Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool

League leaders Liverpool had to settle for a point after failing to break down a feisty Stoke City.

Liverpool welcome Fernando Torres back in the side as they travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke today. Steven Gerrard twice rattled the woodwork in the last five minutes and Dirk Kuyt steered a header wide from a good position. The Spanish striker has been out of action since November, but takes his place on the bench. Also back in the squad is midfielder Javier Mascherano who has recovered from a knock which he picked up in the FA Cup win over Preston last week.

However, Stoke City also carved out a number of good chances and Rory Delap should have scored only for his close-range effort to hit the underside of the bar.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is out with a foot injury, but veteran defender Sami Hyypia makes his 700th club career appearance.

Stoke meanwhile hand Matthew Etherington his debut after joining from West Ham this week. Dave Kitson starts as Ricardo Fuller remains suspended, while fellow striker Richard Cresswell plays strike partner to the former Reading man.

Liverpool Won 5-1 at Newcastle United

Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool won 5-1 at Newcastle United to end 2008 three points clear of Chelsea.

The Anfield skipper netted the opener after 31 minutes of a one-sided match at St James' Park where the home side needed a string of fine saves from Shay Given to keep the score down.

Sami Hyypia nodded the second on 36 minutes before David Edgar pulled one back with a header on the stroke of half-time to give his side a glimmer of hope.

But the majestic Merseysiders restored their two-goal advantage through Ryan Babel five minutes into the second half. Gerrard ran through to grab his second on 66 minutes and Xabi Alonso wrapped it up with a penalty 13 minutes from time.

Liverpool beat Bolton Wanderers 3 - 0

Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Liverpool went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.

Chelsea's victory earlier in the day put the London side in pole position until Robbie Keane's double and a goal from Albert Riera ensured the Reds went back to the head of the pack.

The win meant Liverpool have completed all of 2008 unbeaten at home in the league. Missing Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury, manager Rafael Benitez re-jigged his back line, moving Jamie Carragher to right-back with Sami Hyypia slotting into the centre of defence.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool fought back to take a 1-1 draw from a high-octane match with Arsenal.

Robin van Persie had fired the Gunners ahead with a fine strike on 24 minutes, only for former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane to equalise.

Adebayor was shown a second yellow card by referee Howard Webb on the hour mark, and the Gunners had to settle for a draw which further dents their fading title aspirations.

Liverpool 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Liverpool 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Two goals from Robbie Keane helped to secure a 3-0 win for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion.

Keane gave Rafael Benitez his 150th victory as Liverpool manager as the Anfield club moved back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

The striker, who had managed to score only twice previously since his summer move from Tottenham Hotspur - both in the Champions League - finally broke his league duck when he drove home from a Steven Gerrard pass in the 34th minute.

Keane's second came when he rounded Scott Carson a couple of minutes before the break and Alvaro Arbeloa added the gloss in injury time.

Liverpool Defeated Chelsea 1 - 0

Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool surged three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Chelsea.

Xabi Alonso scored the only goal of the match when his ninth-minute shot was deflected beyond goalkeeper Petr Cech by Blues full-back Jose Bosingwa.

The result ended Chelsea's incredible 86-match unbeaten home league record in the Premier League.

Liverpool Defeated Manchester City 3 - 2

Dirk Kuyt scored his first Barclays Premier League goal since November to secure a dramatic victory for Liverpool.

The Holland striker rattled the ball home in stoppage time to stun 10-man Manchester City.

The home side had raced into a two-goal lead in the first half through Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido.

Fernando Torres pulled a goal back before City's Pablo Zabaleta was sent off.

The momentum was then with Liverpool with Torres adding a second before Kuyt had the final word.

