The Liverpool Offside - Liverpool's September InternationalsZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2013-09-11T00:58:03+01:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/44650412013-09-11T00:58:03+01:002013-09-11T00:58:03+01:00Internationals Recap: Uruguay Overcome Colombia
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths</figcaption>
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<p>After a poor first half, Uruguay came out firing in the second to stun a Colombia side that seemed increasingly content to play out the draw and in the process keeping Uruguay's qualification hopes very much alive.</p> <blockquote>
<b>Uruguay 2 </b>Cavani 77', Stuani 81'<br><b>Colombia 0</b>
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<p align="justify">After struggling mightily over the past two years to rediscover the kind of form that made them darlings of the 2010 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> and 2011 Copa America, it was perhaps unsurprising Uruguay continued to struggle in the first half against Colombia. Despite that Uruguay were playing at home, it was the visitors who quickly set up shop in the attacking third, forcing the hosts to play on the counter. And even then, Uruguay's passing often lacked sharpness and usually it usually ended with the ball handed straight back to Colombia whenever the hosts managed to break.<br><br>The first really good chance of the game didn't arrive until after the 25th minute, when a quickly taken free kick sent Falcao down the channel. The Uruguayan defence recovered in time to keep the Colombian on the outside but were still lucky to to see the star striker's blast towards the near side skim just wide of the post. <span>Luis Suarez</span> had his own chance to make an impact five minutes later when <span>Mario Yepes</span> badly mistimed an interception attempt and allowed Suarez on goal, but a half dozen step-overs and cut-backs later Suarez was tripping over his own feet as the attack fell apart.<br><br>Oscar Tabarez brought on <span>Walter Gargano</span> and Christian Stuani for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110951/nicolas-lodeiro">Nicolas Lodeiro</a> and Alvaro Gonzalez to start the second half, and whether it was the new arrivals or something the manager had said during the break, the hosts appeared far more determined. Immediately off the restart, Uruguay drove down the pitch, seeking to pin Colombia deep. It nearly paid off when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/142928/edinson-cavani">Edinson Cavani</a> controlled a difficult pass, turned, and fired a hard shot off the crossbar. Just past the 60th minute, Cavani knocked down for Suarez on the edge of the area and Suarez blasted just wide.<br><br>If not quite Uruguay at their best, it was at least something far closer to what was on display at their peak under Tabarez in 2010 and 2011. It finally paid off in the 77th minute when Cavani redirected an early cross past a diving David Ospina. Colombia had increasingly sat back, content to see out the draw and take the point that would have confirmed their place in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/brazil">Brazil</a>. Following the goal, and with the home crowd firmly behind them, Uruguay forced their advantage—and with Colombia back on their heels, Christian Stuani made it 2-0 in the 81st minute.<br><br>Making things even better for Uruguay was news that Ecuador dropped points to Bolivia earlier in the day, leaving the two countries level in fourth and setting up a massive match on October 11th when Ecuador host Uruguay in a game that could decide who finishes fourth.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p align="justify">To take a look back at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/denmark">Denmark</a> and Daniel Agger's crucial victory over Armenia early on Tuesday, <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/10/4715232/match-recap-armenia-0-denmark-1">go here</a>. A recap of the evening's action involving <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/slovakia">Slovakia</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/10/4715236/match-recap-ukraine-0-england-0-slovakia-out-of-world-cup">can be found here</a>.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/11/4715242/match-recap-uruguay-2-colombia-0-world-cup-2014-qualificationNoel Chomyn2013-09-10T21:38:13+01:002013-09-10T21:38:13+01:00Internationals Recap: England Hold on to a Point
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<figcaption>Clive Rose</figcaption>
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<p>Looking at Tuesday's two late UEFA qualifying matches with Liverpool players involved sees Martin Skrtel and Slovakia officially out of World Cup contention while England were happy to hold onto first in Group H by salvaging a point against Ukraine.</p> <blockquote>
<b>Slovakia 1</b> Hamsik 42' <br><b>Bosnia and Herzegovina 2</b> Bicakcic 69', Hajrovic 78'</blockquote>
