FOOTBALL Live

Saturday November 21, 2009 Finished Anfield

2 - 2

Liverpool

  • Škrtel 50’
  • Benayoun 77’

Manchester City

  • Adebayor 69’
  • Ireland 76’

515 comments | Write your comment

  1. Liverpool and City share spoils

    Liverpool and City share spoils

    Liverpool and Manchester City shared a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Premier League clash with all four goals coming in the second half. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Liverpool
    • Manchester City
    • 90+4' The full-time whistle goes at Anfield, and Liverpool and Manchester City share a thrilling 2-2 draw after four goals are scored in the second half! Skrtel put the hosts in front, before goals from Adebayor and Ireland gave the visitors the lead. However, Benayoun's 77th-minute equaliser spares Benitez's blushes! Thanks for joining us.
    • 90+2' Liverpool have claims for a penalty as Kuyt goes down under the challenge of Bellamy, but nothing is given.
    • 90' There will be four minutes added time at the end of this mesmerising second half!
    • 87' A delightful delivery from Gerrard almost finds Kyrgiakos at the back post, but the Greek cannot convert.
    • 85' Benitez hauls off Benayoun, who was a substitute himself anyway! Fabio Aurelio comes on in his place.
    • 82' Liverpool look the more likely to add a third but City are very threatening on the break with Tevez and Wright-Phillips.
    • 79' What a second half this is proving to be as the home fans roar Kuyt on as he charges down the right but his cross is deflected wide.
    • 77' GOAL!!!! Liverpool hit straight back as Ngog fires a cross-shot to the far post and it takes a vicious deflection off Lescott with the ball squirming out to Benayoun who is able to tap the ball home!
    • 76' GOAL!!! Tevez finds Wright-Phillips on the left side of the Liverpool box and the winger proceeds to turn Krygiakos as if he were not there and squares the ball across to Ireland who tucks the ball past Reina to stun the hosts!
    • 73' City counter through the dangerous Wright-Phillips and this second half is proving to be an enthralling encounter.
    • 71' Liverpool continue to press as their lead is quickly extinguished by Adebayor.
    • 69' GOAL!!! ADEBAYOR LEVELS FOR CITY! The imposing striker rises high to direct an exquisite header into the far corner of Reina's net from Bridge's cross out on the left - shocking defending from Liverpool!
    • 67' City continue to press forward as Hughes's side look reinvigorated since the opening goal.
    • 65' The right-winger continues to be City's most promising outlet and he enjoys another sharp run down the right before Insua deflects the ball wide.
    • 63' Lucas is booked for a mistimed challenge on Tevez as the Argentine gets straight into the action.
    • 62' Wright-Phillips jinks between Insua and Kyrgiakos out on the City right, but his cross evades everyone in the box.
    • 61' Carlos Tevez comes on for City as Mark Hughes makes a swift change after biding his time until after half-time with Gareth Barry making way.
    • 60' Bridge whips in a cross from the left at pace which Kuyt clocks in the face - if that was Babel his afternoon would be over, but the Dutchman soldiers on.
    • 59' Another City attack breaks down as Ireland dummies the ball to no one in particular on the edge of the penalty area.
    • 58' Barry buys a free kick for City out on the right as Kyrgiakos clatters into the back of the midfielder who shields the ball.
    • 56' City have certainly not been at all shell-shocked since the goal and Wright-Phillips powers down the right once more to test Insua's pace and resolve.
    • 54' De Jong makes a superb intervention for City to deny Kuyt as the Dutchman surges through the Liverpool half at pace - great defending by the midfielder.
    • 52' Liverpool have taken their opportunity and forced their way in front of City - will the visitors be able to muster a response?
    • 50' LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH MARTIN SKRTEL! Gerrard whips in a devilish delivery from a free-kick out on the left and Martin Skrtel steals in ahead of his marker Emmanuel Adebayor - not for the first time - and stabs the ball past Given!
    • 46' The second half is underway at Anfield with City kicking us off while Alberto Aquilani warms up vigorously on the touchline for Liverpool.
    • 46' Mark Hughes makes an enforced change at half-time as Nedum Onuoha replaces the City captain Kolo Toure, who sustained a thigh strain early on.
    • 45+6' The half-time whistle goes at Anfield, and it has been a pretty poor display by both sides as City have defended well and the hosts have lacked invention in the final third. Injuries to Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger will have concerned Rafael Benitez as his second-half options are depleted. It is goalless at Anfield!
    • 45+5' Given lumps the ball upfield, right into the path of Wright-Phillips, but the attack peters out.
    • 45+4' Hughes looks very content on the City bench as he watches his side defend another set-piece stoutly.
