NEWCASTLE 2 LIVERPOOL 1

Team of the day..
Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Zenden, Gerrard MBE (captain), Sissoko, Pennant, Bellamy, Kuyt.
Subs - Hyypia, Guthrie, Arbeloa, Crouch, Dudek

liverpoolfc.tv reports..
The Reds dominated for long periods but were unable to build on Craig Bellamy's 6th minute opener against his former club and ultimately slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Obafemi Martins capitalised on a defensive blunder to level twenty minutes later and Nolberto Solano completed the hosts' comeback by converting from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

It's a result that severely weakens Liverpool's hopes of catching the top two in the Premiership and quashes the feel-good factor created by the takeover events of just a few days previous.

With Xabi Alonso suspended, Momo Sissoko made his long-awaited return from the shoulder injury that had kept him out since November, while the only other change from the eleven that started last week's derby was the inclusion of Bolo Zenden in place of Peter Crouch as Rafael Benitez opted for a return to the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation.

Heavy rain had put this game in doubt but, after two inspections, referee Mark Halsey eventually declared the pitch playable. The wet weather continued, however, and conditions were far from ideal come kick-off time but it was the Reds who adapted better.

On a playing surface that was understandably heavy, attempting to make even the simplest of passes was, at times, difficult on the sodden St James' turf and players clattered into each other as they struggled to keep their feet in the mud.



Liverpool got quickly into their stride though. Jermaine Pennant was particularly lively early on and it was he who created the opening goal, bypassing Celestine Babyaro with ease on the right edge of the Newcastle area and picking out the unmarked Bellamy on the edge of the six-yard box. The home side had enough bodies back to have been confident of clearing the danger but the ex-Magpie picked his spot and guided the ball through a forest of legs to find the back of the net.

Not surprisingly, Bellamy's goal was greeted by a chorus of boos from the Gallowgate fans who once sang his name and they continued to barrack his every touch. But the impish Welshman refused to hide and continued to be the chief tormentor of the home defence during a spell in which Liverpool should have increased their lead.

Instead, against the run of play, the next goal came about in bizarre circumstances at the opposite end. Pepe Reina reacted to a Newcastle through ball by rushing off his line to clear but the ball rebounded off the in-rushing Martins and, as a result, the Nigerian striker was left with the easy task of slotting the ball into a gaping net.



A brief home rally then saw Milner flash a long-range punt narrowly wide but Liverpool soon re-assumed the dominance they'd enjoyed prior to the shock equalising goal. Main man Bellamy was at the centre of almost every Reds attack and on another day he may have walked away with the match ball before half-time.

He twice came close to restoring the lead, first with an effort that was cleared off the line by Titus Bramble and then a shot that came frustratingly back off the bar. The Magpies were on the rack and keeper Steve Harper also had to save from Zenden as they found themselves pinned back in their own half.

The pressure continued immediately after the restart and Dirk Kuyt spurned a glorious opportunity when he fired wide from inside the box following a terrific Cruyff-esque turn.

At this point, Liverpool looked the most likely winners but Newcastle were allowed to gradually force their way back into the game and their revival was rewarded when they took the lead from the penalty spot. John Arne Riise was adjudged to have tripped Steven Taylor and Solano sent Reina the wrong way from the spot.

As the game neared its conclusion Liverpool became less effective as an attacking force and, as the final whistle sounded, were left kicking themselves for not having made the points safe when they had the chance.



You'll Never Walk Alone..

*SPECIAL THANKS TO GETTY IMAGES FOR THE PICTURES ABOVE.

WATFORD 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Match Highlights

Team of the day..
Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Gerrard MBE (captain), Kuyt, Alonso, Crouch, Bellamy.
Subs - Dudek, Guthrie, Pennant, Fowler, Riise

liverpoolfc.tv reports..

A fourth away win of the season was never in doubt after Bellamy had given the Reds a 34th minute lead; and they went on to score two more goals through Peter Crouch to leave Watford rock bottom while they edge closer to the Premiership summit.

The Reds returned to Premiership action looking to put a double cup exit behind them and it was no surprise to see Rafa Benitez name a strong side that included plenty of firepower in Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy.

Liverpool started well when Steven Gerrard blasted a half volley just inches wide in the 6th minute; and they continued to enjoy the better of things despite the ball spending large amounts of time in the air.

The Reds had to work hard to combat Watford's aerial style of play and to their credit they continued to try and play their football. And Rafa's decision to start with three strikers was vindicated when Craig Bellamy gave them a 34th minute lead from close range.

Daniel Agger had thought he'd given them a 12th minute lead before being flagged offside after scoring, but there was no flag to save Watford when Bellamy enjoyed acres of space inside the six yard box to slot Finnan's cross into an empty net.

It had been a somewhat scrappy first half, but Liverpool were well worthy of their lead. And they doubled their advantage in the 40th minute when Peter Crouch headed home after Ben Foster had saved Craig Bellamy's initial effort.

We had scenes that revived memories of Liverpool's last away win at Spurs at the start of the second half when the rain lashed across Vicarage Road. But it didn't interrupt Liverpool's dominance because Peter Crouch scored his second of the match to make it 3-0 in the 48th minute.

It was a smart finish from 12 yards from Crouch after Gerrard and Bellamy had combined to give him the chance. And it was the killer blow the Reds were looking for because although Jordan Stewart rattled a shot against Reina's crossbar, Watford rarely threatened or looked capable of a comeback.



Liverpool did have chances to score more, but it was already a job well done and Rafa Benitez had the luxury of giving a few a rest by using all of his substitutes in the second half.

It's Chelsea next for the Reds and they've made sure here that their season is still very much alive despite their exit from the both domestic cups.

Rafa's comments..

"After the two defeats in the cup we needed to show character. We were fully focussed, scored three good goals and controlled the game," said Benitez.

"It was difficult at first for us because the Watford pitch wasn't good and we couldn't move the ball properly like we normally like to do.

"I was happy with Crouch and Bellamy. They caused the Watford defence lots of problems."

louis' comments..

It's a good win, a good way to bounce back from the 2 heavy defeats. I'm surprised by the line-up to see Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy playing all together. Nevertheless, it was a good surprise and you could see 3 of them clicking real well.

The 3 goals were all involved someway or another with the 3 of them and I'm pleased see them making chances count. The first 20 minutes, both teams were unable to get control of the game and it was bits and pieces everywhere. Once we broke the deadlock through Bellamy, it was a much easier game to play for Liverpool. We gained confidence and started to control the game, passed the ball around, making Watford looks so vulnerable.

The second goal was a combination of the 3 strikers. Kuyt knocked it forward for Bellamy who raced through the defence, appearing to score Liverpool's second, but Ben Foster made an excellent save. Still, Peter Crouch was there to rebound on the loose ball with his head. 2 goals ahead and it's comfortable for Liverpool.

Crouch added another with a cool finish from Bellamy's cross. It seems to me that they have been training well together. There were some chances we should have converted. Gerrard has some shots off target, which were unlike Gerrard's standard. Most important, we managed to held on and had the 3 points.

The top 4 teams had won this weekend. No teams had slipped. It's important that Liverpool don't slip at all in order to close the gap with the top two. Next week is going to be crucial. Chelsea is coming down to visit us at Anfield, while Arsenal is hosting Man Utd.

Come on ! Bring on Chelsea..

you'll never walk alone.

cheers.

BLACKBURN 1 LIVERPOOL O

Match Highlights

Team of the day:
Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Agger, Finnan, Gonzalez, Carragher, Alonso, Gerrard (captain), Bellamy, Crouch.
Subs - Dudek, Kuyt, Aurelio, Pennant, Garcia

liverpoolfc.tv reports..

Liverpool have lost for the first time in eight Premiership matches after a second half goal from Benni McCarthy gave Blackburn Rovers an unlikely 1-0 win in a game that the Reds dominated at Ewood Park on Boxing Day.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Liverpool after they created chance after chance to score, but found former goalkeeper Brad Friedel in superb form. And they crashed to defeat when Blackburn capitalised on their only period of superiority in the game to score through McCarthy at the start of the second half.

Rafa Benitez made three changes to his side for this the second of four games in just nine days over a busy festive period and one of those changes, Peter Crouch, almost had an instant impact when forcing Brad Friedel into a first minute save with a header.

Friedel was to be a busy goalkeeper, but Blackburn threatened briefly when Savage headed wide in the 12th minute and Pedersen's 25 yard shot needed to be saved by Reina. But the Reds were soon back on top and Friedel had to save another Crouch header in the 18th minute after Finnan's deep cross had found him unmarked.

The Reds came into this unbeaten in seven Premiership fixtures and they were playing with confidence and creating a lot of chances. Craig Bellamy, returning to his former club, was looking sharp and he was giving the Rovers defence a torrid time.

Bellamy has already scored against his ex-employers this season and he came within inches of doing so again when his 34th minute shot flew inches wide. And he'd earlier seen his 16th minute shot saved by Friedel after Carragher had won the ball in the area.

Friedel made it a hat-trick of saves from Crouch headers in the 35th minute and it was the best of the three, but Liverpool were punished for not taking their chances when Blackburn took the lead against the run of play at the start of the second half.

It came when Tugay found Pedersen in the left channel and his low cross was converted from close range by Benni McCarthy, the scorer of Blackburn's goal at Anfield earlier this season.

It was the first goal the Reds had conceded in eight Premiership games, but after dominating the first half, it was a goal that would change the game because they would now have to chase an equalizer. It was an unlikely scenario after the first 45 minutes we'd had.

Rafa Benitez responded by replacing Peter Crouch with Dirk Kuyt in the 57th minute and the Dutchman had a great chance to level the scores in the 75th minute, but Friedel was there again spread himself brilliantly and block Kuyt's point close range effort. The Reds were now back on top and Xabi Alonso hit the outside of the post with a 76 minute shot, but they couldn't find a way passed man of the match Friedel.

Luis Garcia brought another brilliant save out of Friedel as Blackburn's defending became increasing desperate and then Friedel made his best save of the match and made the points safe for Blackburn when he flung himself to his left to make a brilliant one handed save to deprive Alonso.

Rafa's thoughts..

"We have seen this many times this season when we have created a lot of clear chances, but haven't scored," said Benitez.

"Their goalkeeper was fantastic, but I have to be disappointed that we have got nothing from a game where we created so many clear chances.

"Crouch had three clear chances in the first half, but maybe it was down to bad luck and good goalkeeping that we didn't score.

"We made a mistake for the goal Blackburn scored and we now must look to the next game against Tottenham and take our chances there."

louis' comments..

a frustrating game for me. we should have won as what our manager had said. in football, it's very simple. if you don't put the ball into the net, you don't win.

we dominated the first half. every single player knew what their job was and kept to it. blackburn didn't have much on the ball. alonso was passing the ball well, gerrard was keeping the shape of the team. however, i was wondering whether peter crouch know how to score with his head? he's such a tall player and heading is his best assest. crosses from the wing from bellamy and finnan, what did he do? headed straight to the keeper.

peter, you are in the starting eleven after so many games. and yet, you are putting such a performance. i could see his frustration when he's being subbed out. bellamy was good at his runs and kept blackburn defenders on the toes, however, his hard work was not converted into goals.

alonso tried hard, steve finnan was running his legs out. but we just lost everything in the second half. blackburn was up on the tempo and they scored one. we were scrabbling outside our penalty area and none of the players could hold onto the situation and clear the ball. *wish that dietmar hamann was there though.* after that, they scored. what the f**k? poor goal to concede. away from home, once you concede a goal, it's hard to get back to the game. aurelio, kuyt and garcia came in but left little impact. kuyt was as hardworking as ever, but his efforts were in vain.

blackburn had just lost 6-2 last weekend and now, beaten us. simply disappointing and frustating. the unbeaten run had stopped. it's a poor performance as we can't score and yet lost the game. bolton and portsmouth are climbing up. chelsea had just lost 2 points and we can't capitalised on it. i wonder if it's tired legs or what, there's no excuses for us such a big club to be giving the fans such performances. i'm upset by this defeat. truly is.

white hart lane is next. it's going to be hard. martin jol's men will be determined to pull one back after we beaten them 3-0 at anfield. nevertheless, rafa benitez should know what it takes to play so many matches during the christmas period. it's his third year in charge now. there's no more room for mistakes. no more.

you'll never walk alone.

cheers.