Liverpool FC - Page 68

fitz15 · 02-04-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matieo10

Great run by Gerrard, he doesn't get enough credit for those runs...got some skill to it.

ya it was a bit like the henry goal against liverpool a few years bck where carragher got out of his way to let henry in, the arsenal defence just didnt try n tackle him for some reason.

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:01 PM

ARSENAL 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL
Wednesday 02 April 2008 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (1)
KUYT NETS AWAY GOAL IN EMIRATES DRAW

Liverpool leave the Emirates with a priceless away goal following a 1-1 draw in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Dirk Kuyt was the Euro star once more, equalising Emmanuel Adebayor's opener after Steven Gerrard cut through the Gunners defence.

The result sends Liverpool into next week's return at Anfield as bookies' favourites, though the heavy weather they endured during the second half illustrates how finely poised the tie remains.

In between that is a crucial Premier League clash which could prove decisive for both the title and fourth place.

The first part of the most eagerly-anticipated trilogy since The Godfather saw Rafa Benitez select the same four-pronged attack that has helped the Reds to eight wins in nine. Arsenal, meanwhile, recalled Adebayor to a side which contained not a single Englishman. So much for not being drawn against continental opposition.

It was Adebayor who could have punished the visitors in the opening minutes when Pepe Reina strayed to the left-back position only to mis-control. The 23-goal striker looked to capitalise but Liverpool's custodian recovered to make a fine tackle.

The Reds' first chance came when Xabi Alonso floated a sublime ball into the box on the quarter-hour mark. He might have the same flowing blonde locks, but Sami Hyypia is not quite El Nino in the box. Instead of hitting it first time, the Finn took a touch and the opportunity was gone.

From there, Arsenal's thrusting football suddenly revealed itself, and it cost Liverpool a goal.

First, Mathieu Flamini lofted a teasing ball to Robin van Persie, who tried to lob Reina with his first touch. The Dutchman then tried his luck from 20 yards and the Spanish stopper had to be smart.

Hyypia and co failed to compose themselves as the resulting corner was swung in, however, and Adebayor was given free reign to nod home from five yards. First blood Arsenal.

Some teams would have let their heads drop; some would have collapsed. But this is Liverpool, Liverpool in Europe.

Within three minutes, the scores were level and the only noise inside the Emirates had a Scouse twang.

Unsurprisingly, it was their hometown here, Steven Gerrard, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, drilling himself through the home defence before sending a low cross into the six-yard box. Two Arsenal defenders were tracking back but Kuyt got there first to bag his sixth in the European season. Game on, though Benitez still didn't venture a smile.

That's how it remained until the break.

It was the team in black who carved out the first scoring opportunity of the second half after Fernando Torres brought a cynical foul out of Philippe Senderos. Gerrard stepped up for the free-kick midway inside the Arsenal half before hitting an out-swinger towards Martin Skrtel at the far post. The Slovak sent a delicate header to the feet of Kuyt but the Dutch international was denied by a low save from Manuel Almunia.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott was a half-time replacement for van Persie, and the lightning-quick youngster soon found space down the left channel, cutting inside before whacking a long-range effort inches with of Reina's goal.

With Arsenal starting to dominate possession, Benitez also decided to tinker, waiting just 12 minutes after the restart to introduce Yossi Benayoun at the expense of Ryan Babel.

The change didn't do much to ease the pressure, though the hosts had to wait until the 65th minute to seriously threaten, first when Martin Skrtel cleared off the line from Walcott, then when Hleb got through only to be out-muscled by Kuyt of all people. Penalties have been given for less but Wenger's calls went unanswered.

Next Adebayor burst down the left, skipping past Skrtel before the ball came to Fabregas. His shot appeared to be going in but the unfortunate Bendtner got in the way. Thankfully for the substitute, his blushes were spared by the linesman's flag.

Still, Liverpool were penned in, creating a wall of black that somehow managed to stand firm until the end.

TEAMS

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Riise, Crouch, Voronin, Leiva, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Itandje

Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Senderos, Toure, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Eboue, van Persie, Adebayor. Subs - , Song, Walcott, Diaby, Bendtner, Hoyte, Lehmann

Referee: Pieter Vink

Conditions: Mild

Attendance: 68,041

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Dirk Kuyt

BREAKDOWN

18:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool get the first leg of the quarter final underway
2 mins : Toure makes good progress down the right but Aurelio clears for Liverpool
3 mins : Hyypia does well to bring the ball under control but then overhits the pass to Torres
5 mins : There are still rows of empty seats in the stadium with rumours that the ticketing system has failed
6 mins : Reina misjudges a long ball forward but Adebayor can't make the most of the opportunity and his cross is blocked by the recovering keeper
13 mins : Kuyt floats in a good cross from the right but Arsenal clear.
15 mins : Hyypia has space in the box but the ball gets away from him at the crucial time
18 mins : Flamini is late with a challenge on Torres but fortunately El Nino is okay to carry on
20 mins : Toure glances on a Fabregas corner but the ball rolls harmlessly out of play
21 mins : Great chance for Van Persie to open the scoring as he gets in behind the Liverpool defence but his first time volley is over Reina's goal. Best chance of the game so far
21 mins : Great chance for Van Persie to open the scoring as he gets in behind the Liverpool defence but his first time volley is over Reina's goal. Best chance of the game so far
22 mins : Reina is in the action again, turning away a Van Persie drive for a corner
23 mins : GOAL! Emmanuel Adebayor: Adebayor climbs unmarked inside the area to head home the opening goal of the game. It had been coming
27 mins : GOAL! Dirk Kuyt: Kuyt taps home from inside the six yard box from Gerrard's cross to level the scores
32 mins : Babel cuts in from the right and drives a low shot which Almunia saves to his right
35 mins : Good pressure in the area from Liverpool as Hyypia and Babel cause problems after a Gerrard free kick. We've got a corner
40 mins : Good defending from Aurelio to see out a dangerous looking cross from the left hand side
19:31 GMT : Half Time Reached
19:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Theo Walcott for Robin van Persie:
47 mins : Kuyt brings a save from Almunia who holds the ball well with Hyypia looking to pounce.
54 mins : Benayoun is being spoken to by Rafa - looks like a Liverpool change is imminent
55 mins : Torres breaks into space down the left ad brings a save from Almunia
55 mins : Walcott lets fly from 20 yards and the ball whistles past Reina's far post
57 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Ryan Babel:
64 mins : More magical play by Torres as he nutmegs Toure and wins a free kick in a good position on the right
66 mins : Hleb goes on a great run in the area before going down under a challenge from Kuyt. No pen!
67 mins : Substitution: Nicklas Bendtner for Emmanuel Eboue:
69 mins : Fabregas goes for goal with a drive from the edge of the area which doesn't trouble Reina
71 mins : Escape for Liverpool as Bendtner clears a shot from his own teammate from off the line
77 mins : Substitution: Lucas Leiva for Xabi Alonso:
86 mins : Substitution: Andriy Voronin for Fernando Torres:
90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played
90 mins : Fabregas has a late chance to win it for Arsenal but his header is tame
20:34 GMT : Match Over

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:07 PM

1st Goal for Arsenal - Adebayor

Click Here

1st Goal for Liverpool - Kuyt

Click Here

Van Persie's on the fly shot goes over the crossbar

Click Here

Arsenal's player Brendtner defends the liverpool goal and denies Arsenal their 2nd goal!!

Click Here

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:08 PM

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 10:25 PM

Great result for us..get first goal at Anfield and we'll win..theres no point sitting back an hour and a halve

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:28 PM

The Anfield Crowd will make it hard for arsenal

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

The Anfield Crowd will make it hard for arsenal

True but maybe next time we should try player marking rather than zonal

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

True but maybe next time we should try player marking rather than zonal

Very true, because Adeybayours height is a threat from set pieces.

Also can`t understand why Rafa did`nt bring on crouch

he would of killed the game off imo

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

Very true, because Adeybayours height is a threat from set pieces.

