THEREDS: LFC first 6 games comparison: Hodgson vs. Benitez vs. Houllier vs. Evans vs. Souness

After an underwhelming start to the league season, the LFC doom and gloom brigade is out in force, confidently predicting that the end is nigh. Apparently, the club will be lucky to finish in the top half of the table; Roy Hodgson’s job is on the line, and a new Manager's first 6 league games is all it takes to predict how an entire season will pan out (!). Any fair-mind, reasonable fan will just dismiss such hysterical nonsense outright, and as I will show, the first 6 league games are an accurate prognostication of precisely *nothing*.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the first 6 league games under every manager since Graeme Souness:



So – what can we learn from these figures?

1. A high points total in first 6 games doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher league finish. Examples:

91-92: 13 points in first 6 games. Final position = 6th
96-97: 14 points in first 6 games. Final position = 4th.
09-10: 12 point in first 6 games. Final league position = 7th.

2. A Low points total in first 6 games does not necessarily indicate a low league finish. Examples:

05-06: 7 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
97-98: 9 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd

3. Low number of goals scored and/or poor goal difference does not necessarily mean a poor league season. Examples:

05-06: 4 goals scored/6 conceded in first 6 games (-2 goal difference). Final position = 3rd

97-98: 8 goals scored/8 conceded in first 6 games. Final position = 3rd

4. Lots of goals scored does not necessarily mean a good league finish. Examples:

02-03: 13 goals scored. Final position = 5th
09-10: 16 goals scored. Final position = 7th

Looking at the table above, were the first 6 games of any of the previous 19 seasons an accurate indicator of how things actually turned out? In 95% of cases, the answer is no. You can also interpret the figures in several different ways to back up whatever argument you’re trying to make. The point is, trying to use the first 6 league games as an indicator or *anything* is clearly ridiculous.

Fans need to start looking at the bigger picture: this season is not about rebuilding, playing sexy football, or mounting a title challenge. It is and always has been about transition and consolidation, and the ONLY target is finishing in the top 4. Cup runs are a welcome distraction but it all comes down to finishing in the top 4, and that MUST be achieved at all costs. If that means the club stumbles through the season and just scrapes in on the last day of the season then so be it; if it means the club has to win ugly, then that’s the way it has to be.

Such an approach is anathema to Liverpool fans (and is the complete opposite of what I want to see from LFC), but this is the reality, and I think fans have to start accepting it. In all probability, things will probably get worse before they get better; I imagine we’ll see a few more disappointing results in the next couple of months. However, as long as the club is within touching distance of 4th place after Christmas, I think we’ll be in a great position to build momentum in the second half of the season.

The squad is lacking real quality in certain areas but we still have the players – and the manager – to get the club into 4th place. I truly believe that, which is why I am not worried in the slightest about our current form.

And please don't give me the Man City excuse, i.e. 'But City have spent X amount of money, which means they'll overtake us'. There is no evidence whatsoever to support that. Look at the facts: In the last 3 completed seasons, City spent 250m + on transfers, and finished 9th, 10th and 5th, failing to qualify for Champions League even once. Money is not always the deciding factor when it comes to finishing in the top 4, and this season will be no exception.

Patience is the key here; this season is/will be a (sometimes gruelling) marathon, not a sprint, but Liverpool *will* cross the finish line in 3rd or 4th place.

Things can and WILL get better.

Source: Jaimie Kanwar  liverpool-kop.com

THEREDS: 20 GREAT LFC QUOTES

 
1. "If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I'd pull the curtains." (Bill Shankly)

2. "In my time at Liverpool we always said we had the best two teams in Merseyside: Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves." (Bill Shankly)

Rafa at half-time in Istanbul

You can't call yourselves Liverpool players if you have your heads down. If we create a few chances we have the possibility of getting back into this. Believe you can do it and you will. Give yourself the chance to be heroes.

