Liverpool, You'll Never Walk Alone!

Sounds a bit creepy. (You'll never walk alone)
Quite fitting

Liverpool continued there brilliant winning consistency by going unbeaten all month in February. With Sunderland, Chelsea, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, Burnley, and Shakthar all to play in that order, Liverpool would most definitely have their work cut out as they would be aiming to sustain their spot at the top of the table.

The Sunderland game would bring no surprises. Despite the Black Cats turning in a quality performance, their defense would not be able to withstand the immense pressure of having to put up with Suarez, Markovic, and Insigne for 90 minutes.

It was Sunderland who scored first in this one. Ignaccio Scocco took down a brilliant long range pass from Jordan Mutch and beat Liverpool centre half, Mamadou Sakho. The Italian set himself in a position to score, which he did beautifully by placing the ball into the far bottom corner from a tight angle.

It wasn’t Insigne, Suarez or Markovic who scored the goals in this match though, despite us saying Sunderland couldn’t withstand their attacking prowess. It was actually their playmaker, Coutinho who got two goals which would eventually see Liverpool take home three points.

The Brazilian firstly, scored a great goal a few minutes after the Sunderland one. As a corner came into the box from Jordan Henderson, Roberge got a touch on the ball and rolled it back out to the edge of the box where Coutinho was stood, readying himself to curl the ball into the top corner of the net.
The winner came from a poorly placed pass by Valentin Roberge who once again gifted Coutinho a golden opportunity to pounce. Which he did, by intercepting the pass and running into space where he could chip the ball over Ochoa who was rushing out in panic.

One of the bigger games this month would be Chelsea vs Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea don’t have the greatest record of wins over Liverpool. Home or Away. And this wasn’t about to change here either.

Liverpool took the lead half an hour in, Luis Suarez scoring the header from one of Steven Gerrard’s trade mark crosses. The Englishman whipped the ball into the box from a free kick and the Uruguayan nodded it on above Petr Cech.

Fans of the Reds would be left disappointed though. Late on, Chelsea got the equalizer which would end up being the last goal of the game. Willian was sent in on goal from the right side of the pitch by Ever Banega and he beat Reina at his near post.

The team would be back to winning ways straight away in their first game back since the frustrating draw to the blues. Leaving no stones unturned, Liverpool took every opportunity that came their way and ended up demolishing the Hammers at Anfield.

Lorenzo Insigne scored a hattrick in this match, whilst also becoming the man of the match. He actually opened the scoring 15 minutes into the game, before scoring the second, and setting up his teammate Ewandro for the third goal who had only been on the pitch for thirty seconds.

Zarate netted a consolation for West ham, but Liverpool scored again, again, and again with a Neven Subotic header, and two penalties from Daniel Agger. The Liverpool fans would leave the stadium happy, after a 7-1 demolition of West ham. The Londoners’ day was not made any easier by Torosidis’ sending off.

The half way point in February was capped off with a third win for the month. Not as many goals would bulge the net, but the Reds’ kept a clean sheet and saw off the Eagles to win their 10th point of the month.

Daniel Agger scored his third goal of the month with another penalty just before half time struck, and Luis Suarez jumped onto a defensive error to roll the ball into an empty net just a minute before the full time whistle was blown.

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Liverpool knocked out West ham in the fourth round of the FA Cup, right after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 at Anfield. Everton beat Bristol City 4-0, and Bolton 4-2 to get to the next round where they would be drawn with their big rivals Liverpool.

This game started off very vicious, as Liverpool and Everton players all went in for some dirty tackles, some coming out of them with a slight knock, or an injury. It started a dirty game, but after a while the players calmed down with the physicality. But as the players calmed down, the Liverpool players started to speed up their tempo.

It was only ten minutes that Everton actually held on for. Lorenzo Insigne put Liverpool into the lead with a glorious effort from just outside of the box, as he hit a pile driver right into the roof of Tim Howards net.

Everton could find no way back in between the first and second goal. Liverpool dominated completely without actually seeing a good chance open up for themselves. As the game drew on, Liverpool put even more effort into their performance and finally found an opening which Markovic exploited by running though a gap in the Toffee’s backline and picking up a pass from Florenzi, but the Serb was brought down by Jagielka in the box.
Agger stepped up to the spot, and coolly finished to win the game 2-0 and score his 4th penalty in three games!

