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K3V0
Liverpool belong with Europe's elite declares Rodgers
15 July 2012
Last Updated at 14:51 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the club deserves to be mentioned in the same manner as Europe's elite, the 39 year old pointing to the clubs rich history as evidence to support his claim.
The managers comments come just days before the Reds start their pre season commitments against Celtic at Anfield, Rodgers adamant that Liverpool deserve as much respect as the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and English rivals Manchester United.
"I think, looking at the history of the club we're definitely one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the world," said the Liverpool boss.
"We've got a rich history, fantastic supporters and a very good squad. We certainly deserve to be spoken about in the same manner as Europe's top clubs, Liverpool is a top club, nobody can dispute that, we've won everything there is to win," added Rodgers.
Liverpool haven't won the Barclays Premier League since it's inception in 1993 and the club had a disappointing season last time out, the club finishing in eighth spot, the only highlight the successful Capital One Cup run, the Reds beating Cardiff City on penalties in the final.
Rodgers is under no illusions that it will be difficult to win England's top honour but believes a club of Liverpool's stature can strive for nothing less.
"It's actually very disappointing that Liverpool haven't won the Premier League since it began, we've had our chances, those seasons when we've gone close and just not got the job done," said Rodgers.
"All I can say sitting here as Liverpool boss is that we'll never play for anything other than a victory and that the Premier League is something we must strive to win, nothing less is acceptable.
"I'm not here just to guide the club to European football, that's not good enough in my opinion, we need to strive to win the trophy that the Liverpool fans want the most, the Premier League title," added Rodgers.
Dan
K3V0
Cheers pal.
Not quite sure what to expect with Liverpool just yet, going to be interesting, never played as them before.
K3V0
Gerrard backing new Liverpool boss
18 July 2012
Last Updated at 16:05 GMT
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called on the British media and the Reds fans to give new manager Brendan Rodgers the necessary time to implement his changes at the club.
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has received the full backing of captain Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool skipper calling on fans and the media to give the new Reds boss the necessary time to implement changes at the club, the biggest being the possession based football that Rodgers likes to encourage.
"I support what the manager wants to do, definitely," said Gerrard.
"We both want the same things, for Liverpool to be the best in England and in Europe. Brendan has some big ideas for the club, changes that will take time and I'd really like to see the fans give him the time, judge him at the end of the season. The media also need to be fair, they can't slaughter him if we have a bad patch. I'm fully confident that the new boss can guide us back to being one of the top teams in the Premier League."
Liverpool start their pre season campaign tomorrow when they take on Scottish champions Celtic at Anfield and Gerrard says the players can't wait to finally play a game under their new manager.
"The lads have been raring to go during the summer, we all want to impress the new gaffer and tomorrow we'll get our first taste of football under him, we're all excited about that," said the England international.
"Hopefully it'll be a great game for the fans and we'll pick up a win," added the Liverpool skipper.
Gerrard has spent his entire career at Anfield, scoring 89 times in 405 Barclays Premier League appearances. The Liverpool skipper has another 3 years remaining on his contract.
K3V0
Liverpool 1-1 Celtic
Last Updated at 19:45 GMT
19 July 2012
Liverpool started life under Brendan Rodgers against Celtic today at Anfield and the Reds produced an impressive performance, although they had to settle for a draw against the Scottish champions.
Brendan Rodgers began life as Liverpool boss today, the Reds taking on Celtic at Anfield, the end result not reflecting the impressive performance by the home side as they threatened to blow the Scottish champions away at times, the visitors thankful that some wayward finishing meant things finished all square.
There was a fiery start to the contest with Nuri Sahin booked after just 28 seconds after a robust challenge on Vincent Wanyama, the resulting free kick by Celtic captain Scott Brown fizzing wide of Pepe Reina's right hand post. The hosts didn't take long to settle into the passing game that's expected of a Brendan Rodgers side, midfielder Joe Allen pulling the strings in midfield, his eye of the needle pass for Steven Gerrard cutting the Celtic defence wide open, the Liverpool skipper dragging his shot just wide.