3. "Please be quick, I need to get to the hospital to make sure Robben is okay!" (Rafa after Arjen Robben's theatrics led to Pepe Reina being sent off)

4. "If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." (Bob Paisley)

5. "Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second." (Bob Paisley)

6. "Liverpool are magic, Everton are tragic." (Emlyn Hughes)

7. "It was like playing in a foreign country." (Ian Rush on his time with Juventus in Italy)

8. "Anybody who plays for me should be a bad loser." (Graeme Souness)

9. "You can't call yourselves Liverpool players if you have your heads down. If we create a few chances we have the possibility of getting back into this. Believe you can do it and you will. Give yourself the chance to be heroes." (What Rafa Benitez reportedly told his players at half-time in Istanbul)

10. "Of course I didn't take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present, it was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale Reserves." (Bill Shankly)

11. "Nobody likes being criticised, particularly by players who will be in Disneyland this summer on their holidays rather than the World Cup in Japan." (Phil Thompson responding to criticism from Frank de Boer of Barcelona, who said Liverpool were boring)

12. "As a manager you are important sometimes and you make mistakes, but the most important people are your staff and your players. Never call me the special one." (Rafa Benitez)

13. "I will never forget Steve Nicol's arrival in October 1981. Until then, the three Scots already at Anfield, Al, Graeme and me, had been pretty well able to look after ourselves. We had built up an understanding that the Scots were the master race. We would quote historical facts to the English players to prove it. Some of the most important inventions and discoveries in the world came from from Scots, like television, the telephone, penicillin, the steam engine and tarmac. Their names are part of history - John Logie Baird, Alexander Graham Bell, Alexander Fleming, James Watt. Not to mention those other wonders of the world, golf and whisky... Everything we had built up, he destroyed in 10 minutes." (Kenny Dalglish on his fellow Scotsman)

Shankly's most famous words

Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.

14. "He couldn't play anyway. I only wanted him for the reserve team." (Bill Shankly upon hearing Celtic's Lou Macari had snubbed Liverpool in favour of a move to Manchester United)

15. "Our job is to make the fans happy. When we win, 45,000 people go home happy. When we lose, it not only affects them, it affects their cats." (Gerard Houllier)

16. "Take that bandage off. And what do you mean about YOUR knee? It's Liverpool's knee!" (Bill Shankly to Tommy Smith)

17. "Chairman Mao has never seen a greater show of red strength." (Bill Shankly)

18. "Who's bigger than Liverpool?" (Jamie Carragher when asked by Sky Sports if he'd thought of moving to a bigger club)

19. "When I was at Valencia my wife said that we would win the league. She was right and to mark the occasion she asked me for a new watch. I bought her the watch, but then she said that we would win the UEFA Cup and that when we did she wanted another watch. Now she says that we will win the Champions League and that she will want an even more expensive watch. My wife has a lot of confidence and a lot of watches." (Rafa Benitez)

20. "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." (Bill Shankly)

Sumber:  oleole.com

THEREDS: Liverpool leave Steven Gerrard out of Europa League squad but Fernando Torres does travel to Holland

Liverpool will be without talismanic captain Steven Gerrard when they take on Dutch side Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday but will call on the services of Fernando Torres.

England skipper Gerrard has been left behind to rest, and along with Daniel Agger are the only two fit senior players left at home as manager Roy Hodgson names a strong squad for their second Group K fixture.

Torres, meanwhile, who has looked desperately out of sorts this season will travel for what is his first outing in Europe this season.

Agger's absence, coupled with Paul Konchesky's hamstring injury and Fabio Aurelio's on-going Achilles tendon problem, means Martin Kelly is likely to be forced into action as an emergency left-back.

Holland forward Dirk Kuyt, who made a comeback from a shoulder injury at the weekend, is set to face his former club.

Team (from): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Kelly, Poulsen, Lucas, Meireles, Kuyt, Cole, Torres, Jones, Kyrgiakos, Shelvey, Rodriguez, Spearing, Babel, Jovanovic, Eccleston, Ngo

Sumber:  dailymail.co.uk

THEREDS: Liverpool join Napoli in chase for Auxerre ace

• 

  
  

  Liverpool have joined Napoli in the race to sign Auxerre's Slovenian playmaker Valter Birsa.

  The 24-year-old is the heartbeat of the Auxerre side that qualified for this season’s Champions League after eight years without playing in the compeition.

  And Birsa also starred at the World Cup during the summer as Slovenia caught the eye alongside England in Group C.

  But with his contract at the Burgundy-based club set to expire in June, Birsa could cost potential buyers as little as £2m in January.

  According to reports in France, Auxerre have confirmed that scouts have been tracking the player, who has refused to rule out a January move.

  "It is normal that as professional football player I want to improve," he said.

  "I do my work and if it turns out to be slightly interesting it will be in hands of the club."

