[Liverweb] Everton Match preview

Liverweb Match Preview

Opponents : Everton
Date : Saturday March 25 @ 12.45
Venue : Anfield
TV Coverage : PremPlus, Supersport 3, Supersport 8SA, Galaxie Sport,
Prem Sport Portal, Sport 1 HU, Sport TV, TV8 Turkey, NTV+ Football,
C+ Deporte 1, Sport 1 NL, ART Sport 4, C+ Sport (Poland), SKY Sport
Italia 1, SKY Calcio 3, TPS Star, C+ Sport (D/F/N/S), Kanal5 (Den),
Sportsnet All, Fox Soccer, Fox Sports 1

Tape Delay : Megasport (6hrs 25)

Head to Head - Premiership Head to Head
LAST corresponding Fixture : Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Squads : The Reds don't have any major injury concerns aherad of
this game. Djimi Traore has a slight thigh injury which would leave
the door open for Riise and Warnock to battle it out for the left
back slot.

Everton can pick a squad containing Duncan Ferguson for the first
time in seven games. Nuno Valente should be fit again but Mikel
Arteta is struggling with a back injury and may need a late fitness
test.

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Kromkamp, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Warnock, Riise, Traore, Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Sissoko,
Kewell, Fowler, Morientes, Crouch, Cisse, Dudek.

Everton : Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Yobo, Valente, Naysmith,
Osman, Cahill, Neville, Arteta, Carsley, Davies, McFadden, Beattie,
Ferguson, Kilbane, Van der Meyde, Turner.

Team Stats : The Reds are aiming for a win in this to complete their
eleventh league double over the Blues. It would be their first
double since the 2000-01 season. That season a late Gary McAllister
goal sealed a 3-2 win for the Reds.

Two of the last five Anfield games have ended as no score draws.

Everton haven't won at Anfield since a Kevin Campbell winner in 1999-
00 season.

Both teams are in form at the moment although Everton haven't
actually won away from Goodison since January at Portsmouth.

The Reds havent lost a home league game since October when Chelsea
ran out convincing winners on the day. That is the still the Reds'
only home loss of the season.

The Reds are one goal away from conceding their 100th home league
goal against Everton.

Player Stats : Steven Gerrard hopes to start his 300th Reds game in
this match. He is the clubs leading scorer this season with 19 goals
so far. He is also the club's leading league scorer this season with
8.

Djibril Cisse goes in search of his 9th league goal for the Reds. It
would also take him to 20 Liverpool goals in all competitions. Cisse
himself has proved quite good at scoring as a sub. He already has 6
to his name as a Red which has him joint second in the scoring sub
charts. He has a long way to reach first though - David Fairclough
on 18.

Robbie Fowler has the most goals in this fixture in the Premiership.
He has scored 6 goals against Everton. For Everton it is Duncan
Ferguson who leads the scoring charts in the league with 4.

Robbie Fowler has made the most Liverpool premiership appearances in
the derby with 15. Jamie Carragher is just one appearance behind him
on 14.

Referee : Phil Dowd - has taken charge of three Reds games this
season - two being cup ties and always away from Anfield. Two of the
games were wins and one loss. He hasn't taken charge of Everton this
season in the league.

Betting : Liverpool 8/15, Everton 5/1, Draw : 9/4

Liverweb Prediction : Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Email your comments to andy@liverweb.org.uk

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] FA Cup Draw

The Reds have just been drawn to play against Chelsea in the FA Cup
semi final.

The game is on April 22/23 and will be played on a neutral ground.

Andy
Liverweb

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Reserves Match Report

In a game that finished with a spectacular 21 man brawl Liverpool
will be disappointed to come away with only a point. Villa were the
visitors to The Racecourse for the second game this week and
physical is a word you could use to describe their approach. Dirty
is another.

Liverpool fielded a very young side but still had the better chances
in the game. They lined up with a 5-2-1-2 formation. Danny Guthrie
playing in the hole behind Foy and Calliste. The goal scorer on the
night was again Robbie Foy, who has been much improved since his
spell out on loan.

There was a lively start to the game that promised much. Both teams
were looking to have a go and get at each other. The first chance of
the game came from a mistake by Roque. He couldn't find a red shirt
and gave away possession. The highly rated Isaiah Osbourne found
himself in possession twenty yards out but his effort wasn't good
enough and Martin saved with ease.

