Match Centre

By Darshan Joshi, writing in Sydney

It may be stretching the truth a little had I begun this by saying that there was only one team on the field, but it wouldn’t be a lie either. There was one moment during the match when it seemed as though Liverpool weren’t in grotesquely severe control of the match – Dimitar Berbatov lashed a half-volley, so curvaceous it may have made this month’s Playboy centrefold, beyond Pepe Reina, but, alas! All it did was shake the frame of the Spaniard’s goalmouth. And then there was a silence. Liverpool’s defensive third remained untouched for a long, long period, like a virgin resolutely set on prolonging its spell of abstinence. The picture is painted clearer than a van Gogh masterpiece when you notice the possession statistics: the Devils with 58% of the ball, yet, this very ball remained in United’s half for the majority of the match. And when United did get their goal, oh, if only there wasn’t a period of ninety minutes before then!

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By Ainsley Jacobs, London

Liverpool would have stepped out onto the Stamford Bridge pitch with something to prove today. A point or two to prove to against the doubters who expected their recent winning streak to come to an end but also a point to prove to a certain former striker who decided to swap Merseyside for London. As Chelsea fans unveiled their El Nino banners which incidentally looked remarkably like the old Liverpool ones, the men in red were out to prove that there is life after Torres and on the evidence of this performance, their once Spanish matador will be quickly forgotten.

In a bold move, Carlo Ancelotti decided to employ all three of his strikers from the start, with Anelka playing behind the front two meaning Florent Malouda missed out. In contrast, Liverpool continued with the three centre backs that served them well against Stoke with Jamie Carragher returning from injury to replace Kyrgiakos. This system allowed both Kelly and Johnson to play to their strengths by getting forward and giving Liverpool much needed width with only three in midfield and Kuyt playing as a lone striker.

After a cagey opening it was Chelsea who had the first opportunity when Rodriguez inexplicably passed the ball to Torres. Chelsea supporters held their breath, only for the Spaniard to balloon his effort over the bar. Liverpool then began to take control of the game with a passing fluidity that has marked their recent performance under Dalglish. They managed to survive a major scare midway through the first half when Drogba’s throughball let Torres through on goal only for the excellent Jamie Carragher to block his effort. However, Bosingwa’s increasing forward forays were leaving Chelsea exposed on the left hand side and Liverpool began to exploit this more and more as the half went on. After good work from Johnson and Gerrard on the left, the Liverpool captain’s ball across the box evaded the Chelsea back line, falling to Rodriguez only for the Argentine to miraculously hit the crossbar from five yards out. Liverpool fans must have been wondering whether they would pay for that miss yet their organised team play and tireless work rate meant Chelsea found it increasingly difficult to break them down. Torres was beginning to show the same poor body language that he displayed at Liverpool but that was in no small part to a resolute defensive display from the reds not afraid to show a bit of brute force when necessary with an Agger forearm to Torres’s throat, much to the delight of the travelling reds supporters.

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By Ainsley Jacobs, writing from England

Revenge would have been on the minds of the Liverpool players as they headed down on the coach to Molineux this morning. Just 26 days ago, Stephen Ward scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at Anfield and in doing so hammered another nail into Roy Hodgson’s coffin. That performance was one of the worst ever witnessed at Anfield but a month on and a with a new coaching team at the helm the fans may have seen Liverpool turn a long overdue corner.

Liverpool mostly dominated the first half treating the away supporters to some pass and move football so rarely seen this season. At the heart of this was the excellent Raul Meireles and it was his vision that created the first real chance of the game with a beautiful long range pass to Fernando Torres. Sadly the Spaniard’s attempt to curve the ball around Wayne Hennessey was well read by the keeper but Liverpool served warning to Wolves about their attacking intent. The first goal of the game followed not long after with again good work from Meireles slicing through Wolves pathetic attempt of an offside trap to then cooly pick out Torres for an easy side foot finish. Torres looks like a striker reborn under Dalglish who has galvanised his star number 9. With fire in his belly and steely determination, he was a constant thorn in Wolves side.

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By Eric Beard, writing from Boston

As Florent Malouda rushed to the Chelsea bench after scoring what would be the winner for the Blues as they defeated the ever-resilient Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, there was nothing but a hint of desperation in the air. Well, there was a hint of offside on the goal, but mostly desperation. The win was unconvincing, but looking at Manchester United’s 1-1 draw to Birmingham City yesterday, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Wigan courtesy of a Squillaci own goal, and of course Liverpool’s loss at Anfield to (then) bottom of the league Wolves, there’s every reason to smile.

