Thursday 26 February 2015

Liverpool vs Besiktas- Minute by Minute

1-Besikta's out with force with a lot of quick passing prompting Liverpool to press high

2- FOUL- Ballotelli is brought down as the referee waits a long time to blow his whistle

3-Kolo Toure tries to dribble the ball out of defence but his pass leaders to knowhere

3- Besiktas retain possession but is quickly regained by Liverpool  in Emre Can who passes long to Ballotelli

4-FOUL - Ballotelli is deemed to have fouled the Besiktas defender

4-Possession is regained by Liverpool as the atmosphere at the ground becomes very hostile towards the Merseyside club

5-Liverpool are heckled whenever they retain possession, Liverpool being patiently on the ball

6- FOUL-Ballotelli with a blatant push on Besiktas midfilder

7- Raheem Sterling is closed down by two Besiktas players very quickly, Liverpool given little time on the play and becoming more sloppy as a result

8-Besiktas attack fizzles out as Sterling and Ibe linked up on the right hand side as Ibe looks to pass to Ballotelli but a defender intercepts

9-Joe Allen Intercepts well and threads the ball to Ballotelli who back heels the ball for a one two but is quickly out muscled and loses possesion

10-Ballotelli tries to dribble the ball out of a dangerous position

10-Ballotelli fouls Besiktas midfielder after aiming to win back possession

11-Besiktas have majority of posession as they look to work their way through the Liverpool half

12- Raheem Sterling intercepts but his flash attempts at a Maradona style clearance fail.

13-Cross from Besiktas is put left by the Liverpool defence for a Mignolet goal kick

13- Besiktas quickly retain possession, Liverpool look to be struggling

Besiktas has not conceded a goal at home this season to an English team

15- Sturridge offside and a quickly taken free-kick for Besiktas

15- Beskitas look to play the ball out-wide results in a Liverpool throw

16- Ballotelli utilizes his strength well to win another throw in for Liverpool

16- Jordon Ibe looks to work his way through the Besiktas defence but gets caught as he cuts inside

17- Besiktas play some great football in a one-two ball is played in along the floor to the box cleared by Skrtel for a corner

17-Corner comes in and is dealt with efficiently as Liverpool watch the ball go out for a goal Kick after an ambitious shot from outside the box

19-Flashy pass by the Besiktas right midfielder looks embarressing and goes out for a throw in

19-Lovely play by Ballotelli who flicks the ball outwide to Moreno who closes down the Besiktas defender to allow Sterling to get a shot off from outside the box, well saved by the keeper who dramatically dives to his left

21- Ballotelli Looking alot fitter and closes down well

21-Great ball forward by Moreno allows Sturridge to have half a chance but quickly runs out of steam

22-Awful ball by Lovren leads to another ambitious shot by a Besiktas midfielder which rolls into Mignolets arms

22- Foul- Emre Can is penalised for a foul

23-Through ball is Intercepted by Moreno who releases the ball to Can, can attempts an ambitious 60 yard pass which is left for the Besiktas defence

24-Jordon Ibe ball forward to Sturridge allows Raheem Sterling to be played in who struggles to get into a strong position and makes little of a pass to Sturridge

25-Ballotelli offside- nice to see the Italian working hard

25- Sturridge tries to do to much and is caught, looking far too greedy for my liking

26-FOUL- Emre Can is penalized for a foul which looked moderately liked a shoulder barge

27-Pitch is starting to live up to reputation as Sturridge failed to gain control while on the attack

28- Long ball by Moreno found Sturridge who holds up to lay off Sterling whose shot  deflects of Besiktas defender

29- corner by Joe Allen good delivery but Skrtel heads over the bar and had no clear opportunity

30- Ballotelli running the risk of the referee here as he dubiously wins a foul in the middle of midfield

31- Ballotelli is quickly becoming the central figure of this match as he is again thrown to the ground winning a free kick in Besiktas' half

32-Ballotelli clips Besiktas midfielder who trips and stumbles on the bobbly surface, Mario threads it through to Sturridge who takes far too long to get his shot off and Besiktas retain possession

33- Free kick to Besiktas in a dangerous position forces Mignolet to come and claim the ball. The Belgian looks a great deal more calm than 3 months ago

34- Sturridge and Moreno combine well but Moreno's weak effort is easily collected by the keeper

36- Foul on Ballotelli as he gets up and laughs it off. Ballotelli's fancy maneuver results in good fortune

Liverpool have already achieved more shots on target than they managed in the previous fixture.

