2:45pm on espn2. Chelsea lead 1-3 on aggregate.
Knockout Rounds:
Liverpool: 4-0 Real (h); 1-0 Real (a)
Chelsea: 2-2 Juve (a); 1-0 Juve (h)
Group Stage:
Liverpool: 3-1 PSV (a); 1-0 Marseille (h); 1-1 Atletico (h); 1-1 Atletico (a); 3-1 PSV (h); 2-1 Marseille (a)
Chelsea: 2-1 Cluj (h); 1-1 Bordeaux (a); 1-3 Roma (a); 1-0 Roma (h); 0-0 Cluj (a); 4-0 Bordeaux (h)
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 4-0 Blackburn (h); 1-3 Chelsea (h); 1-0 Fulham (a)
Chelsea: 4-3 Bolton (h); 3-1 Liverpool (a); 2-0 Newcastle (a)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Gerrard 7; Kuyt, Torres 2; Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Ngog, Riera 1
Chelsea: Drogba 4; Anelka, Ivanovic, Terry 2; J Cole, Essien, Kalou, Lampard, Malouda 1
Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (SPA)
Guess at a squad
--------------Reina
----Skrtel Carragher Agger
Arbeloa------------------Aurelio
----Mascherano---Alonso
Kuyt-----------------------Babel
--------------Torres
All the news today, whether it’s BBC or the official site, suggests Gerrard will be fit to start. And whether he starts will show how serious Liverpool’s taking this game and how serious his injury is. I've got a sneaking suspicion that these reports are subterfuge from Liverpool, and if Gerrard’s truly got a niggling injury, it’s right to save him for the league. And that makes me think that we’d see something completely out of left field, a la Pompey in February. Chances are I’m wrong, but it’s an interesting idea to contemplate.
What I don’t want to see is the same line-up – plus Mascherano, who would make a difference – as went out last Wednesday. Chelsea had a plan to stifle it that worked, and Essien was especially effective on Gerrard. If Liverpool does play 4-2-3-1, and if Gerrard does start, that the line of three will have to use much better movement, with Kuyt, Gerrard, and whomever switching regularly.
Babel’s probably the biggest reach with this guess – outside of the formation – but both Benayoun and Riera played 90 minutes on Saturday, Riera’s been hit and miss of late, and Babel’s pace could be crucial in overturning the deficit. Plus, the faith to start him in a game like this could do his confidence a world of good.
And yes, I’m actually suggesting Liverpool go to Stamford Bridge and play three at the back. Both Arbeloa and Aurelio can get forward, but five players will add extra steel to Liverpool’s defense. And no, I don’t think this is too defensive a formation when the team needs three goals; it has the potential to switch to attack very quickly.
I don’t want to seem like I’m giving up hope, because that truly isn’t the case, despite the opening sentence of the last leg match review. But unless Gerrard is 100%, I really wouldn’t start him here; yes, the league is that much more important. And if Liverpool’s narrowed the gap in the second half, he’d be available off the bench.
Whatever line-up starts tomorrow has a shot at overhauling this deficit. Bolton scoring three in eight minutes adds some hope, but it’s not as if Liverpool hasn’t overcome worse situations – especially in cup competition.
13 April 2009
11 April 2009
Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Insua
Benayoun Alonso Mascherano Riera
Kuyt
Torres
Goals:
Torres 5’ 33’
Agger 83’
Ngog 90’
That’s an acceptable response to Wednesday. It looked like it’d be a 2-0 hammering for the majority, but two more in the last ten minutes made the scoreline representative of the match.
I am running out of ways to praise Fernando Torres. Simply stating that he’s the best #9 in the business is insufficient. Acknowledging that when he’s on song he’s an absolute artist isn’t good enough either. That boy is special. And thanks to his early strike, which is leading candidate for goal of the season, this game was never in doubt.
No matter how many words I use, I’ll never be able to do the opener justice. Carragher found Torres over the top, and back to goal, he controlled brilliantly with his chest, directing it to the right to take it away from Nelsen. And although it looked like the touch took him too far from goal, he hit it beautifully, looping a shot over Robinson and inside the far post. Simply outstanding, and he made it look so easy.
Liverpool could have been 3-0 up before 30 minutes were off the clock, but they had to settle for 2-0 at halftime. With Christophe Samba as a lone striker, Blackburn had little relief from the pressure, with clearances hoofed forward returning quickly.
