduction of Joe Cole and Salmon Kalou also gave Chelsea more cutting edge and the Reds defence was suddenly stretched. Didier Drogba deflected Kalou's shot narrowly wide in the 70th minute before Lampard squandered his team's best chance of the night, firing across Reina but centimetres past the post having been played through by Terry. Substitute Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole nodded over, then Terry's powerful header was touched over by Reina as Chelsea finished strongly, yet Liverpool clung on tenaciously to their advantage.

__________________________________________________​
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry(C), Caravalho, Cole, Belleti(Anelka 65), Ballack(Cole 60), Essien, Deco(Kalou 60), Lampard, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Zhirkov, Alex, Malouda.

Booked: Terry, Essien, Belletti.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Mascherano, Gerrard(C), Lucas(Aquilani 72), Alexis Sanchez, Kuyt, Torres(Destro 88).
Subs Not Used: Diego, Riera, Dossena, Camacho.

Booked: Carragher.

Att: 41,740.

Ref: I Bebek.

Man of the Match: Pepe Reina.


Darn! I thought The Blues would edge this one! And no-one sent off. There is a surprise!:)
 

shantanu_rooney

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Last updated: 10th April 2010

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West Ham notched a second successive Premier League victory after coming from behind to beat Premier League leaders Liverpool at Upton Park.

Fernando Torres rounded off a free-kick move from 20 yards out to give Liverpool an early lead. West Ham equalised in equally spectacular fashion when Mark Noble rifled his fifth goal Of the season from 23 yards. Carlton Cole completed the turnaround by planting home an unmarked header from eight yards.

West Ham, seeking a Second successive Premier League win, were sloppy right from the kick-off when Hertia Ilunga was caught in possession by Dirk Kuyt, whose cross was cut out by Matthew Upson.

The home side were certainly caught napping on seven minutes when Liverpool took the lead through a stunning goal from Torres. Ignacio Camacho was fouled by Valon Behrami near the left-hand corner flag, and a training-ground routine saw the ball pulled back to the edge of the box where Spain international Torres blasted home a first-time shot for his sixteenth goal this season in the Premier League.

West Ham regained their composure after that early shock and Scott Parker's slide-rule pass inside Martin Skrtel found Cole, who was thwarted by the alert Pepe Reina who dashed from his line and spread himself to save. More sloppy West Ham defending might have allowed Liverpool to double their lead, but Alberto Aquilani's pass to the unmarked Alexis Sanchez was just too heavy.

West Ham then swept down the field almost immediately to level through another stunning goal from Noble. The England under-21 international stepped inside Mascherano and shifted the ball on to his right foot to unleash an unstoppable shot for his fifth goal for West Ham this season.

Noble was growing in influence and his inch-perfect cross-field pass picked out Ezequiel Lavezzi, who cut inside to fire in a powerful shot which was beaten away by Reina. West Ham finished the half strongly and Sanchez's error gifted the ball to Parker who dipped a volley inches over the bar from 25 yards.

It took West Ham just five minutes of the second half to turn the game on its head and take the lead, with Carlton Cole scoring his third goal in the same amount of games. The English striker was fouled 30 yards from goal by Philip Degen and, as Parker curled in the free-kick, Cole lost his marker to plant an unopposed header past Reina from eight yards.

Liverpool's afternoon took an even more sour note when Kuyt was fouled by Gabbidon and had to be substituted by Mattia Destro due to a foot injury. West Ham were firmly in control and were searching for the comfort of a third goal.

It might have arrived had Lavezzi's first touch been better when found by Parker, while Reina parried a powerful drive from Ilunga and enjoyed a stroke of luck as Jack Collison headed the loose ball wide of a gaping goal. There was still some defending to do to but Liverpool's appeals for a penalty were half-hearted at best as Matthew Upson strongly stood his ground when Torres threatened.

