Liverpool Fc @ Anfield - Reds Supporters Gatherings

[GeMiNiZzzzZzz]

Managed to wake up to see the match - was too excited to miss this one

My MOM would definetely be Kyrgiakos, he was brillant for us the last 3 matches & Kenny playing 3 at the back for the last few games ensure we gets our 3rd clean sheet on the trot.

Suarez had only a handful of chances, but he was brillant - lets get the wins on the trot now

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293201&cc=4716

Suarez makes his mark

Luis Suarez scored on his debut as Liverpool concluded a turbulent few days with a valuable victory over Stoke.

The Uruguayan slotted home the Reds' 2nd goal of the game in front of the Kop 2 ensure Fernando Torres' £50 million move 2 Chelsea was no longer the major talking point.

And if questions were being asked abt hw the Reds would cope in their former striker's absence then efforts by Suarez & Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles - with his 3rd goal in 4 matches - provided a swift answer.

Record £35 million signing Andy Carroll's introduction 2 the crowd b4 kick-off was the closest he is likely 2 get 2 the pitch 4 a month as he recovers fr a thigh injury. Unfortunately 4 Liverpool tis was exactly the sort of game fr which they would hv benefited fr the 6ft 3in powerhouse striker.

Conversely, it did not seem tat suited 2 his fellow new arrival, although arriving as a 2nd-half substitute with his side already ahead made the task much easier.

The ball spent much of the 1st half in the air, which benefited Stoke far more than it did their hosts, & as a result Dirk Kuyt found his role as lone frontman a frustrating 1 @ times. Saying tat, he had @ least 3 chances of which @ least 1 would probably hv been converted by Torres.

Manager Kenny Dalglish had tailored Liverpool's formation specifically 4 the Potters, lining up 3-4-2-1 with Lucas Leiva/Fabio Aurelio holding in midfield & Steven Gerrard/Meireles supporting the Netherlands international up front.

The 1st chance fell 2 Sotirios Kyrgiakos, returning 2 the team in tat back 3 2 combat the aerial threat of John Carew, as he headed Gerrard's corner goalwards only 4 former Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao 2 clear 2 yards out.

Jon Walters fired over an angled shot fr 10 yards & Carew headed over another ex-Red Jermaine Pennant's right-wing cross, with the hosts having penalty claims turned down when the ball appeared 2 hit Robert Huth's hand.

Stoke's tactics of keeping everything compact squeezed the life out of Liverpool & disrupted their passing game.

Suarez's appearance off the bench 2 jog down the touchline brought a standing ovation fr the Kop, who as a result almost missed Asmir Begovic's brilliant reaction save 2 keep out Glen Johnson's close-range header.

Kuyt nodded wide Gerrard's cross & volleyed over fr close range b4 shooting straight @ the Stoke goalkeeper when a rare passing move involving Brazilians Lucas & Aurelio cut open the defence.

Within 2 mins of the 2nd half resuming Diao was booked 4 bringing down the advancing Daniel Agger & fr the resulting free-kick Liverpool, somewhat fortuitously, took the lead.

Gerrard's low, driven free-kick deflected off Marc Wilson on the end of the wall 2 Kyrgiakos 12 yards out & although Huth nicked the ball off the defender Meireles was on hand 2 smash home left-footed.

Carew almost snatched an equaliser on the counter-attack with a shot which flashed across goalkeeper Jose Reina & wide of the far post b4, jz aft the hour Suarez got his chance 2 start repaying his £22.7 million transfer fee - a club record 4 a few hours on Monday.

His first contribution was 2 engage Abdoulaye Faye in a sprint which resulted in the Stoke centre-back pulling a hamstring. 1 clever backheel 2 set up Martin Skrtel showed the Uruguayan was not short of confidence, despite not playing a game since December 8 becos of a 7-match suspension 4 biting an opponent while playing 4 Ajax.

His next involvement was more decisive & was wat the Kop had been waiting 4. Kuyt's thru-ball sent the forward racing thru & hving gone round Begovic he rolled the ball goalwards.

For a few secs it appeared Wilkinson would cut out the shot but his desperate clearance came back off the post & bounced over the line.