The team was brought to a stalemate at St Mary’s though. The Liverpool defense couldn’t keep the Saints out and Didier Drogba scored only four minutes into the game. Borini got on the end of one of Sterling’s low crosses late on, and he just managed to reach out and poke the ball over the line gaining a point from Southampton.

A Champions League return for Liverpool in the last game of the month. Shakthar brought the challenge to the Reds, and the Reds stepped up. Agger’s form was really just getting better and better. Defensively and attacking wise.

The Dane nodded in the ball from Coutinho’s corner 20 minutes into the game. Luis Suarez got his 21st goal of the season with a brilliant team goal. Quick passing on the edge of the box found it’s way to Henderson who slid the ball through a pair of legs and into the Uruguayan who bent it around the keeper, sending Liverpool home with a 2-0 advantage. Daniel Agger missed a penalty in the 90th minute.



Gerrard: A great month all round really. We did fantastically well to overcome Shakthar. They’re a good side. I expected more from them really, especially at home. We won all the games we had to, even if some of them were won the hard way. But that’s what title winners do. Win the hard way.

Through to the FA Cup against Huddersfield. That should be us into the Semi’s. Let’s go one better and win every game next month. Let’s see this out in style. Win the league, the FA Cup, beat Stoke in the COC Final, and retain the Champions League. Seven pieces of silverwear that’d be.

Let’s do this.

You're so close to the league title! Keep it up and bring the trophy back to where it belongs!

Lineker: Good evening everyone, welcome to BBC1’s live coverage of this years Capital One Cup final between Liverpool, and Stoke City. Joining me today is Alan Shearer and celebrity guest, John Barnes. John, Alan…Which way is this one going?

Shearer: Well, I’m not writing Stoke off completely but I think Liverpool have had this trophy in the bag ever since Chelsea, City, and United all got knocked out in the 5th round. I’m not sure there was any competition for Liverpool after that point, and I can’t see Stoke’s quality matching Liverpool’s. I think Liverpool will leave Wembley with another League cup, for sure.

Barnes: Yes, I agree. I’m not sure any of the teams are near the quality of Liverpool’s. It’ll take something special for Stoke to beat Liverpool, and maybe that’s what’ll happen. Stoke surprising Liverpool with a moment of magic. I do see this going Liverpool’s way though, I think they will be dominant all throughout.

Lineker: Ok, so let’s take a little look at the lineups. Liverpool first. Diego Reyes will be playing in his first cup final for Liverpool, do you see that having an effect on the mental side of his game? As such a younger player will he be feeling the pressure that little bit more?

Shearer: Well, I don’t know about that. As a defensive midfielder you have to be able to deal with pressure. He’s been solid all season I think, he’s turned in great performances game in game out. This is a big occasion for him but I think with Gerrard possessing the experience he does he’ll make sure Reyes is up for it whilst also looking at the game as a normal Premier League game.

Lineker: And what about Steven Gerrard? Can we expect to see him come off the bench tonight? I mean a team can’t go without their captain all season long, he has to play some time soon.

Barnes: I think we’ll see him. He’s the type of player that always loves to make an impact. He will be dreaming about coming on later and saving the day with a 30 yard piledriver. He will. I think he’ll want to come on, so he will come on.

Lineker: On to Stoke then, what kind of performance can we expect to see from them? They do have a good team. Shawcross and Muniesa in defence. Former Liverpool player Charlie Adam and even Lukas Podolski up front. What will their game plan be John?

Barnes: Well, Liverpool are a side who always like to retain the possession, keep their passing game short wearing the opponents down. They play the patience game. They wait for the opponent to slip up.
It’s a tough style to beat so I think stokes idea will be to soak up the pressure and look to use Podolski’s pace on the counter attacks. I wouldn’t bet against seeing some long passes up field from Adam.

Lineker: Ok well thanks guys! We’ll have to stop you there as the game is about to kick off, here are your commentators Clive Tyldesley and Guy Mowbary.

