Manchester United vs Liverpool
11 February 2012
12.45 GMT
Old Trafford

History:
Total: 184
Liverpool Wins: 62
Manchester United Wins: 71
Draws: 51

Last Premier League Meeting: 15 October 2011 – Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United (Gerrard)

Form:
Liverpool: While the Reds have been unstoppable in the cups, their league form has been questionable.

For many, there has been a belief that in order to get the most out of Charlie Adam he must be played as part of a three-man midfield, alongside players who will be able to cover for his shortcomings and in doing so allow him to do what he does best—break down tough opponents and create scoring opportunities.

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing's bid to establish himself as a viable replacement for Lucas Leiva was disrupted recently with a red card and an injury in quick succession recently, but the homegrown midfielder returned to great effect against Manchester City and Wolves, and according to Liverpool legend Jan Molby, Spearing is becoming one of the most important players in Kenny Dalglish's team,

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
6 February 2012
20.00 GMT
Anfield

History:
Total: 153
Liverpool Wins: 70
Tottenham Wins: 45
Draws: 38

Last Premier League Meeting: 18 September 2011 – Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool

Form:
Liverpool: The last three games have been perhaps the best run of three games Liverpool have had this season, advancing in both cups with first a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in the League Cup then a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup, before pulverizing Wolves a weekend ago by a 3-0 scoreline.

In our last poll, we asked whether the club needed to sign a striker, winger, attacking midfielder, or holding midfielder in the transfer window to shore up one of the areas of weakness that had become apparent over the course of the 2011-12 season. An overwhelming majority of nearly 70% said that what the club needed more than anything was a striker, while 17% said winger, 8% said attacking midfielder, and only 5% said holding midfielder.

Against Wolves, Jordan Henderson only misplaced four of his passes from open play for a completion rate topping 90%. He may not have connected on any of his seven attempted crosses, which does rather drag down his overall numbers, but it is nonetheless an impressive statistic. As for how he achieved such a high completion rate, the answer is a fairly simple one: He kept it simple.

Against Wolves, Jordan Henderson only misplaced four of his passes from open play for a completion rate topping 90%. He may not have connected on any of his seven attempted crosses, which does rather drag down his overall numbers, but it is nonetheless an impressive statistic. As for how he achieved such a high completion rate, the answer is a fairly simple one: He kept it simple.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
31 January 2012
19.45 GMT
Molineux

History:
Total Appearances: 98
Liverpool Wins: 47
Wolves Wins: 33
Draws: 17

Last Premier League Meeting: 24 September 2011 – Liverpool 2-1 Wolves (Johnson og, Suarez)

Form:
Liverpool: Liverpool's odd season in which they seem to be unstoppable in the cups but fragile in the league continues.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
31 January 2012
19.45 GMT
Molineux

History:
Total Appearances: 98
Liverpool Wins: 47
Wolves Wins: 33
Draws: 17

Last Premier League Meeting: 24 September 2011 – Liverpool 2-1 Wolves (Johnson og, Suarez)

Form:
Liverpool: Liverpool's odd season in which they seem to be unstoppable in the cups but fragile in the league continues.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
31 January 2012
19.45 GMT
Molineux

History:
Total Appearances: 98
Liverpool Wins: 47
Wolves Wins: 33
Draws: 17

Last Premier League Meeting: 24 September 2011 – Liverpool 2-1 Wolves (Johnson og, Suarez)

Form:
Liverpool: Liverpool's odd season in which they seem to be unstoppable in the cups but fragile in the league continues.

A couple of big-name matchups in 2nd legs of domestic cup competitions coming up later today:

Carling Cup semifinal Manchester City vs Liverpool 8:45pm CET / 2:45pmET / 7:45pm GMT (USA TV: FSC): We didn't see the 1st leg of this semifinal tie earlier this month, which somewhat surprisingly went 1-0 to Liverpool at Anfield.

Having already confirmed to miss out the whole season due to a serious knee injury, Lucas Leiva decided to return back in England for his rehabilitation process, leaving Brazil where he previously received treatment.