Liverpool looked impressive early on but they were shocked when Vincent Wanyama volleyed home a spectacular effort after Martin Skrtel had only headed a dangerous cross from Brown into the Kenyans path, Pepe Reina left with no chance of saving the effort as it flew into the top corner. The hosts almost bounced back immediately, Luis Suarez sending a free kick narrowly over Fraser Forster's crossbar.
The visitors lead remained intact for just 8 minutes, a fantastic run down the right by Glen Johnson was seen by Allen, the Welsh international picking out the right back and when Johnson rolled the ball across the area it was straight into the path of skipper Steven Gerrard who smashed the ball beyond Forster.
Impressive first half performances from Raheem Sterling and Oussama Assaidi would have pleased Brendan Rodgers, his side unfortunate to not be ahead at the half time interval as they continuously pegged Celtic back deep into their own half, striker Luis Suarez a constant threat up front along with Gerrard.
Liverpool started the second half with real intent, Assaidi and Gerrard combining in the opening minute, the latter unfortunate to see his curling effort from the edge of the box clip the inside of the post and come back into play, half time substitute Pat McCourt hoofing the rebound clear as Suarez looked set to pounce.
The Uruguayan soon got his best chance of the afternoon, Fraser Forster doing fantastically well to get his fingertips to his diver header, a fantastic cross from Sterling giving Suarez the perfect chance to score. Celtic looked out on their feet and they should have fallen behind when Suarez latched onto a weak back pass by Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the crossbar saving the day for the Scottish side, Forster doing well to force the Liverpool striker wide, although Suarez still had the ability to round the keeper and get his shot on target.
In the end the game finished level, Liverpool deserving more, but having to settle for the draw. The Reds will now prepare for next weeks clash against Belgian side Anderlecht before playing tough games against Roma and Lille, new manager Brendan Rodgers hoping to have his players in top shape for their opening day Barclays Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson (Kelly - 85), Skrtel, Coates (Carragher - 56), Enrique (Robinson - 85), Sahin (Henderson - 56), Sterling (Shelvey - 56), Allen (Cole - 75), Assaidi (Downing - 56), Gerrard (c), Suarez (Borini - 75)
Substitutes: Jones, Kelly, Robinson, Carragher, Wisdom, Henderson, Cole, Downing, Shelvey, Suso, Borini, Pacheco
Bookings: Sahin, Coates
Goals: Gerrard (19)
Celtic: Forster (Zaluska - 54), Lustig (Fisher - 57), Wilson (Kayal - 54), Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Commons (McCourt - 45), Wanyama, Brown (c) (Doan - 73), Ledley, Miku (Samaras - 45), Hooper (Stokes - 73)
Substitutes: Zaluska, Fisher, McCourt, Samaras, Stokes, Kamenar, Westwood, Kayal, Nouioui, Crichton, Doan
Bookings: Wanyama, Doan
Goals: Wanyama (11)
Referee: Mike Jones
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 27,920
Possession: Liverpool 42% - 58% Celtic
Shots: Liverpool 16 - 12 Celtic
On Target: Liverpool 6 - 4 Celtic
Corners: Liverpool 1 - 1 Celtic
Fouls: Liverpool 11 - 16 Celtic
K3V0
Liverpool could face Irish opposition in Europa League
20 July 2012
Last Updated at 20:13 GMT
Liverpool will face either Irish side St. Patrick's Athletic or Moldovan side Milsami Orhei in their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash after the draw took place tonight.
Liverpool will be strong favourites to book their place in the next stage of this seasons Europa League after they were handed what appears to be a relatively straight forward third qualifying clash in the UEFA Europa League. The Reds will have to overcome either St. Patrick's Athletic or Milsami Orhei, the Moldovan side beating their Irish opponents in the first leg in Dublin 1-0.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said he was pleased with the draw and welcomed his sides tag as favourites, he did however warn against complacency, the new Liverpool boss demanding that his players treat whoever they face in the third round qualifier with the same respect they would treat the likes of Barcelona.
