Liverpool Season 10/11

[Dodomeki]

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Henry: Liverpool lacked depth

6 April 2011

Liverpool owner John W Henry has criticised Tom Hicks and George Gillett for leaving a huge wage bill and a thin squad in their wake.

Henry's Fenway Sports Group (FSG) acquired the English Premier League side in October, after the Liverpool board approved the 300-million-pound sale against the wishes of Hicks and Gillett.

Henry has launched an attack on the former owners, saying he was shocked at the glaring disparity between Liverpool's expenditure and the quality of its roster after taking over from the unpopular American pair.

"The worst surprise was the lack of depth in the squad," Henry told Four Four Two magazine.

"Our biggest concern in taking on this responsibility was this issue and it was a bigger issue than we feared."

"There was a huge multi-year payroll for a squad that had very little quality depth."

Henry has since presided over the 50-million-pound transfer of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, money that was used to secure strikers Andy Carroll from Newcastle United and Luiz Suarez from Ajax.

The American, who also owns Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, is confident he will oversee the first Premier League title at Anfield since the 1989-90 campaign.

"Our number one priority is to win the Premier League title," Henry said.

"That is what we take with us each day to work as the force that drives us to excel."

"If we can accomplish that we will have put ourselves in a position to be successful on all fronts, including Europe."

"Success is winning championships. It is nothing less than that. And when you win a championship ? and we will ? success isn't measured or accomplished by winning once."

The spending is expected to continue in the off-season, with the likes of Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Charlie Adam all believed to be on Henry's shopping list.

 

[Dodomeki]

Liverpool lose Agger for season

6 April 2011

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger will miss the rest of season with a knee injury sustained in his side's 2-1 loss to West Brom on Saturday.

Agger limped off after only 25 minutes at The Hawthorns, and boss Kenny Dalglish revealed it would take two months for the Dane to start training again.

"Daniel has a problem with the tendon behind his knee and won't be involved again this season," Dalglish told the club's official website.

"He'll be out for a couple of months before he can start training."

In a further blow for Dalglish's defensive stocks, right back Glen Johnson will miss up to four weeks after injuring a hamstring eight minutes into the game, and Martin Kelly suffered a setback in his recovery from his own hamstring injury and also faces a lengthy spell out.

"Glen Johnson has a hamstring problem which is usually about three or four weeks and it's the same for Martin Kelly," Dalglish said.

Steven Gerrard is still awaiting the all clear to resume after being sidelined with a groin injury since his side's 3-1 win over Manchester United on March 6.

"We will know about Steven at the end of the week. He will be assessed and we'll see what the story is," Dalglish said.

"It's disappointing for the players because they want to play in every game. We're getting towards the end of the season but if you're injured, you're injured."

"We feel for them but the most important people at the football club are the ones who are fit and able to play. We have to get on with what we've got".

"Fabio Aurelio and Jonjo Shelvey are training again and David Ngog had a game for the reserves on Monday. So we've lost some but we've got a few back."

 

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Premier League: Liverpool 3 Manchester City 0

12 April 2011

Manchester City’s bid for Champions League football took a major hit as they were beaten 3-0 by a resurgent Liverpool at Anfield.

Andy Carroll scored his first goals for Liverpool since his 35 million pound transfer from Newcastle in January, and Dutchman Dirk Kuyt added another as the Reds racked up a three-goal lead by half-time.

And although they did not add to the scoreline in the second half, Liverpool were comfortable enough to show that they could yet be contenders for the top four, if not this season, then certainly next season.

The Reds are unbeaten at home since Dalglish took over, and now only five points behind Tottenham in fifth place.

But Spurs are only three points behind City with a game in hand, and the way Roberto Mancini’s men caved in during the opening half must be a real concern to the Italian manager.

Even worse, they lost inspirational striker Carlos Tevez with a hamstring injury that will rule him out of their FA Cup semi-final against bitter rivals Manchester United on Saturday, and could even put him out of the run-in as they battle for fourth spot.

On an unlucky night for City, it was fitting they fell behind in the 13th minute.

Luis Suarez had already seen a shot pushed on to the post by City keeper Joe Hart when the ball dropped to Carroll after Raul Meireles’ shot was half-blocked by Vincent Kompany.

Carroll did not hesitate before smashing his shot past Hart from 25 yards.

Disaster followed for City soon afterwards when Tevez pulled up clutching his hamstring, and had to leave the pitch.

Kuyt then made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. City failed to clear their lines, and the Dutchman was alert when the ball went right across the penalty area unchallenged, drilling it into the far corner of goal from 18 yards.