    • 45+3' Ngog sees another run ended abruptly by Lescott, who is marshalling the forward with ease at the moment.
    • 45+2' The hosts are now camped inside the City half, but they look devoid of invention so far.
    • 45+1' Liverpool keep possession deep inside their half until the home fans give them a piece of their mind and Skrtel finally brings the ball forward.
    • 45' Six minutes is the amount to be exact! A combination of the horrible eye injury sustained by Agger, and the drawn-out niggles suffered by Babel and Toure.
    • 44' Lucas plays an exquisite ball out to Insua on the left before another Liverpool attack peters out in the final third. There should be a hefty amount of stoppage time...
    • 44' Skrtel finds Gerrard down the right this time, but again Lescott is sharply across to make the interception as City clear once more.
    • 43' Ngog is put through by Lucas but shows a distinct lack of conviction as he dallies and is dispossessed by Lescott.
    • 42' Kyrgiakos shows good composure in back-tracking to cover Bellamy's run and the Greek proceeds to spray the ball out to Benayoun on the right.
    • 41' Kuyt wins a corner for Liverpool with a bright and breezy run down the right, before Bridge makes a fine intervention and clears for the visitors.
    • 40' City keep the ball at the back with little urgency until Wright-Phillips explodes into action down the right, but Adebayor opts to dummy his cross to nobody in particular!
    • 39' Ngog is linking up the play reasonably well, but Liverpool are lacking a forceful presence in attack in this first half as Lescott and Toure sweep up the play once more.
    • 38' Liverpool keep the ball well but are struggling to breakdown City with De Jong playing superbly in front of his back-four.
    • 37' A delightful dummy from Ireland fools Insua as Wright-Phillips takes the ball into his stride on the right, but his shot is wild.
    • 36' Bellamy tries to be too clever deep inside the Liverpool half as he attempts an audacious back-heel into the path of the onrushing Ireland, but it is poor.
    • 35' Gerrard sets the tone for Liverpool once more with a lung-busting run to close-down Zabaleta, before sliding in to make a challenge which has the home fans on their feet!
    • 34' De Jong stalks Gerrard back inside the City half before dispossessing the Liverpool skipper superbly.
    • 33' Kyrgiakos is almost caught out of position by Wright-Phillips, but the defender recovers well to concede a throw in.
    • 32' Adebayor retreats to defend the corner and loses Skrtel, who beats his marker to the ball but skews his header wide.
    • 31' Kuyt fires a low volley from the edge of the City box, but it deflects off Lescott's ankle and away for a corner.
    • 30' Benayoun and Ngog combine down the left before Toure makes a stern challenge.
    • 29' Gerrard continues to lurk out on the left and is enjoying the contest with Zabaleta, who is really struggling to contain the midfielder.
    • 28' Benayoun takes his turn to run down the wing and fire a hopeful shot, but again it sails over. Click here to view Benayoun's profile page
    • 27' A typical Gerrard run! The Liverpool skipper surges into the City box at pace and unleashes a fierce shot, but it drifts narrowly wide of the top corner of Given's net!
    • 26' Adebayor almost forces his way into the Liverpool penalty area, but he is ruled offside just as he is about to pull the trigger.
    • 25' Kolo Toure makes a meal of a slight thigh strain and it somehow takes a full minute to get the defender off the pitch, then straight back on it! Bizarre.
    • 24' Gerrard and Ngog combine down the left for Liverpool, and the Reds' skipper looks to be staying down that flank for now.
    • 23' Wright-Phillips makes an impeccable tackle on Gerrard inside the City box, and that had to be perfect and was!
    • 22' Dowd makes two very pedantic decisions which slow down the play before Liverpool enjoy some keep-ball in their half.
    • 21' Mascherano makes a fine challenge on Ireland to win back possession for Liverpool as the home fans really get into the contest following Carragher's booking.
    • 20' Barry is furious with referee Phil Dowd for awarding a goal kick after he and Skrtel tussle down the left - it was most definitely a corner!
    • 19' Ryan Babel cannot shake off that knock and is belatedly replaced by Yossi Benayoun - surely the Liverpool side is better for that change! Do you agree?
    • 18' Adebayor heads the ball back inadvertently to Ireland on the edge of the Liverpool box, but the midfielder's volley flies high and wide!
    • 17' Jamie Carragher, just back from suspension, flicks a high boot at Bellamy and is rightly booked, despite his vehement protestations.
    • 16' Babel is back on the field and is moving gingerly in the City half, but he looks to be okay.
    • 15' Bellamy and Ireland combine in midfield with a slick exchange before Mascherano intervenes.
    • 14' Babel looks to have come off worse and the Dutchman limps off to the touchline to receive further treatment as City build from the back.