37-Ballotelli again gets a foul as he jumps up for a header and collides with the Besiktas midfielder

38- Besiktas Midfielder becoming a repeat offender, totaling 4 fouls in my book

39- Ballotelli stands over the free kick. Sturridge not complaining this time. Great Free kick but no challenge

39-Hand ball by Besiktas attacker results in Liverpool Free kick who are becoming much more assertive in the fixture.

40-Crowd have been silenced partly by Liverpool but are quickly roaring again as the Besiktas forward cuts inside and forces a save from Mignolet

42- Jordan Ibe wins the ball with a bit of luck and plays it to Ballotelli who attempts an outrageous strike from distance which hits row Z

43- Lovely footwork from Demba Ba who plays a long ball out wide to the right

44- Liverpool looking on the back-foot now and look to be chasing Besiktas who still cannot find a way through the Liverpool defence who have been been strong this first half.

45- The bobbly pitch does Joe Allen who is quickly chased down by Demba Ba

45- Emre Can takes it cooly past three players to win a throw in in the far right hand corner.

45- Liverpool Offside. That's the first half finished with Liverpool still leading on Aggregate.

Liverpool have looked the stronger team this half despite having less possession, the link up play of Ballotelli, Sturridge and Sterling has been magnificent and seems to suggest that it's just a matter of time before Liverpool score. The midfield has looked marvelous applying plenty of pressure, the only worry is that Ballotelli is running the risk of a second yellow card, having picked up an early one he will have to be much more careful next half.


45- Besiktas with possession playing it out from the goalkeepers, Liverpool retain possession briefly but Besiktas win it back quickly

46- Ball is crossed into the box but shows no danger and simply rolls out for a goal kick for Liverpool

47- Besiktas playing the ball nicely in a one two on their hand side as Demba Ba crosses but the ball goes behind the Liverpool goal

48-Ballotelli penalized for his strength as discussion over his possible substitution arises

49- Liverpool happy for Besiktas to maintain possession  as they are confident in their strong back 3/5

50- Besiktas look danger as the ball comes into the box, the ball falls to Demba Ba who layed it off for a shot but the ball deflects out wide to Besiktas midfielder who strikes from distance and forces Mignolet to stretch but je keeps hold of it

52- Jordon Ibe heads the ball away as pressure mounts from the Turkish 13 team league champions

52- Liverpool fail to close down again as Besiktas have a striker from outside the ball as Mignolet is forced to save once more

53-Ballotelli and Joe Allen's fancy footwork fails to get rid of the ball and nearly causes danger for the Liverpool back four

54- Ballotelli shoulders the ball from Kavlak. Kavlak falls down hinting at suggestion of a flailing elbow.

54- Throw in to Liverpool. Ballotelli wins a corner for the reds.

55-Corner delivered, too deep and Emre Can's well placed header is easily caught by the Besiktas shot stopper

56- Skrtel has to deal with a ball from Kavlak as Demba Ba lingers behind.

57-Besiktas maintain possession on the edge of the Liverpool box as Jordon Ibe struggles to clear the ball from pressure from the Besiktas players.

58- Ballotelli goes down holding his face after a collision. Besiktas player brings studs down on Ballotelli's heel.

59-Substitute for Besiktas. Arslan coming on

60-Liverpool play with the ball deep in their half. Liverpool lose the ball and its played over the top to Demba Ba who was ruled offside, Liverpool defence looked stable and ready to clear regardless.

