Lesotho Soccer: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool: Sheikh Mansour witnesses Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez & co crush Mascherano-less Reds in Premier League

Adam Johnson stars in convincing win...

Carlos Tevez

Adam Johnson starred for Manchester City as Roberto Mancini's side beat Liverpool 3-0 at Eastlands to claim their first Premier League win of the season.

Carlos Tevez bagged two goals and Gareth Barry the other after combining with new signing James Milner to open the scoring for the home side.

Liverpool were denied a route back into the game by a Joe Hart double-save as City finished looking convincing victors.

Mancini handed a debut to former Aston Villa star Milner but Mario Balotelli would have to wait for his Premier League bow due to a knee injury. Joleon Lescott returned to the side at left-back but there was no place for World Cup winner David Silva in the City attack.

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The visitors handed Fernando Torres a first start of the season but travelled to Eastlands without Javier Mascherano, whom manager Roy Hodgson suggested had been left in the wrong frame of mind amidst speculation surrounding his future. Lucas Leiva instead partnered Steven Gerrard in central midfield in a positive 4-4-2 formation, with new signing Christian Poulsen on the bench.

City were playing in front of Sheikh Mansour for the first time and the man who has shelled a fortune into the club had to wait just 13 minutes for evidence of a return on his investment as five signings of his regime combined to put Mancini’s side ahead.

Adam Johnson, who had earlier fired just wide with a fizzing effort from 25 yards, played a through ball into Milner in the penalty area, and the club’s latest arrival pulled the ball back for fellow former Aston Villa man Barry, who coolly slotted past Reina for the opener.

The home side did not let up as Tevez latched onto a long ball and flashed a shot into the side netting a minute later and Barry set about doubling his tally, but his long range effort failed to trouble Reina as it flashed well wide of the target.

It was a difficult opening half an hour for Liverpool as they were unable to keep possession for long periods, but David Ngog finally forced a diving save from Joe Hart with a low but tame shot to the England international’s left just over 10 minutes from the interval.

The hosts threatened twice in quick succession as Adam Johnson went closer still with a low drive and a piece of trickery from Tevez almost saw him carve an opening, but Steven Gerrard would have the final two chances of the half, missing the target from distance on both occasions.

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LESOTHO SOCCER; Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Last minute Pepe Reina own goal gifts point to Gunners
Cole and Koscielny see red as points are shared...
By Alex Fisher

A late own goal by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina gifted Arsenal a point in their opening Premier League match of the new campaign at Anfield.

Despite debutant Joe Cole seeing red before the interval, the hosts took the lead at the start of the second-half thanks to a belter from striker David Ngog.

The strike looked to have given new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson the perfect start, but the Gunners kept pushing and were rewarded with a last minute equaliser.

Hodgson named star striker Fernando Torres on the Liverpool bench, opting to start with Ngog upfront, with summer signing Cole making his Red's debut supporting the Frenchman. Milan Jovanovic also made his debut in midfield alongside wantaway Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Following a summer of transfer speculation, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not included in the matchday squad due to illness, while striker Robin van Persie began on the bench. New signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny made their bows for the Gunners and teenage midfield playmaker Jack Wilshere was also included in the starting line-up.

Both teams started the match in a positive manner and as early as the fifth minute Thomas Vermaelen had the first chance, testing Reina with a 30-yard free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper punched to safety.

Liverpool’s first chance of the match arrived shortly after. A long ball from captain Steven Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt on the right wing. The Dutchman played the ball inside to the overlapping Glen Johnson, who’s cross was just behind an unmarked Cole in the six-yard box.

Five minutes later a passing move from Arsenal down their left wing resulted in Samir Nasri playing a neat through ball to Emmanuel Eboue, but the backtracking Gerrard made a crucial last minute challenge to deny the Ivorian midfielder.

The two were involved again a minute later when a tackle by Gerrard on Eboue gave Arsenal a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool area. However, Nasri’s free-kick flew straight into the wall and Vermaelen’s follow-up effort was well wide of Reina’s goal.

Arsenal were beginning to dominate the match with their passing football and just after the half hour mark another move saw Nasri find Gael Clichy, but the French full-back fired a swerving 25-yard shot just over the bar.

The home side were struggling to create any clear opportunities but Jovanovic had a great chance to score on his debut. A long ball from the Liverpool defence was chased down by the Serbian midfielder, but he fired his shot wide from inside the penalty area.

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Liverpool finished the half the stronger and in the final minute, a neat one two between Johnson and Kuyt gave the full-back a sight of goal only for his 20-yard left footed strike to be tipped over the bar by Manuel Almunia. From the resulting Gerrard corner, Ngog saw his header from six-yards cleared off the line by Clichy.

