September Sees Mixed Results

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/30/article-2531046-1A5585A900000578-505_634x425.jpg

A 1-0 defeat against Chelsea was far from the ideal start Liverpool will have wanted to their month, but Christian Benteke's 28th minute strike, and some solid goalkeeping from Courtois in the Chelsea goal meant the blues left Anfield with all three points.

Having been handed a tough group in Europe, it was imperative that Liverpool took all 3 points when Videoton came to visit, and doubles from Daniel Sturridge and Kevin Volland made sure that happened, as Liverpool completely overpowered their guests in a 4-0 demolition job.

Ever since Didi Hamann took charge at Anfield, the Reds have avoided defeat against Man City, and a double from Daniel Sturridge ensured that it remained that way, as the two sides battled out a 2-2 draw at the City of Manchester stadium.

After last season's embarrassing 3rd round exit in the Capital One Cup, Liverpool had a point to prove, and they did so against Crawley town, demolishing them 5-1, with goals from Harry Wilson, Coutinho, Daniel Agger, and a double from Daniel Sturridge.

A Daniel Agger penalty after 18 minutes was enough to see off the challenge of Cardiff in the final league game of the season, and a classy and assured performance dispelled any concerns which had been raised by the loss to Chelsea, as Liverpool dominated possession.

September Results

League Table and Stats

Champions League Table and Stats

Player of the Month: Daniel Sturridge

http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/3015__5604__sturridge263_51fe42fa5b1a6408327340.jpg

1

October: A Month For Dreaming

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/04/article-2273275-1752E5F0000005DC-138_634x490.jpg

Despite losing to Juventus in their first tie of the month, Liverpool still gave their fans plenty to cheer about, with 2 wins and a draw in the league, a massive victory in the champions league, and a win in the Capital One Cup.

After their convincing 4-0 victory in the first European game, Liverpool fans could have been excused for thinking their team would triumph against Juventus, but it wasn't to be. An early goal from Stephan Lichtensteiner put Juventus ahead, but Luis Suarez's 10th minute goal gave the Reds fans some hope. Fernando Llorente put Juve back in front just before half time, and Carlos Tevez converted an easy opportunity to ensure a 3-1 defeat for the Reds.

Back on home soil, Newcastle made the trip to Anfield hoping to capitalise on the demoralising mid-week defeat, but late goals from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, and a Man of the Match performance from Jose Enrique made sure Liverpool ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

Liverpool then travelled to Bournemouth in a league fixture which manager Hamann admitted he had been viewing as a potential banana skin. Goals from Kevin Volland and Jordan Henderson meant Liverpool went in for the break 2-0 up. Some classy possession football saw them hold onto that lead, and the fans and players went home happy.

Liverpool's biggest test of the month came when they welcomed Barcelona to Anfield, in a match which many predicted would be a rout. But Anfield was stunned when Doria diverted the ball into his own net to put Liverpool 1-0 up after 53 minutes. While many managers would have shut up shop there and then, Hamann allowed his side to continue to press Barca, and they reaped the rewards when Luis Suarez fired them into a 2 goal lead after 56 minutes, and then Daniel Sturridge sealed the result in added time, with a close-range strike past Ter Stegen.

Still on a high, Liverpool travelled to Norwich, who brought them crashing back to earth within a minute of kick-off at Carrow Road, Matias Fernandez breaking free of the defence to lob a beautiful shot past Valdes. Jordan Henderson equalised after 25 minutes, but Liverpool couldn't find that final goal, and the game ended 1-1.

In the final match of the month, West Ham travelled to Anfield in the 4th round of the Capital One Cup, and Luis Suarez wasted no time in putting Liverpool ahead with his 6th minute strike. Vlad Chiriches extended the lead after 50 minutes with a powerful header from a corner. Lucas extended the lead with a powerful effort from outside the box on 74 minutes, and Daniel Sturridge scored again just before the full time whistle to seal a 4-0 win for Liverpool, and see them through to the Quarter Finals, where they will face Swansea City.

