Liverpool 4-0 Toulouse (5-0)

Liverpool made short work of Toulouse to book their place in the group stage of the Champions League.

Peter Crouch put the Reds ahead when he stretched to meet Dirk Kuyt's cross and Liverpool, who were inspired by Yossi Benayoun, went on to dominate.

Crouch missed with two more headers but Sami Hyypia did make it 2-0 when he met Benayoun's corner at the near post.

Kuyt, who also hit the bar, netted with a low shot to make it 3-0 then ran clear to slot home a fourth goal.

It was an emotional night at Anfield, with the Reds paying their own tribute to murdered 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones before kick-off.

The Toffees' theme of Z-Cars was played and the crowd applauded as Rhys's parents stood on the touchline in their Everton shirts.

Given the circumstances it could have been difficult for the Liverpool players to focus on the task in hand but they soon settled once the game began.

Benayoun has had limited first-team chances since joining from West Ham in the summer but he showed Benitez why he feels he deserves more opportunities.

The Israeli had already set up Kuyt to force a diving save from Toulouse keeper Nicolas Douchez when he won back possession to start the move that led to Crouch opening the scoring.

Kuyt ran on down the left before supplying a peach of a cross which the tall striker turned in at the far post.

The tie should really have been wrapped up by half-time but Crouch somehow headed another Benayoun ball over the bar before wasting an inviting ball from Alvaro Arbeloa.

Toulouse, who had come to Anfield trailing by a single goal, still had hope at this point but in truth they never looked like finding a way back into the tie.

Their only chances came from two sloppy clearances by Jose Reina and their best effort was a scuffed shot by Andre Gignac which summed up their night.

Liverpool were home and dry when Hyypia rose unmarked at the near post after the break to head home Benayoun's corner and from then on they coasted home.

Substitute Ryan Babel went close before Kuyt, who had already had one shot deflected on to the bar, exchanged passes with his compatriot and drilled his shot past Douchez.

The home side were not finished yet and Benayoun was again the creator, sliding a ball through for Kuyt to slot home a fourth goal.

It was the first time since 1997 that neither Steven Gerrard or Jamie Carragher had featured in a European tie for the Reds but, even without their two talismans, this was a thoroughly convincing display.

Man Utd fury at Reds over Heinze

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United are investigating Liverpool over their attempts to sign Gabriel Heinze. Heinze left Old Trafford for Real Madrid, but only after a protracted attempt to join Liverpool which went to a Premier League arbitration panel.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez was unhappy with the three-man panel's verdict. But United boss Ferguson said: "We are looking at Liverpool's whole role in this. We are not letting them off with it. That is what we are investigating."

Heinze argued that a letter signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill - citing a fee at which a deal could be done - constituted an agreement to sell. But the Premier League ruled in United's favour, ending any hope of them selling to rivals Liverpool. Heinze was instead sold to Spanish side Real.

Benitez said he was 100% confident that Heinze would be allowed to move to Anfield and hit out at the Premier League and United after the ruling. Ferguson labelled Benitez's remarks "churlish", then confirmed Gill is leading an inquiry into the way Liverpool have acted. Asked whether he was alleging Liverpool had 'tapped up' Heinze, Ferguson replied: "We will see how it comes out. David Gill is working on that at the moment. We will get to the bottom of it." Ferguson was also quick to hit back at Benitez's jibe that United enjoy favouritism in the drafting of the fixture list.

Benitez earlier said: "He has a document which is clear but the league prefers to believe the word of someone who made a mistake. "I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?"

He also expressed his anger at the Premier League's fixture scheduling ahead of the club's away game at Sunderland at 1245 BST this Saturday. The Spaniard said: "I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?

"We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season." Benitez was also angry about what he claimed was the drawn-out nature of Liverpool's signing of Javier Mascherano, compared to United's signing of Carlos Tevez - a deal he felt was pushed through quicker.

Mascherano and Tevez were signed last summer by West Ham but their moves were complicated over issues relating to third-party ownership in their contracts.
"I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United." "It is disappointing stuff," said Ferguson. "He talks about the fixtures. He should have seen our fixtures over the last two or three seasons. "There was never any chance of Liverpool winning that case, so Rafa clearly did not read the Premier League rules. It is just churlish."

Referee Styles dropped over error

Referee Rob Styles will not officiate in the Premier League next weekend following his performance in the Liverpool-Chelsea game on Sunday. Styles was criticised for awarding a controversial penalty to Chelsea.

Referees' chief Keith Hackett told BBC Radio 5live: "It is just like with players, if they miss an open goal they are likely to be dropped." Styles also appeared to show Chelsea's Michael Essien a second yellow card but then failed to send him off.