    • 13' Gerrard and Babel are both down on the ground after a clumsy collision on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area! They both get to their feet gingerly, but Benitez is looking pretty anxious.
    • 12' Lucas is dropping extremely deep for Liverpool and is on hand to bail out Kuyt, who gives the ball away very sloppily to Wright-Phillips.
    • 11' Kyrgiakos finally comes on to replace Agger, and why that took so long nobody is quite sure!
    • 10' Ireland drifts in a deep cross to Barry, who was inexplicably unmarked at the back post - the midfielder's header is pretty weak, and Reina parries the ball wide!
    • 9' City break with Agger having been stretchered off with what looked to have been an eye injury. This will be a huge opportunity for Kyrgiakos - can he deliver?
    • 8' Liverpool wisely keep possession while they await the introduction of Agger's replacement.
    • 7' Sotirios Kyrgiakos is limbering up on the touchline to replace Agger.
    • 6' Daniel Agger is down and clutching his head - it looks pretty nasty after that pile of bodies in the box.
    • 5' What a save from Given! Gerrard whips the free-kick in at a vicious pace and Lescott diverts it with his head to the back post where Martin Skrtel is loitering. The defender fires his header to Given's left, and the keeper tips the ball wide superbly!
    • 4' Lucas wins a free kick for Liverpool out on the right which Gerrard will whip in at pace.
    • 3' Gerrard is at the forefront of everything as City sit back and barely have a touch of the ball in the opening three minutes.
    • 2' Zabaleta makes a stern challenge on Babel as the hosts continue to pile forward early on.
    • 1' Liverpool get us underway at Anfield and the hosts immediately go on the attack through Gerrard down the left.
    • - Kolo Toure and Steven Gerrard lead out their sides as we edge closer to kick-off at Anfield. You have a matter of seconds to make your match predictions...
    • - J thinks that Manchester City have the edge and will win, and Hughes has not shirked the challenge with a very attacking line-up.
    • - Fayj92 reckons it will be much easier for the hosts, with goals from Gerrard, Ngog, Lucas, Kuyt and Benayoun, presumably as a second-half substitute.
    • - Hadi.ajam provides us with a comprehensive prediction: 2-1 Liverpool with goals from Kuyt and Gerrard for the hosts, and a Bellamy consolation strike. What do you think? Post your comments below
    • - Liverpool's last five matches have been a colourful mix: three defeats, two wins and a draw!
    • - City have drawn their previous five matches, with Hughes's defence proving the sticking point, with Bellamy the club's top-scorer with five goals.
    • - Robinho is on the touchline looking glum in what looks to be the classic Burberry cap-charcoal suit combo as the visitors trot onto the Anfield turf to limber up.
    • - Brace yourself, here are some essential stats which need to be thoroughly absorbed before we go any further:
    • - Liverpool have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions. The last eight league games at Anfield between Manchester City have been very tight. There has been one draw, six wins for Liverpool and one for Man City, but all the victories were by a one-goal margin.
    • - Dirk Kuyt, who starts today, scored in both league appearances against Manchester City last season – both goals were in the final 15 minutes and earned three points extra in total as one was a late equaliser and the other a late winner.
    • - Indeed, Liverpool have conceded a joint league-high 11 goals from set plays this season, but Benitez's side have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions.
    • - Manchester City have scored just three goals in total in their last eight games against Liverpool, who have scored a joint league-high five goals from corners in the Premier League this season.
    • - The always amiable Phil Dowd is the referee for this afternoon's clash. He, as I'm sure you are aware, is from Staffordshire.
    • - For City, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz have to settle for places on the bench with Craig Bellamy partnering Emmanuel Adebayor.
    • - Gerrard, as expected, starts for Liverpool, with Alberto Aquilani confined to the bench. David N'Gog replaces Torres at the point of the Reds' attack with Ryan Babel in support.
    • - THE TEAMS ARE IN AT ANFIELD!
    • - Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Riera, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, El Zhar
    • - Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Bellamy, Adebayor. Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Johnson, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Kompany, Weiss
    • - Mark Hughes's City are a point ahead of their opponents in sixth place, and having played a game less.
    • - The Reds are 11 points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League and are without Fernando Torres for today's early kick-off.
    • - Steven Gerrard returns for under-pressure Liverpool as Rafael Benitez's side host Manchester City in their Premier League clash at Anfield.

