Liverpool secured their trip to Wembley with a 3-2 (agg) win over Manchester City in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.


Defender Jose Enrique nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute just eight yards from the goal but City’s Joe Hart had a fantastic save. Liverpool continued to make Hart work early in the game with a shot by Charlie Adam and in the 20th minute, an attempt by Craig Bellamy.


Nigel De Jong instead opened the scoring with a Manchester City goal with a brilliant curl into the net, giving keeper Pepe Reina no chance.

Liverpool responded immediately bringing the ball back to City’s half but yet again they were denied by Hart. Nothing would come from the corner they were given.

But Liverpool came back. Micah Richards hit the ball with his arms in the box from a Daniel Agger shot, giving Liverpool a penalty. Captain Steven Gerrard comfortably took it and brought the Reds back five minutes before halftime.

Liverpool continued the fight in the second half. A sneaky attempt by Martin Skrtel had Joe Hart scrambling but the keeper managed to save it. Bellamy could have added to the scoreline but missed the chance by mis-kicking. Instead, Dzeko did just that for City after a superb pcross from Kolarov and firing at close range in the 67th minute.

The Reds wanted it more. Bellamy finally got it past Hart after a great pass from Dirk Kuyt from the left and a quick pass with Glen Johnson. Immediately Liverpool tried for another but Kuyt just headed it wide.

Any effort by Manchester City after that was dealt with finely by the Liverpool defense. Bellamy was replaced by defender Martin Kelly with a couple minutes to go in an effort to keep the score the way it is.

And with that...Liverpool are Wembley bound to face Cardiff City in the final.

Dalglish warns Liverpool players
Liverpool FC manager Kenny Dalglish has issued a warning to all Liverpool players that they need to improve in all departments if they want to have any hope of getting to Wembley in the Carling Cup.
Despite holding a slender 1 goal lead over Manchester City, Dalglish has warned the players after a terrible performance against Bolton in the league.


"I don't think anybody can hide behind a performance like we had on Saturday and I don't think anyone would try to do that,"
"We have a slight advantage against City, we just need to go into the game and compete. It's not going to be a game that's going to be anything other than really difficult for us. Dalglish said.


Nikica Jelavic 
Liverpool are reportedly very close to signing Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.
The 26 year old striker has stated he would like to play in the Premier League after already turning down an offer from Fenerbahce. He has already scored 17 goals this season for Rangers.

The Reds’ suffered a devastating blow last night when they were defeated by Bolton at the Reebok Stadium 3-1.



Seven minutes later, Craig Bellamy gave some hope of somewhat of a comeback for Liverpool. The goal itself is sloppy but Bellamy takes a pass from Andy Carroll, skips the ball over the keeper and it slowly made its way into the net with Bolton’s Zat Knight chasing after it with no hope of stopping the goal.

Bolton’s third and final goal came in the second half from a corner kick. Steinsson’s powerful shot into the lower left corner left Liverpool with little to no hope of making a comeback.

Manager Kenny Dalglish said after the match: “There's nobody been at this football club that's not had respect for other people. If that is what the problem was then, that they thought this game wasn't as important a game as the next one, then fine but they'll not be here.”

Liverpool return to original stadium design
Liverpool Football club have turned back to their original nine-year-old stadium plans for new Anfield is Stanley Park & thrown out plans drawn up by previous owners of the club Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Liverpool Football Club are now using the designs created by Manchester based company AFL who also designed the club's training facility at Melwood. Planning permission was given by Liverpool City Council in 2004 for the first design plans which mean that planning can get started when funds to finish off the project are in place.

Gary Ablett
Football players past and present turned out at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral pay their final respects to Gary Ablett. Ablett, who won the FA cup with both Merseyside clubs Liverpool & Everton, died January 2 following a 16 month battle with non Hodgkin's lymphoma. Both Liverpool & Everton managers attended the funeral.