"Having looked at a video and seen a better angle and a better view, clearly he (Styles) now recognises that he got it wrong and he's deeply apologetic for that. I think, in fact, he too will be making contact with Liverpool in order to offer his apologies."

Asked about the confusion when Essien appeared to be booked for a second time, Hackett said: "I'm informed by both the fourth official and Rob he retained the card shown to John Terry then held the card to indicate a direct free-kick, and failed to put the card away.

"So it was a basic, if you like, admin error as against an error in application of law.
"We'll look at the video to ensure we don't get a repeat of that."

Benitez was left incensed and skipper Steven Gerrard said Styles had "cracked" after he penalised Steve Finnan for a foul on Florent Malouda, although replays showed there was minimal contact.

The Essien incident happened shortly after Styles had awarded Chelsea their penalty, which Frank Lampard converted to level the scores after Fernando Torres put Liverpool in front with a goal on his home debut.

Meanwhile, Mourinho did not criticise Styles over the penalty decision but suggested his job had not been made easier by the behaviour of certain players from "a different culture".
"I haven't seen the replay of the incident and it was difficult to make out what was happening at the time," he insisted.

"Rafa has his opinion and I have mine. I judged the game to be a good and a fair one.
"Perhaps there were too many cards but overall I thought Mr Styles had a positive game.
"Not every player on the pitch was helping the referee."
Styles handed out eight yellow cards - while Mourinho was believed to be referring to Liverpool's Spanish duo of Torres and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

Torres opened the scoring in the first half when he was fed by Steven Gerrard before slotting past Petr Cech. Lampard equalised for Chelsea with a penalty won by Florent Malouda, who was fouled by Steve Finnan.

That decision was contested by the Reds in a pulsating, yet niggly, match that saw nine yellow cards handed out.

The talking point in Monday's press will be the performance of referee Rob Styles, although there will undoubtedly be column inches reserved for a fine performance by Torres.
Both the Spaniard and his partner in attack, Dirk Kuyt, were a credit to the Reds, their tremendous industry giving a Chelsea defence, led by John Terry, little respite.


Both of them deserved reward for their hardwork, but it was Torres who opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Gerrard, playing despite having pain-killing injections in his fractured toe, threaded a peach of a ball through to the 23-year-old, who cruised round the outside of Ben Haim on the left before slotting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

As well as from Torres and Kuyt, John Arne Riise and Alvaro Arbeloa were also particularly effective for Liverpool down the left flank, preventing Michael Essien from getting forward from his right-back position. Riise got away from the Ghanaian early in the game to test Cech with a 20-yard low shot.

Chelsea were largely kept quiet by the Liverpool defence, who limited Didier Drogba to half chances. The Ivory Coast striker saw one tame free-kick deflected wide while a header flew high over the bar.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho had started with Shaun Wright-Phillips in a central position but moved the England midfielder out to the right in the second half. The tactical swap almost paid off immediately when Wright-Phillips swung in a wicked cross for substitute Claudio Pizarro.

The Peruvian met the ball with his head but sent his effort wide of the far post. Despite that attempt, Liverpool looked in firm control and, as cliched as it sounds, it seemed only a moment of magic or defensive error would get Chelsea back into the game. As it happened, it was contentious refereeing decision that allowed the Blues to draw level.

Rob Styles, who booked eight players in the match, decided to award the visitors a penalty when he ruled that defender Finnan fouled Malouda. Replays showed there was no contact between the players, but Lampard stepped up to beat Pepe Reina from the spot.

Styles was at the centre of another talking point when he appeared to show a yellow card to both Terry and Essien, who had been booked earlier in the match. However, the Hampshire official later clarified that he had only booked Terry.

Liverpool almost grabbed a winner late on, substitute Ryan Babel fizzing a shot inches wide of Cech's right-hand post. But Chelsea hung on for a share of the spoils.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Pennant (Babel 68), Gerrard, Alonso, Riise (Crouch 83), Torres, Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia, Mascherano.
Booked: Kuyt, Pennant, Gerrard, Carragher.
Goals: Torres 16.

Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Ben-Haim, Terry, Ashley Cole, Kalou (Pizarro 46), Wright-Phillips (Joe Cole 77), Obi, Lampard, Malouda (Alex 85), Drogba.Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Makelele.
Booked: Essien, Ashley Cole, Ben-Haim, Lampard, Terry.
Goals: Lampard 62 pen.

Att: 43,924
Ref: Robert Styles (Hampshire).

Liverpool v Chelsea

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is expected to have a pain-killing injection in order to play, after fracturing his toe. Rafael Benitez is set to rotate his squad with Jermaine Pennant, Dirk Kuyt Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger returning.