In the third minute the agenda for the game was set. Lowry hit
Peltier with a terrible late challenge and whilst we were expecting
red all he got was a talking to. Peltier was down for a couple of
minutes but was able to resume. He'd only been back on the pitch two
minutes and was still limping when he made a great tackle and
purposefully directed the ball to Calliste, he moved it on to
Guthrie on the left wing and his wicked cross was volleyed over by
Foy.

Guthrie was linking up with Barragan on the right wing two minutes
later but this time nobody was able to get on the end of Antonio's
cross. After a shaky start Liverpool were starting to look good.
Just after the quarter of an hour mark awarded a free kick twenty
yards out. Guthrie took it and went for a subtle curler. It was
brilliantly executed but the ball didn't do quite enough to come
back in and hit the post.

Villa were still fighting (not literally yet) though and could have
took the lead when Mikaelssón headed wide. As the half drew to a
close they nearly scored when Whittingham hit a great effort from
twenty five yards. Martin looked beaten but similarly to Guthrie's
effort the ball hit the upright.

There was a subdued start to the second half which in hindsight was
the calm before the royal rumble. We spent the time perusing
www.stuffonmycat.com on my mates lap top (there's a cracker on page
2). The game sprung back to life with half an hour to go. Bridges
the Villa number 10 left his foot in on Antwi. It wasn't the first
time he'd had a niggle tonight but this time he ended up worse off.
As Antwi feel his flayling arm hit Bridges in the mouth. As if
Godwin had done it on purpose the short Villa striker kicked him as
he lay on the ground. Again expecting a straight red only a yellow
was produced by referee Harwood.

Liverpool were still edging possession and chances, Guthrie saw a
well hit volley go over and Foy was making a nuisance of himself.
With fifteen minutes to go it was these two players that saw
Liverpool take the lead. Barragan read a pass and intercepted it. He
fed Guthrie who turned and picked out a great run from Foy with the
most exquisite of passes. Foy made no mistake in beating the keeper.

Unfortunately the lead wasn't kept for long. Kabeya beat Godwin
coming in from the right. He then fed Bridges who's charged down
shot fell to Lund who couldn't really miss. Villa were back on level
terms.

It was around now that the game started to get nasty. Osbourne who
didn't live up to the player he is on Football Manager was making it
his business to get in everyone's face, especially Peltiers and it
was bubbling under all around.

As Liverpool broke from a corner Guthrie beat his man but was hacked
down from behind by effeminate substitute Herd. He could easily have
gone but again escaped with a yellow.

In the last of the three minutes of injury time things got very
interesting. Osbourne saw the chance to have a go at Pelts. He came
in with a very late tackle. Peltier had seen it coming but couldn't
get out of the way. He reacted by getting up and squaring up to the
tall midfielder. Before you knew it every player on the pitch with
the exception of the goalkeepers were involved in a WWE style brawl.
Calliste obviously saw the opportunity to outnumber the opposition
and so ran off the bench and got involved too. It was ace!

The referee kept blowing his whistle and the lads kept on scrapping.
I know this sort of thing is not to be encouraged and it's a bit
cliche to talk about the team spirit etc, but these Liverpool lads
were really there for each other.

In the aftermath there were three sendings off. Peltier had to go. I
don't blame him for reacting though. There were also two Villa
players that saw red. Bridges finally got his marching orders and
took an age to leave the pitch. Osbourne was also sent off. He left
the field with some kind words from Robbie Foy, all I caught
was "Y'are! Yer crying lad!". I had to laugh.

This was a great test of the mettle of these youngsters and a great
learning curve. I think they did very well. They weren't intimidated
or put on the back foot, even the smaller lads like Guthrie were
showing for every ball and standing their ground.

MOM. I'll go for Foy. He worked his socks off and took his goal very
well. Nobody had a bad game and I thought Guthrie, Roque and
O'Donnell played very well again.

Team: Martin, Barragan, Smith, Antwi, O'Donnell, Roque, Peltier,
Hobbs (c), Calliste (79 Lindfield), Guthrie, Foy.