62- Emre Can applies pressure deep into the Besiktas half but it penalized for a light foul.

62-The Besiktas number 7 applying lots of danger to the Liverpool back four cutting inside and unleashing an effort just over the bar

63- Ballotelli goes down in an exaggerated manor. Looks as if he is trying to get his marker sent off. Besiktas fans becoming louder and louder currently.

64- Ball passed into the box is cleared by Toure as Jordon Ibe carries it away

65- Liverpool turn back towards their goal and maintain possession rather than attacking.

66- The Besiktas number 7 terrorising the Liverpool defence once more and plays a low ball into the box that Skrtel has to deal with.

68- Alberto Moreno with a great interception to stop a very dangerous opportunity

68- Liverpool fail to truly clear and Skrtel has to block the ball. Moreno tries to clear but is caught and puts it out for a throw in

69- Arslan the substitute shoots from distance misses by inches as Mignolet looked unconvincing that he would save it. Besiktas clearly on top at the moment.

71- Liverpool keep playing the ball back to their defence and send the ball long giving the ball straight back to Besiktas after Sturridge is penalised 

72- GOAL! Liverpool concede after great link up play by the Number 7, Demba Ba and Arslan the substitute scores with a beautiful strike on the edge of the box beating Mignolet.

73- Liverpool look  to be on the backfoot once more as Besiktas maintain possession

74- Ballotelli needlessly gives the ball away with a wayward pass to nobody. Ball is played forward and Besiktas continue their attack

75- Liverpool look to attack now as Sterling tries to play Sturridge through but too much weight on the pass

76- SUBSTITUTE- Jordan Ibe is replaced by Spaniard Manquillo

76- Besiktas Right winger wins a corner after battling with Moreno. Corner presents little danger but the ball played back in has to be dealt with by Skrtel

77- Manquillo hesitantly heads the ball out for a Besiktas Corner with no pressure coming onto him.

78- Poor corner from Besiktas as the low cross is dribbled out by Sterling who falls over and recieves a free kick.

79- Pressure is clearly getting to the Merseyside club as they realise they are far from home. Cross into the Liverpool box is met by Mignolet who comes out of the box to give it to Manquillo

80- Emre Can with a lovely bit of skill to get the ball away from the pressure. Sturridge has struggled to make any impact in this game and has just shown this as he makes no attempt to move for the ball 

81- SUBSTITUTION- Ballotelli comes of the pitch and is replaced by Adam Lallana. Ballotelli did not look best pleased.

82- More and more problems created by Besiktas who float the ball long to Demba Ba and forces Skrtel to head away

82- Sturridge with a very poor weak pass to Manquillo resulting in a Besiktas free kick

83- Liverpool are just not physical enough in this game being out battled constantly 

84- Liverpool have no urgency to play the ball forward and look for a crucial away goal. They play the ball from the back and midfield, as Heckles ring loud from the Home team

85- Lallana looking lively making a direct run and linking up with Moreno on the left side diving deep into the Besiktas half but stops the ball going out for a goalkick and puts it out for a throw in

86- Liverpool showing glimpses of their previous form, but fail to find a major way through the Besiktas defence

86- Demba Ba makes space for himself and attempts an ambitious shot from a long away out but drags it wide of the goal

87- Emre Can cleverly wins the ball back but the attack from Liverpool quickly fizzles out as Moreno misplaces a pass

88- Besiktas resorting to Long ball tactics with Demba Ba looking very tired.

89-Clever play from Liverpool get the ball out of danger. Emre Can gives it Manquillo who plays it back for long ball over the top for Sturridge to chase but too heavy.

90-3 Minutes stoppage time. 

90- Arslan walks past the Liverpool defence to get a cross in which is blocked by Skrtel to produce a corner for Besiktas, squeaky bum time!

