Liverpool F.C - You'll Never Walk Alone!

Good result but shame you couldn't get a win. you played well enough

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Liverpool 3-1 Swansea City
A point won against reigning Champions Of Europe Real Madrid will have seen Liverpool's confidence flying high, but with Swansea and Aston Villa both to beat in the Premier League, the pressure would have mounted significantly.

This two game break from European football would have Liverpool face Swansea back at Anfield which will have just recuperated from a testing game that would have seen the attacking threat of Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho win the Reds the three points if it wasn't for an impressive performance laid out by Casillas.

The triple threat...Or rather quadruple threat as a change of formation resulted in Adam Lallana starting the game, would be back to wreak havoc against Swansea City's back-line of four.

However, it was not the threat of these four superb players that broke down Swansea, it was in fact three players of an unlikely threat that won the three points on a drizzly night.

It no longer than one minute for Liverpool to break the deadlock from a corner. Although his corners have been noticeably poor in recent weeks, Phillippe Coutinho unleashed a delightful ball from the right side of Liverpool's attack where it met the head of Sakho who clambered high to knock it down to none other than Lucas Leiva, ready to knock it in the Brazilian coolly slotted it home as comfortable as any natural striker would.

There was only half an hour between Lucas' goal and Swansea's equalizer. The Swans' goal came about after a poor back pass by Martin Skrtel. This saw Bony run through on goal and go one-on-one with Mignolet who could do nothing to stop a powerful strike into the top right.

As the half faded, Fabianski would put the ball into his own net to the Liverpool faithful's delight. This time Henderson's cross reached Skrtel on the back post who we all know can head a ball very well. The ball cannoned back off the post and onto Fabianski's back as he dived for it. The ball slowly drizzled backward and over the line.

As another set piece chance went Liverpool's way, Steven Gerrard stepped up to potentially put the game to bed from a tight angled free kick. The angle seemed to be all to tight for a shot though, but that didn't stop him working his magic. Curling the ball around the cluster of players on the edge of the box, Markovic was in position to poke it in but couldn't quite stretch far enough. Thankfully Skrtel was there to smash it in at the keepers near post.

Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa
Once again the team would be challenged at home for the fourth time in a row. This time against Aston Villa who are often a tough challenge for Rodgers' men. This time was a different story though.

Jordan Rossiter, provided with his first start for his boyhood club since he scored his first goal four games ago against Middlesbrough put in another solid performance, often using great intelligence to pick out a pass or on some occasions a half decent shot.

So, who else but to provide a late killer ball for Joe Allen to latch on to? Yes, indeed the 16 year old Scouser played in a unbelievably well timed ball to split open the defense finding Allen in the process who tucked the chance away.

With nearly 80 minutes without a goal, getting just one goal was unlikely but two? Liverpool had dominated all game and with the form Guzan was in, no one expected the Reds to score again but Phillippe Coutinho has a habit of surprising us, so when he pulled an over head kick out of the bag...Everyone just watched on in awe of his genius.

A remarkable goal from a player labeled "As good as Luis Suarez" By Brazilian teammate Neymar. That one would go down in history as Liverpool went on to seal their 6th victory out of seven in the league.

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Rodgers: Solid two victories on the bounce, just what we need. A bit of consistency! Especially against the smaller teams in the league. I tell you, our problem lies with the smaller teams and if we can bring some consistency to the table against them and keep bashing out these solid wins like the last two, we'll have a good shot at the league.

We're top after seven games so of course I'll be looking to keep us there and I will continue to motivate and inspire these boys to fight on. With the help of Stevie and my other senior players i.e. Henderson...I think we'll have a good second chance at winning the title.

Gerrard: A fantastic effort from the lads with two super performances. Dominated both Swansea and Aston Villa, had all the shots, all the possession, everything. Most importantly though, all the goals.

We've gotta remain focused though with some extremely tough fixtures ahead. Basel, Sunderland, Arsenal in the cup, United then Basel again. It starts to get easier on paper after that. Certainly won't be much easier on the pitch though.