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Stoke City XI: Begovic, Chris Solly, Shawcross(c), Muniesa, Pieters, Karacan, Cork, Adam, Ya Konan, Podolski, Mame Diouf.
Subs: Butland, Huth, Wilkinson, walters, Nathan Ricketts-Hopkinson, Phil Bardsley, Joseph Hulme


Liverpool XI: Reina(c), Aurier, Subotic, Agger, Enrique, Reyes, Henderson, Markovic, Coutinho, Insigne, Suarez.
Subs: John Flanagan, Mamadou Sakho, Emre Can, Florenzi, Suso, Borini, Sturridge

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Mowbray: Yes, thank you Gary. Thanks for joining us everyone, Stoke are just about to get the game underway, but before that, what’s your prediction Clive?

Tyldesley: This has got 3-0 Liverpool written all over it. Henderson and Suarez to score. Suso to come off the bench and net the third.

1’ Mowbray: Ok, well here we go then. Stoke have gotten the Capital One Cup final underway at Wembley. Adam on the ball, faces up to Henderson, oh what a tackle from the Liverpool midfielder.
Over to Markovic. Now Coutinho…Onto Suarez, SLIPS INSIGNE IN!! OOH! What a miss!!

Tyldesley: Oh that was terrible. Insigne’s usually very clinical from there. I’m surprised he’s missed such a great chance.

12’ Mowbray: Corner for Liverpool. Swung in by Coutinho, Agger at the front post WITH THE HEADERR! OOOH! OFF THE LINE BY DIOUF. What a stop! It’s another corner for Liverpool.

Mowbray: Curled in by Coutinho again, Shawcross with a great header out of the box. Dangers not over yet though, here’s Suarez on the edge. Back to the left side with Coutinho, who finds Insigneee! Oh! Goal kick, comes to nothing.

25’ Mowbray: Aurier with the ball on the wing. Passes back to Subotic, ooh but Podolski intercepts passes to Diouf on the left, takes it down the line. Pulls it back to Adam, into the box with Podolski…PODOLSKI! BLOCKED! And cleared by Agger! Suarez with the ball now. Markovic. Back to Suarez, just missed the touch. Two chances wasted there by both teams.

Tyldesley: I cannot believe we haven’t seen a goal yet. Podolski’s shot would have been a goal. Blocked by Cork too. His own player!! I’m sure we’ll see a goal soon.

40’ Mowbray: Markovic has the ball in the middle. Switched to Enrique who finds Insigne in bags of space. Coutinho’s making the run forward through the middle Insigne finds his teammate who SHOOTS!! OH MY WORD WHAT A SAVE!!

Tyldesley: That has to be one of the best stops I have seen this season Guy. Coutinho’s run straight through the Stoke back line. It’s a very tight angle but he lets rip, it’s going in and my, my. That is a fine save. He’s had to get right up high to reach that one.

45’ Mowbray: That’s half time then. It’s been an exciting first half. No goals, but we’re bound to see some in the second half.

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Second Half

Mowbray: Well, we’re back for another half of football. It’s been pretty even hasn’t it Clive? #

Tyldesley: It has, It’s a little surprising really. We all thought Liverpool would dominate. They have done in terms of shots but Stoke have done well to stop them playing their passing game.

Mowbray: Here we are then, Liverpool have kicked off the second half, and we’re underway.

58’ Mowbray: Here’s Markovic on the right. Back to Aurier. Lays off Henderson, he’s been controlling the game so far Henderson. Passed to Suarez, back to goal oh! What a pass, it’s through to Markovic, can he shoot? Muniesa catches up, he’ll pick out Suarez with the cross instead! SUAREZ! Begovic saves, back to Insigne, lays off Coutinho, twelve yards out COUTINHOO!! SAVED AGAIN! DANGER CLEARED BY PODOLSKI!

Tyldesley: Oh my! I’m just not sure how we haven’t seen any goals yet. This is unbelievable. Begovic is in tip top form today! Unbelievable double save.

78’ Mowbray: Enrique has the ball in the Liverpool half. Fizzes the ball to Coutinho’ feet on the half way line. He’s lobbed it over to Suarez who beats the offside trap. Muniesa can’t reach the ball. IT’S SUAREZ. STILL SUAREZ! ROUNDS THE KEEPER…FINISHES!! LIVERPOOL GOOOAL!!!

Tyldesley: What an absolutely BRILLIANT GOAL! It’s all made by Coutinho’s lobbed through ball but all credit to Suarez for the touch, and the patience to wait for an opening. The keeper was like putty in the Uruguayan’s hands. Scrambling to save the ball. Nothing he could do.