And to cap a miserable half, Carroll scored again a minute later, getting a glancing header on an in-swinging cross from Mereiles as Liverpool threatened to run riot.

Shellshocked City tried to reorganise after the break, and did not concede any more goals, but rarely threatened Pepe Reina’s goal, and Carroll almost completed a hat-trick in the closing stages with a header that went just over the bar.

 

[jw5]

Liverpool looked really good against Man City especially in the first half.
In my view, they will be challenging for the title next season.
They need 1 or 2 more good players, both on the left flank. A good solid left back and a tricky speedy left winger/midfielder.
Suarez is a top class player and Carroll is explosive with his left foot and head. If Gerrard is fit, they could be a great team.

 

[Gallego99]

Let's see how they play the Gunners this weekend. They've not been very consistent even under Kenny. What is exciting for the red fans is Dalgish is willing to give youth a lift in senior football and that mush surely augur well for the club.

Wat do you reckon they will do this weekend-own goal, concede penalty or do an encore?

 

[jw5]

Let's see how they play the Gunners this weekend. They've not been very consistent even under Kenny. What is exciting for the red fans is Dalgish is willing to give youth a lift in senior football and that mush surely augur well for the club.

Wat do you reckon they will do this weekend-own goal, concede penalty or do an encore?

It's a must-win game for the gunners, so it will be difficult for Pool especially without Gerrard and key defenders.
Pool will do well to get a draw but Carroll and Suarez must be in top form. The gunners defence also not that great.

 

[Gallego99]

It's a must-win game for the gunners, so it will be difficult for Pool especially without Gerrard and key defenders.
Pool will do well to get a draw but Carroll and Suarez must be in top form. The gunners defence also not that great.

I get the feeling they will allow the Gunners to win this one just as they did with Chelsea last season. The idea is to stop United from winning the 19th Premier League.
When you look at the table, Everton is right behind them and I reckon they have more than a mathematical chance of finishing ahead of pool in the league. Thankfully, Man yoo does not need any favor from anyone. Destiny is in their hands.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League preview: Arsenal v Liverpool

15 April 2011

Arsenal could be boosted by the return of up to four players when they host Liverpool in a Premier League blockbuster on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger is hopeful that young goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Johan Djourou will make a return to first-team action from finger and shoulder problems respectively, while midfield pair Denilson and Alex Song could also feature at the Emirates Stadium.

Szczesny made a bright start to his Arsenal career with a string of impressive performances and could end Jens Lehmann's brief return to the Gunners' starting side if selected.

"Djourou and Wojciech are question marks," Wenger told Arsenal TV online.

"It could be a possibility that they could be available. It's difficult to say what their chances are. Denilson and Song have a chance to be available as well."

Bacary Sagna is unlikely to play due to a knee problem while long-term absentee Thomas Vermaelen will not be risked despite returning to training after an Achilles injury saw him spend seven months on the sidelines.

Arsenal's last fixture saw them post a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened Blackpool on Sunday, a victory that was much-needed and broke a string of five matches without a win in all competitions.

The Gunners will need to make the most of their chances against a Liverpool outfit who impressively disposed of Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield which has improved the club's chances of qualifying for European competition.

While a Manchester United or a Manchester City FA Cup victory would allow Liverpool to qualify for the Europa League if they finish sixth, they want to make sure of that spot and not leave it up to chance by finishing fifth.

Andy Carroll's brace against Manchester City were his first goals for the club and if he and strike partner Luis Suarez can form a potent partnership in the last few matches of the season, Kenny Dalglish's side have every chance of earning a European berth.

However, Liverpool also have a lengthy injury list, with defenders Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Glen Johnson all sidelined while inspirational captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a groin problem.

The last time these two sides met, a Pepe Reina own goal in injury time gave Arsenal a point in a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season.

 

[Dodomeki]

Kuyt extends Liverpool stay

16 April 2011

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Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has inked a new deal with the club that will keep him at Anfield for another two seasons.

The 30-year-old Dutch international had been linked with a move to Inter Milan, but his new agreement with Liverpool will keep him on Merseyside until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Kuyt, who has scored nine times from his 26 games this season, said he was delighted to extend his stay at Liverpool, where he has played since his 2006 transfer from Feyenoord.

"I am very happy," Kuyt said. "We have been working on something, but always with the intention to reaching an agreement."

"The club had this approach too, so I must say that all conversations were conducted in a friendly atmosphere."

"It fits perfectly with the feeling here at the club. From the very first day I walked in, I felt welcome. That feeling has never left."

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was happy the Dutchman had decided to sign a new contract, and said his goal-scoring prowess and style of play epitomised what the Anfield club were all about.

