After sealing a contract extension for Pepe Reina earlier this week, Rafa Benitez is now stepping up in his pursuit of an extended contract for Javier Mascherano.

The Argentine was widely linked with a move to a big money move to Barcelona last summer before Rafa intervened insisting Barcelona couldn’t afford the player.

Javier’s contract is due to expire in February 2012 and the reds are keen to ensure he stays at Anfield with an extension till at least the summer of 2014.

But in a worrying trend, first mentioned by Torres, the players at Anfield have clearly been disappointed in the last four transfer windows – each of which has saw Liverpool bring in more money than they have spent.

He said:

“Liverpool have approached us to discuss a new contract and my agent will have a meeting in the next few days.

“The reality is that I am very happy at Liverpool. I want to know what the club’s plans are and then we will see if, at this moment in time, I can renew my contract.”

“It is not that I felt unsettled in the summer or that I am more at home now. I have always been very happy at Liverpool.

“Everyone at the club has always treated me very well. That is all there is to say at this stage.”

After a slow start to the season, Mascherano has been one of the most consistent performers in the reds team. Even being handed the man of the match for a terrific display when asked to play at right back last weekend.

With the club mired in debt, those assurances he seeks may be thin on the ground.

... Read the full article: Mascherano concern over board ambition on Anfield Online

Mascherano gets sent off in the first half – Photo from fOTOGLIF

Liverpool traveled all the way down to Portsmouth today in search of a second win on the trot. Although winning in midweek, the reds still needed to improve their form. And it was hoped the men in red were to build on that against a Portsmouth team that currently foots the Premier League.

Sadly, it wasn’t to be. The Liverpool team put on a performance that speaks volumes of how Liverpools season seems to be panning out. The football was lacking quality. And the already fragile confidence drained as the match went on.

Things were made worse when Mascherano was given a straight red card for a high challenge that was deemed dangerous by the referee, late in the second half. Sometimes when a team goes down to ten men there can be an added boost of grit and determination. But the reds trailed away from the game like a loose cannon and the players heads were down.

Nadir Belhadj took the lead for Portsmouth in the 33rd minute. A poor attempt to clear the ball by Johnson gave the Portsmouth player an opportunity to have a shot shot on target from an acute angle. He blasted the ball with so much venom that Pepe Reina could only stand stunned at his near post.

Portsmouth increased their lead in the second half when Frederic Piquionne volleyed the ball home on 88 minutes.

Although Liverpool had some good possession in the game, as always, you have to make it count. And once again, there was a lack of drive or real creativity from the reds attack.

Steven Gerrard went close late in the second half to get a consolation goal, but his effort went round the wrong side of the post. It would have been too little, too late though.

If Liverpool have any intentions climbing up the league table into the top four, they must improve the football drastically. Because bad performances like todays, will only leave them sliding down the league table. Huge improvement is needed.

... Read the full article: Portsmouth 2-0 Liverpool on Anfield Online

Javier Mascherano seemingly agrees with us that the finger of blame for Liverpool’s poor performances lies fully with the underperforming players.

With some quick to point fingers at Benitez, Mascherano admits that the only people Liverpool fans should be blaming are those on the pitch.

“The players play on the pitch, the manager can’t talk to us, can’t say how to play.

“We take the responsibility and we have to work on the pitch.

“I think it [the tactics] is working. That is not the problem, the problem is we are not playing as best we can.

Liverpool face Manchester United on Sunday, not the ideal opponents in a slump of form.

“We have to try to win on Sunday and try to continue winning.

“We believe in all the squad and all the staff.

“Last season we were doing a very good season so we have to maybe remember that and try to win on Sunday.”

We’ve not been the biggest fans of Mascherano after his rumoured off field disquiet but he has done the right thing by telling it exactly how it is.

... Read the full article: Mascherano: Players are letting Rafa down on Anfield Online

Wishes he had gone to Barcelona in the summer?

Can’t handle the pressure of being Argentinian captain?

Worried that he won’t be going to the World Cup?

Whatever Javier Mascherano’s problem is – he needs to get his focus back and get back to playing some decent football for Liverpool. The manner in which he is started Liverpool’s season – it is almost understandable why West Ham only played him 5 times.

The man everyone loves to pick on, Lucas Leiva, has been the shining light of the holding midfielders this season as Masch seems to have his mind on other matters.

It is well documented that Javier is ’struggling’ on around half the salary of the big earners at Anfield. The ironic thing is if he hadn’t flirted with Barcelona (who never had the funds to purchase him) he probably would have been another player handed a significant contract extension.