October Results

League Table and Stats

Champions League Table and Stats

Player of the Month: Daniel Sturridge

http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/3015__5604__sturridge263_51fe42fa5b1a6408327340.jpg

November: The Nearly Boys

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0909/soc_g_gerrard1x_576.jpg

After the giddy highs of October, Liverpool fans were looking to their side to capitalise on the momentum of previous results, and cement a place at the top of the table, but it wasn't to be.

A heart-wrenching 3-3 draw with Southampton kicked off the month, a Kevin Volland double, and a 68th minute strike from Luis Suarez undone in the 87th minute by Saints captain Adam Lallana, who picked up the man of the match award after inspiring his side to come back from 3-1 down.

Next, Liverpool faced a Barcelona side desperate to avenge their defeat at Anfield, and who did so in ruthless style, running out 2-0 victors at the Nou Camp, to leave Liverpool's hopes of qualifying from their group dangerously slim.

Against Swansea, Liverpool left it late to draw level, a Luis Suarez double, with the second goal coming from a 93rd minute free-kick, saw them scrape a 2-2 draw, and tumble even further down the table.

A home tie against QPR was a small consolation, as an exquisite 36th minute strike from Martin Kelly, followed by another Suarez double handed the Reds a 3-0 victory, and a chance at maintaining a reasonable league position.

In the penultimate game of the Champions League group stages, goals from Kevin Volland, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge saw Liverpool run out comfortable 3-0 winners, and keep their hopes of progression alive.

All in all, a good month for Liverpool, and one which meant that the game at Tottenham was key to staying competitive in the league. A Paulinho penalty put Spurs ahead after 49 minutes, before Kevin Volland drew the Reds level on 69 minutes. A draw was looking like the only outcome, until Roberto Soldado scored in the 4th minute of stoppage time, and the referee was subject to a barrage of abuse as he went down the tunnel, having only indicated there were to be 2 minutes of added time.

The defeat is not ideal for Liverpool, who next month face a fixture list including Everton, Manchester United, Juventus and the Capital One Cup quarter final against Swansea, as well as 4 other matches.

November Results

[img]https://gyazo.com/349cc45183dcfc7b08a1d77427139f50[/img]

League Table and Stats

Champions League Table and Stats

Player of the Month: Luis Suarez

http://assets.lfcimages.com/uploads/players/0033__7585__suarez263_5239c079b2575366420948.jpg

Trouble At Anfield?

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02752/pool_2752810b.jpg

Liverpool experienced a rocky month, falling to 8th in the league, and crashing out of the Capital One Cup, but there were still some positives, as they powered their way out of their Champions League group at the expense of Spanish giants Barcelona.

The month began with a 2-2 draw at rivals Everton, with goals from Steven Gerrard and Kevin Volland cancelled out by strikes from Aroune Kone and Leighton Baines, much to the dismay of the Liverpool support, as they once again watched their side fall to a late collapse.

A 19th minute strike from Robin van Persie went unanswered in the home tie against Manchester United, and fans were grumbling with discontent with Hamann, as he persevered with a rotational system which continued to yield inconsistency.

However, the Reds redeemed themselves, trouncing Juventus 4-0 at home, with A Luis Suarez hat-trick capped by a goal from Steven Gerrard ensuring they qualified from the Champions League group.

Against West Ham, there were further signs of a revival, with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Wilson and Luis Suarez sealing a 3-1 victory, and providing a glimmer of hope for the fans that maybe, just maybe, their league form was salvageable.

However, they watched their side crash out of the Capital One Cup to Swansea, despite a stunning goal from Luis Suarez after an hour brought them back level after going 2-0 down. The Reds' attack couldn't find the vital equaliser, and their chances of silverware were dashed.

The team reacted well when they travelled to Crystal Palace. Brazilian youngster Nathan scored his first goal for the club after 16 minutes, and the floodgates opened, with goals from Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge and Harry Wilson putting the tie to bed before the half-time whistle, and sealing a 4-1 victory.

The last two games of the month were disappointing, with Liverpool slumping to a 2-1 defeat against Stoke, despite Kevin Volland's 51st minute strike, and then drawing 1-1 with Blackburn, yet again unable to capitalise on Daniel Sturridge's 20th minute goal.