 







Liverpool to play at Fenway Park
Reports has come out that Liverpool could posibly play a pre-season game at the old baseball ground. Roma are also being touted as the candidates to face them.

Liverpool failed to win at home over Stoke City this afternoon with a goalless draw.


The half ended in disappointment for Liverpool. Although Stoke were unable to score either, they appeared to be more organised of the two teams.

Dalglish recognized the struggle and made his first change a little more than ten minutes into the second half, with Andy Carroll replacing Stewart Downing just before a Liverpool corner kick.

Liverpool dominated possession but struggled to make anything of it. Dirk Kuyt has been aiming for his 50th Premier League goal of the season and just missed his chance to get that milestone when his header from just seven yards out went too wide. It was the closest chance of a goal for either side for the afternoon.

Keeper Pepe Reina was not nearly as busy as Sorenson, though the Spaniard did see some action expecially with an attack by Stoke's Matthew Etherington, but it was too easy for Pepe as the shot went right to him.

The Reds, especially Gerrard, kept Sorenson plenty busy in the second half, spending much of the time in Stoke's penalty area but nothing would come of it. Both teams walked away without a goal and one point.

 Gerrard signs extension deal
Steven Gerrard has today penned an extension to his current contract. After a great performance last night in the Carling Cup against Man City, the Liverpool captain is happy with how things are going on and off the pitch. Also the club have offered Steven Gerrard the ambassadorial role at Liverpool Football Club once his playing career ends.

Jay Spearing
Jay Spearing is confident his injury wont keep out for long. The midfielder is suffering from a tight hamstring which he got in the win over Man City.

Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou is one of many players rumoured to be joining Liverpool. Arsenal and Paris St Germain are also in the hunt to sign him. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season with Chelsea and could provide a cheaper option then Darren Bent who would cost in excess of 325million.

But a couple minutes later, defender Daniel Agger was fouled inside the box by City's Stefan Savic. The Blues' defender kicked too high and into the knee of Agger, granted the Reds a penalty which Gerrard took and put past Hart into the bottom left corner of the net.
City striker Mario Balotelli, who only just returned from beingout with an ankle injury, took a free kick after a tumble with Liverpool's Charlie Adam. The Italian was obviously angry after Adam tapped his head before getting up, and he took his shot right into the wall.

Sami Nasri replaced Balotelli just before halftime and took the best chance for City in the first half with a shot from outside the penalty area.

Manchester City woke up in the second half. Nasri, Aguero and Micah Richards all gave keeper Pepe Reina a workout in the first 15 minutes.

Despite City dominating possesion in the second half, they failed to score with any of their chances. Nasri tried his luck again 20 yards out but it went flying over the bar. the Blues made sure that Reina continued to stay plenty busy.

Manager Kenny Dalglish substituted Craig Bellamy in the 80th minute with defender Jamie Carragher, with an aim to keep the Blues at bay.

A scuffle between Carragher and Nasri would see them both get the only yellow cards of the game. Nasri seemed to have went to head butt the Reds defender after Carragher furiously blocked his attempt at getting the ball.

Although Manchester still pushed for that equalising goal, creating several chances and close calls, Liverpool were the ones to walk away in victory.

The second leg is to be played at Anfield on the 25th of January.

Carling Cup semi-final, first leg

• Venue: Etihad Stadium
• Date: Wednesday, 11 January
• Kick-off: 1945 GMT

The League Cup is a competition Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has fond memories of when he was a player for the reds and has stated already this season that the League Cup trophy is worth winning. Only 8 days ago Liverpool lost at the Etihad stadium 3-0 but this time around Man City have players missing, captain Vincent Kompany will start a four-match ban following his sending off against Man United, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and David Silva are major doubts for tonight's match, butt Gareth Barry is back from suspension. Liverpool have Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique, Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel back in the starting 11 after a rest against Oldham in the FA Cup. Steven Gerrard is expected to make a start also.