Unused subs: Woods, Lancaster, Flynn, Barnett.

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Reserves in Action

The Reds play host to Aston Villa tonight at Wrexham with a 7pm kick
off

The Reds side is

David Martin
Antonio Barragan
James Smith
Godwin Antwi
Daniel O'Donnell
Miguel Roque-Farrero
Lee Peltier
Jack Hobbs
Ramon Calliste
Danny Guthrie
Robbie Foy

Substitutes:-

Calum Woods
Paul Lancaster
Craig Lindfield
Ryan Flynn
Charlie Barnett

Andy
Liverweb

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Birmingham Match Report

Liverweb FA Cup Match Report

Birmingham City 0 Liverpool 7

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Traore, Carragher, Hyypia, Gerrard(C),
Alonso, Sissoko, Riise, Crouch, Garcia

Subs Used : Kewell for Traore (21), Morientes for Crouch (56), Cisse
for Gerrard (70)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Kromkamp

Ref : Rob Styles

Att : 27,378

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------

The Reds romped through to the semi finals of the FA Cup with a
crushing 7-0 defeat of Birmingham. This was one of those nights were
the Reds were in form, Birmingham looked woeful and everything we
tried worked and the goals flooded in. Sami Hyypia had the Reds in
the lead just fifty five seconds in and the Reds just didn't look
back.

The Reds made changes once again with the most significant change
being the return of Momo Sissoko. Momo hasn't played since getting
his eye injury but returned to the starting line up sporting a new
line in eye wear. Ultimately he threw the glasses away as it was
affecting his play in the end.

Liverpool got the game started and went straight on the attack. The
Reds earned a free kick inside the first minute in a good position
which Gerrard put in to the edge of the box. Sissoko headed the ball
on and Sami Hyypia stepped in completely unmarked to head home past
Taylor. A storming start to a game the Reds thought could go either
way en route to the ground.

On four minutes it got even better for the Reds. Steven Gerrard
whipped in a great cross from the right hand side inviting Crouch to
score and after the ball bounced in the area he duly headed home
past Taylor who couldn't hold the header. The start just couldn't
have been better and now you starting to wonder if the Reds would
take their foot off the gas and stroll to victory or batter
Birmingham. It turned out to be the latter.

On eight minutes Gerrard broke down the right, cut inside his man
and fired a ball across the six yard box. Melchiot did just enough
though to stop Crouch getting a foot on the ball and extending the
lead more. The Reds were simply rampant at the moment. On eleven
minutes Birmingham won a throw but lost the ball in the middle of
the advertising hoardings. Well it was one of stopping the Reds
scoring.

Birmingham tried to get back in to the game but simply had no great
cutting edge to them at all. Carragher cleared under pressure on
thirteen minutes as Forssell threatened to nip in. A couple of
minutes later and Traore went down injured after trying to clear the
ball. His follow through seemed to jar his knee as Johnson tried to
block the ball. Djimi was forced off for treatment but returned soon
after. However it was clear he was struggling and he soon asked to
come off. Harry Kewell replaced him on twenty one minutes which
meant Riise dropped back to defence. Shortly after Momo decided his
glasses were doing his head in so threw them to the sidelines. A few
minutes later he went back over to get a second pair.

The Reds were three nil up on thirty seven minutes when Crouch
scored again. Steven Gerrard did superbly down the right to keep a
ball in and it went to Garcia. Luis nipped in and then on the edge
of the area fed Crouch who slotted home under no pressure
whatsoever. This was easy pickings it has to be said now. A minute
later and Crouch nearly had his hat-trick but his shot went just
wide.

Birmingham's only real threat was coming via Jermaine Pennant but it
was all being dealt with easily. Stephen Clemence picked up the
night's first booking just before half time when he shoved Kewell
off the ball more in frustration than anything else. The Reds went
in at half time three up and you just wondered if the Reds would
ease down and sit on the lead now and make changes with the next
game in mind.