December Results

League Table and Stats

Champions League Fixtures and Stats

First Knockout Round

Player of the Month: Martin Kelly

http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/9571__5883__kelly263_51fe423ed9a3a702670641.jpg

Honourable Mention: Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling, on loan at Manchester City, picked up the European Golden Boy Award, after scoring 11 goals in 29 games, with an average rating of 7.16.

New Year Cheer?

http://www.asportsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Hull-City-vs-Liverpool-Live-Score-EPL-Football-1st-Dec-2013.jpg

Liverpool seem to have finally cut out the draws which marred their early season form, with 4 wins from 6 games, and a total of 18 goals scored in those 6 games.

The Reds opened 2015 with an emphatic 6-2 victory of Leicster City, with a Daniel Sturridge Hat-Trick, and goals from Kevin Volland, Ryan Gauld and youth player David Harrison completing the rout.

Against Hull, many fans resigned themselves to watching their team draw yet again, but in defence they were inspired, the defensive pairing of Sahko and Ciriches forming a solid, competent base for the team, and goals from Kevin Volland and Daniel Sturridge (x2) in the first half-hour saw Liverpool run out 3-0 winners.

The next game against Fulham was always going to be tough for Liverpool, but once again that solid defensive partnership, accompanied by an excellent performance from young attacker Ryan Gauld, meant that Daniel Sturridge's 27th minute strike was enough to give the Reds the victory.

All this good form came unstuck in the next match though, as Liverpool crumbled to a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal. Fans were said to be devestated, and angry with the performance of Jordan Henderson in particular, whose wayward passing was the key to one of Arsenal's goals.

Against Chelsea, Liverpool looked to be bouncing back from the Arsenal result, a 3rd minute strike from Kevin Volland, and then 2 from Daniel Sturridge had them 3-2 up after 77 minutes, but they couldn't hold on, and a 2-goal collapse in the last 10 minutes saw them put out of the FA Cup, and on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline.

The month's final tie, away to Cardiff, was meant to be tricky, but after Kevin Volland again struck early, Liverpool were coasting. An own goal from Andrew Taylor, followed by a rare strike from right-back Martin Kelly, and 2 goals from Luis Suarez capped a 5-0 victory, and gave Liverpool fans something to smile about, despite their team being outside of the European qualification zone.

January Results

League Table and Stats

Champions League Fixtures and Stats

First Knockout Round

Player of the Month: Daniel Sturridge

http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/3015__5604__sturridge263_51fe42fa5b1a6408327340.jpg

1

Two Glorious Months For Liverpool

February and March have seen a vast improvement in Liverpool's league fortunes, as they climbed to 5th in the league, notching 7 wins in 11 games, only losing twice; to Swansea and Chelsea.

February opened with a string of convincing performances; a 6-0 victory over Newcastle, followed by a 2-0 win at Bournemouth set Liverpool up well for their Champions League tie against Schalke, which nobody expected them to win. However, a Luis Suarez double, and a 66th minute strike from right-back Martin Kelly saw them send the Germans home nursing a 3-1 defeat, and gave Liverpool fans a glimmer of hope.

A draw against Southampton preceded a huge league tie against Manchester City, but once again, Liverpool rose to the occasion, Goals from Sturridge, Suarez and Henderson seeing off the Manchester side in a 3-0 victory.

Against Swansea though, it all fell apart. Bony's early goal proved insurmountable for the Anfield club, and hopes of an unbeaten run to parallel last season's quickly evaporated.

As we moved into March, a 2-1 home victory against Norwich kept the team's heads held high, and in Germany, goals from Vlad Chiriches and Luis Suarez put the tie against Schalke to bed, and saw the Reds move into the Champions League Quarter Finals, where they will play Real Madrid.

Back home, a Kevin Volland double gave the Reds a 2-0 victory at Tottenham, and they were looking good for a European Qualification spot. An inexplicable draw with QPR, followed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Chelsea meant they finished March in 5th place, perhaps lower than many were expecting.

Feb/March Results

League Table and Stats

Champions League: Quarter Finals

Player of the Month(s):Jordan Rossiter

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140101185022/liverpoolfc/images/8/8a/JRossiter.jpg