<p align="justify">In a rematch of Friday's 1-0 Slovak win that kept <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> hopes alive, Bosnia-Herzegovina visited Zilina looking to turn the tables. Another win for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel">Martin Skrtel</a> and Slovakia would put them within touching distance of first in the group; a loss could end their hopes of finishing better than third. And in the end, it was a disappointing day for the Slovaks, as Marek Hamsik's goal just before the end of the first half wouldn't be enough to stop a second half push by Bosnia-Herzegovina.</p>
<p align="justify">Fullback Ermin Bicakcic levelled the scores with 20 minutes left, and then substitute Izek Hajrovic put the game away for Bosnia-Herzegovina, who now can finish no worse than second in the group. Meanwhile, Greece beat Latvia 1-0, meaning Slovakia are seven points behind the top two countries in the group with only two games remaining and as a result are officially out of contention to make it to the 2014 World Cup.</p>
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<b>Ukraine 0</b> <br><b>England 0</b>
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<p align="justify">England and Ukraine set a frantic pace for Tuesday's potentially decisive Group H match early on when, within the opening minute, Ukraine striker Roman Zozulya touched the ball away from <span>Joe Hart</span> as the keeper dove for it. There was contact, and it could easily have seen Ukraine handed a penalty opportunity, but the referee wasn't interested. Minutes later, Theo Walcott drove at the Ukraine goal and nearly managed the opening goal, and things barely let up the rest of the first half.</p>
<p align="justify">England had a handful of corners they came close to converting while Ukraine dominated from open play, driving wide to exploit England's fullbacks, with <span>Kyle Walker</span> on England's right a particularly favoured target for Yevhen Konoplyanka. Meanwhile, the midfield trio of <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> along with an injury-hampered <span>Jack Wilshere</span> conceded the centre of the pitch to Ukraine far too easily, turning the ball over to Ukraine quickly whenever England managed a spell of possession.</p>
<p align="justify">In the second half it was mostly more of the same, with Ukraine bullying England from open play and Roy Hodgson's side relying on <span>Theo Walcott's</span> pace to offer occasional relief and the odd moment of attacking threat. Starting with a poor Kyle Walker challenge inches outside England's area soon after the 70th minute, the final 20 minutes were spent almost wholly in the England end as Ukraine pushed for the goal that would leapfrog them past England in Group H.</p>
<p align="justify">That goal never came for Ukraine, and England were content to escape with a point that keeps Ukraine third and puts them one up on Montenegro with the two sides set to meet on October 11th.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p align="justify">For a look back at Denmark's important victory over Armenia earlier in the day, <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/10/4715232/match-recap-armenia-0-denmark-1">go here</a>. And with UEFA action concluded, those looking to keep an eye on <span>Luis Suarez</span> and Uruguay can join the conversation in today's <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/10/4715012/match-coverage-ukraine-vs-england-group-h-world-cup-qualification">Internationals Matchday</a>.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/10/4715236/match-recap-ukraine-0-england-0-slovakia-out-of-world-cupNoel Chomyn2013-09-10T18:52:31+01:002013-09-10T18:52:31+01:00Internationals Recap: Denmark Escape With Victory
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<figcaption>Ian Walton</figcaption>
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<p>The first UEFA qualifying match of the day with a Liverpool connection is in the books as Daniel Agger and Denmark eked out a 1-0 win over Armenia that keeps their World Cup qualification hopes alive.</p> <blockquote>
<b>Armenia 0</b> <br><b>Denmark 1</b> Agger (pen) 73'</blockquote>
<p align="justify">Denmark started on the front foot against Armenia, holding possession and pushing the hosts back with an unusually adventurous team selection from Morten Olsen on a night they needed a result to keep their <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> hopes alive. Young winger Martin Braithwaite continued to establish himself as the name to watch whenever Denmark entered the final third, while in defence it was another strong showing at the international level for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger">Daniel Agger</a>, who impressed along with 21-year-old left back Nicolai Boilesen.</p>
<p align="justify"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> summer target Henrik Mkhitaryan and the rest of Armenia's midfield struggled to keep up with the energised Danes, but despite dominating possession and having far more scoring chances than Armenia, Denmark failed to take the lead their play deserved. Inevitably, Armenia began to grow into the match late in the first half, and for much of the second the two countries traded periods where one then the other would look most likely to break the deadlock.</p>
