Into The Semi-finals.....
It was one of the most amazing nights at Anfield, just like it always is on a European night. Liverpool progressed to another Champions League semi-final, beating Arsenal 4-2 in a pulsating Tuesday night thriller, and winning 5-3 on aggregate. It was a superb game, end-to-end, that kept me glued to the television set for every minute and second that it was played.
The Kop were out in full force and Anfield was painted a bright red. Flags, banners, scarves were displayed prominently and proudly around the stadium. Chants of "You'll never walk alone", "Lanes of Anfield", etc, etc, reverberated around, adding to the uproar created by the fans screaming and yelling and egging their teams to perform. The Gunners had probably not expected an atmosphere as electric as the one they witnessed at Anfield yesterday evening. But then that is what is Liverpool's so-called "12th Man". The huge rush that the players get when they hear the passionate chants of their dedicated fans literally inspires them to scale ever-greater heights in a game. And so it was yesterday. Just when it seemed that Arsenal would go through to the semi-final on an away-goal basis, courtesy Emmanuel Adebayor, came a controversial penalty. And skipper Stevie Gerrard very calmly put the ball into the back of the net, making it 3-2 and restoring faith in the veracity of the club chant, "Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone, you will never walk alone." And that was the way it was. Liverpool never gave up the fight even when Arsenal made it 2-2 with only six minutes remaining. The club's pedigree and quality shone through in the final encounter of the much-anticipated trilogy, which had made the Reds favourites to progress to the next stage.
The first-half was pretty sombre for Liverpool. The defence looked shaky, the players lost a lot of possession in the midfield and Arsenal players picked up almost all the loose balls. They played a super game of short passes, creating chances here and there, and baffling the Red midfield. Xabi Alonso was not at his creative best like he usually is, being the playmaker and starting moves from the middle. And it was strike one for Arsenal as Diaby scored in the 13th minute of the game. The goal could be seen coming because the Gunners were relentlessly straying forward, trying to put Adebayor through. Mathieu Flamini's through-pass let Diaby clear and he scored from a short range, beating Liverpool No.1 Pepe Reina. Personally, I think Reina could have done a better job, considering the kind of saves he makes. But it was just not the start Liverpool were looking for. And Arsenal snatched an away goal. It was a contrast of emotions all around, as the travelling fans erupted into cheers, effectively silencing the Kop end.
Liverpool tried to pick up the pieces after that and gradually succeeded in building momentum. An understanding of Arsenal's tactics and play came up and everything slowly seemed to fall in line. Liverpool conceded from set-pieces in the last two games. And now it was their turn to make one count. Stevie's pin-point shot off a corner found Sami Hyypia virtually unmarked, and the towering Finn crashed the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net. That was what the Kop needed. A goal!!! And what a goal it was coming from the centreback, who had scored that fabulous long-range goal against Juventus. Hyypia is one of those players who are true Scousers. I am so glad he signed a new contract which keeps him at Merseyside for another couple of years. One player in a red shirt who gives it his all, be it whatever position he is asked to operate in. One player whose work rate and commitment is unquestionable. Like Dirk Kuyt. I was so happy that Kuyt was voted the Man of The Match. Thay guy does deserve all the plaudits. He doesn't get many, but he is simply tireless. He runs after the ball without even stopping for a metre. But he doesn't get his due because he isn't a goal-getting machine like Fernando Torres. Or as sharp and incisive as him. But Kuyt is one of those players whose work ethic brings a different sense of discipline to the team.