In the 16th minute, a break nearly cut through Blackburn like butter, as Kuyt stormed up the left, and tried to find Mascherano running through the middle. The pass was slightly behind, but Masch controlled (and stayed up despite a challenge on his ankles), only he couldn’t open his body enough to direct it either side of Robinson. And then Torres skied the follow up. The chance in the 27th was just as wasteful – Kuyt heading directly at Robinson from four yards out despite an inch-perfect cross from Insua and a free jump.
However, that man Torres got the second six minutes later. Alonso put a free kick into a dangerous area, and the striker rose highest while holding off 6’5” Samba. From there, Liverpool were on cruise control, content with shots from distance and chances on the break. The finishing wasn't the best, especially from Kuyt and Riera, but Blackburn didn’t look like upsetting the balance – it took until the 77th minute for them to threaten, when Samba slipped in the box while shooting, sending his strike straight at Reina. He should have been flagged offside anyway.
And I reckon that scare prompted a Liverpool response. Robinson had to save Masch’s point-blank effort after El Zhar couldn't get a shot off, and Riera’s header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line. But just two minutes later, Agger got the return he deserved with a carbon copy of his first goal for the club, striding forward and smacking an unstoppable shot from 35 yards – another strike that’ll show up on goal-of-the-season lists. Ngog, on for Kuyt in the 84th, iced the cake with his second league goal after Carra’s deep cross and Lucas’ header into the danger area.
That’s exactly what Liverpool needed, and credit to manager and players for responding in the right manner. Liverpool were up for it, knew they would have to break down a side determined to defend, and got right down to business. Torres’ brilliance made 11 men behind the ball a moot point, and from there, Liverpool smothered Blackburn into oblivion.
I have to highlight Mascherano’s contribution. Missing for the last two matches, he returns and Liverpool delivers another four-goal performance. He kept running for 90 minutes, didn’t give Blackburn a moment’s peace when anyone in blue and white was on the ball, and was unlucky not to notch a goal.
Insua was also excellent today. Aurelio is the best left back at the club, and can conjure awesome plays – think the free kick against United and setting up Torres’ goal at Inter last year – but Insua often seems to mesh better in the team. Riera showed flashes of the form he hit against Villa, and I doubt it’s coincidental. I’m tempted to update this post about Liverpool’s left, but I think I’ll wait until the end of the season. And to top it all off, we got Danny Agger back, hard as nails and looking to get forward. I try not to let my personal biases blind me (Agger and Insua are two of my absolute favorite players), but I adore when Agger’s in the team.
Liverpool didn’t get the wanted result in the Champions League. It’ll be tough to rectify on Tuesday, but on the basis of this performance, there’s always the possibility. But more important is keeping pace in the league, which they did with aplomb today.
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Insua
Benayoun Alonso Mascherano Riera
Kuyt
Torres
Goals:
Torres 5’ 33’
Agger 83’
Ngog 90’
That’s an acceptable response to Wednesday. It looked like it’d be a 2-0 hammering for the majority, but two more in the last ten minutes made the scoreline representative of the match.
I am running out of ways to praise Fernando Torres. Simply stating that he’s the best #9 in the business is insufficient. Acknowledging that when he’s on song he’s an absolute artist isn’t good enough either. That boy is special. And thanks to his early strike, which is leading candidate for goal of the season, this game was never in doubt.
No matter how many words I use, I’ll never be able to do the opener justice. Carragher found Torres over the top, and back to goal, he controlled brilliantly with his chest, directing it to the right to take it away from Nelsen. And although it looked like the touch took him too far from goal, he hit it beautifully, looping a shot over Robinson and inside the far post. Simply outstanding, and he made it look so easy.
Liverpool could have been 3-0 up before 30 minutes were off the clock, but they had to settle for 2-0 at halftime. With Christophe Samba as a lone striker, Blackburn had little relief from the pressure, with clearances hoofed forward returning quickly.
In the 16th minute, a break nearly cut through Blackburn like butter, as Kuyt stormed up the left, and tried to find Mascherano running through the middle. The pass was slightly behind, but Masch controlled (and stayed up despite a challenge on his ankles), only he couldn’t open his body enough to direct it either side of Robinson. And then Torres skied the follow up. The chance in the 27th was just as wasteful – Kuyt heading directly at Robinson from four yards out despite an inch-perfect cross from Insua and a free jump.
However, that man Torres got the second six minutes later. Alonso put a free kick into a dangerous area, and the striker rose highest while holding off 6’5” Samba. From there, Liverpool were on cruise control, content with shots from distance and chances on the break. The finishing wasn't the best, especially from Kuyt and Riera, but Blackburn didn’t look like upsetting the balance – it took until the 77th minute for them to threaten, when Samba slipped in the box while shooting, sending his strike straight at Reina. He should have been flagged offside anyway.