His agent brother probably did more harm to him than anybody with his constant media interviews suggesting it was a dream for Javier to go to Barcelona.

Benitez may well have had his hand forced to sell Alonso, but Mascherano? A player that Liverpool rescued from obscurity to become the captain of his country. I would also have demanded a bit more loyalty in that regard.

Now the contract extension for Javier (that he probably would have already received) is being dangled in front of him by Rafa *IF* he improves his performances.  With Aquilani hopefully debuting for the reds in the next few weeks, and some solid performance from Leiva, Mascherano may not be the shoe-in he probably expected to be.

Maybe Javi thinks he’s the dogs swingers now that he’s the Captain of a struggling South American side – but even that doesn’t guarantee you football at the worlds greatest football club.

He would do well to re-focus on the club that pays his wages, the club that turned his career around, and if he doesn’t then maybe we’ll have to send Gerrard around.

My gut reaction to his flirtation with Barcelona this summer would have been to sell him. I don’t want anybody at the club who isn’t committed to play with passion.  Unfortunately, as was shown in the Alonso situation, our current owners seem more interested in removing assets from the club and if we had sold him for £50M, no doubt Rafa would have received a fraction of that to try and replace him.

As it is, with our unsupportive board it was imperative we kept hold of him.

He needs to start to repay Benitez’ faith and the fans support.

... Read the full article: The trouble with Javier on Anfield Online

I was fairly despondent walking away from Anfield after Monday night’s defeat to Aston Villa.  On reflection a 3-1 reverse flattered Aston Villa but if you don’t defend set-pieces properly, lack that clinical finish in front of goal (because we certainly had plenty of chances) and give away rash penalties then a defeat is always likely.

After some intelligent analysis over a post match pint I arrived home to the roaring hysteria of the internet masses.

A topic on our forum never likely to move from the first page is that of Lucas Leiva – widely vilified by the LFC masses as some kind of spawn of Satan.  In the demolition of Stoke a few days earlier him and Glen Johnson had rightly been mentioned as our best players but that was out of the window now.

In the past 48 hours some people have ridiculously spouted comments such as:

“Rafa has to go”

And

“The Season’s over”

As a glass-half full man it gets tiresome reading this nonsense.  One of the best responses I’ve read on our forum was from Bleed_Red:

“I swear, most of the people on this forum would leave a perfectly good day at the beach because they see one cloud in the sky.”

Going back to the Villa defeat it was hardly a shockingly bad performance. Result, maybe – but not performance.  I can remember one decent chance for Villa created from open play whereas we had a bagful of chances – in fact arguably more chances than in our 5-0 demolition of them 6 months ago.

Liverpool’s chances against Aston Villa (24)

Aston Villa’s chances against Liverpool (9)

Liverpool lost against Villa because we were undone by a couple of set-pieces and primarily because we didn’t take our chances.

In last season’s 5-0 victory Alonso and Mascherano had very similar games to Lucas and Mascherano this time around. The only difference being that it appears that Mascherano appears to have taken up the Alonso role in terms of distribution – with Leiva performing an ‘enforcing’ role similar to what Mascherano did last season.  Liverpool were not overrun in midfield on Monday night and Leiva and Mascherano bossed the midfield.  Aston Villa managed one shot from open play in 90 minutes.

Either way, some people will still look solely at the result and fail to see the bigger picture. Yes we may have lost 2 games already but Liverpool lost 2 all last season and didn’t win the league. Titles are not awarded for losing the least games.

We failed to land the title last year because we didn’t win 13 of our matches. The 11 draws killed our chances.  If Liverpool can win 28 games this season then they can get hammered 10-0 in 10 league games and probably still have enough points to be in with a shout of landing number 19.

Knees, well and truly, straightened.

... Read the full article: Welcome to Anfield – home of the knee-jerk on Anfield Online

Real Madrid are believed to have improved on their £24M bid for Xabi Alonso by suggesting to Liverpool the possibility of a player swap deal, with either the strikers Negrado or Huntelaar, or the midfielder Van der Vaart added in to the deal.

Earlier this summer Benitez insisted he wasn’t interested in a swap deal for the player and that Real Madrid must pay Liverpool’s valuation of £30M (E35M).  Real Madrid appear unkeen on offering any more money for the player – citing the fact that he isn’t as big a ‘marketing opportunity’ as the likes of Ronaldo or Kaka.

The reds are believed to have lined up Aquilani of Roma as a £14M replacement for Alonso.

Rafa Benitez is furious with Madrid and Alonso for impacting so heavily on Liverpool’s pre-season and for leaving the reds little time to find a replacement. Liverpool FC are understood to have told Real Madrid that the figure is non-negotiable.  Liverpool’s stance is that Alonso is a player they do not want to sell – so the valuation must be met for Alonso to leave.

Liverpool play Espanyol on Sunday and as of this moment – Xabi Alonso is in the Liverpool squad.

Real Madrid do have an oversupply of players at the moment and need to let players go from their 29 man first team squad. Only 25 can be registered to play in La Liga.

We have also heard that Mascherano has been told in no uncertain terms to rein in his agent and his family members from speaking to the media. Yesterday, Mascherano’s brother spoke of the player’s desire to move to Barcelona.  If the media interviews continue – Mascherano will be disciplined by the club.

... Read the full article: Deadlock with Alonso – swap deal mooted on Anfield Online

Just when you thought the Mascherano story had been put to bed, the player will be back on collision course with Rafa Benitez after his agent once again took centre-stage, attempting to get Barcelona back involved with a bid for the 25 year old Argentine.

His agent Walter Tamer, was quoted by Argentine news site Infobae.

“Barcelona is the easiest deal to set up as Javier wants to go to Spain. He is tired of life in England.

“His wife has not been given a permanent visa. She has to go through an odyssey each time she wants to go.

“Liverpool refuse to sell, but this can be overcome with an extraordinary offer.”

Mascherano is with the Liverpool squad who are shortly due to kick off in Thailand. Benitez is believed to have told Mascherano that he is going nowhere this summer.

... Read the full article: Mascherano ‘tired’ of England on Anfield Online

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina believes that both Mascherano and Alonso will not be leaving Anfield this summer.

The goalkeeper insists that Rafa Benitez will be reluctant to allow the dismantling of his spine as Barcelona and Real Madrid are believed to be circling for the two players.

“I believe that he [Benitez] has his mind very clear and his idea in these moments is to not sell.

“He wants to continue with a team he has known for a long time, with an already fundamented base and where we know almost everything.

“Whoever wants to touch this team or this structure [Liverpool] will have to pay a lot of money.”

Reina is also alleged to have fired a broadside at both Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez for their ‘reasons’ for not joining England’s most succesful club.

“Apparently, they moved for the money. That is their decision but I also think it is their problem if they cannot see that Liverpool is a bigger club,

“It’s up to them what they do but let me tell them that I am very proud to play for Liverpool. We can offer European football and I think that should have been a consideration for them.

“Everybody knows what it is to play for Liverpool. It’s a pleasure and a tremendous honour. I am surprised they didn’t consider these things.

“Some things in a player’s career should be more important than money.”

Well said Pepe.

... Read the full article: Reina believes reds midfield will stay intact on Anfield Online

Reports in today’s media suggest that Barcelona are ready to throw their entire £26M transfer budget on attempting to prise Mascherano away from Benitez’ clutches after the Catalan club decided to hold off for a year in their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas. Reports suggest that the reds Argentine is their number one target.

According to Anfield sources, Benitez has said around the hallowed walls of Anfield that Mascherano will not be allowed to leave. Not even for £50 million.

Despite constant media pressure we believe Rafa Benitez is determined to express and exceptionally hard line with the player and Barcelona, and he will refuse to move on the players valuation.

Mascherano is expected to report back to pre-season training next week.

Meanwhile Xabi Alonso’s approach from Real Madrid may go all the way towards the end of this month.

When Liverpool landed the player from Real Sociedad – the original contract is believed to stipulate that 20% of any sell-on fee that Liverpool get should go to the Spanish club.  This clause is expected to expire on July 18th.  Liverpool Football Club have slapped a £35M price tag on the player – and Real Madrid do not want to pay any more than £25M.

Madrid believe they may be able to get the player at this price after the 18th July because of this.

... Read the full article: Is D-Day looming for Masch and Xabi? on Anfield Online

For some bizarre reason it appears the press have decided that Liverpool have become a feeder club for other European clubs.  First it was Alonso linked with Spanish clubs, then it was Mascherano and now it’s Torres.

The standard of football reporting by some of the tabloids has been abysmal.  Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been at some stage linked with every major Liverpool player. In fact, you start to feel sorry for the poor lads who haven’t been the subject of such wild speculation.  Come on Real Madrid – tell us you’re interested in bringing Skrtel in for £120 M.  Poor old Carra as well – he would love to start work on a chain of his restaurants on one of the Spanish costa’s.