In the very last seconds of the half came the biggest moment of the match as Cole was sent off following a late challenge on Koscielny by the corner flag. Referee Martin Atkinson brandished a straight red card for Cole for the tackle, which saw the Arsenal defender leave the pitch on a stretcher.

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Lesotho Soccer: English Premier League: Liverpool v Arsenal preview

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ARSENE WENGER admits the time has come to deliver more trophies for the Arsenal fans - after fuelling their hunger for success.

The Frenchman turned the Gunners into a major force after his shock appointment in 1996 - winning three titles and four FA Cups.

Wenger also led Arsenal to the 2006 Champions League Final - but defeat by Barcelona in Paris that night signalled the start of a decline.

Arsenal haven't won a trophy for five years and the supporters are beginning to get restless.

Wenger - who yesterday signed a three-year extension to his contract - knows that drought has to end soon.

But he's confident a win at Anfield today in the league opener can set the Gunners up for a shot at the title.

He said: "I'm as motivated as ever - if not more.

"We haven't won anything for a few years and it's vital we get back to lifting trophies.

"I feel an even higher level of responsibility now. The club is in the top eight in Europe and expectations are high.

"You feel more pressure but it's more exciting as well."

The new deal will keep Wenger at the Emirates until 2014 and the 60-year-old looks set to finish his coaching career with the Gunners.

He said: "I can now give my best years to a club that has given me so much."

New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is three years older than Wenger as he sets out on his Anfield adventure.

He's also under pressure to restore the Reds to greatness after a miserable last campaign under Rafa Benitez.

But Hodgson insists the job isn't any more stressful than his first assignment at Swedish club Halmstad.

He said: "I've been feeling pressure for the past 35 years. That is part of the job.

"You could say Halmstad and Liverpool can't be mentioned in the same breath but that's not what I thought when I was just 29.

"I felt a lot of pressure to get results for the team and I feel pressure now."

The target for Liverpool this term is to break back into the top four and Hodgson admits a title push is unrealistic.

He said: "It is pretty obvious we are a long way from where teams like Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are."
source: dailyrecord.co.uk

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Lesotho Soccer: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopeful Fernando Torres can play in Premier League opener against Arsenal

New Reds boss says Spaniard could still feature...
By Matt Monaghan

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is set to lean on his medical staff to unleash star striker Fernando Torres for their Premier League opener against Arsenal.

Torres, 26, handed the Reds' support a boost yesterday as he declared he was set to spurn the advances of Manchester City and Chelsea. Despite committing to the club, the Spain international wasn't expected to feature in the immediate future after he was injured in the World Cup 2010 final.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hodgson gave yet another boost to the fans after he stated Torres could line-up against the Gunners on August 15.

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He said: "He's only been back a few days and needs to do work to make certain he recovers from his holiday of three weeks and injury he picked up towards the end of the World Cup.

"I am still hopeful, come Sunday week when we play the Arsenal it won't be out of the question to use him then. Even though I do realise the sports scientist people are probably going to tell me it'll be too early."

The former Fulham boss also confided that he was always confident his star player would remain at Anfield.

"I've got to say, ever since I took the job, [managing director] Christian Purslow was always confident Fernando would stay. He always told me 'there's nothing to worry about'," Hodgson said.

"It's nice now the speculation can end once and for all. Even better, Fernando has gone out and given an excellent interview yesterday where he's made it absolutely clear how committed he is."

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One man who isn't expected to remain on Merseyside is Javier Mascherano. The Argentina skipper is understood to be eager to reunite with Rafael Benitez at Inter, and Hodgson admits the midfielder could move on.

He said: "I think that will be slightly more difficult if a big offer comes in for him and it's a club he wants to go to. That will be harder, but the good thing for me is, we've not had that offer.

"As a result, I can continue to work with him, deal with him as a Liverpool player and consider him as a Liverpool player.

"I just wait for the day, if the day comes, when an offer comes in and maybe if it was the offer that meets his valuation and he wants to go, I don't know if my powers of persuasion would be much good in that situation."

source: goal.com

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Lesotho Soccer Liverpool: Torres most popular Premier League shirt name

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' surname was the most popular to feature on replica Premier League shirts printed worldwide last season.

It is the second successive season the Spaniard has been top, while Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard was second in the top 10 list compiled by SportingiD.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney moved up one place to third.

Figures are based on the number of official club shirts sold domestically and internationally.

Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Asharvin were fourth and fifth, followed by Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Manchester United's Nani and Dimitar Berbatov both dropped out of the top 10, along with Arsenal's Theo Walcott.

