INCREDIBLE LIVERPOOL
ANOTHER sedate European tie at Anfield last night.
Quite what they put in the water in L4 just before big Euro kick-offs is anyone's guess.
Differences aside, both Liverpool and Arsenal should both be applauded for giving the competition one of the most thrilling matches the Champions League has seen for years.
So many issues, where do you start?
There was much to admire last night, not least a breathtaking start from Arsenal who fizzed the ball around Anfield with a speed and skill rarely seen before.
In the first 20 minutes, Liverpool struggled to get near the ball as the Gunners threatened to overwhelm us.
While we should have perhaps been more alive to Diaby's surge - and Reina was found wanting at his near post - there was a lot to admire about the sheer power of that goal that we struggled to live with.
From there on in, however, we stepped up our game and the drive from nearly every player in a Red shirt was awesome.
It was a brave move from Rafa changing his tried and trusted system to make room for Peter Crouch.
In the end, he pulled it off. Yes, the left hand side was fairly bare at times, but Crouch proved enough of a handful to warrant his start.
Another downside of the formation meant that Torres was downgraded to a winger where he was understandably less effective.
The player who stood out for me was Kuyt, I don't think any other player on the pitch had as much of the ball as the Dutchman.
And he was effective. Challenging for balls in the box, cute balls inside the full back, whipped balls into the box, it was an all-action performance from this emerging hero yet again.
At the back, Skrtel destroyed everything before him, and what can you say about Sami? He looked finished a while back, but keeps rolling back the years...what a header!
If he doesn't fill most of Anfield for his testimonial, it'll be disappointing.
Mascherano had an impressive game killing a lot of Arsenal's pretty patterns, and while Gerrard didn't have his best game, the bottle required to take that last-gasp spot-kick was immense. And what a penalty.
And so to the penalty decision.
Taking this incident in isolation, my immediate reaction was 'peanlty', which remained the same after catching replays of the incident.
Further replays this morning, from different angles, and I'm not so sure. Still there was definite tugging, it's a clumsy challenge from Toure, and Babel is hampered as he winds up for a big right-footed boom.
Saying that, if we believe the ref was right to give that one, we have to concede that Hleb should have got the decision a week earlier. (yes, I know I'm performing a U-turn here, but let's be magnanimous in the face of victory).
Some typical sour grapes from Wenger afterwards, although to see the game snatched away like that must test the on-the-spot opinions of a saint.
But, I thought we deserved the win, despite that first 20 minutes, and we were the driving force for most of the game, some Arsenal chances aside.
And isn't it funny that Arsene managed to see this penalty incident? Any misdemeanour by one if his players and his view is strangely hampered.
Yet, a penalty shout on the wrong side of the field for him, and he sees every nick, tug and shove, or lack of it in his opinion, to give us chapter and verse.
Let's remember though, he has a habit of rash judegements. Recall the 'Martin Taylor should not play football every again' rant, which he soon retracted?
What these two penalty shouts have shown above everything else is the need to address the issue of defenders' arms on attackers in the box.
In short, we need a consistent interpretation of the law, so players know what they can do and what they can't.
Back to the game, and even the most hardened Red would admit that the 80 metre run provided by Theo Walcott seven minutes from the end is one of the best illuminating moments of genius that Anfield has seen in a long time.
Four players didn't get near him as he leapt over challenges like a 110m hurdler, even resisting attempts to foul him, and then had the presence of mind at the end of that crazy dash to cooly square the ball across for Adebayor to slot.
An incredible night at Anfield, with tales of fans on the Kop ending up three rows further forward after Gerrard's pen went in. The same with Babel's...
The Centenary Stand singing, even the Main Stand on their feet. It was that kind of night. The roar for our penalty decision was like nothing heard at Anfield in a long time.
Here's looking forward to our usual Champions League semi final opponents.
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Luke, great write up. It was one-hell of an another emotional rollercoaster, I don't think my neighbours have ever heard such language eminating through the walls, in fact my house mate didn't dare come out of her room ;o)
Kuyt & Skrtel where indeed awesome, how the later got his boot onto the ball during Arsenals last attack (before Babbel's goal) I don't know, if he hadn't I think Adebayor would have tucked a 2nd away.