Newspapers these days are a dying breed.  With internet access 24/7 – newspapers, especially the Sundays, need something that little bit special to make people trot down to the shops.  To do this, in general, they introduce complete fabrications.  Some sensationalist websites also completely fabricate stories – and most Liverpool websites and forums have introduced their own policies to prevent some nonsense slipping through.

However, one story refuses to go away and that is the Mascherano one – and principally because his agent is so pro-active on the Argentine’s behalf.

At the end of the season Masch was pleased to say how he was staying but within a couple of weeks his agent was popping up left right and centre to try and get his player a move to Barcelona.  The fact that his agent is so visibly attempting to broker a deal and that Mascherano hasn’t stipulated he wants to stay and reigned in his agent speaks volumes for me.

If a player isn’t committed to the cause, irrespective of his name, and assuming Liverpool receive a valuation of the right magnitude then it is entirely reasonable to sell the player.  Mascherano is a good player, but he is far from being one of our greatest ever players.  Last season he was hailed as having a terrific season – although in the final analysis Liverpool actually performed better without him than with him.

When he was struggling to get a game at West Ham, it was Liverpool who salvaged Mascherano’s career.  The player owes Benitez and Liverpool a great deal – and as he runs out as Argentinian captain it is something he may care to consider.  When he’s on the bench at Barcelona or Real Madrid will his country be so keen on having him play for them?

If Liverpool’s valuation for any player is not met then they do not have to sell assuming the player has a decent amount of time left on their contract.  And our club is not the type that will allow players to sulk off.  The manager won’t stand for it, and the fans won’t stand for it either.

So if Mascherano wants to leave Liverpool and if somebody offers the club enough money then I don’t think the reds should be desperately trying to persuade him to stay.   Take the money and bring a player with desire and passion for the red shirt.  And if Mascherano does go – fingers crossed that Newcastle will be back in the Premier League soon so that they can rescue him from his bench-warming, international career ending Spanish journey.  Hmm.. sounds like somebody else we used to know.

... Read the full article: If they’re foolish enough to leave – let them on Anfield Online

With the potential arrival of Glen Johnson it does indeed seem that Arbeloa is longing for a return to his old Real Madrid side. The player was quoted as saying:

“Going back to Spain is always an idea that’s in my mind.

“I’m happy in Liverpool but I’d like to go back as I’ve barely had a chance to play in the top flight over there.

“It’s always nice to be thought of by important teams, more still when it’s this Real Madrid which Florentino (Perez) is buidling.

“They are making a big effort to build a great team. I have a year left at Liverpool but anything could happen.

“Certainly, I will go back one day because, outside of football, I miss everything I have in my country.”

We reported last month that Arbeloa was likely to leave Anfield as the player has resisted talks of a new Anfield contract and with Liverpool facing losing the player for nothing they may be forced in to a sale.

The Javier Mascherano story to Barcelona has taken another twist with the Spanish media claiming that the club’s directors have met with Mascherano’s agent.  Lionel Messi has also waded in insisting it would be great on and off the field to have his Argentinian team-mate at the club.

A figure of £45 million has been banded about.

And Barcelona continue to annoy the reds with thoughts that they can purchase Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, to replace Victor Valdez.  Barcelona seem to think they can get the player for around £15 million but not only will Liverpool not sell Reina, but the player himself does not seem interested in a move.

One bit of good news that is slowly emerging is that Madrid have been scared off concerning Xabi Alonso.  Real Madrid’s sporting director acknowledged Liverpool’s statement over the weekend about the fact that Xabi wasn’t for sale, and the Spanish media also have dropped the story from their radar.

» Discuss our summer transfer targets and potential sales in the forum

... Read the full article: Rumours: Reina, Arby, Alonso and Mascherano on Anfield Online

According to sources Liverpool have turned down a £21 million bid from Barcelona for Javier Mascherano.

Yesterday we published a transcript from Barcelona radio in which the players agent effectively issues a come-and-get-me plea on behalf of Mascherano.  It appears this has flushed out Barcelona’s interest and hence a bid was faxed over to Liverpool FC.

However, Liverpool’s response indicated they are not messing about when they insist the team will not be broken up.

The reds are understood to have told Barcelona that the player is valued at £50 million, and now Benitez has even gone as far to say that no other offers will even be looked at.

‘Mascherano has no price.

