Slave to the Game

Posted By: LFZ2004

Jamie Carragher celebrates Liverpool testimonial

Jamie Carragher marked his testimonial with a goal for each side as Liverpool beat an Everton XI 4-1 at Anfield. Current stars Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole turned out for the Reds, who also welcomed back old favourites Luis Garcia, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen. Carragher converted a penalty for Liverpool in the first half, before scoring from the spot for Everton, the team he supported as a boy. The Liverpool defender is celebrating 16 years of service at Anfield. Club captain Gerrard played the first 10 minutes, just hours after helping England to a 4-0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night. “Because I’m so close to Jamie, not just as a team-mate but as a friend, I wanted to be here to share it with him,” said the England skipper. “I asked for permission to fly in and out and have a small cameo and Capello was fine with it, although I’m sure his decision was based on beating Bulgaria 4-0.” Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, who has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa, sat alongside Roy Hodgson in the dugout. But a less popular figure was Owen who assumed the role of villain as his every touch was met with a mixture of boos and cheers, following his transfer to bitter rivals Manchester United in 2009.

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Posted By: LFZ2004

Spain striker Fernando Torres volleyed in to give an unconvincing Liverpool victory over West Brom at Anfield. Torres struck his first goal of the season by clinically converting a Dirk Kuyt cross from the edge of the box. The Spaniard was denied a second when Baggies keeper Scott Carson blocked his far post shot at point-blank range. The Reds were denied a late penalty for an apparent Gonzalo Jara handball before the visitors had James Morrison red-carded for a tackle on Torres. The numerical advantage helped the Merseysiders close out the game as they were relieved to record their first league win of the season, albeit courtesy of a rare moment of quality in an encounter which had plenty going on before kick-off. Liverpool’s new signing Raul Meireles was presented to the crowd and left-back Paul Konchesky was also at Anfield as his proposed move from Fulham drew closer. The arrivals, even though Javier Mascherano is set to leave for Barcelona, will have added to the air of optimism sweeping through Anfield, although the Reds have so far failed to mirror that sentiment with performances and results this season

Posted By: LFZ2004

Liverpool have completed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles on a four-year contract. The Reds have paid 14 million euros for the services of the 27-year-old midfielder, who has won four titles with Porto and been capped 38 times by Portugal, including in all four of his country's games in this summer's World Cup.

Meireles shot to prominence as he helped his country to glory in the UEFA European U16 Championships in 2000, while at club level, he impressed sufficiently at CD Aves to secure a move to Boavista. He spent just one term at the Estadio do Bessa before Portuguese superpowers FC Porto came calling for his services in 2004. After overcoming a difficult start to life at his hometown club, in which he was utilised in an unfamiliar left-back role, 2005-06 saw Meireles establish himself as a regular in his more natural central midfield position.

Posted By: LFZ2004

Liverpool lurched from calamity to respectability against Trabzonspor and will look to apply a similar gloss to their Premier League start against an Albion defence beaten six times when they last left the Hawthorns. Victory would be Liverpool’s 2,000th in 4,223 league games and all their big guns are expected back having missed the trip to Turkey and Friday’s five-hour flight home. Albion last won at Anfield when Jeff Astle secured a 1-0 victory in 1967 and they have not scored on this ground since 1985, when Garth Crooks grabbed the consolation in a 4-1 defeat for a side managed by Nobby Stiles

LFZ2004 team selection Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Poulsen, Jovanovic Torres, N’Gog Subs from; Jones, Rodríguez, Pacheco, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Lucas, Wilson, Spearing, Shelvey, Kelly

Posted By: LFZ2004

Liverpool have been drawn against League Two side Northampton Town who are currently 21st in there league so one would think even with a young inexperienced side we should negotiate with ease and progress to the 4th round. Over the years we have only played Northampton four times, two matches in the old 1st divison, one FA Cup match and a testimonial match for Dave Bowen.

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Posted By: LFZ2004

Liverpool secured their place in the group stages of the Europa League courtesy of a win at Trabzonspor.

The Turkish side had drawn level 1-1 on aggregate when Teofilo Gutierrez slotted in from a Gustavo Colman shot. David Ngog headed wide from six yards for the Reds but they got a crucial away goal when Giray Kacar put a Glen Johnson cross into his own net. Dirk Kuyt completed the win when he slotted in after Daniel Pacheco‘s shot had been parried into his path. Liverpool’s goals came late on in the match and helped them negotiate past some awkward opponents. Trabzonspor had beaten the Reds 1-0 the the first leg of a European Cup tie in the 1976/77 season before the Anfield side overturned the deficit to win the second round tie.

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