Manchester United - King of Europe 2007/2008...sad to say

The Red Devils has done it again in Europe since 1999. The match ended 1-1 after normal time and the matches was decided by penalties kick.

After retaining the EPL title, Man Utd went on to beat Chelsea again for European Cup. How Chelsea must be hated Man Utd now.

The match started with both team contended to test each other out. However the man of the moment Ronaldo headed United into the lead only for Lampard to equalized seconds before the half-time whistle. That was how the match ended.

Being a neutral, I certainly hope that Chelsea beat Man Utd so that the Reds won't achieve the double. Sadly for me, it was not the case. Man Utd has proven to the best club in England and now in Europe and they look set to be crowned the best in the world when the World Club Championship begin later.

As a Liverpool fan, we should be the one facing Man Utd in last night final instead of Chelsea had not for Riise's own goal. Liverpool deserved to be the finalist over the two legs. I am confident that we could have beaten Man Utd last night if we are the ones in the final.

Having said that, I congraluate Man Utd for their achievement in Moscow last night.

Champion League 2007-2008 - Liverpool's Moscow dream over

Pictures tell a thousand words. Frank Lampard's joy and Riise's agony. These two contrasting mood showed that Chelsea has finally avenged for their two losses to Liverpool in the Champion League semi-final.


In the end, it was Riise's own goal in the 1st leg proved decisive. Liverpool would have march to meet Man Utd had not been Riise's own goal. Torres cancelled out Chelsea's away goal advantage to make it 1-1. However, Liverpool fell apart in during extra time to concede two goals.


Though Liverpool achieved what they could not achieve for the past 3 years - that is to score at Stamford Bridge, they ended up the losers. While Avram Grant achieved what Jose Mourhino could not achieved -that was to beat Liverpool in the semi-final of the Champion League.


Liverpool were the much better side of the two legs. They controlled the 1st leg and could not score 2 more only to be denied by Cech. Last night, it was Cech who came to Chelsea's rescue again to deny Liverpool two certain goals.


Liverpool can only look back to the 1st leg for that last minute own goal. Many people will point fingers at Riise for the elimination. I was very furious with Riise. However, people make mistake. I score an own goal in a friendly match during my secondary days. It was very similar to how Riise score the own goal. The ball was whipped in from my right, I do not how and why, I miskicked the ball and the ball flew past my goalkeeper.


Yes, I admit I'm feeling painful about the defeat. I believe Liverpool will come back stronger and fitter for the next season. I hope they will give Man Utd and Chelsea a better fight. Bring on Chelsea in next year Champion League Final. We will beat you 1,2,3.


Liverpool, Walk On..Walk On...with your heads up high.

Riise "lost" it for Liverpool

It's advantage Chelsea!!!! The Blues took a small step towards the Champion League Final with a 1-1 darw at Anfield. Liverpool lead 1-0 through Kuyt when the unthinkable happen.

With the last kick of the game, Riise scored an own goal after a cross by Kalou. Instead of clearing with his feet, he chose to head hoping to go over the post for a corner but to his horror, the ball flew into the net.

What was Riise thinking? He has a bad season by his own standard and is behind Aurelio for the left back position. This is the last thing he can do....

It was a nerve-wrecking match to watch with my heart ponding faster and faster as the goal progresees. When it was almost time, I was glad that Liverpool will take a slender lead to Stamford Bridge but a brainless, stupid and unforgiveable error costs Liverpool the tie. Chelsea is hot favourite to progress to the final now.

All is not lost if Liverpool can get an away goal. However that will be hard as Liverpool has not scored at Stamford Bridge for 3 years now. Chelsea need only a 0-0 to progress while the Reds must attack.

Oh my, Oh my, why this happen. Riise, you are the villian!!!!! If I am Rafa, I will put you on the transfer list this summer. Riise, you might cost Rafa the job if Liverpool do not progress to the final.

It's heart-breaking!!!! It's painful to concede a goal like this....why Rafa bring on Riise in the first place???

I'm too distraught to say further....

Anfield Power Down Gunners

I wish I was able to watch the match "live". I wish I was in Anfield last night. For it was one of the many great Eurporean nights. It would take a strong heart to endure such roller-coaster match. After watching the repeat telecast, I could feel that tension, angony and the joy as a Liverpool fan. It was a pulsating match that will even keep a neutral off his feet.

Liverpool was a goal down after 13 minutes but Hyppia equalizer on the half hour. His perfectly placed header gave the defender no chance as the ball hit the post and went into goal.

The second half saw Liverpool began the match brightly. There were more movements and the pass rarely went astray. On 65 mintues, a moment of brillance from Torres, who else, put Liverpool in the driving seat with a sublime piece of skill. Receiving the ball from the edge of the box, he went past on defender. With his back facing the goal, he turned and hit a unstoppable shot past Alunima. The Anfield crowd erupted.


Arsenal then made some changes, bringing on Van Persie and Theo Walcott. Then in the 83th minutes, Walcott evaded 5 Liverpool's tackes to slid the ball to Adebayor who made no mistake from inside the box. Liverpool was staring at elimination. Barely the fans can settled down, Ryan Babel won a penalty after Toure was alleged to have brought him down. Up came Captain Gerrard. The referee blew the whistle, Gerrard took the kick. Goal!!! Goal!!! Anfield erupted again in a most defeaning sound.

As when Arsenal was trying to score, Liverpool lunged a counter attack of their own. Kuyt scooped the ball into the Gunner's half. Babel beat Fabreges with his pace and put the ball past the helpless Alunmia. Game over. Liverpool is in the semi-final of the Champion League for the 3 times in 4 years.

The Arsenal players were stunned as they were only 4 minutues into dreamland. With this defeat, Liverpool have and must surely ended Arsenal's season in the space of 3 days.

Next up, Chelsea. Liverpool will meet Chelsea again for the 3rd time in the semi-final of the Champion League. Chelsea must be dreaded to face the Reds again. Liverpool will have the phycological advantage having eliminate Chelsea twice. However Chelsea will be more hungry this matter and will it be third time lucky for Liverpool? Let's us find out.

Lucky Draw

The Reds manage to hold on to a credible but lucky draw at Arsenal. On Paper, the advantage is with Liverpool. Personally I feel that there is no advantage at all.

Liverpool must decide if they want to go on the offensive or just play for a 0-0 score in the second leg. A 1-1 scoreline will see the match go to extra time. There is a danger if Arsenal score because Liverpool must score the equalizer. This is leave gap for the pacy Arsenal to expose.

Credit must be given to Liverpool for grabbing the equalizer almost immediately. It was the only real attack Liverpool had. However, Liverpool was fortunate that the foul by Kuyt on Helb did not result in a penalty.

With the BPL with Arsenal this weekend, I wonder which team Rafa is putting out. Rafa must avoid defeat to consolidate fourth spot and on the other hand, the Champion League second leg to worry with.

It would be perfect if Liverpool draw this Saturday and then beat Arsenal on Thursday.

Go Liverpool Go..

It's Liverpool vs Arsenal

Finally the draw for the UEFA Champion League quarter-final was made. It was a draw that I dreaded. Among all teams, I had earlier said I prefer to be drawn against either the team from Germany or Turkey but it was not.

Liverpool was handed a tough draw against the Gunners. This young Arsenal side is a dangerous team to play against. Their win against Milan at the San Siro tells all of us the potential of this team. They are riding high in the EPL and now they are determined to oust Liverpool out of the Champion League.

With the wily old fox in Arsene Wenger, he can plot miracle against a vastly experience team like Liverpool. The statistic does not favour Liverpool for the past season against Arsenal. The last victory against the Gunners was a late Mellor's goal in a game which Liverpool won 2-1. Not to an undone, Liverpool has a shrewd coach in Rafa who prove that he is one of the best in the business when European Cup competiton is concerned.

