Premier League 25/26 Matchday 38 - Liverpool 1:1 Brentford Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool secured Champions League qualification by drawing 1-1 with Brentford at Anfield on the final day of the season.

The Reds went into Sunday’s game knowing that a point would be sufficient to finish fifth in the Premier League, and Curtis Jones’ goal just before the hour – assisted by Mohamed Salah in his last game for the club – ensured that scenario would play out.

Jones’ opener was quickly cancelled out by Kevin Schade but Arne Slot’s side had done enough to book their place in Europe’s premier club competition next season.

Team

Departing duo Salah and Andy Robertson were joined in the Reds’ starting XI by the returning Alisson Becker as Slot made three changes from the defeat at Aston Villa.

Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili were the players to make way, while Wataru Endo, Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak were back among the substitutes.

First half

A bright, front-footed start from Liverpool involved Ibrahima Konate glancing a header goalwards from a Robertson cross, but Caoimhin Kelleher – afforded a warm reception on his return to Anfield – saved comfortably.

Twenty minutes in, Salah went so close to a picture-book 258th and final Reds goal as, with Kelleher rooted to the spot, his free-kick smacked against the post.

Dominik Szoboszlai shot wide after bursting forward from midfield and Kelleher, at full stretch, made a fine stop to turn Ryan Gravenberch’s curler from 20 yards wide.

Rio Ngumoha then whipped an attempt narrowly wide as Liverpool continued looking the most likely team to break the deadlock.

However, the hosts needed a stunning, sprawling save by Alisson – who spread himself to deny Schade with his foot from point-blank range – to ensure the game remained goalless at the break.

Second half

Again, the early running in the half was made by Liverpool and, by the hour mark, they had their reward.

Inevitably, Salah was to the fore, and it was fitting that he should mark his final game for the club by claiming yet another record with his 93rd Premier League assist for Liverpool, a total that surpasses Steven Gerrard’s tally of 92.

As he has done on countless occasions, the No.11 hared off into space down the right flank and then delivered a perfect, outside-of-the-boot cross that Jones connected sweetly with to make it 1-0.

Brentford midfielder - and, of course, legendary former Liverpool captain - Jordan Henderson received a standing ovation from all inside Anfield when being substituted.

And, soon after, the visitors were back on level terms, as Schade dived to head home a deflected cross.

Rapturous applause, plus guards of honour from their teammates, greeted the withdrawals of Salah and Robertson during the closing stages, but an improving Brentford performance meant the atmosphere was otherwise a little pensive.

Igor Thiago dragged a shot wide and both sides missed huge chances to snatch all three points during 10 minutes of stoppage time.

First, Florian Wirtz was thwarted by an excellent Kelleher save before Dango Ouattara headed over the crossbar at the other end.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Liverpool 1:3 Arsenal Women Match Report

Liverpool lost 3-1 to Arsenal at Anfield on the final day of the Barclays Women’s Super League season.

First-half goals by Alessia Russo (two) and Mariona Caldentey secured victory for the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

Zara Shaw came off the bench and immediately pulled one back for Gareth Taylor’s side with around a quarter of an hour remaining, but the Gunners saw off any hopes of a late comeback.

The Reds – for whom Gemma Bonner and Gemma Evans made final appearances as second-half substitutes – ended Taylor’s first campaign in charge with three consecutive top-flight defeats and in 11th place in the table.

Stina Blackstenius and Alice Bergstrom traded early attempts that were comfortably saved before Arsenal firmly took charge of proceedings.

A superb stop by Jennifer Falk, who bested Caitlin Foord in a one-on-one, kept Liverpool on level terms, but the Reds ’keeper was beaten soon after as Russo’s cross drifted beyond its intended target of Blackstenius and into the net.

Falk then denied Blackstenius and Russo in quick succession, though the sustained pressure on her goal told again when Caldentey located the top corner from a tight angle following a clever short-corner routine.

And Arsenal extended their lead further eight minutes before half-time as Russo finished Victoria Pelova’s low cross first-time.

Taylor introduced Cornelia Kapocs at the break and her first involvement was to deliver a fine cross from the right flank that Beata Olsson was unable to connect with.

A huge roar greeted the legendary Bonner as she joined the action on the hour and Evans came on soon after, too.

Shaw was brought on at the same time as Evans and, seconds later, the Scouse teenager created a moment she will never forget – scoring for Liverpool at the Kop end.

Jenna Clark met Ceri Holland’s deep corner with a towering knockdown and Shaw pounced to convert the loose ball from close range.

But, with time short and legs tiring, the Reds were unable to make further inroads into Arsenal’s lead and Renee Slegers’ team were good value for their win.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Bergstrom (Evans, 72), Clark, Fisk, Bernabe (Bonner, 60), Nagano, O’Sullivan, Maclean (Shaw, 72), Enderby (Kapocs, 46), Josendal (Holland, 60), Olsson.

Unused subs: Kirby, Shimizu, Csillag, Trueman.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 37 - Aston Villa 4:2 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool's final away game of the season ended in a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday night.

Morgan Rogers' opener for Villa on the stroke of half-time was equalised by a Virgil van Dijk header early in the second period.

But finishes from Ollie Watkins in minutes 57 and 73 established a two-goal cushion for the hosts.

The scoring was completed in the closing stages with a John McGinn curler and Van Dijk consolation.

Team

Joe Gomez for Jeremie Frimpong was the only change to the side deployed last time out, while Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz returned to start on the bench.

First half

Villa, with a Europa League final on the horizon, enjoyed a strong start that saw Watkins threaten twice within the opening 10 minutes.

He forced Giorgi Mamardashvili into a low save and then turned inside Van Dijk before firing off target from a promising position.

Liverpool gained a foothold midway through the period, with Rio Ngumoha in particular looking threatening.

A Van Dijk knockdown forced last-ditch interventions from the Villa back line to prevent Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo from directing it towards goal.

Ngumoha then curled over at the end of a solo run before the Reds had a goal ruled out, when the offside Gakpo converted the rebound of a Ryan Gravenberch shot that Emiliano Martinez had fumbled.

A Dominik Szoboszlai long-ranger was pushed behind by Martinez, leading to successive corners from the second of which Alexis Mac Allister nodded just over.

But the hosts would end the deadlock three minutes prior to the break from a short-corner routine.

The ball made its way back to Lucas Digne and the taker slipped a pass into the area to find the unmarked Rogers, who angled his effort beyond Mamardashvili.

Second half

Liverpool drew level seven minutes after the interval.

Szoboszlai floated a free-kick from the right to the back post, where Van Dijk found himself free and able to plant a header into the far corner.

Ngumoha struck the post a little over a minute before Watkins restored Villa's lead.