"Dirk is the Liverpool player of choice. He never gives up, fights with everything, and he is simply a good footballer," Dalglish said.

"He scores goals and it's as simple as that, and often in major competitions or at crucial moments, like the recent Manchester United game (Kuyt scored a hat-trick in Liverpool's 3-1 win on March 6)."

"Dirk is happy with the extension, and I am sure we will enjoy having him around longer."

 

[Dodomeki]

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1

18 April 2011

Arsenal's English Premier League title dream appears over after a last-gasp penalty from Dirk Kuyt denied them victory against Liverpool.

The Dutchman scored from the penalty spot in the 100th minute of play to make the scores 1-1, just seconds after his international team-mate Robin van Persie thought he had won the game for Arsenal and heaped pressure on leaders Manchester United.

Van Persie stroked home his spot-kick, given for a foul by Jay Spearing on Cesc Fabregas in injury time, to seemingly end what had be another frustrating match for Arsene Wenger's men on Sunday.

But then, with barely 30 seconds left on the clock, Liverpool were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.

The danger seemed to be over when Luis Suarez's effort was blocked.

But Emmanuel Eboue inexplicably shoved over Liverpool midfielder Luicas Leiva as he chased the ball away from goal towards the touchline.

Kuty took full advantage to earn Liverpool a point and leave Arsenal six points behind Manchester United, with both teams having six games left to play this season.

It was a dramatic end to a match that had looked to be heading for a goalless draw until the final moments.

Liverpool had Jamie Carragher, Fabio Aurelio and Andy Carroll all taken off injured during the game, but Arsenal still could not find a way through.

And the result was no doubt a massive fillip for Sir Alex Ferguson’s United, who exited the FA Cup to bitter rivals Manchester City on Saturday but now go to Newcastle on Tuesday in pole position in the league.

Arsenal have endured so many similar matches during the course of the season and, despite all the focus on their shaky defence, the problem has often been finding a breakthrough against defensive-minded opponents.

The same was true against Liverpool.

The first half at least showed promise but never quite got going, as Arsenal attempted to play at pace but nevertheless created few clear-cut chances.

The first opportunity came after 13 minutes when winger Theo Walcott saw his shot badly fumbled by Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

But Liverpool survived that scare and were fortunate again when Laurent Koscielny’s header from a 17th-minute corner cannoned back off the crossbar.

Kuyt blocked Walcott’s follow-up with his shoulder - not, as Walcott claimed, with his hand.

There was another decent chance for the hosts after 29 minutes when Suarez gave the ball away and Cesc Fagregas combined well with van Persie, only for him to shoot wastefully wide.

Liverpool were so quiet in the opening 45 minutes, with Suarez particularly off colour, that Arsenal really should have taken advantage - especially after defender Fabio Aurelio limped off after only 22 minutes to be replaced by 17-year-old Jake Robinson.

With teenager John Flanagan at right-back and former youth teamer Jay Spearing in midfield, it left Liverpool with a lack of experience in such a big game.

Even so, Suarez had the first real opportunity of the second half, drifting past his marker to send a shot narrowly wide.

But Liverpool’s ambition was quickly halted by a series of further injures, in particular a nasty one for Jamie Carragher, who clashed heads with teammate Flanagan and had to be attended to for some time before being carried off on a stretcher.

Fortunately, the defender was soon reported to be awake and talking to staff in the dressing room. But it left Liverpool thin on the ground.

Striker Carroll soon limped off too with an ankle problem while the arrival of Andriy Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner gave Arsenal renewed momentum.

They finally forced Reina into a meaningful save in the 85th minute when he stopped well from van Persie, but Liverpool also had an opportunity through Suarez on the break and held out during the first eight minutes of injury time.

It all looked to be heading for a goalless draw, until the dramatic final moments.

 

[jw5]

Why was Wenger angry with Dalglish?
It wasn't Dalglish who awarded the penalty, conceded the penalty, dived for the penalty or played more time, was it?

 

[Gallego99]

Why was Wenger angry with Dalglish?
It wasn't Dalglish who awarded the penalty, conceded the penalty, dived for the penalty or played more time, was it?

He probably thot Kenny instructed his players to take a dive and that's Arsene for you. He is feeling the pressure as certain quarters have started to question his ability to end the trophy drought.
He's not going to achieve it with this team and I am certain Fab will put in a transfer request at the end of season.

 

[Dodomeki]

Jovanovic: Liverpool move was a mistake

21 April 2011

Liverpool attacker Milan Jovanovic has admitted moving to England this season was the wrong decision.

Jovanovic, 30, joined the English Premier League club on a free transfer after his contract at Belgian First Division side Standard Liege expired, but has failed to impress so far in his stint on Merseyside and is still yet to score a goal for the club.