91- Corner comes in the box and confusion leads to Demba Ba getting a clear striker on goal but comes off the crossbar and its still rattling

92- Liverpool defence looks really shaky as they struggle to clear the ball. With Besiktas looking to take advantage of their vulnerability and play crosses into the box

93- Full time with extra time to play!

91- Liverpool looking more dangerous and with a more attacking mindset. Pressing quicker

91- Teamwork by Skrtel and Lovren. Skrtel chests the ball down and allows Lovren to turn away and give the ball to Moreno

92- Liverpool struggling to maintain possession

92- Ball from Sturridge to Raheem Sterling, poor cross from Sterling and the keeper collects with no challenges

94- The little Besiktas number 7 again causing problems with a floating cross that Mignolet collects

94- Daniel Sturridge penalized for a foul from a slight nudge.

95- Long bobbling shot from Besiktas goes just wide

95- Liverpool looking to maintain more possession and create more but still slightly careless in final attempts.

96- Great closing down by Besiktas forces Joe Allen to give away a throw in

96- Liverpool are lookign to attack more in this first half of extra time but are severely backing in movement. Adam Lallana the only player making himself available.

97- Goalkick to Besiktas, headed forward by Emre Can. Played out from the back by the Besiktas centre backs

98- Liverpool dealing with pressure well but still look under pressure as Demba Ba gets himself in a offside position

99- Demba Ba gets himself onside this time and forces a save from mignolet 12 yards out on the right hand side.

100- Demba taking advantage of another slip by Emre Can, plays it to the wirey number 7 who has a weak shot saved by Mignolet.

101- Emre Can down with what appears to be cramp caused by Kavlok stamping on his camp accidentally.

102- Besiktas give possession back to Liverpool. The crowd are still as loud as ever.

102- Emre Can booked for simulation as he goes down very easily under a weak coming together after skipping past another player.

104- Liverpool on the counter attack but make little opportunity as Sturridge is wasteful once more. Liverpool get another chance after pressure from Lallana but make little of it again

105- 1 minute added time. Liverpool just about ontop at this stage as they force Besiktas to give the ball away under pressure.

Half Time whistle- straight turn around. A Liverpool goal would mean they are effectively through as Besiktas would need two goals due to away goals. Totenham have already been eliminated as Fiorentina won 2-1 on aggregate.

105- Sturridge rightfully replaced by Rickie Lambert. Sturridge has been very poor this match.

105-Lovren dived in there on the Besiktas number 7 risking a foul in a dangerous area. 

106- Strong tackle on Emre Can is cheered by the crowd.  Besiktas player offside.

107- Ball played forward to Sterling who is bumbled over and wins a free kick on the edge of the box, very good position.

108- Lallana stands over the free kick, as the big players jostle for position. Long free kick aimed at Liverpool who fails to win the header against Demba Ba

109- Liverpool get the ball on the edge of the box. Lovren crosses embarrassingly far too high and wide. Goalkick for Besiktas.

110-Sterling sprinting back to his half to close down the Besiktas right back. Besiktas maintain control of possession playing it around the midfield and back four calmly. 

111- The Besiktas left full back ghosts past Emre Can and Toure. Crosses the ball but Manquillo blocks well and it deflects out off Opare.

112- Kolo Toure blocks the ball from coming into the box, as they apply more pressure to Liverpool

113- Corner to Besiktas. Cleared by Liverpool who look to break with Rickie Lambert who turns back and places Lovren under pressure with a poor placed pass.

114- Liverpool severely lacking creativity as Besiktas break with Demba Ba who blazes his shot way over the cross bar.

115- Goalkick gives possession straight back to Besiktas who look extremely likely to score at the moment. Demba Ba clearly demonstrating his fitness ability tonight looking a constant threat.

116- Ball to Raheem Sterling easily picked away from him.

