An away goal....
So Liverpool did get an away goal. I was hoping that would happen. And it did with Dutchman Dirk Kuyt doing the honours. I was tense at the start of the game because Arsenal are one of the better teams we have played against and it is there for everyone to see that we had got the toughest draw of all the teams, with Manchester United drawn to play AS Roma and Chelsea drawn to play Fenerbahce. (However, the Turkish side did manage to beat Chelsea on their home-turf 2-1!)
Arsenal had been leading the league until now. But a couple of sad performances and dismal draws handed the lead to Manchester United. It appeared the Gunners would be low on confidence until they came from behind and put in a superlative performance to beat Bolton 3-2. However, Liverpool were also in super form, having won eight of their last nine matches, with the only defeat at the hands of the leaders. So this was a first leg to look forward to.
Arsenal looked decidedly dangerous when the match started, straying forward consistently, with the Reds willing to sit back, soak up the pressure, and defend. The Gunners had started with Emmanuel Adebayor as the lone striker, with Robin van Persie chipping in with crisp shots. As I had said earlier, Mathieu Flamini would prove to be the difference as the midfielder created chances endlessly and put through Adebayor on a number of occasions. His lofty lob that sent van Persie clear of the Liverpool centrebacks was a delight to watch. However, van Persie could not grab the chance and shot the ball high. Pepe Reina, Liverpool's No.1 was also summoned to make a super save off the Dutch player's 20-yard powerfully-struck shot.
Arsenal drew first blood when the back four failed to get their act together and let in Adebayor have a free header off a corner. Liverpool don't often concede from set pieces but this time, Hyypia and Skrtel failed to mark the tall, gangly African forward. It was just left to him to nod the ball past Reina. The whole of the Emirates burst into celebrations. Getting a goal against Liverpool in the Champions League is worth rejoicing over. Especially when the goal comes as early as in the 23rd minute. But this was Liverpool in Europe. Playing in a Champions League match. Away from home. So how could an equaliser be far behind?
Celebrations were short-lived as a goal came after a mere two minutes. And it was again our skipper Stevie G who proved to be the creator and provider. What would Liverpool do without Stevie??? This is one question that is so unanswerable.....just like those questions like "What is life?" Or "what happens after death?" Or "Is this my first birth?" Anway, Stevie made a marvellous run into the box, kept running, looked stoppable but his strength and pace and power made the Arsenal defenders seem like stupid kids. He passed the ball and Kuyt was there to steer it into the net. And this time, it were the Scouser fans who could be heard cheering wildly. And why not? Their skipper had given them something to be exultant about....a precious away goal going into the second leg at Anfield a week later.
This goal can decide the fate of the two teams if a draw is played out in the return leg. However, Liverpool will have the advantage of its famous "12th man", the Kop and the Anfield loyals, who never give up chanting or encouraging their team to drive on fully. Anfield, as is already said, has the most electrifying atmosphere in Europe, and especially on a night like April 8, I am sure it will echo with the chants of Kopites who will give their team a much-needed boost. I am hoping the match will end in a Red triumph with El Nino scoring a brace. And Stevie probably chipping in as well. It would be beautiful to watch Liverpool progress to their third UCL semi-finals in four years. And even win it in Moscow.....YNWA!!!
Arsenal had been leading the league until now. But a couple of sad performances and dismal draws handed the lead to Manchester United. It appeared the Gunners would be low on confidence until they came from behind and put in a superlative performance to beat Bolton 3-2. However, Liverpool were also in super form, having won eight of their last nine matches, with the only defeat at the hands of the leaders. So this was a first leg to look forward to.
Arsenal looked decidedly dangerous when the match started, straying forward consistently, with the Reds willing to sit back, soak up the pressure, and defend. The Gunners had started with Emmanuel Adebayor as the lone striker, with Robin van Persie chipping in with crisp shots. As I had said earlier, Mathieu Flamini would prove to be the difference as the midfielder created chances endlessly and put through Adebayor on a number of occasions. His lofty lob that sent van Persie clear of the Liverpool centrebacks was a delight to watch. However, van Persie could not grab the chance and shot the ball high. Pepe Reina, Liverpool's No.1 was also summoned to make a super save off the Dutch player's 20-yard powerfully-struck shot.
Arsenal drew first blood when the back four failed to get their act together and let in Adebayor have a free header off a corner. Liverpool don't often concede from set pieces but this time, Hyypia and Skrtel failed to mark the tall, gangly African forward. It was just left to him to nod the ball past Reina. The whole of the Emirates burst into celebrations. Getting a goal against Liverpool in the Champions League is worth rejoicing over. Especially when the goal comes as early as in the 23rd minute. But this was Liverpool in Europe. Playing in a Champions League match. Away from home. So how could an equaliser be far behind?
Celebrations were short-lived as a goal came after a mere two minutes. And it was again our skipper Stevie G who proved to be the creator and provider. What would Liverpool do without Stevie??? This is one question that is so unanswerable.....just like those questions like "What is life?" Or "what happens after death?" Or "Is this my first birth?" Anway, Stevie made a marvellous run into the box, kept running, looked stoppable but his strength and pace and power made the Arsenal defenders seem like stupid kids. He passed the ball and Kuyt was there to steer it into the net. And this time, it were the Scouser fans who could be heard cheering wildly. And why not? Their skipper had given them something to be exultant about....a precious away goal going into the second leg at Anfield a week later.
This goal can decide the fate of the two teams if a draw is played out in the return leg. However, Liverpool will have the advantage of its famous "12th man", the Kop and the Anfield loyals, who never give up chanting or encouraging their team to drive on fully. Anfield, as is already said, has the most electrifying atmosphere in Europe, and especially on a night like April 8, I am sure it will echo with the chants of Kopites who will give their team a much-needed boost. I am hoping the match will end in a Red triumph with El Nino scoring a brace. And Stevie probably chipping in as well. It would be beautiful to watch Liverpool progress to their third UCL semi-finals in four years. And even win it in Moscow.....YNWA!!!
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