THEREDS: Liverpool Vs Blackpool

Channel: StarSports (813)
Date: Sunday, October 03, 2010
Time: 21:55:00 PM

THEREDS: Utrecht Vs Liverpool

Channel: Astro SuperSport 2 (816)
Date: Friday, October 01, 2010
Time: 12:55:00 AM

THEREDS: Match preview: FC Utrecht v Liverpool, Europa League

The Reds have never played FC Utrecht before in a competitive match, but the two sides contested a couple of pre-season friendlies in the 1970s. Liverpool were the victors on both occasions, in 1972 through a Steve Heighway goal and in 1975 through Peter Cormack and John Toshack. Utrecht are no strangers to European football however, having played a total of 36 games in the UEFA Cup/Europa League, winning 13, drawing seven and losing 16.

Liverpool have a decent history against Dutch opposition. In recent years, the Reds have a  very strong record - they met PSV Eindhoven in the group stage of the Champions League in 2008/09, running out 3-1 winners both home and away. The Anfield fixture was particularly notable as it marked both Rafael Benitez's 250th game in charge of LFC as well as Steven Gerrard's 100th goal for the club. Liverpool also met PSV in the same competition back in 2006/07 in both the group stage and the quarter-finals, winning three games and drawing one.

Aside from two 1-0 wins over Vitesse Arnhem in the UEFA Cup 3rd round in the 2002/03 season, Liverpool's earlier games against Dutch teams were far more troublesome. A 2-2 draw at the Olympic Stadium against AZ Alkmaar in the 2nd round of the European Cup in 1981/82 made for a nervy return leg at Anfield, but the Reds pulled through with a 3-2 win, the goals coming from Terry McDermott, Ian Rush and Alan Hansen.

And then there is the small matter of Ajax way back in 1966/67 in the 2nd round of the European Cup. The Reds were taught a footballing lesson on a foggy night in Amsterdam, losing 5-1, with a late consolation from Chris Lawler the only bit of hope to cling to for the return tie. Despite Shanks' post-match bravado ("I wasn’t too impressed with Ajax. They got lucky. Next week in Liverpool we’ll beat them 7-0."), the Reds could only muster a 2-2 draw at home and were knocked out 7-3 on aggregate.

Ones to watch

 

Liverpool

Forward David Ngog is loving European football this season, smashing five goals in five Europa League games to date. Having come on from the bench in the second half against Sunderland last weekend, it is likely the young Frenchman will feature from the start against Utrecht.

Utrecht

Although Ngog's five in five is impressive, Utrecht have a man who has six goals in seven Europa League games. That is the tally of the wonderfully-named and highly-coveted striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel so far this season. With another seven goals to his name in the Dutch Eredivisie already in 2010/11, the Reds will do well to keep the wolf from the door.

Injuries/suspensions

Liverpool have two absentees at left-back, with Fabio Aurelio (achilles) now joined on the sidelines by Paul Konchesky (hamstring).

THEREDS: New squad photo for 2010-11

Back Row: Graham Carter (Kit Manager), Chris Morgan (Physiotherapist), Darren Burgess (Head, Fitness and Conditioning), John Achterberg (Goalkeeping Coach), David Ngog, Martin Kelly, Martin Hansen, Brad Jones, Jose Reina, Peter Gulacsi, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Danny Wilson, Rob Price (Senior Physiotherapist), Phil Coles (Head of Physical Services), Jordan Milsom (Rehab Fitness Coach), Lee Radcliffe (Kit Man). Middle Row: Ivan Ortega (Physiotherapist), Zaf Iqbal (First Team Doctor), Peter Brukner (Head of Sports Medicine and Sports Science), Mike Kelly (First Team Coach), Jonjo Shelvey, Paul Konchesky, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic, Maxi Rodriguez, Daniel Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston, Jay Spearing, Sammy Lee (Assistant Manager), Paul Small (Masseur), Alan McCall (Sports Scientist), Andrew Nealon (Senior Physiotherapist). Front Row: Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard (Captain), Roy Hodgson (Team Manager), Jamie Carragher, Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Daniel Agger, Lucas Leiva, Raul Meireles.

Sumber: liverpoolfc.tv

THEREDS: TOP TEN Most Promising Liverpool Youngsters

With some of Liverpool’s youngsters not covering themselves in glory against Northampton Town, there maybe something to be said that our young players are not what they cracked up to be at the moment. However I feel these ten youngsters really do have a promising future at Liverpool Football Club if they continue to improve.