I'm Oz and I have a confession: I have a weakness for Aaron's dozen Liverpool stories.
Keep up with a Liverpool story for once, you know I'll follow it.

For once? You havin' a laugh?

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Up next in Liverpool's quest for success in the Champions League stood FC Basel who have an unfortunate knack for performing to high standards against English clubs. Today Liverpool would have to be at their best to get anything out of the Swiss Champions but after recent results, they may find it easier with the confidence brimming.

Without Gerrard, Basel would have a small advantage over their opponents and they'd look to seize any chances that came their way. They started a lot better than Liverpool as Henderson and the rest of the side struggled to make an early impact, they were given an early scare as Streller went through on goal. Mignolet saved his low strike well.

Soon enough Henderson sprang into an action and inspired his teammates to a quick counter. Bringing his front-man Sturridge into play, Danny flicked the ball on slicing the defense open with his heel. Moreno cut through the defense and just reached the ball but hitting it past the far post for a goal kick.

As halftime drew closer and closer, Liverpool finally got the breakthrough they were looking for. The goal coming from attacking playmaker Phillippe Coutinho. When Liverpool countered the Basel attack, Markovic ran on down the right wing sending the overlapping full back Flanagan even further down the line. Flano beat his man and cut the ball back for Coutinho who blasted it home!

The second half was no different to the first, although Liverpool kept up the pressure on Basel by pushing players forward again and again. No way through for Liverpool though for most of the game. The only chance that came close to a goal was when Sturridge nearly latched onto the end of a cross that curled around the defense and toward him. Didn't quite curl enough.

90th minute, 1-0 up. Just hold out! Simple right? Wrong. As we all know, nothing is simple when it comes to Liverpool and they always choose the hard way. In the 90th minute Basel were awarded their first corner of the game, and who else but Dejan Lovren to head into his own net. Yes, Lovren had denied his side their first Champions League win. They'd be left to wait with their hearts broken. With three games left to play, the pressure was very much on now.

An unfortunate way to drop points against Basel.

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The month to follow would bring the toughest yet for Liverpool as Arsenal and Manchester United both set up to host the Reds along with Sunderland. A good run of games and an unfortunate two points dropped to Basel, Liverpool would be looking to keep consistent in the group of games to come.

On paper it looked as though Liverpool would always win but the Mackems had other ideas! Lazar Markovic sprung into action early and forced his way onto the score sheet just a minute into the game from Coutinho's through ball.

Things got worse for Sunderland 20 minutes later when Giaccherini saw a straight red for a horrific two footed challenge on Jordan Henderson. Henderson got back up and ran it off, and nearly scored from the free kick awarded against his former side but the cross bar denied him.

1-0 up for most of the game, Liverpool looked as though they were going to run out as winners but Adam Johnson destroyed those hopes with a blast from 25 yards out into the top right of Mignolet's net! The equalizer was there, but with only 10 men could they hold on?

Well they'd do better than just hold on, they'd put another one into the back of the net! Will Buckley picking up a goal from the back post after an in-swinging cross beat the Liverpool back line. Liverpool would go home with nothing but disappointed faces.

With Gerrard back from injury the skipper would be looking to get his team back to winning ways with hopefully some inspiration from none other than himself. Although only a cup game, this was one everyone wanted to win and one everyone was looking forward to watching.

The Emirates provided the atmosphere, so now it was time for either team to provide the goods but for a good 80 minutes, that was just about the one thing we weren't treated to, but Arsenal changed that late on.

Podolski of all people, a player supposedly being pushed out of the club by his manager was the hero in this one as he took a chance from the edge of the box. The German the outside of his foot to bend it around the defense and into Mignolet's bottom corner.

Three minutes later Theo Walcott sealed the tie which would take them to the 5th round with a goal. Running free of last defender Martin Skrtel, he used the balls momentum to take it on past the keeper, rolling it into the net and sprinting off to celebrate with the fans.