Chelsea, in truth, should always be beating Bolton at home. However, Owen Coyle’s brilliant leadership in addition to near perfect performances from Stuart Holden and Zat Knight produced a match that was very much in the balance. Chelsea fans can be happy John Terry didn’t concede a penalty when Stu’s shot on target clearly hit JT’s hand. Ashley Cole continued to have a shocker until about the 80th minute when he finally gained some confidence, while Didier Drogba looked frustrated throughout the match, hitting the inside of the post minutes before Malouda made it 1-nil. Chelsea finish 2010 in 4th after 19 matches played with 34 points, 2 points behind Arsenal (19 games played), 4 points behind Man City (20 games played), and 4 points behind Manchester United (18 games played).

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Liverpool, Tom Hicks, and the 1.6 billion dollar Lawsuit 

As a little extra feature after we recorded our first ever Podcast, which you really should listen to, AFR’s Nick Lichtenberg, who works for an American law magazine, broke down Tom Hicks’ $1.6 billion lawsuit against Liverpool in the context of the American legal system. Nick made sense of how punitive damages could account for $1.6 billion, as well as where the terms “epic swindle” and “conspiracy” come from. It’s only a four minute clip, but definitely worth a listen. Did this help clear things up?

By Amy Quinn, writing from Dublin

Giant killings are a common story in all walks of footballing life. Few football clubs can say, with conviction, that they have never fallen foul of the ambition and drive that lower-ranked teams can often bring to the fore. Liverpool are no exception, with memorable FA cup exits to the likes of Barnsley and just last year, Reading, and with the spectacular banishment from the Carling Cup just two weeks ago at the hands of Northampton Town barely forgotten. It’s strange, however, that all of this pales in comparison to a desperate defeat in Liverpool’s own back yard yesterday afternoon against Ian Holloway’s Blackpool. The Seasiders now find themselves four points ahead of Liverpool in the Premiership (begging the question, are Liverpool now the underdogs?), and previously seen as relegation fodder, the shoe is now on the other foot for the struggling Reds.

It was particularly telling that late that Sunday, as Liverpool sunk to their lowest point in recent memory, the Kop erupted with chants of “Dalglish!” - referring, of course, to the former Liverpool player and manager, and current Academy director, Kenny Dalglish, who was present at Anfield yesterday with fellow legend Ian Rush, as he is every week. Surely not a pleasant experience for Liverpool’s manager, Roy Hodgson, who has come under fire from all corners of the team’s fanbase, but it represented something crucial. Liverpool fans have forged loving relationships with so many players and leaders down the years. Having adapted to so many different managerial styles, it is surprising that any approach would jar so horribly with the club as Roy’s has so far, but there’s an explanation for that.

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By Dominic Vieira, writing from Portugal

The clash of titans kicks of today at 13:30PM (GMT) with Manchester United hosting rivals Liverpool, a match complete with class, goals, hate, intensity and victory.

Today’s derby will be greater than ever as both sides possess 58 titles and this season the Red Devils could lift their 19th league title to finally surpass Liverpool’s 18 times record. Alex Ferguson is a veteran at this derby and will be making his 49th appearance. The Scotsman thoroughly understands the importance of winning and pride, a defeat is out of question as the team can’t lose terrain to Chelsea for the title race. On the other side of the pitch, Roy Hogdson will be managing in his first Northwest Derby and will want maintain his winning form against the Manchester United manager which he achieved last season with Fulham.

Alex Ferguson goes head to head with Roy Hogdson alongside 22 men, who will prevail?

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By Amy Quinn, writing from Dublin

The eve is upon us, and looking around me, I find it inherently strange that there are Liverpool fans with calm heads. No other game gives me quite the same sense of uneasiness, a knot in my stomach. Obviously, it’s a wonderful match to win, but it’s a difficult, if never very surprising, match to lose. Coming from a town and a family that seems to contain representation from both of England’s most successful sides, there will be no shortage of banter tomorrow. My contribution to said banter will be delivered from under some piece of furniture, probably, as I shelter from the fallout.

Somehow, nothing quite stresses me like this fixture. I am never optimistic about our chances, even when there is every reason to be. Most of my childhood was spent only watching these North Lancashire derby ties. Certainly it is a match that raises pulses and sizzles with intensity. Some people enjoy those matches that are like a stretched elastic - bursting with kinetic energy, ready to pop at any given moment. For me, it means constant nausea and near-heart attacks. Yes, I do take football too seriously.

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By Dominic Vieira, writing from Portugal

The Carling Cup is not the most important trophy in England but when there is an exhilarating derby between London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, the competition possess a completely new dimension and competitiveness. This match could be William Gallas’ first appearance against his former club at White Hart Lane. It’ll be another opportunity for Arsene Wenger to field a selection of promising youngsters against an organised and strong direct rival.

Defending champions Manchester United travel east to take on Scunthorpe United, it will be their first official match against the team known as The Iron. Alex Ferguson will be selecting a young side for this game which could include the likes of Macheda, Cleverley and Bebe. In theory the match is an easy victory for the Red Devils, but they must not understimate the opponent. Three years ago United crashed out of the tournament early after a shocking 2-0 defeat to Coventry.

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