1. Dani Pacheco
The Spanish forward had an excellent summer with Spain at the European U19 Championships, and really impressed as he helped them to the final. Given the number 12 shirt by Roy Hodgson this season, he has been promised greater first team opportunities, and came off the bench to good effect away to Trabzonspor in the Europa League last month.



2. Martin Kelly

Already far more prominent in first team affairs this season, Roy Hodgson has picked Kelly to start in both the Europa League and Carling Cup already this season. Mostly likely will evolve to play at centre-back, Hodgson has opted to play Kelly either as right back or left back so far this campaign and will almost certainly be the back up to Glen Johnson at full back this season.

—-

3. Daniel Ayala
Alongside Kelly, the Spanish defender is seen by many at the club as the most promising young centre-back. With Liverpool already having four players in his position, the best option for Daniel was to be loaned out where he could get more first team football. He has impressed so far on his loan spell at Hull City, keeping two clean sheets in his first 3 starts and scoring a goal against Derby on his home debut.




4. Suso

This young Spanish whizkid from Cadiz is already exciting many former players and reserve management staff alike. Reserve coach John McMahon has already praised the 16 year old midfielder’s start to his time at Liverpool, while the player has already been asked about by former Red Peter Beardsley when the Reds reserves met Newcastle United earlier this month.

5. David Amoo

An unused substitute for the Carling Cup tie against Northampton Town, the pacey winger has had a lightning start to the season at reserve level with three goals in his first three matches. His ability to stretch and trouble opposition defences was never in question but it now looks as if he has found a cutting edge allowing him to either provide dangerous crosses or score important goals.

6. Raheem Sterling
The Reds had to fight off a lot of competition from other Premier League clubs for the QPR man’s signature back in January. He is pacey, skilful, and good on the ball and he is already looking like a bargain buy. Time will only tell however if he is the real deal and patience will be needed as he makes his way through Rodolfo Borrell’s academy side.



7. Jonjo Shelvey
Bought for £1.7m from Charlton Athletic, Jonjo’s purchase was the result of the Reds’ continuing policy to bring in the best youth talent in the country. The attacking midfielder has been compared to Steven Gerrard in style, and after spending some time in the reserves, it won’t be too long before he gets more regular first team action. Came on in extra time against Northampton Town in mid week.




8. Toni Silva
The Portuguese winger has come on leaps and bounds during his year at the club. He joined from Benfica after a trial period with Chelsea and Fulham last year, and his pace, dribbling abilities and skill on the ball make him one of Rodolfo Borrell’s most exciting prospects in Liverpool’s Under 18s. It will be interesting to see how he progresses this season and if he can make the step up to the next level.



9. Andre Wisdom
An impressive player ever since he joined the Reds from Bradford at the age of just 14, Wisdom’s career has already seen him play in a FA Youth Cup final and the European U17 Championship final last May. In the final for England, the centre-back scored at both ends as the young Lions won the tournament for the first time in their history. Another player who made it onto the bench for the Carling Cup in mid week demonstrating Roy Hodgson already has an eye on him.




10. Jack Robinson
Came to prominence after making his debut for the senior team on the last day of the Premier League season against Hull last campaign, the left sided player is a good crosser of the ball but will need to improve defensively slightly in the next few years. He is still young and has a very promising future if he continues to progress.

THEREDS: Malaga plotting move for Liverpool midfielder

Malaga are poised to make a move for Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Lucas, 23, has failed to establish a regular first-team place following his move to Anfield back in July 2007.

The Brazilian midfielder has already been linked with a move to Juventus, but Malaga are now expected to make an offer for his signature.

Lucas was among the scorers as Liverpool beat Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League, but he lost his place for the game against Sunderland.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is determined to make changes to his squad and could consider a big money offer for Lucas in January.

GATH: Liverpool Vs Sunderland @ D'Litar Cafe Ampang

.......Go Liverpool Go.....

...Koleksi Scarf untuk dijual dan koleksi kuih raya untuk dihabiskan...

Ni lah watak2 penting untuk majlis kali ni.....Thank

Skali lagi 'The Panjang Man' menunjukan kreativitinya......

