Man what a crappy loss. The squad will definitely need to claim top points in the next few matches if they want CL next season.
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STEVIE: WE HAVE TO WIN ON WEDNESDAY
Paul Rogers 13 March 2006
Steven Gerrard believes that nothing less than three points against Fulham on Wednesday night will do for the Reds if Liverpool are to maintain their grip on third place in the Premiership.
Defeat at Highbury on Sunday cut the gap between Liverpool and the Gunners to just eight points but a win against Fulham at Anfield this week could see the Reds restore their 11-point advantage. After the pain of the Highbury loss, the game against Chris Coleman's side is simply one we must win, claims the skipper.
"As captain, I'm deeply disappointed for the supporters," Gerrard said of Liverpool's final ever game at Highbury. "I thought we played a lot better in the second half, but we didn't do enough to win the game.
"It's been a disappointing week and now we need a big reaction. We've got Fulham at home and we need to win to ensure we stay in this top four. We've got to get maximum points. There's still a lot to play for.
"We want to reward the fans with the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League. It's not all doom and gloom, but I need to pick myself and the team up."
Paul Rogers 13 March 2006
Steven Gerrard believes that nothing less than three points against Fulham on Wednesday night will do for the Reds if Liverpool are to maintain their grip on third place in the Premiership.
Defeat at Highbury on Sunday cut the gap between Liverpool and the Gunners to just eight points but a win against Fulham at Anfield this week could see the Reds restore their 11-point advantage. After the pain of the Highbury loss, the game against Chris Coleman's side is simply one we must win, claims the skipper.
"As captain, I'm deeply disappointed for the supporters," Gerrard said of Liverpool's final ever game at Highbury. "I thought we played a lot better in the second half, but we didn't do enough to win the game.
"It's been a disappointing week and now we need a big reaction. We've got Fulham at home and we need to win to ensure we stay in this top four. We've got to get maximum points. There's still a lot to play for.
"We want to reward the fans with the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League. It's not all doom and gloom, but I need to pick myself and the team up."
Greeks in for Reds target
By Fotis Voinikas - Created on 14 Mar 2006
LA LIGA MINI-SITE
Olympiakos are ready to rival Liverpool for the services of Fabio Aurelio in the summer.
The Valencia defender is a free agent and is expected to receive a number of offers as clubs take advantage of his Bosman status.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is a long-term admirer of the Brazilian, who arrived from Sao Paulo in 2000, a year before the Spaniard took over as coach at La Mestalla.
Greek sources claim the Merseysiders are ready to offer around €2 million (£1.38 million) per year to the 26-year-old, who twice won La Liga with Valencia and also the Uefa Cup.
Olympiakos have been alerted by the fact that the South American now holds an EC passport, although Barcelona and Real Madrid are also reportedly waiting in the wings.
Benitez has made a habit of raiding La Liga for fresh blood and knows Aurelio's abilities well.
By Fotis Voinikas - Created on 14 Mar 2006
LA LIGA MINI-SITE
Olympiakos are ready to rival Liverpool for the services of Fabio Aurelio in the summer.
The Valencia defender is a free agent and is expected to receive a number of offers as clubs take advantage of his Bosman status.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is a long-term admirer of the Brazilian, who arrived from Sao Paulo in 2000, a year before the Spaniard took over as coach at La Mestalla.
Greek sources claim the Merseysiders are ready to offer around €2 million (£1.38 million) per year to the 26-year-old, who twice won La Liga with Valencia and also the Uefa Cup.
Olympiakos have been alerted by the fact that the South American now holds an EC passport, although Barcelona and Real Madrid are also reportedly waiting in the wings.
Benitez has made a habit of raiding La Liga for fresh blood and knows Aurelio's abilities well.
PROLIFIC REDS HIT FULHAM FOR FIVE
Robbie Fowler struck his first goal for the club since his January return as Liverpool rediscovered the goalscoring touch to bounce back from their recent disappointments with a welcome 5-1 home win over Fulham on Wednesday night.
Fowler set the Reds on the way with a 16th minute header and in doing so became the first Anfield striker to score in the league this year. Collins John levelled for the visitors but an own goal by Michael Brown redressed the balance before half-time and second half strikes from Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch and Stephen Warnock sealed the emphatic rout.
Having failed to register a win in their previous two Premiership outings this fixture was being dubbed a 'must-win' for the Reds by those who made their way to Anfield on what was a freezing cold night and, with Manchester United pulling away in second place and the momentum of the club's chasing a coveted top four finish gathering by the week, there could be no denying the importance of the game.
Maximum points were essential, no matter how it was achieved, and against a visiting team that had failed to win away all season Liverpool were hot favourites to avenge their 2-0 loss at Craven Cottage back in November.
Rafael Benitez shuffled his pack once again for the visit of a lowly Fulham side that was last on Merseyside as recently as Saturday, when they crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Everton. With lack of goals from the front men becoming more and more of a concern Fowler and Morientes were recalled in attack, while Harry Kewell, Djimi Traore and Daniel Agger also returned.
Liverpool started strongly and had the ball in the back of the net within the first two minutes only for Luis Garcia's close-range tap-in to be disallowed for offside, while Morientes should have done better with a tame effort that was comfortably saved by ex-Reds reserve Tony Warner following intelligent play by Fowler.
A deserved opening strike was not long in coming though and just after the quarter hour mark Fowler drew level with Kop King Kenny Dalglish in the all-time list of Liverpool's top goalscorers when he headed home from close-range after Luis Garcia had flicked on a Harry Kewell corner.
A mixture of delight and relief greeted the goal and with the bit between their teeth the rampant Reds threated to treble their lead almost immediately. Hamann then let fly with a 25-yard dipper that sailed narrowly wide and Morientes fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
As the home fans revelled in this one-sided affair John then suddenly silenced the Kop with a well-taken equaliser in the 25th minute, sliding the ball through the legs of Pepe Reina after finding space down the right.
It was a goal that initially took the wind out of Liverpool's sails but parity was soon restored courtesy of Cottagers midfielder Brown who put through his own net from inside the six-yard box after Kewell had centered low from the right.
Apart from a couple of scares either side of the break, when Steed Malbranque fired into the side-netting and Zat Knight headed against an upright, the Reds enjoyed almost total control from this point and Garcia was unlucky not to stretch the lead further shortly after the restart when he curled a delightful left footer against the angle of bar and post.
