Liverpool thread

[Darren]

CHELSEA 1 - 0 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 25 April 2007 19:45 , Champions League Semi Final (1)

CHELSEA LEAD AT HALF WAY STAGE Liverpool will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Anfield next week if they're to play a part in this season's Champions League final. Joe Cole's strike has given Jose Mourinho's side the advantage at the half-way stage in the tie after a tense first leg at Stamford Bridge which saw the Reds try in vain to grab the away goal they craved so much ahead of Tuesday night's return. After a poor first half Liverpool improved dramatically in the second period but unfortunately were unable to take any of their chances as Chelsea put themselves in the driving seat to claim a place in Athens. Rafa Benitez will doubtless remain confident his side can overcome the champions but will be feeling a sense of disappointment that it took the Reds 45 minutes to get going in the game. Chelsea had the best of the opening half and deservedly led at the break after Cole's goal shortly before the half hour mark. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during the opening period as the home side dominated possession and created almost all of the goalscoring chances. Frank Lampard had already forced a brilliant point-blank save from Pepe Reina and fired a low free kick inches wide of the far post before Chelsea made the breakthrough their play had deserved. Ricardo Carvalho “ who was passed fit to play after a late test “ sprinted out of defence and slid a low ball into the path of Didier Drogba who skipped past Daniel Agger before crossing low for Joe Cole to touch the ball into the back of the Liverpool net. The Reds struggled to create any meaningful chances, with Steven Gerrard's header over from Bolo Zenden's cross the closest they came to scoring before the half time whistle. Liverpool picked up the tempo of their game after the break with Gerrard curling a shot over with his left foot and Dirk Kuyt's header from John Arne Riise's cross landing just the wrong side of Petr Cech's goal. Cech was called into his first serious action after 51 minutes when Gerrard's stinging drive was arrowing towards the far corner until the Chelsea 'keeper flew to his left to brilliantly keep his side in the lead. Reina was also forced into a brilliant stop late on when he denied Lampard again after the midfielder's volley looked to be flying towards the top corner. The Reds “ who saw Javier Mascherano booked with fifteen minutes to play “ possibly deserved a goal for their second half display, but they'll return to Merseyside still convinced the tie is alive with more twists sure to come in front of a raucous Kop on Tuesday night. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa, Zenden, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard MBE, Bellamy, Kuyt (captain). Subs - Hyypia, Dudek, Gonzalez, Paletta, Pennant, Sissoko, Crouch Chelsea: Cech, Cole, Terry, Carvalho, Ferreira, Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Obi Mikel, Drogba, Schevchenko. Subs - Cudicini, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Diarra, Boulahrouz, Bridge, Referee: Markus Merk (Germany) Conditions: Mild Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Pepe Reina

[Darren]

Reds win shoot-out thriller

By Peter ORourke - Created on 26 Apr 2007

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Liverpool retained the FA Youth Cup with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Manchester United.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg Liverpool drew level on aggregate through Robbie Threlfall's second half goal to force the game to a penalty shoot-out.
Manchester United started on the front foot with Febian Brandy and Chris Brandy seeing shots comfortably saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Dave Roberts in the opening exchanges.
Liverpool should have broken the deadlock on 38 minutes when Jimmy Ryan picked out top scorer Craig Lindfield with a fine cross from the right, but the highly-rated striker headed his effort over the crossbar.
After a quiet first-half the game burst into life in the second half as both sides pushed forward in search of the opening goal.
Roberts came to Liverpool's rescue on 51 minutes when he kept out Brandy's shot with his legs after the striker had worked his way into the box.
A minute later Lindfield came close to drawing Liverpool level on aggregate when he saw his shot from the edge of the box brilliantly pushed onto the post by United keeper Ron-Robert Zieler.
Liverpool made the breakthrough on 56 minutes when Threlfall made up for his own goal in the first leg to smash the ball home after the ball dropped to him inside the box.
Ray Putterill went close to doubling Liverpool's lead eight minutes from time when he curled his shot just wide of the far post with Zieler beaten all ends up.
Neither side could find a goal to win the tie and the game was forced into extra-time.
Two minutes into the first period of extra-time Liverpool were inches away from scoring when Lidfield brought down Ryan's cross inside the box and fired his shot against the post.
The impressive Brandy was denied a goal in the second period of extra-time when he saw his volley superbly saved by Roberts.
A winner could not be found in the additional 30 minutes and the game was forced into a dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Liverpool's youngsters kept their nerve from the spot scoring all four of their spot-kicks with United missing two of their five attempts. United skipper Sam Hewson, who scored from the spot in the first leg, missed the crucial final penalty to give Liverpool the victory.