The Reds came out in the second half and commanded the game just as
much as they had done in the first half. Birmingham were a sorry
looking side which the Reds tore apart. Riise hit a free kick on
target ten minutes in but Taylor got down well to save it at his
near post. Fernando Morientes then came on for Peter Crouch who was
disappointed to be going off. Just three minutes after coming on and
Morientes was on the scoresheet in what was for me the best move for
a goal on the night. Garcia stepped over the ball and Gerrard
latched on to it and rather then shooting squared the ball to
Morientes who had the easy task of scoring. The move for the goal
was superb and just showed that everything was going to work on the
night.

Birmingham had a rare shot on goal after sixty three minutes when
Forssell pulled the ball down really well and shot on goal but Reina
was up to the task. The Reds by now were in complete charge of the
game and the home fans were slowly showing their frustration. Just
after the Forssell shot a fan ran on to the pitch to vent his spleen
at the manager.

The Reds made it five on seventy minutes when John Arne Riise was
passed the ball from Gerrard. Riise took one touch before blasting a
great shot past Taylor who just seemed confused by the bend on the
ball. This was just getting easier by the second. This was a great
strike though and even had a number of the home fans applauding it.
The Reds made a second change now replacing Gerrard with Cisse.

On seventy six minutes it was six nil through an own goal from
Oliver Tebily. Harry Kewell turned on the ball on the edge of the
box and beat Melchiot before firing the ball across the area. As
Tebily went to clear the ball bobbled and flew in to the back of the
net. Two minutes from time and it was seven as Cisse shot from the
right side of the area and Taylor made a hash of the save as it
squirmed underneath him. The goal rounded off a great performance
though and that was the Reds through to the semi finals of the FA
Cup.

Overall this was a perfect game for the Reds. Everything they tried
came off on the night and Birmingham offered little in the way of
resistance. The whole team performed well and what is showing more
at the moment is that the team are playing as a full unit with the
luck in front of goal that you need.

MotM : The whole team deserve it for this performance which simply
blew Birmingham away.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Match Stats
Birmingham Liverpool
45% Possession 55%
1 Shots On Target 9
4 Shots Off Target 5
1 Blocked Shots 0
3 Corners 5
14 Fouls 14
3 Offsides 4
3 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

Email your comments to andy@liverweb.org.uk

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Reserves Match Report

Liverweb Reserves Match Report

Match Report Courtesy and Copyright AdamS

Liverpool 2 Wigan Athletic 0

Liverpool : Martin, Barragan, Smith, Antwi, O'Donnell, Roque,
Anderson, Hobbs, Fowler, Guthrie, Foy

Subs Used : Calliste for Fowler (45), Flynn for Roque (81),
Lindfield for Guthrie (84)

Unused Subs : Woods, Lancaster

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------

I was accompanied to The Racecourse ground for tonights reserve
fixture by a Finnish Red and the weather must have made him feel at
home. It was bitterly cold. Also making an appearance was Robbie
Fowler who can't be involved for the first team tomorrow as he's cup
tied. The other notable name in the line up was Micky Roque, notable
because he was playing in centre midfield. He was outstanding though
and turned in a man of the match performance as The Reds ran out
deserved 2-0 winners.

As is often the case at this level there was a slow start to the
game. The first twenty minutes saw only one decent opportunity.
Hobbs won the ball in midfield in the fourth minute and played in
Foy, he cut inside his man and shot low and with power. Despite
Roque cheering "Yeah" Foy's shot was just wide of the keepers
upright.

Twenty minutes later and Wigan should have taken the lead. Johannson
was provided with a great opportunity to score but managed to
somehow shoot over from three yards. The game was beginning to
develop and Liverpool should really have created a goal scoring
opportunity as they broke with three men against two. Foy slipped in
Guthrie who was having a quiet night so far. Guthrie checked back
when he may have been better advised to run in on goal and the
momentum was lost.

Robbie Fowler who had spent much of the evening practising energy
conservation burst into life on the half hour mark. He broke in from
the left wing, beat his man and was unlucky not to find the orange
tanned Foy with a low cross.

Towards the latter stages of the half Wigan started to take control.
Godwin was booked on 35 minutes for a foul just outside the box and
five minutes later the hapless Johannson managed to miss one of the
easiest headers you are ever likely to see. This time he was all of
two yards out.