A third goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 70th minute. Steven Gerrard's cross was headed towards goal by substitute Djibril Cisse - who had just come on to replace the impressive Fowler - and amid the resultant goalmouth scramble Morientes slammed the ball emphatically into the roof of the net from point-blank range.
As the match entered its final stages Benitez made a further two changes and both paid instant dividends. Peter Crouch replaced Morientes and added a fourth goal with an easy finish from a Gerrard pull-back on 89 minutes and Stephen Warnock, on for Kewell, rounded off a highly satisfactory night when he drilled the ball through a crowded penalty area to score his first Liverpool goal and complete a resounding 5-1 success.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Traore, Carragher, Agger, Finnan, Kewell, Hamann, Gerrard, Garcia, Fowler, Morientes. Subs - Dudek, Hyypia, Cisse, Crouch, Warnock
Fulham: Warner, Bridge, Knight, Pearce, Rosenior, Pembridge, Malbranque, Brown, Boa Morte, John, Radzinski. Subs - Crossley, Helguson, McBride, Jensen, Christanval
Referee: Alan Wiley
Conditions: Freezing cold
Attendance: 42,293
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Robbie Fowler
Breakdown
20:01 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Fulham kick-off towards the Kop
1 min : Garcia races into the box and wins the first corner of the game
2 mins : Garcia gets the ball into the net but the goal is disallowed for offside
6 mins : Good battling by Agger breaks up a Fulham attack
8 mins : Great long ball from Hamann almost plays Garcia through on the wing
9 mins : Brilliant through ball from Fowler plays Morientes in on goal but the low shot is weak and easily captured by Warner
11 mins : Low cross from Gerrard attempts to find Fowler but is collected by Warner
11 mins : Low shot from distance by Fowler is too easy for Warner
14 mins : Garcia wins a free-kick midway inside the Fulham half
15 mins : Kewell wins a corner for Liverpool
15 mins : GOAL! Robbie Fowler: Great header down into the goal after a Garcia flick-on
18 mins : Fowler wins a free-kick on the edge of the box as he's brought down lining up a shot
19 mins : Hamann blasts a shot wide on the half-volley from outside the area
21 mins : Traore crosses the ball into the area but Fowler's header flies wide
21 mins : Fowler is playing out of his skin as he sets up Morientes but the Spaniard's shot hits the side netting
25 mins : GOAL! Collins John: Great strike through the legs of Reina
30 mins : Booking: Michael Brown: Booked for an elbow to Kewell's face
31 mins : Reina catches well as Fulham pump a high ball into the Liverpool box
32 mins : Kewells makes a great driving run through the middle but makes a mess of his pass
34 mins : Own Goal! Michael Brown: Brown taps into his own goal from close range
38 mins : Collins John strikes a low shot just inches wide of Reina's goal
39 mins : Fowler attempts to play Garcia through with a back-heel on the edge of the box but his pass is cut out
42 mins : Malbranque smashes a low drive just inches wide of Reina's goal
45 mins : Two minutes time added on
45 mins : Morientes heads over the bar
20:48 GMT : Half Time Reached
21:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Reds start the second half kicking towrads the Kop
47 mins : Fowler's pass to Morientes lacks pace and is cut out
48 mins : Morientes attempts to hook the ball over his head to Fowler but Warner collects
49 mins : Garcia curls a brilliant left foot shot beyond warner but it crashes against the bar
54 mins : Fulham win a rare corner after Carragher puts the ball behind
54 mins : Good header from Traore clears the corner
55 mins : Gerrard lays the ball off to Fowler but his first-time shot is too high
57 mins : Great ball into the box from Hamann but garcia fails to control it
59 mins : Low cross from Finnan is cleared for a throw-in
60 mins : Radzinski goes doen in severe pain after falling badly under a Traore challenge
61 mins : Knight heads against Reina's post from a Bridge free-kick
64 mins : Traore puts the ball behind for a Fulham corner as the visitors step up the pressure
67 mins : Great tackle by Carragher on the edge of his box halts John
67 mins : Strong appeals for a penalty as Bridge appears to block a shot with his arm
68 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Robbie Fowler:
68 mins : Substitution: Phillippe Christanval for Zat Knight:
70 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: Smashes the ball into the net after mad scramble following Cisse header down
74 mins : Cisse shot deflected behind for a corner
76 mins : Cisse caught offside after Morientes pass
77 mins : Substitution: Brian McBride for Tomasz Radzinski:
78 mins : Gerrard shoots over from outside the area
80 mins : Substitution: Peter Crouch for Fernando Morientes:
84 mins : Boa Morte fires a shot well wide of Reina's goal
86 mins : Ball's played long to Cisse but it bounces too high to control it on the run
87 mins : Traore wins a free-kick
87 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Harry Kewell:
88 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Tap in on the line after Gerrard had shot at goal from a Cisse cross
90 mins : GOAL! Stephen Warnock: Good shot through a packed box
21:54 GMT : Match Over
Robbie Fowler struck his first goal for the club since his January return as Liverpool rediscovered the goalscoring touch to bounce back from their recent disappointments with a welcome 5-1 home win over Fulham on Wednesday night.
Fowler set the Reds on the way with a 16th minute header and in doing so became the first Anfield striker to score in the league this year. Collins John levelled for the visitors but an own goal by Michael Brown redressed the balance before half-time and second half strikes from Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch and Stephen Warnock sealed the emphatic rout.
Having failed to register a win in their previous two Premiership outings this fixture was being dubbed a 'must-win' for the Reds by those who made their way to Anfield on what was a freezing cold night and, with Manchester United pulling away in second place and the momentum of the club's chasing a coveted top four finish gathering by the week, there could be no denying the importance of the game.
Maximum points were essential, no matter how it was achieved, and against a visiting team that had failed to win away all season Liverpool were hot favourites to avenge their 2-0 loss at Craven Cottage back in November.
Rafael Benitez shuffled his pack once again for the visit of a lowly Fulham side that was last on Merseyside as recently as Saturday, when they crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Everton. With lack of goals from the front men becoming more and more of a concern Fowler and Morientes were recalled in attack, while Harry Kewell, Djimi Traore and Daniel Agger also returned.