Family The Reds

Family The REds- Thank To 'Cikgu Ecah' kerana mengedit dengan cantiknya

Sumber: Family2 The reds (sebab aku tak pegi)

LUAHAN: Liverpool Vs Sunderland

Hari ni aku nak cita skit pasal game liverpool  ngan Sunderland..... aku sebenarnya bukan ada masa sangat nak tulis2 ni tapi disebabkan ada benda yg terbuku kat sanubari aku ni maka aku rajinkan gak lah jari jemari aku ni tuk luahkan skit apa yg terbuku '555' kat hati aku ni.

Sebelum game start aku cadang2 nak gi lepak ngan 'Family The Reds' layan game kat d'litar tapi alih2 aku tertidur sedar2 game Chelsea dah abis game Liverpool dah bermula..... Sebelum game liverpool bermula aku mmg dah panas hati dah sebab tgk Chelsea kalah tak melawan, sah2 jatuhlah poin Fantasy Premier League aku minggu ni.

Untuk permulaan game aku mula rasa yg peluang Liverpool untuk mng adalah tinggi , Uncle Roy berjaya mengaburi seketika mata aku dengan tektikal menyerang yang pada aku sangat berkesan. Daripada baring aku mula duduk setelah Liverpool mendapat gol pelik hasil "kebangangan" player Sunderland. Selepas tu Liverpool mula memperlahankan corak serangan dan akhirnya Sunderland dihadiahkan penalti apabila bola terkena tangan Poulsen.Selepas gol penalti yg di jaringkan oleh Darrent Bent permainan Liverpool makin lemau asyik dok kena attack jer.Elok2 dah semangat tadi aku pon terus jadi lemau cam Liverpool , dari duduk aku mula baring balik..... 

Sambil aku dok maki2 player Liverpool ngan Uncle Roy boleh plak Sunderland score sebijik lagi, kalau ikut kan hati aku yg pedih,mendidih terguris dan sebagainya ni mau jer aku tutup tv tapi mengenangkan aku ni "Kipas Susah Mati Liverpool" sepanjang hayat jadi aku layankan jer.Kemasukan Ngog menggantikan Poulsen merubah formasi permainan Liverpool menjadi 4-4-2 dan serangan Liverpool nampak menjadi lebih baik dan akhirnya Liverpool berjaya menjarikan gol penyamaan hasil tandukan steven G.

Kesimpulannya, tak der apa yang tersimpul pon cuma aku nak bagi nasihat sikit kat Uncle Roy dan Sammy Lee, pakailah formasi 4-4-2 kerana ianya lebih berkesan. Defender terpaksa menumpukan kepada 2 striker berbanding dengan jika kita bermain 1 striker kerja defender lawan akan menjadi lebih mudah dan kerja kita nak cari gol menjadi lebih sukar.... Satu lagi nasihat aku kepada Uncle Roy dan Sammy Lee tolong lah main dengan corak menyerang, seperti semua org tahu bila kita menyerang pihak lawan akan bertahan dan tiada ruang yg besar untuk menyerang kembali.... Please lah semua org tau pasal benda tu takkan korang dua org tak leh nak pikir dan tgk kot...... tolonglah ek buat perubahan pada game yg seterusnya....... aku tgk skarang semua team dok kejar kedudukan teratas dalam liga tapi Liverpool dok kejar kedudukan terbawah..... bangunlah ..... aku dah bosan dikutuk dan dicaci oleh fan2 lain.......

K.A: Quota Of The Day From The Sun 2

THEREDS: Man City ready with £50M bid for unhappy Liverpool striker Torres

Manchester City are planning a new bid for unsettled Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

The Daily Star says Torres is ready to quit ­Liverpool in dismay at the club’s progress under new boss Roy Hodgson.

And big-spending Manchester City are already ­pl­otting a £50m January bid to put the Spain ­ superstar out of his ­Anfield misery.

City chiefs have already made it clear that they are ready to smash their transfer record to bring the ­hitman to Eastlands.

Boss Roberto Mancini made Torres his No.1 summer target, but knew he would be ­facing an uphill struggle to lure the striker without the carrot of European Cup football.

But the Italian will ­renew his attempts to pull off the capture of Torres once the ­transfer window reopens.

SUMBER: tribalfootball.com

THEREDS: Liverpool v Sunderland Review

Liverpool    v    Sunderland

Live text and stats

Content will update automatically

Saturday, 25 September 2010
Premier League

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Liverpool	v	Sunderland	15:00

LIVERPOOL

SUNDERLAND

Possession

• Liverpool 50%
• Sunderland 50%

Attempts on target

• Liverpool 0
• Sunderland 0

Attempts off target

• Liverpool 0
• Sunderland 0

Corners

• Liverpool 0
• Sunderland 0

Fouls

• Liverpool 0
• Sunderland 0

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Anfield Date: Saturday, 25 September Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

 

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will recall the senior players rested for the shock Carling Cup defeat by Northampton.