"The draw is a good one, we're confident of progressing and it's good to see we're favourites," said Rodgers.
"I'll be warning the players though about the dangers of this game, whoever we play we've got to treat it like it's Barcelona we're playing, if you don't respect smaller sides you can end up being embarrassed. No game in Europe is easy and we'll encounter some difficulties I'm sure," added the Irishman.
Liverpool did announce that they will be canceling the pre season clash against Lille on 1 August, the clash would take place just a day before the first leg of the clubs UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash.
K3V0
Lucas Leiva closing in on first team return
22 July 2012
Last Updated at 11:46 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has received the great news that Brazilian international Lucas Leiva is nearing a return to first team action for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
After rupturing his cruciate ligament against Chelsea last season Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva was ruled out for the remainder of the 2011-2012 season. The Brazilian international had been in fine form for the Reds and had become an integral member of the first team at Anfield.
Now new manager Brendan Rodgers has received that news that all Liverpool fans wanted, Lucas is close to a first team return, head physio Rob Price expecting that the midfielder will be fit and available in a month.
The 25 year old has made 123 Barclays Premier League appearances for Liverpool since his £6 million move from Brazilian side Gremio. It's expected that Lucas could make his return to first team action against Fulham at Anfield at the end of next month, although Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may wait until after the September international break to reintroduce Lucas to first team football.
Zinedine Zaiddin
K3V0
Yeah I've got Borini and Suarez, but I think Dani Pacheco and Samed Yesil will offer enough backup, especially in the formation I'm going to be trying to implement.
K3V0
Liverpool 2-1 Anderlecht
Last Updated at 18:34 GMT
24 July 2012
Liverpool won their first game under new manager Brendan Rodgers this afternoon at Anfield as summer signing Fabio Borini netted his first goal for the club in a 2-1 win over Anderlecht.
Brendan Rodgers picked up his first win as Liverpool boss as his side again produced an impressive display to see off Belgian side Anderlecht. The new Liverpool boss made a host of changes to his starting side for this pre season clash but it didn't seem to effect the performance of the hosts as they started brightly.
It took only a few minutes for Liverpool to carve open the first real chance of the game, Stewart Downing firing a low effort across Anderlecht keeper Silvio Proto's body, the English winger unfortunate to see the Anderlecht keeper tip push his effort wide of the post. From the resulting corner Joe Cole picked out Sebastian Coates in the area, Proto again called into action as he somehow kept out the Uruguayans thundering header.
Liverpool settled into their passing style of play and began to dominate proceedings, the visitors happy to let the Reds have the majority of possession as they retreated deep into their own half in an effort to defend against the growing pressure. The hosts almost took the lead when Downing skimmed the crossbar with a misdirected cross and Jordan Henderson soon stung the hands of Proto who urged his defenders to close down quicker on the edge of the Anderlecht penalty area.
The pressure was growing with every Liverpool attack and they soon had their reward, Italian striker Fabio Borini who joined the club during the summer heading home a fine cross from winger Oussama Assaidi. That's how the first half remained although had Borini connected better with his left footed volley on the stroke of half time the Reds may have enjoyed a bigger cushion at the half time interval.
In the second half it was more of the same, Liverpool dominating proceedings, the passing style football that Brendan Rodgers introduced at Reading and Swansea City on show at Anfield, the Reds fans applauding every free flowing passage of play that has some football experts tipping Liverpool to finish in the top four this year in the Barclays Premier League and with it book lucrative UEFA Champions League football.
One thing that will concern Rodgers is the lack of clinical finishing on show by his players so far in their pre season games against Celtic and Anderlecht. That lack of clinical finishing allowed Roland Juhasz to level things just beyond the half hour mark when he rose above Jamie Carragher to head home from a corner that Carragher had conceded himself.
Luckily the hosts received a huge slice of luck when an effort from left back Jack Robinson thundered against the crossbar and struck the legs of Jean-Yves Binst, the 21 year old midfielder unable to get out of the way, an own goal giving Brendan Rodgers the first win of his Liverpool career.
