League Cup Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

A Steven Gerrard penalty in the first-half was the difference between the two sides at the Etihad Stadium in the Carling Cup clash.Liverpool started off brightly and created the first chance of the game with some fine build up play before Andy Carroll found himself through on go only to be denied by Joe Hart after five minutes.The visitors continued to press and Hart was called into action on two more occasions following efforts from Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing.However the deadlock was broken when Stefan Savic brought down Daniel Agger in the box, before Gerrard stepped up to slot the ball home from the penalty spot on 13 minutes.City looked out of sorts in the first-half but could and should have possibly equalised just before the break when James Milner fired his shot over the bar after some great work from Micah Richards. The home side looked brighter in the second half and could have equalised after Martin Kelly produced a poor back pass straight to Sergio Aguero but Pepe Reina was there to put the Argentina star off and his effort went over the bar.Just before the hour mark a Samir Nasri corner was well connected by the head of Micah Richards but again Reina was equal to it. City enjoyed more of the possession in the final 20 minutes but could not find a goal of their own and Liverpool held on to take a one goal advantage back to Anfield for the semi-final second leg.

Match Report:Liverpool 1 Norwich 1

Liverpool paid the price for a stack of missed chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw by newly-promoted Norwich City at Anfield. Craig Bellamy fired the Reds in front just before the break but they failed to build on that breakthrough in the second half. Substitute Grant Holt headed Norwich level and it could have got even worse for Kenny Dalglish's side. A late flourish almost led to a winner for Liverpool but the ruthless streak the manager had demanded was absent. The Reds will rue the fact they struck the woodwork on three occasions and found former Everton keeper John Ruddy in inspirational form.However, two points were carelessly spurned and Liverpool now find themselves four points adrift of fourth placed Newcastle. It was a hugely frustrating night for Luis Suarez who couldn't capitalise on a host of opportunities and was on the receiving end of some dismal decisions by referee Peter Walton. Dalglish made two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Manchester United. With Lucas Leiva suspended, Bellamy made his first league start since his return to Anfield from Manchester City this summer. There was also a first start of the season for Glen Johnson who replaced Martin Kelly at right-back after recovering from a hamstring injury.Liverpool flew out of the blocks but failed to make their early dominance count. Inside two minutes Martin Skrtel rose to meet Charlie Adam's corner and his header rattled the bar. Suarez then produced a sensational turn in the box but with only Ruddy to beat he blazed wide. In the 11th minute Bellamy raced down the left and picked out Suarez, whose volley was brilliantly turned on to the post by Ruddy. The rebound fell kindly for Downing but he failed to hit the target. Suarez wasted another opportunity soon after as he dragged his shot wide after latching on to Johnson's clever pass. Norwich survived that early onslaught and grew in confidence as the first half wore on. Wes Hoolahan got in behind the Reds' rearguard but fired too close to Pepe Reina who gathered at the second attempt. The Liverpool keeper was called into action again soon after to keep out Steve Morison's header. Frustration levels were growing inside Anfield when the Reds broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Norwich failed to deal with Jose Enrique's long ball forward and Bellamy pounced. The Welshman burst into the box and his shot took a deflection off Marc Tierney before nestling in the corner. It was Bellamy's first league goal for Liverpool at Anfield since the game against Watford in December 2006. Liverpool were inches away from doubling their account six minutes after the interval. Suarez glided past Leon Barnett but his shot struck defender Russell Martin and rebounded back off the post. Norwich boss Paul Lambert brought on striker Holt in a bid to find an equaliser and the substitute made an instant impact on the hour. Anthony Pilkington whipped in a quality cross from the right and Holt rose to power a header past Reina. The Canaries were energised by that strike and could easily have led six minutes later. Holt nodded goalwards but Reina pulled off a fine reaction stop to push the ball away. Dalglish responded by taking off Bellamy and bringing on Jordan Henderson, while Andy Carroll came on for Downing soon after. Suarez continued to pose a threat but he couldn't find a way past the impressive Ruddy who turned a low drive behind. With 10 minutes to go Suarez went down under a challenge from Tierney when he was clean through on goal but to the home fans' disgust Walton waved play on. The Reds continued to press and came agonisingly close to winning the game in stoppage time. Carroll soared to meet Gerrard's cross six yards out but the big frontman inexplicably headed wide. Then in the 95th minute Gerrard turned provider for Suarez whose sweetly struck volley was brilliantly kept out by Ruddy.

Arsenal set for summer Keeper Raid

Arsenal could make a move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the summer as they attempt to land an experienced stopper, according to reports in the Daily Star.The North London club attempted to land their first piece of silverware since 2005, but were beaten 2-1 by Birmingham due to a last minute mix up between defender Laurent Koscielny and keeper Wojciech Szczesny that led to Obafemi Martins scoring the winning goal.Despite the Polish stopper impressing in recent months, Arsenal may be prepared to launch a summer move for Reina who is also being chased by league leaders Manchester United.The Spanish international has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League since arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2005 and last year broke the record of Liverpool legend Ray Clemence as he secured his 100th clean sheet in just his 198th game.The 28-year-old is reportedly interested in securing a move away from Merseyside as he wants to play Champions League football which is once again looking unlikely for Liverpool.

Reina has seen international colleagues Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fernando Torres all depart the club in recent seasons and may now follow the trend at the end of the season.

Should Arsenal make a move for Reina then it is reported that a bid in the region of £20million may be enough to persuade Liverpool to part with the want-away keeper who is believed to be in talks with the Reds over a new deal.

With Reina desperate to once again play in Europe a lot will depend on whether Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to sanction a move for the keeper or stick with the relatively untested Szczesny.

The 20-year-old has impressed since being handed the gloves but his inexperience may convince Wenger to move for Reina as the club attempt to claim that elusive first trophy in nearly six years.

Reina ready to join Manchester United

Pepe Reina has admitted that he would love to leave Liverpool to move to arch-rivals Manchester United.
In a stunning development, the Anfield custodian has refused to rule out a move to take over Edwin van der Sar after this season at Old Trafford, according to reports in the Sun.
When probed about his interest in a move to United on Spanish radio station Onda Cero, Reina admitted: "Yes, well Van der Sar will hang up his gloves in the summer so of course they are looking.
"I can't do anything. I can't say anything logically as I have a contract with Liverpool.
"Of course one likes to fight for titles and be in a team that does that.
"We always fought to be in the Champions League and try to win the title.
"But unfortunately it hasn't been the case in the last couple of years."
The Spaniard admitted he would look for a move away from the club if Liverpool failed to nab a UEFA Champions League place again this season.
Reina said: "I won't lie, I want to play in the Champions League and challenge for titles.
Further reports indicate that Sir Alex Ferguson could pay the £20 million in the Spanish World Cup winner's get-out clause at Anfield in order to secure the goalkeeper.