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo had been second in last season's list but unsurprisingly his name does not appear following his world record transfer to Real Madrid last year.

Manchester United striker Michael Owen featured for the first time alongside Drogba, while Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez were top 10 re-entries.

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Top 10 names printed on shirts 2009/10 Season

1. Torres
2. Gerrard
3. Rooney
4. Fabregas
5. Arshavin
6. Lampard
7. Drogba
8. Owen
9. Carragher
10. Tevez

Read more at bbc.co.uk

Fernando Torres Highlight video:

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Lesotho Soccer: Liverpool sign Rangers starlet Wilson

Liverpool sign Rangers starlet Wilson
(AFP)

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson signed highly-rated young Rangers defender Danny Wilson in a deal worth up to five million pounds (7.6 million dollars) on Wednesday.

Hodgson made his first signing since taking charge of Liverpool when he swooped for England midfielder Joe Cole earlier this week and teenage centre-back Wilson became the latest arrival at Anfield just 48 hours later.

Liverpool have been tracking Wilson for several months and the 18-year-old was pulled out of the Scottish champions' pre-season tour of Australia to allow him to complete his move.

Wilson agreed a three-year contract with the English Premier League team and he told Liverpool's website: "It's a great feeling to sign for Liverpool. Wherever you go everyone knows Liverpool FC and I am just very happy to be here.

"This is a massive challenge for me. This is one of the best leagues in the world and I will be playing for one of the biggest teams in the world."

Wilson made his debut in October 2009 and went on to make 25 appearances, which included Champions League action.

The Scotland Under-19 international won both the PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers' young player of the year awards.

Although he has only just started his career, Wilson is confident he can make the grade at Anfield.

"Coming here from Scotland, people may say I might not be ready for this, but that is a challenge I want to put on myself and that's the reason I came here," he said.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to come here as Liverpool are not a team who come in for you every day, so I can't wait to get started.

"There were other clubs interested in me who are in the Champions League, but once Liverpool came in for me there was only one team I wanted to go to."

Rangers had anticipated Wilson's departure towards the end of last season after the centre-back refused a new contract offer.

Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain said: "Danny was entering the final year of his contract with the club and had indicated that he felt it was in his interests to move on.

"Liverpool's offer will see the club receive two million pounds up front with add-ons linked to games played, taking the total value of the deal to five million pounds.

"Given that and the value of the offer from Liverpool, it was deemed appropriate to accept that offer given the player wanted to go."

source: AFP

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Lesotho Soccer News: Liverpool signs England internatinal Joe Cole

Liverpool signs England internatinal Joe Cole

LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Liverpool signed England international Joe Cole on a four-year deal, confirmed the Premier League club on Monday.

The England midfielder has agreed personal terms with the Reds and will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours.

Cole, 28, became a free agent after being released by Premier League champions Chelsea upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June.

The England midfielder arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2003, a 6.6 million pounds signing from West Ham United funded shortly after Roman Abramovich's takeover of the club. He played 282 times for Chelsea, 93 as a substitute.

Earlier this month, Chelsea signed Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool on a three-year contract.

source: news.xinhuanet.com

Lesotho Soccer News Video:

Lesotho Soccer News: Torres may miss start of the season

(CNN) -- English Premier League team Liverpool have been rocked by the news that striker Fernando Torres has suffered a "grade one" groin injury that may force him to miss the start of the new season.

The Spain international picked up the injury after coming off the bench in extra-time during his country's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the World Cup final.

Torres may now miss the start of next season, which includes the opening home match against fierce rivals Arsenal on August 15.

A statement on the Spanish Football Federation's official website confirmed scans have shown the 26-year-old has suffered "a Grade 1 muscle fibre rupture in the left thigh".

But the club are hopeful Torres will not be out for too long with team doctor Peter Brukner expecting him back playing within the next month.

"He had an MRI scan yesterday which confirmed a small tear," Brukner told the club's official website.

"He should be able to resume training within two to three weeks and be able to play again within three to four weeks."

Torres joined Liverpool from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in 2007 for a reported $30.5 million.

He became an instant hit with the fans and has gone on to score 56 goals in 79 games. However, Torres has been plagued by injuries since his move to England.

The World Cup and European Championships winner had to sit out the end of last season after undergoing surgery to help heal a persistent knee injury in time to play in South Africa.

His latest setback is a blow to new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson who has been handed the task of turning around Liverpool's recent fortunes.

The club have yet to win the league title since it changed to the current Premier League format in 1992.

The five-time European champions failed to secure a place in the Champions League last season after finishing seventh and will now have to qualify for the Europa League. Continue reading here...

Here is the game where Fernando Torres injured his hamstring: