Anfield Red

 Harry Kewell scored his second goal of the season as Liverpool Beat Man City 1-0 at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard sent Harry Kewell through on goal with acres of space in the 40th minute, who slotted the ball across David James’ goal from the edge of the penalty area.

The game also saw Joey Barton get sent off for two bookable offences, and Xabi Alonso going off injured needing 10 staples in his head to close a wound after he and Barton went up for a header.

Peter Crouch had a few chances to score, hitting the bar on one occasion, and a cheeky backheel went just past the post. City only had  a few chances including a spectacular shot from Sinclair that Reina saved, and Samaras got through on goal only to send the ball over and wide.

After the game Rafa Benitez said :

I am happy with the final score. It was really important for us to win.

"But we made it more difficult because we could not score the second goal and that put us under pressure.

"They played with 10 men for a long time and we were looking for the second goal but we could not find it."

 Liverpool’s game against Blackburn at Ewood park will now kick off at 17.15.

Every year, Liverpool Football Club holds a rememberance service at Anfield, to remember those lost at Hillsborough. But with the game being on the same day as the 17th anniversary of the disaster, Blackburn offered to rearrange the kick off.

Liverpool had hoped to move the game to another day but Champions League and FA Cup commitments made it difficult

A club statement said: "We’re very grateful to Blackburn for their co-operation." 

"We examined every permutation in consultation with Rafael Benitez but because of the continuing uncertainty over the dating of some fixtures and the need to make a decision quickly, we have decided on the 5.15pm kick-off on the Saturday."

 Momo Sissoko’s eye injury is not as bad as first thought according to the club. &Newspaper reports were saying Sissoko may never see again in his right eye, however the club have released a statement saying :We are glad to report there has been an improvement in Momo’s condition over the past 24 hours, with the progress described as ‘encouraging’.
 
"The player was examined this morning by a leading eye specialist who remains optimistic, despite reports emanating from Lisbon.
 
"Momo has been instructed to rest completely and will be examined again by the specialist next week

He suffered a damaged retina and it is currently affecting his eyesight. AnfieldRed will keep you updated on Momo’s condition.

 Liverpool lost in the first leg of the Champions league Knockout stage to Benfica.

 Liverpool started without Captain Steven Gerrard, who was nursing a dead leg injury. Striker Robbie Fowler missed a few chances in the first half, along with Luis Garcia missed a volley that he sliced. The goal came six minutes from time, with Luisao scoring a header from a free kick from Petit. Liverpool now face Benfica at Anfield in 2 weeks knowing they need to score at least two goals to go through.

According to newspaper reports, the Ambulance containing Alan Smith was ambushed at Anfield.Reports in several newspapers on Thursday claimed the ambulance was surrounded by people who threw stones and bottles at it and even tried to rock it from side to side. Smith was under anesthetic at the time so didnt notice the attack.

Liverpool football Club has condemned the attack, releasing a statement saying :"These people aren’t real fans of football.

"The actions of a few idiots should not overshadow the efforts of all involved to make sure Alan received the best treatment as soon as possible.

Smith went under the knife to have surgery on his broken leg.

 Has Jerzy Dudek done enough in the absence of Pepe Reina?

Jerzy Dudek started his first game since the heroics of Istanbul against charlton, and conceded two goals. There were rumours of him leaving in january, but Rafa told him he was part of his plans and he stayed. He only had 3 game to shine, as Reina was suspended following his red card at Chelsea.

He kept a clean sheat at Wigan , and at Anfield against Arsenal, and with Man Utd at Anfield tomorrow, Rafa has a selection Dilemna.

Reina has been his number one all season, with Carson playing the odd game in the cup, Dudek has not played at all.
Having been in for the last 3 games, will Dudek play?

With regards to his own position, Dudek said :

I  always do my best and I hope I’ve done enough in the last three  games to keep my place. We’ll see at the weekend,
"My aim is always to play as well as I can and then leave the decision in the hands of the manager. I will accept whatever decision he makes because I am a professional and I play for Liverpool, not myself.

"Sometimes it is difficult when you don’t play but as a footballer you have to sacrifice yourself for the team and my only thought is for the club. Whenever I get a chance I want to take it.

"If I’ve impressed enough to keep my place ahead of Pepe this weekend then great, but if not I’ll keep working hard to make sure I’m ready for next time."

 Fernando Morientes says none of the Liverpool players will celebrate like Gary Neville on saturday.

Neville faces an FA investigation after the two teams met last month, Neville ran to the Liverpool fans to celebrate after Rio Ferdinand scored in injury time to give the mancs a win.

Morientes said:I firmly believe no-one on the Liverpool team would have celebrated like Neville.If I score on Saturday, or any of the other Liverpool players score, we won’t run to the United fans. For certain we will celebrate with our own supporters.

"Neville’s goal celebration caused a lot of controversy last time. But the match was very tense and there was a great deal of nerves at that moment."

Chief executive Rick Parry says they are trying to re-schedule their match with Blackburn, which falls on the anniversary of Hillsborough.

Relatives of the 96 supporters who died in the 1989 disaster requested a change to the 15 April game as it clashes with the annual memorial service at Anfield. But Parry says the club’s European and Cup commitments make it difficult.

"We are looking at moving the game but it is where to, Ideally we will come up with a solution in the next few days." said Parry

The memorial is usually attended by the club’s players and Parry added that Good Friday is a possible date for the game.

He added: "We have had a lot of co-operation from Blackburn. We are wrestling with all the potential permutations of Champions League games and possible FA Cup replays in trying to come up with the most workable solution.

We have always said we don’t want to play on that date. We have to fit in with League and European commitments and thus far we have managed to avoid it."

Gabriel Paletta will join Liverpool FC this summer subject to a medical.

Atletico Banfield centre-back Paletta, who is 20 tomorrow, has agreed a four-year deal with the Reds.
 
A star player in Argentina’s under-20 World Championship triumph in 2005, the highly-rated youngster is regarded as a strong, decisive and robust defender.  Standing tall at over six foot and weighing in at 80kg, his services have been coveted by a host of top South American and European clubs.
 
Paletta will become the second Argentine to play for Liverpool, following in the footsteps of Mauricio Pellegrino.

Luis Garcia came off the bench to score a late winner three minutes from time against Arsenal.

 Earlier in the game Gerrard had a penalty saved after 30 minutes by Lehman after Morientes was brought down by Eboue.

Morientes, Kewell and Riise all came close in the first half.

Lehmann began the second half in an equally inspired form, foiling Robbie Fowler, after the Liverpool striker’s first-time touch left Senderos flat-footed.

Just past the hour Liverpool went close with a Morientes header and Sami Hyypia’s clever flick that Ljungberg, who was stationed at the post, cleared off the line. 

Garcia had come on 84 minutes and three minutes later he was the first to react as Lehmann was unable to hold Hamann’s powerful shot.

The win moved Liverpool 10 points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal