RESERVES HELD BY UNITED

canz85

Liverpool Reserves were left to rue a host of missed opportunities as a late goal gave Manchester United a 1-1 draw in front of a packed crowd at the Victoria Stadium.  
Jay Spearing's first-half effort had looked to have given the Reds a deserved victory but a header seven minutes from time by Kieran Lee ensured honours ended even in what was an entertaining Barclays Premier League North fixture.
  
The Reds dominated throughout the contest and could have wrapped up all three points before half-time, but a combination of wasteful finishing and fine goalkeeping from United stopper Ron-Robert Zieler restricted them to a 1-0 interval lead.
  
Ahead of the match Ablett chose to deploy a five-man midfield with both Spearing and Lucas Leiva given licence to join Jordy Brouwer who was operating as a lone striker.
  
It was a decision that seemed to pay dividends as the Reds enjoyed the majority of the possession.
  
After a cagey opening, in which United defender Richard Eckersley was lucky not to be booked for a wild challenge on Jordy Brouwer, Liverpool had the first notable opportunity of the match with Lucas' 25-yard free-kick forcing a smart save out of United keeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
  
It set the tone for the remainder of the half with Spanish defender San Jose missing a gilt-edged chance to give Liverpool the lead on 15 minutes when he guided Ray Putterill's left-wing corner over the bar from four yards out.
  
The visitors continued to play with authority and Sebastian Leto forced a fine save out of Zieler before the hosts came close to making Liverpool pay for their profligacy just after the half hour mark.
  
Michael Barnes powered down the left and his cut back created havoc in the Reds penalty area with three heroic blocks keeping United at bay.
  
It was the wake-up call the visitors needed and within five minutes they took the lead courtesy of a goal made in South America.
  
Leto's cross from the left found the Brazilian Lucas in the box and just as he looked set to be closed down he produced a smart back heel to tee up Spearing who drilled a low effort into the bottom right-hand corner.
  
United began the second period with a more attacking approach but it was Liverpool who once again created the better openings with Ray Putterill forcing a smart save from Zieler on 54 minutes.
  
Brouwer then went close to doubling the Reds lead before United struck with their first real opportunity of the half.
  
A cross from the left by substitute Danny Welbeck was met by Kieran Lee who directed a fine header beyond Charles Itandje, who had been a virtual spectator for much of the match.
  
Both sides then had chances to win it in a frantic finale but although sustitutes Ryan Crowther and Craig Lindfield both went close it was not meant to be for Gary Ablett and his side.
  
Teams: Manchester United Reserves: Zieler, Gray, Eckersley A, Eckersley R, Chester, Lee, Cleverley (Drinkwater 71), Hewson, Dong, Fagan (Welbeck 63), Barnes
  
Liverpool Reserves: Itandje, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Hobbs (captain), Spearing, Lucas, Plessis (Flynn 78), Brouwer (Lindfield 75), Putterill (Crowther 63), Leto
  
Referee: Mr O Langford
  
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Jay Spearing. An all-action display and a great goal.

canz85

Rafael Benitez has admitted the timing of the current international break is a nightmare for his side.  
The Liverpool boss has to wait another week before he can welcome his full squad back to Melwood - and then he will have less than 48 hours to prepare for the Merseyside derby at Goodison.
  
With Benitez admitting his side have suffered a dip in confidence of late, the frustrations of losing the majority of his squad for the best part of a fortnight are magnified.
  
He said: "Is it a nightmare? Yes it is a bit. In the last international break we were top of the league, now we are saying maybe the break is good for us.
  
"But we cannot train with the players, we cannot control what they are doing, we just have to cross our fingers and wait.
  
"It's difficult when you have a lot of players away. You cannot control them, then you have important games and maybe you will have problems.
  
"We cannot do much. The players left behind trained with the reserves and they played head-tennis."

canz85

Liverpoolfc.tv have teamed up with Carlsberg, the Official club sponsor, to give one lucky supporter and a friend the chance to walk the hallowed turf of Anfield.  
You will experience the thrill and tension of taking part in a half time penalty shoot-out in front of the Kop at the match against Arsenal on Sunday 28th October.
  
As part of this exclusive package, the lucky winner will receive a pair of tickets to the match, plus full Liverpool kit courtesy of Carlsberg.
  
To be in with a chance all you have to do is tell us in which year Liverpool first won the league title.

canz85

South American duo Lucas and Sebastian Leto feature for Liverpool Reserves when Gary Ablett's side take on Manchester United at Northwich Vics tonight, at 7pm.  
Ablett also welcomes back captain Jack Hobbs and goalkeeper Charles Itandje to his side after the pair missed last week's 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.
  
The Liverpool team is: Charles Itandje, Stephen Darby, Emiliano Insua, Mikel San Jose, Jack Hobbs, Damien Plessis, Ray Putterill, Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer, Lucas, Sebastian Leto. Subs': Craig Lindfield, Dean Bouzanis, Ryan Flynn, Martin Kelly, Ryan Crowther.
  
In the build-up to the game we'll be hearing from former reserve player John Durnin live in our studios and we'll also catch up with the views of youngster Ray Putterill in an exclusive interview from Melwood.
  
LFC TV is available on SKY channel 448. Virgin channel 544 or via the official website's e-Season Ticket.
  
If you're planning on watching tonight's game online then please note the live streaming will be accessible via the LFC TV link on the console and not via the Live Match Coverage tab.

canz85

Xabi Alonso will be available for Spain's potentially decisive Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden next month after UEFA reduced his three match suspension to two on appeal.  
The decision means Alonso will be unavailable for one more game for his country - against Denmark at the weekend - before his ban comes to an end.
  
The Liverpool midfielder was given a straight red card for a late challenge against Iceland last month.

canz85

Fernando Torres has spoken of his delight after being named among the contenders for FIFA's World Player of the Year award.  
The Reds' striker has been named in a 30-strong list, with the overall winner being announced in Zurich on December 17.
  
Torres is currently away training with the Spanish national side ahead of their Euro 2008 qualifier in Denmark at the weekend
  
"I feel flattered at being nominated for the FIFA World Player," he told his official website. "It is a proud moment for me, and an incentive to keep on working hard.
  
"Though now the most important thing is to concentrate on winning Saturday’s match away to Denmark, as a victory will move us one step closer to Euro 2008."