Liverpool FC

[Scouser_Dave]

MASCHERANO SET TO MISS TWO MORE GAMES
Paul Eaton 03 April 2008

Javier Mascherano has been handed a £15,000 fine and a further two match suspension by the Football Association following his sending off at Old Trafford.
The Reds' Argentine midfielder - who missed the derby victory over Everton as a result of his red card against Manchester United - will now also miss this weekend's clash with Arsenal and the home game with Blackburn following a Disciplinary Commission hearing today.

Responding to the announcement from the FA, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Although we received a fair hearing we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency of sentencing for Javier based on past precedents."

[Scouser_Dave]

ARSENAL 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL
Wednesday 02 April 2008 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (1)
ARSENAL V REDS: THE VERDICT

A priceless away goal from Dirk Kuyt earned Liverpool a valuable 1-1 draw away to Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Here is the best of the post-match reaction.

The local paper
Arsenal had the lion's share of possession, but that was only to be expected, particularly after Kuyt's poacher's effort gave Liverpool an away goal which could yet prove decisive. The tie is far from over, though, and they are more than capable of grabbing an away goal at Anfield. But Liverpool are now exactly where they wanted to be. A route to their third Champions League semi-final has opened up and they will now be determined to finish the job.
The Echo

The former player
The initial target away from home in the Champions League is to score the away goal because it has extra value if things are tight in the next game. Liverpool's first intention was to score. It's a little disappointing that they let one in, but apart from that I don't think they could have got a much better result.
David Fairclough

The national paper
Advantage Rafael Benitez � another classic from the old master of the Champions League smash and grab. Last night his team made the dark art of European football look bliss-fully simple as they took Arsene Wenger's season to the brink of extinction. Arsenal will remember the penalty that was never given to Alexander Hleb but most of all they will consider the trip to Anfield on Tuesday with bleak foreboding: nowhere in Europe, not even San Siro, has quite the same reputation as the fortress in Stanley Park.
The Independent

The player
It was a really important goal we got because Arsenal played really well today. We did everything we could. We wanted to score and we did. We got straight back into the game after they scored and had a few other chances from corner kicks. You have to be lucky to get another goal, but Arsenal played really well. They have a great side but we're playing at Anfield and we've shown we can do special things there. Everyone knows what we've done there over the last few years. Hopefully it will happen again and we'll get into the semi-finals.
Dirk Kuyt

The boss
I think it's crucial to score an away goal in Europe. Arsenal is a team that can also score away from home but at least we now have this option in our hands for the second leg. Gerrard created the chance and Kuyt was there and it was really important for us. The team was working really, really hard against a good team. We knew before they could have plenty of possession so we had to be well organised and play on the counter attack. That was the plan and it was good.
Rafa Benitez

The fan
Another top European away performance from the team. We rode our luck at times but fully deserved the draw in the end. Dirk Kuyt was magnificent and, as ever, worked his socks off in what was his best performance in a red shirt. We still have work to be done but with Anfield braced for another great European night, snowy Moscow in May sounds good!
Marcoz1983, LFC.TV Message Boards

HYYPIA EYES ANFIELD VICTORY
Paul Hassall 03 April 2008

Sami Hyypia has set his sights on a Champions League semi-final berth after Liverpool earned an important 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Giant Finn was delighted to see Dirk Kuyt force home a vital away goal after the Reds conceded a sloppy opener to Emmanuel Adebayor and he is now hoping they can finish the job in the second-leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

"Of course the away goal we got here is a good thing and the draw, so if we win at Anfield we are through," he said.

"It was disappointing to concede from a corner. I think I made a little error there. I should have been closer to Adebayor and perhaps pushed him a bit so that he couldn't get a clear header.

"He has a good jump on him and I didn't expect him to get on to the ball, so it was good to score a few minutes after that. Then it was game on again.

"Maybe in the second half we were in a little bit of a defensive mode all the time and we couldn't keep the ball to attack more, but Arsenal are a good team and they pushed us back in the second half."

Hyypia feels the away goal could prove crucial but is refusing to focus on next week's second-leg and is instead looking towards the second part of the trilogy between the two sides, when they lock horns in the Barclays Premier League fixture at the Emirates on Saturday.

"We knew that there was a second leg coming and that even if they scored a second one, [for us] to score one was a good thing," he said.

"It's interesting," he said.

"But there is one important game before that on Saturday. Both teams want points in the Premier League so let's play that one first then start to think of Tuesday."

RAFA: AWAY GOAL COULD PROVE CRUCIAL
Steve Hunter 02 April 2008

Rafael Benitez believes Dirk Kuyt's away goal against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium could turn out to be so crucial ahead of next Tuesday's second leg at Anfield.
Kuyt became Liverpool's leading marksman in the Champions League this season with his sixth European strike of the campaign when he equalised Emanuel Adebayor's opener.

"I think it's crucial to score an away goal in Europe," said Benitez. "Arsenal is a team that can also score away from home but at least we now have this option in our hands for the second leg.

"It was an important goal for us and the understanding between Torres and Gerrard is really good. Gerrard created the chance and Kuyt was there and it was really important for us."

The Reds boss admitted he was pleased with the work ethic of his team and said they did well to withstand great pressure in the second half.

"I think the result is really good," said the boss. "It's the Champions League and we were away from home in Europe.

"The team was working really, really hard against a good team. We knew before they could have plenty of possession so the question was for us to be well organised and play on the counter attack. That was the plan and it was good.

