Liverpool – Aston Villa

1. Join us for a commentary on ESPN UK's live game: Liverpool against Aston Villa, at Anfield.

2. The teams are in at Anfield and Liverpool play Martin Skrtel in defence despite the Slovakian suffering from a fractured jaw. Villa also take a risk with Curtis Davies who plays with his shoulder strapped up.

3. Here are the full teams: Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Riera, Babel, Kelly, Dossena, Ayala. Aston Villa: Friedel, Beye, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Albrighton, Delfouneso, Delph, Heskey, Gardner, Lowry.

4. After premature talk of a crisis at Anfield following an opening day defeat to Spurs, Liverpool approach tonight's game in good heart thanks to a 4-0 win over Stoke in their last outing. Steven Gerrard is certainly one to watch - he has scored 10 goals against Villa in his career, more than any other opponent.

5. Villa are in real need of a positive performance given they have lost their first two games of the season - to Wigan and Rapid Vienna - without scoring a goal. Martin O'Neill must be fearing a repeat tonight.

6. Any Liverpool fans hoping to catch a glimpse of new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos will be disappointed tonight as he has not made the squad, with Rafa Benitez clearly concerned over a lack of match fitness for the Greece international.

7. The statistics do not make pretty reading for Villa fans: the club have won only twice in 41 visits to Anfield and are without a win in their last 16 meetings with Liverpool both home and away.

8. It really is a case of the walking wounded tonight as Jamie Carragher is sporting a bandage, Fernando Torres has a black eye and stitches, while Skrtel has his damaged jaw. There was a training ground scrap at Chelsea this week, which you may have read about, but did it all kick off at Melwood too?

9. We are seconds away from kick-off now...

10. 1'

    KICK OFF Aston Villa get us underway at Anfield.

11. 1'

    A superb early chance for Liverpool as Fernando Torres dinks a clever ball over the top of the defence for Yossi Benayoun, who flicks the ball narrowly wide with his head. Brad Friedel came out in an attempt to catch but was completely stranded.

12. 2'

    Carlos Cuellar is penalised for a foul on Steven Gerrard, but there appeared to be little contact. Friedel produces a good punch to clear from the set-piece though.

13. 3'

    Aston Villa's first foray forward ends in disappointment as Jose Reina claims a loose ball.

14. 4'

    Villa have settled down a bit following that shaky opening minute but Liverpool look up for this, closing down at every given opportunity.

15. 4'

    Jamie Carragher tries to slip in Dirk Kuyt with a sliding pass but his effort is cut out. Kuyt, incidentally, makes his 150th Liverpool appearance tonight. Congratulations, Dirk!

16. 7'

    Cuellar clatters into Torres and the Spaniard clutches his head in pain, having already had stitches following an incident in the 4-0 defeat of Stoke in midweek.

17. 8'

    Villa win the first corner of the game but Torres heads clear from Shorey's delivery. The ball appears again at the feet of the Villa defender and his second delivery is met by Curtis Davies who heads straight at Pepe Reina.

18. 9'

    Javier Mascherano is not known for his shooting ability and so it comes as no surprise to see his 30-yard shot blocked by Stiliyan Petrov.

19. 10'

    Chaos in the Villa box! Torres, Benayoun and Gerrard all fail to convert and when the ball finally falls to the Liverpool skipper again, his close-range effort is deflected over by Friedel. How did he not score that??

20. 11'

    Reina clasps a cross from the right and quickly turns defence into attack as he launches the ball forward. There is no break on but Ashley Young still pulls down Dirk Kuyt, earning a booking in the process.

21. 13'

    Yossi Benayoun produces a header but fails to trouble Friedel, with the ball instead skewing out wide to Carragher who fires a shot over the bar from a tight angle.

22. 14'

    Liverpool are working the ball around nicely in the final third and Torres lays a pass back to Gerrard who hits a wicked, bending first-time shot that flies about a foot over the bar.

23. 14'

    It does seem somewhat bizarre that Martin O'Neill has left out Emile Heskey tonight, with the usual targetman sat on the bench against his former side. Instead, Villa have opted for pace with Milner and Young supporting Agbonlahor from wide positions.

24. 16'

    Javier Mascherano apologises to Agbonlahor after sliding in and treading on the top of the Villa forward's foot. That was metatarsal territory but he appears to be fine, a few winces aside.

