Liverpool FC - Walk On, With Hope in Your Heart.

Great update, alot of in depth description, and some great results. Keep it up man.

The rest of October kicked off with a clash between two of Europe’s largest clubs, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, at Anfield. The visitors are favourites to top Group B but Liverpool were looking to cause an upset and steal all three points off the German giants. An away tie against a Swansea side who are in poor form, just sitting above the relegation zone on goal difference, was up next followed by newly promoted Leicester back at home.

Liverpool lined up with a surprisingly offensive formation looking to take the game to the 23 time Bundesliga Champions, with Lallana and Sterling flanking Ezequiel Lavezzi. The opening half was tactically intriguing as Liverpool’s wingers man marked Robben and Muller out of the game leaving the midfield trio’s of both sides to fight it out for domination of the ball. Neither striker was getting any room to breathe with very few attempts, both sides pressed high with a high line which left very little room in the middle of the park for both sides making any passing play a tricky task.

The second half wasn’t much different bar Liverpool managing to break through the Bayern defence on a few occasions and testing World Cup hero Neuer in the German’s goal. Sterling should have scored as he jinked past his man and struck a venomous hit but Neuer did well to parried the ball onto the bar with lightning reflexes. Finally in the 85th minute the deadlock was broken, as just as Sterling had done previously Muller broke free of his opposite number and shot from the right hand side of the goal. Belgian international, Mignolet did well to get anything to the ball but could only manage to divert the ball into the roof of the net. A real sucker punch to Liverpool as they deserved more than what they got. When you play at home and the opposition keeper gets Man of the Match you know that it just wasn’t your day.

Liverpool 0-1 Bayern Munich

---

This season has been a rollercoaster for Liverpool fans. Winning 2 or 3 on the bounce followed by a loss then rinse and repeat. However after their loss to Bayern it would suggest a win against Swansea was on the cards.

The Merseyside club got off to a good start dominating possession and creating chances. Philippe Coutinho has been instrumental after his return from injury picking up vital goals and assists. Nothing changed today as he swung in a corner on the 26 minute mark to be met by the head of former PSG captain Mamadou Sakho at the front post, it was a great header to power the ball into the top corner. Only 7 minutes later Coutinho picked the ball up outside the box before laying it wide to Markovic, the young Serb stood up his fullback making him back track, rather than beating his man he played it back to Coutinho who hit the ball first time from 25 yards and the stadium went silent as the ball nestled into the top corner. There was absolutely nothing the man in the Welsh club’s net could do but watch and admire the strike.



After the break Coutinho was again playing part in a goal as he delivered a similar corner to that Sakho scored from earlier in the game, again Sakho met the ball at the front post and flicked it on. Croatian Center Back Dejan Lovren was unmarked at the back post and tapped home to put Liverpool 3 goals to the good. The Reds saw the game out well and left Wales with all 3 points and another clean sheet on the road.

“I knew as soon as I hit it that it was going in” Smiled Coutinho, “Of course it’s great to score a goal like that but what matters is the team got 3 points and that’s the most important thing. But yes I love scoring and making goals it what my job is in the team.”

Swansea 0-3 Liverpool
Sakho (26), Coutinho (33), Lovren (53)

---

With the reverse fixture at the Allianz looming large in the ever so near future Carragher looked to his youngsters such as Javi Manquillo and Lazar Markovic to put in a shift against the Foxes.

Markovic didn’t let down the manager picking up two goals in the space of two minutes. The first, on 26 minutes, was a great move by the Champions League team as some intricate passing between Markovic, Allen and Manquillo put the 19 year old through on goal and he easily slipped the ball to the keepers left to put Liverpool one goal up. His second was much less pretty as Emre Can shot from the edge of the box, the keeper did well to get down low to push the ball away but Markovic was on hand to tap home the rebound within the six yard box.

The two goal lead was short lived as 30 seconds after the restart some poor defending by Coutinho allowed Ulloa through on goal who finished emphatically giving the men in blue a chance. Just 6 minutes later it became reality as Leicester tossed a hopeful corner into the Liverpool box, Lovren attempted to clear but the ball only hit an unknowing Coutinho and bounced into the Liverpool net. Not the type of goals Coutinho spoke about creating in his interview last week.