“I’m really pleased with the result, though I’m disappointed for Martin with his injury,” Benítez said afterwards. “The positive thing was the reaction of the players after a bad first half. We made two mistakes for both goals, but the reaction and character we showed in the second half was key to winning the game. It is better for me if we don’t concede those goals, but if you can win, it shows that the players are ready to win every game. Physically we are in good condition, so credit to our fitness coach. We also have great belief and mentality.”

“We had spoken at half-time about the likely response of Liverpool,” Hughes said. “We needed to be ready for it and we weren’t.”

Fernando Torres Scored Twice to Give Liverpool 2-0 Victory over Everton

Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Fernando Torres scored twice to give Liverpool a deserved victory over Everton in the 208th Merseyside derby.

The first half had been a stalemate with few chances, but Torres struck twice in three minutes during the second period to maintain Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season.

Everton lost Tim Cahill late on when the Australian received a straight red card for a late tackle on Xabi Alonso.

Everton should have been ahead after 14 minutes when Tim Cahill failed to make decent contact with an Arteta corner from just six yards.

Joseph Yobo blocked a shot on the turn by Torres and Cahill saw a glancing header go wide at the other end.

Everton were content to commit just Ayegbeni Yakubu up front, with Mikel Arteta and Cahill attacking from deep. It meant that Liverpool had the majority of possession as Everton sat back and tried to hit them on the break.

After 26 minutes Joleon Lescott's cross was dropped by Jose Reina under minimal pressure from Fellaini, who spun to strike a fierce shot that Jamie Carragher somehow blocked on the line.

But referee Riley had spotted some sort of infringement, unseen by Everton eyes, and awarded a free-kick. The tempo had now risen a few notches, with Everton at last fired up.

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City

Stoke City defended magnificently to claim an unlikely point in a goalless draw at Anfield against unbeaten Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard tried everything he knew to grab his 100th goal for the club as Liverpool poured waves of attacks against the newly-promoted Potters.

But despite constant pressure they could not break through a resilient Stoke defence.

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

Liverpool Defeated Manchester United 2 -1 and ended their dream run of 5 successive wins over Liverpool in Premier League.

Ryan Babel's second-half strike ended Manchester United's run of five successive league wins over Liverpool. Liverpool came from a goal behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 in a dramatic Anfield encounter that could easily have been won by either side.

It also gave Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez his first victory over the Old Trafford men in 10 Premier League attempts. A first-half own goal from Wes Brown and a Ryan Babel winner close to the end were enough for Rafa Benitez to take three points off rival Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time.

United took the lead early on through Carlos Tevez. But Liverpool forced their way back into the match with a bizarre Wes Brown own goal, before dominating the second period - which saw Nemanja Vidic sent off. Then substitute Babel struck the winner.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said: "It was good for the confidence of the players. At half-time we were talking about having confidence and determination going forwards and in the second half we were the best team. We showed quality and character to come back and the understanding of (Robbie) Keane and (Dirk) Kuyt was very good."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "You don't expect that from Manchester United. When we have a bad day we usually still get something from the game. Overall, they were the better team today. Liverpool produced a performance of tackling, hassling and getting about us. You have to give them credit for that - but at the end of the day, we should cope."

Robbie Fowler Signs 3-month Deal with Blackburn Rovers

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is returning to the Premier League after signing a three-month deal with Blackburn.

The 33-year-old Fowler left Cardiff during the off-season after rejecting a deal with the second-tier Welsh side. He has since been training with Blackburn, which is managed by his former Liverpool and England teammate Paul Ince.

"I am pleased he has signed as he is a proven goal scorer," Ince said Friday. "It is not so long ago he was banging in the goals at Anfield. I believe he can still do it at this level. If he does well there is no reason why we can't extend the deal."

The former England international, who will be in Saturday's squad to face Arsenal, made his top-flight debut with Liverpool in 1991, scoring 128 goals in 288 appearances during two spells at Anfield.

Fowler joined Leeds in November 2001, scoring 14 goals in 30 appearances, before he moved to Manchester City in 2003. He made an emotional return to Anfield two years later, but was unable to reproduce the prolific form he showed during his first spell with the club.