Dutch star Dirk Kuyt could make an earlier than expected return from a shoulder problem.

Sunderland are without Anton Ferdinand and Kieran Richardson, who both picked up hamstring injuries in midweek, but Titus Bramble is set to start.

Asamoah Gyan also hurt his hamstring against West Ham and is a major doubt, but Lee Cattermole is back from a ban.

---

Liverpool

Doubtful: Kuyt (shoulder)

Injured: Aurelio (Achilles)

Sunderland

Doubtful: Gyan (hamstring)

Injured: Campbell & Meyler (both knee), Gordon (arm), Ferdinand & Richardson (hamstring), Mensah (calf), Turner (ankle) 

MATCH PREVIEW

Liverpool were not alone in making a surprise Carling Cup exit in midweek, but while the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City could afford to be philosophical following defeats against fellow Premier League sides, the Reds' loss to Northampton was far more alarming.

Losing to a side currently 17th in League Two was, as manager Roy Hodgson admitted afterwards, a "major setback". How Hogdson could do with a fit and firing Fernando Torres right now.

The Spaniard netted twice when Liverpool beat Sunderland in March, including a goal of the season contender to open the scoring. But since then he has managed just one league goal for the Reds, and has not looked the same player since rushing a return from knee surgery in time to make Spain's World Cup squad.

Off the field problems continue to plague the Reds. The Spirit of Shankly fans' group plan two days of demonstrations against the club's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, that will involve a mass protest at Saturday's game.

Steve Bruce's Black Cats side, who have lost just once in the league this season, will not fear a trip to Anfield. They showed again last weekend that they are no respecters of reputations by snatching a dramatic late point against Arsenal.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Sunderland have gone 12 games without a win at Anfield in all competitions, failing to score in their last six games there.

• The Black Cats' last win away to the Reds was a 1-0 victory on 1 October 1983.

• This will be the 155th meeting between the teams. Liverpool have won 71, Sunderland 51 and their have been 32 draws.

Liverpool

• The two goals Steven Gerrard scored against Manchester United on Sunday were his first in the league since netting against Burnley in April.

• The Reds have not scored a single goal in the first half of Premier League games this season.

Sunderland

• Only 12 of the Black Cats' 46 shots in the Premier League this season have been on target.

• Only two players have scored for Sunderland this season. Darren Bent has five goals and Asamoah Gyan two. They have also benefitted from a Stephen Carr own goal.

• Their first effort on target in their match with Arsenal last Saturday came in the 65th minute, via the head of Gunners' midfielder Denilson.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Liverpool

Ngog: 7 goals (1 league)

Sunderland

Bent: 5 goals (3 league); Gyan: 2 goal (1 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Assistant referees: Mike Cairns & Ron Ganfield

Fourth official: Lee Probert

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Liverpool (L2-3 v Manchester United, a): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky (Agger 81), Meireles (Jovanovic 79), Poulsen, Maxi (Ngog 62), Gerrard, Cole, Torres. Subs not used: Jones, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Lucas. 

Sunderland (D1-1 v Arsenal, h): Mignolet, Onuoha (Zenden 76), Bramble, Ferdinand, Richardson, Elmohamady, Riveros (Gyan 63), Henderson, Malbranque (Reid 86), Welbeck, Bent. Subs not used: Carson, Bardsley, Da Silva, Colback.

Raheem Sterling – A youngster set to save Liverpool millions

It is a shame that former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will not be around to reap the benefits of the radical and wholesale changes he made to the club’s youth and reserve set-up during his six-year tenure at Anfield.

When Benitez arrived from Valencia in 2004, the club’s bright young hopes for the future read- Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread, Robbie Foy and David Raven. Captain Steven Gerrard and club stalwart Jamie Carragher remain the last major successes to rise through the club’s youth and reserve sides, nearly 15 years ago. A statistic which remains a major concern for Liverpool fans.

Benitez was fully committed to revolutionising the club’s youth and reserve sides and named it as one of the key terms in his contract negotiations in March 2009. Former Barcelona man Jose Segura was brought in two months later to oversee operations at the club’s Kirkby Academy and was very much Benitez’s man. Benitez also gradually raised the standard of personnel at the club, who are now aiming to become the next generation of first-team Liverpool players.