Liverpool started strongly and had the ball in the back of the net within the first two minutes only for Luis Garcia's close-range tap-in to be disallowed for offside, while Morientes should have done better with a tame effort that was comfortably saved by ex-Reds reserve Tony Warner following intelligent play by Fowler.
A deserved opening strike was not long in coming though and just after the quarter hour mark Fowler drew level with Kop King Kenny Dalglish in the all-time list of Liverpool's top goalscorers when he headed home from close-range after Luis Garcia had flicked on a Harry Kewell corner.
A mixture of delight and relief greeted the goal and with the bit between their teeth the rampant Reds threated to treble their lead almost immediately. Hamann then let fly with a 25-yard dipper that sailed narrowly wide and Morientes fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
As the home fans revelled in this one-sided affair John then suddenly silenced the Kop with a well-taken equaliser in the 25th minute, sliding the ball through the legs of Pepe Reina after finding space down the right.
It was a goal that initially took the wind out of Liverpool's sails but parity was soon restored courtesy of Cottagers midfielder Brown who put through his own net from inside the six-yard box after Kewell had centered low from the right.
Apart from a couple of scares either side of the break, when Steed Malbranque fired into the side-netting and Zat Knight headed against an upright, the Reds enjoyed almost total control from this point and Garcia was unlucky not to stretch the lead further shortly after the restart when he curled a delightful left footer against the angle of bar and post.
A third goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 70th minute. Steven Gerrard's cross was headed towards goal by substitute Djibril Cisse - who had just come on to replace the impressive Fowler - and amid the resultant goalmouth scramble Morientes slammed the ball emphatically into the roof of the net from point-blank range.
As the match entered its final stages Benitez made a further two changes and both paid instant dividends. Peter Crouch replaced Morientes and added a fourth goal with an easy finish from a Gerrard pull-back on 89 minutes and Stephen Warnock, on for Kewell, rounded off a highly satisfactory night when he drilled the ball through a crowded penalty area to score his first Liverpool goal and complete a resounding 5-1 success.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Traore, Carragher, Agger, Finnan, Kewell, Hamann, Gerrard, Garcia, Fowler, Morientes. Subs - Dudek, Hyypia, Cisse, Crouch, Warnock
Fulham: Warner, Bridge, Knight, Pearce, Rosenior, Pembridge, Malbranque, Brown, Boa Morte, John, Radzinski. Subs - Crossley, Helguson, McBride, Jensen, Christanval
Referee: Alan Wiley
Conditions: Freezing cold
Attendance: 42,293
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Robbie Fowler
Breakdown
20:01 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Fulham kick-off towards the Kop
1 min : Garcia races into the box and wins the first corner of the game
2 mins : Garcia gets the ball into the net but the goal is disallowed for offside
6 mins : Good battling by Agger breaks up a Fulham attack
8 mins : Great long ball from Hamann almost plays Garcia through on the wing
9 mins : Brilliant through ball from Fowler plays Morientes in on goal but the low shot is weak and easily captured by Warner
11 mins : Low cross from Gerrard attempts to find Fowler but is collected by Warner
11 mins : Low shot from distance by Fowler is too easy for Warner
14 mins : Garcia wins a free-kick midway inside the Fulham half
15 mins : Kewell wins a corner for Liverpool
15 mins : GOAL! Robbie Fowler: Great header down into the goal after a Garcia flick-on
18 mins : Fowler wins a free-kick on the edge of the box as he's brought down lining up a shot
19 mins : Hamann blasts a shot wide on the half-volley from outside the area
21 mins : Traore crosses the ball into the area but Fowler's header flies wide
21 mins : Fowler is playing out of his skin as he sets up Morientes but the Spaniard's shot hits the side netting
25 mins : GOAL! Collins John: Great strike through the legs of Reina
30 mins : Booking: Michael Brown: Booked for an elbow to Kewell's face
31 mins : Reina catches well as Fulham pump a high ball into the Liverpool box
32 mins : Kewells makes a great driving run through the middle but makes a mess of his pass
34 mins : Own Goal! Michael Brown: Brown taps into his own goal from close range
38 mins : Collins John strikes a low shot just inches wide of Reina's goal
39 mins : Fowler attempts to play Garcia through with a back-heel on the edge of the box but his pass is cut out
42 mins : Malbranque smashes a low drive just inches wide of Reina's goal
45 mins : Two minutes time added on
45 mins : Morientes heads over the bar
20:48 GMT : Half Time Reached
21:05 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Reds start the second half kicking towrads the Kop
47 mins : Fowler's pass to Morientes lacks pace and is cut out
48 mins : Morientes attempts to hook the ball over his head to Fowler but Warner collects
49 mins : Garcia curls a brilliant left foot shot beyond warner but it crashes against the bar
54 mins : Fulham win a rare corner after Carragher puts the ball behind
54 mins : Good header from Traore clears the corner
55 mins : Gerrard lays the ball off to Fowler but his first-time shot is too high
57 mins : Great ball into the box from Hamann but garcia fails to control it
59 mins : Low cross from Finnan is cleared for a throw-in
60 mins : Radzinski goes doen in severe pain after falling badly under a Traore challenge
61 mins : Knight heads against Reina's post from a Bridge free-kick
64 mins : Traore puts the ball behind for a Fulham corner as the visitors step up the pressure
67 mins : Great tackle by Carragher on the edge of his box halts John
67 mins : Strong appeals for a penalty as Bridge appears to block a shot with his arm
68 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Robbie Fowler:
68 mins : Substitution: Phillippe Christanval for Zat Knight:
70 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: Smashes the ball into the net after mad scramble following Cisse header down
74 mins : Cisse shot deflected behind for a corner
76 mins : Cisse caught offside after Morientes pass
77 mins : Substitution: Brian McBride for Tomasz Radzinski:
78 mins : Gerrard shoots over from outside the area
80 mins : Substitution: Peter Crouch for Fernando Morientes:
84 mins : Boa Morte fires a shot well wide of Reina's goal
86 mins : Ball's played long to Cisse but it bounces too high to control it on the run
87 mins : Traore wins a free-kick
87 mins : Substitution: Stephen Warnock for Harry Kewell:
88 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Tap in on the line after Gerrard had shot at goal from a Cisse cross
90 mins : GOAL! Stephen Warnock: Good shot through a packed box
21:54 GMT : Match Over
NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 - 3 LIVERPOOL
Sunday 19 March 2006 13:30 , Barclays Premiership
REDS WIN AND KEEP SECOND IN SIGHT
Liverpool have kept up the pressure on Manchester United in the race for 2nd place after goals from Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse gave them a richly deserved 3-1 win over Newcastle United at St James Park today.