He had initially joined the club when Rafael Benitez was manager, and although he was played under Roy Hodgson, Jovanovic has featured just twice since new boss Kenny Dalglish took over in January.

When asked if he regretted moving to England, Jovanovic told Sportske: "If I'm completely honest, I must say that I regularly think about this."

"If I would move to Italy or Germany I would be happier than in England - my life would be nicer. And also for my career it would be better to play in Serie A or the Bundesliga."

"In Belgium I was living in an area where there were so many people from Serbia and my life was different, more dynamic. Liverpool is such a different place. I'm here alone, without anybody. I'm just a very lonely stranger."

"In my months here I haven't met anybody from my country. If I wouldn't have my wife and my kids I just couldn't speak Serbian with anybody. But Liverpool is of course a club which you can't refuse."

Jovanovic feels things would be different for him at Liverpool if Benitez was still at the club and bemoaned his decision to move to England, insisting he had numerous clubs chasing him.

"My only regret is, that the coach, who brought me at Anfield, left the club even before my arrival," he said.

"If Rafa Benitez would have stayed in Liverpool I believe everything would be different for me."

"There were 15 other clubs which followed me but I chose Liverpool and make a mistake."

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League preview: Liverpool v Birmingham

22 April 2011

Birmingham face a tough challenge away to Liverpool on Saturday as they look to secure valuable points in the battle to avoid the drop.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham side endured a poor run of form - losing three out of four English Premier League matches - after winning the Carling Cup in February.

Two wins and a draw in their last four outings have seen the team climb to 15th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

But their revival came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at home to defending champions Chelsea on Wednesday.

Away from home and up against an in-form Liverpool at Anfield, they would appear hard pressed to bounce back at the first opportunity.

Kenny Dalglish's team have lost just once in their past five league matches.

They are unbeaten at home in all competitions under the crowd favourite, who took over in January.

Liverpool drew 1-1 away to Arsenal on Sunday, with Dirk Kuyt's penalty 12 minutes into injury time cancelling out a Cesc Fabregas spot-kick four minutes earlier.

The draw put a serious dent in Arsenal's fading title aspirations, the latest coup in a successful return to the managerial hot seat for Scotsman Dalglish.

He has guided the club from the lower reaches of the table to sixth place, five points behind Tottenham and seven behind Manchester City, both of whom have played one match fewer than Liverpool.

The hosts have a number of injury concerns in defence, with fullback Glen Johnson, centre-back Daniel Agger and youngster Martin Kelly all out.

Central midfielder and captain Steven Gerrard will miss the rest of the season with a groin injury.

Veteran defender Jamie Carragher and striker Andy Carroll were both forced out of the Arsenal match with injury and are in doubt as a consequence.

Birmingham also have a full treatment room.

Defenders Scott Dann and Martin Jiranek and forwards Nikola Zigic and Obafemi Martins are all doubtful.

Unused midfielder Enric Valles and forward James McFadden are not expected to play this season.

Reserve goalkeeper Maik Taylor is sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder problem.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Liverpool 5 Birmingham 0

24 April 2011

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Maxi Rodriguez scored a hat-trick on his return to the Liverpool side, as the Reds cruised to a 5-0 victory over Birmingham at Anfield.

The Argentina international had scored only four goals in his previous 38 games for Liverpool. But, on his first English Premier League start in almost two months, Rodriguez hit three - with Dirk Kuyt and substitute Joe Cole also finding the back of the net.

There were only seven minutes on the clock when Rodriguez repaid Kenny Dalglish's faith with the opening goal.

Jay Spearing tried his luck from long range and, when City goalkeeper Ben Foster failed to hold the ball, Rodriguez was on hand to force the ball underneath the shot-stopper.

The early goal did nothing to help Birmingham's confidence against their in-form opponents, and Alex McLeish's side were offering little up front with Cameron Jerome increasingly isolated in attack.

It got worse for the visitors after 23 minutes when Dirk Kuyt doubled the hosts' advantage at the third time of asking. First, Luis Suarez got the ball tangled under his feet, then Kuyt's shot was blocked before the Dutchman finally managed to slide the ball into the bottom corner.

During the build up to Kuyt's strike, Foster collided with defender Stephen Carr and he had to be replaced by rookie Colin Doyle in the 40th minute, compounding a miserable first half for Birmingham.

There was brief respite for the Blues after the interval with Liverpool lifting their foot off the pedal due to their two-goal advantage. Suarez sent a free-kick well over the bar before the Uruguay international shot tamely at Doyle.