The Brazilian set the record straight in the second half, however, by standing over a free kick on the edge of the box. A training ground move followed as a brilliant bit of movement from Sterling got him a yard of space. Liverpool’s number 10 had no problem picking him out with a crisp pass and Raheem Sterling duly finished across goal first time to give Liverpool the lead again. A change in formation to a 433 from a 4231 gave Liverpool a more solid shape defensively and easily saw out the remainder of the game. Leaving the score line at 3-2 to the home side. Remarkably that is the 5th league game in the last 6 which Liverpool have scored 3 or more goals.

Liverpool 3-2 Leicester
Markovic (26,28), Sterling (55)

---

---

No team as of yet has really pushed on in the League making them favourites and after Liverpool’s average start that is of big help to the Merseyside club. A big match away to Spurs next month could be a turning point in the season for Carragher’s men.

Maybe the match against Bayern is too big a challenge so early on into the season. The other results are good though. Keep it up.

@James Yeah I think so, we did really well up until the goal. It could have easily gone either way. The squad is still very young and getting better every game so I'm not too worried at this stage.

A fine month you had, shame about that late-goal loss for Bayern but you've picked up your performances with 2 wins the league. I like the writing!

@Oz Yeah, my league form has been picking up with 4 wins in a row now. And thanks man, I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to my updates haha

---

The 16 year old, who has been likened to Andres Iniesta, is set to complete a move to the Merseyside club this week. Playing for Cordoba’s B team Sebas, as he more commonly referrd to as, has impressed and Liverpool scouts have been watching the youngster for some time now. The agreed fee has been announced on Cordoba’s website as £1m upfront plus playing related add-ons.

“It’s a dream come true” Replies the midfielder speaking to Ben Smith, “I’ve always dreamt of playing in front of the kop with players like Gerrard and Lavezzi. It’s incredible to think that it’ll be my job when the transfer goes through in January. Hopefully I can follow in the footsteps of Raheem Sterling who has been amazing in his breakthrough season at the club, all I want to do now is knuckle down and become the best player I can possibly become.”

Jamie Carragher had this to say about the 16 year old, “He’s incredibly talented, no doubt about it. When one of our scouts came to me and said I needed to watch him I didn’t really want to at first. But it was evident within the first 10 minutes that his technical ability is incredible for someone of his age. His movement was brilliant, always finding pockets of space between the midfield and defence. He reminds me a lot of Coutinho in the way he plays which can never be a bad thing after the start Philippe has had to the season.”

Nice update mate, seems like a good signing!

For you guys who want to see what he's like.

http://puu.sh/aZ2i1/b0dde510ed.jpg

@Joe I was lucky, apparently he had a trial at Liverpool last year so that picture was on google haha.

Liverpool responded well after their home defeat to a late Thomas Muller goal last month with two wins in the league. The reverse fixture however was going to be a different kettle of fish to Swansea and Leicester. The Allianz was packed as the Germans welcomed the Merseyside club, a win for Bayern would secure safe passage through to the knockout stages.

Liverpool were always up against it but did surprisingly well in the first half, they kept the ball well and fashioned out a couple of chances on the counter with the pace of Lavezzi but nothing came of it. The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute as a corner put in by Muller was met by the head of young french defender Rafa Varane who headed home to put Bayern 1-0 ahead.

It was always going to be an uphill struggle from here onwards for Liverpool but in true Liverpool fashion they didn’t give up and fought to the end. Their fate was sealed as Arjen Robben did what he does so well by ghosting past one player, using his pace to beat another and powerfully finishing off a stunning individual move. Liverpool fans cannot be disheartened as Bayern have been unstoppable at home this season and with a home tie against Prague later in the month they can strike back with 3 points.

Bayern 2-0 Liverpool
Varane (42), Robben (58)

---

Back in England things were looking much easier for the Reds with a trip to Loftus Road on the cards. QPR have been doing well recently finding themselves in an impressive 10th place before this fixture so it wasn’t going to be plain sailing. Liverpool were looking to press on and open the gap between themselves and Spurs.

Another good start from Liverpool ensued as Sturridge got the scoring underway after 16 minutes. Coutinho played the ball across goal for Sterling who couldn’t quite reach it to tap into an open goal, a good tackle from the QPR fullback prevented a certain goal but only put it on a plate for the number 15 to easily finish from 7 yards out. A poor Henderson pass gave away possession in the Liverpool half and Remy was played through on goal to equalize. Liverpool didn’t lose their lead for long as Agger’s volley hit the man guarding back post, Sturridge was there to pounce and score a real poachers goal stabbing home from within the Six yard box.