In the last minute of the half Liverpool were unlucky not to take
the lead. Guthrie fed Foy who turned brilliantly and shot low to the
keepers left. Walsh managed to tip the ball around the post for a
corner. Liverpool didn't have to wait long though. Hobbs leapt high
above the Wigan defence and headed on goal. His effort should have
been easily gathered but ex-manc Walsh dropped it onto Robbie
Fowler's toe and unlike Johannson, Fowler doesn't miss from there.

It was Fowler's last kick. He was replaced at half time by Calliste.
Liverpool dominated the second half. Roque and Hobbs were excellent
in their midfield battle against Matt Jackson and Damien Francis.
Hobbs' whole demeanour on the pitch belies his age. He has a real
presence and is clearly a leader of men. He's justifying the
decision to make him captain.

Guthrie started the second half much better. He was involved in
everything that was good. He nearly got on the score sheet after a
great move down the left he cut in on his right foot and beat the
keeper but he also managed to just beat the post as his shot flew
wide.

Three minutes later and Guthrie was involved again. This time he
sprayed a great cross field pass to Foy. Foy took it down
brilliantly before firing in from a tricky angle.

With twenty minutes to go Roque displayed a tremendous piece of
skill. After initially slightly miscontrolling it he turned two men
at once. That was enough to draw gasps from the frozen crowd but he
added to it by spraying a cross field ball with the outside of his
right foot which Foy again nearly capitalised on, this time not
managing to hit the target.

Martin was called upon to make the first save he's had to for weeks
when Mahon and Connolly exchanged passes. From only a few yards out
Mahon shot and Martin did brilliantly flinging himself down to his
left.

Ryan Flynn was introduced with ten minutes remaining and in the
short space of time he had he really impressed. Just moments after
coming on he made a great run beyond the strikers and cut in teeing
Calliste up. Calliste dug the ball out from under his feet but
smashed over.

Flynn was the provider not the runner in the next move. He played
out a great ball to Anderson. Anderson beat his man and found the
unmarked Calliste in the area. Calliste displaying what he'd
recently learned at the Andreas Johannson school of finishing calmly
smashed the ball into row Z.

Another impressive night. Although Wigan had chances Liverpool's
youngsters are really growing as a unit. Roll on Villa on Thursday.

MOM. Miguel Roque. Absolutely tremendous in midfield. Always looking
for the ball and very comfortable in an advanced position.

©AdamS

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Birmingham Match Preview

Liverweb FA Cup Match Preview

Opponents : Birmingham City
Date : Tuesday March 21 @ 19.45
Venue : St Andrew's
TV Coverage : Supersport 3, Supersport 8SA, Diema 2, Sky Sports 1,
Sport +, Sport 1 CZ, Sport 1 HU, Sky Calcio 1, TV3+, TV3 Norway,
Viasat Sport 1 SE, Sport TV, Alfa TV, Al Jazeera Sport +1, Kanal
Turk, Supersport 1

Head to Head
FA Cup Quarter Final

Squads : The Reds are definitely without Robbie Fowler who is cup
tied. Birmingham have the same problem with striker DJ Campbell.

The Reds have no other major worries ajead of the game other than
whether to stick with the same formation that did so well at
Newcastle on Sunday. Momo Sissoko could make a surprise return to
the Reds squad at least although whether he plays any part is yet to
be seen.

Birmingham will give a late fitness test to Emile Heskey who is
struggling and are also likely to be without Jarosik, Dunn, Sutton
and Izzett.

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Kromkamp, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Warnock, Traore, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Hamann, Kewell, Morientes,
Crouch, Cisse, Dudek, Sissoko

Birmingham : Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Martin Taylor,
Clapham, Pennant, Johnson, Butt, Lazaridis, Heskey, Kilkenny,
Forssell, Vaesen, Tebily, Clemence, Dunn, Jarosik, Painter, Latka.

Team Stats : The Reds have never won an away cup tie against
Birmingham. Their only win away from Anfield in fact came in the
2001 League Cup final although that was only after a penalty shoot
out.

The sides last met in this cup competition at Anfield in January
2002. The Reds ran out 3-0 winners that day.

The Reds also put Birmingham out in 1995 in the FA Cup. However that
game required a replay after a 0-0 draw at St.Andrews. The Reds won
the replay on penalties. The main game finished 1-1 with jamie
Redknapp scoring for the Reds.