Chelsea team news to follow later.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Arbeloa, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Benayoun, Hyypia, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Two of the so-called "big four" clash for the first time this season, and something must give. Both clubs have 100% records in the Premier League. Liverpool opened with a 1-2 win at Aston Villa, and then were involved in a Champions League qualifier midweek; beating Toulouse 0-1 in the first leg in France.

Chelsea have six points out of six, with a 3-2 home victory over Birmingham, and 1-2 win at Reading. The former double Premier League champions are on the longest current unbeaten run in this league of 16 matches, and have not lost on their league travels since last season's trip to Anfield.

Liverpool have only won their first two league matches of a season once since the Premier League was reduced to 20 clubs; Aston Villa (a) and Southampton (h) were defeated in August 2002.

The Merseysiders have won their opening HOME fixture in the last three Premier League seasons, and have not lost their initial league game at Anfield since 17 August 2003, when Chelsea won 1-2.
These clubs have met 15 times in three seasons.

CLUB FORM
LIVERPOOL

1. The Champions League runners-up secured third place in the Premier League for the second successive season with a 2-2 draw, home to relegated Charlton on the last day.
2. Been crowned champions of England an unmatched 18 times, although Manchester United are catching up fast (16 titles).
3. Yet to win the Premier League trophy. Their most recent title was 1989-90, under Kenny Dalglish.
4. One of 10 founder members of the Premier League competing this season.
5. Experiencing the third longest unbroken stint of top flight football of 46 seasons from 1962-63; beaten only by Arsenal (82 seasons) and Everton (54).
6. The only club whose players were not shown one red card in Premier League competition last season.
7. Won their opening HOME fixture in each of the last three Premier League seasons; against Manchester City, Sunderland and West Ham.
8. Manchester United were the only club to leave Anfield with maximum points last season.
9. Not lost in any competition at home since Barcelona defeated them 0-1 on 6 March in the Champions League. Since then they've won five and drawn one at Anfield, of which three wins and one draw were in the Premier League.
CHELSEA


1. Won eight and lost just one of their first 10 league games last season.
2. Won just one league game from a losing position last season, but already doubled that this term, having conceded the opening goal in both their fixtures.
3. Won 11 and drawn five Premier League games since losing 0-2 to Liverpool in last season's corresponding fixture on 20 January.
4. Not beaten in eight away league games. Won six and drawn two on the road, since the reverse at Anfield. One of only three away league defeats last term; the others were at Middlesbrough and Tottenham.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
LIVERPOOL

Steven GERRARD has scored Liverpool's only Premier League goal so far. The only other Reds' player to net is Andriy VORONIN in Champions League qualifying.
Peter CROUCH was Liverpool's leading scorer last season with 18.
Jermaine PENNANT made most appearances for the Reds (51).
If he plays:-
Dirk KUYT will be making his 50th appearance in a Liverpool shirt.

CHELSEA
Chelsea's five goals in the Premier League have been scored by five different players.
If he plays:-
Michael ESSIEN will be making his 100th appearance in a Chelsea shirt.

HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea lost last season's Premier League visit to Liverpool 2-0, but won their three previous trips to Anfield.
Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 58 wins, Chelsea 44, Draws 26Prem: Liverpool 11 wins, Chelsea 14, Draws 5
at Liverpool onlyLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 43 wins, Chelsea 8, Draws 13Prem: Liverpool 10 wins, Chelsea 3, Draws 2

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea 20 January 2007 - Ref: Rob StylesLiverpool scorers: Kuyt 4, Pennant 18

REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

Gerrard passed fit for Liverpool

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has a hairline fracture of his toe but will be fit to face Chelsea on Sunday. However, manager Rafael Benitez said the midfielder is unlikely to be available for England's friendly against Germany on Wednesday.

"I think he'll be available for Sunday, but if we push him for that he will have to rest afterwards," said Benitez.

Gerrard, 27, took a painful crack on his right foot during the Champions League tie with Toulouse.

He was substituted after 61 minutes.
Benitez said: "It's not serious but we have to be careful. It's not a big risk but we can push him and then he needs rest. "He will need an injection but then he can play without pain against Chelsea. "I now have to talk to [England coach] Steve McClaren, but he has to understand playing Steven for England will be a big risk for his future."

Gerrard needs some rest and Benitez should keep risk away from Gerrard. It does not necessary to pick him too fast in the squad. What if he get more serious injury and have to rest for a few months. It will be not worth.

What do you think?

Toulouse 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool beat Toulouse in the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier with a patient and professional performance. Andriy Voronin chested down a ball, turned and rifled in a rising 25-yard shot to put the Reds ahead at the end of a low-key first half.

The closest Toulouse came to a goal was a glancing Johan Elmander near-post shot which was saved by Pepe Reina. But the Reds kept their rivals at arm's length with ease to secure the win. Prior to the game, much was made of Peter Crouch allegedly being unhappy at being left out of the squad for the Premiership opener at Aston Villa last Saturday.