Liverpool's victory proved a fitting end to Steve Heighway's time at Anfield, with the youth team boss having announced at the game's conclusion that he was leaving the club.

[Darren]

PORTSMOUTH 2 - 1 LIVERPOOL Saturday 28 April 2007 15:00 , Barclays Premiership

NO POINTS FOR REDS AT POMPEY Liverpool were beaten 2-1 at Portsmouth in the Premiership on Saturday despite an excellent second half fightback that saw a Sami Hyypia goal reduce Pompey's 2-0 half time lead given to them by Mwaruwari Benjani and Niko Kranjcar. The Reds produced a fine second half display and deserved at least a point from this game, but they couldn't repair the damage done in the first half despite Hyypia heading home in the 58th minute. And they make the long journey back home cursing a below par opening that saw Portsmouth race into an unassailable lead. With Liverpool's crucial Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg against Chelsea just days away it was no surprise to see Rafa ring the changes for this match. With a top four finish already assured, Benitez had the luxury of leaving the likes of Reina, Gerrard and Carragher back on Merseyside for battles still to come. That meant a Liverpool debut for Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua, a return in goal for Jerzy Dudek and a place in attack alongside Craig Bellamy for Robbie Fowler. Portsmouth of course still harboured realistic hopes of qualifying for next season's UEFA Cup and they appeared to come out of the traps quickest, but Robbie Fowler had the ball in the net for the Reds in the 11th minute before being flagged for offside. Liverpool were on the attack again in the 16th minute when this time Bellamy found himself in acres of space on the right, but the move broke down when the Welshman failed to find anyone with his cross into the penalty area. The home side suffered an early blow when wonder goal specialist Matthew Taylor had to go off injured after 20 minutes, but that didn't seem to bother them because they took the lead through the head of Benjani Mwaruwari in the 27th minute. It was direct football at his best as the assist came from David James in his own half; and it was another ball from inside Pompey territory that lead to Portsmouth making it 2-0 through Niko Kranjcar in the 32nd minute. This time Lauren's pass undoing Liverpool before Kranjcar finished passed Dudek from 12 yards. Liverpool were rocked and they had it all to do, but the size of their task would have been smaller had Bolo Zenden's brilliant shot not come back off the crossbar on the stroke of half time. The Reds came out for the second half with Rafa's words no doubt ringing in their ears and they started well without really looking like making a dent in their deficit. And they needed a great save by Dudek from Benjani's shot to keep them in the game after a mistake in defence had given the Pompey man a chance. Dudek's save was pivotal because Liverpool promptly went down the other end and made it 2-1 through Sami Hyypia. The Reds had been dominating the second half and they were rewarded when Hyypia headed home from a 58th minute corner floated in by Robbie Fowler. Rafa's side were now well on top and they poured forward as they sensed the momentum was with them. But they found couldn't find the equalizer they deserved as Portsmouth found a defensive resolve that boosted their European hopes. A superb save by David James from Fowler's shot and a Hyypia header wide confirming the result. It didn't quite go Liverpool's way today and perhaps they didn't get what they deserved, but let's hope that all changes on Tuesday. Teams Liverpool: Dudek, Insua, Hyypia (captain), Paletta, Arbeloa, Zenden, Sissoko, Alonso, Gonzalez, Fowler, Bellamy. Subs - Hobbs, El Zhar, Padelli, Pennant, Kuyt Portsmouth: James, Traore, Primus, Stefanovic, Johnson, Taylor, O'Neill, Hughes, , Mwaruwari, . Subs - Lua Lua, Kranjcar, Mvuemba, Davis, Ashdown Referee: P Walton Conditions: Dry Attendance: 20,201 Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Sami Hyypia

[Darren]

I was with the mass of PL punters in backing a Portsmouth win today at over 2/1, and some even got 9/4 Some layers will really have been stuing by just how changed a side Liverpool fielded.

I knew we would play a weaker side, and Pompey is never an easy place to play. The lineup surprised me though in just how weak it was.

Teams
Liverpool: Dudek, Insua, Hyypia (captain), Paletta, Arbeloa, Zenden, Sissoko, Alonso, Gonzalez, Fowler, Bellamy. Subs - Hobbs, El Zhar, Padelli, Pennant, Kuyt

TBH I wouldn't have Dudek near the side anymore, if Rafa was going to play such a weakened side he should have gone the whole way and played Padelli in goals. Bellamy possibly played to get extra match fitness, but he looked well off the pace midweek.

Insua was a very surprise inclusion, and El Zhar and Hobbs on the bench.

[lemonjon]

What a cracking game, liverpool taking the game to chelsea for 120 mins

and then the lottery that is the dreaded spot kick, and up steps another liverpool goalkeeping hero



Well played Liverpool, the better team over 2 legs goes to the final

[Football-Tipper]

Get In!!!!!!

[bigmal76]

now if only united can join them.

[bowles10]

Originally Posted by lemonjon

Well played Liverpool, the better team over 2 legs goes to the final

history speaks for itself, 5 European Cup wins

another final

Chelsea fail yet again at the last stage

shoot outs record was impressive too

[Football-Tipper]

Jose talking total bollocks as usuall

[lemonjon]

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Agg: 1-1)

win on penalties


Liverpool booked their place in the Champions League final with a dramatic penalty shootout win in the semi-final second leg at Anfield.


Dirk Kuyt grabbed the crucial spot-kick to clinch a 4-1 win after Arjen Robben and Geremi missed for the Blues.


Daniel Agger cancelled out Chelsea's first-leg lead with a crisp first-time finish from Steven Gerrard's superbly disguised left-wing free-kick.
Dirk Kuyt also rattled the bar with a fine header.


Need to work them Spot Kicks Jose. All that money and they cant score from the spot,

[lemonjon]

Originally Posted by Football-Tipper

Jose talking total bollocks as usuall

didn't hear, what did he blame this time?

[PAULM03]

Originally Posted by Football-Tipper

Jose talking total bollocks as usuall

I'm finding it harder and harder to keep a decent opinion of Mourinho. What the fcuk was he on about? Chelsea the only side trying to win it over 90 and 120 minutes? Has he seen the fcuking score? Muppet.

Is a United V Liverpool European cup final the biggest game in history? I just hope united can go through and we can find out (hope the fina,l doesn't go to penalties either)

[Football-Tipper]

Id just like to know what match he watched, and wtf was Lampard on he was very very poor...That guy believes his own headlines i think...

[Darren]

OH YOU FCUKING BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a result. GET IN GET IN GET IN!!!!!!!!!!

[bigmal76]

so who would you rather play. united or milan?

[Darren]

Ah decisions decisions, a trek to Athens or a trek to Liverpool for the Final.

Athens will probably be like Istanbul, 650+ for the day.

Liverpool with flights and hotel should be considerably less. Ah what to do

[Darren]

Originally Posted by bigmal76

so who would you rather play. united or milan?

I couldn't care less tbh. We are there, thats the most important thing. Before tonight we were massive outsiders again. But come on you pool

I loved the penalties, Benitexz sat on his arse and looking at his watch, how calm can you get

[Darren]

Kuyt fires Reds to Athens

By Graeme Bailey - Created on 1 May 2007

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Liverpool booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final after defeating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties at Anfield, after they won 1-0 on the night.
The Reds went into their second leg semi-final tie 1-0 down, but after just 22 minutes they had levelled when Steven Gerrard's clever free-kick found an unmarked Dan Agger on the edge of the box, and he fired home.
After a frantic and entertaining opening, the game became a glum contest at best and from the first half a long evening was always on the cards as both sides showed little in the way of invention - albeit the odd sporadic venture forward.
It was, though, Liverpool who showed much of what little ingenuity was on show and they deserved to book their second final in three years - following their success in 2005, with Chelsea's search for the Quadruple well and truly ended.
Liverpool began the game with their backs to the Kop and the footballing landmark was seemingly pushing their team on from the first whistle.