Liverpool: Jones (Doni - 63), Kelly, Carragher (c), Coates (Wilson - 63) Robinson, Henderson (Sahin - 63), Assaidi, Cole (Allen - 63), Downing, Shelvey (Gerrard - 63), Borini (Pacheco - 63)
Substitutes: Doni, Johnson, Skrtel, Wilson, Enrique, Sahin, Allen, Gerrard, Sterling, Suso, Suarez, Pacheco
Bookings: Cole, Assaidi
Goals: Borini (30), Binst (OG 75)
Anderlecht: Proto, Wasilewski (Binst - 45), Juhasz, Nuytinck, Safari (Huylebroeck - 76), Deschacht (Wauters - 45), Biglia (c), Gillet, Vargas (Matos - 56), Jovanovic (De Sutter - 56), Mbokani
Substitutes: Denis, Jacobs, Vandenberghe, Matos, De Sutter, Daems, Vermeersch, Vaeyens, Binst, Huylebroeck, Wauters, Declercq
Bookings: None
Goals: Juhasz (65)
Referee: Scott Mathieson
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 25,039
Possession: Liverpool 51% - 49% Anderlecht
Shots: Liverpool 21 - 18 Anderlecht
On Target: Liverpool 7 - 6 Anderlecht
Corners: Liverpool 3 - 8 Anderlecht
Fouls: Liverpool 10 - 11 Anderlecht
K3V0
Liverpool skipper suffers injury setback
25 July 2012
Last Updated at 16:02 GMT
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for the next fortnight after he sustained a rib injury during the clubs 2-1 pre season win over Anderlecht yesterday at Anfield.
Gerrard, 32, came on as a second half substitute against the Belgian side yesterday at Anfield and finished the game. However the skipper has now been ruled out for the next fortnight after suffering a rib injury.
That news means new manager Brendan Rodgers will be without the inspirational Liverpool midfielder for the upcoming pre season friendly against Roma at Anfield this Friday. The Liverpool captain is also expected to miss the first leg of Liverpool's upcoming UEFA Europa League third round qualifier.
Liverpool will face either St. Patrick's Athletic or Milsami Orhei, the Moldovan side taking a 1-0 lead into the return leg after securing victory in Dublin and the second leg takes place tomorrow night.
K3V0
Top four finish the minimum expectation says Skrtel
26 July 2012
Last Updated at 13:20 GMT
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel told reporters at the clubs Melwood training complex that anything less than a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League is failure for a club as big as Liverpool.
The 27 year old has been at Anfield for half a decade now and the defender has expressed his desire to stay at the club for the rest of his career, the Slovakian international having recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at Liverpool until at least the summer of 2016.
Skrtel has become one of Liverpool's first choice centre backs in recent years, his impressive no nonsense warrior like approach securing him a firm place in the hearts of the clubs supporters. The defender has made 126 Barclays Premier League appearances for the Reds scoring 5 times.
The defender spoke with reporters today at the clubs start of the art Melwood training complex, Skrtel stating that he believes the club must finish within the top four in the Barclays Premier League.
"A massive club like Liverpool should be playing in the Champions League each season, we're a huge club and we must be aiming to finish inside the top four, that has to be our minimum target," said Skrtel.
"We've underperformed in the last few seasons, I don't know why that has happened and it's something we need to fix. Maybe we've just not been consistent enough, all I know is we need to improve because the fans deserve more than what we've produced recently," added the Slovakian international.
Liverpool face Roma tomorrow at Anfield, their final pre season game before they embark on their Europa League campaign. Liverpool will face either St. Patrick's Athletic or Milsami Orhei, the Moldovan side taking a 1-0 lead into the return leg after securing victory in Dublin and the second leg takes place tonight.
K3V0
Liverpool 1-1 Roma
Last Updated at 17:32 GMT
27 July 2012
Liverpool finished their pre season campaign with a well fought 1-1 draw with Italian side Roma at Anfield this evening, former Roma striker Fabio Borini netting for the Reds before Daniele De Rossi equalized for the visitors with a stunning long range effort.
Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten as Liverpool manager after his side battled for a 1-1 draw against Italian side Roma at Anfield this afternoon. The Reds will now prepare for their upcoming UEFA Europa League third qualifying clash against Irish side St. Patrick's Athletic.
Liverpool started slowly and had goalkeeper Pepe Reina to thank, the Spanish international denying Francesco Totti with a fine save low to his right in the opening exchanges. The hosts soon responded with their own chance, Raheem Sterling curling an effort just wide of the post.
Both sides seemed cautious throughout the opening half hour, neither side willing to over commit, possession almost evenly split at Anfield as each side enjoyed spells on top. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was forced to make some early changes after Sterling and Sahin picked up knocks, no risk taken with the winger and midfielder, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing brought on as replacements.
The introduction of Henderson almost led to the opening goal of the contest, a slick passing move saw Joe Cole and Joe Allen combine well to open up space in behind the Roma midfield, the latter sliding a pass into the path of Henderson, the substitute unable to find the target with his effort, his strike flashing over the bar to the relief of Roma keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Roma thought they'd taken the lead on the stroke of half time when Totti found himself all alone inside the area, the Roma captain finishing calmly as he slid the ball between Reina's legs, his celebrations brought to a premature end when he seen that the linesmen had raised his flag for offside, the sides remaining level at the half time interval.
The second half was a different affair and Liverpool took the lead just a few minutes after the game resumed, former Roma striker Fabio Borini the man who broke the deadlock, a fine pass from Oussama Assaidi giving the Italian a yard of space, his first touch sublime and his finish just as impressive, Stekelenburg rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the top left corner.
Unfortunately for the hosts Roma still had plenty of time to get into the game and despite the Reds defence looking confident in keeping the Italian side at bay they could do nothing when Daniele De Rossi scored a stunning strike from over 30 yards out, the powerful strike thundering against the underside of the bar before crossing the line, replays suggesting it may have taken a slight deflection off Sebastian Coates.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson (Flanagan - 53), Carragher (c) (Kelly - 53), Skrtel (Coates - 66), Robinson (Enrique - 53), Sahin (Henderson - 24), Assaidi (Shelvey - 53), Allen, Sterling (Downing - 24), Cole (Suso - 53), Borini (Suarez - 66)
Substitutes: Jones, Flanagan, Kelly, Wilson, Coates, Enrique, Henderson, Downing, Shelvey, Suso, Suarez, Pacheco
Bookings: Skrtel
Goals: Borini (53)
Roma: Stekelenburg (Sergio - 66), Piris (Luchetta - 53), Burdisso (Cirella - 74), Romagnoli (Camattari - 53), Balzaretti, De Rossi, Taddei, Pjanic, Guberti (Felici - 45), Lamela (Osvaldo - 45), Totti (c)
Substitutes: Lobont, Osvaldo, Sergio, Nego, Goicoechea, Tumino, Baldon, Felici, Morello, Luchetta, Camattari, Cirella
Bookings: Totti
Goals: De Rossi (77)
Referee: Scott Mathieson
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 38,132
Possession: Liverpool 51% - 49% Roma
Shots: Liverpool 13 - 18 Roma
On Target: Liverpool 4 - 10 Roma
Corners: Liverpool 7 - 5 Roma
Fouls: Liverpool 12 - 13 Roma
Dan
K3V0
Cheers pal, actually hate to say it but I'm enjoying the different challenge with Liverpool, kills me to say that.
K3V0
Nuri Sahin will have a big impact says Rodgers
30 July 2012
Last Updated at 13:10 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has tipped on loan midfielder Nuri Sahin to make a big impact at Anfield and believes the Turkish international was unfairly treated at Real Madrid last season.
The Turkish midfielder joined the Reds on a season long loan after he made just 4 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid last season following a £9 million move from German side Borussia Dortmund.
Sahin, 23, has been tipped for a huge future in European football, but his stock took an unexpected battering last season at the Bernabeu, the midfielder unable to force his way into Jose Mourinho's first team. That left Sahin with little choice but to seek first team football elsewhere and Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was quick to swoop in on the Turkish international who was also being chased by Arsenal.
"The boy is going to be a huge footballer, that's why Real Madrid paid £9 million for him," said Rodgers.
"The only question is whether he becomes that footballer in Spain or elsewhere, hopefully we can help him this season with getting more first team football and who knows maybe if it's best for all parties come to a more permanent arrangement during the summer. I honestly think he didn't get a fair go last season in Spain, but you can't argue with a manager like Jose Mourinho, he's won everything there is to win and he pipped Barcelona to the La Liga title last season, his selections were justified.
"I think at 23 he's old enough to start really learning how to control games and I think he has that quality. We're lucky to have him at the club, but it's also a testament to this clubs stature that we could beat Arsenal to bring him here and he'll have a big impact for us," added the Liverpool boss.
Sahin has represented Turkey 31 times scoring twice and he could make his competitive Liverpool debut against St. Patrick's Athletic on Thursday night at Anfield when the sides meet in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash.
Charlie M
K3V0
Yeah man, just always play as them. Think I've had a long game with them every FM since 2007, needed a change, basically a first world problem really, but I'm enjoying playing as Liverpool so far.
K3V0
Liverpool 1-0 St. Patrick's Athletic
Last Updated at 22:07 GMT
2 August 2012
Oussama Assaidi had a debut to remember as his goal gave Liverpool a deserved victory over St. Patrick's Athletic in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash.
A new era at Anfield began tonight as new manager Brendan Rodgers took charge of his first competitive fixture as Liverpool boss. The Reds were impressive throughout as they dominated their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash against St. Patrick's Athletic, a goal by debutant Oussama Assaidi just before half time enough to give Rodgers the perfect start.
There was little surprise that Liverpool beat their less illustrious Irish opponents but after creating numerous chances manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be unhappy that his side had failed to take full advantage.
Liverpool had a host of chances in the opening half hour, Joe Allen, Fabio Borini, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing all guilty of wasting good opportunities that should have yielded goals.
You could feel the tension rising inside Anfield as the half time whistle approached, the visitors happy to sit back and absorb the pressure, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina nothing more than a spectator as the hosts dominated first half possession with midfielders Joe Allen and Nuri Sahin controlling the game.
Then the breakthrough came, with just two minutes remaining in the first half Downing and Jose Enrique combined well on the left hand side, the former who endured a tough first season at Anfield delivering a fantastic cross that gave Oussama Assaidi the chance to head home on his Liverpool debut in front of the Kop, the Moroccan international making no mistake with his finish, the Reds ahead at half time.
After the interval Liverpool continued to push forward in search of more goals only for more wayward finishing to deny them. In the end Assaidi netted what would prove to be the only goal of the game, St. Patrick's Athletic still in with a realistic chance of causing an upset, the return leg to take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in a weeks time, Liverpool surprisingly taking just a one goal lead with them to Dublin for the second leg.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher (c), Enrique, Sahin, Assaidi (Shelvey - 84), Allen, Downing (Sterling - 61), Cole, Borini (Suarez - 67)
Substitutes: Jones, Kelly, Coates, Henderson, Shelvey, Sterling, Suarez
Bookings: Downing, Borini, Assaidi
Goals: Assaidi (43)
St. Patrick's Athletic: Clarke (c), Delaney, Potter, Lee (Lawlor - 55), Bovaird, Heaslip, Vickers, Crossan (McLaughlin - 45), Mooney, Pilkington (Gaffney - 66), McKenna
Substitutes: McLoughlin, Gaffney, Boyle, Judge, McLaughlin, Lawlor
Bookings: Pilkington, Delaney, Vickers, Vickers (Sent Off 90+3)
Goals: None
Referee: Stephane Lannoy
Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 33,089
Possession: Liverpool 60% - 40% St. Patrick's Athletic
Shots: Liverpool 25 - 10 St. Patrick's Athletic
On Target: Liverpool 8 - 1 St. Patrick's Athletic
Corners: Liverpool 5 - 0 St. Patrick's Athletic
Fouls: Liverpool 15 - 19 St. Patrick's Athletic
Dan
K3V0
Cheers mate
K3V0
Liverpool boss calls for clinical finishing
3 August 2012
Last Updated at 13:58 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his team needs to become more clinical in killing off games after his side only beat St. Patrick's Athletic 1-0 at Anfield last night despite dominating proceedings.