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Clearly the last game was nothing to go by on Gerrard's return from injury but if there was any place to mark his return...It was against Manchester united at Old Trafford. This would undoubtedly be one of the biggest games so far this season, for the fans and the players. This was one they couldn't afford to lose.

So on a eleven minutes after complete attacking football, Mario Balotelli placed the ball into the top corner of De Gea's goal with a number of players in front of the Italian. He received the ball from Gerrard who took a low corner to Coutinho, but the Brazilian's awareness allowed him to dummy it to Mario.

No "Why Always Me" Shirt this time from the ever controversial striker.

Liverpool kept the pressure and were pushing for another goal. It looked like they picked up another, and a good one at that from Henderson. But later replays showed that the low hit from the vice captain cut through the United back line but was given offside as Balotelli was in De Gea's line of sight.

It really is always him.

Despite the disappointment of their disallowed goal they kept on going and they got their reward with their captain making a statement. He was back. His statement more powerful than most with a cracking volley from outside of the box which curled and dipped over De Gea and into the top far corner in true Steven Gerrard style!!

Without much of the ball it was near impossible to see United nicking a goal back but when they finally got a chance in the 80th minute Falcao took it which deserves credit. Their third chance all game and really it was a very good header from the Colombian, but it wasn't to win them aven a point.

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Rodgers: The first two games were massively disappointing. Firstly, to drop points in the league the way we did was poor and I made my feelings clear. Then it seems they didn't even pay any attention to my words and they played out to a poor result at the Emirates. Fair enough, we weren't all that bad but out defending in the last ten was diabolical, and they've suffered losing the chance at a cup come February.

All credit to the boys and Stevie in the next game though. To win at Old Trafford the way did was brilliant, and there isn't a feeling quite like it unless of course you win the league. So far this season, shutting Van Gaal and Ancelotti up has felt amazing, and I intend to do that a lot more.

Gerrard: I'm upset that the boys dropped those points at Sunderland, and I'm upset that I could do nothing to keep up us in the Capital One Cup. But that win, that goal against United will go down as one of my favorites.

I'm back and I'm delighted I was able to show it.

good update, Gerrard is back baby!!

Nice, detailed updste

Welcome Back Gerrard

I'd put Lovern on the bench for the rest of the season, great away win against United. Go Stevie G!

Woo, well done, great win vs United.

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Without a win in three European games, it was time for Liverpool to show everyone what they were made of when Basel turned up at Anfield to take on their opponents in a game which would see both sides battle it out for second spot in Group C.

Previously, the two clubs cancelled eachother out in Switzerland. It looked as though Liverpool were home and dry but were denied the three points by a harsh own goal from Dejan Lovren, so that'd be a great incentive to go out and win the three points they should have had just two weeks before.

Clearly, these were exactly the teams thoughts too and they held back on absolutely nothing when it came to attacking. Liverpool took the game to Basel right from the start which the Die Bebbi just could not seem to cope with at the back.

Capitalizing on their shaky defense, Liverpool got their just rewards early when Jordan Henderson placed a loose ball into the bottom right of the Vaclik's net when Skrtel knocked it down for the Captain.

This was only the start however. The boys kept on pushing for that all important second goal. They knew that after the last game, one goal might not be enough. Thankfully for them, Balotelli was on hand to convert a low cross that came in from Raheem Sterling, who had a fantastic first half.

For Sterling, a superb first half would give him the momentum to keep that performance up in the second...And he only got better. Proving that with a goal just two minutes after kicking off. Beating the the opponents right back and laying Coutinho off for a shot, Sterling darted past the back line in case the keeper was to parry the ball back out. However, what he didn't expect was for Coutinho to actually play him in. In fact, no one expected it which is probably why the defense were left completely unaware of the brilliant pass.

Moving on, Liverpool continued to push for more and more goals which in turn kept the Swiss side pinned down and unable to attack themselves. Attack is the best form of defense they say, after all it left them with a clean sheet and 3-0 victory.

very nice update and nice win

A great victory!