Also can`t understand why Rafa did`nt bring on crouch

he would of killed the game off imo

yh couldnt believe it when Voronins number came up...he may rest some at the weekend so i personally think anew formation and players would benefit..they will be playin a strong team to win title...i would go for saturday....

----------------Reina------------

---Finnan---Carra---Sami---Riise---

---Pennant--Alonso--Gerrard--Benayoun--

----------Crouch----Kuyt

If he chooses to rest Torres or Gerrard i would rather it be Torres

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

yh couldnt believe it when Voronins number came up...he may rest some at the weekend so i personally think anew formation and players would benefit..they will be playin a strong team to win title...i would go for saturday....

----------------Reina------------

---Finnan---Carra---Sami---Riise---

---Pennant--Alonso--Gerrard--Benayoun--

----------Crouch----Kuyt

If he chooses to rest Torres or Gerrard i would rather it be Torres

Arsenal will rest players as well, so i think we should to maybe play:

----------------------Reina------------------------

Finnan----Carragher------Sami-----------Arbeloa

---Peeners-----Lucas-----Alonso---------Benayoun

--------------Crouch-----------Nemeth/Voronin

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:10 PM

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 11:13 PM

Gallas was decent in defense today..you could see that Torres had Senderos for pace..lets hope he plays there next week

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

Gallas was decent in defense today..you could see that Torres had Senderos for pace..lets hope he plays there next week

Toure on the right went in our favour as well

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

Toure on the right went in our favour as well

yep Gerrard skipped past him with ease

Gerrard4eva · 02-04-2008, 11:24 PM

Torres didn't really do really well today. He was in a weird weak mood, he kept falling over.

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:27 PM

And Benterner was the 12th man tonight ;D

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerrard4eva

Torres didn't really do really well today. He was in a weird weak mood, he kept falling over.

Fatigue kicking in i think

.DJ · 02-04-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

Fatigue kicking in i think

diving maybe?

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---dj---

diving maybe?

No you have him mistaken for ronaldive

Gerrard4eva · 02-04-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

And Benterner was the 12th man tonight ;D

He was the 12th man, without his amazing defending we might have lost 2-1

.DJ · 02-04-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

No you have him mistaken for ronaldive

lol lol. Look at the match again. There was one incident with Flamini jus barely touchin him and screamed out and fell to the ground. What do u think that was?

MaschPotato · 02-04-2008, 11:54 PM

Its easy to get hurt even after the simplest of clips...just like the one when Clichy clipped his foot if you remember it

Scouser_Dave · 02-04-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---dj---

lol lol. Look at the match again. There was one incident with Flamini jus barely touchin him and screamed out and fell to the ground. What do u think that was?

A bad tackle

.DJ · 02-04-2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

A bad tackle

nope he didnt even tackle him. He jus ran by him

MaschPotato · 03-04-2008, 12:20 PM

Any other Reds fans slightly worried that Carra and Gerrard are 1 booking away from being suspended...that could be a chelsea/fenerbache match or the final providing we beat arsenal...also only seen it on LFC forums that Masch has been fined 15k and banned foe 2 more matches...what ajoke

02-04-2008, 10:08 PM	#1679 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936	Last edited by Scouser_Dave; 02-04-2008 at 10:16 PM..

02-04-2008, 11:24 PM	#1690 (permalink)
Gerrard4eva Rookie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aussie Land Posts: 443	Torres didn't really do really well today. He was in a weird weak mood, he kept falling over. __________________ I will always be a Liverpool supporter! GO THE REDS!!

03-04-2008, 12:20 PM	#1700 (permalink)
MaschPotato EA Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 15,457	Any other Reds fans slightly worried that Carra and Gerrard are 1 booking away from being suspended...that could be a chelsea/fenerbache match or the final providing we beat arsenal...also only seen it on LFC forums that Masch has been fined 15k and banned foe 2 more matches...what ajoke Last edited by MaschPotato; 03-04-2008 at 01:13 PM..

