Former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho wentto Old Trafford and saw Fernando Torres' 55th-minute winner give Liverpool their crucial three points at Old Trafford.
The visitors had to withstand tremendous pressure with former AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani booting two goal-bound efforts off the line and keeper Pepe Reina saving superbly from Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
The defending champions grabbed the points when impressive substitute Sergio Aguero booted a half-cleared Alexis Sanchez corner back into the box and Torres bundled it past keeper Edwin van der Sar. Aguero had replaced, Dirk Kuyt, just after half-time and instilled more purpose in an Liverpool attack which until the break had relied too heavily upon Spanish Fernando Torres.
The statistics had suggested Liverpool were up against it as they chased their second win against the top four side this season, and the afternoon started badly with a serious-looking injury to influential skipper Steven Gerrard. The English midfielder slipped unchallenged close to the halfway line and collapsed to the turf, with play being held up for five minutes as he was strapped to a stretcher and carried off.
But the visitors, despite a tentative-looking formation with five strung loosely across midfield, looked confident and the Spanish striker just failed to connect with a deep cross from the right by Glen Johnson. Liverpool's caution was perhaps understandable given their failure without their influential skipper Steven Gerrard while the Red Devils were going in search of a eight consecutive home win stretching back to the last campaign.
Red Devils responded in the 14th minute when Nani found space on the left and crossed towards Berbatv, only for Vargas to react with a superb saving challenge in the box. Then Englishman Wayne Rooney burst into the box in the 18th minute after playing a clever one-two with Berbatov and clattered a rising effort against the underside of the bar before it was hacked to safety.
Ryan Babel tried a long-range effort that sailed harmlessly into van der Sar's hands before a dull game sprang into life in the 35th minute when Alexis Sanchez dipped a shot just over the bar from long range.
Two minutes later Torres rose highest in the United box to connect with a Aquilani corner and head goalwards only for van der Sar to superbly tip his effort against the post. And moments later at the other end Rooney found himself with a similar chance but his header was booted off the line in the first of Aquilani's two goal-line clearances.
United pressed at the start of the second half but it was Liverpool who snatched the lead in the 55th minute when the impressive Aguero dipped the ball back across the box for Torres to stab home. United piled forward from the re-start, Carrick's free-kick almost teeing up Rooney at the far post, then Nemanja Vidic's powerful header from a Nani corner headed off the line by Aquilani.
United came even closer in the 67th minute when Nani crossed from the left but Reina managed to save at point-blank range from Berbatov before Owen bundled the rebound wide. And they must have begun to feel it was not going to be their day when Reina palmed away an Carrick effort in the 75th minute before also getting down to save the follow-up from Berbatov.
Carrick slammed a long-range effort over the bar and Nani somehow failed to connect when he slid in to meet Antonio Valencia's cross behind the Liverpool defence with seven minutes left. Vidic directed a close-range header straight at Reina and Aguero should have wrapped it up for the visitors in the dying seconds when he burst clear on the counter-attack but dragged his shot inches wide.
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "We had more than enough chances to win the game and we only have ourselves to blame. We have not defended against a set-piece properly and that happens far too often and we have to toughen up as a group. We now have a huge game at Chelsea because its one of the game we feel we can win it this season."
Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "Pepe made some great saves. He's a big lad and he's agile and alert. He does the right thing at the right time and I'm delighted he's between our sticks. We've been a lot better than that in most of the games this season. But people aren't interested about that. All they want to know is the score and we'll take 1-0."
Mourinho sweat on Gerrard injury 21st September, 2010
Steven Gerrard injured against Manchester United
Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho is waiting to discover if club captain and play-maker Steven Gerrard has suffered cruciate ligament damage.
The English international fell to the floor with no other player in the vicinity during the opening moments of Sunday's 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Gerrard was stretchered from the pitch after receiving treatment on his knee and has undergone a scan to discover the extent of the damage.
Gerrard is keeping his fingers crossed that the injury is to the medial ligaments, which would lead to an absence of up to five weeks, rather than the more serious cruciate problem, which could see Gerarrd sidelined for several months.
He told the club's official website: "Steven was in yesterday(Monday) and his knee hadn't blown up. There's damage there and he's going for a scan and we'll hopefully get the results this afternoon or this evening. We've got to be hopeful it is not as serious as it potentially could be.
"The worst-case scenario is that it is an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Hopefully it's just a medial knee ligament problem, which would keep him out for four to six weeks. But let's wait and see."