Despite the positives, Benitez ultimately failed to develop a young player good enough to become a Liverpool regular during his time at Anfield. However, such fundamental core changes to the youth set-up and player recruitment structure could not be made overnight and Benitez’s legacy could yet be the players he signed for the club’s future. These players may or may not make the break through, however I do think this latest crop of youngsters are the best the club has seen in years. It is now increasingly difficult to develop local players and the Reds have now altered their strategy to attract the best talent in England and abroad from an early age.

In reserve, Liverpool now have fresh, young and exciting talent banging at manager Roy Hodgson’s door, desperate for some first-team action. Players such as Spanish starlets Daniel Pacheco & Suso are a testament to Benitez’s efforts, while youngsters JonJo Shelvey, Jack Robinson and Michael Ngoo have all been tipped to have massive futures in the game. One other notable player to look out for is 15-year-old Raheem Sterling.

The attacking midfielder was signed from QPR for an initial £300,000 and the fee could rise to £5m should the player become a regular at Liverpool. England youth international Sterling saw his reputation soar after breaking into the national u-16 side at the tender age of 14 and has both pace and trickery in abundance.

Liverpool beat off competition from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to land Sterling, considered to be as good as England star Wayne Rooney during his Everton youth days.

THEREDS: Liverpool Plan Ambitious £18m Raid for Tottenham Pair

Anfield boss looks to bring in White Hart Lane bench warmers.

Liverpool will attempt to pull of something of a coup this January by trying to nab two out of favour Tottenham players as the Anfield club looks to improve his under-performing squad. Boss Roy Hodgson is rumoured to be looking to reignite his interest in Roman Pavlyuchenko as well as lure Mexican international Giovani with the promise of the first team football neither regular enjoys at White Hart Lane.

The Merseyside club tried in a last ditch move to bring Pavlyuchenko to the club last month and will look to secure the Russian in January when it may well become abundantly clear that the former Spartak Moscow man is little more than a bit part player in the north London club’s plans. The 28 year old forward has managed just one start in the Premier League this season and even then he was hauled off after an hour, so he may well be keen on a move.

Former Barcelona man Giovani is in a similar position having managed just 30 minutes of Premier League action thus far and having failed to persuade Redknapp of his value the 21 year old adaptable attacker may well have had enough of bench warming.

Both players would offer Hodgson a vast improvement on what the club has to offer in their respective positions. Pavlyuchenko may well be an ideal foil for Fernando Torres and Giovani could offer Liverpool a number of attacking options to help provide ammunition for a club that has struggled badly to hit the back of the net, managing just two goals from open play in five matches.

The pair would cost the club around £18m to purchase and clearly such a move would become more realistic in funding terms if co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had been ousted by the club by new owners. However it is worth noting that the club has netted around £30m through player sales over the summer and reinvested around £20m of that in new additions and Managing Director Christian Purslow has stated that money made from sales would be reinvested in improving the Anfield squad.

SUMBER:   caughtoffside.com

THEREDS: Fernando Torres 'to submit Liverpool transfer request in January'

Fernando Torres is preparing to drop a bombshell on new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson in January by handing in a written transfer request, it has been suggested.

Set to switch? Fernando Torres is close to requesting a move away from Liverpool

Torres is reportedly disgruntled at the Reds' manager's failure to bring in any more big-name signings since Joe Cole's arrival on a free transfer.

The signing of the ex-Chelsea star was thought to have been a watershed moment for the club in outbidding rival suitors Arsenal and Tottenham, with reports at the time claiming Cole had been offered £90,000 a week over four years at Anfield.

Shortly afterwards, Torres spoke out to commit his future to Liverpool - despite speculation that Manchester City and Chelsea were both preparing to break their transfer records to sign the Spanish international.

But the former Atletico Madrid striker is said to have had a rethink, with the Daily Star claiming he will demand to leave when the transfer window reopens.

Torres' form has been poor so far this season, with several factors - from exhaustion after the World Cup to fears of picking up more injuries - being blamed for his disappointing showings.

And it is said the 26-year-old believes a move away from Liverpool - where concerns over the club's financial position are overshadowing the team's performances - could rejuvenate his flagging club career. 

SUMBER:  metro.co.uk

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