The Reds took charge of this match almost from the first whistle and they raced to a two goal lead through Crouch and Gerrard. And although Newcastle threatened a comeback when Ameobi pulled one back, the points were secured when Cisse scored from the penalty spot after Boumsong was sent off for bringing down Crouch.
The Reds smashed five past Fulham on Wednesday night and we didn't have to wait long to see them on the scoresheet again today. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when after a period of good pressure Crouch ran in to head home from Kromkamp's precise cross.
It was a goal that was richly deserved after the Reds had put the home side to sword with a series of sweeping attacks and they might have been further in front just minutes later when Crouch just failed to connect with Kewell's inviting cross from the left wing.
Newcastle have enjoyed something of a revival since the appointment of Glen Roeder as caretaker boss and they began to creep back into the game when first Shearer shot wide and then N'Zogbia tested Reina.
But Liverpool scored a superb second goal through Steven Gerrard in the 35th minute to make it 2-0. It came when Cisse crossed from the right and, after exchanging passes with Crouch; Gerrard smashed a brilliant right foot shot past Given and into the bottom corner.
Liverpool were cruising, but they let Newcastle back into the game in the 41st minute when Ameobi beat the offside trap to head past a helpless Reina and make it 2-1. Television replays did show that Shearer was in an offside position, but he was adjudged not to be interfering and Ameobi's goal stood.
We wondered at half time if Ameobi's strike would change the complexion of the game, but we needn't have worried because the Reds re-established their two goal lead in the 52nd minute when Djibril Cisse scored from the penalty spot after Boumsong had brought down Crouch. And things got worse again for Newcastle when Boumsong was sent off for deprivingCrouch of a goalscoring chance.
The Reds now had a numerical advantage both on the pitch and scoreboard and they never looked likely to let Newcastle back into the game.
And the Reds will leave Tyneside this afternoon thinking they perhaps should have won by a much bigger margin. There were chances for Garcia and Cisse to extend the lead as Liverpool strolled towards the final whistle, but nothing should detract from a job well done.
It took two fantastic saves from Newcastle keeper Shay Given to deprive Xabi Alonso and Jan Kromkamp to keep the scoreline respectable as the clock ticked down, but the Reds had already done enough to inflict only a third home league defeat of the season on Newcastle.
It's Birmingham and the FA Cup next for the Reds and they will go St Andrews on Tuesday night with plenty of confidence after hitting eight goals in their last two games.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Kromkamp, Crouch, Cisse. Subs - Dudek, Garcia, Alonso, Fowler, Traore
Newcastle United: Given, Babayaro, Elliott, Boumsong, Ramage, N'Zogbia, , Parker, Solano, Shearer, Ameobi. Subs - Dyer, Bowyer, Harper, Moore, Clark
Referee: M Riley
Conditions: Dry
Attendance: 52302
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Daniel Agger
Breakdown
13:34 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool get the game underway
1 min : Good ball by Agger releases Warnock down the left but his instant cross is too strong for Cisse to control
2 mins : Ameobi challenges for a loose ball with Reina, resulting in the Liverpool goalkeeper requiring treatment
5 mins : Warnock sends in another deep cross to the far post which Crouch heads wide of Given's goal
8 mins : Emre makes a driving run forward but his attempted pass to Ameobi is well cut out by Warnock
10 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Kromkamp's cross into the area is headed home by Crouch to give us the lead
13 mins : Hyypia brings Ameobi down on the right to give the home side a free kick
14 mins : Emre curls the free kick into a dangerous area but Reina gathers comfortably
19 mins : Cisse blazes over at the far post after a quick Liverpool break involving Kewell and Warnock
22 mins : Shearer has a sight of goal following Ameobi's pass but he misses the target
23 mins : Reina spills N'Zogbia's shot but collects at the second attempt before Ameobi arrives
27 mins : Substitution: Lee Bowyer for Charles N'Zogbia:
33 mins : Hamann scuffs a left footed shot well wide from the edge of the area
34 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard drives the ball into the bottom corner after good work by Crouch
37 mins : Emre pokes the ball against Cisse to win a corner for Newcastle
39 mins : Booking: Peter Ramage:
41 mins : GOAL! Shola Ameobi: Parker's cross is headed home by Ameobi into the far corner
44 mins : Boumsong glances a header just wide as the home side threaten an equaliser
45 mins : One extra minute to be played
14:20 GMT : Half Time Reached
14:37 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Newcastle get the second period underway
48 mins : Agger defends well on the far side to prevent a dangerous cross coming into the area
48 mins : Cisse's swerving shot from distance is gathered by Reina
49 mins : Warnock requires treatment in the area after taking a knock to the face
50 mins : Sending Off: Jean-Alain Boumsong: Foul on Crouch as he concedes a penalty
51 mins : Penalty Scored! Djibril Cisse: Cisse slots home from the spot to restore our two goal advantage
52 mins : Booking: Djibril Cisse:
55 mins : Booking: Lee Bowyer:
60 mins : Good defending by Carragher to turn Solano's cross behind for a corner
62 mins : Babayaro slices a cross wide from a good position on the left
63 mins : Substitution: Kieron Dyer for Shola Ameobi:
63 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Peter Crouch:
65 mins : Cisse smashes a shot well wide with Kewell unmarked to the left at the end of a great attacking move
68 mins : Gerrard slides the ball into Garcia's path but the Spaniard fires wide across goal
70 mins : Shearer finds space on the right but can't pick out a team-mate with his low driven cross
74 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Steven Gerrard:
77 mins : Garcia curls a shot wide from the outside of the box after beating two men down the right
78 mins : Brilliant save from Given to deny Alonso who arrowed a right footed shot towards the far corner
79 mins : Kromkamp stings the fingertips of Given with a brilliant volley from distance which is well saved
85 mins : Booking: Daniel Agger:
87 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher:
88 mins : Solano's free kick is easily collected by Reina
90 mins : Substitution: Lee Clark for Emre :
90 mins : Substitution: Robbie Fowler for Sami Hyypia:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
15:25 GMT : Match Over
Sunday 19 March 2006 13:30 , Barclays Premiership
REDS WIN AND KEEP SECOND IN SIGHT
Liverpool have kept up the pressure on Manchester United in the race for 2nd place after goals from Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse gave them a richly deserved 3-1 win over Newcastle United at St James Park today.