Steven Gerrard will be out of action for almost six weeks
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will be out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. The English suffered the injury during the early stages of the Reds' 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho feared Gerrard could have suffered serious damage to his knee, which would have led to months on the sidelines. However, scans have shown Gerrard has hurt his medial ligaments and he could return to the Liverpool team at the end of October.
"Gerrard has damaged his medial knee ligament, which is good news, if there is such a thing as good news with a medial knee ligament problem," Mourinho told the club's official website. "There was a chance it could have been a lot worse than that. It could have been an anterior cruciate ligament. Thankfully it's a medial knee ligament and we'll hopefully have him back in five to six weeks."
Premier League and Chmapions League winners Liverpool eased past League One side Southampton and into the Carling Cup fourth round.
The Reds, who had dominated from the start, took the lead when Alan Dzagoev fired brilliantly into the top corner. Dzagoev made it 2-0 from the spot after he was fouled by Nuno Valente and David N'Gog's diving header sealed Liverpool's victory. Southampton had keeper Lewis Thompson taken to hospital as a precaution after he was hurt in a collision with Liverpool stopper Mikel San Jose and the post.
Saints boss Alan Pardrew had shuffled his side by making 5 changes to the side that had defeated Sheffield United 5-3 on penalties in the second round of the Carling Cup. The hosts never settled and Liverpool, with their recent form, were never seriously troubled.
Reds had plenty of chances to open the scoring but Sergio Aguero had two efforts cleared off the line while Ignacio Camacho and David N'Gog went close. But Pardrew would have been more concerned by the injury Thompson suffered five minutes before half-time.
He tried to deal with a Dzagoev free-kick but, under pressure from San Jose, he smashed head-first into a post. Thompson gingerly got to his feet but collapsed and, after several minutes of treatment, he was stretchered off to be replaced by Jimmy Walker.
Sergio Aguero should have broken the deadlock up early in the second half when he ran clear but he fired horribly wide and managed to injure himself in the process. Southampton at last carved out a chance through Andrew Davies but his shot was blocked and Liverpool continued to press and they got their reward through Dzagoev after 65 minutes.
The young Russian playmaker beat Ashley Williams before letting fly with a fierce shot that flew past Jimmy Walker. Dzagoev's penalty made sure of the Reds' progress before David N'Gog headed home his side's third from Martin Kelly's cross.
Made easy work of that. Sometimes these games can be tricky because usually the opponents have nothing to lose. But a comfortable win in the end and got some of the other guys in the squad to get a good run out.
Premier League champions Liverpool put high-flying West Brom Albion in their place to continue thier winning streak in the Barclays Premier League.
West Brom had gone into the match at the Anfield Stadium trailing the Reds only by two points in fourth place but a stunning strike from Dirk Kuyt after just five minutes established superiority. The Baggies hit the post through Roman Bednar but Sergio Aguero pounced on a mistake and Fernando Torres struck from close range to settle the contest.
It was the perfect response from Liverpool after winning the game at Old Trafford last weekend even though they never had the upper hand in it. West Brom, who had won three of their previous five fixtures, battled hard but in the end were well beaten by a Liverpool side whose extra class was evident.
Liverpool, lifted by the return of Alberto Aquilani in midfield, were soon into their stride as Dirk Kuyt gave them an early lead with a delicate right-footed chip which oozed class. The Dutch winger displayed perfect technique to clip over the keeper Scott Carson after Paul Robinson had dispossessed Fernando Torres but failed to clear. It was his 1st goal of the season.
West Brom, after conceding for the third time in five matches, tried to respond through Geovanni but the Brazilian was denied a free-kick after running into Jamie Carragher. Kuyt tried his luck again with a shot from a free-kick 30 yards out but could not find the target.
James Morrison looked to have West Brom's first real chance but was flagged offside as he shot at Pepe Reina. Yet the visitors were inches away from an equaliser after 22 minutes as Roman Bednar's low shot from 20 yards took a slight deflection and beat Reina, only to bounce back off the post.
Geovanni also tested Reina with a long-range free-kick but the Liverpool goalkeeper beat the ball away after it bounced awkwardly in front of him. West Brom were then forced to sit back for a spell and survived a scare as Torres found room to shoot but fired over.
Aguero went even closer with a ferocious drive just before the break but Carson did brilliantly to tip over. Reina was also in action again, keeping out another Geovanni free-kick and a Bednar header.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 54th minute as British record signing Sergio Aguero capitalised on uncertainty in the visiting defence. Leon Barnett and Scott Cuthbert, so impressive in recent weeks, switched off as they allowed a ball to bounce between them. Carson came forward to gather but was caught in two minds as he reached the edge of the area and Aguero nipped past him to turn the ball home for his first ever goal in the Liverpool jersey.