  • Summary

    • 77' GOAL!!!! Liverpool hit straight back as Ngog fires a cross-shot to the far post and it takes a vicious deflection off Lescott with the ball squirming out to Benayoun who is able to tap the ball home!
    • 76' GOAL!!! Tevez finds Wright-Phillips on the left side of the Liverpool box and the winger proceeds to turn Krygiakos as if he were not there and squares the ball across to Ireland who tucks the ball past Reina to stun the hosts!
    • 50' LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD THROUGH MARTIN SKRTEL! Gerrard whips in a devilish delivery from a free-kick out on the left and Martin Skrtel steals in ahead of his marker Emmanuel Adebayor - not for the first time - and stabs the ball past Given!
    • 31' Kuyt fires a low volley from the edge of the City box, but it deflects off Lescott's ankle and away for a corner.
    • 27' A typical Gerrard run! The Liverpool skipper surges into the City box at pace and unleashes a fierce shot, but it drifts narrowly wide of the top corner of Given's net!
    • 10' Ireland drifts in a deep cross to Barry, who was inexplicably unmarked at the back post - the midfielder's header is pretty weak, and Reina parries the ball wide!
    • 5' What a save from Given! Gerrard whips the free-kick in at a vicious pace and Lescott diverts it with his head to the back post where Martin Skrtel is loitering. The defender fires his header to Given's left, and the keeper tips the ball wide superbly!
    • - Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Riera, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, El Zhar
    • - Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Bellamy, Adebayor. Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Johnson, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Kompany, Weiss

Team lineup & ratings

  • Lineup

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Liverpool

      Manager: Rafael Benítez

      Starting line-up

      • J. Reina
      • J. Carragher Yellow Card
      • M. Škrtel Goal
      • D. Agger Substitution Out (11′)
      • E. Insúa
      • J. Mascherano
      • Lucas Yellow Card
      • D. Kuyt
      • S. Gerrard
      • R. Babel Substitution Out (19′)
      • D. N'Gog

      Subs

      • Fábio Aurélio Substitution In86′
      • Y. Benayoun Substitution In19′ Goal Substitution Out86′
      • A. Riera
      • A. Aquilani
      • D. Cavalieri
      • S. Kyrgiakos Substitution In11′
      • N. El Zhar

    • Manchester City

      Manager: Mark Hughes

      Starting line-up

      • S. Given
      • P. Zabaleta
      • K. Touré Substitution Out (45′)
      • J. Lescott
      • W. Bridge
      • N. de Jong
      • S. Ireland Goal
      • G. Barry Substitution Out (61′)
      • S. Wright-Phillips
      • C. Bellamy
      • E. Adebayor Goal

      Subs

      • R. Santa Cruz
      • C. Tévez Substitution In61′
      • V. Kompany
      • N. Onuoha Substitution In45′
      • S. Taylor
      • M. Johnson
      • V. Weiss

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6 -
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 5.7 -
      Goal 6.3 -
      Substitution Out11′ 5.6 -
      5.3 -
      Midfielders
      6.5 -
      Yellow Card 5 -
      6 -
      7.2 -
      Substitution Out19′ 4.7 -
      Strikers
      5.5 -
      Subs
      Substitution In86′ 4.2 -
      Substitution In19′ Goal Substitution Out86′ 7.2 -
      Substitution In11′ 5.7 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.9 -
      Defenders
      4.9 -
      Substitution Out45′ 5.5 -
      5.2 -
      5.6 -
      5.6 -
      Midfielders
      Goal 6.5 -
      Substitution Out61′ 5.6 -
      Strikers
      5.6 -
      5.6 -
      Goal 6.2 -
      Subs
      Substitution In61′ 6.5 -
      Substitution In45′ 4.8 -

Comment 496 - 515 of 515

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. 20 million Aquilani for what if he didnt get to play­ ????

    From ekykki, on Wed 25 Nov 3:01AM

  2. RAFA MUST GO...WE CANOT BLAME INJURIES,WE ARE­ LIVERPOOL, WE HAVE TO WIN ALL THE MATCHS..
    WE GOT POOR­ DIFFENDING. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE MANAGER...REPLACE ­ HARRY REDNAPP...

    From hazoordad, on Mon 23 Nov 7:19PM

  3. Its not Rafa but the team need to fight more if they­ want to win. Dont blame the coach but start looking­ yourself and give your best and you will be fine!!!!

    From ekykki, on Mon 23 Nov 1:58PM

  4. "Cheer Up Rafa B,
    Oh what can it mean,
    To a,­ Fat Spanish Waiter,
    With a, @#$% Footbal teeeam"

    From plonkmorton, on Sun 22 Nov 8:42PM

  5. great match great result for looserpool indeed
    we pray­ every day to keep rafa, he's doing so well!
    MANUTD­ FOREVER!!!

    From kghendoss, on Sun 22 Nov 8:40PM

  6. Liver'Poo'=S.HITE..End ov..fact..spit...

    From Those Rats likes Bin dippin for free Cheeseburger, on Sun 22 Nov 11:03AM

  7. liver pool most be win

    From Shan, on Sun 22 Nov 3:32AM

  8. Liverpool you have no chance of any more Silverware all­ the time you keep Rafa as your Manager HA HA
    so wake up­ and GET rid of him

    From ivan.stanbridge, on Sun 22 Nov 12:54AM

  9. Will this season be Liverpool's worst???

    Yes, cos­ this season Liverpool is too dependable (mainly) on 2­ players, Gerrard and Torres.

    From victorckc1976, on Sat 21 Nov 9:12PM

  10. Well done City, pity you cudnt have held on and beat­ the scouse @#$%! Bet you are glad you have Tevez- you­ are welcome to hime!

    From georgecrumpler, on Sat 21 Nov 8:07PM

  11. tevezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzrobinoooooooooooooo­ oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    From lynnjessiman, on Sat 21 Nov 6:43PM

  12. COME ON MAN U

    From Edward, on Sat 21 Nov 5:27PM

  13. city still have to learn to defend and they have no­ chance while lescott and bridge are playing

    From whiffey1, on Sat 21 Nov 4:33PM

  14. man u all the way liverpool going down the way ye ha

    From Edward, on Sat 21 Nov 4:27PM

  15. liverpool is a joke ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

    From Edward, on Sat 21 Nov 4:23PM

  16. get kenny the quitter back then he can walk out half­ way through the season again and he cant explain why­ cause no fukker can understand him unless they get­ donney as a interpretor hahaha

    From livinthepast, on Sat 21 Nov 4:15PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    COME ON THE KOPS

    From fitter_jim, on Sat 21 Nov 4:14PM

  18. Liverpool we still love you keep on fighting for the­ reward of hardworking is success. we will bounce back

    From gloryadusaforo, on Sat 21 Nov 4:08PM

  19. Great match, Please stay Rafa there is always next­ season.Ha !Ha! Ha!

    From Terry, on Sat 21 Nov 3:55PM

  20. any of you scousers who are dreamin of a champions­ leaue win are doin exactly that dreamin

    From steve, on Sat 21 Nov 3:29PM
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