The Reds took charge of this match almost from the first whistle and they raced to a two goal lead through Crouch and Gerrard. And although Newcastle threatened a comeback when Ameobi pulled one back, the points were secured when Cisse scored from the penalty spot after Boumsong was sent off for bringing down Crouch.
The Reds smashed five past Fulham on Wednesday night and we didn't have to wait long to see them on the scoresheet again today. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when after a period of good pressure Crouch ran in to head home from Kromkamp's precise cross.
It was a goal that was richly deserved after the Reds had put the home side to sword with a series of sweeping attacks and they might have been further in front just minutes later when Crouch just failed to connect with Kewell's inviting cross from the left wing.
Newcastle have enjoyed something of a revival since the appointment of Glen Roeder as caretaker boss and they began to creep back into the game when first Shearer shot wide and then N'Zogbia tested Reina.
But Liverpool scored a superb second goal through Steven Gerrard in the 35th minute to make it 2-0. It came when Cisse crossed from the right and, after exchanging passes with Crouch; Gerrard smashed a brilliant right foot shot past Given and into the bottom corner.
Liverpool were cruising, but they let Newcastle back into the game in the 41st minute when Ameobi beat the offside trap to head past a helpless Reina and make it 2-1. Television replays did show that Shearer was in an offside position, but he was adjudged not to be interfering and Ameobi's goal stood.
We wondered at half time if Ameobi's strike would change the complexion of the game, but we needn't have worried because the Reds re-established their two goal lead in the 52nd minute when Djibril Cisse scored from the penalty spot after Boumsong had brought down Crouch. And things got worse again for Newcastle when Boumsong was sent off for deprivingCrouch of a goalscoring chance.
The Reds now had a numerical advantage both on the pitch and scoreboard and they never looked likely to let Newcastle back into the game.
And the Reds will leave Tyneside this afternoon thinking they perhaps should have won by a much bigger margin. There were chances for Garcia and Cisse to extend the lead as Liverpool strolled towards the final whistle, but nothing should detract from a job well done.
It took two fantastic saves from Newcastle keeper Shay Given to deprive Xabi Alonso and Jan Kromkamp to keep the scoreline respectable as the clock ticked down, but the Reds had already done enough to inflict only a third home league defeat of the season on Newcastle.
It's Birmingham and the FA Cup next for the Reds and they will go St Andrews on Tuesday night with plenty of confidence after hitting eight goals in their last two games.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Kromkamp, Crouch, Cisse. Subs - Dudek, Garcia, Alonso, Fowler, Traore
Newcastle United: Given, Babayaro, Elliott, Boumsong, Ramage, N'Zogbia, , Parker, Solano, Shearer, Ameobi. Subs - Dyer, Bowyer, Harper, Moore, Clark
Referee: M Riley
Conditions: Dry
Attendance: 52302
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Daniel Agger
Breakdown
13:34 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool get the game underway
1 min : Good ball by Agger releases Warnock down the left but his instant cross is too strong for Cisse to control
2 mins : Ameobi challenges for a loose ball with Reina, resulting in the Liverpool goalkeeper requiring treatment
5 mins : Warnock sends in another deep cross to the far post which Crouch heads wide of Given's goal
8 mins : Emre makes a driving run forward but his attempted pass to Ameobi is well cut out by Warnock
10 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Kromkamp's cross into the area is headed home by Crouch to give us the lead
13 mins : Hyypia brings Ameobi down on the right to give the home side a free kick
14 mins : Emre curls the free kick into a dangerous area but Reina gathers comfortably
19 mins : Cisse blazes over at the far post after a quick Liverpool break involving Kewell and Warnock
22 mins : Shearer has a sight of goal following Ameobi's pass but he misses the target
23 mins : Reina spills N'Zogbia's shot but collects at the second attempt before Ameobi arrives
27 mins : Substitution: Lee Bowyer for Charles N'Zogbia:
33 mins : Hamann scuffs a left footed shot well wide from the edge of the area
34 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Gerrard drives the ball into the bottom corner after good work by Crouch
37 mins : Emre pokes the ball against Cisse to win a corner for Newcastle
39 mins : Booking: Peter Ramage:
41 mins : GOAL! Shola Ameobi: Parker's cross is headed home by Ameobi into the far corner
44 mins : Boumsong glances a header just wide as the home side threaten an equaliser
45 mins : One extra minute to be played
14:20 GMT : Half Time Reached
14:37 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Newcastle get the second period underway
48 mins : Agger defends well on the far side to prevent a dangerous cross coming into the area
48 mins : Cisse's swerving shot from distance is gathered by Reina
49 mins : Warnock requires treatment in the area after taking a knock to the face
50 mins : Sending Off: Jean-Alain Boumsong: Foul on Crouch as he concedes a penalty
51 mins : Penalty Scored! Djibril Cisse: Cisse slots home from the spot to restore our two goal advantage
52 mins : Booking: Djibril Cisse:
55 mins : Booking: Lee Bowyer:
60 mins : Good defending by Carragher to turn Solano's cross behind for a corner
62 mins : Babayaro slices a cross wide from a good position on the left
63 mins : Substitution: Kieron Dyer for Shola Ameobi:
63 mins : Substitution: Luis Garcia for Peter Crouch:
65 mins : Cisse smashes a shot well wide with Kewell unmarked to the left at the end of a great attacking move
68 mins : Gerrard slides the ball into Garcia's path but the Spaniard fires wide across goal
70 mins : Shearer finds space on the right but can't pick out a team-mate with his low driven cross
74 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Steven Gerrard:
77 mins : Garcia curls a shot wide from the outside of the box after beating two men down the right
78 mins : Brilliant save from Given to deny Alonso who arrowed a right footed shot towards the far corner
79 mins : Kromkamp stings the fingertips of Given with a brilliant volley from distance which is well saved
85 mins : Booking: Daniel Agger:
87 mins : Booking: Jamie Carragher:
88 mins : Solano's free kick is easily collected by Reina
90 mins : Substitution: Lee Clark for Emre :
90 mins : Substitution: Robbie Fowler for Sami Hyypia:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
15:25 GMT : Match Over
BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 - 7 LIVERPOOL
Tuesday 21 March 2006 19:45 , FA Cup Quarter Final
RAMPANT REDS CRUISE INTO SEMIS
Liverpool have secured their place in the final four of this season's FA Cup with a magnificent 7-0 victory over Birmingham City tonight.