And I reckon that scare prompted a Liverpool response. Robinson had to save Masch’s point-blank effort after El Zhar couldn't get a shot off, and Riera’s header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line. But just two minutes later, Agger got the return he deserved with a carbon copy of his first goal for the club, striding forward and smacking an unstoppable shot from 35 yards – another strike that’ll show up on goal-of-the-season lists. Ngog, on for Kuyt in the 84th, iced the cake with his second league goal after Carra’s deep cross and Lucas’ header into the danger area.
That’s exactly what Liverpool needed, and credit to manager and players for responding in the right manner. Liverpool were up for it, knew they would have to break down a side determined to defend, and got right down to business. Torres’ brilliance made 11 men behind the ball a moot point, and from there, Liverpool smothered Blackburn into oblivion.
I have to highlight Mascherano’s contribution. Missing for the last two matches, he returns and Liverpool delivers another four-goal performance. He kept running for 90 minutes, didn’t give Blackburn a moment’s peace when anyone in blue and white was on the ball, and was unlucky not to notch a goal.
Insua was also excellent today. Aurelio is the best left back at the club, and can conjure awesome plays – think the free kick against United and setting up Torres’ goal at Inter last year – but Insua often seems to mesh better in the team. Riera showed flashes of the form he hit against Villa, and I doubt it’s coincidental. I’m tempted to update this post about Liverpool’s left, but I think I’ll wait until the end of the season. And to top it all off, we got Danny Agger back, hard as nails and looking to get forward. I try not to let my personal biases blind me (Agger and Insua are two of my absolute favorite players), but I adore when Agger’s in the team.
Liverpool didn’t get the wanted result in the Champions League. It’ll be tough to rectify on Tuesday, but on the basis of this performance, there’s always the possibility. But more important is keeping pace in the league, which they did with aplomb today.
10 April 2009
Liverpool v Blackburn 04.11.09
7:45am, live in the US on Setanta
Last 4 head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a) 12.06.08
3-1 Liverpool (h) 04.13.08
0-0 (a) 11.03.07
0-1 Blackburn (a) 12.26.06
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-3 Chelsea (h); 1-0 Fulham (a); 5-0 Villa (h)
Blackburn: 2-1 Spurs (h); 1-1 West Ham (h); 0-4 Arse (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 13; Torres 9; Kuyt 8; Benayoun 4; Alonso, Riera 3; Aurelio, Babel 2; Arbeloa, Carragher, Dossena, Hyypia, Ngog 1
Blackburn: McCarthy 8; Roberts 7; Santa Cruz 4; Andrews, Warnock 3; Derbyshire, Ooijer, Samba 2; Diouf, Dunn, Emerton, Tugay
Referee: Mike Riley
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Insua
Alonso Mascherano
Benayoun Kuyt Riera
Torres
With Gerrard having a scan yesterday on a supposed thigh strain, I’d be surprised if he was fit to start tomorrow. He’s been named to the squad, but I reckon he’ll start on the bench. If Liverpool sticks with the 4-2-3-1, Benayoun will be a straight replacement, but it could also be 4-4-2 with Yossi on the right and Kuyt up top. If Gerrard could only play one game this week, tomorrow would be my choice rather than next Tuesday, but I doubt Rafa sees it like that.
On the plus side, tomorrow will finally see the return of Mascherano after missing the last two games. Finally.
Two days after the fact, I’ve still got no excuses as to why the defense was so poor against Chelsea. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either Agger or Hyypia drafted into defense, and possibly both will be. But given Carra’s omnipresence, it’ll probably be either Agger or Hyypia, and while my heart says Agger given I still fear his exit, smarter money is probably on Hyypia. At the same time, I’d hope Insua’s drafted in at left back.
Blackburn’s currently 14th, better under Allardyce but only five points above the relegation zone. Roberts and Santa Cruz should still be out, and we might get Samba up front as an emergency striker, as against Tottenham. Pedersen’s struggling with a calf strain as well, which saw former red Stevie Warnock line up in left midfield last time out.
As Carragher told the official site, "In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I've played in – it really is that important. If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.”
I think that about sums it up.