In a frantic finale, Mattia Destro saw his header saved by Robert Green as Liverpool keeper Reina added his weight at a corner. And as the ball was cleared to Parker, his effort on an unguarded goal from deep inside the West Ham half sailed just wide.

__________________________________________________​
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola: "We know that Noble has a good shot on him and we've been encouraging him to shoot more when he sees the target. Carlton Cole scored another crucial goal, but he's scoring lots of goals of late thanks to his team-mates. As for their penalty claim, I dont think that it was a penalty and the referee has got it spot on."

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "Its was a poor and disappointing performance overall. We are being sloppy over the last few weeks and maybe that's because of this hectic schedule towards the end of the season. We have lost nine points in the last four matches and now the gap between us and the second would be only three points. We need to get our focus back on track for the last seven games."

__________________________________________________​
West Ham: Green, Ilunga, Upson(C), Gabbidon, Behrami, Noble, Kovac, Parker, Collison, Lavezzi, Cole(Ashton 88).
Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Buonanotte, Galletti, Spector, Dyer, Boa Morte.

Booked: Gabbidon.

Goals: Noble 20, Cole 50.

Liverpool: Reina, Degen(Riera 80), Carragher(C), Skrtel, Dossena, Mascherano, Camacho, Aquilani(Lucas 60), Kuyt(Destro 60), Alexis Sanchez, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Johnson, Agger, San Jose.

Booked: Carragher.

Goals: Torres 7.

Att: 34,946.

Ref: M Halsey.

Man of the Match: Scott Parker.
 

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Last updated: 12th April 2010

Gerrard and Kuyt to miss Chelsea clash

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Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt out of Chelsea encounter

Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt have both been ruled out of Liverpool's Champions League encounter against Chelsea at Anfield tomorrow because of injuries picked during the last week.

Gerrard, Liverpool's captain, suffered a groin injury in Liverpool's Champions League first leg win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday and limped out of training two days later, subsequently missing the away defeat to West Ham in the Premier League. Kuyt suffered a damaged foot injury, with Liverpool, during their 2-1 defeat to West Ham at Upton Park in the Premier League on Saturday.

Both players have been unable to train with the Anfield club since Sunday, and neither will be involved at Anfield for the second leg of Champions League quarter-final clash against Chelsea, which the Reds lead 1-0.

Liverpool's manager, Jose Mourinho, now faces the prospect of playing without their inspiration captain and their leading goal scorer for an important match against Chelsea, and add to that they already have three more players sidelined with injuries.

Alberto Aquilani, Ignacio Camacho and Javier Mascherano played in Liverpool's Premier League defeat to West Ham, and with Mourinho short of midfield options, the three players are now expected to start against Chelsea in tomorrow's Champions League clash at Anfield

Mourinho was more enthusiastic about Fernando Torres' chances of starting. Torres had picked up a knock in action for Liverpool during the weekend. "He was training normally with the team and will be available," he said.
 

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Quarter-Finals - 13 April 2010 20:15 GMT - Anfield - Liverpool - England

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Solid Liverpool hold firm at home

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Michael Ballack angry on referee when sent off

Liverpool FC reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in three seasons after a goalless draw at home to Chelsea FC, earned them a 1-0 aggregate win and a semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Jose Mourinho's side had returned home to Merseyside with a one-goal cushion provided by Fernando Torres. The English team progressed in the semi-finals by holding at bay a spirited Chelsea side who finished the match with ten men after Michael Ballack was sent off 11 minutes from time having collected two yellow cards in quick succession.

Already without the injured Didier Drogba and ineligible duo of Simon Rolfes and Ricardo Montolivo, away coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to omit Paulo Ferreira in favour of Jose Bosingwa while both Fernando Torres and Aquilani started for the hosts despite limping off at the weekend and Ignacio Camacho made way for Lucas. The Brazilian international introduced himself with a crunching tackle on Nicolas Anelka and, after a slow start, the game came to life on the quarter-hour when Liverpool cleared a throw-in as far as Ashley Cole, who unleashed a first-time half-volley that bounced just wide of Pepe Reina's goal.