Battle of the Reds - Liverpool vs Manchester United

Liverpool's challenge for their first league title since 1990 gets its first real test of the season on Saturday when they seek to end a dire series of Anfield results against champions Manchester United.

United manager Alex Ferguson said this week that he expected United to soon overhaul Liverpool's record of 18 league titles, and since his team have won 10 of their 17 since Liverpool's last triumph, it is not exactly a wild prediction.

Liverpool fans are extremely unhappy about the prospect and, despite their continued European success, their regular failure to mount a serious domestic league challenge hangs above the club like a dark cloud.

"The fans are screaming out for it, the players want it and we need to deliver. If we're out of the race again come January or February, there will be a lot of unhappy people around here. The city will explode if we win the league, and I don't want it to happen when I'm retired. Over the last couple of years we've gone into games against United and Chelsea very organised tactically - defensive if you like - and still lost 1-0," Gerrard said.

"It's important a few risks are taken to try to score that goal against these teams because it gives you such a psychological boost."" captain Steven Gerrard said this week.

Gerrard, who had surgery to fix a groin problem last week, is unlikely to make the game where both sides will expect to improve on some hesitant early-season displays.

Liverpool have lost five and drawn one of their last six home league games against United and have not managed a league goal against them at Anfield for almost five years.

With Fernando Torres also likely to miss out with a hamstring strain, Liverpool will hope Robbie Keane returns energised from his Ireland duties and ready to find the target for the first time following his move from Tottenham Hotspur.

Keane's former Spurs strike partner Dimitar Berbatov is also set to feature in the game, making his debut for United after his deadline-day move. The pair equally shared 46 goals for the London club last season.

Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher called the English Premier League Soccer Club's Owners "ruthless"

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called the English Premier League soccer club's owners "ruthless" and accused them of promises and profiteering.

The Liverpool Football Club is owned by Tom Hicks of Dallas and George Gillett Jr. of Vail, Colorado.

In his autobiography to be published tomorrow, Carragher expresses sympathy with the two Americans in saying manager Rafa Benitez publicly undermined them over transfers. But he gives a largely critical assessment of a year of turmoil.

The 30-year-old Carragher has been with Liverpool since he was a youth player in 1994. He embraced the Americans hesitantly at the time of their March 2007 takeover. That's when they pledged to invest in the team and replace crumbling Anfield stadium without burdening the Reds with debt.

But the stadium remains on hold. and Carragher said he became disgruntled over infighting that triggered "the demise of those values which come under the definition 'The Liverpool Way.'"

Foreign Ownership of Premier League Clubs

ASTON VILLA - American billionaire Randy Lerner completed his takeover of Aston Villa last September for 62.6 million pounds ($122.5 million) after securing the required 90 percent of the Birmingham club's shares. The Cleveland Browns owner installed himself as chairman of Villa, taking the place of Doug Ellis who stepped down after 38 years at the Midlands side.

CHELSEA - In July 2003 Russian businessman Roman Abramovich agreed to buy the company that owned Chelsea in a deal which valued it at nearly 60 million pounds ($99.50 million). Under the cash offer, Abramovich, through his English offer vehicle Chelsea Ltd, agreed to purchase 84.9 million Chelsea Village shares at 35 pence each, just over half of its entire issued share capital. Abramovich has spent millions on the club since 2003 and has been rewarded with Chelsea winning successive Premier League titles and domestic cups.

FULHAM - In 1997 Egyptian-born businessman Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of top London department store Harrods, invested 30 million pounds ($49 million) in Fulham and took over as chairman after agreeing to acquire a controlling stake. With his financial backing Fulham repurchased the freehold to their Craven Cottage stadium on the banks of the river Thames in west London for an estimated 7.5 million pounds, while on the pitch they were promoted to the top-flight in 2001.

