Reds in surprise Euro defeat to Fiorentina

Liverpool's hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage have suffered a blow after they slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina.

The Reds went into the clash on the back of a six-match winning streak but rarely looked like extending it as Fiorentina claimed all the three points courtesy of a first-half double from teenage striker Stevan Jovetic.

The Reds were without hamstring injury victim Javier Mascherano, and really missed his composure and passing in midfield, with his replacement Fabio Aurelio struggling to fill the Argentinian's boots.

Rafael Benitez's troops failed to register a single shot on target in a first half which saw young striker Jovetic beat Pepe Reina on 28 and 37 minutes.

The opening goal came when Cristiano Zanetti's throughball found the 19-year-old, who coolly slotted past Reina from 15 yards.

And it was 2-0 to the hosts when Juan Manuel Vargas' fierce cross into the box from the left was deftly turned past the Reds stopper at his near post.

Benitez stirred his misfiring men at the interval, and they created three early second-half chances, with Sebastian Frey saving shots from Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt, and Lucas Leiva steering a free header from a corner inches over the crossbar.

Jamie Carragher whistled a 25-yard drive narrowly wide of the upright on the hour mark, Fernando Torres volleyed high and wide on 76 and Steven Gerrard looped a header just off target in the closing stages.

But the Italians held on for three vital points which means they are now level on points with Liverpool in Group E and three behind leaders Lyon who saw off Debrecen in Hungary.

The Reds will now look to pick themselves up in time for Sunday's crunch match with Chelsea.
Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge hoping to repeat last season's 1-0 success against the Londoners. The Reds brought an end to Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten run on home turf courtesy of Xabi Alonso's deflected strike, but they will have to be at their very best if they are to conjure up another three points against Carlo Ancelotti's men.

Liverpool edge ten-man Bolton

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's late winner earned his side a 3-2 victory at Bolton as they twice came from behind at the Reebok Stadium.

The Reds were made to fight desperately hard by a Bolton side who were down to 10 men for much of the second half.

Liverpool, who lost at home to Aston Villa on Monday, gave new Greek signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos his debut in place of Martin Skrtel, while Spanish winger Albert Riera replaced Yossi Benayoun on the left-flank.

Liverpool's poor defensive marking at set-pieces had been found wanting in recent games, and it proved yet again to be their downfall when Bolton took the lead in the 35th minute. Matt Taylor’s corner kick found Johan Elmander at the far post who headed it down into the six-yard box for Kevin Davies to turn past Jose Reina. There was not a single red shirt anywhere in the six-yard box to challenge Kevin Davies as he booted home.

But Liverpool hit back when right-back Glen Johnson punished a poor clearance from a corner with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Bolton went ahead again two minutes after the re-start. Liverpool failed to clear a right-wing cross, and Kevin Davies flicked the ball across the box for Tamir Cohen to lash the ball home from eight-yards.

The turning point in the game came in the 54th minute when Sean Davis was dismissed for a second caution. Given a numerical advantage, Liverpool made the most of it, and minutes later they were level again when Gerrard's chip into the box was chested on by Dirk Kuyt into Fernando Torres' path for the striker to stab home.

And with less than eight minutes remaining captain Gerrard rifled home Torres' knockdown from Yossi Benayoun's corner to put Liverpool ahead.

Watch all the Liverpool goals here.

While Liverpool still need to improve to challenge for the title, they will be pleased to have secured victory in a game which they could hardly afford to lose. The upcoming one-week international break will provide a much needed opportunity for the team to work on improving their game before the next Premier League game against newcomers Burnley on Sep 12.