Lucas revealed that his recovery process is right on schedule and getting back to Liverpool would be much better for him since he can stay close with his teammates and also fans, who have been very supportive during his tough times.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has returned to the club to continue his rehabilitation from a season-ending knee injury and hopes to begin gym work in four weeks' time.
The 25-year-old has spent the past six weeks in his native Brazil, where he underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament damage suffered in the Carling Cup quarter-final win at Chelsea in November.

Say, if I followed you home, would you keep me? Or at least not mace me? And would it make any difference if I could give you Tuesday's news and notes? You don't have to answer now. Just, you know, think about it. And at least give me a bit of warning on the mace front, if that's not too much to ask.

There's nothing like coming home! Just ask Lucas Leiva, who showed up to his first day of recuperation at Liverpool's Melwood training ground yesterday after spending six weeks back home in Brasil. The midfielder received a warm welcome from the club's staff and of course teammates Dirk Kuyt and Pepe Reina were also around to show their support.

There's nothing like coming home! Just ask Lucas Leiva, who showed up to his first day of recuperation at Liverpool's Melwood training ground yesterday after spending six weeks back home in Brasil. The midfielder received a warm welcome from the club's staff and of course teammates Dirk Kuyt and Pepe Reina were also around to show their support.

After months of praise for being one of the best defensive units in the Premier League, Saturday's game against Bolton saw Liverpool's normally stout defensive line concede three against the side with the worst home record of any club in the seven leagues that make up the top end of the English footballing pyramid.

The prevailing view amongst Liverpool fans seems to be that the defeat against Bolton yesterday could've been avoided if Lucas Leiva was playing. I don't personally subscribe to that viewpoint; for me, shambolic defending was the problem, and that still would've happened even if Lucas had played.

As exciting a name for the future as Joao Teixeira might be, most would agree he isn't going to make a difference when it comes to where Liverpool finishes this season. On the other hand, when it comes to just what the biggest shortcoming of this Liverpool squad is—the biggest thing holding them back—very few seem to agree on anything.

In the wake of Saturday's match against Stoke, much was made of the draw representing a complete tactical failure by Kenny Dalglish and Steve Clarke. The key failure in that larger breakdown was meant to be the deployment of three centre backs in a formation nearly identical to the one which had defeated Stoke at Anfield a year earlier, as in the eyes of many those three centre backs represented an overly defensive approach when facing a club with so little attacking intent.

Luis Suarez and Lucas Leiva couldn't take part in Liverpool's hard-fought victory Carling Cup over Manchester City at the Etihad stadium last night, but both players watched the game, and were full of praise for the efforts of their team-mates. Prior to the game, Suarez - who is currently serving an 8-match ban - sent his best wishes to the team via twitter:"All the luck in the world for my

Real Madrid will allow Esteban Granero to leave the Santiago Bernabeu on loan this month, with the midfielder a reported target for Liverpool.
The 25-year-old has made only five appearances for Real this season and is desperate for more regular first-team action.
According to SER Deportivos, Los Blancos are now offering Granero to potential suitors, with a view to a loan agreement for the remainder of the season.

LFC: Birthday boy Lucas in 6 videos

Lucas Leiva celebrates his 25th birthday today and in honour of our Brazilian international here are six great videos of him in action in LFC TV Online.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2012-01-09 08:59:11 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liver Bird: Oldham Make Short Trip To Merseyside

Oldham have recently updated their badge, what do you think? Wise decision? Hahaha... Owl? Wise?... Ohh nevermind!... Ahh, the magic of the FA Cup. 6 years now since the last time we got our hands on it, feels longer doesn't it?

Oldham have recently updated their badge, what do you think? Wise decision? Hahaha... Owl? Wise?... Ohh nevermind!...Ahh, the magic of the FA Cup. 6 years now since the last time we got our hands on it, feels longer doesn't it? Well Liverpool have Oldham standing in their way at the moment and if they have any aspirations of reaching the final, they will need to deal with Paul Dickov's side first.