Rogers pounced on an unfortunate slip from Szoboszlai and nudged the ball forward, allowing Watkins to sweep first-time past Mamardashvili.

The Reds goalkeeper prevented Watkins from making it 3-1 soon after with a pair of saves from close range.

Milos Kerkez stopped Watkins having a free run at goal with an important challenge to halt a Villa counter-attack and then Emiliano Buendia curled onto the crossbar, but they would eventually find their third goal in the aftermath of a corner.

Mamardashvili had saved well from Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres, though Watkins was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Salah was introduced for the final quarter of an hour for what was his last appearance on the road for the club.

McGinn added a fourth for Villa one minute before the 90 was up, curling into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Van Dijk headed in his second of the night from Szoboszlai's delivery in stoppage time but the deficit was too much for Liverpool to overcome.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Liverpool 2:3 Brighton Women FA Cup Semi-Final Match Report

A stoppage-time goal consigned Liverpool to a 3-2 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion in their Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final.

The Reds had raced into a two-goal lead during the first half courtesy of a Denise O’Sullivan header and Beata Olsson finish.

Manuela Vanegas quickly reduced the deficit for the Seagulls, who then levelled via Madison Haley early in the second period.

Both teams had chances to claim the place in the Wembley showpiece but it was the visitors who took it with a 95th-minute Nadine Noordam goal.

The first clear opening at St Helens Stadium on Sunday was created by Brighton.

Charlie Rule guided a pass behind to set up a one-v-one for Fran Kirby, whose dink beat Jennifer Falk but drifted harmlessly wide.

Liverpool responded strongly and O’Sullivan would have expected to do better with a header off target from Ceri Holland’s dangerous deep cross.

The latter was in behind the opposition defence herself seconds later to meet Fuka Nagano’s clipped pass. She partially rounded the goalkeeper but her eventual effort on goal was blocked by Caitlin Hayes.

From the resulting corner, though, the Reds got in front.

The set-piece was not cleared and the ball was spread out to Holland in space in the left channel. She again picked out O’Sullivan in the middle and this time the midfielder clinically flicked her header in.

Gareth Taylor’s side were soon able to build on that lead, too.

After a spell of pressure, Olsson was presented with a chance from a loose ball that ran to her inside the area and made no mistake whatsoever with a thumped strike past Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The enhanced advantage was frustratingly short-lived.

A minute later, a Brighton corner situation was not dealt with and from close range Vanegas reacted to hook an effort home.

Liverpool re-established control for much of the remainder of a half that concluded with threats at each end.

Alejandra Bernabe brought a partially-cleared set-piece under control at the edge of the box and sent a looping strike at goal that bounced off the crossbar.

In added time, the away team sprung Kiko Seike into space yards out on an angle – and her low hit was crucially foiled by Falk.

The Reds almost produced a third goal early in the second half, only for Grace Fisk’s header to bounce narrowly wide.

There was greater impetus from the Seagulls, however, and Kirby had hit the post – via a Falk fingertip – before they drew level on 54 minutes.

Seike’s dribble down the right-hand side preceded a cross lifted to the back stick, where Haley was able to get up and nod the ball over the line.

Brighton were the dominant team now, with Seike the major influence on the flow of the game.

Next, she fired a diagonal drive that Falk palmed behind, and from the corner Hayes rose to direct a header towards goal, but off target.

Vanegas was close to grabbing her second of the contest with an attempt from 20 yards that took a deflection and landed on the roof of the net.

Liverpool’s best chance of the half was forged by Aurélie Csillag as she stole possession high on the left and moved infield. Nnadozie got a leg in the way of her finish, though.

The Brighton goalkeeper tipped over a Cornelia Kapocs effort not long before normal time was ending, while appeals for a penalty when Kirsty Maclean went down in the box were waved away.

And Noordam’s unstoppable strike, when a free-kick dropped to her in the final seconds of added time, snatched victory for the visitors to leave the Reds disappointed.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Shimizu (Bergstrom, 61), Clark, Fisk, Bernabe, Nagano, Maclean, O’Sullivan (Csillag, 68), Kapocs, Holland (Enderby, 77), Olsson.

Unused subs: Kirby, Evans, Woodham, Josendal, Shaw, Trueman.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 36 - Liverpool 1:1 Chelsea Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

The Reds took a sixth-minute lead in their penultimate home fixture of the campaign, courtesy of a fine curling strike from Ryan Gravenberch.

But the points would end up being shared after Enzo Fernandez scored with a free-kick 10 minutes before half-time.

Team news

Giorgi Mamardashvili was back in goal following an injury and one of three changes, with Milos Kerkez and Rio Ngumoha the others restored.

Alexander Isak also returned from an absence and began on the bench.

First half

Ngumoha picked up the pieces of a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick that had been blocked and shifted the ball on to the opening goalscorer.

On the edge of the box, Gravenberch took a touch to get the ball out of his feet and then bent it into the far corner of Filip Jorgensen's net.

Virgil van Dijk snuffed out a quick Chelsea response with a brave header to stop Joao Pedro from connecting with a Malo Gusto cut-back.

The Liverpool captain nearly doubled his side's lead a few moments later off a corner routine, but was unable to connect cleanly with a finish at the back post and watched his side-foot bounce into the ground and go over.

Mamardashvili intercepted a threatening Cole Palmer through ball in search of Joao Pedro and then saved well from Marc Cucurella prior to being beaten.

Fernandez's low free-kick in from the right evaded everyone in the box – including Wesley Fofana, who looked to connect with it – and ended up squeezing in at the far post.

Mamardashvili ensured it was level at the break by getting in between a powerful hit from Fernandez.

Second half

The Reds had another reprieve soon after the restart, when Palmer had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR. The review concluded Cucurella had been offside in the build-up.

Curtis Jones thought he had put the hosts 2-1 up with a close-range nod, only for the assistant referee to raise his flag immediately to rule Cody Gakpo, who headed back across goal, had strayed beyond the deepest defender.

A whip from Szoboszlai was pushed behind by Jorgensen and then a powerful drive from the No.8 struck the post.

Joao Pedro went close from inside the box before the woodwork denied Liverpool again – this time a Van Dijk header from a corner smacking the crossbar.

Despite an open conclusion to the affair and seven minutes of stoppage time, no further goals were found.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Manchester City 1:0 Liverpool Women Match Report

Liverpool suffered a late 1-0 defeat away at Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Gareth Taylor’s team came close to opening the scoring early on at Joie Stadium on Sunday as captain Grace Fisk hit the post.

The title-chasing hosts were thwarted several times by Reds goalkeeper Jennifer Falk but she was beaten by Rebecca Knaak’s header in stoppage time.