It was all too easy for Liverpool who showed no ill effects from playing at Newcastle only 48 hours ago as they put Steve Bruce's men to the sword with a fine display of attacking football which resulted in the Reds' biggest ever FA Cup victory away from Anfield.
Two goals inside the first four minutes from Sami Hyypia and Peter Crouch followed by a second of the evening from Crouch late in the first half gave the Reds a terrific platform while further strikes after the break from Fernando Morientes, John Arne Riise, Djibril Cisse and an Oliver Tebily own goal made it 15 goals in just three games for a Liverpool team which has been criticised over recent weeks for their supposed shortcomings in front of goal.
The Reds were at their clinical best throughout the most one-sided FA Cup quarter final in the history of the competition as they guaranteed their place in Friday afternoon's semi-final draw.
The victory also means Rafael Benitez has ended a mystifying run of never having beaten Birmingham in four attempts as he finally completed the set of enjoying victory over every Premiership club since his arrival in English football.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made five changes to the team which comfortably defeated Newcastle at the weekend, the most notable of which being the return of Momo Sissoko just four weeks after the eye injury which threatened to ruin his career.
Sissoko started in midfield alongside the recalled Xabi Alonso while Djimi Traore, Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise were also brought back into the starting line-up.
Only 55 seconds had elapsed when, from the first free kick of the game, Steven Gerrard floated the ball onto the head of Sissoko and when the Mali midfielder flicked it on Sami Hyypia was arriving unmarked to head home into the back of the net.
Liverpool's early joy turned into ecstacy just a few minutes later when Gerrard delivered a sensational right footed cross into the danger zone where Peter Crouch had escaped his marker to double the Reds' lead with a downward header.
Birmingham's enthusiasm for the challenge appeared to wilt visibly as Liverpool coasted through the remainder of the half and added a third goal eight minutes before the break.
Luis Garcia showed good strength down the right hand side and when he teed up the chance for Crouch the Liverpool striker made no mistake as he slotted home his second of the night into the corner of the net.
There could have been further goals for the Reds in a one-sided first half but Garcia lifted one effort onto the roof of the net while Crouch flashed a half volley just wide of the far post.
Birmingham offered more of an attacking threat in the early stages of the second period as Damien Johnson sliced one shot wide, but Liverpool always looked dangerous at the other end and John Arne Riise forced Taylor into a low save with a well struck free kick.
Benitez, who was forced into a first half change when Harry Kewell replaced the injured Djimi Traore, introduced Fernando Morientes in place of Crouch before the hour as the big striker was given a breather with one eye on Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton.
Morientes wasted no time in stamping his mark on the game when he added Liverpool's fourth of the night just a couple of minutes later with a well controlled right footed finish after more incisive play from Gerrard.
The fifth goal arrived with twenty minutes left to play when Riise found space on the left and cracked home an unstoppable left footed shot which swerved wickedly through the air before crashing against the back of the Birmingham net for the best goal of the night.
The strangest goal of the evening followed six minutes later when Kewell showed neat skill down the left and crossed into the area where Birmingham defender Oliver Tebily only succeeded in turning the ball into his own goal.
And just two minutes from time substitute Djibril Cisse got in on the scoring act with a low drive to complete a great night's work for Rafa's Reds.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Garcia, Crouch. Subs - Dudek, Cisse, Morientes, Kewell, Kromkamp
Birmingham City: Taylor, Clapham, Taylor, Cunningham, Melchiot, Dunn, Johnson, Clemence, Pennant, Painter, Forssell. Subs - Vaesen, Bruce, Tebily, Kilkenny, Lazaridis
Referee: Rob Styles
Conditions: Cold
Attendance: 27,378
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard
Breakdown
19:47 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick-off defending the end behind which the Liverpudlians are housed
1 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: heads in from close-range after Sissoko flicks on a Gerrard free-kick
4 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: another close-range header after Gerrard crosses from the right. What a start!
5 mins : Crouch almost adds a third with a powerful long-range strike that just goes wide
9 mins : More great work by Gerrard down the right but his centre narrowly evades the stretching legs of Crouch inside the six-yard box
11 mins : The ball has temporarily been lost behind the advertising hoardings as Birmingham attempt to take a throw
14 mins : Magnificent tackle by Carragher denies Forssell a shot at goal inside the Reds box
15 mins : Traore goes down in agony following a tackle by Johnson and requires treatment
21 mins : Garcia attepts to loft the ball over the head of Taylor in the Birmingham goal but is effort is too high
22 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Djimi Traore:
24 mins : Gerrard's corner from the right is cleared over the bar by Melchiot
28 mins : Dunn fires well wide from distance
33 mins : Birmingham win a free-kick on the right but Riise heads clear
38 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: neat side-footed finish into the bottom corner after good play by Garcia
39 mins : Crouch fires narrowly wide as he goes in search of a first-half hat-trick
40 mins : A disgruntled Birmingham fan races onto the pitch to remonstrate with manager Steve Bruce
41 mins : Crouch heads straight at Taylor as the Reds threaten to run riot
44 mins : Reina does well to push clear a dangerous centre from Pennant
45 mins : Booking: Stephen Clemence: for a foul on Kewell
20:33 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:49 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Oliver Tebily for Martin Taylor:
47 mins : Johnson shoots just wide of Reina's far upright from the edge of the box
50 mins : Hyypia makes a crucial stop as Birmingham apply some early second-half pressure through Dunn
53 mins : Crouch is brought crashing down 25-yards from goal as he threatens to run through the entire home defence
54 mins : And from the resultant free-kick Riise forces Taylor into a low save at the foot of the near post
56 mins : Substitution: Fernando Morientes for Peter Crouch:
57 mins : Vital interception by Tebily denies Garcia a gilt-edged opportunity
58 mins : An audacious lob towards goal from Alonso is heading towards the top corner until Taylor manages to push it over with one hand
59 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: clinical finish from the edge of the six-yard box following a perfect centre from Gerrard
62 mins : Disappointed Birmingham fans begin to leave St Andrews
63 mins : Great reflex save from Reina keeps a well-struck Forssell effort out
64 mins : Another dismayed home supporter encroaches onto the pitch
67 mins : Booking: Damien Johnson: for kicking the ball away
70 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: thunderous left-footed strike that almost bursts the back of the net
71 mins : Substitution: Neil Kilkenny for David Dunn:
71 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Steven Gerrard:
73 mins : Reina punches clear then clutches the ball at the second attempt as Birmingham enjoy a rare attack with a corner from the left
75 mins : Substitution: Alex Bruce for Damien Johnson:
77 mins : Own Goal! Oliver Tebily: slices the ball into his own net as he attempts clear a cross from Kewell
80 mins : Booking: Alex Bruce: for a foul on Sissoko
89 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: drills a shot straight under the body of keeper Taylor
21:36 GMT : Match Over
Tuesday 21 March 2006 19:45 , FA Cup Quarter Final
RAMPANT REDS CRUISE INTO SEMIS
Liverpool have secured their place in the final four of this season's FA Cup with a magnificent 7-0 victory over Birmingham City tonight.
