Source: Liverpool_Echo
Review of 2009 - September to December
SEPTEMBER[LNB]ANYONE for tennis?[LNB]Thousands actually, as the Liverpool Echo Arena hosts Great Britain's vital Davis Cup tie against Poland.[LNB]Ken Skupski is handed a first call-up to the international squad, but fails to get any match action.[LNB]Andy Murray does, and plays through the pain barrier nursing an injured wrist. He wins both of his matches, but they're the only victories GB claim as they crash to a 3-2 defeat which sees them relegated to Davis Cup Group Two.[LNB]Steven Gerrard is the two-goal hero for England as they book a World Cup place with a 5-1 hammering of Croatia, then he reveals he was inspried by the release of Reds fan Michael Shields. 'Seeing the news about Michael gave me a real boost,' he explained.[LNB]Mikel Arteta suffers a setback in his return from knee surgery, needing another operation. He is quickly followed on the setback trail by Victor Anichebe and Phil Jagielka, while Phil Neville and Steven Pienaar limp off in a damaging defeat at Fulham.[LNB]Everton are at the forefront of UEFA's radical experiment to use five match officials in the Europa League. Their only meaningful contribution, however, is to count the number of goals as Everton demolish a poor AEK Athens.[LNB]Two weeks after the transfer deadline has closed, Everton make a surprise late addition to their squad, enlisting free agent Lucas Neill to help cope with the growing Goodison injury crisis.[LNB]Liverpool celebrate two stunning hat-tricks in the month, from Yossi Benayoun against Burnley and Fernando Torres against Hull, while John Barnes temporarily eases the growing pressure on himself as Tranmere finally manage to win at fellow strugglers Wycombe.[LNB]QUOTES OF THE MONTH[LNB]'He is here to give me cover at centre-half and at right-back.'[LNB]David Moyes on new signing Johnny Heitinga, little realising how much he would need the Dutchman's versatility.