The lanky striker started at the Stade Municipal as one of six Reds changes but found time and space at a premium against the home side. Toulouse defended in numbers as they stayed deep and disciplined with Liverpool probing for an opening.

Both defences were on top in the sweltering heat and a mazy Ryan Babel run - leading to Steven Gerrard wildly slicing a shot high and wide - was the closest to a noteworthy effort early on. The game needed something special to spark some life into it and Voronin provided it with his first competitive goal for the club. He latched on to a Crouch flick-on after 43 minutes and scored with a powerful shot into the top corner.

Toulouse tried to quickly respond only for Achille Emana's acrobatic overhead kick to go narrowly wide. The goal forced Toulouse to become more attack-minded after the break and they started pressing the Reds higher up the pitch as they chased an equaliser. And the home side were finally given some encouragement when Elmander got in ahead of Sami Hyypia at the near post and angled in a shot which was saved by Reina.

But that was as good as it got for the home side as they were comfortably contained by last season's Champions League runners-up. Liverpool even had the luxury of taking off midfielder Gerrard as they took command of the tie ahead of the second leg on Tuesday, 28 August.

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard's dipping free-kick ensured Liverpool secured a narrow win. Liverpool took a first-half lead with a helping hand from Villa through Martin Laursen's own goal after Stuart Taylor pushed away Fernando Torres' shot.

The visitors missed a catalogue of chances and with five minutes left Gareth Barry's penalty pulled Villa level after Jamie Carragher's handball.

But Gerrard had the last word - as he has so often - arcing the ball over the Villa wall into the roof of the net. Carragher's indiscretion had looked like it was going to cost Liverpool two points as the visitors failed to build on their first-half lead. Before scoring, Gerrard had gone close with a couple of shots, while substitute Ryan Babel went also close with two efforts.

If manager Rafael Benitez will be hoping his side become more adept at killing games off, he will have been encouraged by Torres' debut. Of the host of players Benitez splashed out £45m on during the summer only Torres was deemed worthy of a place in Liverpool's starting line-up.

The former Atletico Madrid striker showed some intelligent forward play and struck up a good understanding with Dirk Kuyt.

It was the Dutchman's dummy that allowed Gerrard's pass to run through to Torres in the build-up to the first goal. Taylor managed to get a hand to Torres' shot, but Kuyt was quick to reach the ball before it went out for a corner and his cross was stubbed into the net by the luckless Laursen, who was sustituted at the interval.

While Benitez has spent lavishly, Martin O'Neill has adopted an altogether more frugal approach - so far - to the transfer market and on the evidence of this 90 minutes Villa could do with some fresh blood.

Craig Gardner forced a save from Jose Reina with a rising shot early on, while Carragher also needed to be alert to block an effort from John Carew. Villa rallied at the conclusion of the first-half, Stilian Petrov shooting straight at Reina, while Young should have done better when the Liverpool goalkeeper failed to hold a cross from the left.

After Gardner threw himself at the ball to block a Gerrard shot, the Liverpool captain, who was playing in the centre of midfield, drew a fine save from Taylor following another Liverpool counterattack. With 15 minutes left Ryan Babel made his Liverpool debut, immediately going close when he lashed a shot wide.

Babel's cameo appearance was also impressive, the Dutchman firing in another shot that required Taylor to push the ball away. With five minutes remaining Villa found themselves level when Barry calmly stroked the penalty home after Carragher's handball.

It was unfortunate for Carragher, who had marshalled the Liverpool defence very effectively for the previous 84 minutes. But Villa were to be level only momentarily as Gerrard's brilliance secured Liverpool all three points.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:"We got ourselves back in the game after they took the lead.
"We tried to play strongly against a very fine side, but didn't quite have real self belief. I think I have more belief in the team than they have.
"We're a young side. We're in the throes of building a team, but we don't want to take too long about it."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:"The team deserved to win.
"We were really good. For me there were two or three positive things but due to their keeper we couldn't score."
"Steven Gerrard's winning goal was fantastic. It was the right final score for us."

Aston Villa: Taylor, Gardner, Mellberg, Laursen (Cahill 46), Bouma (Moore 71), Petrov, Reo-Coker, Barry, Agbonlahor, Carew, Young.Subs Not Used: Harewood, Osbourne, Maloney.
Booked: Mellberg, Bouma, Barry, Petrov.
Goals: Barry 85 pen.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Pennant (Babel 74), Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Torres (Voronin 79), Kuyt (Sissoko 90).Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia.
Booked: Pennant, Reina.
Goals: Laursen 31 og, Gerrard 87.

Att: 42,640.
Ref: Mike Riley (England).