‘Barcelona could not afford to match his value to Liverpool Football Club. We do not want to sell and Javier is very happy here.

‘I have spoken to Javier two or three times this summer – the last time was only last week – and he was very happy, very positive.’

Benitez is believed to be privately furious with the player’s agent for his interview on the radio station.

‘He (Mascherano) gave me the private number of his agent and, again, the conversation was very positive and was all about football.

‘Walter told me that two clubs with big, big names were asking after Mascherano – and I told him to forget it, that Javier was happy in Liverpool and he was not for sale.

‘So I was surprised to see the agent’s comments today. He has a long contract and any club can forget about bidding for him. They can offer £40m or even £50m, we don’t want to sell.’

It is believed Man City are also tracking both Mascherano and Alonso but if Benitez words follow through then it will take an extra-ordinary bid this summer to capture either of the reds midfielders.

... Read the full article: Liverpool refuse Barcelona bid on Anfield Online

Javier Mascherano would love to play for Barcelona, and if the Catalan club really wanted to sign him then he would be able to move to the Nou Camp.

That is the news according to Mascherano’s agent, Walter Tamer, who was speaking to Barcelona’s local radio station.

In an open discussion, his agent said:

“If a club like Barcelona want to bring you into their ranks after having completed such a brilliant season and having won everything, obviously as a player, you are going to say, ‘Yes, I want to play there.’”

“It is an honour for Javier that a club like Barca pay such close attention to him, especially after the incredible season they had. I believe that a transfer would be feasible. If Barca really want him, he will sign for them.”

“He would have a very easy job at Barca.

“Sometimes we talk and joke that the only thing he has to do is run, rob the ball, and pass it on to all the superstars in front of him.”

“I have spoken with Txiki Begiristain (Barcelona director of football) before, but we have not been in contact for a while now.

“To have something concrete, we have to talk to Liverpool first to know what their options are for Javier to leave, and then talk to Barcelona to find out their level of interest.

“What if Xabi Alonso also leaves? Surely,Rafael Benitez would not want to have both his central midfielders go. It will be difficult, although Xabi’s future does not depend on Mascherano and vice-versa.

“The transaction would certainly happen, but the first to leave will have more options.”

The news will not make good reading for Rafa Benitez who will be unimpressed with talk of either of his central midfielders moving to Spain this summer.

... Read the full article: Barcelona could land Mascherano, says Agent on Anfield Online

As club football returned after the international break, Liverpool hosted arguablly their fiercest rivals in today’s 12:45 kick off. Manchester United were the visitors to Anfield and were looking to break our unbeaten record for the season. Our form against United hasn’t been great, well truth be told it’s been terrible, under Rafa Benitez who was still looking for his win against our North West rivals. With injury worries over both Gerrard and Torres forcing them to start on the bench our side looked very short in terms of fire power. With Robbie Keane still waiting to open his account for the Reds and Dirk Kuyt with just three league goals all of last season, our forwards didn’t, on paper, look likely to causing the United defence a problem. Although we were handing a debut to former Manchester City winger Albert Reira who’d want to shine on his debut. United were also handing a debut out to deadline day signing Dimitar Berbatov as well as welcoming back Michael Carrick from injury.

The game started at the usual high tempo with United keeping the ball fairly easily and when Berbatov was able to drift into the box and pull the back for Tevez, disaster struck right in front of the Kop. United were 1-0 up after Javier Mascherano had let his compatriot run free and score the goal. It looked like another defeat to our rivals was on the cards again. So early into the game and the pre-match planning had gone out the window. Our two superstars unfit and United looking comfortable on the ball.

We had our own chances in the early going as well though, mainly through Dirk Kuyt who was playing back in his more familar forward role today with Yossi Benayoun down the right wing. A volley from outside the box flew wide from the Dutchman who was gifted another chance by fellow Dutchman Edwin Van Der Sar after the United keeper flapped at an Aurelio free kick. Our number 18 failed to convert and instead his shot was blocked by the thankful Van Der Sar.

As the half wore on Van Der Sar’s form got extremely worse and in the end we profitted from it. After the ball was rolled to Alonso on the edge of the United box his shot was blocked by the arm of Patrice Evra and spun towards the penalty spot. The opposing keeper had a rush of blood to the head and decided to come and flap at the ball again. This time though he could only push the ball onto Wes Brown and the ball bounced back past Van Der Sar and into United’s net, still ensuring Rafa Benitez hadn’t had a Liverpool player score in this fixture in the league. The game stood evenly poised at 1-1 at half time despite Carlos Tevez wasting a golden opporitunity shortly after our equaliser.