25. 16'

    Fernando Torres takes a touch too many on the ball and is robbed by Curtis Davies. As Villa try to break, Lucas Leiva is pulled up for a foul but escapes a booking.

26. 19'

    An excellent sliding tackle from Martin Skrtel hals a run forward from James Milner on the right win. It must be said, the defender does not look inhibited by his jaw injury so far.

27. 20'

    Nigel Reo-Coker carries the ball forward for Villa and the pitch seems to open up for the midfielder. He spreads the ball wide to Ashley Young but the winger is robbed of possession by England colleague Glen Johnson who makes an important interception.

28. 22'

    With Xabi Alonso since departed, it is likely to be a defining season for Yossi Benayoun as he offers some rare creativity in Liverpool's midfield. The Israeli embarks on one swerving run but fails to find Torres with his pass.

29. 24'

    Rafa Benitez is not amused on the touchline after Habib Beye leaps, leading with his arm, and connects with the already-bruised head of Torres. The Spaniard was recently told by his manager to avoid reacting to provocation, and he has done an okay job in that regard so far tonight.

30. 24'

    Fabio Capello is attending the game tonight but none of the English players on show have really stood out so far.

31. 27'

    Sotirios Kyrgiakos has also been pictured in the stands. If Carragher and Skrtel stay fit from now on, that may become his usual place of residence.

32. 29'

    That goalmouth scramble and Benayoun's early chance aside, Liverpool have not looked overly impressive. The good news for Reds fans is that Villa are likewise uninspired.

33. 30'

    Gerrard attempts to find Lucas with an outrageous backheel but the pass is cut out. Those two are not quite on the same wavelength tonight, but perhaps that could come as no surprise given the gulf in quality between them.

34. 31'

    Torres is caught in the face once more by Sidwell. It looks as though Villa are determined to finish the job that Stoke started and ruin those boyish good looks!

35. 34'

    GOAL!

36. 34'

    It is a fluke goal for Villa as Young swings in a free-kick, only to see the luckless Lucas head the ball against Milner's hand and into the back of the net. It was truly bizarre, but the visiting fans do not care one bit, and why should they? That is Villa's first goal of the season after all.

37. 37'

    Glen Johnson dirves forward in plays in Torres with a neat pass. The striker takes a touch and fires in a vicious shot that Friedel parries away. That was Liverpool's best moment for a good 25 minutes.

38. 39'

    Nigel Reo-Coker drags a shot wide from 20 yards as pace of the pace begins to pick up.

39. 39'

    Pepe Reina gets a hugely-undeserved round of applause for merely passing the ball square to Johnson. Not a demanding lot this Anfield crowd tonight.

40. 41'

    Mascherano is absolutely furious when penalised for a foul and Ashley Young lines up a set-piece again from 25 yards. But it is Milner who takes the shot and he only succeeds in smacking the wall.

41. 43'

    Liverpool only lost two league games all last season, could they lose two of their opening three this time around? They look a bit nervy at the back at the moment.

42. 44'

    Gerrard produces a fine dummy to gift the ball to Benayoun but the Israeli is dispossessed and the danger passes.

43. 45'

    Jamie Carragher looks intent on injecting some impetus into his side and produces a thumping tackle on the right wing. Liverpool just don't have a spark about them tonight though.

44. 45'

    We will have one minute of added time at Anfield.

45. 46'

    Villa are hoping to finish the half the stronger and Steve Sidwell has a shot deflected behind for a corner. Reina kicks the ball away and rightly earns a booking for his petulance.

46. 46'

    GOAL!

47. 47'

    We are over the alloted minute of injury time but Curtis Davies beats Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres to meet a corner at the near post and divert his header past Reina.

48. 47'

    HALF-TIME. The boos and whistles ring out around Anfield and Rafa Benitez is not at all happy at how late that goal came. It was always a minimum of one minute of injury time though, so he should have no grounds for complaint.

49. 45'

    Well, what a scoreline we have on our hands here. Liverpool need to dig very deep and produce a superb performance in the second half. Rafa can only image what those headlines will read in the morning if they lose two of their first three games. Crisis time again??