02-04-2008, 10:01 PM	#1677 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936	ARSENAL 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 02 April 2008 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (1) KUYT NETS AWAY GOAL IN EMIRATES DRAW Liverpool leave the Emirates with a priceless away goal following a 1-1 draw in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. Dirk Kuyt was the Euro star once more, equalising Emmanuel Adebayor's opener after Steven Gerrard cut through the Gunners defence. The result sends Liverpool into next week's return at Anfield as bookies' favourites, though the heavy weather they endured during the second half illustrates how finely poised the tie remains. In between that is a crucial Premier League clash which could prove decisive for both the title and fourth place. The first part of the most eagerly-anticipated trilogy since The Godfather saw Rafa Benitez select the same four-pronged attack that has helped the Reds to eight wins in nine. Arsenal, meanwhile, recalled Adebayor to a side which contained not a single Englishman. So much for not being drawn against continental opposition. It was Adebayor who could have punished the visitors in the opening minutes when Pepe Reina strayed to the left-back position only to mis-control. The 23-goal striker looked to capitalise but Liverpool's custodian recovered to make a fine tackle. The Reds' first chance came when Xabi Alonso floated a sublime ball into the box on the quarter-hour mark. He might have the same flowing blonde locks, but Sami Hyypia is not quite El Nino in the box. Instead of hitting it first time, the Finn took a touch and the opportunity was gone. From there, Arsenal's thrusting football suddenly revealed itself, and it cost Liverpool a goal. First, Mathieu Flamini lofted a teasing ball to Robin van Persie, who tried to lob Reina with his first touch. The Dutchman then tried his luck from 20 yards and the Spanish stopper had to be smart. Hyypia and co failed to compose themselves as the resulting corner was swung in, however, and Adebayor was given free reign to nod home from five yards. First blood Arsenal. Some teams would have let their heads drop; some would have collapsed. But this is Liverpool, Liverpool in Europe. Within three minutes, the scores were level and the only noise inside the Emirates had a Scouse twang. Unsurprisingly, it was their hometown here, Steven Gerrard, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, drilling himself through the home defence before sending a low cross into the six-yard box. Two Arsenal defenders were tracking back but Kuyt got there first to bag his sixth in the European season. Game on, though Benitez still didn't venture a smile. That's how it remained until the break. It was the team in black who carved out the first scoring opportunity of the second half after Fernando Torres brought a cynical foul out of Philippe Senderos. Gerrard stepped up for the free-kick midway inside the Arsenal half before hitting an out-swinger towards Martin Skrtel at the far post. The Slovak sent a delicate header to the feet of Kuyt but the Dutch international was denied by a low save from Manuel Almunia. Meanwhile, Theo Walcott was a half-time replacement for van Persie, and the lightning-quick youngster soon found space down the left channel, cutting inside before whacking a long-range effort inches with of Reina's goal. With Arsenal starting to dominate possession, Benitez also decided to tinker, waiting just 12 minutes after the restart to introduce Yossi Benayoun at the expense of Ryan Babel. The change didn't do much to ease the pressure, though the hosts had to wait until the 65th minute to seriously threaten, first when Martin Skrtel cleared off the line from Walcott, then when Hleb got through only to be out-muscled by Kuyt of all people. Penalties have been given for less but Wenger's calls went unanswered. Next Adebayor burst down the left, skipping past Skrtel before the ball came to Fabregas. His shot appeared to be going in but the unfortunate Bendtner got in the way. Thankfully for the substitute, his blushes were spared by the linesman's flag. Still, Liverpool were penned in, creating a wall of black that somehow managed to stand firm until the end. TEAMS Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Riise, Crouch, Voronin, Leiva, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Itandje Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Senderos, Toure, Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas, Eboue, van Persie, Adebayor. Subs - , Song, Walcott, Diaby, Bendtner, Hoyte, Lehmann Referee: Pieter Vink Conditions: Mild Attendance: 68,041 Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Dirk Kuyt BREAKDOWN 18:45 GMT : Match Starts 1 min : Liverpool get the first leg of the quarter final underway 2 mins : Toure makes good progress down the right but Aurelio clears for Liverpool 3 mins : Hyypia does well to bring the ball under control but then overhits the pass to Torres 5 mins : There are still rows of empty seats in the stadium with rumours that the ticketing system has failed 6 mins : Reina misjudges a long ball forward but Adebayor can't make the most of the opportunity and his cross is blocked by the recovering keeper 13 mins : Kuyt floats in a good cross from the right but Arsenal clear. 