116- Sterling wins a free kick on the left hand side in a dangerous position. Delivery has to be better though

117-Emre Can with a very poor delivery not even beating the first man 

118- Emre Can easily shouldered off the ball. a faulty error in the Besiktas area caused little danger to Liverpool who have looked nonthreatening for a majority of the night

119- Liverpool applying more pressure but it does little to effect the outcome as the referee blows the final whistle. We are heading to Penalties!

Liverpool have competed in 3 penalty shoot outs in Europe and have won them all, with the result be the same tonight?

Penalty Shoot Out

Demba Ba steps up, Demba Ba SCORES!! Mignolet dives the wrong way

Liverpool first penalty taker, Rickie Lambert and he SCORES! Superb penalty there from the Liverpool born striker

SCORES! Mignolet gets very close but too much height, Tore with a great penalty

Lallana with a very simple penalty, SCORES, sends the keeper the wrong way!

Kavlak SCORES with a great penalty, well placed 

Cool Emre Can Steps up and SCORES with an amazingly placed penalty in the bottom right hand corner!

SCORES! Fantastic penalty by Hutchinson, In the top right hand corner, Mignolet had no chance!

Joe Allen steps up and SCORES! Cooly in the top left hand corner so well placed from the Welshman

Arslan who has been superb since his introduction SCORES with a simple finish in the bottom right hand corner too powerful for Mignolet!

Lovren has to score to keep Liverpool in it and he MISSES!!! Liverpool are out!!

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Liverpool vs Besiktas- Match Preview

England's most successful European team Liverpool look to Thursday evening where they will face second in the Turkish Super Lig Besiktas  whose highest European achievement points to their Champions league quarter final in 1987 and UEFA league quarter final in 2003.
Liverpool hold a 1-0 lead following on from the first leg at Anfield where Mr controversy Mario Ballotelli secured the lead with a penalty in the 85th minute coming off the bench. The penalty created a small degree of anarchy for the Liverpool team with Sturridge and Henderson confronting Ballotelli who was not the designated penalty taker.  The two teams differ in form with Liverpool losing just twice in all competitions since December 2nd, while the
Turkish outfit have lost 3 of their past 6 fixtures.

Besiktas striker Demba Ba is currently the Turkish side's top scorer in European competitions with 5 goals in 5 games while Liverpool have struggled to score in European competition with Gerrard the top scorer on 2 in 6 games. However the former Chelsea man who scored the infamous goal that remains in Liverpool fans hearts as their Captain slipped may not be a worry. Twitter was a rife with rumours circulating that he has been ruled out due to a calf injury although nothing has been confirmed yet. Besiktas recent lack of form means they look likely to miss out on a 14th Turkish title to current leaders Galatasary who have overtaken Besiktas and remain at the top of the league by one point. Still compared to the Merseyside club they are fairly successful as Liverpool remain in 6th place two points away from a champions league place and 15 points off top spot.
With Besitkas without Motta and centre back Gulum, Beskitas look a troubled team. but the Attaturk where the second leg will be played has seen famous comebacks before..

Liverpool cruised past Southampton 2-0 on Sunday despite looking shaky for periods of the match,
Phillipe Coutinho again demonstrated his shooting ability after firing Liverpool ahead in the opening 5 minutes with a 30 yard strike that flew past Frazer Forster. Liverpool seemed happy to continue the rest of the game banking on the one nil lead but it become a solid strategy as defensive error by Southampton allowed for Raheem Sterling to strike home to secure the win. Liverpool look the stronger party heading into the fixture with the Merseyside club the most inform team in English football currently.
A different focus on the style of football has innovated the Liverpool team who overall look a solid formidable outfit from the back significantly down to the introduction of Emre Can to both defence and midfield as well as Mignolet looking much more assertive after his removal from the first team. Liverpool will be without Steven Gerrard who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, Henderson will remain captain. Glen Johnson and Lucas are also out with injury. Ballotelli is rumoured to be rewarded with his recent improvement with a rare start possibly partnering Daniel Sturridge which fans have been crying out for since Sturridge's return to fitness.