Liverpool target Esteban Granero is available for transfer this month and can be bought for around £8million according to talkSPORT.
The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu by Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho, but is unwilling to let the former Getafe man leave the club on loan.

Liverpool is reportedly considering a January raid on Chelsea midfield target Fernando Reges.
The 24-year-old FC Porto star has emerged as one of a number of players in the position who is of interested to the club, according to The Daily Mail, with Celtic's Beram Kayal another player on the club's transfer radar.

Liverpool is reportedly considering a January raid on Chelsea midfield target Fernando Reges.
The 24-year-old FC Porto star has emerged as one of a number of players in the position who is of interested to the club, according to The Daily Mail, with Celtic's Beram Kayal another player on the club's transfer radar.

In tweets: Lucas watches Reds win

Despite being thousands of miles away in person, Lucas Leiva was at Anfield in spirit on Friday night and the Brazil midfielder used his personal Twitter page to tweet his thoughts throughout Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Liverpool are reportedly contemplating a January move for Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal.
The Israel international has impressed all and sundry since his move to Parkhead from Maccabi Haifa in the summer of 2010, and has made 55 appearances for the Hoops.
According to the Daily Mail, Kayal is a target for Liverpool as Kenny Dalglish considers bolstering his midfield during the transfer window.

Here we take a look at some of the players that have been linked with winter moves to Liverpool.
1. Inigo Martinez – Real Sociedad
The Spanish youth international has scored two quite unbelievable goals from the halfway line this season. The catch? Well, he's a centre-back!
2. Fernando – Porto
Much has been made of Liverpool losing their influential holding player Lucas Leiva to injury.

From fears of relegation to hopes for a top four finish, and from passive defensive football to pass and move thrills, the 2010-11 season almost ended perfectly for Liverpool after the rockiest of starts. But almost isn't the same as getting there, and the world rarely conspires to provide the ideal, storybook ending that might be hoped for.

With the winter transfer window re-opens in just a week away, the playing squad...

The mood surrounding Liverpool may have improved with the return of Kenny Dalglish, but with a pair each of losses and draws to go along with four wins as he and the club entered March, that renewed optimism hadn't always led to results. At least, though, there was a widespread feeling that it had become a squad capable of turning the proverbial corner and going on a run if they could only manage to make all the pieces fit together.

There was hope. Hope in Dalglish's return. Hope in Suarez' arrival. Hope in the introduction of a more pleasing brand of football. And then, in a moment, it seemed to have all been ripped away.

People talked about the club being bigger than any one player, and they rationalised that things would be alright given that that particular player hadn't really made much of a contribution to any kind of success over the previous eighteen months.

Liverpool Face Latics At DW

Will Carroll get a start?... Liverpool make the short trip to the DW Stadium on Wednesday to face a rejuvenated Wigan side. Martinez's team are still hovering around the bottom of the table but some inspired performances of late have given them some much needed confidence.

Will Carroll get a start?...
Liverpool make the short trip to the DW Stadium on Wednesday to face a rejuvenated Wigan side. Martinez's team are still hovering around the bottom of the table but some inspired performances of late have given them some much needed confidence.

Liverpool voiced out their rage after acknowledging FA's punishment towards their star striker, Luis Suarez, who received an eight match as he is being found guilty in making a racist remarks towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

The Reds, through their official voiced out a stern disapproval statement regarding the decision, but reports stated that the club's response was taken off from their site 30 minutes after being shown.

After drawing 1-1 with Chelsea at the weekend, Wigan host Liverpool as Roberto Martinez tries to haul his side out of the relegation zone.
Wigan halted an eight-game losing streak with a 3-3 home draw against Blackburn Rovers a month ago.
Since then, they have lost only one of their past five matches, a 4-0 home reverse to Arsenal sandwiching 2-1 wins over Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool are monitoring PSV Eindhoven pair Kevin Strootman and Georginio Wijnaldum hopeful of a potential £22m bid to sign the duo.
The raid to sign the pair could take place in January or in the summer. Boss Kenny Dalglish has brought in a number of youthful additions to the Liverpool squad over the past year and sees Strootman as a central midfielder with a great deal of potential.