Torres should have added a third moments later but blasted over. The Spanish striker, however, made up for his earlier misses as he reacted first to stab home a Carragher cross from close range after 78 minutes.
Another West Brom substitute, Ishmael Miller, headed a late chance wide from a corner but there was to be no consolation. Nevertheless, the Baggies have still enjoyed a fine introduction to their return to the top flight. Their journey will continue on the next Saturday when they travel to Arsenal.
Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "I think Dirk Kuyt's goal was one of the best in the Premier League this season. It was a fantastic goal - only Dirk Kuyt can make this goal. It was one of the best goals I have seen in my life. He is a very intelligent player and he is a man that is never tired. There are many good players in England, and one of the best is Dirk."
West Brom boss Tony Mowbray: "To go behind after six minutes gave us an uphill task. We said at half-time that we just need one goal and we are back but we conceded a poor goal straight away. But we have 11 points from 6 games and we have to make sure that we continue to build on that."
Barnsley have been handed a home date with 2008-09 winners Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The Tykes' reward for their victory over Birmingham is an Oakwell showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson's troops.
Holders Arsenal will tackle new-comers Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium as the two Premier League clubs go head-to-head. Chelsea will have high hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals after being drawn against Premier League side Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.
Premier League and Champions League winners Liverpool will face Wolves at Anfield. Stoke City will tackle Everton at the Britannia Stadium, while Aston Villa welcome Bolton Wanderers to Villa Park.
Charlton Athletic will face fellow championship side Nottingham Forest at the Vallery. While Portsmouth will hope for more cup cheer when they travel to Upton Park to face West Ham United.
Barnsely v Man Utd
Aston Villa v Bolton
Charlton v Nottm Forest Liverpool v Wolves
Chelsea v Blackburn
Stoke v Everton
West Ham v Portsmouth
Arsenal v Newcastle
Liverpool FC gave NK Dinamo Zagreb a lesson in what the UEFA Champions League is all about as the holders brushed aside the debutants at Anfield to wrest early control of the Group E table.
An away game against last season's kings of Europe was always going to provide the sternest of tests for the Croatian title-holders, and so it proved as Liverpool established a two-goal half-time lead through Fernando Torres and Alexis Sanchez before wrapping the tie up after the break thanks to further strikes from Dirk Kuyt, Sergio Aguero and Fernando Torres - his second of the night.
Krunoslav Jurcic had vowed beforehand that Dinamo were not here merely to make up the numbers, although their early endeavour was undone on nine minutes when they fell behind to a trademark Liverpool goal. Dirk kuyt was involved, skipping away from Mario Katic before laying the ball into Aguero who set up Torres to drill a low drive into the bottom corner of the net from just outside the box.
Despite conceding the first of the night, Dinamo looked reasonably assured pressing forward as they attempted to match the open passing play of the hosts, and their first opportunity of note ended with Ilija Slvonjic warming the gloves of Pepe Reina after deceiving Glen Johnson. The heavens may have opened in the 28th minute, but the torrential downpour failed to put a dampener on Liverpool's attacking intent as Aguero fired wide and Dirk Kuyt fizzed a shot straight at Marko Matic.
The goalkeeper could do little to prevent the Reds doubling their advantage six minutes before the break when Alexis Sanchez picked up an Aguero pass, cut inside Dario Istuk and stroked the ball in with his left foot. The 3,000 travelling supporters in the highest tier of the stadium continued to revel in the atmosphere, even as Jose Mourinho's team made the game safe four minutes after the restart.
Alexis Sanchez was fouled on the corner of the area by Tihomir Erlic and the Chiliean's low strike from the resulting free-kick was fumbled by Matic into the path of Dirk Kuyt who took great delight in side-footing in. Liverpool's insatiable appetite conjured a fourth goal two minutes short of the hour as Aguero ran at the Zagreb rearguard, side-stepped two defenders and calmly passed the ball into the net from just outside the box.
Kristijan Juric blazed narrowly wide and Hristo Yovov drilled a long-distance free-kick over as Dinamo Zagreb sought a consolation, while a crucial sliding tackle from Daniel Agger prevented Juric from registering Dinamo's first group-stage goal - a challenge typical of a command performance which earned the Danish a standing ovation when he was replaced by Martin SKrtel in the 74th minute. Fernando Torres also received one in the final minute, curling in a wonderful fifth and his second to cap a terrific display at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Jose Mourinho has won the Manager of the Month award for September, with Arsenal's Jeremy Toulalan picking up the Player of the Month award.