50. 45'

    This has not been a good performance from Liverpool at all. Gerrard should have scored from close range and Torres has had a couple of sniffs at goal, but aside from that they have created little. Villa don't really deserve to be 2-0 up though, to be honest.

51. 45'

    It seems ridiculously early to say this, but this could be a defining moment in Liverpool's season. If they produce a tremendous fightback and win, then their spirit will be sky high. Lose, and their confidence could be shot.

52. 46'

    KICK-OFF. We will soon see which of those scenarios occur as the game gets back underway...

53. 47'

    A huge chance for Liverpool! Great footwork from Glen Johnson as he flicks the ball to Gerrard and Friedel pulls off an excellent stop to deny the Reds skipper.

54. 47'

    Javier Mascherano also tested Friedel from long range in the aftermath of the Gerrard chance and Liverpool have started the half with real purpose, as they had to.

55. 51'

    Well Villa have somewhat weathered that early storm, but can they withstand a whole 45 minutes of wave after wave of home attacks? Liverpool will hope not, but the Reds need to tighten up at the back too.

56. 52'

    Steven Gerrard delivers a dangerous cross from the left but as the ball dips, no Liverpool player can get a touch on it and Friedel collects.

57. 53'

    Habib Beye is forced into making an emergency headed clearance as Liverpool pour forward again.

58. 54'

    Dirk Kuyt turns a mishit Mascherano shot into the path of Torres and Friedel flaps at the Spaniard's cross. There is a real sense of urgency inside Anfield as the crowd try to inspire the home side.

59. 55'

    Now Carlos Cuellar is called upon to head clear from a Gerrard free-kick. Villa have survived the opening ten minutes of the half and still have that two-goal lead intact. The tension is palpable.

60. 56'

    Still the aerial bombardment continues as Gerrard whips in another free-kick, Friedel punching clear despite the close attentions of Kuyt. When the subsequent corner comes in, Villa clear again.

61. 57'

    Nigel Reo-Coker follows Reina into the book for kicking the ball away, a silly reaction.

62. 58'

    Yet another set-piece delivery from Gerrard tees up Kuyt who sees his firm header tipped over the bar by Friedel.

63. 58'

    Another corner for Liverpool and Carragher flicks on Gerrard's delivery, with Kuyt's diving header bouncing clear via a combination of post and player!

64. 59'

    Villa attempt to hit Liverpool on the break and, in a rare attack, Reo-Coker only narrowly fails to get on the end of a good cross from Agbonlahor. This is breathless stuff, surely the two sides cannot maintain this pace across the duration of the half.

65. 60'

    Now Kuyt finds the side netting when getting on the end of a crossfield pass that was just too deep for the Dutchman. We have a brief pause to gain breath before Liverpool win possession once more.

66. 62'

    Liverpool have not lost at home in the Premier League for 31 games but they are now just half an hour away from doing precisely that. Benitez has to coax something out of his side, and fairly soon.

67. 64'

    Nigel Reo-Coker absloutely storms forward and almost collects the ball in the box before the extended leg of Martin Skrtel takes it away from him. Livepool are certainly leaving themselves open to be exploited on the break here, but that is the nature of the situation they find themselves in.

68. 65'

    Penalty shout for Liverpool! Fernando Torres throws himself to the ground under minimal contact from Davies and is rightly denied by the referee.

69. 66'

    Liverpool make a change as Andriy Voronin replaces Lucas. That should give the Reds a touch more firepower, but only a touch.

70. 69'

    Jamie Carragher looks to have pulled up but on closer inspection it appears to be a problem with his boot. That will be a relief for Liverpool.

71. 69'

    If Liverpool are to rescue something from this game they may need Gerrard to continue his fine run against Villa and, on cue, the captain unleashes a vicious effort from 25 yards that Friedel gets a hand to, just pushing the ball to safety.

72. 71'

    Martin O'Neill looks unhappy on the touchline following an off-the-ball incident between Mascherano and Milner but replays show there was little in it as the Liverpool midfielder bumped into his opponent.

73. 72'

    GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL!

74. 72'

    Fernando Torres gives Anfield real hope of a remarkable comeback as he converts with a close-range volley into the roof of the net. Kuyt deserves great credit for a clever dummy in the build-up, allowing Emiliano Insua to cross for the Spanish striker.