After the break Liverpool continued to push, a corner from Coutinho struck the arm of Charlie Austin and a penalty was given. Non other than Daniel Sturridge placed the ball on the spot and tucked away low to the keepers left to complete his first hattrick of the season. Neither side could bring another goal to the game until it was all too late for QPR who broke on the counter and Remy smuggled the ball over the line for his second of the game.

“It’s great to score a hattrick on a personal level but I just want to win matches and we want as a team. The result against Bayern was disappointing and we really wanted to bounce back with a win so it’s more important than ever we got a result here today.” Said Sturridge in his post-match interview.

QPR 2-3 Liverpool
Sturridge (16, 45, 62 (Pen))

---

A tough test followed the win against QPR as Liverpool remained in London, this time against 5th place Spurs, a 6 pointer.

Liverpool set up how the did against Bayern, compact, disciplined and ready to break on the counter. Chances were few and far between for the Reds and their chances of a win were dashed as Nacir Chadli crossed from deep, the wind caught the ball and bent it into the top corner at the far post past Mignolet who was merely a spectator. An unlucky goal to concede but one Spurs did deserve after their early pressure. Liverpool pushed their wide men on and looked to dictate the game and have things their way. Some fabulous saves from Hugo Lloris denied Liverpool time and time again.

Liverpool pressed on in the second half looking for the equalizer. Finally Liverpool’s dominance paid off as Henderson shot from the edge of the box hitting the woodwork, the ball fell to Daniel Sturridge’s feet. His eyes lit up as he looked certain to tap home into an empty net but the Spurs captain, Dawson, dived in with a sliding challenge and put the ball into his own net. Things ended this way with Liverpool fans happy to take a point but they felt they could have won it had it not been for a great performance by the French international captain in the Tottenham goal.

Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool
Dawson OG (72)

---

November came to a close with a must win game at home to Sparta Prague. The Kop were out in full voice to give Liverpool the upper hand in this Champions League clash.

Things got off to a brilliant start with Philippe Coutinho getting the scoring under way after 2 minutes after tapping home a rebound from a Sturridge shot. Liverpool could smell blood and attacked with venom. Sterling added another after 12 minutes was Sturridge backheeled it into the teenagers path who finished well. Provider turned scorer as Henderson played a ball to Sterling in the box, the young winger couldn’t reach it but it rolled on kindly for Sturridge to hook his foot around the ball to score Liverpool third of the night. Moreno played it wide for Sterling on the halfway line, the winger beat 2 players as he ran to the byline, Moreno continued his run and was picked out by Sterling. The Spaniard, who arrived from Sevilla in the summer, took the ball in his stride and struck a powerful shot that whistled past the keeper and into the roof of the net.

4 goals Liverpool lead by after 30 minutes. The fifth came as Lavezzi ran down his wing and put a good cross into the front post, an unmarked Coutinho made a late run and got in front of his defender to head in at the front post. Liverpool tailed off for the rest of the match only picking up one more goal in the shape of a Sakho header from a Coutinho corner. The little Brazilian was instrumental once again for the Merseyside club scoring 2 and getting an assist. Liverpool’s domination was showed by the match stats. With 60% possession and 19 shots on target compared to Pragues 1. A vintage performance from Liverpool which means a draw against Shakhtar will be enough to see them through.

Liverpool 6-0 Sparta Prague
Coutinho (2,40), Sterling (12), Sturridge (29), Moreno (30), Sakho (58)

---

Following Liverpool’s trouncing of Prague in the Champions League was an important month for the Reds. Two local derbies and the decider for Champions League qualification to the knockout stages. Things got underway with a merseyside derby on the red side of Stanley Park.

Nothing is quite like a merseyside derby, the passion and respect from both sides is almost unrivalled in world football. And it nothing changed this time around either. Carragher, a boyhood blue, was experiencing his first clash against the Toffees in the dugout. Although the legendary Liverpool defender has played part in countless derbies on the pitch.

Liverpool started this one like they have every other home game this season, at a ferocious pace. Notching 4 shots on target within 10 minutes but, USA International, Tim Howard was equal to them doing well to deny Liverpool of the opening goal. The pace tailed off after an initial bombardment from the Reds. It took until injury time in the first half for Liverpool to break the deadlock, Lavezzi made a run from deep, no midfielders tracked and Sterling rolled the ball into the Argentines path who finished well from just inside the box.