Liverpool had made a confident start to proceedings and troubled City three times within the opening few minutes.

First, Ceri Holland was worked into space on the left wing and lifted in a cross that found Aurélie Csillag, whose header from the centre was too high.

Denise O’Sullivan stole possession high up the pitch when play resumed and moved through to fire a low shot that Ayaka Yamashita had to get down to shovel around the post.

Then a Holland corner delivery from the right reached the far side of the penalty area, where Fisk cushioned a first-time volley onto the base of the left post.

League leaders City found a foothold as the first half progressed – and the Reds needed their goalkeeper on 26 minutes.

Lauren Hemp muscled past Risa Shimizu on the flank and pulled the ball back to Khadija Shaw. Her instant strike at goal was repelled by Falk low to her right.

Shaw next cleared the crossbar with a header from Kerstin Casparij’s inswinger, while Csillag rifled too high upon combining with Mia Enderby to create room.

City immediately pinned the visitors back in the second half, with Fisk making an important block to thwart an Aoba Fujino drive.

A Hemp attempt that lacked power was comfortable for Falk before the same player curled not too far wide of the Liverpool net from a tight angle.

Holland snatched at a shot from the edge of the box having been able to dribble forward, but the traffic was mostly in the other direction now.

Indeed, Falk was again called into a rescue act just past the hour mark. Shaw’s clipped ball in behind allowed Kerolin to brush off Jenna Clark and go one-v-one. The final effort was pushed up and over the goalframe.

Hemp and Shaw connected again when the former’s near-post cross from the left was swept off target by the latter.

The Reds could have broken the deadlock themselves soon after, though, with an unmarked Beata Olsson directing her header wide from Alejandra Bernabe’s pinpoint delivery.

Falk foiled City yet again a minute into stoppage time.

Hemp’s latest tee-up for Shaw was looped towards goal via the striker’s head and Falk reacted quickly to push the ball over.

She was unable to repeat that from the resulting corner, though. Knaak headed it in search of the bottom left corner and it got through the grasp of Falk to give City the points.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Shimizu (Bergstrom, 69), Clark, Fisk, Bernabe, Nagano, O’Sullivan, Holland, Enderby, Olsson, Csillag (Josendal, 82).

Unused subs: Kirby, Evans, Woodham, Maclean, Shaw, Trueman.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 35 - Manchester United 3:2 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

The home side took control of the contest in the opening half, scoring via Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko to lead at the half-time break.

The Reds, though, netted two goals in nine minutes after the interval through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo to restore parity.

Kobbie Mainoo, however, provided the difference between the two teams in the 77th minute to see the hosts take victory.

Team news

Liverpool made two changes as Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch moved into the starting line-up.

Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah were the two players to be ruled out by injury.

First half

The game was just six minutes old when the home side earned an early advantage.

Cunha was the player to score after Liverpool failed to clear a corner ball, though his first shot was blocked from the edge of the area after a defensive header.

The rebound, however, fell back to the attacker’s feet and his next low effort found the bottom corner via a deflection inside the box.

Liverpool responded with pressure and possession, but it was the hosts who doubled their advantage in the 14th minute.

They broke quickly into the final third as Bruno Fernandes saw a ball across the box to Sesko saved by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

The playmaker, however, was on hand again at the next delivery to head Luke Shaw’s deep cross back to Sesko with the striker able to bundle the ball into the net from close range.

In response, Gakpo drove a shot inches past the post from outside the area, while Florian Wirtz did similar a little later.

Fernandes again threatened as he struck a half-volley wide of the post from a Bryan Mbeumo cross, though it was as close as either team would come to adding to the scoreline before the break.

Second half

The game had barely taken shape after the change of ends before Liverpool found a way back into the contest two minutes after the restart.

Szoboszlai picked up a loose pass from the hosts in midfield and sprinted towards goal at pace.

The No.8 drove into the area and cut to his left foot to place a precise shot into the bottom corner of the net in clinical fashion.

The goal gave the Reds belief and just nine minutes later they were level as they pounced on another mistake from the hosts.

Alexis Mac Allister reacted quickest after a short goal-kick routine, intercepting a pass on the edge of the box.

The midfielder found Szoboszlai in space, who in turn touched the ball off to Gakpo, resulting in the forward firing home from in close to even up proceedings.

The match opened up as a result, with both teams exchanging possession and attacks in an attempt to get in front.

Liverpool again threatened with a dangerous Szoboszlai free-kick from the right flank hitting a number of bodies before being cleared off the line by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

In similar fashion, Fernandes combined with Casemiro at a set-piece, though the resulting header was straight at stopper Woodman.

However, it was the home side who again got themselves in front with 13 minutes of the fixture remaining.

It was Mainoo who was on target, sweeping home a shot into the net from the edge of the box after a cross from Shaw was cleared to the midfielder.

Liverpool searched for a leveller and went close via substitute Rio Ngumoha's low driven shot, but were unable to find another goaland fell to defeat.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Liverpool 0:1 West Ham United Women Match Report

Liverpool FC Women were beaten 1-0 at home by West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds fell to defeat at St Helens Stadium in the Barclays Women's Super League through a sixth-minute own goal from Cornelia Kapocs.

The home side came close to salvaging something on several occasions but saw their five-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end.

Liverpool actually survived a let-off before the opener arrived, Viviane Asseyi firing straight at Jennifer Falk from inside the penalty area.

However, the Hammers soon had the ball in the net when Shekiera Martinez flicked on a corner that Kapocs inadvertently directed over the line at the back post.

Beata Olsson and Jenna Clark forced Kinga Szemik into saves as the Reds looked to respond quickly.

But up the other end, Asseyi blasted over a Katie Zelem delivery and then ended a solo run of her own with a curler that forced Falk into a low save.

The half concluded with Liverpool nearly drawing level, with a Ceri Holland daisycutter going just wide and Grace Fisk having her header from a corner cleared off the line by Estelle Cascarino.

The hosts upped the pressure at the beginning of the second period, creating three clear-cut opportunities 10 minutes after the restart.

Olsson and Kapocs were unable to add a finishing touch to threatening crosses into the box, while Alice Bergstrom was thwarted by a block from Eva Nystrom.

In the 64th minute, Cascarino produced another intervention on the goalline – this time keeping out a Bergstrom header.

Substitute Anna Josendal watched a curler drift just wide as the game entered the final quarter of an hour, during which Liverpool continued to press hard for a leveller but came up short.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Shimizu, Fisk, Clark, Bernabe, Nagano, Maclean (O'Sullivan, 80), Kapocs, Bergstrom (Josendal, 67), Holland (Enderby, 80), Olsson (Csillag, 72).

Unused subs: Kirby, Evans, Woodham, Shaw, Trueman.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 34 - Liverpool 3:1 Crystal Palace Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool earned a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds had secured a two-goal advantage by half-time through fine finishes from Alexander Isak and Andy Robertson.

Daniel Munoz then reduced the deficit for the Eagles in the 71st minute, though Florian Wirtz ensured the points were safe in added time for the home side with an impressive driven effort.

Team

Freddie Woodman started in goal in his full Premier League debut for the Reds as one of two changes made by head coach Arne Slot.

Alexis Mac Allister also came into the midfield in place of Ryan Gravenberch.

First half

Liverpool enjoyed early pressure in the contest as Wirtz saw a shot deflected behind and Virgil van Dijk challenged goalkeeper Dean Henderson at a corner ball.

It was the visitors, however, who had the better of the chances in the opening exchanges.

Chris Richards first headed an Adam Wharton cross over the bar, while Brennan Johnson saw a shot from long range saved by Woodman.

Ismaila Sarr then produced a clever cutback for Johnson, but the attacker guided the effort over the crossbar.

In response, Liverpool were initially awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute following a swift break forward into the final third.

VAR, though, intervened to overturn the decision after Johnson was deemed to get a touch on the ball during his challenge on Mohamed Salah in the box.

The No.11 then had a half-volley fly over from inside the area after a deflected Curtis Jones cross from the right flank.

The Reds produced two goals ahead of the half-time interval to give themselves a commanding lead in the contest.

Isak opened the scoring with a brilliant turn and finish in the area after Mac Allister’s shot from outside the box fell into the No.9’s path.

The striker controlled and fired the ball into the ground and up again as the effort evaded the reach of the diving Henderson.

Liverpool then added a second through Robertson, with goalkeeper Woodman beginning the attack with a stunning save from Jean-Philippe Mateta’s close-range header after a swinging cross.

The Reds turned defence into attack quickly. Jones eventually released Robertson in on goal, resulting in the full-back firing low into the bottom corner of the net.

Second half

The Eagles introduced Borna Sosa from the bench at the break and the substitute enjoyed the opening chance of the second period.

Palace worked the ball to the full-back, only for his low effort to be drilled wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Isak continued to threaten as Cody Gakpo’s ball through the centre of the visiting defence almost released the striker in once more.

On the hour, Liverpool were forced into their first change of the afternoon, with Salah being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong due to injury.

The Reds continued to push forward and Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery in from the left byline was the next to cause havoc in the area as Palace scrambled the free ball clear from the feet of Isak.

With a little under 20 minutes remaining, however, the visitors reduced the deficit through Munoz.

Woodman came to block an initial chance inside the area and was left injured as a result, leaving the full-back to lift a finish from the right into an empty net unchallenged, with the hosts aggrieved.

Palace pushed on in search of a leveller after they netted and almost had one with five minutes remaining in the match.

Substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen raced clear and clipped a shot past the onrushing Woodman, who had darted from his line to close the angle.

The effort hit the inside of the post and roll back across the line before being cleared away from danger. He appeared to ultimately have been offside, too.

And there was time for Liverpool to secure all three points in the final moments, as Wirtz produced a piledriving finish into the back of the net.

The playmaker was in the right place at the right time to connect with a Mac Allister touch back in the area following a throw-in, which put the exclamation point on a victory that further boosts Champions League qualification hopes for Slot’s charges.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 33 - Everton 1:2 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Virgil van Dijk scored in the 10th minute of stoppage time to secure a dramatic 2-1 win for Liverpool over Everton in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The captain headed home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner to snatch an invaluable three points in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Reds had first taken the lead after half an hour as Mohamed Salah marked his final derby appearance with a record-equalling ninth Premier League goal against the Blues.

Just moments earlier, an Iliman Ndiaye strike for the hosts was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Beto then equalised for Everton in the early stages of the second half, but there was to be late, late drama as Van Dijk nodded in Liverpool’s sixth stoppage-time winner versus their neighbours in the Premier League.

The result leaves Arne Slot’s team seven points above sixth-placed Chelsea with five top-flight games remaining this season.

Team

Slot made four changes to his starting XI, with Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson and Salah the players restored to the line-up.

Liverpool: Mamardashvili (Woodman, 58), Van Dijk, Konate, Wirtz (Mac Allister, 83), Szoboszlai, Isak (Ngumoha, 72), Salah, Jones, Gakpo (Frimpong, 83), Robertson (Kerkez, 86), Gravenberch.

Unused subs: Pecsi, Chiesa, Nyoni.

First half

A fine save by Giorgi Mamardashvili – the Liverpool goalkeeper clawing away Beto’s header down to his left – prevented Everton from taking a lead with six minutes gone amid a predictably raucous atmosphere.

But, having weathered the early storm, the Reds grew into the contest and Gakpo saw a shot deflect wide off James Tarkowski after the forward had darted inside off the left flank.

A pivotal two-minute spell during which both teams scored followed – though Everton’s celebrations were cut short as Ndiaye’s goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

And, moments later, their disappointment was compounded by the sight of Salah wheeling away towards a delirious away end.

Gakpo was the creator, the No.18 bisecting the Blues’ back line with a superb pass that Salah met with a firm, first-time finish that drew him level with Steven Gerrard as the Reds’ top Premier League scorer in derbies.

Liverpool controlled the remainder of the half, with Gakpo forcing Pickford into action with a powerful, rising drive and Alexander Isak shooting straight at the Everton ’keeper in stoppage time.

Second half

The Reds began the second half with lengthy spells of comfortable possession, but their play lacked a cutting edge and their failure to get a second goal was soon punished, as Beto slid home Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s low cross at the near post.

To make matters worse, Mamardashvili was injured in the process of trying to stop the goal, meaning Freddie Woodman came off the bench to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool.

The visitors’ response was good and, on the hour, Gakpo saw a header cleared off the line from Salah’s delivery.

The play was becoming stretched and Woodman parried Ndiaye’s strike before Robertson strode forward and shot wide at the other end.

Neither side was able to carve out clear-cut chances until Liverpool did so in the eighth minute of stoppage time, only for Rio Ngumoha to shoot over the crossbar at the end of a well-worked move.

It appeared that would be the final opportunity to claim all three points but, for the second time in his glorious Liverpool career, Van Dijk nodded home a late derby winner.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg - Liverpool 0:2 Paris St Germain Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool were eliminated from the Champions League after a 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield.

The Reds bowed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage after defeat in both legs of their tie against the holders.

Two second-half finishes from Ousmane Dembele in L4 extended the visitors' aggregate lead to 4-0.

Team

Alexander Isak started for the first time since suffering his injury in December as one of five changes.

Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister were the others restored to the XI.

First half

On the eve of the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, a period of silence was observed and a mosaic formed on the Kop ahead of kick-off. Both sets of players were wearing black armbands.

The two goalkeepers were forced into comfortable saves inside the opening six minutes; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired straight at Giorgi Mamardashvili and Matvei Safonov caught a header from Isak.

Dembele then went close on two occasions in quick succession.

The Frenchman's lob towards goal after Mamardashvili cut out an intended through ball for Warren Zaire-Emery was punched away by the retreating Liverpool goalkeeper, before a quickly taken throw-in presented him with a chance from six yards that he fired over.

Ekitike was carried off on a stretcher after slipping, leading to Salah being introduced from the bench.

The No.11's first involvement was a cross that nearly led to the opening goal. Kerkez bundled the delivery towards Safonov and Virgil van Dijk looked certain to convert the 'keeper's rebound, only for Marquinhos to produce a last-ditch block.

In the last few minutes of the half, Ibrahima Konate made an important intervention to stop Dembele poking in a centre from Achraf Hakimi.

Second half

A double change by the Reds at the break saw Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo come on, and the two of them soon threatened to halve the deficit.

Gakpo's low drive from outside the box was pushed behind by Safonov, with Gomez heading the resulting corner over.

Liverpool were enjoying a dominant spell of pressure and next to go close was Gravenberch, who fired fractionally over from distance.

They thought they had a penalty in the 64th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after Mac Allister went down under a challenge from Willian Pacho. A VAR review overturned that decision, however.

With time ticking away, Rio Ngumoha was brought on to increase the hosts' attacking threat and he tested Safonov with a fierce strike that was on target.

But two minutes later, the tie was put beyond the Reds.

In a rare attack for PSG at that point in the half, Kvaratskhelia clipped the ball towards Dembele and he proceeded to curl past Mamardashvili from the edge of the area.

Their semi-final spot was wrapped up in stoppage time, when Dembele converted first-time from a Bradley Barcola pass.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 32 - Liverpool 2:0 Fulham Match Report

Match Report

First-half goals from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

Ngumoha opened his Anfield account competitively with a beautiful curler and, four minutes later, Salah netted in similar fashion.

Those strikes were enough to get the Reds back to winning ways on Saturday evening after three consecutive away defeats.

The result came also as a fillip ahead of the need to overturn a Champions League deficit against Paris Saint-Germain back in L4 on Tuesday.

Team

Arne Slot opted for five changes to his XI, including starts for Cody Gakpo, Ngumoha and Salah in the attack.

First half

There was an immediate refrain of Andy Robertson’s own song as supporters saluted the left-back after the announcement he will leave the club at the end of this campaign.

Goalmouth incident was minimal in the opening 10 minutes, until a sight of goal for Robertson, whose low hit was blocked by Harry Wilson when picked out by Jeremie Frimpong’s pullback.

Salah was then foiled, Bernd Leno getting down to push away his drive following industrious work from Frimpong on the right flank again.

Referee Anthony Taylor was uninterested in claims for a penalty as Ngumoha hit the turf under the attention of Oscar Bobb while darting into the area.

Gakpo swiped wide from the edge of the box and Salah was blocked at close range by Sander Berge, with Liverpool dominating the play.

The visitors did carve out a shooting chance for Bobb just past the half-hour mark that Giorgi Mamardashvili shovelled away.

Wilson also lofted a finish over the crossbar, and the breakthrough came at the other end of the pitch soon after.

Taylor signalled advantage when Gakpo was wrestled to the ground near the centre-circle, allowing Florian Wirtz to feed the ball out to Ngumoha on the left.

A series of step-overs and jinks created just the space the No.73 wanted to arc a brilliant finish between Leno’s despairing dive and the right-hand post.

And Slot’s side compounded their new lead swiftly.

Once more, Ngumoha’s dribbling was key, with his cross into the middle controlled by Gakpo and served on to Salah, who curled a precise strike back into the opposite left corner.

Second half

Ryan Gravenberch replaced Curtis Jones when the players re-emerged, the latter having needed treatment on the cusp of the interval.

Fulham imposed themselves in the early phases and did have the ball in the net, though it was immediately ruled out for offside.

Liverpool could have made it three from a slick counter-attack but Gakpo could not adequately bring Frimpong’s cross under control yards out.

Wirtz was unable to keep the ball down when he tried to finish Ngumoha’s back-post cross, before another passage of pressure from the away team.

Rodrigo Muniz had their best chance, escaping into freedom to meet a corner kick from the right. His header, however, was deflected wide.

A triple change ahead of the final quarter of the game saw Joe Gomez, Alexander Isak and Alexis Mac Allister enter the fray for the Reds.

Liverpool spurned several half-chances as time ticked away and Fulham were inches away from halving their deficit, Emile Smith Rowe’s side-footer from a Ryan Sessegnon cross narrowly off target.

Mac Allister and Raul Jimenez each rasped loose balls past the post and the score remained unchanged to confirm three points for Slot’s charges.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Champions League Quarter Final 1st Leg - Paris St Germain 2:0 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Wednesday night’s game at Parc des Princes was settled in the holders’ favour by goals in either half by Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Doue scored early on, with the aid of a deflection, while Kvaratskhelia improved PSG’s position in the tie further by striking in minute 65.

The Reds – for whom Alexander Isak returned as a late substitute – must now overturn a two-goal deficit at Anfield next Tuesday to progress to a semi-final against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

Team

Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister returned in place of Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah as Arne Slot made two changes to Liverpool’s starting XI.

First half

PSG enjoyed plenty of early possession but Liverpool – who lined up with three centre-backs – were comfortable until their early defensive efforts were undone by misfortune in minute 11.

The ball found its way to Doue from a Ryan Gravenberch tackle and the forward stepped inside to shoot. His attempt then took a huge deflection off Virgil van Dijk and looped over Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The Reds responded to that setback positively and fashioned a few openings, with Frimpong speeding down the outside and delivering a cut-back to the edge of the area, which Dominik Szoboszlai was unable to reach.

PSG’s attacking menace was always bubbling under, though, and a Kvaratskhelia pot-shot was batted away by Mamardashvili, before Liverpool’s goalkeeper made an outstanding save to deny Doue after the hosts had sprung up the pitch rapidly.

Mamardashvili was then required to make a regulation stop from Ousmane Dembele, who shot tamely, at the end of the first half.

Second half

Dembele spurned another chance to score when he fired Nuno Mendes’ cut-back over the crossbar but, midway through the half, PSG did find their second goal.

A long spell of possession was accelerated by Joao Neves, who played a piercing pass down the inside-right channel, and Kvaratskhelia calmly took control prior to rounding Mamardashvili and slotting home.

It appeared likely to get worse for Liverpool when the referee awarded a penalty for an apparent foul by Ibrahima Konate on Neves, but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.

After Hugo Ekitike had failed to maximise the sight of goal afforded to him by Florian Wirtz’s driving run and pass, Slot made a quadruple substitution, with Isak among the players introduced.

But the next opportunity was PSG’s and Mamardashvili made another smart save from Achraf Hakimi’s hit.

Indeed, it was the hosts who finished the match the stronger, with Dembele rattling the post late on, and the Reds now need another famous Anfield European night next week in order to continue their journey in this season’s Champions League.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Charlton Athletic 0:1 Liverpool Women FA Cup Match Report

A goal in extra-time from substitute Zara Shaw on her long-awaited return from injury earned Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Charlton Athletic in the Adobe Women's FA Cup.

The 18-year-old marked her comeback after a little more than a year out with a vital contribution to send the Reds into the final four.

Shaw scored in the 115th minute to settle the quarter-final at The Valley on Sunday.

The visitors started on the front foot in the capital. Mia Enderby first saw a header at the back post saved after a Lily Woodham cross from the left found her free run in the six-yard box.

Charlton responded with their best opening of the first half, with a Karin Muya shot falling to Amalie Thestrup inside the area, though the attacker was unable to make a meaningful connection on her attempted flick at goal.

Liverpool then put together a string of chances ahead of the interval as they dominated proceedings.

An Alice Bergstrom cross from the right flank was headed onto the bar by home defender Lucia Lobato with goalkeeper Sophie Winehouse stranded.

Denise O’Sullivan also enjoyed two good openings to break the deadlock, first guiding a header too high from a looping Woodham cross from the left byline.

Then, a Cornelia Kapocs delivery landed at her feet after an initial header. However, her off-balance effort flew above the frame of the goal.

The second half began as the first finished, with Liverpool enjoying all the possession and attacking threat.

However, Gareth Taylor’s team were restricted mainly to crosses and deliveries from deep as Charlton held a firm defence.

In response, Beata Olsson, Martha Thomas and Alejandra Bernabe were all introduced from the bench just ahead of the hour mark.

The Reds continued their pressure with Kapocs, Thomas and Enderby all delivering dangerous balls into the area. None, though, were able to be met by a teammate.

Substitute Olsson did have the ball in the back of the net with a little more than 10 minutes remaining, but it was ruled out.

A low cross into the box from the right by Enderby found Thomas, who attempted to shoot and her touch fell to Olsson, whose instinctive flick was denied as she strayed offside in the six-yard box.

In added time, Thomas worked herself into the area with a clever one-two, only for her shot to be straight at Winehouse in the home net, forcing the game into extra-time.

Extra-time

The opening chance of the added period fell to Bernabe, who volleyed wide of the post from a corner as the ball raced through a number of bodies to the full-back.

Liverpool were continuing to see the majority of possession, though were continually restricted to strikes from outside of the box as Thomas and Olsson both fired off target.

Jenna Clark also saw a headed effort cleared off the line at another corner ball as pressure continued to be applied, while Enderby was replaced by Shaw due to cramp.

After another change of ends, a dipping cross from Kapocs found Olsson but the attacker couldn’t keep her header down and on target once again.

As a penalty shootout loomed, the Reds finally found the all-important goal they deserved.

There was an almighty scramble at a corner, with Liverpool hitting the post and then the crossbar as the ball bounced around the area unable to be cleared.

Ultimately, Shaw kept her cool and was in the right place at the right time to volley home into the bottom corner of the net and mark her return from injury with the winner.

Team

Liverpool: Falk, Bergstrom (Shimizu, 77), Clark, Evans, Woodham (Bernabe, 58), Nagano, O’Sullivan (Thomas, 58), Maclean, Kapocs, Csillag (Olsson, 58), Enderby (Shaw, 103).

Unused subs: Kirby, Ireland, McDonald, Trueman.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

FA Cup Quarter Final - Manchester City 4:0 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

A 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday eliminated Liverpool from the Emirates FA Cup.

The first half of the quarter-final at Etihad Stadium was evenly contested until Erling Haaland struck twice in quick succession before the interval.

Antoine Semenyo stretched the hosts’ lead soon after the restart and Haaland further increased it prior to the hour mark.

Mohamed Salah later saw a penalty saved by James Trafford to cap an afternoon of disappointment for Arne Slot’s men.

Team

Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones and Salah came into the Liverpool XI as Slot made three changes.

First half

A skip forward and low shot from Jeremy Doku was the only flash of threat from either team in the opening 10 minutes.

Hugo Ekitike clipped wide when slightly unbalanced after a one-two with Florian Wirtz and Matheus Nunes fired one into Giorgi Mamardashvili’s hands, before the game’s first big chance.

A long kick from Liverpool’s goalkeeper swooped right over the City back line for Salah, who got the ball under control inside the area.

As the Egyptian lined up his strike from left of goal, though, Abdukodir Khusanov rescued the hosts with a sliding challenge that deflected the finish away.

City appeals for a penalty when Rayan Cherki hit the ground under a challenge from Milos Kerkez were ignored by the officials as the match began to bubble a little more.

On 27, Jones brought a Salah cross down inside the box and his attempted lay-off bobbled to Ekitike, who swiped it over the far upright.

The deadlock would be broken from a City penalty kick as the referee pointed to the spot for a Virgil van Dijk trip on Nico O’Reilly.

Haaland stepped up to the duel with Mamardashvili and rolled the ball into the bottom right corner.

Liverpool’s challenge was increased two minutes into added time. Haaland was first to meet a Semenyo delivery and flicked a header inside the left post.

Second half

The Reds fell three goals behind within five minutes of the restart.

Cherki slid a pass through for Semenyo to go into a one-v-one with Mamardashvili and the forward dinked the ball past the goalkeeper.

Swiftly at the other end, Trafford made a smart stop to keep out Salah, while the Liverpool No.11 also swept a presentable chance too high after Semenyo’s effort from his own half landed on the roof of the net.

Prior to the hour, Haaland completed his treble to further City’s advantage, scooping a finish in off the crossbar from O’Reilly’s tee-up.

Slot’s side were awarded a 63rd-minute penalty for a foul halting Ekitike’s dribble into the box, but Salah’s driven kick from 12 yards was repelled by Trafford.

The City ’keeper gloved away an Alexis Mac Allister drive from distance but the score remained 4-0 and the Reds’ FA Cup hopes are over for this season.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 31 - Brighton & Hove Albion 2:1 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool were beaten 2-1 by Brighton & Hove Albion in their Premier League clash at Amex Stadium.

Goals in either half from Danny Welbeck earned the home side the three points on Saturday.