The holders, Liverpool ended the month with three wins and three clean sheets, sitting at the top of the Premier League table, ahead on goal difference of second placed Everton. They beat Wolves 2-0 thanks to goals from Juan Manuel Vargas and Fernando Torres.
Jose Mourinho's side faced a tough examination of their title credentials against Arsenal and at the end the Reds grabbed a late equaliser from Fernando Torres. Mourinho then took his side to Old Trafford and defeated the title rivals Manchester United.
The Reds ended the month with an comfortable 3-0 at Anfield against high flying West Brom. The award is Mourinho's seventh prize as a Premier League manager as he looks to defend the Premier League title this season.
Mourinho told his club's official website: "I am happy to win the award and I would like to win in December as well. We started the season very well and in September we played very good matches, including the win against United which was a good match. For now the team is in a good moment and we have to maintain this."
Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of former young midfielder Ignacio Camacho from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.
The Spanish under-21 international midfielder has signed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light and will join the club in the January after the two clubs agreed a fee earlier on Monday. The 20-year-old returns to Atletico Madrid one and a half years after leaving the club for the Reds. Camacho explained that he has opted to move back to Spain after failing to settle in Merseyside.
"I had one great seasons with Liverpool where I won the Premier League and the Champions league and I'd like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to play for a club with the history they have and their fantastic supporters. But for personal reasons alone, this is the right move for me," explained Camacho. "My family was unable to settle in Liverpool and Atletico have offered me the chance to return to Madrid, where I spent five years after joining the club as a youngster."
Liverpool turned down a ?8.5m offer during the summer transfer window but Atletico Madrid made a renewed bid of around ?12.5m, couple of days ago for the 20-year-old Spain under-21 player.
Camacho came through the academy at Atletico Madrid and made his debut in a 4-2 La Liga win against FC Barcelona in March 2008. He made 32 appearances for the Colchoneros before moving to Liverpool in a ?6m deal in August 2009.
"Ignacio's ability would be invaluable and he shouldn't take long to settle in when he comes in January as he knows a lot of the lads already and obviously he knows the club inside out," said Atletico boss Rafael Benitez. I'm happy with my squad now. We have strength in depth and healthy competition for places in all areas."
Jose Mourinho has resigned as the manager of Liverpool as on immediate effect because of a lack of control over the transfer policy at the club.
Mourinho took over at Anfield in July 2009, and recorded 48 victories in his 70 matches in charge. His final game at the helm saw the club claim a 5-0 triumph over NK Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday. A statement on the club's official website read: "We can confirm that we have accepted Jose Mourinho's resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties. We wish Jose all the success in the future. Further announcement will be made soon."
Mourinho was believed to be unhappy at the recent transfer of Igancio Camacho to Atletico Madrid a couple of days ago after he previously declared that Javier Mascherano would be the club's final departure this season.
A statement released prior to the announcement read: "The transfers of Javier Mascherano and Ignacio Camacho were right for the club and decisions had to be taken based on our best long-term interests. An agreement could not be reached with Mascherano on a new contract to replace his original deal that had just two years left to run while Camacho had handed in a formal written transfer request after failing to resolve his personal reasons for wanting a move away."
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks added: "I can assure our loyal supporters that we are working hard to bring more success to Liverpool. Everyone, including the chief executive and board, is committed to this common goal. We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all aspects of Liverpool's past, present and future and we will not be deterred. Our fans can look forward to many positive years on and off the pitch."
"The selection of players is critical to the job of the manager and I had an agreement with the club that I alone would determine the composition of the squad," Mourinho said. "However, the club continued to make significant player decisions without involving me. In the end I had no option but to leave. Nevertheless, I wish the club and the players every success in the future."
The club have confirmed assistant manager Sammy Lee will take over as caretaker manager until Mourinho's successor is appointed.
I am very sorry for ending this story in this way, but I wanted to end this one, in some different way and I thought this was the best one. The second reason is that I was playing it on Football Manager 2009 and with Football Manager 2010 in my hand, I have lost interest in the former game.
So, instead of killing this story in which I have put loads of hard work, I decided its better to end. I would like to thank all the readers :hpraise for your support and your wonderful comments, without which this story would have been nothing at all. I tried all my best to entertain everyone and hopefully I have done a bit atleast.
With one story ending you could expect a new one coming soon.. Hopefully I will receive the same support and love for that one also :upray
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Hopefully I will receive the same support and love for that one also :upray