Predicted Line Up
                 Mignolet
          Sakho Can Skrtel
 Sterling Henderson Allen Moreno
                  Coutinho
           Sturridge Ballotelli

Predicted Score line- Liverpool 2-2 Besiktas

Friday 13 February 2015

Match Preview- Crystal Palace

With Liverpool facing one of their most daunting fixtures of recent seasons a prayer should be said for Liverpool in the hope that the past does not affect this future. With Steven Gerrard ruled out as well as Raheem Sterling paired with doubts over Phillipe Coutinho's fitness Alan Pardews Crystal Palace may be a stumbling block too far for the Merseyside club.

Liverpool have changed miraculously since the 3-1 mauling at Selhurst park back in November. The new look reds side have been reborn again since the change in formation to 343 with Emre Cans performance claiming a significant amount of that praise. Last fixture Crystal Palace came from one nil down thanks to a Rickie Lambert striker to win 3-1 mainly down to a magnificent performance from winger Victor Bolasie. (Glen Johnson was given a torrid time and was converted to a medical research centre due to his constant nightmares of Bolasie running past him). Liverpool now look a team capable of a top four finish especially since now they have a recognised striker in Daniel Sturridge who after completing his first start in the league since September will look to put his injury problems behind him. Mario Ballotelli is rumoured to have also earned himself a rare start after his match winning goal against Totenham Hotspur on Tuesday. With Liverpool no becoming a more fearful outfit they will hope their commendable form continues in the FA cup with the dream of 'Gerrard to Wembley' still alive.
Captain fantastic himself however will be watching from home as he is out for a number of weeks with a hamstring problem. The skipper may not be Liverpool's main concern; Lucas Leiva a man who has been instrumental in centre midfield is out for an extended period of time, this has left Brendan Rodgers with a dilemma over Can and whether to replace him with Lovren and move him further up the field in his natural position. However having more options will suit the Welshman as his strength in depth seems to be working.

Crystal Palace under Alan Pardew seem a more rounded team, with their main threat being the lower league 14 year old in disguise Dwight Gayle who has made a habit of scoring past Liverpool in his last three fixtures.
 Under Alan Pardew Crystal Palace have neither excelled nor have they de-excelled they have remained consistent. Pardew will look to utilize Gayle and Bolasie and unleash them on the newly unified defence. With Crystal Palace averaging a goal (1.08) a game, coinciding with Liverpool's conceding rate of 1.16 per game it looks likely that Palace will edge a goal somewhere in the fixture. Crystal Palace have scored the most past the Merseyside club this season 6 in total in their last two fixtures with one in particular costing Liverpool any hope of reaching Premier league glory.
But with Crystal Palace gaining momentum in their late push for a top ten finish, their attention in the FA cup may be harmed, this is in comparison to Liverpool's eye for fourth also. 'League form goes out of the window in the cup' is the old saying, with these two teams having Wembley in their sights, Steven Gerrard's farewell trophy versus Pardew's desire of a parting shot at Newcastle, this fixture is sure to create friction and be a fiesty affair.

Both teams have clear positives, Liverpool's resurgence in their new formation to Crystal Palace being the underdogs who Liverpool have underestimated time and time again. Despite Liverpool's injury woes it's hard not to envisage a win for Liverpool.
Through all the fight Crystal Palace will show it SHOULD not be enough, Liverpool SHOULD be able to palm palace away. The confidence their league form will bring coinciding with Daniel Sturridge's hunger for goals and Brendan Rodger's desire to win a trophy in his third season points to a Liverpool win. I expect Emre Can to partner Jordan Henderson in midfield with Lovren taking his place at Centre back with Skrtel and Lovren as his defensive partners. Markovic and Ibe should be either side of the midfielders with Coutinho Ballotelli and Sturridge as the front three.

Match Prediction 3-0 Liverpool. Sturridge, Sturridge, Can.
Leave me your comments and let me know your predictions!