Liverpool 2-3 Udinese

Liverpool slipped to a 3-2 defeat
against Udinese after Antonio Di Natale
inspired a second-half fightback in the
Europa League Group A clash at
Anfield.
Jonjo Shelvey's strike gave Liverpool a
half-time lead, but Di Natale pounced
after the break and served up two
other goals before Luis Suarez reduced
the deficit in a thrilling finish.
The hosts were denied an early
breakthrough when Sebastian Coates'
header was blocked by Zelijko Brkic,
but Udinese soon threatened as Jose
Reina pushed wide Medhi Benatia's
glancing effort.
Liverpool's fluent attacking play was
rewarded when Stewart Downing's
cross was headed in by the surging
Shelvey (23), but the Reds were given a
scare when Di Natale's shot drifted just
over.
Di Natale was not to be denied and he
struck just 32 seconds after the restart
with a sublime first-time shot, while
Jordan Henderson's drive was blocked
as Liverpool searched for a reply.
Steven Gerrard and Suarez were sent
on to raise the Reds and the
Uruguayan striker would have made an
instant impact if his goalbound shot
had not been blocked by teammate
Shelvey.
But two goals in two minutes stunned
Liverpool as Coates (70) headed Di
Natale's free-kick into his own net
before the Udinese striker served up a
third for Giovanni Pasquale (72), who
fired low past Reina.
Suarez (75) pulled one back with a
curling free-kick into the top corner
and was then thwarted by the
sprawling Brkic, while Raheem Sterling
curled just over the bar in the closing
stages.