While the crowd were still celebrating Reina ensured there was no frantic final few mins by punching away Walters' shot.


Dalglish happy with Suarez

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was delighted new signing Luis Suarez was able 2 mark his debut with a goal in front of the Kop in the 2-0 victory over Stoke.

"I am delighted 4 him - & for Raul 4 getting the 1st goal,'' Dalglish said. "He had not even had the opportunity 2 train with us becos of administrative stuff which had 2 be sorted out. When he starts training with the lads I think we might see an improvement.

"He has a big smile on his face every day. He's a happy guy & a good guy. We've got a press conference 2morrow [Thursday] so we k extol his virtues then.''

Suarez's shot aft rounding goalkeeper Asmir Begovic finished in the back of the net courtesy of an attempted clearance from Andy Wilkinson which rebounded off the post.

However, Dalglish said there was no doubt in his mind who the goalscorer was.

"I gave him it. It was going in,'' he added. "It is a great start 2 score on your debut & he worked hard & him & Dirk Kuyt linked up well a couple of times.''

The week began with the £50 million departure of striker Fernando Torres 2 Chelsea, the arrival of Suarez & £35 million club record signing Andy Carroll, who is still injured.

"It has been a busy week & we've been in the newspapers more than we would hv liked 2 hv been,'' he said. "It is great credit 2 the players tat they hv not let it get 2 them & they've gone out & been magnificent. The supporters realise tat there is a great group here who 1 2 compete 4 everything & get as much as we k fr every game.''

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was more than happy 4 Suarez 2 claim the goal. "If I was Kenny, if he (Suarez) was half-a-yard anywhere near the ball I'd be saying it was his goal,'' he said. "We r quite happy 4 the lad 2 hv it.

"I watched him in the World Cup & in games 4 Ajax & he's a wonderful player - but give him a bit of time.''

On the game itself he added: "We did okay 4 the 1st half but 2 concede jz aft half-time knocked us. But up until the 2nd goal I thought we were in the game.''

[Regaine]

This is indeed a promising start for Suarez. Hope the new boys will be able to gel well with the rest of team. Third win under King Kenny . Come on Reds lets see if you can get the Champion spot this season.

Wishing every Liverpool fans and supportter good health and prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit .

[naemlo]

This is Liverpool. Will love to see Liverpool beats Chelsea this weekend.

[joew2005]

2 me,beating chelsea is not the most important.
i only 1 2 see The Reds qualify 4 the 2011/2012 Uefa Champions League.

after playing 25 games in the 2010/2011 EPL, The Reds r @ 7th spot with 35 pts.
The Reds still hv another 13 games 2 play in the EPL. (39 pts up 4 grab)
ManC at 3rd spot(25 games played) is on 46 pts, 11 more than The Reds.
Chelsea is at 4th spot(24 games played) with 44 pts.

[NZL97]

i thought kuyt & sotos were brilliant 2nite and kudos 2 suarez for the second goal.........what a way 2 start yr debut...........

however, strange tactics 4 2nite game with 5-3-1-1 just to counter stoke gameplay (according to internet reports), funny thing is why do we need to twitch our formation to counter a team like stoke city, especially when we are playing at home.......this one baffled me.............

also, can someone explain to me why KD keep putting in shelvey in when we are only leading by only one goal...this young kid is not good enough IMHO.....somemore coming on for meireles who is having a good game unless he is injured......another confusing move here...........

all in all, a good win and long may the feel good factor continues.......now for chelsea!!!!!!!!!!

YNWA

[SH149]

Can see that under the King Daglish the team played with confidence oso not afraid to go forward compare to RH and Rafa
Also more youngster get their chances to play despite the suitation as they are the future of the Reds n hopefully more youngster will break thru the first team and now we really can't wait to see the Sunday match !!
Once a red always a red !!!

[Lone_Wolf]

Originally Posted by NZL97

also, can someone explain to me why KD keep putting in shelvey in when we are only leading by only one goal...this young kid is not good enough IMHO.....somemore coming on for meireles who is having a good game unless he is injured......another confusing move here...........