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81’ Mowbray: Stoke have been rocked by Luis Suarez’ goal. They are trying desperately to get one back though. Top marks for effort. It’s just not happening though, Liverpool, defending heroically. Here’s Cork in the middle. Tries to lift it over Subotic… No way through.

Tyldesley: I do actually feel a little sorry for Stoke. They did ever so well to get here but their chances of glory have been ripped apart by Liverpool. They put a lot into this performance as well. Mind you…So did Liverpool.

89’ Mowbray: Suarez has the ball outside of the box, tries to make the run OHH!! Horrible challenge! He’s been brought down by Adam, AND HE’S OFF!! The ref has reached for the red in his pocket, and the former Liverpool man is going to be taking an early bath. Nightmare for Stoke!

Tyldesley: Who’s taking this then? Oh well hold on a second, look at this. Gerrard’s coming on. For Henderson!

Mowbray: Looks like he’s about to take the free kick as well. Yeah he is. Well then…Gerrard’s taken the armband from Reina and it looks as though he’ll take the free kick instead of Luis Suarez!
Here he is then, captain fantastic. Steps up, HITS IIIIIIIIIIIITTTTT!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!! OFF THE BAR AND IN!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…STEVEN GERRARD.

Tyldesley: Awh…What a strike. I literally can’t think of anything to say. I’m speechless.

Mowbray: Well I think that’ll be that. Everyone, Liverpool are your 2014/15 Captial One Cup winners. And what a way they have won it. Thank you for watching everyone, we’ll see you next time for the FA Cup final in May.

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Great update mate!

The Captial One Cup win brought joy to all Liverpool fans, players. Anyone involved with Liverpool. But that's now gone, it's done. Liverpool's main focus this month would be keeping the other Premier League title contenders below them by a substantial amount of points.

This month was all about the Premier League and the FA Cup. We would start off by viewing Liverpool vs Tottenham at Anfield. This game has never failed to disappoint. We've seen scores of 4-0 and 5-0 to Liverpool. Home and away. Before those games, we'd sen many Spurs wins at Anfield, and White Hart Lane.

This game was one of the closest of the lot. Liverpool didn't dominate like they were expected too. In fact, they were 1-0 down by the fourth minute after Yarmolenko's amazing individual wonder run.

The Ukrainian took on four Liverpool defenders, breaking through the Red back line and firing a great shot into the roof of Liverpool's goal to put his team in the lead. One goal to the good, they'd look to keep it that way, they did, but not for long.

On the opposite side and end of the pitch, Lazar Markovic was waiting to poach on Henderson's shot which deflected off the Tottenham upright. The ball rebounded perfectly to the Serbs feet and he rolled into the net, whilst Lloris was on the floor after attempting to save Henderson's strike.

Early in the second half, Henderson put Liverpool into the lead. Coutinho took a corner conceded by Spurs' Diego Godin. Coutinho fizzed the ball over to the back post and Sakho jumped to reach the ball, and brought it down to Henderson who ran up to smash the ball into the top corner on the half volley. A small flash back to Gerrard's first goal against West ham in 2006. I'm sure it brought back memories for the gaffer.

It took only four minutes for Spurs to relegate. Vlad Chiriches believe it or not, despite having let two goals in already, was having a decent game, and playing well. Probably the best player on the pitch at the time. He got a well deserved goal four minutes after Henderson's which drew the game level.

Lazar Markovic became man of the match, purely because of what he did next. What the right winger did, was win the game for his side, with an absolute wonder goal. Substitute Alessandro Florenzi brought down a great long pass from Jose Enrique with his right foot, and quickly released the ball into the middle of the pitch where Coutinho stood. Spotting the Italians run, the 'brain' spun the ball over the Spurs back line. Florenzi pulled it back with his head, and out of no where, Lazar Markovic scored a blinder of a volley from the right wing, which hit the inside left side netting, fooling Lloris and everyone else on the pitch. Liverpool came out with three points.

Liverpool had no problem scoring against Huddersfield either. In the fifth round, Liverpool over came Everton 2-0 to make it to the next round, whilst Huddersfield got the better of Notts County in a 2-1 away win over them.

Liverpool got off to a slow start, they kept possession well but could make no breakthrough, or even find a chance to score. Huddersfield looked ready for anything...Until Jordan Henderon scored on the 45th minute. At that point, their defense just fell apart.