<p align="justify">Armenia had the best chance of the match 65 minutes in when a scrambled corner ricocheted around the box before bouncing up and off the crossbar, setting the stage for a sustained spell of dominance for the hosts. Then, Varazdat Haroyan gifted Denmark the game with a wild, reckless two-footed lunge in the box that handed the Danes a penalty and Haroyan his second yellow on the night. Daniel Agger calmly converted from the spot and, down to ten men and despite a dangerous late free kick, Armenia were done.</p>
<p align="justify">With the Czechs facing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/italy">Italy</a> later in the day and the Bulgarians facing off with trailers Malta, the win puts Denmark into second for at least a few hours and guarantees they will end the round no worse than a point off the pace as the Czechs, Bulgarians, Danes, and Armenians all fight to finish second to Italy with two games remaining. Denmark host Italy and Malta in their remaining two matches and will likely need at least four points if they hope to advance.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p align="justify">Get in on the conversation and follow all the action when today's important Group H match between Ukraine and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a> kicks off by joining us in today's <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/10/4715012/match-coverage-ukraine-vs-england-group-h-world-cup-qualification">Internationals Matchday</a>.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/10/4715232/match-recap-armenia-0-denmark-1Noel Chomyn2013-09-10T16:15:01+01:002013-09-10T16:15:01+01:00Internationals Matchday: England, Denmark, Marbles
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<figcaption>Dean Mouhtaropoulos</figcaption>
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<p>Join us on the Liverpool Offside as we keep track of all Liverpool's players involved in World Cup qualification today, with big games for England and Denmark the main attraction.</p> <p align="justify">Wales are out, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/belgium">Belgium</a> have the day off, and with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/denmark">Denmark</a> getting an early kickoff for their trip to face Armenia, Liverpool fans get an intriguing double header with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England's</a> potentially decisive Group H match against Ukraine following. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">Join the conversation</a> on the Liverpool Offside and let us know what you think of the day's various goings on with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a> 2014 qualification nearly over.<br><br>Full previews for all today's matches that have Liverpool players involved in them <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/9/4711002/liverpool-september-internationals-ukraine-vs-england-denmark-must-win/in/4465041">can be found here</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<blockquote>Armenia v. <b>Denmark</b> <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>5:00PM BST/12:00 Noon EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">The early kickoff means no viewing conflicts for Liverpool fans interested in watching <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger">Daniel Agger</a> and Denmark in a match that could go a long way towards determining the World Cup fate of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> vice-captain. With both countries level on nine points along with the Czechs, and all three nations a point back of Bulgaria in second, it might not strictly be a must win—but it's probably a match Denmark can't lose if they want to keep their qualification hopes alive.</p>
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<b>Slovakia</b> v. Bosnia and Herzegovina <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>7:15PM BST/2:15PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">After turning in a man of the match performance for Slovakia on Thursday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel">Martin Skrtel</a> needs another strong showing to help his country close the gap on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/greece">Greece</a> and Bosnia-Herzegovina, both four points ahead in Group G.</p>
<blockquote>Ukraine v. <b>England</b> <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">The headline game for most pits <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and England against Ukraine. England currently stand first in Group H thanks to a goal differential advantage over upstarts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/montenegro">Montenegro</a>, but Ukraine are only a point back of both and a win could see the Eastern Europeans leapfrog into first place with only two games remaining.</p>
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<b>Uruguay</b> v. Colombia <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>11:00PM BST/6:00PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">Starting at a more reasonable time for fans on both sides of the Atlantic than on Friday when they faced off against Peru, Uruguay find themselves increasingly comfortable in fifth place in CONMEBOL's qualification tournament. Which is probably good for them since they go into today's match heavy underdogs against Colombia.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/10/4715012/match-coverage-ukraine-vs-england-group-h-world-cup-qualificationNoel Chomyn2013-09-09T20:30:00+01:002013-09-09T20:30:00+01:00Internationals Preview: England & Denmark Headline
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Previewing the second round of September's international fixtures from a Liverpool point of view, with Denmark and England providing the day's headlining matches.</p> <p align="justify">Heading into last Thursday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/denmark">Denmark</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/slovakia">Slovakia</a>, and Uruguay were all teetering on the edge of non-qualification for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">2014 World Cup</a>. Heading into Tuesday, things look a whole lot better for them, though for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger">Daniel Agger</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel">Martin Skrtel</a> at least the right results are needed or that sudden hope could prove short lived. England, meanwhile, have what might be the most intriguing match of the round when they travel to Ukraine with first place in Group H on the line and seven of ten qualifiers already played…</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
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<b>England U21</b> v. Finland U21 <br>Monday, September 9th <br>5:00PM BST/12:00 Noon EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">Having dispatched Moldova by the score of 1-0 on Thursday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England's</a> U21s host Finland in an early kickoff this afternoon in the second game of the Gareth Southgate era as they attempt to qualify for the 2015 European Championships. As against Moldova, captain <span>Andre Wisdom</span> is a lock to start but <span>Jack Robinson</span> will struggle to make it off the bench. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> fans desperate for a second point of interest in the match might look to Derby County's Will Hughes, who makes no secret of his Liverpool loyalties and has been linked to the club—though perhaps only because of those well known loyalties—on and off for the past year.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<blockquote>Armenia v. <b>Denmark</b> <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>5:00PM BST/12:00 Noon EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">Tuesday's early start is one of the most important matches of the day, with Daniel Agger captaining Denmark against failed Liverpool target Henrikh Mkhitarian and both countires involved in a four-team race for second in Group B. With everybody in the group having played seven of ten matches, Bulgaria stand second on ten points while the Czechs, Danes, and Armenians all have nine. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/italy">Italy</a> is out of sight in first with 17 points, but anybody but group trailers Malta could advance to the qualification play-off as the group's number two. Elsewhere in Group B action, the Czechs travel to Italy while Malta hosts Bulgaria.</p>
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<b>Slovakia</b> v. Bosnia and Herzegovina <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>7:15PM BST/2:15PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">The Slovaks aren't in quite as good shape as the Danes, but after heading into the international break with their World Cup hopes on life support, events on Friday have at least brought things back to where they can once again have at least something like a real hope of making it to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/brazil">Brazil</a>. Bosnia and Herzegovina currently lead Group G thanks to a massive +19 goal differential but are level on points with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/greece">Greece</a> at 16, while Slovakia find themselves four points back with 12. With three games remaining, Slovakia won't be favourites to advance, but wins on Tuesday and then in October when they take on the Greeks could conceivably put them top of the group—something that seemed almost unimaginable before Thursday.</p>
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<b>Wales</b> v. Serbia <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">Wales' hopes are officially done, <span>Joe Allen</span> won't be there anyhow, and even the most dedicated Welshman will struggle to find reason to pay attention on Tuesday evening. But the game is there. It exists. And so it's listed here.</p>
<blockquote>Ukraine v. <b>England</b> <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>7:45PM BST/2:45PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">After cruising against Moldova, England get to play in what might be the day's headlining match as a win here would put either country at the top of Group H with time winding down in UEFA qualifying. Ukraine had a similarly easy go of it on Thursday, romping 9-0 against hapless San Marino, but currently trail England by a point. The two sides are separated in the standings by upstarts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/montenegro">Montenegro</a>, level with England on points but with a far lesser goal differential—and Montenegro has played eight games already to England and Ukraine's seven. With Daniel Sturridge and <span>Glen Johnson</span> ruled out, <span>Steven Gerrard</span> will be expected to start while <span>Raheem Sterling</span> mans the bench. For fans who didn't recognise the name Andriy Yarmolenko when Liverpool was linked to him over the summer, Tuesday also brings with it the chance to watch the imposing Ukraine winger.</p>
