Apna Football - Liverpool

Clarets lie in wait for Reds

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:35:25 GMT

Liverpool's incentive for disposing of Reading in their FA Cup thrid-round replay is a fourth-round clash with Burnley.

The struggling Reds needed a Steven Gerrard leveller to earn a 1-1 draw and the tie will now be decided at Anfield next week.

And the Clarets, who beat MK Dons 2-1, await the winners with the tie to be played on the weekend of January 23/24.

Benitez relieved to survive Royals test

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:06:33 GMT

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted his relief at getting away with a draw at the Madejski Stadium after Reading exploited their weaknesses at set-plays and almost snatched a shock FA Cup victory.

Steven Gerrard cancelled out Simon Church's opener, which was bundled in after Ryan Bertrand's free-kick tested Liverpool's zonal marking system.

Even after Gerrard levelled, with a cross that Dirk Kuyt dummied to fool Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, the home side threatened to book their place in the fourth round.

"I'm relieved," admitted Benitez. "To play in front of the TV and against Liverpool I think was a massive boost for them and you could see they played really well.

"They were pushing and working very hard from the beginning until the end so we had to do our job. It was a difficult game and the most positive thing is we will play another game at Anfield."

Gerrard rescues Rafa's Reds

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:21:33 GMT

Steven Gerrard rescued Liverpool once again as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Championship strugglers Reading in the third round of the FA Cup.

It was hardly the most influential performance from Gerrard but the Liverpool skipper produced a goal when his side needed it most, as he does so often, meaning the two clubs will meet again at Anfield.

Simon Church had bundled in an opener to give the hosts the scent of an upset but Gerrard levelled before the break for Rafael Benitez's men.

Benitez selected a strong team for the clash at the Madejski Stadium, but his side started poorly and Reading saw a penalty appeal turned down after Martin Skrtel tugged on Gylfi Sigurdsson's shirt.

The Royals then took the lead in the 24th minute as Ryan Bertrand's deep free-kick was pulled back by Grzegorz Rasiak for Church to bundle in from close range.

Liverpool hit back nine minutes before the break as Gerrard picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and shaped to cross, with Kuyt stepping over the delivery to fool Federici.

Benitez: Cup run would lift Reds

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:21:33 GMT

Rafael Benitez sees Liverpool's FA Cup tie at Reading as another stepping stone on the road to salvaging their season.

Their dismal form before Christmas saw an early exit from the Champions League, while they slipped to a league position that seriously threatens any chance of a return to Europe's elite competition next season. But back-to-back victories over the festive season have been grasped at by Benitez as proof that the situation at Anfield is improving.

And if Liverpool can beat Coca-Cola Championship side Reading in the third round and make it three wins on the trot for the first time since September, Benitez will start to believe his luck is turning.

Liverpool will be without the suspended Javier Mascherano, while full-back Glen Johnson has been told he will be out for at least a month with a torn medial ligament in his right knee. With crunch Barclays Premier League games on the horizon, Benitez, who is being linked with Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez, would normally be expected to make wholesale changes for a cup tie against lower division opposition.

But the Spaniard sees no reason to tinker with a side which may finally have found its feet. "The feeling after the win at Aston Villa this week was really good, it can only improve confidence," he said.

"After the way things had been going, we needed to start winning some games in a row. We have now won twice on the trot in the league against Wolves and Villa over Christmas and are aiming to add to that run against Reading. We had been very close to some good form, but the confidence is now really high so hopefully we can continue in this way with the same mentality."

Benitez considers options

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:21:33 GMT

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his side for the FA Cup third round clash at Reading.

Benitez is already without Glen Johnson because of a knee injury sustained in the win at Aston Villa on Tuesday, while midfielder Javier Mascherano is still serving a suspension.

Liverpool need to do well in the FA Cup considering their poor season, so Benitez will mix his side with experienced and fringe players.

Winger Albert Riera, back in training after a calf injury, is unlikely to be involved.

Johnson out for month

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:40:27 GMT

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has been ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury.

The England right-back sustained a tear of the medial ligament in his right knee during Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

No definitive timescale will be put on his recovery until Johnson visits another specialist to assess the extent of the damage.

"Johnson has a problem, so he'll see a specialist and then we'll talk but we know he'll be out for at least one month," said Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"But we are waiting for another opinion and then we'll know how long."

Ligament damage for Johnson

Apna Football — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:40:27 GMT

Liverpool have confirmed Glen Johnson suffered a medial ligament injury to his right knee during Tuesday night's match at Aston Villa.

The England right-back was assessed by the club's medical team at Melwood on Wednesday morning and underwent a scan which revealed the extent of the injury which forced him to limp off after 88 minutes of the 1-0 victory at Villa Park.

A club spokesman said: "A scan has revealed a tear in the medial ligament in Glen's right knee.

"The player will see a specialist on Thursday, after which we should be able to more accurately determine the length of his rehabilitation period."

Fans of both Liverpool and England will be hoping Johnson is not facing a long spell on the sidelines. The 25-year-old left Villa Park on crutches last night - as a precaution - and has already missed three games this season with calf and groin problems.

It is the latest setback in a season that has seen influential pair Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres struggle to overcome injuries, while £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani's debut was delayed by ankle trouble.

Gerrard anticipates top-four battle

Apna Football — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:55:27 GMT

Steven Gerrard admits it will be difficult for Liverpool to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League despite Fernando Torres' late winner against Aston Villa reigniting their hopes.

Torres struck three minutes into injury-time at Villa Park with his 50th league goal for the Reds in just 72 games.

Victory enabled Rafael Benitez's side to reduce the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Tottenham to four points.

But Gerrard knows there is still a major fight ahead if Liverpool are to secure Champions League football in May.

He said: "We've got to try and win as many games as we can. This means nothing. It all depends where you are at the end of the season.

"We know Villa, Spurs and Man City are going to keep fighting all the way and we need to do the same. Can we secure a top-four spot? It is going to be difficult."

Clinical Torres delights Benitez

Apna Football — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:45:27 GMT

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed Fernando Torres as one of the best strikers in the world after his late goal against Aston Villa reignited the Reds' Champions League hopes.

The Spanish star netted his 50th league goal for Liverpool in the third minute of injury time to become the fastest player to achieve a half century for the Merseysiders in his 72nd Premier League game.

Victory enabled Liverpool to reduce the gap to fourth-placed Tottenham to four points and moved them within two points of Villa.

Benitez said: "We knew we had to reduce the gap. Sometimes we have had some really bad luck. Today (Tuesday) we have scored a late goal and I'm really pleased for Fernando and the team.

"It was his 50th league goal and when he signed for us I knew we were getting a very good player with good quality and a good mentality.

"You saw that. He has one chance and he can score. He is one of the best strikers in the world."

Torres strikes late to sink Villa

Apna Football — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:50:27 GMT

Fernando Torres scored an injury-time 50th Barclays Premier League goal for Liverpool to give his side a Champions League lifeline with a 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

The Spaniard drilled a low shot across Villa keeper Brad Friedel in the 93rd minute to become the fastest player in Reds history to score a half century of league goals.

It means Rafael Benitez's side are only two points behind Villa and three adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for European places.

Liverpool keeper Jose Reina had earlier produced two crucial saves to deny Villa who were searching for their first home win over the Reds for nearly 12 years.

The Spaniard somehow kept out a close-range volley from Stewart Downing in the first half and then denied Villa's top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor after he had broken clear midway through the second period.

And Liverpool appeared to have strong first half claims for a penalty after a challenge by Villa central defender Richard Dunne on Dirk Kuyt.