Packers take Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay

RODGERS VS ROETHLISBERGER 304.............Yards..............263 3............Touchdowns............2 0............Interceptions...........2

Aaron Rodgers edged the battle of the Quarterbacks and Green Bay completed a wonderful post-season to take out Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, with a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.  They entered the playoffs as runners-up to the Chicago Bears with a 10-6 record in NFC North, and wildcard 6 in the NFC.  They won at Philadelphia to earn a Divisonal Playoff at Atlanta - and clipped the Falcon's wings.  They faced off against Chicago for the Conference and won 21-14.

Despite a huge injury list, and inspired by QB Aaron Rodgers, their tough defense and gritty self-belief, the Packers blew out to an 21-3, eighteen point lead in the second quarter before Pittsburgh reeled them in to 21-17. The critical play would come right at the start of the fourth quarter. With Pittsburgh in excellent field position, linebacker Clay Matthews forced a fumble from Rashard Mendenhall which was recovered by the Packers. The Steelers' head of steam was well and truly halted and when Rodgers completed an eight-yard pass for Greg Jennings's second touchdown of the game the Packers had an 11-point lead with only 12 minutes to play.

Meireles strike wrecks tame Torrres debut; Wigan stick a spoke in Liverpool's wheel

Two more games and four more points in Liverpool's improving fortunes under Kenny Dalglish.  A season highlight was the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge where the Reds outplayed Chelsea, subdued Torres on his Chelsea debut, and took the three points with another Raul Meireles strike.  A game notable also for Jamie Carragher's comeback from injury and Steven Gerrard succumbing to a groin strain that kept him out of England's friendly with Denmark.

That result lifted the Reds to sixth, their highest league position all season.  They continue to sit sixth after a 1-1 draw at Anfield v Wigan Athletic.  Meireles was on the scoresheet again, Suarez struck the woodwork twice, but Liverpool were below par on the form of recent weeks and Wigan battled back for an equaliser.

Super sub Suarez sinks Stoke

Luis Suarez came on as a second half substitute and scored Liverpool's second on his debut vs Stoke City.  Three straight premiership wins for Liverpool who remain seventh.  The other scorer was Raul Meireles. It was a lively debut and a positive start for the new Uruguayan signing.  His co-signing, Andy Carroll is recovering from a thigh injury and is not expected to be ready for a few weeks.