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On Wednesday evening, the postponed second round match took place. In front of all their fans at Anfield stadium, Liverpool fought against Newcastle. The "Reds" celebrated victory with a score of 2-0 and secured their second win in this competition.
2 - 0 28‘ [1 – 0] Dirk Kuyt 78‘ [2 – 0] Xabi Alonso
The hosts started the game a bit more actively, but failed to score a quick goal. The first dangerous moment was recorded in the 9th minute at the "Reds" goal, when "Magpies" team captain Scott Parker shot from about 18 meters, but Pepe Reina caught the ball.
After three minutes, the hosts could have beaten Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper, who replaced the injured Shay Given. Craig Bellamy received a ball from his teammate deep on the field and went one-on-one against S. Harper, but his shot was not convincing enough to beat the "Magpies" goalkeeper. In the 18th minute, Liverpool defender Momo Sissoko tried his luck from distance, but his shot towards the far corner was slightly off target.
In the 20th minute, the first goal of the match could have been scored. Defender Fabio Aurelio made a great chance for the Dutchman Dirk Kuyt, but S. Harper reacted perfectly to his header. Just two minutes later, F. Aurelio stepped up to take a free-kick, but he hit the wall, and Luis Garcia followed up the rebound, only to be denied by the "Magpies" goalkeeper once again.
In the 27th minute, the visitors couldn't withstand the pressure. Damien Duff struck a powerful shot from 27 meters, but danger was neutralized by P. Reina. "You don't score, I score" - this golden rule was proved by forward Dirk Kuyt to Newcastle team. In the 28th minute, right-back Steve Finnan made a breakthrough and provided a perfect pass to D. Kuyt, who this time didn't hesitate against S. Harper and sent the ball into the net from just a few meters away.
After the goal, the hosts were a bit shaken, but didn't give up the initiative to Newcastle. Ending the first half, James Milner passed the ball to his teammate Obafemi Martins, but his shot went wide. The first half ended with a score of 1-0.
In the second half, Liverpool pressed their opponents again. D. Kuyt tried a long shot again, but this time the ball didn't find the net. In the 51st minute, danger loomed near P. Reina's goal. Emre sent a corner towards the far post, where Peter Ramage from 3 meters couldn't get the ball into the net. O. Martins had another chance, but once again the ball flew past the post.
Liverpool didn't allow the opponents to gain momentum and Luis Garcia's shot from 16 meters missed the target. In the 64th minute, the Spaniard once again troubled Newcastle goalkeeper S. Harper, but this time the goalkeeper dealt with his shot easily. Two minutes later, "Magpies" had a real chance. B. Emre found Craig Moore's leg after a corner, but his shot was not strong enough and P. Reina caught the ball.
Minutes later, C. Bellamy attempted a long shot that went over the crossbar. This was followed by two dangerous attacks from L. Garcia and D. Kuyt - both were not goals, as the ball flew past the post in both cases. In the 72nd minute, L. Garcia's shot from 16 meters tested the strength of Newcastle's goal - the ball hit the post. And after six minutes, the second goal arrived - defender Xabi Alonso scored an impressive goal from his own half, sending the ball into the net from about 50 meters away.
Newcastle captain S. Parker tried to change the situation, but his shot towards the far corner was slightly off target. In the 83rd minute, Newcastle's newcomer Antoine Sibierski missed a great opportunity after receiving a pass from Charles N'Zogbia, failing to score from 3 meters.
In the last chance to at least soften the result in this match, P. Ramage's shot found only the hands of Liverpool goalkeeper P. Reina. The referee's final whistle declared Liverpool's second victory, as Rafa Benitez's team redeemed themselves in front of the fans after a harsh defeat against eternal rival Everton and a loss in a tough battle against the champion Chelsea.