The second half started with Liverpool looking the more promising side and Yossi Benayoun really should have given us the lead but his poor control led to Van Der Sar being able to see the ball out for a corner. Chances continued to flow as Mascherano’s tempting ball into the box was meant to met by Robbie Keane but unfortunately the Irishman only hit mid air and the chance had gone. The side was gaining in confidence by the minute though and even Martin Skrtel took a long range effort which was met by a comforable save from United’s keeper which left our Slovakian still looking for his first goal.

The half was given another boost when Steve Gerrard came on for Yossi Benayoun who again had been poor. Gerrard’s first involvement was giving the ball away to Ryan Giggs who shot instantly to have Reina backpeddling to tip the ball over. United’s first and only real chance of the second half. Our next substitution was Ryan Babel coming on for Albert Reira who had surprised a few people with just how good his debut was.

Babel in the end was the match winner after a great surgeing run from Mascherano and a clever roll back by Kuyt found the ball at the feet of Babel who hit into the net, in front of the Kop. The entire ground eruptting because it looked like our first victory over United under Benitez in the league. The game still had drama though after two cynical fouls by Vidic saw him seeing red before the end of the game for two yellow cards, although both fouls could easily have been straight reds. Dirk Kuyt also wasted a simple chance from just three or four yards out in the late stages.

This victory saw us go top, although Chelsea have since won and returned to top the table, but our unbeaten record goes on. We played really well today, something we hadn’t done so far this season. We’re keeping on the heels of the early pace setters and we’re finally showing signs of true champions. If we can keep this kind of form up throughout the season we’re in a real chance of bringing our first Premiership title to Anfield. Our attention now turns to the Champions League on Tuesday. Hopefully we’ll be taking confidence from today’s very deserved victory to see us through a difficult game in Marseille.

... Read the full article: Liverpool v Man Utd (game 4) on Anfield Online

Liverpool’s Premiership campaign continued with an away game to Aston Villa. After just scraping through the Champions League qualifiers in midweek, a massive improvement was required by Rafael Benitez’ men. This improvement would have to be done without Steven Gerrard though, who’s reoccurring groin problem ruled him out for at least two weeks. Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva were both available after their return from the Olympics. Both started with Yossi Benayoun and the injured Steven Gerrard being the two to give way. Andrea Dossena also earned a recall at the expense of Fabio Aurelio. This side on paper looked to give the Reds a very unbalanced side with Lucas playing wide left. Villa themselves had been in Europe during the week but their tie was over in the first leg and Martin O’Neill was able to leave his star players out for their UEFA Cup qualifier. All his big guns returned for this match including new club captain Martin Laursen who’d be handed the armband after Gareth Barry’s comments about his proposed move to Liverpool during the summer.

The pre-match build up was revolved centrally around Barry and the “would he wouldn’t he?” transfer saga. But once the match started it was the selection policy and tactics by our manager which had fans and pundits alike wondering. It appeared that Robbie Keane was going to play on the left wing of a five man midfield. With Chelsea dropping points earlier in the day, this seemed like the perfect opportunity for Liverpool to capitalise and take pole position in the Premiership but the formation suggested otherwise.

Both sides had good possession of the ball in the early going without really causing either keeper any trouble. It was another game where our number 9, Fernando Torres, was going to be starved of any real service and while he was on the pitch he was. The Spaniard pulled his hamstring around the half hour mark after chasing a Javier Mascherano pass. Torres’ quick turn of pace saw his hamstring go and he was forced to leave the game. This seemed to have dashed any real goal threat Liverpool had. The resulting substitution again had everyone wondering what was happening. Everyone expected to see either Babel or Benayoun come on down the left and Keane to go up top but instead Benitez handed young French forward David N’Gog his debut and kept Keane out wide where he was having no effect on the match.

Liverpool continued to press though and Dirk Kuyt had a decent chance from a tight angle after Nicky Shorey’s poor header fell at the Dutchman’s feet. His effort hit the side netting although it was a sign that we were intent on winning this match. The intent continued after nice link up play between Keane and N’Gog ended in a shot just over the bar by N’Gog. The home side also had chances and probably the best of the match after Ashley Young broke the offside trap and pulled it back for Carew who will be bitterly disappointed he could only smash his effort right at Reina in the Liverpool goal. Half time arrived and put an end to what had probably been our best 45 minutes of the season.