"We were running a lot in the first half and in the second we thought they would have plenty of possession. We needed to change some players and we put on fresh legs in Benayoun, Lucas and Voronin."

While disappointed with the goal his team conceded when Adebayor scored from a free header, Benitez refused to point a finger of blame at any individuals.

"I think it's difficult when you play against a good team," added Benitez. "The delivery was really good and Adebayor is really good in the air, so at the end you can't control everything.

"We knew they could also be dangerous from open play so we were trying to control all the small details but you can't control everything."

KUYT: WE STILL NEED SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Jimmy Rice 03 April 2008

Goalscoring hero Dirk Kuyt believes he and his teammates will have to produce a 'special' performance at Anfield to eliminate Arsenal despite a crucial away goal at the Emirates.
The Dutch international admits the Reds were under the cosh during much of the first leg.

The 1-1 scoreline means Liverpool are likely to be the bookies' favourites going into the return leg, but Kuyt knows the job is far from done.

He said: "It was a really important goal we got because Arsenal played really well today. We did everything we could. We wanted to score and we did.

"We got straight back into the game after they scored and had a few other chances from corner kicks. You have to be lucky to get another goal, but Arsenal played really well.

"They have a great side but we're playing at Anfield and we've shown we can do special things there.

"Everyone knows what European nights are like at Anfield. Everyone knows what we've done there over the last few years. Hopefully the same will happen next week and we'll get into the semi-finals."

The second half saw Arsene Wenger appeal for a penalty after Kuyt out-muscled Alexander Hleb in the box.

The striker insists ref Pieter Vink was right not to point to the spot.

He said: "It was a split-second decision to do what I did. I never pulled his shirt so it was never a penalty, though it was close.

"I do know the referee. I played in Holland lots of times where he was the referee and he was the official when we played Feyenoord earlier this season. We both come from the same area. He comes from Leiden and that is the place where I grew up also.

"It is wrong, though, to say that, because I know the referee, he made decisions in my favour. He made a good decision against Arsenal with the penalty. There were no favours."

[Scouser_Dave]

[.DJ]

so am guessing u guys r satisfied with the away gol and the result yesterday?

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by ---dj---

so am guessing u guys r satisfied with the away gol and the result yesterday?

Very much so

[.DJ]

alright. so u think u guys will win on Sat?

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by ---dj---

alright. so u think u guys will win on Sat?

Maybe, depends on what sign Rafa puts out. The likes of, Torres,Kuyt,Babel,Skrtel,Aurelio will all be rested, were as arsenal will put out a stronger squad because they think there still in the title race could go in our favour

[.DJ]

Originally Posted by Danger Dave

Maybe, depends on what sign Rafa puts out. The likes of, Torres,Kuyt,Babel,Skrtel,Aurelio will all be rested, were as arsenal will put out a stronger squad because they think there still in the title race could go in our favour

Oh k. I hope it'll be jus as good as yesterdays match or even better

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by ---dj---

Oh k. I hope it'll be jus as good as yesterdays match or even better

We tend to play a lot better in the champions league so i don`t think it will be as good as a game as last night, we will probably be looking for a draw

[.DJ]

but u should remember that Everton r still in the running for 4th

[MaschPotato]

Everton wont worry us anyway they have chelsea still to play AND either manu/arsenal cant remember which one..so thats 6 points dropped

[MaschPotato]

Javier Mascherano has been handed a £15,000 fine and a further two match suspension by the Football Association following his sending off at Old Trafford. The Reds' Argentine midfielder - who missed the derby victory over Everton as a result of his red card against Manchester United - will now also miss this weekend's clash with Arsenal and the home game with Blackburn following a Disciplinary Commission hearing today.

Responding to the announcement from the FA, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Although we received a fair hearing we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency of sentencing for Javier based on past precedents."

[fitz15]

Originally Posted by ---dj---

but u should remember that Everton r still in the running for 4th

not a hope, 6 games left they aint making up the 5 point difference

[LewisLaa]

Good result from the CL Match. I really didn't think we deserved the win but at the end of the day we just have to get on our hands and knees and praise the lord for Bendtner

What a lalalalalala.

[den525player]

Originally Posted by MaschPotato

Javier Mascherano has been handed a £15,000 fine and a further two match suspension by the Football Association following his sending off at Old Trafford. The Reds' Argentine midfielder - who missed the derby victory over Everton as a result of his red card against Manchester United - will now also miss this weekend's clash with Arsenal and the home game with Blackburn following a Disciplinary Commission hearing today.

Responding to the announcement from the FA, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Although we received a fair hearing we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency of sentencing for Javier based on past precedents."

he deserved it!!

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by den525player

he deserved it!!

No he did'nt

[LewisLaa]

YouTube - Worst Diver Ever -- Knut Fostervold -- Football

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by LewisLaa

YouTube - Worst Diver Ever -- Knut Fostervold -- Football

[LewisLaa]

Was the 2nd one a joke?

Like seriously who does that

[smeltzerinho]

Second one was the team demonstrating how comical the first one was.

[LewisLaa]

ahh riiiight :P

[den525player]

can't believe liverpool is appealing against the extra 2 matches ban on mascherano. he will get even more games banned!!!

[MaschPotato]

They have a right to appeal as it wasnt a sending off

[smeltzerinho]

they'll probably give him another 3 games after realising their mistake with the aliadiere scenario

[Scouser_Dave]

Brian Barwick is a big LFC fan, he was one of the reason back in january last year, we got to sign masc after the deadline