Milos Kerkez had brought the Reds level with an instinctive, dinked finish before the interval.

Team

Giorgi Mamardashvili replaced Alisson Becker in goal, with the No.1 ruled out due to injury.

Cody Gakpo also returned in place of the absent Mohamed Salah on the south coast.

First half

Before the game had chance to develop any clear pattern, Liverpool were forced into an early change as Hugo Ekitike picked up a knock.

The attacker was unable to continue after a clash on the halfway line and was replaced by Curtis Jones.

Dominik Szoboszlai signalled early intent for the Reds with a shot over the bar, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 14th minute with their first attack.

A deep cross into the box was headed back across goal by Diego Gomez and the ball was then met by Welbeck, who nodded into the net.

The Reds responded by dominating possession and Alexis Mac Allister forced Bart Verbruggen into his first save of the afternoon.

Szoboszlai’s cross was met by his fellow midfielder in the area as he powered a header towards the bottom corner of the net.

Liverpool, however, were level on the half-hour mark after quick thinking from full-back Kerkez.

A long kick forward was headed back towards goal by home captain Lewis Dunk, though the Reds’ No.6 had followed its path.

His darting run paid off as he met the loose ball and produced a brilliant flick over the goalkeeper inside the box to restore parity in the contest.

Ahead of the interval both teams battled for the lead, with Mamardashvili forced to claw away a dangerous ball into the six-yard box by Yankuba Minteh.

Florian Wirtz also had a low shot saved by Verbruggen in the last of the action in the opening period.

Second half

Liverpool started after the break on the front foot, but it was the Seagulls who threatened with two quick chances.

Ferdi Kadioglu produced a driving run to the edge of the area to hit a low shot that was pushed away, ahead of Mats Wieffer rising to head wide at the resulting corner.

Ahead of the hour, the home side got themselves back in front with a well-worked move.

Minteh delivered a low cross from the left flank for Jack Hinshelwood, who touched the ball back across the six-yard box for Welbeck to score, with a VAR check confirming no offside.

Gomez then forced Mamardashvili into a stern save from a free-kick, while Jones turned and shot low inside the box, making Verbruggen do similar.

In the Reds’ search for an equaliser, Mac Allister saw a free header from a corner ball fly wide of the mark, while at the other end Minteh raced through again, though Liverpool’s goalkeeper sprung into action to close down the angle.

In the latter stages, Hinshelwood was unable to convert a low cutback from substitute Kaoru Mitoma, and Gakpo worked Verbruggen once more, hitting a curling shot after driving into the box to turn.

Jones then blocked an effort off the line following a scramble in the area after a corner ball for the home side, in the last of the meaningful action.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Champions League 25/26 Last 16 2nd Leg 4:0 Liverpool v Galatasaray Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool overpowered Galatasaray to win 4-0 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield, with a 4-1 aggregate victory booking a quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Reds produced a performance of authority and class to emphatically overturn a 1-0 deficit from last week’s first meeting in Istanbul, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah getting the goals.

Szoboszlai opened the scoring midway through a first half that ended with Salah seeing a penalty saved, before Ekitike and Gravenberch struck in a two-minute spell soon after the restart.

With just over an hour gone, Salah did get on the scoresheet – this after a Wilfried Singo own goal had been disallowed for offside against Jeremie Frimpong – with a trademark curler for his 50th Champions League goal.

The Egyptian then hit the crossbar before being substituted due to injury in the only negative to emerge from an otherwise wholly positive evening for Arne Slot and his team, who can now look forward to a last-eight showdown with PSG.

Team

There were four changes to Liverpool’s line-up. Ekitike and Salah started in attack, while Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate returned in defence.

First half

Roared on amid an atmosphere befitting of the occasion, the Reds made a fast start.

Galatasaray sought to stymie their momentum by wasting time at every opportunity but that was a tactic that irked both Liverpool team and crowd, and the home side refused to allow their tempo to drop.

The pressure on the visitors’ goal was bound to tell eventually and so it proved, via a clever corner routine, in minute 25.

Alexis Mac Allister was the taker, the No.10 deliberately feeding a low delivery into the path of the onrushing Szoboszlai, who calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner with a precise and first-time, left-foot hit.

Salah and Florian Wirtz missed big chances before Mac Allister hit the bar with a header from point-blank range following another inventive set-piece.

It seemed that Liverpool would go in at the break ahead in the tie when a penalty was awarded for Szoboszlai being felled by Ismail Jakobs in the area, but Salah’s low kick was saved by Ugurcan Cakir.

Second half

The Reds emerged for the second half in no mood to countenance elimination and a whirlwind 115-second spell saw them score twice to take charge of the tie.

First, Ekitike slotted home Salah’s perfectly weighted cross at the back post and then, after Salah’s powerful strike had been saved, Gravenberch was on hand to bobble in the rebound.

Galatasaray were now being completely overwhelmed as Liverpool attacked relentlessly and Singo diverted Frimpong’s cross into his own net, only for the No.30 to be ruled offside by VAR.

No matter as, with 62 minutes played, Salah reached yet another goalscoring landmark with a textbook effort that located the top corner from 20 yards.

It could, and perhaps should, have been more, with Salah hitting the woodwork from close range and Mac Allister seeing a late goal following a corner disallowed, but the job had been done and a quarter-final versus PSG awaits next month.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Premier League 25/26 Matchday 30 - Liverpool 1:1 Tottenham Hotspur Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s 18th-minute free-kick from distance had given the Reds the lead, with both sides having further chances including an effort against the post from Cody Gakpo.

However, in the final minute of normal time, Richarlison swept a shot in from close range to claim a point for Spurs.

Team

Arne Slot welcomed back Alisson Becker from injury as Liverpool made five changes from the midweek Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Jeremie Frimpong, Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Andy Robertson also returned to the Reds line-up.

First half

Liverpool had the all of the ball in the opening exchanges, but it was Spurs who had the game’s first chances of note.

After Souza had been denied the opportunity to tap in from a Dominic Solanke cutback thanks to an intervention from Robertson, the midfielder had a swerving shot tipped over the bar by Alisson a minute later.

Nevertheless, the hosts took the lead with 18 minutes on the clock.

Alexis Mac Allister won a free-kick 20 yards from goal, left of centre, allowing Szoboszlai the chance to attempt one his now-trademark set-piece efforts.

The No.8 did not disappoint, lifting the ball over the wall into the back of the Kop net via a despairing glove from Guglielmo Vicario.

Ryan Gravenberch then scooped over from the edge of the area after spinning away from Pape Matar Sarr as Liverpool threatened a speedy second.