The Reds had a host of chances against the Irish side in their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash, but they will only take a slender 1-0 to Dublin for the return leg in a weeks time, a debut goal from Oussama Assaidi enough to give Brendan Rodgers a victory in his first competitive fixture in charge at Liverpool.
Liverpool dominated possession at Anfield and created numerous chances that on another night could have seen them win by a much larger margin. Despite the positive performance manager Brendan Rodgers says his side must improve in front of goal, the 39 year old calling on his players to display more clinical finishing.
"There was a lot of positives to take from the game last night, I thought we controlled the game from start to finish and it was always a question of not if, but when we'd get the breakthrough," said Rodgers.
"In saying that we've got to be more clinical, we've got to finish teams off," added the Liverpool boss.
The Liverpool boss went on to praise match winner Oussama Assaidi who scored on his competitive debut.
"It was fantastic to see Oussama score last night, he's a fantastic lad and I think he has a big future at the club. He's settled in very quickly and he's certainly given me a selection headache," added Rodgers.
K3V0
Liverpool captain fit to play in Dublin
5 August 2012
Last Updated at 17:17 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been handed a big boost ahead of the clubs second leg clash against St. Patrick's Athletic after skipper Steven Gerrard returned to first team training today.
The midfielder suffered a rib injury against Belgian side Anderlecht last month when the sides met at Anfield and it had been feared that the Liverpool skipper would miss both meetings against the Irish side.
However the 32 year old returned to full first team training today at the clubs Melwood training complex and appeared to train without restrictions, the players recent rib injury not appearing to effect him.
The captains return will be a timely boost for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers who called on his players to show more clinical finishing after they only recorded a 1-0 win at Anfield despite dominating proceedings.
Gerrard has been at Liverpool for his entire career and has made 405 Barclays Premier League appearances, scoring 89 times for the Reds. He has also been capped 96 times by England and has scored 19 times for his country since making his debut against Ukraine back in 2000 and is currently the Three Lions captain.
Dan
K3V0
Cheers pal and yeah that's the plan man, restore Liverpool to former glory I suppose.
I've been following man, enjoying it so far, I'll comment on it a bit later for sure.
K3V0
We'll win easily in Dublin says Luis Suarez
7 August 2012
Last Updated at 13:20 GMT
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has fueled the flames ahead of the clubs second leg clash against St. Patrick's Athletic by declaring that the Reds will easily beat the Irish side at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night.
The Uruguayan is expected to start the clash at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers looks to ensure his side avoids embarrassment.
The Reds hold a slender 1-0 lead following the first leg at Anfield. St. Patrick's Athletic had trailed 1-0 in the previous round after their first leg against Milsami Orhei, yet won on penalties after winning 1-0 in Moldova in the return leg and the Irish side will be hoping to pull off a massive upset in Dublin.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez however insists the Reds will win when the sides meet at the Aviva Stadium, the game moved from Richmond Park to the 51,700 seater stadium.
"We'll win when we play our opponents in Dublin, it shouldn't be an issue," Suarez told Sky News reporters.
"Failure isn't an option for us, we must win and that is what we'll do. The game will good for us, I think we can score more goals than we did in the first game, so let's see how we do. I dream we can win the Europa League, we have a great team with great players and great fans, we win and play for them," added Suarez.
K3V0
St. Patrick's Athletic 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool advance winning 2-0 on aggregate
Last Updated at 21:49 GMT
9 August 2012
Liverpool booked their spot in the next round of the UEFA Europa League in Dublin this evening yet despite a positive performance manager Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed after his side beat St. Patrick's Athletic just 1-0 courtesy of a second half goal from defender Sebastian Coates.
St. Patrick's Athletic have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League tonight at the Aviva Stadium after losing 1-0 to Barclays Premier League side Liverpool, a second half goal from Sebastian Coates on the night enough to give the Reds victory on the night, Liverpool securing a 2-0 win on aggregate.
Liverpool had taken a slender one goal advantage into tonights return leg in Dublin, a goal from Oussama Assaidi at Anfield enough to give the Reds a 1-0 victory a week ago and there was a hint of nerves amongst the Liverpool players as they warmed up at the Aviva Stadium prior to kick off.
Perhaps new Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had picked up on that nervous energy, the Irishman naming what many would consider to be the Reds full first team, Rodgers clearly keen to avoid any possible upset.
In the end it was another routine victory for the Reds, the hosts rarely threatening Pepe Reina.
However there will be questions asked over the Barclays Premier League sides finishing, players again wasteful in front of goal, a header from Sebastian Coates just after half time from a Jordan Henderson corner killing the game off, Liverpool fans probably expecting more goals from their side against a European minnow.
There could also be bad news for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers after left back Jose Enrique pulled up short chasing a pass down the left flank, the Spaniard clutching his left hamstring. The Liverpool defender will undergo scans tomorrow at the clubs Melwood training complex to determine the extent of his injury.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Clarke (c), Delaney (Lawlor - 49), Potter, Lee, Bovaird, Heaslip, Crossan (Judge - 61), Vickers (McLaughlin - 45), Mooney, Pilkington, McKenna
Substitutes: McLoughlin, Gaffney, Boyle, Judge, McLaughlin, Lawlor
Bookings: Mooney
Goals: None
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Coates, Enrique (Carragher - 52), Henderson (Sahin - 63), Assaidi, Allen, Downing, Gerrard (c) (Shelvey - 85), Suarez
Substitutes: Jones, Kelly, Carragher, Sahin, Shelvey, Sterling, Borini
Bookings: Skrtel
Goals: Coates (49)
Referee: Knut Kircher
Stadium: Aviva Stadium
Attendance: 14,767
Possession: St. Patrick's Athletic 38% - 62% Liverpool
Shots: St. Patrick's Athletic 6 - 17 Liverpool
On Target: St. Patrick's Athletic 2 - 5 Liverpool
Corners: St. Patrick's Athletic 1 - 7 Liverpool
Fouls: St. Patrick's Athletic 9 - 13 Liverpool
PeterGriffin
K3V0
We certainly should have won by more, but a win is a win, I'll take it.
K3V0
Rodgers happy with slender win in Dublin
10 August 2012
Last Updated at 13:28 GMT
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he's happy his side beat St. Patrick's Athletic in Dublin despite the Reds only winning 2-0 on aggregate in their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash.
After watching his side dominate proceedings in their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round clash against St. Patrick's Athletic it would be safe to say that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers would be happy by his sides performances over the two legs as Liverpool easily saw off their Irish opposition.
In saying that the Reds were expected to win more than 2-0 on aggregate, a slender 1-0 victory at Anfield was followed by the same result at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Oussama Assaidi and Sebastian Coates netting the goals for the Reds who will now wait for the UEFA Europa League Playoff draw to be made on Sunday.
Rodgers was happy with the win and was adamant that a win is a win regardless of the final score.
"We should have scored more goals, I know that, the players know that and the fans know that. In saying that a win is a win, I'll take a 1-0 win in every game as Liverpool boss right now," said Rodgers.
"I think we sometimes get carried away and think we should be winning by a very large margin but the gap in European football has been closed, St. Patrick's Athletic put up a good fight and they deserve credit for that. We created enough chances to score more goals and that's a positive, we just need to work on being more clinical in front of goal as I've mentioned in the past," added the Liverpool boss.