In 1931 Birmingham dumped the Reds out of the FA Cup at Anfield
thanks to a 2-0 win. The first goal that day was an own goal from
Lucas of Liverpool.

Both league games this season have ended in draws. The game at
St.Andrews was played back in September and finished 2-2 on the day.

In both league games the Reds finished up playing against a ten man
Birmingham side.

Player Stats : Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia are the Reds' most
experienced FA Cup campaigners for the Reds. Both have played 21
times for the Reds in the competition.

Should Hyypia play in this game it will be his 50th appearance of
the season.

In the FA Cup scoring charts Steven Gerrard has the most goals of
the Reds likely to play with 3.

Referee : Rob Styles

Betting : Liverpool 8/13, Birmingham 4/1, Draw 23/10

Liverweb Prediction : Birmingham City 0 Liverpool 2

Email your comments to andy@liverweb.org.uk

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Reserves in Action Tonight

The Reds reserves take on Wigan at home (Wrexham) at 7 tonight

The team in full is

David Martin
Antonio Barragan
James Smith
Godwin Antwi
Daniel O'Donnell
Miguel Roque-Farrero
Paul Anderson
Jack Hobbs
Robbie Fowler
Danny Guthrie
Robbie Foy

Substitutes:-

Calum Woods
Ramon Calliste
Paul Lancaster
Ryan Flynn
Craig Lindfield
Charlie Barnett

Andy
Liverweb

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Liverweb] Newcastle Match Report

Liverweb Match Report

Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 3

Liverpool : Reina, Kromkamp, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Warnock,
Gerrard (C), Kewell, Hamann, Crouch, Cisse

Subs Used : Garcia for Crouch (64), Alonso for Gerrard (74), Fowler
for Hyypia (89)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Traore

Ref : Mike Riley

Att : 52,302

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------

The Reds took all three points at Newcastle with some ease
yesterday. The game finished 3-1 but could with a little more desire
and concentration ended up much more convincing. The Reds went ahead
as early as the tenth minute through Crouch. Gerrard extended the
lead on thirty four minutes before Ameobi gave the home side a
lifeline shortly before half time. An early Cisse penalty in the
second half ensured the Reds could win at a relative canter in the
end.

Rafa Benitez juggled his side around once again bring in Kromkamp to
the back line but rather than replacing Agger with Hyypia he merely
included the Finn in a newer look five at the back. Against
Newcastle who have no great width this was a good formation to allow
both Warnock and Kromkamp to attack down the lines.

The Reds got the game underway at St James' Park but it was
Newcastle who had the first attack of note. However it only became
noteworthy due to Reina who rushed out of his goal. He was injured
as he clattered Ameobi but was able to carry on. The Reds were
getting a lot of early possession and in particular Stephen Warnock
down the left hand side was getting early joy and crosses in.

The Reds took the lead after just ten minutes thanks to Peter
Crouch. Jan Kromkamp got down the right hand side and put a ball to
the back post where Crouch ran in and headed home despite Boumsong
and Ramage being close by. This was exactly the start the Reds
deserved and needed. It let the Reds settle down more on the ball
and ultimately take Newcastle apart.

In fact on eighteen minutes the Reds should have gone 2 up. Warnock
linked well with Kewell before the Aussie star crossed in to the
box. It went over Crouch's head but Cisse got the ball at the back
but blazed it when he really should have been doing better. At the
other end Shearer should have scored midway through the half but he
blazed his shot wide. Newcastle's best chances seemed to be coming
through Pepe Reina who seemed to have forgot how to communicate with
his defence. He got away with it on more than one occasion.

Newcastle were forced in to a change on twenty seven minutes when
Lee Bowyer replaced N'Zogbia. The Reds were two up though on thirty
four minutes. Agger strode forward superbly with the ball and thirty
yards out switched the ball right to Cisse. He crossed to the back
of the box were Gerrard brought the ball down and played a 1-2 with
Crouch. Gerrard then smashed the ball low past Given to make the
score line reflect the game a lot more.