I don't think you mention how good Torres's goal was, he probably doesn't need anymore praise but what was good about it was that he produced a belter when having a sub-par showing; only sub-par when compared to his own amazing form granted!
In addition, Babbel once again showed what a calm and versitle player he is; looked at ease on the left and middle of the park (after Riise was brought on) and a sound finish at the death, sweet!
Finally, I'm now firmly feeling that same 'magic' that swept through the Liverpool (european) team that won the competition three years back, bring on Chelsea, bring on United, they will all fall under our spell.
I agree that Kuyt was immense. This new system suits him well. He might not be used to playing on the wings, but in the last 10 minutes especially he showed how valuable it is to have a tireless runner on the touchline. He was still full of running when others looked dead on their feet and were tiredly giving the ball away. At one end he was calmly taking the ball into the corner and at the other he made at least two key clearances in the dying seconds, one of which led to Babel’s goal. He might not be ideally suited to wing play, but with less pressure on him to rack up a decent goal tally from out there fans have more opportunity to appreciate his hard work and spirit.
Walcott’s run was breathtaking and is hopefully a sign of things to come. Could he form a partnership with Gerrard for England in the same way that Gerrard and Torres have for Liverpool? It’s a shame that a controversial penalty effectively decided the match because I think Arsenal’s second goal would otherwise be the most memorable moment from that match for years to come. Speaking of penalties, last night’s was no more a penalty that last week’s at the Emirates and Arsenal were unfortunate on that count. However I hope that Wenger doesn’t go down the Mourinho route of bleating about it every time that the teams come together for the next 2-3 years.
Cue another semi with Chelsea, and more of the inevitable “Liverpool’s love affair with the European Cup” and “Spirit of Istanbul” clichés from Tyldsley. I’m not aure I can take many more of these nights!
Alonso was turd
I honestly think Chelsea will be quivering at the prospect of playing us again.
Glass half empty types will say that they owe us one and our hoodoo against them must end one day.
But those with the fuller glass views will say Chelsea are psychologically disadvantaged by that very same hoodoo.
Stamford Bridge is not exactly a cauldron of noise a la Anfield so going there for the second leg holds no fear.
Yes, they have a strength that Arsenal lack but Rafa will cut his cloth accordingly to match Essien etc.
I don;t want to tempt fate but how do you say "two pints of lager and packet of quavers?" in Russian?
I honestly think Chelsea will be quivering at the prospect of playing us again.
Glass half empty types will say that they owe us one and our hoodoo against them must end one day.
But those with the fuller glass views will say Chelsea are psychologically disadvantaged by that very same hoodoo.
Stamford Bridge is not exactly a cauldron of noise a la Anfield so going there for the second leg holds no fear.
Yes, they have a strength that Arsenal lack but Rafa will cut his cloth accordingly to match Essien etc.
I don;t want to tempt fate but how do you say "two pints of lager and packet of quavers?" in Russian?
Who do you think would win in a fight between Martin Skrtel and....
- A great white shark.
- Mike Tyson.
- Terminator.
- The entire US Marine corps???
My money's on the Skrtel-inator every time.
He's a beast from the east and we love the big tattooed grock.
There's nothing like a crumbling stonewaller of a penalty to bring Hleb's into perspective. You win some you lose some. Walcott's had shades of Owen's v Argentina, the boy's a bit special. Very pleased for Crouch who was a constant thorn.
In terms of the future of the club, Anfield needs to be seen by players and prospective players as a destination rather than part of the journey in a football career. We only just have the depth to be truly considered top four. If we want to win the league then we must weed out from the bottom to create a bastion of invincibility. Cups are amazing but the league is the true test.