It was all too easy for Liverpool who showed no ill effects from playing at Newcastle only 48 hours ago as they put Steve Bruce's men to the sword with a fine display of attacking football which resulted in the Reds' biggest ever FA Cup victory away from Anfield.
Two goals inside the first four minutes from Sami Hyypia and Peter Crouch followed by a second of the evening from Crouch late in the first half gave the Reds a terrific platform while further strikes after the break from Fernando Morientes, John Arne Riise, Djibril Cisse and an Oliver Tebily own goal made it 15 goals in just three games for a Liverpool team which has been criticised over recent weeks for their supposed shortcomings in front of goal.
The Reds were at their clinical best throughout the most one-sided FA Cup quarter final in the history of the competition as they guaranteed their place in Friday afternoon's semi-final draw.
The victory also means Rafael Benitez has ended a mystifying run of never having beaten Birmingham in four attempts as he finally completed the set of enjoying victory over every Premiership club since his arrival in English football.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made five changes to the team which comfortably defeated Newcastle at the weekend, the most notable of which being the return of Momo Sissoko just four weeks after the eye injury which threatened to ruin his career.
Sissoko started in midfield alongside the recalled Xabi Alonso while Djimi Traore, Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise were also brought back into the starting line-up.
Only 55 seconds had elapsed when, from the first free kick of the game, Steven Gerrard floated the ball onto the head of Sissoko and when the Mali midfielder flicked it on Sami Hyypia was arriving unmarked to head home into the back of the net.
Liverpool's early joy turned into ecstacy just a few minutes later when Gerrard delivered a sensational right footed cross into the danger zone where Peter Crouch had escaped his marker to double the Reds' lead with a downward header.
Birmingham's enthusiasm for the challenge appeared to wilt visibly as Liverpool coasted through the remainder of the half and added a third goal eight minutes before the break.
Luis Garcia showed good strength down the right hand side and when he teed up the chance for Crouch the Liverpool striker made no mistake as he slotted home his second of the night into the corner of the net.
There could have been further goals for the Reds in a one-sided first half but Garcia lifted one effort onto the roof of the net while Crouch flashed a half volley just wide of the far post.
Birmingham offered more of an attacking threat in the early stages of the second period as Damien Johnson sliced one shot wide, but Liverpool always looked dangerous at the other end and John Arne Riise forced Taylor into a low save with a well struck free kick.
Benitez, who was forced into a first half change when Harry Kewell replaced the injured Djimi Traore, introduced Fernando Morientes in place of Crouch before the hour as the big striker was given a breather with one eye on Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton.
Morientes wasted no time in stamping his mark on the game when he added Liverpool's fourth of the night just a couple of minutes later with a well controlled right footed finish after more incisive play from Gerrard.
The fifth goal arrived with twenty minutes left to play when Riise found space on the left and cracked home an unstoppable left footed shot which swerved wickedly through the air before crashing against the back of the Birmingham net for the best goal of the night.
The strangest goal of the evening followed six minutes later when Kewell showed neat skill down the left and crossed into the area where Birmingham defender Oliver Tebily only succeeded in turning the ball into his own goal.
And just two minutes from time substitute Djibril Cisse got in on the scoring act with a low drive to complete a great night's work for Rafa's Reds.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Garcia, Crouch. Subs - Dudek, Cisse, Morientes, Kewell, Kromkamp
Birmingham City: Taylor, Clapham, Taylor, Cunningham, Melchiot, Dunn, Johnson, Clemence, Pennant, Painter, Forssell. Subs - Vaesen, Bruce, Tebily, Kilkenny, Lazaridis
Referee: Rob Styles
Conditions: Cold
Attendance: 27,378
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard
Breakdown
19:47 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick-off defending the end behind which the Liverpudlians are housed
1 mins : GOAL! Sami Hyypia: heads in from close-range after Sissoko flicks on a Gerrard free-kick
4 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: another close-range header after Gerrard crosses from the right. What a start!
