LFC v Southampton 2013

Liverpool's 100 per cent winning start to the season came to an end after a spirited fight-back from Swansea at the Liberty Stadium saw them held to a 2-2 draw.

However, this weekend, Southampton visit Anfield, and the Reds will be looking to take all three points to stay top of the table.

Despite further spending in the summer, Southampton have continued to struggle this season after failing to win any of their last six games in the 2012-13 campaign.

They've been poor away from home with just four wins from their last 21 matches on the road. Back Liverpool -1 at 2.14 in the Asian Handicap market.

All four of Southampton's matches this season have gone under 2.5 goals, while just one of Liverpool's games has gone over 2.5 goals, so backing under 2.5 goals makes sense. Also, the price of under 2.5 goals at 2.03 looks good value too.

Finally, for a slightly larger priced option, based on the previous bets, it could be worth a punt to back 1-0 and 2-0 correct scores, both at 7.50, which would see a healthy profit if Liverpool win.

To show their support for the Reds, 188BET, the club's official international betting partner, offer a wide range of new and existing customer offers, including deposit bonuses and unlimited stake bonuses. So why not take advantage of 188BET's great prices in every game and place a bet on the Liverpool v Southampton match today.

Recommended bets
Asian handicap, Liverpool FC -1 at 2.14
Under 2.5 goals, at 2.03
Correct score, 1-0 and 2-0 both at 7.50

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Sakho: Why Reds project excites me

20th Sep 2013 - Latest News

Mamadou Sakho has revealed he joined Liverpool in the summer because of his faith in the ambitious project currently being undertaken at Anfield.

Despite his relatively tender years, Sakho racked up an impressive 201 appearances for PSG during six seasons in the senior side.The 23-year-old arrived on the final day of the transfer window after completing a switch from his boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain.

He helped the Parisians to a league title victory in his final campaign - but the defender explained why he needed to take on the fresh challenge at Anfield.

"Of course coming here was a big step for me," said Sakho. "I'd been with PSG from the age of 12 but there comes a time in every player's life when you have to make some career choices.

"I had achieved everything I had wanted to do with Paris Saint-Germain. We had won the title, and I made the decision a while ago that I wanted to take on something else.

"I knew I wanted to experience a different culture and learn new things and when Liverpool came in for me I was easily convinced. I was happy to leave in the end.

"It's all going well for me here so far. I've settled in quickly. I left Paris to join an ambitious club and I'm very excited about the project here.

"It was an impulse to leave PSG. There are so many new players coming into the club but they didn't push me out. It was all about me wanting to go out and compete.

"There is a big project underway [at PSG], but my situation was based more on my desire to genuinely compete and that is something I know I will have at Liverpool.

 "For me, the Premier League is the best competition in the world. It demands a great deal of rigour and concentration from all players and that can only help me develop as a person and as a player.

"I felt I had done it all with Paris and that it was time for me to turn the page. This is a new page in the history of Liverpool and for me - I want to make my mark on that page."

Sakho was born and raised in Paris - and he believes his powerful, no-nonsense approach on the field was honed during his formative years in the French capital.

"I grew up in an area of Paris that isn't all sweet and nice," he said. "At that age, you have to put yourself about a bit and earn some respect.

"When I was 14 I tried to impose myself a bit on the other players around me, but it was soon made clear to me that I needed to focus and concentrate, go to bed early and work hard.

"It was a bit physical, a bit verbal. I was just a teenager. It was made clear that if I didn't step back in line, I would be in trouble.

"But I soon learned that I had to focus. I had to conform and do the right thing. It was for my own good."

Pepe: Why Torres wasn't scoring

Pepe: Why Torres wasn't scoring

Pepe Reina insists the whole team is to blame for Fernando Torres's lack of goals this season.

 

The No.25 believes the service to Torres has not been up to scratch throughout the early stages of 2010-11 - but he hopes his countryman's winner against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday will mark a turning point.

And Reina likened the situation with Torres to that endured by David Villa, who has scored just two goals in eight Primera Division outings since his big-money move to Barcelona.

"All strikers are about goals," said Reina. "They want to score them and they want to score the winners like Fernando did against Blackburn.

"I think he can build up now to what he was like of old. What has happened to him is more or less what has happened to Villa in Barcelona.

"They are both great players but when strikers are not scoring people are always disappointed in them. It's not fair. I don't think we have been giving him the assists that we should, particularly in the last few weeks.

He has not been able to do anything at all.

"We know he is the type of player that can win a game just like that but we can't expect him to keep doing it on his own. We have to feed him in. That's the point."

Meanwhile, after meeting new owners NESV at Melwood a week ago, Reina is confident the new regime can facilitate a turnaround in fortunes at Anfield.

"It was an important step," said the 28-year-old. "It has been a great moment for the club, an important step forward. Let's see if we can build up from now and maybe they can help us a little bit in the winter transfer window. They are very committed to the club now.

"What I understand is they have been doing really good stuff in Boston and let's be optimistic now."

Asked if he had spoken to John W Henry or Thomas Werner at length, Reina replied: "No. It was just a brief chat, like the rest of the team. We have just been keeping focused on what we are doing, because it has been a tough situation.

"Thankfully the win over Blackburn means we are slightly better off than we were. It is a really tight table.

We are only three points from eighth place and now the challenge is to keep winning games. We can't give this up. That's the way we have to be in every single game."

Next up in the league for Liverpool is a trip to Bolton, followed by a home clash with league leaders Chelsea.

Reina knows two victories could have a major impact on the season ahead - and he thinks the Reds will go into the fixtures with a new confidence.

He explained: "The supporters were great once again against Blackburn because we were showing a little bit of the old spirit and we have to keep believing in ourselves because we are not such a bad team.

"If we play like that and deliver this kind of performance there will be more victories than defeats.

"It is all about confidence, when you are not winning games it is difficult to be out there and competitive.

"We just have to win a couple of games in a row and get ourselves back on a better track and keep that philosophy that we have had for the last few seasons.

"We are not a bad team but we have to show it week in, week out. We have just got to keep winning games and not give it up."

Pepe: Why Torres wasn't scoring

Pics: Reds train in Italy

Pics: Reds train in Italy

Liverpool trained at the Stadio San Paolo on Wednesday night ahead of the Europa League clash with Napoli - and our photographers were there to get the following snaps.

Reds suffer derby defeat

Reds suffer derby defeat

Liverpool were unable to secure city bragging rights as the Reds went down to a 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Tim Cahill put the Blues into a first-half lead with a powerful close-range strike after Seamus Coleman's cross had broken fortunately for him.

Mikel Arteta doubled the Blues' advantage moments into the second period when the Spaniard struck a thunderous drive beyond Pepe Reina from a half-cleared corner, with

Liverpool, despite a late spell of pressure, unable to find a response.

After a hectic week at Anfield, the game represented the final act in what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most historic weeks in the long and illustrious 118-year history of Liverpool Football Club.

New England Sports Ventures' acquisition of the club on Friday afternoon had provided everyone connected to the Red half of Merseyside with a surge in optimism as they geared up to make the short trek across Stanley Park.

There are few fixtures that can conjure up such raw emotion and passion as a Merseyside derby - and a little over 24 hours after meeting with the players and staff at Melwood, NESV Principal Owner John W Henry and Chairman Thomas Werner took their seats in the Goodison Park directors' box to sample that famed atmosphere first hand.

While much of the pre-match headlines had understandably centred on events off the field, the football talk had emphasised Liverpool's desire to return to winning ways following a disappointing run of league results.

Roy Hodgson - managing in a Merseyside derby for the first time - was able to hand Fernando Torres a starting berth in attack, while he also welcomed a return for Paul Konchesky into a defensive set-up that saw
Jamie Carragher deployed in a right-back role.

Like the gaffer, it was the former Fulham man's derby debut - and there were also first experiences of a Red versus Blue meeting for Raul Meireles and Joe Cole.

With the decibel levels inside Goodison cranked up to the maximum, the opening exchanges were contested with typical frenetic intensity.

Fans had to wait 10 minutes for the first chance, which fell to the hosts when Yakubu was sent tumbling to the ground after rolling Martin Skrtel on the edge of the box. Arteta's effort struck the wall, but Everton were able to scramble the ball back into the danger zone and Phil Jagielka powered a shot over the bar from 12 yards.

Moments later, Sylvain Distin, who had remained in an advanced position from an earlier free-kick, held off two challenges on the corner of the box before shooting inches wide of Reina's upright.

Everton were certainly in the ascendancy early on, but Liverpool fashioned their first opening on 22 minutes when Torres's flick header from Cole's left-wing centre was tipped over the crossbar by Tim Howard.

