The most successful English team is still searching for answers to rejuvenate their side as Liverpool FC gave away a first half lead to eventually lose to Udinese 3-2 at home despite dominating the entire game. The Reds went into the match with star striker Luiz Suarez and Captain Steven Gerrard on the bench along with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel. Udinese had the first real chance of the match when the ball was headed on target from a set piece, but Pepe Reina produced a brilliant save after having a terrible time in between the sticks so far this season. Liverpool broke the deadlock halfway through the first half when Jonjo Shelvey played a one-two with Downing, who gave a brilliant cross off his weak foot to Shelvey – who headed it in. Udinese leveled the score within seconds after the second half started by a brilliant passage of play which was finished off by Di Natale. The Reds then went behind when Sebastian Coates headed an own goal in the 70th minute of the match. Udinese made it 3-1 within 2 minutes when Liverpool was caught out on the counter attack. Luis Suarez pulled one back with a brilliant free kick in the 75th minute for the home side. Liverpool applied plenty of pressure in the remaining minutes and came close to scoring more than once, but an alert defense and some good goal keeping ensured that Udinese went back home with 3 valuable points in their bag.

UEFA Europa League round-up

It was a success story at St. James Park for Newcastle United as they won 3-0 against Bordeaux, with goals from Ameobi, Henrique and Cisse. The toons had drawn their opening fixture in the competition and now have 4 points from 2 matches. It was altogether another story for Tottenham Hotspur who drew their second game in the competition. Spurs took the lead in the first half thanks to Michael Dawson. Panthinaikos failed to produce much goal scoring opportunities and scored of their first real chance to pull back a point. Hugo Lloris played for the Spurs once again.

In the other big fixtures of the tournament Inter Milan won 3-1 in an away match against Neftchi Baku to sit atop the table in Group H. French Giants Lyon won 4-3 in another away match and now have two wins in two matches and sit at the top of Group I, whereas last year’s Europa League finalists Athletico Bilbao lost 3-1 to Sparta Prague and is at rock bottom of the same group. In a Group K match German giants Bayer Leverkusen defeated Rosenborg BK.

It was a bad day for another Italian team as PSV crushed Napoli 3-0 in group F. Current champions Atletico Madrid won thanks to a late goal by Rodriguez, they too sit at the top of their table. Big Russian spenders Anzhi Makhachkala won their first game in the league courtesy to a brace by the one and the only Samuel Eto’o against the Young Boys.  Two teams who failed to qualify for the CL after losing the final playoff round battled it out in Germany as  Borussia Monchengladbach lost 2-4 against Fenerbahce at home. Baroni scored a brace and Ex Liverpool boys Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles were also on the score card for the Turkish side.  The third round of matches will be played on the 25th of October and will give a better indication on who will go through and who will lose out.

Tags: Bordeaux, Europa League, Football, Inter Milan, Liverpool FC, Neftchi Baku, Newcastle United, Udinese, UEFA Europa League