The way I see it is KD needs Meireles for this sunday's game against Chelsea so he dint want to tire him out.

Shelvey is an up and coming youngster and I understand he is groomed to be Gerrard's replacement..... so he needs to play to develop further.

Have faith in KD and his decisions

[rahl]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolf

Shelvey is an up and coming youngster and I understand he is groomed to be Gerrard's replacement..... so he needs to play to develop further.

Agreed, Shelvey has impressed me considering his youth and lack of experience. Just wait for his first goal from midfield.

[NZL97]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolf

The way I see it is KD needs Meireles for this sunday's game against Chelsea so he dint want to tire him out.

Shelvey is an up and coming youngster and I understand he is groomed to be Gerrard's replacement..... so he needs to play to develop further.

Have faith in KD and his decisions

agreed.......but put him in only when the game is safe and won, not when we are hanging on to a one goal lead.......wiser to put on more experienced players like maxi, cole or jovanovic........wonder whether cole and jovanovic had any more future under KD.............

looking at shelvey, he offered nothing when he came on (same for another youngster spearing).......if KD aim is to groom youngster, why not pacheco who is IMHO a better prospect than shelvey who tend to lose the ball and running ard like a headless chicken...............

YNWA

[pirambi]

Originally Posted by rahl

G

Now I feel bad for making fun of him and his antics (in place of football).

YNWA Babel, a class act and forever Red

No wonder, u are a liverfool fan.. and have blaming /complainin attitude...
I guess u r the first one to attend Rafass barbeque...

[pirambi]

Originally Posted by SH149

I agree with bro niteowl said ( there is one dog barking down here ) the thread here is for Liverpool fans gathering now it's seems other club dog had break into here !!!

A brainy dog is better than a brainless PIG....

[beck7777]

Originally Posted by NZL97

agreed.......but put him in only when the game is safe and won, not when we are hanging on to a one goal lead.......wiser to put on more experienced players like maxi, cole or jovanovic........wonder whether cole and jovanovic had any more future under KD.............

looking at shelvey, he offered nothing when he came on (same for another youngster spearing).......if KD aim is to groom youngster, why not pacheco who is IMHO a better prospect than shelvey who tend to lose the ball and running ard like a headless chicken...............

YNWA

Too be honest, the names mentioned above (other than Jonjo) has been given chances and so far link to one word: FLOP..

Might as well bring Jonjo in for the experience since the others offer nothing more than what Jonjo can do...

Let him learn how to play and defend tough and dangerous situation?

Bringing him in when the goal is won and he learn nothing....

[Lone_Wolf]

Originally Posted by NZL97

looking at shelvey, he offered nothing when he came on (same for another youngster spearing).......if KD aim is to groom youngster, why not pacheco who is IMHO a better prospect than shelvey who tend to lose the ball and running ard like a headless chicken...............

Each player on the field has his role in the gameplan..... Pacheco is more of an attacker/striker...... I'm sure if Liverpool needs more attacking impetus KD would have put Pacheco on.

Shelvey's role was to harass the Stoke backline/DM so that they dun hold the ball and Liverpool can play their passing game....... I think he performed this role very well.

[hawksbay]

Originally Posted by NZL97

i thought kuyt & sotos were brilliant 2nite and kudos 2 suarez for the second goal.........what a way 2 start yr debut...........

however, strange tactics 4 2nite game with 5-3-1-1 just to counter stoke gameplay (according to internet reports), funny thing is why do we need to twitch our formation to counter a team like stoke city, especially when we are playing at home.......this one baffled me.............

also, can someone explain to me why KD keep putting in shelvey in when we are only leading by only one goal...this young kid is not good enough IMHO.....somemore coming on for meireles who is having a good game unless he is injured......another confusing move here...........

all in all, a good win and long may the feel good factor continues.......now for chelsea!!!!!!!!!!

YNWA

i tot KD got his tactics spot on,stoke r dangerous at freekicks,corners n throw ins to counter that pool had 3 central defenders but u always knew that agger wld just advance into midfield when pool had the ball,shelvey is a up and coming talent,it says alot when KD can turn to him when the team is only up by 1.