The second half saw both sides limited to very few clear cut chances although both had one golden chance each. Aston Villa’s came from an Ashley Young free kick who swung the ball and beat everyone only to find the head of Curtis Davies who had the simple job of heading the ball home, fortunately for us he headed the ball towards his own goal. Our best chance came when Mascherano chipped the ball into the path of Robbie Keane who scuffed his shot entirely and it didn’t trouble Brad Friedel in the Villa goal. The former Red was able to just watch the ball drift wide.

Keane was beginning to come more and more into the game only to be brought off for Yossi Benayoun with still over ten minutes to play. This was Benitez’ last substitution and created as much confusion as his other two. Fabio Aurelio took the place of Dirk Kuyt just under seventy minutes. At this point it looked as if Benitez had accepted a point and Keane’s inability to finish ninety minutes again confirmed as much. Once Keane was off the pitch the game was all Aston Villa with their new signing James Milner coming closest with his shot from outside the box which ended up safely in the hands of Jose Reina.

The game ended goalless which was probably a fair reflection because of the lack of chances for both sides. Us and Villa lacked that killer instinct up front and creativity in midfield. It keeps up level on points with Chelsea at the top of the league and extends our unbeaten run this season to five games in all competitions. It was also another clean sheet, our fourth of the season. With the international break coming up next for most of our lads we can rest our minds for the time being and just hope both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are fit enough to play against Manchester United on September the 13th. We’ll be hoping none of our other players pick up injuries while on international duty. As for today though, it’s another good result for us and the performance showed signs that it’s getting there. I don’t think we’ll be waiting too long Liverpool to click into gear.

... Read the full article: Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (game 3) on Anfield Online

UEFA Champions League
3rd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg (1st Leg 0-0)
Wed 27th August 2008 (20:05) @ Anfield

Liverpool host the crucial second leg of the UEFA Champions League Qualifying round with the tie finely balanced, almost in Liege’s favour.

Liverpool were hit by an unexpected onslaught by the Belgian champions two weeks ago, and after a saved penalty from Reina and a save off the goal-line can consider themselves lucky to still be in this tie.

There will be no room for a repeat performance as the reds need to win on the night to go through to the group stages of the Champions League. A score draw would leave Liverpool out of the Champions League and take an £18 million hit on the clubs income.

Sami Hyypia is still out with an injury and both Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano, although back at the club, are unlikely to figure after their Olympics exploits.  Steven Gerrard claims to still not be at his best in terms of fitness, but is expected to play alongside Xabi Alonso.

Betting

The bookies are even more confident that Liverpool will win on the night than they were in the first leg.  Liege are an almost outrageous 14/1 to win.  I’m sure some neutrals will be looking at those odds.

Liverpool 1/6
Draw 11/2
Standard Liege 14/1

Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. The offer is here.

Also they are offering a refund of any incorrect scoreline or goalscorer predictions if Robbie Keane scores the last goal. Jamie Carragher is 40/1 to be first goalscorer!

Opposition Links

Official Standard Liege Website

TV

The match will be shown live on ITV1 and ITV-HD in Great Britain. The programme begins at 8pm. Expect lots of anti-Liverpool bias.

Fan Discussion

You can discuss the build up to the game against Standard Liege in the forum here
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,9066.0.html

Sign up now and enter the LFC Reds Prediction League for free and predict the scoreline
http://www.lfcreds.com/PredictionLeague/

... Read the full article: Match Preview – Liverpool v Standard Liege on Anfield Online

FA Premiership
Sat 23rd August 2008 (15:00) @ Anfield

Liverpool play their first competitive home game of the season against Middlesbrough in the Premiership.

Sami Hyypia is set to miss the clash due to injury sustained on international duty.  The player who is in his testimonial year at Anfield started the reds Premiership campaign last week against Sunderland.

Martin Skrtel will be back in contention after recovering from a pre-season injury, and Ryan Babel is back in the squad after his exploits over at the Olympics in Beijing. Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano are both still in China.

Liverpool have not win their first two games of the season for 7 years.

History

Liverpool have not been beaten by Boro in the last seven league meetings (of which the reds have won four). Middlesbrough have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premiership, and in league meetings overall have only managed it on 13 occassions out of 66.  Last season Middlesbrough took an early 1-0 lead but the reds eventually ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a magnificent Fernando Torres hat-trick.  Middlesbrough beat Spurs 2-1 last week

Betting

Liverpool 2/5
Draw 4/1
Boro 9/1

Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. Bargain! More odds and offer here.