After getting the equaliser, Liverpool kept on pushing for the winner to kill the game. However, that did not come till the 75th minute when Peter Crouch's neat pass found El Nino at the edge of the box. The Spanish forward did a meticulous turn before firing the ball to the back of the net. What a fantastic strike that was from Torres! When the ball fell to him, I knew he would make good use of it. A player of his calibre has proved time and again what he can do with the ball, how he can control it, bring it down and get a goal. And that is exactly what he did. And rescued a ray of hope for the beleagured fans who were busy biting their nails in tense anticipation. Everyone thought, "Surely! This is it!" So did I. However, that was not to be as the game was set for a grand and exciting finale. Arsene Wenger's super substitution paid rich dividends as England youngster Theo Walcott indicated his lethal pace and skills by cutting across the length of the Liverpool defence. He made a tremendous run from inside his own box after Stevie missed a kick and then skipped past all the players to superbly cross it inside the box, where Adebayor pounced on it with the grace of a predator, coolly finishing off the clinical move.
I thought it was all over then. But still clung on to a tiny ray of hope. And it was fully substantiated as this was Liverpool playing a European game at Anfield. In a must-win situation. And the breakthrough came just 30 seconds later when super-sub Ryan Babel was brought down in the box by Toure. It was totally unnecessary as William Gallas was there to mark him. But that slight pull proved to be Arsenal's undoing as a penalty was awared. Pundits might debate about the efficacy of the penalty awarded, saying Kuyt's pull on Hleb in the last game was a stronger case for a spot kick. But the final nail in the coffin had been hammered and Liverpool had the last laugh. Our captain stepped up to take the spot kick, glanced at the Kop behind the goal, and whacked the ball into the net. And it was 3-2 to Liverpool. Into the semi-finals. Surely Arsenal wouldn't be able to get a goal now. And it was all over the very next minute when Babel clinched the game with a super finish. Arsenal was busy attacking the Red half when Liverpool made a clean breakaway. A long ball found Babel and he used his pace to great use. Fabregas tried to pull him away but Babel was unstoppable. And what a cool finish that was! 4-2 to Liverpool, Game, set, and MATCH!
Another glorious triumph, another beautiful victory! Liverpool might not be faring great in the league but over two legs, their tactics and team composition pay off against any opposition. It is Chelsea next in the semi-finals.... and the Reds will look forward to repeating their previous performances against the Blues in UCL. Hopefully it will be Moscow 2008 by the time we are done with Chelsea. Fingers crossed.
YNWA...!!
The Kop were out in full force and Anfield was painted a bright red. Flags, banners, scarves were displayed prominently and proudly around the stadium. Chants of "You'll never walk alone", "Lanes of Anfield", etc, etc, reverberated around, adding to the uproar created by the fans screaming and yelling and egging their teams to perform. The Gunners had probably not expected an atmosphere as electric as the one they witnessed at Anfield yesterday evening. But then that is what is Liverpool's so-called "12th Man". The huge rush that the players get when they hear the passionate chants of their dedicated fans literally inspires them to scale ever-greater heights in a game. And so it was yesterday. Just when it seemed that Arsenal would go through to the semi-final on an away-goal basis, courtesy Emmanuel Adebayor, came a controversial penalty. And skipper Stevie Gerrard very calmly put the ball into the back of the net, making it 3-2 and restoring faith in the veracity of the club chant, "Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you will never walk alone, you will never walk alone." And that was the way it was. Liverpool never gave up the fight even when Arsenal made it 2-2 with only six minutes remaining. The club's pedigree and quality shone through in the final encounter of the much-anticipated trilogy, which had made the Reds favourites to progress to the next stage.
The first-half was pretty sombre for Liverpool. The defence looked shaky, the players lost a lot of possession in the midfield and Arsenal players picked up almost all the loose balls. They played a super game of short passes, creating chances here and there, and baffling the Red midfield. Xabi Alonso was not at his creative best like he usually is, being the playmaker and starting moves from the middle. And it was strike one for Arsenal as Diaby scored in the 13th minute of the game. The goal could be seen coming because the Gunners were relentlessly straying forward, trying to put Adebayor through. Mathieu Flamini's through-pass let Diaby clear and he scored from a short range, beating Liverpool No.1 Pepe Reina. Personally, I think Reina could have done a better job, considering the kind of saves he makes. But it was just not the start Liverpool were looking for. And Arsenal snatched an away goal. It was a contrast of emotions all around, as the travelling fans erupted into cheers, effectively silencing the Kop end.