75. 74'

    PENALTY FOR ASTON VILLA!

76. 74'

    Steven Gerrard felled Reo-Coker with a poor, poor challenge and Young steps up.

77. 75'

    GOAL FOR ASTON VILLA!

78. 75'

    Liverpool's comeback is brutally halted in its tracks as Young produces a confident spot-kick, sending penalty specialist Reina the wrong way to make it 3-1.

79. 76'

    Rafa Benitez responds by throwing on Ryan Babel for Benayoun but it could be too little, too late for Liverpool now after that damaging setback. It really was a messy challenge from Gerrard, and you wouldn't really have expected Reo-Coker to score from that position.

80. 76'

    Gerrard has ten career goals against Villa but that was not an intervention that the Reds skipper will remember fondly.

81. 77'

    Ashley Young hobbles off following a clumsy challenge from Carragher and Benitez is complaining about perceived timewasting on the touchlines. Meanwhile, Torres is booked for talking back to the referee.

82. 78'

    Stiliyan Petrov is caught on the arm by a drive from Gerrard and the Bulgarian is hurt. He soldiers on though, what a trooper.

83. 80'

    Dirk Kuyt dinks the ball through the legs of Carlos Cuellar and is knocked to the floor when Habib Beye comes across to defend. It was never a penalty though.

84. 80'

    Martin O'Neill brings on former Liverpool stiker Emile Heskey for Ashley Young, who is forced off as a result of that tackle from Carragher.

85. 81'

    Friedel pulls off a fine reflex save from close range. It is the American's 192nd consecutive Premier League game tonight, by the way.

86. 82'

    Dirk Kuyt throws his right leg at a deep cross and only succeeds in diverting the ball back across goal and wide. Time is running out for Liverpool now.

87. 84'

    Ryan Babel attempts an optimistic shot from 25 yards that rolls well wide of the post. It is desperation time for the Reds now.

88. 84'

    Ryan Babel taps the ball into an empty net but play had already been called back after Jamie Carragher strayed offside.

89. 86'

    James Milner helps to break up a Liverpool attack, another excellent piece of work from a player who has really impressed tonight.

90. 87'

    We have three minutes of normal time left and you really have to think that is it now. Saying that, Tottenham did come from 4-1 down late on against Villa a couple of years ago, didn't they?

91. 88'

    Martin Skrtel goes into the book.

92. 89'

    Gerrard plays in Mascherano down the right and the Argentina midfielder fires in a cross that Torres heads at Friedel. Liverpool win a corner but the striker should have done better than that.

93. 90'

    Brad Friedel produces another fine save to deny Glen Johnson from range before Babel shoots wide again. Liverpool have had 21 shots to Villa's 7, but stand to lose this game by two goals.

94. 90'

    We will have four minutes of injury time at Anfield.

95. 90'

    Skrtel shapes to shoot from 25 yards but lays the ball off. Johnson takes possession on the right wing and Liverpool win a corner that Heskey clears.

96. 92'

    Voronin finds Torres in the box but Cuellar blocks the Spaniard's effort as he attempts to beat Friedel. Just two minutes left for Villa to record an impressive victory.

97. 93'

    A very calm piece of work from Reina as he returns a pass to Carrager under considerable pressure from Agbonlahor, but you don't get any points for artistic impression. Goals are the only currency that count and Liverpool are very much in debt tonight.

98. 94'

    The fans are streaming out of Anfield now, just seconds to go...

99. 95'

    FULL-TIME Liverpool suffer a second defeat in their opening three games after Villa grab a 3-1 win at Anfield. The Reds went behind to an own goal from Lucas and a header from Curtis Davies on the stroke of half-time. Fernando Torres netted a reply but, just minutes later, Steven Gerrard conceded a penalty that Ashley Young duly converted.

100. 95'

     So Liverpool's 31-game unbeaten home record comes to an end, and questions will be asked of their title credentials after tonight. Villa, meanwhile, record their first victory of the season.

101. 95'

     We leave you with a neat little statistic: this is the first time that Liverpool have lost a Premier League game in which Fernando Torres has scored. Their previous record? Won 23, drawn 5.

102. 95'

     Thanks very much for following the game with us tonight, but stay on the site for a full match report and all the post-match reaction as it arrives.

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