Though Liverpool will play the second leg at Anfield. I do not think the Reds has any advantage as we saw how Arsenal destroyed the reigning Champion at their own turf. I would hope Liverpool to score an away goal at the Emirates and then go for the killer goal. With lady luck smiling on Liverpool, can we see a red card flashing at Fabreges or Adebayor in both legs?

Even if Liverpool were to overcome Arsenal, they will face their bitter rival in the Champion League - Chelsea. The Blues should have no problems disposing off the side from Turkey. Having said that, Chelsea will be more hungry to avenge the two defeats to Liverpool during the semi-final of the Champion League. There is a potential all English Final if Man Utd overcome Roma and Barcelona.

It is is indeed a tough road to Moscow for Liverpool. We will be counting on Gerrard and Torres to bring us there maybe with the help of divine intervention.

It's Torres Again...

There was report saying Inter will score 15 goals against Liverpool. Coach Roberto Mancini said Inter needed a special night to overturn the tie. Liverpool was facing a real test at the San Siro.

Inter let their intention made known when Cruz tested Reina just 8 minutes. Liverpool was contended to soak the pressure and strike on the counter. Cruz almost made it 1-0 after a brillant passing to crave open the Liverpool defence but Cruz shot just inches wide. Babel nearly sneaked through the Inter defence from a counter but Cesear was quick off the line to clear the danger. The early and vital goal Inter was looking for never came and the first half ended 0-0.

Liverpool is just 45 minutes away from a place in the quarter-final. Things got better for them when Burdisso was dismissed for his second bookable offence after entangling with Lucas. For the second game with Liverpol, Inter was reduced to 10 men. It made the job harder for the Italians. Then came the sucker punch from a classic Liverpool built-up. Aureillo regained possession from the left and whipped a cross to Torres. With his back facing the goalkeeper, he turned and smacked the ball past Cesear. The tie was well and truly over. It is simply impossible for Inter to score 4 goals in the last 30 mins with 10 men. After the goal, Inter's players were disjointed. Knowing the game was over, Mancini decided to blood some youngster while Liverpool simply knocked the ball around keeping possession.

As we await the quarter-final draw, I certainly hope Liverpool will avoid the English teams. I believe Liverpool would prefer to draw with Schalke or Fenerbahce. Over the two legs with Inter, lady luck is certainly smiling on Liverpool. Hopefully, lady luck can continue smiling on Liverpool all the way to the Final and of course to lifting the Cup.

Advantage Anfield

The match was heading for a 0-0 scoreline when Kuyt deflected goal broke the heart of the Inter's players having defended solidly with 10 men following the dismissal of Metarazzi just 28 mins.

Liverpool created plenty of chances but just could not score. It look like the same Liverpool until the goal. Gerrard sealed the game in the 90th min.

With the 2-0 lead, Liverpool is in the drving seat for the quarter-final provided they must not get complacent. The pressure is off for Rafa at the moment.

I'm wondering why Liverpool can't play this way week in and week out. Maybe it's the special European night that transform the team. If they can't beat Boro this weekend, this result counts for nothing.

In the meanwhile, let us savour this sweet victory.

Record Breaking Win

The scoreboard says it all.

Thanks to the reinstatement to my Sports Channel, I am able to witness Liverpool tore Besiktas apart.

Crouch and Babel got a brace, Gerrard got one and man of the match Yossi Benayoun helped himself to a hat-trick.

I seriously doubted Yossi when Rafa signed him. He looked light weight to me but I began to appreciate the creativity he brings to the team.

Everytime Liverpool attacks, there is a feeling that they will score. However this victory will mean nothing if they can't get through the group stage.

With this victory, I just hope that Rafa will stop his rotation policy and use the same starting XI for this weekend game against Fulham. I can see Fulham is there for the taking. I would love to see Crouch and Yossi starting the game.

Rafa, please drop Kuyt for the sake of the team. He is clearly struggling for goals. He has such a heavy bum!