Peter Ramage picked up a yellow card on thirty eight minutes as he
took Warnock out of the game. Warnock had gone charging down the
left and reached the ball just before the defender. With four
minutes to go before half time the home side grabbed an unlikely
lifeline from Shola Ameobi. He beat the offside trap to sneak in
behind Carragher and Hyypia and head past Reina who was left with no
chance. It gave the home side hope and the Reds really had to take
control of the game pretty quickly. Newcastle pressurised the Reds
up until half time without scoring though and the teams could re-
group again.

No changes were made at half time and the home side started the ball
rolling again. Newcastle had the crowd right behind them at the
start of the half but it didn't take long to quiten them down.
Inside five minutes the Reds had extended their lead. A ball to the
back was completely missed by Boumsong and Crouch nipped in to the
area to try and shoot on goal. Before he could reach the ball though
Boumsong grappled Crouch to the floor in a move more akin to rugby
than football. Mike Riley awarded the penalty instantly and had no
real choice but to send off Boumsong. That's the twelfth sending off
against us this season already. Boumsong took his time walking off
the pitch which merely delayed Cisse taking the penalty. The French
man stepped up and drilled it hard and low left with Given going the
wrong way. Cisse was booked for his celebration which involved
revealing an I Love You t-shirt.

In the very next Reds attack Cisse, by now being heckled by the
crowd broke down the right and won a corner. He reacted to the crowd
chants by goading them back which nearly brought him a second yellow
card. Thankfully Mike Riley saw for to warn him and both Gerrard and
Carragher calmed the French star down. The game went to a point of
nearly boiling over now. Bowyer picked up a yellow card on fifty
four minutes for a bad tackle on Hamann who jumped straight back up
ready to have a go back at the Newcastle player.

Newcastle just didn't really have any cutting edge about them at
all. Dyer replaced Ameobi on sixty one minutes and a couple of
minutes later Garcia replaced Crouch. With the game pretty much won
at this point you had to start thinking about the FA Cup game being
played just 48 hours later. The Reds could have had a shed load of
goals in the final half hour as Newcastle just lost shape
altogether. With better vision and shooting we would have as well.
Cisse shot wide on sixty four with Kewell all alone on the penalty
spot. Four minutes later Garcia shot wide from the right side of the
area as it looked like target practice.

Xabi Alonso came on after seventy four minutes to allow Gerrard a
rest. On seventy eight minutes Shay Given pulled off two superb
saves. The first came from an Alonso shot from twenty five yards
which he pushed for a corner. The second came from that corner which
was floated right to the back of the box. Kromkamp volleyed the shot
on target only to see Given push the ball away to safety.

The Reds were cruising to victory with ease now as Newcastle looked
shell shocked completely. You'll Never Walk Alone was started up and
rang around the ground nicely to round off a great win. The home
fans did try and rally around their players with their own song but
that was more loyal support than anything else. Both Agger and
Carragher were booked in the final minutes of the game for poor
tackles but the game was won. Lee Clark replaced Emre and Robbie
Fowler replaced Sami Hyypia as injury time was started at the end of
the game but neither switch changed anything about this game.

Going to Newcastle can be a very difficult game but the tactics for
this one were spot on and allowed the Reds to build well and
consistently. The important thing now as well is that we are
starting to see goals for our efforts as well. This was a great win
on the back of the Fulham result and puts in confident manner to end
the season on.

MotM : Dan Agger - has settled down really well and his run for the
second goal was superb to see. He was composed throughout the game
and is certainly looking like the long term replacement for Hyypia.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
Match Stats
Newcastle Liverpool
58% Possession 42%
3 Shots On Target 6
4 Shots Off Target 6
1 Blocked Shots 1
2 Corners 1
21 Fouls 18
6 Offsides 5
2 Yellow Cards 3
1 Red Cards 0

Email your comments to andy@liverweb.org.uk

For every first team result ever log on to the Liverweb season archive at
http://www.liverweb.org.uk/archive.htm
Choose from Each season and see all those pre-season friendlies and
testimonials as well as team photos and league and cup results

Whatever Liverpool FC you need it's all there in Liverweb. If it's not
mail me back and ask me.
Liverweb is your one stop site for everything LFC

Get News updates on Liverpool and Liverweb by joining it's mailing list
To join send an email to liverweb-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Liverweb - your one stop site for everything LFC

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liverweb/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
liverweb-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/