Last 4 head-to-head:
3-1 Liverpool (a) 12.06.08
3-1 Liverpool (h) 04.13.08
0-0 (a) 11.03.07
0-1 Blackburn (a) 12.26.06
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-3 Chelsea (h); 1-0 Fulham (a); 5-0 Villa (h)
Blackburn: 2-1 Spurs (h); 1-1 West Ham (h); 0-4 Arse (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 13; Torres 9; Kuyt 8; Benayoun 4; Alonso, Riera 3; Aurelio, Babel 2; Arbeloa, Carragher, Dossena, Hyypia, Ngog 1
Blackburn: McCarthy 8; Roberts 7; Santa Cruz 4; Andrews, Warnock 3; Derbyshire, Ooijer, Samba 2; Diouf, Dunn, Emerton, Tugay
Referee: Mike Riley
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Insua
Alonso Mascherano
Benayoun Kuyt Riera
Torres
With Gerrard having a scan yesterday on a supposed thigh strain, I’d be surprised if he was fit to start tomorrow. He’s been named to the squad, but I reckon he’ll start on the bench. If Liverpool sticks with the 4-2-3-1, Benayoun will be a straight replacement, but it could also be 4-4-2 with Yossi on the right and Kuyt up top. If Gerrard could only play one game this week, tomorrow would be my choice rather than next Tuesday, but I doubt Rafa sees it like that.
On the plus side, tomorrow will finally see the return of Mascherano after missing the last two games. Finally.
Two days after the fact, I’ve still got no excuses as to why the defense was so poor against Chelsea. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either Agger or Hyypia drafted into defense, and possibly both will be. But given Carra’s omnipresence, it’ll probably be either Agger or Hyypia, and while my heart says Agger given I still fear his exit, smarter money is probably on Hyypia. At the same time, I’d hope Insua’s drafted in at left back.
Blackburn’s currently 14th, better under Allardyce but only five points above the relegation zone. Roberts and Santa Cruz should still be out, and we might get Samba up front as an emergency striker, as against Tottenham. Pedersen’s struggling with a calf strain as well, which saw former red Stevie Warnock line up in left midfield last time out.
As Carragher told the official site, "In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I've played in – it really is that important. If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.”
I think that about sums it up.
08 April 2009
Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea
Reina
Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
Goals:
Torres 6'
Ivanovic 39' 62'
Drogba 67'
Well, admittedly, I'm prone to exaggeration after a bad result, but I'm pretty sure that's the Champions League done and dusted. Liverpool got what they deserved, as did Chelsea. A dream start, and the team threw it away.
So much for a cagey match – we got the high tempo from the whistle and an early goal. And that was about it. High tempo for six minutes doesn’t beat high tempo for 86. Guus Hiddink 1, Rafa Benitez 0.
It looked like it would be Liverpool’s day after the aforementioned six minutes. A good start was quickly followed up by a Torres goal – Kuyt delightfully took the ball down and backheeled to Arbeloa, who centered to Torres in acres of space. Sidefoot, 1-0.
Unfortunately, the goal didn’t send Liverpool on their way. For once, the opposite happened, and Chelsea were catalyzed. They could have equalized through Drogba almost immediately, thanks to a giveaway by Aurelio, but the striker shot straight at Reina. Liverpool’s defense, so often the strong suit, was the downfall today, at six and sevens for long stretches.
It’s too painful to give a blow-by-blow. Long story short, two Lampard corners, two Ivanovic headers, two goals. Yes, Liverpool's defense was surprisingly shocking for most of the game, and Chelsea strikes always looked like coming, but set piece goals are especially infuriating. I can’t wait to hear the pundits fall all over themselves to blame zonal marking – which didn't seem to be much of a problem over the last four games. That both goals came from Ivanovic, who’s rarely played and only started because Boswinga was ruled out, twists the knife.
Complete shell shock after the second goal led to a quick third, from Drogba, to twist the knife even more, and Liverpool pretty much played out the final 25 minutes. It could have been more than 3-1. It could easily have been. One shot on target in the entire second half, at Anfield, in Europe. You have to be kidding me.
I’m struggling to sum up this result. What sticks out most in my mind is how seriously Mascherano was missed. Ballack and Essien bossed the midfield – Essien had Gerrard in his pocket all game long.
Almost to a man, Liverpool disappointed – Reina’s probably the only one truly exempt. Torres looked dangerous early on, but faded fairly quickly. Kuyt was decent in the first half. And that's the sum of Liverpool's positive performances. As said, Essien owned Gerrard, while Riera and Aurelio were utter shadows of themselves. It's unfair to single one player out, but this was probably Aurelio's worst game in a red shirt.
Liverpool’s come back from greater halftime deficits in the Champions League before. But they’ll have to deliver one of their best performances ever under Benitez. In the meantime, Saturday cannot come soon enough.
Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
Goals:
Torres 6'
Ivanovic 39' 62'
Drogba 67'
Well, admittedly, I'm prone to exaggeration after a bad result, but I'm pretty sure that's the Champions League done and dusted. Liverpool got what they deserved, as did Chelsea. A dream start, and the team threw it away.
So much for a cagey match – we got the high tempo from the whistle and an early goal. And that was about it. High tempo for six minutes doesn’t beat high tempo for 86. Guus Hiddink 1, Rafa Benitez 0.
It looked like it would be Liverpool’s day after the aforementioned six minutes. A good start was quickly followed up by a Torres goal – Kuyt delightfully took the ball down and backheeled to Arbeloa, who centered to Torres in acres of space. Sidefoot, 1-0.
Unfortunately, the goal didn’t send Liverpool on their way. For once, the opposite happened, and Chelsea were catalyzed. They could have equalized through Drogba almost immediately, thanks to a giveaway by Aurelio, but the striker shot straight at Reina. Liverpool’s defense, so often the strong suit, was the downfall today, at six and sevens for long stretches.
It’s too painful to give a blow-by-blow. Long story short, two Lampard corners, two Ivanovic headers, two goals. Yes, Liverpool's defense was surprisingly shocking for most of the game, and Chelsea strikes always looked like coming, but set piece goals are especially infuriating. I can’t wait to hear the pundits fall all over themselves to blame zonal marking – which didn't seem to be much of a problem over the last four games. That both goals came from Ivanovic, who’s rarely played and only started because Boswinga was ruled out, twists the knife.
Complete shell shock after the second goal led to a quick third, from Drogba, to twist the knife even more, and Liverpool pretty much played out the final 25 minutes. It could have been more than 3-1. It could easily have been. One shot on target in the entire second half, at Anfield, in Europe. You have to be kidding me.
I’m struggling to sum up this result. What sticks out most in my mind is how seriously Mascherano was missed. Ballack and Essien bossed the midfield – Essien had Gerrard in his pocket all game long.
Almost to a man, Liverpool disappointed – Reina’s probably the only one truly exempt. Torres looked dangerous early on, but faded fairly quickly. Kuyt was decent in the first half. And that's the sum of Liverpool's positive performances. As said, Essien owned Gerrard, while Riera and Aurelio were utter shadows of themselves. It's unfair to single one player out, but this was probably Aurelio's worst game in a red shirt.
Liverpool’s come back from greater halftime deficits in the Champions League before. But they’ll have to deliver one of their best performances ever under Benitez. In the meantime, Saturday cannot come soon enough.
07 April 2009
Liverpool v Chelsea 04.08.09
2:45pm on espn2
Stupid Wednesday games. Another one for the DVR. Will probably have a review up by 8pm or so local time.
Knockout Rounds:
Liverpool: 4-0 Real (h); 1-0 Real (a)
Chelsea: 2-2 Juve (a); 1-0 Juve (h)
Group Stage:
Liverpool: 3-1 PSV (a); 1-0 Marseille (h); 1-1 Atletico (h); 1-1 Atletico (a); 3-1 PSV (h); 2-1 Marseille (a)
Chelsea: 2-1 Cluj (h); 1-1 Bordeaux (a); 1-3 Roma (a); 1-0 Roma (h); 0-0 Cluj (a); 4-0 Bordeaux (h)
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Fulham (a); 5-0 Villa (h); 4-1 United (a)
Chelsea: 2-0 Newcastle (a); 0-1 Spurs (a); 1-0 City (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Gerrard 7; Kuyt 2; Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Ngog, Riera, Torres 1
Chelsea: Drogba 3; Anelka, Terry 2; J Cole, Essien, Kalou, Lampard, Malouda 1
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (DEN)
Guess at a squad
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
These two teams met in the semi-final in 2005, 2007, and 2008, as well as in the group stage in 2006. I reckon it’s just not the Champions League without a Liverpool/Chelsea match-up.
Riera returns from a one-game ban, but Mascherano, who missed Saturday’s match, is suspended. Which means Lucas should get a second consecutive start after a patient, composed display against Fulham. Once again, maybe we’ll get Aurelio in midfield, with Dossena at left back (as Insua isn’t in the CL squad), but I think that’s the less likely option. Otherwise, the line-up basically writes itself.
Liverpool beat Real 4-0 by keeping them on the back foot from the off. Chelsea may not be as overwhelmed by Anfield, having visited so often in the past few years, but Liverpool will still need to jump on them when the whistle blows. Given past history between these two sides, a cagey, midfield battle is probably expected. Fuck that. Take advantage of being at Anfield and any early nerves. The pace in the first 30 minutes of the game is what led to the big victories over Real, United, and Villa.
I would really have preferred to see the second leg at Anfield, but of course, I would have preferred to avoid English opposition all together. The fact that Liverpool did the double over the Blues means little here, and probably gives Chelsea more ammunition.
But this is the Champions League. Where Liverpool has consistently been the best team over the past 4-5 years. Let’s see it again.
Stupid Wednesday games. Another one for the DVR. Will probably have a review up by 8pm or so local time.
Knockout Rounds:
Liverpool: 4-0 Real (h); 1-0 Real (a)
Chelsea: 2-2 Juve (a); 1-0 Juve (h)
Group Stage:
Liverpool: 3-1 PSV (a); 1-0 Marseille (h); 1-1 Atletico (h); 1-1 Atletico (a); 3-1 PSV (h); 2-1 Marseille (a)
Chelsea: 2-1 Cluj (h); 1-1 Bordeaux (a); 1-3 Roma (a); 1-0 Roma (h); 0-0 Cluj (a); 4-0 Bordeaux (h)
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 1-0 Fulham (a); 5-0 Villa (h); 4-1 United (a)
Chelsea: 2-0 Newcastle (a); 0-1 Spurs (a); 1-0 City (h)
Goalscorers (Europe):
Liverpool: Gerrard 7; Kuyt 2; Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Ngog, Riera, Torres 1
Chelsea: Drogba 3; Anelka, Terry 2; J Cole, Essien, Kalou, Lampard, Malouda 1
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (DEN)
Guess at a squad
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
These two teams met in the semi-final in 2005, 2007, and 2008, as well as in the group stage in 2006. I reckon it’s just not the Champions League without a Liverpool/Chelsea match-up.
Riera returns from a one-game ban, but Mascherano, who missed Saturday’s match, is suspended. Which means Lucas should get a second consecutive start after a patient, composed display against Fulham. Once again, maybe we’ll get Aurelio in midfield, with Dossena at left back (as Insua isn’t in the CL squad), but I think that’s the less likely option. Otherwise, the line-up basically writes itself.
Liverpool beat Real 4-0 by keeping them on the back foot from the off. Chelsea may not be as overwhelmed by Anfield, having visited so often in the past few years, but Liverpool will still need to jump on them when the whistle blows. Given past history between these two sides, a cagey, midfield battle is probably expected. Fuck that. Take advantage of being at Anfield and any early nerves. The pace in the first 30 minutes of the game is what led to the big victories over Real, United, and Villa.
I would really have preferred to see the second leg at Anfield, but of course, I would have preferred to avoid English opposition all together. The fact that Liverpool did the double over the Blues means little here, and probably gives Chelsea more ammunition.
But this is the Champions League. Where Liverpool has consistently been the best team over the past 4-5 years. Let’s see it again.
05 April 2009
Late winners 08-09
Last season, I fawned over the number of late goals Liverpool conjured. Through 29 games (in all competitions), Liverpool scored 23 goals after the 75th minute. In the second half of the season, they added 14 more, for a total of 37 in 59 games.
Liverpool hasn’t quite kept up that pace this season; in 46 games this year, the team’s scored 27 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
However, where they’ve improved is in late winners. 12 games have been won thanks to goals scored after the 75th, and 10 of those were in the league – compared to nine in all competitions last season. Benayoun, Kuyt and Torres are joint-top scorers with three each. Plus, a point was saved with late goals against City (Kuyt 78’) and Atletico (Gerrard 90+4’ pen).
8/16 Sunderland – Torres 1-0 83’
8/23 Boro – Gerrard 2-1 90+4’
8/27 Liege – Kuyt 1-0 118’
9/13 United – Babel 2-1 77’
10/5 City – Kuyt 3-2 90+2’
10/18 Wigan – Kuyt 3-2 85’
10/29 Pompey – Gerrard 1-0 (pen) 75’
12/6 Blackburn – Benayoun 2-0 79’
2/1 Chelsea – Torres 1-0 89’
2/7 Pompey – Torres 3-2 90+1’
2/25 Real – Benayoun 1-0 82’
4/4 Fulham – Benayoun 1-0 90+2’
Never say die, indeed.
Liverpool hasn’t quite kept up that pace this season; in 46 games this year, the team’s scored 27 with less than 15 minutes remaining.
However, where they’ve improved is in late winners. 12 games have been won thanks to goals scored after the 75th, and 10 of those were in the league – compared to nine in all competitions last season. Benayoun, Kuyt and Torres are joint-top scorers with three each. Plus, a point was saved with late goals against City (Kuyt 78’) and Atletico (Gerrard 90+4’ pen).
8/16 Sunderland – Torres 1-0 83’
8/23 Boro – Gerrard 2-1 90+4’
8/27 Liege – Kuyt 1-0 118’
9/13 United – Babel 2-1 77’
10/5 City – Kuyt 3-2 90+2’
10/18 Wigan – Kuyt 3-2 85’
10/29 Pompey – Gerrard 1-0 (pen) 75’
12/6 Blackburn – Benayoun 2-0 79’
2/1 Chelsea – Torres 1-0 89’
2/7 Pompey – Torres 3-2 90+1’
2/25 Real – Benayoun 1-0 82’
4/4 Fulham – Benayoun 1-0 90+2’
Never say die, indeed.
04 April 2009
Liverpool 1-0 Fulham
Reina
Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Dossena
Torres
Goals:
Benayoun 90+2’
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The announcers keep telling me that’s Liverpool’s eighth stoppage-time goal of this season, and I believe it. I guess Benayoun was fit after all.
This game should have been dead and buried by halftime. Four times the woodwork saved Fulham, while Schwartzer saved them twice. Chances were harder to come by in the second half, and the game became a carbon copy of the previous at Anfield. Until Yossi, off the bench for Kuyt in the 76th, won it at the absolute death for what seems to be more than the eighth time this season.
For the first 20 minutes or so, Fulham displayed the type of form that saw them stun United. It was a fairly open game, as Zamora and Johnson tested the offside trap and Dempsey and Konchesky looked to get down Liverpool’s right. But the away side still had the better chances, with Dossena testing Schwartzer, who made a fingertips save in the 10th, and the Italian flicking Skrtel’s drive off the crossbar from the resulting corner.
Fulham could have pulled one over in the 16th when a hospital ball from Skrtel allowed Zamora to run at the defense, but his pass to Johnson didn’t find its target. And the mistake seemed to catalyze Liverpool; from there, the home side barely got a sniff.
And Liverpool really should have taken the chances provided by the increasing dominance. Schwartzer saved Torres’ low shot after the Spaniard linked up with Gerrard in the 23rd, and headed over in the 24th, but it looked only a matter of time.
From there, the woodwork was Fulham’s man of the match. Alonso hit the bar in the 32nd, Torres hit the post in the 35th after a stunning two-man break with Gerrard, and Dossena went back to the crossbar with a diving header in the 37th. If I didn’t have enough on my plate, I’d be tempted to go back and check all my match reviews. I’d bet those four near-goals have doubled the number of times that Liverpool’s hit the woodwork this season.
The second half was every inch the frustrating 0-0 draws of yore until injury time. Unlike the first half, it was standard park-the-bus by the home side. Liverpool had chances, but too often the move broken down in the final third. Still, Torres headed straight at Schwartzer in the 54th, Gerrard’s dangerous cross missed Torres, Kuyt, and Babel in the 73rd, Benayoun deflected Gerrard’s shot just wide in the 81st, and the Israeli shot into the side netting in the 91st. But Benayoun certainly made all the difference at the end, slamming across Schwartzer when the ball fell to him on the right side of the box.
I can’t help but think this match only strengthens my hypothesis that it all comes down to luck, those little inches that decide games. Honestly, in the first half, Liverpool weren’t much worse than in the last three games, which they won by a combined 13-1 margin, and the difference is probably just down to the international break, as per usual. But the frame of the goal stood in the way four times, not to mention the two nice saves by Schwartzer. On any other day, one of those would have gone in. As would one of the opportunities in the second half, although Liverpool clearly grew more frustrated as the match went on.
Dossena starting on the left in attack was a surprise, but he didn’t disappoint, although it would have been nice if one of his three excellent chances went in. He also linked up well with Insua, who delivered another consistent performance. Yossi’s man of the match for the winner, while Gerrard and Torres were involved in the team’s best moments, but Insua deserves to be in contention. Seems as if Benitez was resting both Aurelio and Riera with an eye on Chelsea, and Liverpool didn't suffer for it.
Yossi will get the headlines, and rightfully so, but both he and Babel (who came on for Dossena in the 65th) improved the team. Babel - who played his part in the winner upsets the defense with his pace, and you can’t help but feel he’ll find the final touch he needs.
There’s clearly something special about this team. Going top of the table doesn’t mean much with United’s two games in hands, but it certainly sends a message that the late winner only reinforces. This match can serve as both a huge boost in confidence and a warning to the side. There’s a thin line between success and failure.