Lorenzo Insigne score 18 minutes later. Lobbing Alex Smithies brilliantly, after cushioning Reyes' lobbed pass on his chest. He brought it down quickly. Quicker than Smithies could anticipate the pass, and he just got enough on the ball to get it over the keeper to make the score 2-0.

It was 3-0 by seventy minutes. Daniel Agger scored his 7th penalty in as many games for Liverpool. The penalty was conceded by Paul Dixon who brought down Ewandro in the box, ultimately sealing his teams fate...As if it wasn't sealed already.

Ewandro had his chance to score when he was brought down by Dixon. Probably why he was brought down. But he got another chance to score five minutes before time, this time, not a defender in sight. He was one on one with the keeper. He had to score. He did score! He rounded Smithies, embarrassing him and just about walked it into the net, teasing his opponents.

20th placed Wigan hosted Liverpool at the DW Stadium in the next game. It wasn’t the most exciting game of the year, but it did provide the goods and it contained a thrilling end in which Liverpool narrowly managed to escape with a win.

It was a tight game all throughout until we reached the second half, where Wigan took the lead through Callum McManaman who blasted a shot into the far top corner of Reina’s goal.

Liverpool started to throw lot’s of men forward as we were drawing nearer to the close and finally…Finally they got the goal they were all craving. Nicola Murru touched down a defensive header from Boyce. The ball bounced back up and he volleyed into the bottom corner of the Wigan goal. Borini popped up late with a diving header to win the game for his side.

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Back in the Champions League for the second half of March, and the second half of this exciting two legged tie between Shakthar Donetsk and Liverpool. Last time round Liverpool won the game 2-0 thanks to Daniel Agger's header and Luis Suarez' goal.

Liverpool were off to a brilliant start. This game happened to be Suso's chance, and the Spaniard was already proving his worth as he put the game pretty much beyond Shakthar when he smashed in Insigne's cross from a few yards out.

Liverpool made it 4-0 on aggregate in the second half as Neven Subotic got his head onto Gerrard's corner. He got the slightest little niggle on the ball, but it was just enough to make the ball fumble into the bottom left corner.

Adriano scored a consolation goal for Shakthar, making the aggregate score 4-1. It was a good finish, but that's all it came to. A good finish. Bernard curled in a free kick from the left wing, Rakitskyi headed it over to the back post and Adriano stood ready to pound the ball in with his head.

The last game of the month was another Merseyside derby. Liverpool and Everton would lock horns once again this season, Liverpool looking the like the right opposition to break the Toffees' horns, they were looking good. Looking strong. Playing well.

They didn't get their goal until the 60th minute but when it came, it was good. The Reds' were up 1-0 against their big rivals. Of course it was good. It was Luis Suarez who scored to put them a goal to the good. He scored on the volley from when Coutinho's shot rebounded of Jagielka and Suarez' shot burst the top corner of the net.

Liverpool were so, so, so close to winning this one. It came down to Reina's mistake which leveled the scores. So close to a 100% win record all month, and yet Kevin Mirallas belted a shot at Reina's near post which the Spaniard saved, but didn't save good enough. The ball hit the inside of the post, and bounced over the line.


Gerrard: March was probably one of are best months this season. It was a small month so that helped, but we showed real quality every game. Even in the Merseyside Derby. We were just so, so unlucky there. You could blame it on Reina but that's not fair. He made great saves all throughout that game, it'd be unfair to single out individuals' poor performances. He was really good all month, so I don't want him to be cut up about that.

We have PSG in the next round of the Champions League too. Didn't really want to play them again, but it'll be fun to see if they can get revenge. I don't see that happening though, we are much stronger than them.

I think we can retain the Champions League too. The only real threat in it is Dortmund, who I think we can beat. It'll be tough but we can do it. We are a lot stronger than Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea too, who are all still in the competition. Barcelona and Juventus remain. Barcelona would be a tough Semi Final if we got through, but again, they're another team who we can handle.

We can deal with anyone right now.

Great month! Loved the latest update.

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to LFCTV. Last night we got all of you brilliant supporters to send in your questions to the tireless box to box midfielder that is Jordan Henderson. the Englishman was asked various different questions by the fans and now we will bring you an extract of the more important ones.
Below are the questions Jordan was asked, and the answers he gave.
enjoy!

What's it like to work with players of Suarez', Sturridge's and Steven Gerrard's calibre? #AskHendo

Henderson: Well, that's a question footballers get asked a lot and to to answer it simply, it's just fantastic. It's hard to go into detail really because it's so difficult to explain the feeling of having once dreamed of playing with the likes of Steven Gerrard and then a few years later actually coming onto the pitch either to replace him or to partner up with him. It's a great feeling. It helps your own game too, because wen you play with Suarez and Gerrard, their knowledge of the game and their skills rub off on you. Same goes for other players.

Jordan, how do you fell when you step out onto the pith at Anfield, and you hear the chants of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ringing in your ears. #AskHendo

Henderson: It makes me feel confident more than anything. Confident and determined. When you have fans that you know will back you 100% of the way behind you, it makes you feel more confident and it gives you the drive to go on and beat the tem your playing. When the fans get behind you like they do at Anfield, we always try and repay you as best we can, and thankfully we have been doing that for the last year and a half, and we intend to keep that up for a long long time.

Does it feel strange having Steven Gerrard as the manager now, as well as a player? #AsHendo

Henderson: It does a little bit yeah. I've been here for about 3-4 years now and I am so used to playing with him, and now he is manager he has cut himself out of the team a lot more to give others a chance so yeah, I guess it is odd with him not playing. As for him being a manager, it was a little odd at fist because not even he knew what he was doing at first, but once he found his feet, and grew confident so did I and the rest of the team. And now it's just business as usual, t feels right with him as our gaffer.

Jordan, how long do you plan to stay with us? I have seen reports that you could be leaving and personally, I'd like you to stay as I think you're our best midfielder currently. #AskHendo

Henderson: Well, first of all thank you for having such belief in me. Its always nice to know the fans think highly of you. To answer your question though, I will honestly say that I haven't a clue about these reports. I am fully committed to Liverpool and I want to stay here for as long as possible. Maybe one day I'll be able to lead Liverpool out onto the field as a captain. That's my dream, to one day be Liverpool captain, to lift lot's of trophies with this team i'm not going anywhere mate, don't believe anything you read about me if it's about me departing.

Do you think that without Gerrard in the team you are capable of leading this club as our captain? #AskHendo

Henderson: Yes, I think I am fully capable. This isn't arrogance speaking, it's confidence. If one day Steven retired and gave up the armband to myself, I reckon I could captain this club. At the moment, Gerrard remains captain, and when he's not on the field it's Reina who is captain and that's how I'd prefer it right now. I'd like the more experienced players to lead the team. If I ever wear he armband, I don't think it'll be for another few years.

Will Liverpool retain the League title do you think? #AskHendo

Henderson: It's something we really want to do, and right now it looks like we will do it. We've two months left with some slightly easier games but on top of that Champions League an Fa Cup games.
I think we've coped well all season with the fixture congestion and we shouldn't have trouble doing it for two more months. I think the title will be ours. I'm not sure about the Champions League though, there are still some extremely tough teams left in the competition.

If you retain both the Champions League and Premier League, this Liverpool team and yourself will most definitely go down in history as one of the great Liverpool sides, and in your case one of the great Liverpool players...How does that make you feel? #AskHendo

Henderson: Well, it's a nice thought to have in the back of your mind, speculating on the chances of becoming a Liverpool great like the players before me. i.e John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish. I'll never be as good as them but to be considered near the same stature would be an amazing feeling. It's not a thought I can carry with me though, you only get titles like that by working hard, playing well, and winning competitions. If I dwell on that, it could hinder my performances as well as the teams.

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Well some great answers there from Jordan Henderson, some really good questions asked as well. There were plenty more that he answered and plenty more that were asked, but we could only put in a few. We hope you enjoyed, stay tuned for May's interview with defensive titan Mamadou Sakho.

really great update man! loved the detail and the depth in the writing

We have had a few surprises in the Champions League group stages this year. Perhaps one being Atletico finishing bottomin a group of Dortmund, Sporting, Vitesse and of course themselves. Perhaps one surprise is that Sporting actually qualifiedfrom the group, just below Dortmund.

Marseille finished above the likes of Benfica and APOEL to go through with Man City, and Ajex destroyed Schalke twice to make book their passage into the knockout phases.