LIVERPOOL - The 2005 European champions, seeking an injection of cash for two years to help challenge for top honours and fund a new stadium, agreed in 2006 to be taken over by U.S. sports tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks for 174 million pounds ($340 million). The 18-times English league champions had been in talks with Dubai International Capital (DIC), but DIC dropped its bid plans when Liverpool asked for more time to consider a rival offer from Gillett. In March 2008 takeover talks involving Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC) were terminated in March amid disagreement over who should be running the club. DIC, which made a 400 million pounds ($807.6 million) bid for the Merseyside club, said it was "in advanced discussions" with Liverpool's co-owners although no agreement had been reached on price or shareholding percentage.

MANCHESTER CITY - In July 2007 former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was hailed as an unlikely saviour when he bought the club for 81 million pounds ($146.3 million). New managers Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson, both tried to restore the clubs fortunes, but failed. Eriksson joined the City scrapheap in June 2008 after just a season in charge. Mark Hughes was named new manager on June 4. Prospective new owners, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, said on Monday they wanted to make Manchester City the biggest club in the Premier League.

MANCHESTER UNITED - In August 2005, supporters were unhappy with the American tycoon, Malcolm Glazer's 790 million pounds ($1.41 billion) takeover and used the first home game where his sons Joel, Avi and Bryan, all board members, were in attendance, to make their voices heard. U.S. financier Malcolm Glazer said he had raised his stake in Manchester United to over 75 percent, finally gaining full control in May 2005 of the club he had battled to acquire for more than two years.

PORTSMOUTH - Alexandre Gaydamak acquired full control of Portsmouth in July 2006 after he bought the remaining stake from chairman Milan Mandaric. Media reports suggested that Mandaric had sold his remaining shares to Gaydamak, a Russian-born French national, for about 32 million pounds ($58.46 million). Gaydamak's initial investment for a 50 percent stake in the club had been reported at 15 million pounds. Mandaric injected new life into Portsmouth after taking over the club in 1998, winning promotion from the second division in 2003. He has stayed on as a non-executive chairman.

WEST HAM - In November 2006 West Ham United agreed an 85 million pounds ($161.3 million) takeover from a consortium led by Iceland Football Association president and UEFA member Eggert Magnusson. Magnusson replaced Terry Brown as West Ham chairman and shortly after sacked coach Alan Pardew, replacing him with Alan Curbishley.

Liverpool Signed Brazilian Youngster Vitor Flora

Rafael Benitez has signed 18-year-old Brazilian striker Vitor Flora on a free transfer. Flora spent last season with Brazilian club Botafogo. It is Rafa Benitez who has taken the decision to bring the talented teenager to England.

He holds an Italian passport, which avoids any work permit issues in a fellow-EU member country, and could make his Liverpool debut as early as tomorrow night when reserve team manager Gary Ablett takes his team to the Riverside to face Middlesbrough.

That will depend upon Flora’s necessary international clearance being obtained in time. Flora joins compatriots Fabio Aurelio, Lucas Leiva and Diego Cavalieri on the Anfield payroll.

Fernando Torres Out for 2-3 weeks with a Torn Hamstring

Fernando Torres is to have a scan on his hamstring after limping out of goalless draw with Aston Villa and potentially Liverpool's showdown with Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez is keeping his fingers crossed that Fernando Torres will only be out of action for ten days with the hamstring injury that marred Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “Hopefully, it will be seven to 10 days and he may only miss one game like Steven Gerrard [after a groin operation]. It is a positive thing that we have this international break now."

Fernando Torres looks set to miss Spain's opening World Cup qualifying games on September 6 and September 10 against Bosnia and Armenia respectively due to a hamstring injury sustained during Liverpool's drab goal-less draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The Spain striker faces a race to be fit for the Reds' Champions League opener at Marseille on September 16.

Champions League draw Announced

Defending champion Manchester United will face British rival Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who beat Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea on penalties in the final in Moscow in May, were also joined by Spanish side Villarreal and Danish club Aalborg in Group E.