<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<blockquote>
<b>Uruguay</b> v. Colombia <br>Tuesday, September 10th <br>10:00PM BST/5:00PM EST</blockquote>
<p align="justify">After Tuesday, Uruguay will have played 14 of 16 qualifying matches in CONMEBOL's round-robin qualification tournament, and increasingly it appears as though a fifth place finish and facing off against the fifth Asian side in a play-off is to be their fate. It's a long way down from the at times dominating heights of the 2010 World Cup and 2011 Copa America, but at least their qualification hopes are still alive—something that has very much been in doubt over the past year. They won't be expected to win on Tuesday against Colombia, who currently stand in second with 26 points and a +16 goal differential to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/uruguay">Uruguay's</a> 19 points and -2 GD, but with Venezuela two points behind Uruguay and having played a game more and Peru five points back, it probably won't matter if they don't.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/9/4711002/liverpool-september-internationals-ukraine-vs-england-denmark-must-winNoel Chomyn2013-09-09T14:39:27+01:002013-09-09T14:39:27+01:00Video: Luis Suarez v. Peru
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3RYrHaWM62AjGWaeOFwAtYBTGoI=/327x169:2941x1912/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19224647/171980692.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Miguel Tovar</figcaption>
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<p>Video of Luis Suarez' performance against Peru in last Friday's World Cup qualifier, where the Uruguayan striker was in mid-season form—both with his scoring and his theatrics.</p> <p align="justify">Liverpool fans wondering whether <span>Luis Suarez</span> was likely to return to action in a few weeks against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> somewhat short of match fitness need not have been concerned. At least going by his performance for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/uruguay">Uruguay</a> against Peru in the late hours of Friday night. It's a performance that, for most, will have gone unseen, and so with news slowing down as we enter the second week of the international break, a quick look back seems in order.<br><br>It's been easy at times over the summer, perhaps even since he bit <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a> and found himself banned again, to have begun to think of Suarez as something other than a Liverpool player. That he hasn't been available over the first month of the season and won't be until <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> next League Cup match has made it easy to not think of him at all at times—at least when he's not agitating for an <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> move.<br><br>The reality though, of course, is Suarez is still a Liverpool player. Maybe only for a few more months; maybe for some time longer; certainly never to be embraced by Anfield as he was before. So while he's still around, we might as well get caught back up with how he's doing. And, it turns out, he's doing quite well, as fans worried he might be rusty will find little to concern themselves with in his performance against Peru. From his scoring touch to his penchant for theatrics, he might even be close to mid-season form.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-xz8cjV2e7Y?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p><font size="-2">Video by AshTJay via <a href="https://twitter.com/ashtjay" target="new">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AshTJProductions?feature=watch" target="new">Youtube</a></font></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/9/4710624/video-luis-suarez-uruguay-vs-peruNoel Chomyn2013-09-07T18:02:15+01:002013-09-07T18:02:15+01:00Internationals Recap: Moses, Nigeria Cruise
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<figcaption>Steve Haag</figcaption>
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<p>Victor Moses scored from the penalty spot as Nigeria eventually eased past a stubborn Malawi side and secured progress to the third round of CAF World Cup qualifying.</p> <blockquote>
<p><b>Nigeria 2: </b><i>Emenike 44', Moses (pen.) 51'</i><br><b>Malawi 0</b></p>
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<p>Nigeria's first half dominance looked to go unrewarded as Malawi held out for most of the opening forty-five minutes, but an Emmanuel Emenike strike in the 44th minute sent the hosts ahead before the break, and a Victor Moses penalty early in the second half gave Nigeria a comfortable 2-0 victory. The result means that the Nigerians are a lock for the third round draw in CAF qualifying, while Malawi will have to wait another four years to try to qualify for their first-ever World Cup.</p>