On 34 minutes, Florian Wirtz fashioned a good opening for Ngumoha inside the box, but he saw his drive blocked by Pedro Porro.

Then, a ball recovery high up the pitch from Gravenberch allowed Mac Allister to tee up Gakpo on the edge of the area. His near-post hit beat Vicario but cannoned against the base of the post.

Tottenham twice went close to levelling on the brink of half-time, but Richarlison’s header from a Mathys Tel delivery dropped wide of the post from close range.

The same player then nodded a corner at goal, but Alisson sprang to his left to push to safety and keep Liverpool’s lead intact at the break.

Second half

Ngumoha was at the heart of all the early action after the break, arrowing a shot a couple of yards wide from a Frimpong cross before having an attempt claimed by Vicario.

At the other end, Richarlison did well to hold up possession from a long ball forward and get a strike in at goal. On this occasion, it was turned behind by Alisson.

Arne Slot opted to make a triple change just following the hour mark, with Hugo Ekitke, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah replacing Frimpong, Ngumoha and Wirtz.

Salah almost capitalised on some hesitancy in dealing with a ball forward from Radu Dragusin; however, his drive across goal evaded the bottom corner as the contest ticked into its final quarter.

Richarlison was a fraction away from an Archie Gray centre and Xavi Simons drew a stop from Alisson with Spurs not giving up in the search for a leveller.

And they did grab a point in the 90th minute when Richarlison swept in from Randal Kolo Muani’s nudge across the area.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

Champions League 25/26 Last 16 1st Leg - Galatasaray 1:0 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 away at Galatasaray on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Mario Lemina's close-range header after seven minutes of the contest in Istanbul was enough to give the home side victory.

It leaves the Reds with the task of overturning that deficit in the return fixture at Anfield next Wednesday.

Team news

With Alisson Becker out injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili was the replacement in goal, while Florian Wirtz returned to the line-up for the first time since recovering from his back issue.

First half

Liverpool will have felt they should have been ahead prior to that relatively early opener.

The closest they came during a bright opening was when Wirtz swept wide from range with the net unguarded, after Lemina lost possession while attempting to play out.

The visitors were on top but got stung by a Galatasaray corner; Victor Osimhen rose to nod the delivery back across goal and Lemina was first to react to convert from a few yards out.

It was nearly 2-0 five minutes later but Osimhen headed Noa Lang's cross wide.

The Reds looked to get back on level terms, and Wirtz forced a save from Ugurcan Cakir off a nice move before Ibrahima Konate drilled just over with a long-range strike.

At the other end, though, Mamardashvili ensured his side trailed by one at the break, keeping out Lang's cross-turned-shot and then a Davinson Sanchez header.

Osimhen thrashed over and Wirtz headed tamely towards Cakir at the conclusion of an end-to-end half.

Second half

An equaliser nearly came a matter of minutes after the restart.

A powerful Dominik Szoboszlai strike, which Cakir saved, was preceded by Alexis Mac Allister dragging wide from inside the area after Joe Gomez's long throw-in was only half-cleared.

Galatasaray had the ball in the net again in the 62nd minute but Osimhen's celebrations were cut short by the raising of the flag for offside in the build-up.

Ekitike then went through after pouncing on a loose pass, with Cakir rescuing the hosts by smothering the forward's finish.

Liverpool thought they had evened things up in minute 71, when a chaotic corner was eventually bundled over the line by a touch from home defender Wilfried Singo. However, the own goal was chalked off by VAR for handball.

As the game entered the final 10 of the 90, Cakir was needed again to protect Galatasaray's lead. Andy Robertson's pull-back was heading goalwards after Sanchez slid in to block.

Ekitike headed over and Cody Gakpo fired wide in the closing stages, but the tie will come to Merseyside with Turkish side holding a slender advantage.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com

FA Cup Fifth Round - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1:3 Liverpool Match Report

Match Report

Liverpool progressed into the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night thanks to a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones were all on target for the Reds at Molineux, helping secure a spot in the final eight of the tournament.

The opening two goals came in two swift minutes early in the second half, with Robertson producing a stunning drive to open the scoring, ahead of Salah's close range finish.

Jones then added a third with a little over 15 minutes remaining thanks to a well-placed strike, while substitute Hee Chan Hwang netted a consolation for the hosts in added time.

Team news

Arne Slot made four changes to Liverpool’s starting line-up. Joe Gomez and Robertson came into defence, while Jones and Rio Ngumoha were also selected.

Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, was named among the substitutes following a back issue.

Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate were the players to drop to the bench.

First half

The opening exchanges were dominated by Liverpool in terms of possession, pinning the hosts back to work several chances.

None, though, were able to break the early deadlock between the two teams.

Cody Gakpo first struck the inside of the post with a header from a Ryan Gravenberch cross, however the offside flag was raised following the short corner routine.

Alexis Mac Allister thad a driven effort well held by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from the edge of the area, while Ngumoha also forced a low save after working a low effort from the right flank.

Gravenberch saw three shots in quick succession from in and around the box saved and deflect past the woodwork, before Gomez dragged a shot from distance wide of the mark.

Johnstone was forced into action once more following a Szoboszlai free-kick being blocked, with Gravenberch’s resulting shot saved, while Mac Allister also saw a driven chance fly past the post.

Second half

Liverpool began following the break on the front foot and after eight minutes of play had earned a two-goal advantage.

The Reds broke quickly after a Wolves attack with Salah holding the ball up to lay a pass to Jones, who then found Robertson on the edge of the box, with the full-back taking a touch to settle himself, ahead of rifling a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

It took Liverpool just two minutes to add to the scoreline via Salah.

The forward hammered home a low cross from Robertson’s low ball as he turned provider, though the offside flag initially denied his effort.

Following a lengthy delay and check by VAR, the goal was given with Salah deemed to be behind the ball when the cross was struck from the left flank.

Wolves responded by forcing Alisson into his first save of the night, a dipping shot from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde down to his right side.

Ngumoha again proved to be a nuisance for the home defence, twice going close, first working another halt from Johnstone, before hitting the side netting with a low drive.

In minute 74, Liverpool had their third goal of the evening and with it passage into the next round of the competition.

Jones drove forward to the edge of the area from midfield to place a shot into the bottom corner of the net in impressive fashion.

There was still time for substitute Frimpong to almost get on the scoresheet himself, hitting a drive that was met by the hands of Johnstone during another swift break from Liverpool.

Another substitute in Konate almost netted too from a Gravenberch cross in the search for a fourth, though the ball was just behind the advancing defender in the box.

In the first minute of added time, however, Hwang pulled a goal back for the home side, latching on to a deep ball forward to lift an effort past Alisson in the last of the meaningful action.

SOURCE: www.liverpoolfc.com