In the first knockout round, we saw a fully fledge Manchester United take on Ajax, winning 5-1 on aggregate. Liverpool beat shakthar 4-1 on aggregate, and Chelsea made it through to the next round beating A.C. Milan in an emphatic 4-0 second leg win.

Marseille sprang no shocks and were knocked out by Dortmund, 4-1. Sporting made their way out of the competition after being demolished 5-0 by Barcelona and Manchester City just edged Napoli on away goals.

The biggest shock came from Juventus though. The first leg brought a boring 0-0 draw to our televisions however it was expected that Bayern Muncich would make it safely to the next round. The Old Lady batteld hard at home though, and thanks to goals from Llorente and Pogba, they were able to knock the Germans out.

So, now that we have summarised the last round, let's take a look at who will be playing who in the next round of the competition.
Here is the Quarter final draw in full.

Barcelona VS Manchester City
Chelsea VS Manchester United
Juvetus VS Dortmund
Liverpool VS Paris Saint Germain

So, the Champions League quarter final brings four very exciting games to our screens. All four English teams remain in the competition and it looks as though only two will go through, as Manchester United and Liverpool are the favorites for their games.Manchester City look destined to bow out of the competition.

The draw pit Liverpool against Paris Saint Germain for the second time in a year, so expect PSG to e fired up and ready for revenge.
This draw looks very exciting.

I don't know if you were lucky or unlucky...but it seems that Premier League is dominating the football!

March, saw Liverpool entertain fans in what is said to be their best month of the season. A total of seven points from nine were taken from league games, they qualified for the next phase of the Champions league knockout rounds, and they became triumphant at Wmebley against Stok City to seal the Capital One Cup which marked their fourth trophy of the season.They also made it to the next round of the FA Cup where they would be made to play Spurs this month in a semi final clash.

Firstly though, West Brom and the Scousers met up at the Hawthorns, and locked their horns once more, in a game which would leave the horns locked until the next encounter. Lazar Markovic ran the show in this game, forcing himself through the West Brom Backline to score the first goal the game saw.

Ten minutes later, the man of the match scored the second of the game, making Liverpool the hot favorites to see the game out as a win.

It was a bad day at the office for the Liverpool defense though. They'll have to put it down to just 'One of those days'. Especially Serge Aurier who played the weak pass back to Reina which was intercepted by Graham Dorrans and tucked home by the same player to pull one back for the Baggies.

Last season, West Brom were pegged back by two goals in this same fixture at their own ground. You may or may not remember that former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch scored the first West Brom goal in that game before Nicklas Bendtner tucked away a neat finish in the last minute to equalise.
Well this game was no different, except for the goalscorers that is. It was fifteen minutes before the end of the game, and Craig Gardner smashed a well placed 2nd goal into the top right corner of Liverpool's net from 25 yards. Liverpool had been pulled back level and would have to settle for just point.

The Reds were back with a bang in the next game, marking their territory against Champions League quarter finalists Paris Saint-Germain. It was Borini and Suarez who helped Gerrard's side onto a memorable win at Anfield.

Borini struck first to make the game 1-0. The Italian seemed to be day deaming in the PSG box, not like him especially when the chance of a goal is a foot. Emre Can lifted the ball over to the attacker, who just got a glimpse of the ball as it was a few feet from his head. The striker quickly readied himself for a shot, or so it looked, and opted to chest the ball down and volley it in from twelve yards to produce an amazing piece of technique.

Javier Pastore levelled the score exactly ten minutes later. The nimble Argentinian spotted Cavani's quick run into the box, and timed a perfect pass so well it allowed Cavani to strike the ball from close range. Reina made a heroic save but couldn't get over in time for Pastore's shot as he dived in feet first for the loose ball.

Pastore's goal would stand for nothing a few moments later. Other than that all important away goal, PSG would still be behind their opponents as Luis Suarez made sure he got himself on the score sheet with a diving header from Insigne's early cross.

Early in the second half, Borini netted his second goal of the first leg and put Liverpool in with a huge chance of qualifying for the next round. a big advantage to have.

our third game of April would be played at Wembley in London for a huge game against Tottenham Hotspur. This game would decide which of these two teams would face Manchester City in the Final who had already beaten massive rivals Manchester United to a place in this years final the night before.

Throughout the 90 minutes of football we had witnessed in this match, it was pure end to end football. Tottenham ended up keeping most of the possession in this game, but at the end of it all it was the quality of possession rather than the quantity.

Both teams had their chances. Spurs missed a wide open goal in the 30th minute, as Andros Townsend sliced what could have been a fantastic team goal. The ball went out for a Liverpool goal kick.

In the 65th minute, Liverpool fans nearly erupted into chants, but Jordan Rossiter's shot from a one on one chance would beat Spurs captain Hugo Lloris with ease, but would be seen to go just wide, actually hitting the outside of the upright. Agonizingly close for the 17 year old.

In the end, this years FA Cup semi final would be decided by thirty more minutes of football, who would triumph? Would it go to penalties?

It took six more minutes of football for one team to find the goal they were looking for. Beating two defenders and the keeper, one player, one hero would save his teams skin and score the vital goal of the game, in a spectacular individual run from Spanish sensation Suso who dragged Liverpool into the lead.

Two minutes from half time in extra time, Raheem Sterling, fighting cramp would burst into the box and smash in Jon Flanagans inch perfect cross, and send Liverpool into the final against City on the 9th of May.

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Back in the Premier League, only three points from Newcastle at Anfield would keep Liverpool within a chance of taking home the title at home to Watford on the 2nd of May. (Three games later, four depending on Champions League results)

Sure enough, Liverpool sealed the deal and Luis Suarez tied the knot with three points at Anfield. His two goals in this big game kept the Liverpool fans buzzing all around and screaming at the top of their lungs "You'll Never Walk Alone".

The Uruguayan scored early in the 14th minute, and very late in the 90th minute. Liverpool's young team, Liverpool's fringe players were proving to Steven Gerrard just how good they really were.

Suarez not being one of those fringe players, not in a million years. The likes of Can, Murru, Umtiti, and Ewandro, were the players I was referring to.

The second leg of the Champions League quarter finals were now upon us and Liverpool were ready to show Paris Saint-Germain who was boss. Or were they?

Well, they luckily got a penalty in the 19th minute of the game. PSG had been dominating the game, so it was a little lucky really. Gerrard, the captain, did not step up for the penalty. Fabio Borini, a specialist in penalties, didn't step up either. neither did Suarez, Coutinho, Florenzi, or any other player fans would most likely prefer over the great Dane Daniel Agger.

So Daniel Agger would step up to the responsibilty and would without any emotion shown in his face, score. The colossal defender who stands at 6'2' would score one his 8th penalty of the season.

Javier Pastore did the same as he did in the last game, and equalised for his team. But just like the last game, it would stand for nothing. Not even an away goal. Daniel Agger, would again score from the spot ten minutes later.

It was all Zlatan in the second half. The giant Sweed would score late in the 67th minute giving France hope of one of their teams continuing in the competition. With not a second wasted, Ibrahimovic had scored again, meaning they'd now need two goals to progress. One goal would not be enough due to the amount of away goals Liverpool had scored.

Liverpool ended up keeping the scores the same, and came out of the fight bruised and battered, but with a Champions league Semi final spot. nlike PSG who wold take home nothing. Daniel Agger, had just scored the most important goal he would probably ever score. Without that, the game would continue into extra time, and would most probably end up in a PSG win. And get this...Liverpool had two shots all game.

Another win for Liverpool in the league would mean that the three points at home to Watford would retain Liverpool the title. Liverpool got the three points once again from Luis Suarez who scored two goals against Swansea.

The defense did their bit in this game, and they needed to with Swansea making some very good chances in the both halves of the game. Three point in the next Premier League game. That's all the Red's need.



Gerrard: If I am honest, I could really do with a little rest around about now. I now know just how hard being a manager is. Still, now that I have experienced being Liverpool's manager for near a year, I should be able to come back stronger and knowing what's what.

No rests for me yet though. There is a lot of football to be played yet. We have just about won the league so I am not going to worry TO much about those last four games, we just need three points which I am certain we'll get. All easy games except for United really. City in the FA Cup Final. That'll be tough. We're still awaiting on out Champions League draw but we know it'll either be Dortmund, City, or United. I hope it's Dortmund really, I am tired of playing English teams.
it defeats the object of European football. Plus...We like a challenge.

If you win the Champions League this season, you're buying me FM15.

Great update and a great story mate! Looking strong though so far

hopefully you can do well in both the UCL and the FA Cup final