Lucas then blazed high over the bar after pouncing onto a loose ball 20 yards from goal, but it was much more encouraging from the visitors. Then, after Reina had repelled Tim Cahill's low attempt, Meireles saw a stinging drive blocked by the legs of an Everton defender.

But Everton broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Seamus Coleman's marauding burst down the right took him to the touchline before his attempted cross was kindly deflected into the path of Cahill, who made no mistake with a thumping finish from six yards to become the Blues's leading scorer post-war in league derby games

In truth, it was little more than the home side had deserved for their endeavours in the opening 45, leaving the Reds with plenty to ponder during the interval.

An improved showing in the second period was the order of the day, and seconds after the restart Torres drew a save out of Howard with a driven strike from 20 yards.

However, Liverpool were left with a mountain to climb as Everton extended their lead on 50 minutes.

Baines's corner was headed clear by Kyrgiakos, but it only succeeded in finding the unmarked Arteta lurking on the edge of the area, who crashed an unstoppable effort into the roof of Reina's net.

Liverpool enjoyed a sustained spell of possession as they sought an instant riposte, with Meireles seeing a strike smothered by Howard before Torres skewed Maxi's knockdown well over.

Cole went closer still when he fashioned space for a shot after a jinking run, but again the attempt was off target.

The Reds continued to press and Torres almost capatilised after Howard misjudged Gerrard's dangerous centre, but the bounce of the ball wasn't in favour of the Spaniard - while the American custodian produced a fine save to thwart the No.9 at the death.

It was in keeping with an afternoon to forget for Liverpool as Everton held on to secure the three points.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Steven Gerrard

Photos: NESV at Anfield

Photos: NESV at Anfield

NESV principal owner John Henry and chairman Thomas Werner were given a tour of Anfield on Saturday after meeting the players and staff at Melwood. Here are the best of our photos.

Chairman reacts to court ruling

Chairman reacts to court ruling

Liverpool FC Chairman Martin Broughton spoke with delight after emerging from Court 18 in the Royal Courts of Justice in London this morning.

Addressing a media scrum alongside fellow Board members Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre, he gave the following interview.

Mr Broughton, your reaction to the outcome today?
We are delighted with the result. We feel justice has been done. That's what we came for and that's what we got. We are delighted.

Will you still have to seek a declaratory judgement as well?

We will take legal advice on that. We will get the board reconstituted by 8pm this evening and we will plan to have a board meeting soon after that.

And your intention is to continue with the sale to NESV?

We will continue with the sale process.

What do you think of the owners' behaviour throughout this process?

I don't wish to comment on the owners' behaviour. I've commented on that enough. I think the court has argued in favour of the sale.

Will NESV own the club by tomorrow?

There's a board meeting this evening, hopefully to determine whether or not that is the case.

Do you have a duty to consider any of the other bids that have come in that may be higher?

We will take legal advice on this.

Do you expect the owners to take part in this?

I would expect they will. They will certainly be invited as they were last time. I have no reason to believe they will not be there.

If there is an appeal next week will that affect the process?

We will take legal advice on that.

Has this been one of the most difficult periods in your business career?

It's been a bit difficult but we got the right result.

Mr Lim's complaint about not being properly considered - is there anything in that?

I think you'll find we considered all bids appropriately.

Has this had any damage to your relationship with New England - will there be any smoothing over to do?

No smoothing over to do. We are delighted they were there.

And have you continued to talk to them throughout this process?

We've continued to talk to New England.

It came out in court, is the declaratory judgement an option rather than a condition of the sale?

It's an option.

On either side?

Yes on either side.

You see all the supporters here, it obviously means a great deal to them - can they look forward to a better future?

Absolutely. We've been here to complete a sale process. We said right from the offset that we would find the right owners for Liverpool and that was our target. I think we've done that. We were very fortunate that we had two bidders, both of whom qualified as far as we were concerned for being the right owners. We had to choose between them and I think Liverpool Football Club can look forward to a great future with its new owners.

And what of your and Christian's futures now? Any thoughts on how long you will be involved with the club?

There hasn't been an item of discussion with New England at all.

What are your hopes for the club now?

The vital thing is that all of the offers have wiped out all of the acquisition debt and that puts the club on a sound financial footing. And that was the single most important thing.

What do you think won it?

Flagrant abuses of undertakings.

Were you always confident that you had a rock solid case?

Yes I was always confident. You can never be 100 per cent confident when it comes to court. That's the only element of doubt.