Liverpool quickly responded as Torres controlled Aquilani's long ball with a slick drag-back to wrong-foot John Terry and force a save from Petr Cech with a left-foot shot. The visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession, however, Ballack coming into the match more as the half wore on and Ashley Cole causing problems for Glen Johnson with his rapid raids down the left. Liverpool nearly found their own left flank a profitable outlet seven minutes before the break, Dossena galloping away and cutting into the Chelsea area only for the defender's control to let him down with Aquilani and Lucas clamouring for the cutback.

The Italian's next involvement was to intercept a Ballack through-ball aimed at Frank Lampard seconds after the restart. From the ensuing move Torres played a one-two with Albert Riera and accelerated past Terry only to be denied by the alert Cech, who dived bravely at the Spaniard's feet. Liverpool were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure and use the pace of Alexis Sanchez or Torres on the counterattack. Midway through the second half Ballack surged down the left and crossed for Anelka, who was centimetres from making contact.

On the break Liverpool had a superb opportunity of their own, Riera laying the ball into the path of Aquilani whose effort was pushed away by the excellent Cech. Chelsea poured forward again and Andriy Shevchenko almost caught Reina out with a 15-metre shot but his attempt struck Mascherano and looped into the Spain international's arms. Two minutes later Reina stretched to make an excellent reaction save from Ballack's fierce drive from the edge of the box.

Chelsea's fading hopes were dealt another blow with 11 minutes left when the Germany international was dismissed for a second bookable offence after bringing down Dossena. The hosts had opportunities to confirm their progress in style. Riera raced through and beat his marker with a clever feint only to fire wide, before Lucas followed suit in missing two good chances in the last eight minutes, twice sprinting down the left only to blaze over and then overrun the ball. It was academic, however, as Liverpool had already done enough.

__________________________________________________​
Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher(C), Skrtel(Agger 75), Johnson, Mascherano(Appiah 74), Aquilani, Lucas, Riera, Alexis Sanchez, Torres(Destro 88).
Subs Not Used: Diego, Camacho, Plessis, San Jose.

Booked: Dossema, Skrtel, Mascherano, Lucas, Aquilani, Agger.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry(C), Caravlho(Belletti 78), Cole, Essien, Deco(Shevchenko 46), Ballack, Cole(Zhirkov 74), Lampard, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Alex, Ivanovic, Malouda.

Booked: Cole, Ballack, Anelka.

Sent Off: Ballack (79).

Att: 45,339.

Ref: T Ovrebo.

Man of the Match: Alexis Sanchez.
 

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Quarter-Final Results

Quarter-Finals First Leg - Tuesday 6th April 2009

AC Milan 1-2 Inter Milan
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Andrea Pirlo 2'

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Esteban Cambiasso 21'
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Goran Pandev 37'


FC Barcelona 2-1 Fiorentina
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Xavi 43'
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Lionel Messi 79'

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Alberto Gilardino 79'


Quarter-Finals First Leg - Wednesday 7th April 2009

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
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Fernando Torres 16'


Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
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Miroslav Klose og 18'
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Rio Ferdinand 22'

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Bastian Schweinsteiger 83'


Quarter-Finals Second Leg - Tuesday 13th April 2009

Bayern Munich a(2) 1-0 (2) Manchester United
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Miroslaw Klose 42'


Liverpool (1) 0-0 (0) Chelsea
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Michael Ballack S/O 79'


Quarter-Finals Second Leg - Wednesday 14th April 2009

Fiorentina (4) 3-0 (2) FC Barcelona
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Alessandro Gamberini 12'
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Juan Manuel Vargas 46', 71'


Inter Milan (3) 1-0 (1) AC Milan
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Ricardo Quaresma 90'


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Semi-Finals Draw

Bayern Munich v Liverpool FC
Inter Milan v Fiorentina​
 

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