<p>Malawi were reduced to ten men shortly after Moses' cool finish from the spot, killing any chance that the visitors had to claw their way back into a match that eventually ground to a halt. It wasn't the most watchable of fixtures with both sides at full strength, with Nigeria on top and Malawi unable to create more than a few half-chances, but the sending off removed any doubt that Nigeria were on their way.</p>
<p>Nigeria will now have to wait to learn their opponent in the third round, with the draw taking place on September 16, the same day Moses will join his new teammates for the first time as they take on Swansea City.</p>
<p><iframe width="520" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rWYmAjz5QBU" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/7/4704530/nigeria-malawi-world-cup-qualifying-victor-moses-goal-video-Ed-2013-09-07T17:32:50+01:002013-09-07T17:32:50+01:00Sturridge Ruled Out for Ukraine Trip
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>With Danny Welbeck ruled out after receiving a yellow card against Moldova on Friday night, many speculated that Daniel Sturridge would be forced into action despite lacking in fitness, but today the striker's been ruled out of the important qualifier on Tuesday.</p> <p>A mixture of relief, concern, and disappointment accompanies the FA's announcement that <a href="http://www.thefa.com/england/News/2013/daniel-sturridge-liverpool-ruled-out-ukraine-world-cup-kiev.aspx" target="_blank">Daniel Sturridge will be missing out</a> on the trip to Kiev for Tuesday's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> qualifier against Ukraine--relief that he won't be forced into action without full fitness, concern that the injury might be worse than originally feared, and disappointment for a player who's clearly been desperate to force his way into the national side. Were it not for injury, there's little argument to be made that he deserves to be heavily involved, and despite the fact that we're always going to default to what's best for Liverpool, it's disheartening to see his emergence interrupted yet again.</p>
<p>For England it means that they'll be relatively short-handed in what's one of their most important qualifying matches to date; Roy Hodgson's squad currently sit top of Group H on goal difference, but they're only a point ahead of a Ukraine side that's posed them plenty of problems over the past few years. With Danny Welbeck ruled out after a questionable yellow card yesterday and <span>Wayne Rooney</span> nursing a nasty head injury, Hodgson will have to turn to Rickie Lambert or <span>Jermain Defoe</span>, with the former more likely in a match that the current group leaders will try to survive rather than dominate.</p>
<p>And if the injury is enough to keep Sturridge out of England duty, there's questions for Brendan Rodgers as well, as he might have to shake up an attacking contingent that's gone unchanged through <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> first three Premier League matches. If Sturridge is kept out against Swansea, the simple fix is to slide <span>Iago Aspas</span> forward, push <span>Philippe Coutinho</span> central, and bring <span>Victor Moses</span> straight into the squad on the left.</p>
<p>The main hope is that <span>Daniel Sturridge</span> is able to find and maintain fitness at some point in the near future, as injury concerns have chased him throughout his young career. With Liverpool's training staff stabilizing <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110183/daniel-agger" class="sbn-auto-link">Daniel Agger</a> last season, hopefully this brief hiatus means they're on their way to getting similar results with Sturridge.</p>
<h4>More from The Liverpool Offside:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/7/4704144/liverpools-internationals-matchday-nigeria-v-malawi-tv-streaming-schedule?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool's International Matchday: Nigeria Host Malawi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/7/4704066/liverpool-wins-stoke-aston-villa-united-premier-league-rodgers-cant-get-carried-away?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Rodgers: "We Can't Get Carried Away"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/7/4700710/liverpool-brendan-rodgers-fireside-chats-kurosawa-kubrick-tarkovsky?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Everything's the Worst: Fireside Chat Edition</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/7/4703528/internationals-recap-uruguay-stay-alive-for-now?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool's Internationals Recap: Uruguay Stay Alive (For Now)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2013/9/7/4702862/peru-uguruay-must-win-world-cup-qualifying-september-6?utm_source=liverpool.theoffside&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Liverpool's Internationals Matchday: Suarez and Uruguay Must Win</a></li>
</ul>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2013/9/7/4704452/daniel-sturridge-injury-ruled-out-england-v-ukraine-Ed-