The second half was played much slower with Liverpool playing the patient game, trying to pick their opportunities rather than forcing them. Everton never looked to be in the game with a poor 39% of the ball. Liverpool made it count with a goal through another boyhood Evertonian, Adam Lallana who made it 2-0 to seal the 3 points for Liverpool. A left footed strike from the edge of the box was palmed by Howard into the roof of the net, it was a poor end to a good performance by the ex-United keeper.


“It’s always a great feeling to get one up on them” Carragher replied quickly after being asked how it felt managing in and winning his first merseyside derby. “We were the better team and have been over the course of the season but form goes out the window in such high profile matches. It’s just a relief that we are the team that will be celebrating tonight.”

Liverpool 2-0 Everton
Lavezzi (45+1), Lallana (89)

---

After their triumph against Everton, Liverpool were playing at Anfield again in a league clash against Aston Villa. Villa were languishing just above the relegation zone so will be looking for a win here to propel them towards safety.

Any chance of an upset was put to bed in the first 10 minutes with Coutinho scoring a smart finish after the ball broke to him from a Jose Enrique cross within the first 3 minutes. Lavezzi doubled Liverpools advantage 5 minutes later by tapping in after hitting the post the first time of asking the ball fell kindly for the striker to score his 9th goal of the season. In form striker Daniel Sturridge finished well after a brilliant piece of movement to hold his run as Markovic played the England international in on goal. Matt Lowton pulled one back for Villa from a set piece as the ball dropped kindly at his feet for him to thrash the ball into the Liverpool net from close range.

Daniel Agger continued his brilliant form of late scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes. The first a header from a Coutinho corner the other a penalty after Markovic was fouled after some smart footwork to beat his man. With the game done and dusted Liverpool couldn’t capitalize on their 5-1 halftime score line and the match ended that way.

Liverpool 5-1 Aston Villa
Coutinho (3), Lavezzi (8), Sturridge (17), Agger (38,40(Pen))

---

League Leaders Manchester United welcomed Liverpool for the first time in the Carragher era. The atmosphere was hostile between the two clubs as per usual but there was a bit more added spice to the game this time around as there was a war of words between Kop idol Carragher and Louis Van Gaal before the match with the former calling the Dutchman a ‘Tortoise lookalike idiot’

Unfortunately however things didn’t go Liverpool’s way on the pitch with Robin Van Persie getting things underway with a second minute goal, a sensational first time strike from the ‘Flying Dutchman’. Scouse striker, Rickie Lambert, gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope by scoring his first goal for his boyhood club with a great header at the back post leaping well to head back across goal.


The scores weren’t equal for long as Evans broke free at the back post to stab home a Rooney free kick in the 18th minute. Liverpool played for the counter with pace on the wings and Lambert up top playing as the target man. Things went from bad to worse in the second half as a quick free kick caught Liverpool unawares allowing Rafael, the Brazilian right back, to finish well inside the box. Liverpool looked deflated and couldn’t bring it back.

United 3-1 Liverpool
Lambert (11)

---

The decider. In a month with a Merseyside derby and a match at Old Trafford this was still the most important game of the month, and that really is saying something. The last group match of the Champions League away to Shakhtar Donetsk. A loss by only 1 goal would see Liverpool through.

Both sides started tentatively but Liverpool did look the better of the two. Nerves were settled slightly as Allen cut the ball back to Sturridge to finish into an open net to put the visitors 1-0 ahead. Things stayed the same until after the restart which saw Agger get on the scoresheet for the third time this month with another penalty after a handball claim. Lavezzi really put the game to bed after the 70th minute when he headed home a Moreno cross. Bernard pulled one back for the Ukrainian side with an incredible solo run past Johnson and Skrtel before finishing cooly beyond Mignolet.

Coutinho wasn’t letting another Brazilian finish proceedings as he slipped the ball underneath the Shakhtar keeper in the dying minutes to round off a 4-1 victory for Liverpool who finished second in their group behind Bayern Munich.

Shakhtar 1-4 Liverpool
Sturridge (26), Agger (49 Pen), Lavezzi (71), Coutinho (88)

---

A decent month there, unlucky on the Champions League!

@Joe Cheers man! I struggled through writing this with a banging headache hence all the edits so far haha.

This may or may not be the last update until next week because I'm off to Reading Festival tomorrow morning and get back Monday. There may be one tonight but it depends how I'm feeling.

Thanks for the support too guys, it's the only thing that keeps me playing. I get bored so quickly of saves.

League Table Update too guys, I didn't want to add it to the update as it would have been too big for you all to cope with.