The supporters really did make the crucial difference last night. Truly amazing
just unbelievably crazy insane game i love liverpool for giving me these nights i will never forget; the passion the determination the fans only liverpool can come back from the dead like last night,once again mascherano was amazing ;skirtel awsome;kuyt what a transformation he is having playing on the right; torres pure skill;steve well he was put on the left brilliant penalty; i am completley exhausted but bring on chelski
Hi Luke,
What a night. Kuyt was absolutely superb and fully justified the Dirk bag invasion. He has been totally revived by the switch of position. When Arsenal scored the second, although I was down at that point I sang louder and harder than I had before. I thought we started off terribly and were playing right into Arsenal's hands. We only really started playing after Sami's header and what a header. I don't know why but I saw it in slow motion. Very odd. As soon as the goal went in it was all us until Wenger brought Walcott on (I wouldn't mind a bid for him in the summer). I do have to laugh a bit at Wenger. Last week he said it was a definite penalty and the ref was bad because he didn't give it. This week, the ref gives it and he's upset. Some people are never satisfied. I travelled up from London on a train full of Arsenal supporters who were giving it all that beforehand. The train was very quiet going back this morning. Any views on Arsene Wenger's favourite Beatles song ? I nominate Why Don't We Lose It In Anfield Road. On the lighter side, I was in the ground really early and Rick Parry and George Gillett walked right along the Kop and down the steps next to me ! P.S. If anyone finds a voice lying around, I'll pick it up Sunday !!!
arsene saying he didn't see the penalty was made even funnier by benitez claiming he didn't see the penalty incident :-)
cracking match. thrills and spills. liverpool did well to overcome the almost supernatural football from arsenal.
torres goal was a smasher. and deffo a pen. it was clumsy and prevented babel getting his shot off.
but i'm a member of the striker's guild :-) games like that are what make european football so special.
exhilaration under the floodlights.
i've had a taste of everton in the uefa cup this season and i want more.
Did you see the real Mighty Reds in European action last night Luke?
The champions on t'other side of the Lancs are hoping we get you in the final.
Good comments by all as a liverpool lad i love these european nights,their is no were like ANFIELD we are the 12th man all 40,000 ov us. CHELSEA will be very concerned, as we have done them twice 2 reach the final an here we are again facing chelsea 4 another final place,ARSENAL were good theo walcot what a prospect that kid is,We broke their hearts.Now lets kill chelsea in the first leg at ANFIELD as stamford bridge is a place were not many teams get a win THEY DONT HAVE THE ATMOSPHERE but Avram Grant,has got them this far,so we need 2 kill their hopes of at ANFIELD, it looks like we will have to beat the premierships top 3 to lift the trophy in moscow.With Torres Gerrard,Kuyt,Babbel,Mascherano,Carragher,Skrtel,Reina and LETS NOT FORGET SAMMI what a way 4 him 2 celabrate a new 12month contract,The players and the fans believe we can beat anyone in this competition and we can C_U_ALL_IN_MOSCOW
Hiya just wanna say I love the idea that the Hyypia brothers have both signed for another year!!
Who you ask? Away by and In by Hyypia
What's going on with Hicks Luke? Surely as a Echo reporter you must know.
Come on lad get it on your website.
Is he going to sell to DIC?
Be good to get rid of Pary anyway.
Good blog lad.
Hi Luke, I've just discovered and really enjoyed your blog. As a Belfast based Red I was unable to travel to Anfield for the game on Tuesday night but the tension in our house was every bit as nervous as it must have been in the stadium. The only downside was having to listen to the idiot Manc Tyldsley commentating on ITV. He even managed to give enormous praise to Arsenal for beating AC Milan in the San Siro without a mention of the Reds performance in despatching Inter home and away who as we know, are currently miles ahead of AC. Apart from that gripe, what a fantastic game of football.....even if the opening 25 minutes were as difficult for Liverpool fans to watch as it must have been for the players to perform in. In the end it all worked out well....and I have to offer real credit to Ryan Babel for his display when coming on as a late sub. This was a glimpse of the future with his pace and sheer strength to muscle his way through Arsenals' wilting defence. We haven't seen too much of it in his first season but I reckon next year we will have him playing more centrally just behind El Nino. Not too many centre backs will fancy dealing with that lot as well as having Stephen Gerrard coming at them! Anyway, the flights are booked for the home Chelsea game....let's hope my ticket is forthcoming! By the way, if anyone out there is prepared to tempt fate, return flights to Moscow via Prague flying out of Dublin are currently selling for £299 on the relevant dates. No hotel availability at all though. I guess the rip off merchants are preparing to scalp the fans as soon as the semi's are over.
number 3 of EPL .... DOWN !
then, Number 2 of EPL .... will DOWN !
at last, number 1 of EPL .... SUNK !
Bravo REDS, the best team arround the world !!!
You'll never walk alone !