But the onslaught resumed in the 66th minute, with Suarez the architect for Liverpool's third goal. The striker beat the Birmingham offside trap with a well-timed run before picking out Rodriguez, who volleyed home with aplomb from the back post.

The Argentine completed his hat-trick seven minutes later when he tapped the ball into the net after Doyle failed to hold his initial 25-yard strike.

Cole replaced Raul Meireles after 84 minutes and he iced the cake with Liverpool's fifth goal within two minutes of coming on. Kuyt led the counter-attack, feeding Cole, who twisted and turned before firing low past Doyle.

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League preview: Liverpool v Newcastle

29 April 2011

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish says sentiment will play no part when it comes to deciding whether Andy Carroll is fit to face Newcastle on Sunday.

After netting his first Reds goals in the win over Manchester City earlier this month, Carroll has been struggling with a knee injury sustained in the draw with Arsenal just days later, and was absent as Dalglish’s men ran riot in a 5-0 win over Birmingham on Saturday.

But the 22-year-old has responded well to treatment and is said to be desperate to face the club he left behind in January for 35 million pounds.

Dalglish, however, says Carroll’s long-term well-being comes before any nostalgia.

"We will take an educated opinion on whether he is fit or not," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"If he is not fit then it will be a disappointment for Andy but he’s here for five years and I’m sure he’ll get the chance to play Newcastle more than just this Sunday coming up."

"His future comes long before a game against Newcastle."

Sunday’s clash against Alan Pardew’s men gives Liverpool the chance to maintain their late push for a European qualification spot.

Dalglish’s men have taken 27 points from their past 14 league fixtures, and have closed to within just three points of fifth-placed Tottenham.

The manager, however, insists that his side will take things one step at a time, and has refused to look beyond the visit of 10th-placed Newcastle.

"We will just look at the next game and see what happens," Dalglish said.

"It is going to be a difficult game but where we are going to end up at the end of the season I don’t know."

Toon boss Pardew, meanwhile, says his side must be wary of the threat posed by their former star Carroll, but believes Saturday’s emphatic victory over Birmingham has given his opposite number a selection dilemma, with Maxi Rodriguez, Carroll’s replacement, having netted a hat-trick in the 5-0 win.

"We know what an excellent player Andy is," said Pardew, who was critical of Carroll following his record-breaking move to Anfield.

"But after the way they played at the weekend, he might not even start!"

"That would be very much like Kenny, to keep the same side. But if he plays then we must be aware of his threat."

Pardew has challenged his team to smash their 17-year-old league hoodoo at Anfield.

The Magpies have not picked up three points in the top flight at the Reds’ famous home since Kevin Keegan’s side won with goals from Andy Cole and Rob Lee in 1994, but Pardew is refusing to dwell on the past.

"We’re going to go to Liverpool with confidence. There’s still a lot to play for, and we want to give our fans a good day."

"I think we’re definitely safe now. The most important thing at Blackpool was our energy. Blackpool hadn’t had a game, and it showed."

"It evens it up at this level. Our energy levels will be the same as Liverpool’s, so we’ll give a much better account of ourselves against a team in good form."

 

[Dodomeki]

Premier League: Liverpool 3 Newcastle 0

1 May 2011

Liverpool's push to end the season in a European place continued after they brushed aside Newcastle 3-0 to move up to fifth on the table.

Goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez gave Kenny Dalglish's side a comfortable 3-0 win at Anfield and sees them overtake Tottenham in fifth place, albeit on goal difference.

The hosts opened the scoring with 10 minutes of the game gone, forward Rodriguez adding to the three goals he bagged against Birmingham last weekend.

Young left-back John Flanagan sent in an inviting cross that was not dealt with by Newcastle defender Mike Williamson, and Rodriguez's volley from 12 yards took a deflection off Danny Simpson before flying past Krul into the net.

The visitors struggled to get a foot-hold in the game and could not cope with Liverpool's intensity as the first-half progressed.

Jay Spearing, standing in for the injured Steven Gerrard, then forced Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul into a mistake after his fierce drive was spilled by the 22-year-old, but the stopper recovered the ball with Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles closing in.

Winger Jonas Gutierrez was proving difficult to handle down the right flank however it was Liverpool who again threatened.

Midfielder Lucas should have done better with his header after Spearing's cross and could only send a tame effort straight at Krul to still give Newcastle hope of getting back into the game.

But any chance of that was extinguished when Williamson hauled down striker Suarez just following the re-start after the Uruguayan had beaten him for pace in the box and Kuyt dispatched the ball into the goal from the penalty spot.

And Liverpool made sure of the points five minutes later after some neat inter-changes from Kuyt and Suarez found the latter in space giving him an easy finish from six yards.