Indeed the home side dominated and created early openings with Gerrard flashing a shot wide, and Peter Crouch just failing to make contact with a dangerous cross from his skipper.
Liverpool pressure continued to build and the deadlock was broken with a delightful set-piece. The Reds won a free-kick on Chelsea's right and Gerrard lined up to curl the ball into the box, but instead he squared the ball into the path of Agger and he finished with great aplomb with a low shot which curled just inside Petr Cech's post.
With the game level Chelsea finally woke from their malaise - although they did not have a sight of goal until after the half-hour mark, but they should have levelled as John Obi Mikel dinked a precise ball into Didier Drogba's path but the Ivorian could only fire his shot straight at Jose Reina - making the Spaniard's save all the more easy.
Chelsea were now in charge of the ball - but they could not break through and created little. One chance which did come their way before the break was a Frank Lampard free-kick, but his in-swinging effort from wide on the left was punched clear by Reina under pressure from Drogba.
Joe Cole was doing his best to inspire early in the second half with one good run which was soon followed by a shot from range which was always going wide - but that was all the visitors could muster.
Indeed Liverpool broke to the other end and almost snatched the lead in the tie. Jermaine Pennant found room to cross and this time he found Crouch at the back post who beat Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien with ease, but fortunately for Chelsea he could not find a way past Cech - who saved excellently with his feet.
Moments later and Cech was beaten, but the woodwork came to Chelsea's rescue as Dirk Kuyt's header from John Arne Riise's cross slammed against the crossbar.
All the real chances were coming Liverpool's way and Pennant had the next sight of goal and only a brilliant saving tackle from Essien denied the former Arsenal man.
Chelsea's lack of width was prevalent throughout and it was not until 75 minutes that Ashley Cole got into the last third with any meaning and his attack almost paid dividends as he broke into the box and lashed a cross into the six-yard box - but somehow Jamie Carragher did enough to put Drogba off.
Liverpool were still the most likely to score again and Cech was again needed to produce a good stop low down to his right, this time from a testing Bolo Zenden effort - but with more than ten minutes to go, it was clear both sides were happy to go to extra-time and indeed their wish was granted.
Into extra-time and Liverpool were still the only side appearing to be willing to ask any questions - but neither team looked unduly concerned about wasted energy or possession.
The Reds finally had the opening salvo on 99 minutes and it seemed they had claimed a crucial second as Kuyt pounced on a rebound as Cech spilled Xabi Alonso's long-range effort - but as Anfield celebrated, they finally noticed the assistant referee's raised flag.
Half-time in added time saw speed merchants Shaun Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy duly introduced.
And it was Wright-Phillips with five minutes left who almost opened the home side up as he broke down the right, he crossed into the six-yard box for Drogba - but again his run was well checked by Carragher and the chance was gone.
With minutes left, both sides had penalties on their minds and the two Iberian tacticians brought on specialists in the guise of Geremi and Robbie Fowler.
Although Fowler almost helped create a winner as he played in Kuyt, the Dutchman came back inside and unleashed a stinging effort - but Cech was able to push clear and that was it, the game - as it looked from the moment Liverpool scored - was to be decided by penalties.
Chelsea had won the toss before kick-off and the Anfield Road end, opposed to the Kop, had unsurprisingly been chosen by The Blues. The Reds opened up with Zenden scoring with ease - but Arjen Robben could not follow suit as his effort was well saved by Reina diving to his left.
Alonso, Lampard and Gerrard all converted - before Geremi saw his tame effort parried, which allowed Kuyt the chance to send Liverpool to Athens and he duly obliged as he tucked his penalty into the corner of the net. Liverpool will now wait 24 hours to see if they will meet Premiership rivals Manchester United for the first ever all-England European Final - or if they will have a re-run of their Istanbul success by facing Milan.

[MaKDaddYSportsBET]

Originally Posted by Football-Tipper

Id just like to know what match he watched, and wtf was Lampard on he was very very poor...That guy believes his own headlines i think...

Let me just say that... Lampard and poor is hardly an oxymoron...

As 2 ManUtd or AC Milan Either result is good... but i will be backing ManUtd... It'l b all england @ Athens...


And as for the Boyz.... Great show really performed above and beyond did all the fans and the entire club proud and either way we will be dogs in the final but I know that everybody at the club will give it there all as they do week in week out...



... I tell u what if it wasn't 9am here I'd be into it!!!! Never been happier @ 4:30 am.... when Agger scored!!!!

[jeffers]

Originally Posted by PAULM03

Is a United V Liverpool European cup final the biggest game in history?

I think so. I know it's far from confirmed yet, but I can't believe there hasn't been more hype on here about the potential final.

The Man U/Liverpool rivalry is one of the biggest in England...when we meet, it's always a big occasion, even in mid season league matches. I hate Liverpool with every fibre of my being (I even bought an AC Milan top for the final 2 years ago ).

If we meet in the final of the Champions League, jaysus that's massive.