Opposition Links

Come on Boro

TV

The match will not be shown live in the UK.  Streams will be posted in our forum (see below)

Competition

We have a copy of Jamie Carragher’s new autobiography to give away if you can predict the time of Liverpool’s first game against Boro.  Post your time in this thread

Fan Discussion

You can discuss the game against Middlesbrough in the forum here
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,9053.0.html

Sign up now and enter the LFC Reds Prediction League for free and predict the scoreline
http://www.lfcreds.com/PredictionLeague/

... Read the full article: Match Preview – Liverpool v Middlesbrough on Anfield Online

Liverpool will not be held to ransom by Aston Villa for their club captain Gareth Barry according to reports.

The reds have had a number of increasing bids knocked back by Aston Villa, with Martin O’Neill insisting the player should be valued as highly as the reds Javier Mascherano.

The reds are believed to have grown impatient with Aston Villa’s reluctance to accept the reds increasing bids, and with the player having already indicated he wants to move to Anfield, Liverpool will play the waiting game.

With Xabi Alonso’s potential move to Juventus taking a turn for the worst, the reds cannot be guaranteed income from that players sale and have made clear to Aston Villa that the offer on the table will not be improved upon in the short term.

The reds are believed to have offered around £15 million plus around £2 million in bonuses to Aston Villa for Barry, after moving from their initial £10 million offer.

Aston Villa want £20 million.

... Read the full article: Reds no rush over Barry on Anfield Online

FA Premiership
Saturday 19th April 2008 @ 3pm
Craven Cottage

A second string Liverpool side eased past Fulham, with goals from two players who have spent much of the season on the fringe of the first team – Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch. The real star, was Mascherano, who completely dominated the midfield

.
All smiles as Jermaine Pennant grabs his second goal of the season.

Benitez sent out a second string side last season at Craven Cottage but the reds lost that day. It is perhaps testimony to the improvements in the squad that this team never really needed to break a sweat.

Voronin even had a good game.

Lucas Leiva put together a number of nice moves and he set up Pennant in the 17th minute, whose quick shot took Kasey Keller by surprise as it smashed in to the net.

Yossi Benayoun and Voronin had great chances to get on the scoresheet but it wasn’t until 20 minutes before time that the reds made the game secure.

Peter Crouch picked up the ball from Jermaine Pennant and fired a low shot which on reflection Kasey Keller should have done a little better with.

Last year, the reds weakened side caused a stir as it effectively helped Fulham stay in the Premiership. This year Liverpool have probably done the opposite.

Liverpool are now 8 points ahead of Everton with 9 points left to play for. Champions League qualification is, pretty much, secured.

Post Match Reaction

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

“I picked a team I believed could win the match. We now need just one more point to ensure fourth place in the league, even if Everton win all their remaining games.

“We can completely focus on the game against Chelsea now. We’ve talked a lot about boardroom matters for a long time but for now I just want to speak about football, if that’s possible.

“Javier Mascherano took three knocks but I think he will be okay.”

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:

“We matched them quite well but once they got their first goal we were chasing the game and when they got the second goal it put us out of contention.

We can retain hope of staying up. The task gets harder because we have not recovered any points on the teams above us and we have lost another game and another opportunity.

“We have given a good account of ourselves but we do not have anything to show for it.”

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Skrtel, Hyypia (Carragher 46), Riise, Pennant, Lucas, Mascherano (Alonso 72), Benayoun, Voronin (Aurelio 82), Crouch.

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Torres.

Goals: Pennant 17, Crouch 70.

Fulham: Keller, Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy (Andreasen 78), Dempsey, Healy (Nevland 76), McBride (Kamara 81).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Bocanegra.

Booked: Healy.

Att: 25,311.

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Quick Links
Latest Premiership Table
Updated LFC Stats
LFC Season Analysis 2007/08

... Read the full article: Fulham 0-2 Liverpool on Anfield Online

It’s clear the big-wigs at the FA are deciding to make an example of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano as they today charged him with improper conduct.

Despite the antics we see every week up and down the country, not just by individual players but by entire teams crowding referee’s, the FA have followed the media scent and decided to land it all at the Argentine’s feet.

He will already miss the important game against Everton at the weekend but if found guilty further punishment could miss another two matches as well as receiving a substantial fine.

In a statement the FA said:

“The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off against Manchester United.”

Air traffic control orders Air Mascherano to depart

... Read the full article: FA charge Mascherano on Anfield Online