15 mins : Hyypia has space in the box but the ball gets away from him at the crucial time 18 mins : Flamini is late with a challenge on Torres but fortunately El Nino is okay to carry on 20 mins : Toure glances on a Fabregas corner but the ball rolls harmlessly out of play 21 mins : Great chance for Van Persie to open the scoring as he gets in behind the Liverpool defence but his first time volley is over Reina's goal. Best chance of the game so far 21 mins : Great chance for Van Persie to open the scoring as he gets in behind the Liverpool defence but his first time volley is over Reina's goal. Best chance of the game so far 22 mins : Reina is in the action again, turning away a Van Persie drive for a corner 23 mins : GOAL! Emmanuel Adebayor: Adebayor climbs unmarked inside the area to head home the opening goal of the game. It had been coming 27 mins : GOAL! Dirk Kuyt: Kuyt taps home from inside the six yard box from Gerrard's cross to level the scores 32 mins : Babel cuts in from the right and drives a low shot which Almunia saves to his right 35 mins : Good pressure in the area from Liverpool as Hyypia and Babel cause problems after a Gerrard free kick. We've got a corner 40 mins : Good defending from Aurelio to see out a dangerous looking cross from the left hand side 19:31 GMT : Half Time Reached 19:46 GMT : Second Half Begins 46 mins : Substitution: Theo Walcott for Robin van Persie: 47 mins : Kuyt brings a save from Almunia who holds the ball well with Hyypia looking to pounce. 54 mins : Benayoun is being spoken to by Rafa - looks like a Liverpool change is imminent 55 mins : Torres breaks into space down the left ad brings a save from Almunia 55 mins : Walcott lets fly from 20 yards and the ball whistles past Reina's far post 57 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Ryan Babel: 64 mins : More magical play by Torres as he nutmegs Toure and wins a free kick in a good position on the right 66 mins : Hleb goes on a great run in the area before going down under a challenge from Kuyt. No pen! 67 mins : Substitution: Nicklas Bendtner for Emmanuel Eboue: 69 mins : Fabregas goes for goal with a drive from the edge of the area which doesn't trouble Reina 71 mins : Escape for Liverpool as Bendtner clears a shot from his own teammate from off the line 77 mins : Substitution: Lucas Leiva for Xabi Alonso: 86 mins : Substitution: Andriy Voronin for Fernando Torres: 90 mins : Three extra minutes to be played 90 mins : Fabregas has a late chance to win it for Arsenal but his header is tame 20:34 GMT : Match Over

02-04-2008, 10:07 PM	#1678 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936	1st Goal for Arsenal - Adebayor Click Here 1st Goal for Liverpool - Kuyt Click Here Van Persie's on the fly shot goes over the crossbar Click Here Arsenal's player Brendtner defends the liverpool goal and denies Arsenal their 2nd goal!! Click Here

02-04-2008, 10:25 PM	#1680 (permalink)
MaschPotato EA Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 15,457	Great result for us..get first goal at Anfield and we'll win..theres no point sitting back an hour and a halve

02-04-2008, 10:28 PM	#1681 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936	The Anfield Crowd will make it hard for arsenal

02-04-2008, 11:10 PM	#1686 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936

02-04-2008, 11:13 PM	#1687 (permalink)
MaschPotato EA Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 15,457	Gallas was decent in defense today..you could see that Torres had Senderos for pace..lets hope he plays there next week

02-04-2008, 11:27 PM	#1691 (permalink)
Scouser_Dave EA Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 25 Posts: 13,936	And Benterner was the 12th man tonight ;D

02-04-2008, 11:54 PM	#1697 (permalink)
MaschPotato EA Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 19 Gender: Male Posts: 15,457	Its easy to get hurt even after the simplest of clips...just like the one when Clichy clipped his foot if you remember it