5 mins : Crouch almost adds a third with a powerful long-range strike that just goes wide
9 mins : More great work by Gerrard down the right but his centre narrowly evades the stretching legs of Crouch inside the six-yard box
11 mins : The ball has temporarily been lost behind the advertising hoardings as Birmingham attempt to take a throw
14 mins : Magnificent tackle by Carragher denies Forssell a shot at goal inside the Reds box
15 mins : Traore goes down in agony following a tackle by Johnson and requires treatment
21 mins : Garcia attepts to loft the ball over the head of Taylor in the Birmingham goal but is effort is too high
22 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Djimi Traore:
24 mins : Gerrard's corner from the right is cleared over the bar by Melchiot
28 mins : Dunn fires well wide from distance
33 mins : Birmingham win a free-kick on the right but Riise heads clear
38 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: neat side-footed finish into the bottom corner after good play by Garcia
39 mins : Crouch fires narrowly wide as he goes in search of a first-half hat-trick
40 mins : A disgruntled Birmingham fan races onto the pitch to remonstrate with manager Steve Bruce
41 mins : Crouch heads straight at Taylor as the Reds threaten to run riot
44 mins : Reina does well to push clear a dangerous centre from Pennant
45 mins : Booking: Stephen Clemence: for a foul on Kewell
20:33 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:49 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Oliver Tebily for Martin Taylor:
47 mins : Johnson shoots just wide of Reina's far upright from the edge of the box
50 mins : Hyypia makes a crucial stop as Birmingham apply some early second-half pressure through Dunn
53 mins : Crouch is brought crashing down 25-yards from goal as he threatens to run through the entire home defence
54 mins : And from the resultant free-kick Riise forces Taylor into a low save at the foot of the near post
56 mins : Substitution: Fernando Morientes for Peter Crouch:
57 mins : Vital interception by Tebily denies Garcia a gilt-edged opportunity
58 mins : An audacious lob towards goal from Alonso is heading towards the top corner until Taylor manages to push it over with one hand
59 mins : GOAL! Fernando Morientes: clinical finish from the edge of the six-yard box following a perfect centre from Gerrard
62 mins : Disappointed Birmingham fans begin to leave St Andrews
63 mins : Great reflex save from Reina keeps a well-struck Forssell effort out
64 mins : Another dismayed home supporter encroaches onto the pitch
67 mins : Booking: Damien Johnson: for kicking the ball away
70 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: thunderous left-footed strike that almost bursts the back of the net
71 mins : Substitution: Neil Kilkenny for David Dunn:
71 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Steven Gerrard:
73 mins : Reina punches clear then clutches the ball at the second attempt as Birmingham enjoy a rare attack with a corner from the left
75 mins : Substitution: Alex Bruce for Damien Johnson:
77 mins : Own Goal! Oliver Tebily: slices the ball into his own net as he attempts clear a cross from Kewell
80 mins : Booking: Alex Bruce: for a foul on Sissoko
89 mins : GOAL! Djibril Cisse: drills a shot straight under the body of keeper Taylor
21:36 GMT : Match Over
Reds linked with Aurelio capture
By Francisco Acedo - Created on 21 Mar 2006
Reports in Spain suggest that Liverpool have agreed a three-year deal with Valencia defender Fabio Aurelio.
The Brazilian is available on a Bosman free transfer and has also been pursued by Greek side Olympiakos, however reports indicate that The Reds have won the race for his signature.
Aurelio won both La Liga and the Uefa Cup under Rafa Benitez's stewardship at La Mestalla, and it appears as though their productive partnership is likely to be renewed at Anfield come the summer.
Although no official confirmation is yet forthcoming, Spanish radio reports that Liverpool's offer of €2 million (£1.38 million) per season eclipsed both Olympiakos and Valencia's approaches.
The left back would provide strong competition for John Arne Riise, Stephen Warnock and Djimi Traore at Anfield should he confirm his move to The Premiership, with the South American also able to perform in midfield.
He has previously attracted admiring glances from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, but could now be poised to become the latest Primera Liga star to join the Rafa Benitez revolution at Anfield.
By Francisco Acedo - Created on 21 Mar 2006
Reports in Spain suggest that Liverpool have agreed a three-year deal with Valencia defender Fabio Aurelio.
The Brazilian is available on a Bosman free transfer and has also been pursued by Greek side Olympiakos, however reports indicate that The Reds have won the race for his signature.
Aurelio won both La Liga and the Uefa Cup under Rafa Benitez's stewardship at La Mestalla, and it appears as though their productive partnership is likely to be renewed at Anfield come the summer.
Although no official confirmation is yet forthcoming, Spanish radio reports that Liverpool's offer of €2 million (£1.38 million) per season eclipsed both Olympiakos and Valencia's approaches.
The left back would provide strong competition for John Arne Riise, Stephen Warnock and Djimi Traore at Anfield should he confirm his move to The Premiership, with the South American also able to perform in midfield.
He has previously attracted admiring glances from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, but could now be poised to become the latest Primera Liga star to join the Rafa Benitez revolution at Anfield.
Stephan said:
hhahaha, and you where surprised when i sayd liverpool plays attacking football. well i havent seen juve score so many goals in one match 
hahaha...what a great memory you have
Juventus-Olympiacos does that remind you anything?????and it was against a half decent team not against a pub team....
Aguero eyes Reds move
By Paul Higham - Created on 30 Mar 2006
Highly-rated Argentinian teenager Sergio Aguero says that he would rather join European champions Liverpool than German giants Bayern Munich.
Bayern had been looking to make a move for the promising 17-year-old attacker, and were willing to pay around £10 million for his services.
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hinted a bid would be forthcoming sooner rather than later in the hope of getting their foot in the door ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, the Independiente youngster says that he would rather join Rafa Benitez's Liverpool - the club he says he supported as a boy.
"If I had to choose a league then it would be the Premier League," Aguero is quoted as saying in the Munich TZ newspaper.
"I have been a Liverpool fan for as long as I can remember and it would be a dream to play there.
"I watched the Champions League final and celebrated every goal as if it was for Independiente."
Benitez has already dipped into the Argentine market to sign young defender Gabriel Paletta from Banfield for next season, and he could make a move for compatriot Aguero.
The 17-year-old, who plays in midfield or up front, is being tipped as the next big thing from South America, and has been backed to make as big an impact as Lionel Messi in Europe.
Benitez is always on the look-out for fresh new talent to bring to Anfield and Aguero's comments will make him confident of beating off a host of top European sides if he decides to make a move.
By Paul Higham - Created on 30 Mar 2006
Highly-rated Argentinian teenager Sergio Aguero says that he would rather join European champions Liverpool than German giants Bayern Munich.
Bayern had been looking to make a move for the promising 17-year-old attacker, and were willing to pay around £10 million for his services.
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hinted a bid would be forthcoming sooner rather than later in the hope of getting their foot in the door ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, the Independiente youngster says that he would rather join Rafa Benitez's Liverpool - the club he says he supported as a boy.
"If I had to choose a league then it would be the Premier League," Aguero is quoted as saying in the Munich TZ newspaper.
"I have been a Liverpool fan for as long as I can remember and it would be a dream to play there.
"I watched the Champions League final and celebrated every goal as if it was for Independiente."
Benitez has already dipped into the Argentine market to sign young defender Gabriel Paletta from Banfield for next season, and he could make a move for compatriot Aguero.
The 17-year-old, who plays in midfield or up front, is being tipped as the next big thing from South America, and has been backed to make as big an impact as Lionel Messi in Europe.
Benitez is always on the look-out for fresh new talent to bring to Anfield and Aguero's comments will make him confident of beating off a host of top European sides if he decides to make a move.