FOOTBALL can be the cruellest of games sometimes.
For 94 minutes the Reds bossed the game against a bullied Chelsea side and looked superior in every department.
Yet somehow, we didn’t get the 2-0 that would have been easily deserved.
What a shocker.
The stunned silence that immediately followed John Arne Riise’s horror own goal was deafening.
We just couldn’t believe that a game that we had remained in charge of for so long had ended up all square, and the dreaded away goal conceded to boot.
It was a cagey, but compelling game, and while Chelsea were never out of it, the Reds were always the driving force.
Strangely, Torres had an ineffectual and frustrating night, and it was other players who came to the fore for us.
It seems that the words ‘Skrtel was magnificent’ are being automatically etched into every Liverpool match report these days.
The guy was truly outstanding, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the dangerous Drogba so convincingly taken care of.
It probably prompted him to revert to his old playacting antics, some of his poleaxed swallow dives were laughable.
The renaissance of Kuyt continues as the Dutchman starts to make the right wing position his own.
Some his ball control when the ball was frequently fired out to him was exemplary and his persistance to stay upright and score the opener was brilliant.
And it was even Kuyt who nicked the ball of Lampard leading up to the goal when the midfielder dithered just outside the penalty area.
Our other standout player was probably Alonso, and as I’ve been critical of him in the past, it’s only right to give him credit where its due.
He dictated the game and was often the man pushing Liverpool forwards with a mix of skill and tenacity. This was the Xabi of old. I really thought it had left us forever.
Gerrard had a quiet game by his standards, but still managed to produce moments of brilliance, the threaded volleyed ball for Torres’ first half one-on-one and a dipping 25 yard strike in the second that grazed Cech’s fingertips.
I really thought 2-0 would have been the right result, and we might have got that if Torres had been at the races.
As outstanding as the Spaniard has been, there is a suggestion that in the big games, against the best defenders and keepers, he struggles to make the same impact.
Twice he forced Cech to save, each time though, he made it easy for him with shots straight down his throat.
Our failure to grab that second gave Chelsea hope, and they started to press in the last 20 minutes, but even then, a goal looked unlikely.
And so to Riise’s moment of madness...I have some sympathy for the lad.
It was a difficult ball to deal with, he probably didn’t know how high the ball would bounce, and tragically opted to deal with it with his head.
You can’t escape the thought, however, that a player with some semblance of a right foot would have dealt with the danger.
He looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. Let’s not be too hard on him, if he does go this summer, we shouldn't forget that he's been a very good servant for the club.
The Anfield atmosphere was crackling as the crowd were once again outstanding, even though it didn’t quite rival Chelsea 05.
But first legs are never going to hit those heady heights are they? The volume that can be achieved when 40,000 fans sing in unison is quite staggering sometimes.
Chelsea had nothing to shout about, bar their undeserved equaliser. It was noticeable that the always repugnant Drogba was the only player clenching fists and playing to his fans at the final whistle.
The others clapped their supporters and got off the field. They knew they’d been handed a huge slice of fortune.
Other than Lampard’s cracking ball to Joe Cole who fluffed his lines and a so-so penalty shout for Carragher’s clumsy challenge (been a few of them this season hasn’t there?) on Drodga, the Blues created nothing.
That’s what makes the result all the more galling.
Still, we’ve got more than enough to score at Stamford Bridge, and maybe this will shake off this negative mentality which we often take to their place.
They're definitely vulnerable, we get one and it’s game on.
They’ve got a crunch Prem game against United at the weekend, when we can afford to rest players.
Let's keep fingers crossed they pick up a few knocks in the decider.
We need to have a massive go, forget the caginess, goals are called for and I suspect only two will be enough.
Either that, or nick one and hang on grimly for pens. Don't forget, we've got the Skrtelator.
We have the players to do it, now they need to prove it. Come on the Reds.
Comments (13)
My wife's parents are staying for a few days, and we caught the last few minutes of the match. Her mum was convinced I jinxed the match by the simple act of turning a telly on and pointing it at ITV.
Posted by Keith Judge | April 23, 2008 10:29 AM
Posted on April 23, 2008 10:29
Was gutted last night - I know its an oft used line but its the only way to express how I feel. I struggled to sleep for hours afterwards and I can't remember the last time that happened based just on the result of a football game. I'm still quietly confident that we can do enough to win outright next week - or at the very least take it to penalties. My inability to drop off last night however reveals an underlying unease that things just might now go our way.
Well done for identifying Kuyt and Xabi as the outstanding players, if Gerrard and Torres had been at the races the game wouls surely have been sewn up. The undedifying sight of Drogba collapsing in agony was a particularly bitter pill to swallow made even worse by (1) the fact the commentators let him off with it for most of the night and (2) it probably accounted for all 4 of the added extra minutes. If there's any justice he'll score an oggy next week.
As for the Carragher challenge it was clumsy (and yet more evidence that next season may be his last as a dashing defender) but I'm sure Drogba actulaly fouled him by leaning all over him just before he threw himself to ground in the area
Posted by Skyner | April 23, 2008 10:30 AM
Posted on April 23, 2008 10:30
fat frank is deluded thinking they deserved a draw! jim belgin equally deluded saying a 1-0 win was a fair result. we deserved to win that game at least 3-0. we were great last night. i'm kuyt's worst critic but he was immense, was loving his tackling!
i'm very worried now. chelsea know they rode their luck last night and fear the dirty cheats will go through next week by any means neccessary.
i'd sell riise based soley on that goal last night! looks like chelsea did indeed get their man when they bid 15m for him last year. money well spent if that goal takes them to moscow!!!
Posted by mat m | April 23, 2008 10:59 AM
Posted on April 23, 2008 10:59
I felt sick (to the bottom of my stomach) when that goal went in last night. Chelsea did nothing to deserve such good fortune and to see them celebrating at the end like they had played us off the park and won 4-0 should be motivation enough for our players come next week.
Thought Terry was lucky to stay on the pitch with his persistent fouling, every time he jumped for the ball a hand/elbow/forearm would go into the back of someone’s head. We didn't get much from the ref last night and to top it off "they" scored in the 5 minute of a 4 minute injury time. Drogba is a truly repulsive player to watch and his constant play acting went un-punished, he is an embarrassment to the game. You see how much strength the guy has got when he is holding off defenders then to see him go to ground so easily is laughable!
Anyway enough about their players, thought overall we played really well and agree 2-0 would have been a fair result. I have seen Kuyt in a completely different light in recent weeks he was absolutely fantastic his constant running and harrying of defenders is great to see. However more and more he is getting into goal scoring positions from the right hand side of midfield, a lot more than he ever did when he was playing as a striker. Skrtel was brilliant and is looking like a revelation, he won every ball and can actually play with the ball as well, I hope this form can continue because he could be a very big player for us if it does.
I feel a little more reflective about the return leg today and have had time to digest the cruel own goal Rise scored. It was shocking defending and as stated if he had any idea how to use his right foot we would be sitting here ultra confident of progressing to Moscow. There is very little we can do about that now and next weeks game is huge, our record at Stamford Bridge is not good to say the least and the last Liverpool to score at Stamford Bridge was Bruno Cheyrou!!! Says it all really!!
For me that all goes out the window we are a different team now, a team who is moving in the right direction. We have got a system that works, players that give their all for the manager and most importantly we have got a world class striker. Torres was quiet last night but still had two clear cut chances; surely if he gets another one at Stamford Bridge he will put it away!
Their players have said it will be an intimidating atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, intimidating for who? These are the same fans that boo the team, want the manager out and wave plastic flags at the game, don't make me laugh!
Posted by Adam G | April 23, 2008 11:33 AM
Posted on April 23, 2008 11:33
Torres is a great player, but he still isn't the finished product. I think he can improve his team play by releasing the ball a bit quicker.
The same goes for Babel.
Pennant does it too, but I can't ever see him changing the way he plays. He isn't intelligent enough to adapt.
Posted by Jay | April 23, 2008 11:34 AM
Posted on April 23, 2008 11:34
Who's the blonde in the third pic down? Feist!
Posted by Fizzy Rascal | April 23, 2008 1:35 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 13:35
Fizzy Rascal said: "Who's the blonde in the third pic down? Feist!"
That's Amanda Stavely mate. DIC's negotiator. Was invited to the game at request of Gillett, even though Gillett himself was ill.
Posted by Luke | April 23, 2008 1:44 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 13:44
Ahh, I see it's Amanda Staveley. Now I see why Gillett invited DIC down!
Posted by Fizzy Rascal | April 23, 2008 2:14 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 14:14
Not over yet Luke. I'm a neutral and I still believe Chelsea, having lost their title bid on Saturday, will be dispirited opponents on Wedneday.
Posted by The Grinch who stole milk. | April 23, 2008 3:23 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 15:23
Unbelievable finish. It almost seemed as if all of the players apart from Kalou were just going through the motions, expecting the whistle at any moment.
The game wasn't as tight as past affairs and we created enough to suggest that we can score at least one next Wednesday, especially as we can rest Torres et al at the weekend. Which reminds me, I need to transfer Torres out of my fantasy team......
Posted by Rich | April 23, 2008 3:36 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 15:36
that amanda stavely can negotiate my DIC anytime she wants ;o)
Posted by mat m | April 23, 2008 3:45 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 15:45
Just got onto that! Brilliant retort!
Posted by Salient | April 23, 2008 6:53 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 18:53
swings and roundabouts arsenal denied stonewall penalty chelsea score fluke goal thats football but i am sure now we will win at the bridge CHELSKI WERE HOPELESS LAST NIGHT BUT THEY DO HAVE THE BEST KEEPER IN THE WORLD
Posted by splinter | April 23, 2008 7:19 PM
Posted on April 23, 2008 19:19