Celtic met United competitively for the first time in 2006-07, avenging a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory at Parkhead.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team will look to go one better than last season when they were beaten on penalties by Manchester United in the final. Chelsea, which lost May's final on penalty kicks to the Red Devils, also has a relatively easy group, featuring AS Roma, Bordeaux and newcomer CFR Cluj.

Arsenal have been handed a tough draw in Group G of the Champions League. The Gunners must face Porto of Portugal, Fenerbahce of Turkey and Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine. Arsenal reached the quarter-finals of last season's competition, losing to Barclays Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Five-time champion Liverpool have been drawn in Group D along with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Spanish stars Atletico Madrid. French side Marseille make up a testing group for the Anfield outfit with the first matchday scheduled next month. Rafa Benitez's side will be hoping to improve on last season's semi-final appearance where they were beaten by Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Juventus has a tough return to the lucrative competition after a two-year absence. The Italians will have to overcome nine-time champion Real Madrid, UEFA Cup winner Zenit St. Petersburg and debutante BATE.

Two-time champion FC Barcelona will meet Sporting, FC Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Liverpool Beat Sunderland 1 - 0 in their Premier League Opener

Fernando Torres fired Liverpool to victory over Sunderland in their Barclays Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light. The striker produced a vicious drive eight minutes from time to claim the points.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Sunderland side who had enjoyed the best of the play and all but negated the return of the Reds' fit-again captain Steven Gerrard.

The Spain international began the match alongside Robbie Keane but it was only after his strike partner was substituted that Torres found the net at the Stadium of Light.

Torres was picked out by Xabi Alonso and drilled a low shot from 25 yards which skidded past goalkeeper Craig Gordon and into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Black Cats immediately went on the attack, debutant El-Hadji Diouf powering straight into the Liverpool half before losing the ball at speed. New boy Steed Malbranque was also eager to make an impression, nimbly turning Yossi Benayoun but chipping his through-ball just too long.

The attendance of the match was 43259
Torres Scoring Goal against Sunderland - Watch This Video

Rafa Benitez : "I Still Want One Player (Gareth Barry)"

Gareth Barry, the England midfielder appeared to be poised to stay at Aston Villa this season after Liverpool had failed to meet a deadline set by their Premier League rivals. Sources revealed that Rafa Benitez still very keen and hopeful on signing Barry. Benitez has chosen the key areas he wants to strengthen before the season starts, but did not tell that Barry is the player who fulfills his criteria.

"We have a good player [Alonso] and we have another good player coming in soon," said Benitez after his side's 1-0 win over Lazio. "We can improve the squad, so we will try to do that. We will bring in one more player if we can. I do not know when. But clearly we have problems on the left. (Harry) Kewell has gone, (Fabio) Aurelio is injured and (Sebastien) Leto cannot get a work permit. (Ryan) Babel is away in the Olympic Games. Maybe he can come back and fill that role, but I know we can improve in this area.

Who comes in? It could be another left-sided player, rather than a central midfielder. Maybe he can play in three different positions - that is a positive thing. I am talking about one player, but I won't say the name. I will try to improve the team and the squad if I can. I am pleased because we have not lost again; I will try to do my best to improve the squad. The situation is not a question of money."

FC Liverpool VS Valerenga in a Friendly-Match at Oslo

SUMMARY

Liverpool's defeated Norwegian side Valerenga 4-1 in their pre-season friendly in Oslo. After a slow start from a near full-strength Liverpool side, Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a brilliant effort in the 20th minute. Valerenga equalised just after half-time through Bojan Zajic, but Fernando Torres restored Liverpool's lead with a cool finish just two minutes later. Yossi Benayouin extended their advantage with a delightful chip, before new signing David Ngog made it four. It was the young Frenchman's second strike in as many games.

ALL GOALS



FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS