The 2011–12 season was the 120th season in Liverpool Football Club's existence, and their 50th consecutive year in the top flight of English football, but they were not participating in any UEFA competition for the first time since the 1999–2000 season.
Liverpool had mixed fortunes during the season; they enjoyed success in the domestic cups, winning the League Cup for a record eighth time—also their first trophy since 2006—and reached the FA Cup Final, where they lost to Chelsea. By virtue of winning the League Cup, Liverpool qualified for the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. The club's league form, however, was indifferent and they finished eighth, their joint-lowest Premier League finish since finishing eighth in 1994, resulting in Kenny Dalglish being relieved of his duties on 16 May 2012.
Season review
Pre-season Liverpool began their pre-season schedule with a fixture against Guangdong Sunray Cave on 13 July as part of their tour of China, with Liverpool narrowly winning 4–3. Christian Poulsen scored his first Reds' goal, David Ngog and Andy Carroll grabbed one each and 18-year-old debutant Conor Coady also got a goal, with the new signing Charlie Adam featuring for 45 minutes. On 16 July 2011, they continued their tour of Asia when they played the Malaysia All-Stars XI team. They won the game 6–3 despite a number of defensive errors. Charlie Adam scored his first goal from the penalty spot, Maxi Rodríguez and David Ngog both got braces and Dirk Kuyt also scored to round off the victory. On 23 July, they travelled to the KC Stadium to play Hull City where they lost 3–0. The game saw other summer recruits Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Doni make their debuts. They later played against Galatasaray in Istanbul on 28 July and lost 3–0 again. Next, they played Vålerenga away on 1 August and drew the game 3–3. Daniel Agger hit a brace and Andy Carroll scored the other. They played their final pre-season game on 6 August at Anfield against Valencia, winning 2–0. Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt were on the scoresheet, although the latter's shot appeared to take a deflection off Sotiris Kyrgiakos before rolling into the net.
August Liverpool started their Premier League campaign on 13 August, at home to Sunderland. The match finished 1–1, the Liverpool goal coming in the 12th minute from Luis Suárez from a Charlie Adam free kick. Suárez had missed an early penalty which he had won after being brought down by Kieran Richardson, firing the ball over the bar from the spot. Andy Carroll had a goal ruled out before Sunderland equalised in the 57th minute with a volley from Sebastian Larsson. Jordan Henderson made his full Liverpool debut against his former club, with Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and José Enrique also making their debuts, despite the latter signing just the day before.
Liverpool played their second league match against Arsenal on 20 August at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool won the match 2–0, taking advantage of Arsenal's worries on and off the pitch. The first half saw Henderson and Carroll go close for Liverpool with headers, with Pepe Reina not even troubled by the hosts. In the second half, Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong received a second yellow card after a dangerous tackle on Lucas. The visitors' first goal came in the 78th minute after Arsenal's young centre-back Ignasi Miquel's attempted to clear the ball, only for it to strike Aaron Ramsey in the chest and looped over Wojciech Szczęsny. Substitute Luis Suárez wrapped up the points in the 90th minute, when Raul Meireles squared the ball to him to tuck it under the oncoming Szczęsny. The 2–0 win was Liverpool's first victory at Arsenal since 2000, when a Titi Camara goal won the game for Liverpool.
Liverpool then faced a League Cup tie at Exeter City. Liverpool won 3–1, Suárez scoring in the 23rd minute and unselfishly setting up other two for Maxi Rodríguez in the 55th minute and substitute Andy Carroll in the 58th.
Liverpool faced Bolton Wanderers at Anfield. Liverpool won by the same margin of 3–1 with Henderson and Adam scoring their first goals for the club, Martin Škrtel also scoring with a header from a corner by Adam. This win saw Liverpool as overnight leaders of the Premier League for the first time since 2009.
September Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season on 10 September 2011, against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium. Jonathan Walters scored the only goal of the game by converting a 21st-minute penalty.
Liverpool then traveled to White Hart Lane to play against Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs, by Luka Modrić, took an early lead, and Liverpool had trouble getting into the game. After 28 minutes, Charlie Adam received his second yellow card, and was sent off. After half time Liverpool got more into the game, but after 68 minutes, Martin Škrtel received his second yellow card, and reduced Liverpool to nine players. After two minutes, Spurs had scored two more goals, and in injury time, Emmanuel Adebayor sealed the game 4–0 to Tottenham, Liverpool's worst defeat to Tottenham since 1963.
Liverpool then traveled to Brighton to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round encounter of the League Cup. Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt were on target for Liverpool. Ashley Barnes scored an injury time consolation for Brighton. The final score remained 2–1 in Liverpool's favor and they qualified for the fourth round.
Liverpool then hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers and returned to winning ways. They won by 2–1. Roger Johnson's own goal and Luis Suárez's goal gave them a 2–0 lead at halftime before Steven Fletcher scored in the second half to make the score 2–1.
October Liverpool faced their local rivals Everton at Goodison Park and won 2–0. Jack Rodwell got sent off in the first half. Liverpool made benefit of the numerical advantage and scored twice in the second half through Luis Suárez and Andy Carroll, who scored his first league goal of the season.
Liverpool then hosted Manchester United. Steven Gerrard, who was making his first start after returning from injury, scored from a free kick to give Liverpool the lead before Javier Hernández scored to make the final score 1–1. The game was marred by Luis Suárez racially abusing United's Patrice Evra.
Liverpool then hosted the newcomers Norwich City and drew 1–1. Craig Bellamy scored in the stoppage time of first half. Substitute Grant Holt scored in the second half to make the score 1–1. Liverpool created a lot of opportunities throughout the game but were denied by the Norwich defense and goalkeeper and the match ended in a draw.
Liverpool then faced Stoke at Britannia Stadium in the fourth round of League Cup. Stoke took the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Kenwyne Jones. Luis Suárez, however, scored two second half goals to give Liverpool the win and they made it to the quarter-final of the League Cup. This was Liverpool's first win after going a goal down since January.
Liverpool then faced West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. Charlie Adam scored a ninth-minute penalty to give Liverpool the lead after Suárez was brought down. Andy Carroll scored at the end of first half to make the score 2–0 in Liverpool's favor.
November After the 2–0 away win at West Brom, Liverpool then had a match at home to Swansea City, which finished a disappointing 0–0 draw. Liverpool once again had several chances but they still couldn't get the ball past Swansea keeper Michel Vorm, who made some world class saves.
After the international break, Liverpool had another league match away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the game finished 2–1 to Liverpool for their third consecutive win over the Londoners. Neat play from Craig Bellamy and Luis Suárez set up the first goal for Maxi Rodríguez to give the Reds a 1–0 lead before the interval. Ten minutes after half-time Daniel Sturridge leveled for Chelsea for 1–1 until late on in the 87th minute full-back Glen Johnson had a great run at goal and netted the winning goal.
Only two days after the Manchester City, Liverpool had a League Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea. This time both, of the former Liverpool players, Raul Meireles and Fernando Torres, started whereas last time they both came off the bench. There were no goals in the first half but in the 58th minute, Maxi Rodríguez broke the deadlock from close range from Craig Bellamy's pass for 1–0. Five minutes later Martin Kelly headed in to make it 2–0 with his first goal for Liverpool. But this victory resulted in a serious injury by Lucas, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after colliding with Juan Mata, and he was ruled out for the rest of the season.
December Liverpool's first game in December was an away match to Fulham at Craven Cottage which the Reds won 5–2 seven months ago. Liverpool pushed in the first half with Jordan Henderson hitting the post, but nothing came off and it was 0–0 at the interval. In the second half Liverpool went down to 10-men due to a controversial sending off for Jay Spearing for a challenge on Moussa Dembélé. Fulham made them pay as Clint Dempsey scored from close range off of a rebound in the 85th minute to win it for Fulham.
The Reds next had another league game against Queens Park Rangers at Anfield, which Liverpool won courtesy of a Luis Suárez header in the early stages of the second half. This win ended a run of four poor draws at home since they won 3–1 against Bolton.
Their next league game was against Aston Villa at Villa Park. The Reds won 2–0 with goals from Craig Bellamy and Martin Škrtel.
Liverpool's next fixture was an away tie against 18th-placed Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. The game ended as a goalless draw.
The next match was against Blackburn Rovers at home. Blackburn took an early courtesy of a Charlie Adam own goal during the end of the first half from a corner. Liverpool equalised with a Maxi Rodríguez header early in the second half. Liverpool put tremendous pressure on Blackburn's defence in the dying moments of the game, but were unlucky not to get three points thanks to some resolute defending by the away side. The game ended 1–1.
Just a few days later Liverpool played their last league game of 2011; a home tie against Newcastle United. Needing a win to keep up with their pursuit of a Champions League spot, Liverpool started the game off by going a goal down against the run of play; an unfortunate Daniel Agger deflection putting Newcastle in the lead in the 25th minute. The Reds responded almost instantly when Craig Bellamy pounced on a loose ball in the box three minutes later to equalise. In the second half, the Reds dominated play. Bellamy scored his second from a fantastic free kick, and returning captain Steven Gerrard completed the scoring with a fine finish in the 78th minute.
January