Liverpool tried to pick up the pieces after that and gradually succeeded in building momentum. An understanding of Arsenal's tactics and play came up and everything slowly seemed to fall in line. Liverpool conceded from set-pieces in the last two games. And now it was their turn to make one count. Stevie's pin-point shot off a corner found Sami Hyypia virtually unmarked, and the towering Finn crashed the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net. That was what the Kop needed. A goal!!! And what a goal it was coming from the centreback, who had scored that fabulous long-range goal against Juventus. Hyypia is one of those players who are true Scousers. I am so glad he signed a new contract which keeps him at Merseyside for another couple of years. One player in a red shirt who gives it his all, be it whatever position he is asked to operate in. One player whose work rate and commitment is unquestionable. Like Dirk Kuyt. I was so happy that Kuyt was voted the Man of The Match. Thay guy does deserve all the plaudits. He doesn't get many, but he is simply tireless. He runs after the ball without even stopping for a metre. But he doesn't get his due because he isn't a goal-getting machine like Fernando Torres. Or as sharp and incisive as him. But Kuyt is one of those players whose work ethic brings a different sense of discipline to the team.
After getting the equaliser, Liverpool kept on pushing for the winner to kill the game. However, that did not come till the 75th minute when Peter Crouch's neat pass found El Nino at the edge of the box. The Spanish forward did a meticulous turn before firing the ball to the back of the net. What a fantastic strike that was from Torres! When the ball fell to him, I knew he would make good use of it. A player of his calibre has proved time and again what he can do with the ball, how he can control it, bring it down and get a goal. And that is exactly what he did. And rescued a ray of hope for the beleagured fans who were busy biting their nails in tense anticipation. Everyone thought, "Surely! This is it!" So did I. However, that was not to be as the game was set for a grand and exciting finale. Arsene Wenger's super substitution paid rich dividends as England youngster Theo Walcott indicated his lethal pace and skills by cutting across the length of the Liverpool defence. He made a tremendous run from inside his own box after Stevie missed a kick and then skipped past all the players to superbly cross it inside the box, where Adebayor pounced on it with the grace of a predator, coolly finishing off the clinical move.
I thought it was all over then. But still clung on to a tiny ray of hope. And it was fully substantiated as this was Liverpool playing a European game at Anfield. In a must-win situation. And the breakthrough came just 30 seconds later when super-sub Ryan Babel was brought down in the box by Toure. It was totally unnecessary as William Gallas was there to mark him. But that slight pull proved to be Arsenal's undoing as a penalty was awared. Pundits might debate about the efficacy of the penalty awarded, saying Kuyt's pull on Hleb in the last game was a stronger case for a spot kick. But the final nail in the coffin had been hammered and Liverpool had the last laugh. Our captain stepped up to take the spot kick, glanced at the Kop behind the goal, and whacked the ball into the net. And it was 3-2 to Liverpool. Into the semi-finals. Surely Arsenal wouldn't be able to get a goal now. And it was all over the very next minute when Babel clinched the game with a super finish. Arsenal was busy attacking the Red half when Liverpool made a clean breakaway. A long ball found Babel and he used his pace to great use. Fabregas tried to pull him away but Babel was unstoppable. And what a cool finish that was! 4-2 to Liverpool, Game, set, and MATCH!
Another glorious triumph, another beautiful victory! Liverpool might not be faring great in the league but over two legs, their tactics and team composition pay off against any opposition. It is Chelsea next in the semi-finals.... and the Reds will look forward to repeating their previous performances against the Blues in UCL. Hopefully it will be Moscow 2008 by the time we are done with Chelsea. Fingers crossed.
YNWA...!!
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