So far, there’s been no quit in this team. Let’s hope it lasts over the final seven games.
Arbeloa Skrtel Carragher Insua
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Dossena
Torres
Goals:
Benayoun 90+2’
What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
The announcers keep telling me that’s Liverpool’s eighth stoppage-time goal of this season, and I believe it. I guess Benayoun was fit after all.
This game should have been dead and buried by halftime. Four times the woodwork saved Fulham, while Schwartzer saved them twice. Chances were harder to come by in the second half, and the game became a carbon copy of the previous at Anfield. Until Yossi, off the bench for Kuyt in the 76th, won it at the absolute death for what seems to be more than the eighth time this season.
For the first 20 minutes or so, Fulham displayed the type of form that saw them stun United. It was a fairly open game, as Zamora and Johnson tested the offside trap and Dempsey and Konchesky looked to get down Liverpool’s right. But the away side still had the better chances, with Dossena testing Schwartzer, who made a fingertips save in the 10th, and the Italian flicking Skrtel’s drive off the crossbar from the resulting corner.
Fulham could have pulled one over in the 16th when a hospital ball from Skrtel allowed Zamora to run at the defense, but his pass to Johnson didn’t find its target. And the mistake seemed to catalyze Liverpool; from there, the home side barely got a sniff.
And Liverpool really should have taken the chances provided by the increasing dominance. Schwartzer saved Torres’ low shot after the Spaniard linked up with Gerrard in the 23rd, and headed over in the 24th, but it looked only a matter of time.
From there, the woodwork was Fulham’s man of the match. Alonso hit the bar in the 32nd, Torres hit the post in the 35th after a stunning two-man break with Gerrard, and Dossena went back to the crossbar with a diving header in the 37th. If I didn’t have enough on my plate, I’d be tempted to go back and check all my match reviews. I’d bet those four near-goals have doubled the number of times that Liverpool’s hit the woodwork this season.
The second half was every inch the frustrating 0-0 draws of yore until injury time. Unlike the first half, it was standard park-the-bus by the home side. Liverpool had chances, but too often the move broken down in the final third. Still, Torres headed straight at Schwartzer in the 54th, Gerrard’s dangerous cross missed Torres, Kuyt, and Babel in the 73rd, Benayoun deflected Gerrard’s shot just wide in the 81st, and the Israeli shot into the side netting in the 91st. But Benayoun certainly made all the difference at the end, slamming across Schwartzer when the ball fell to him on the right side of the box.
I can’t help but think this match only strengthens my hypothesis that it all comes down to luck, those little inches that decide games. Honestly, in the first half, Liverpool weren’t much worse than in the last three games, which they won by a combined 13-1 margin, and the difference is probably just down to the international break, as per usual. But the frame of the goal stood in the way four times, not to mention the two nice saves by Schwartzer. On any other day, one of those would have gone in. As would one of the opportunities in the second half, although Liverpool clearly grew more frustrated as the match went on.
Dossena starting on the left in attack was a surprise, but he didn’t disappoint, although it would have been nice if one of his three excellent chances went in. He also linked up well with Insua, who delivered another consistent performance. Yossi’s man of the match for the winner, while Gerrard and Torres were involved in the team’s best moments, but Insua deserves to be in contention. Seems as if Benitez was resting both Aurelio and Riera with an eye on Chelsea, and Liverpool didn't suffer for it.
Yossi will get the headlines, and rightfully so, but both he and Babel (who came on for Dossena in the 65th) improved the team. Babel - who played his part in the winner upsets the defense with his pace, and you can’t help but feel he’ll find the final touch he needs.
There’s clearly something special about this team. Going top of the table doesn’t mean much with United’s two games in hands, but it certainly sends a message that the late winner only reinforces. This match can serve as both a huge boost in confidence and a warning to the side. There’s a thin line between success and failure.
So far, there’s been no quit in this team. Let’s hope it lasts over the final seven games.
03 April 2009
Liverpool at Fulham 04.04.09
12:30pm, live in the US on FSC
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-0 (h) 11.22.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.19.08
2-0 Liverpool (h) 11.10.07
0-1 Fulham (a) 05.05.07
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 5-0 Villa (h); 4-1 United (a); 4-0 Real (h)
Fulham: 2-0 United (h); 3-1 Bolton (a); 1-2 Blackburn (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 13; Torres 9; Kuyt 8; Alonso, Benayoun, Riera 3; Aurelio, Babel 2; Arbeloa, Carragher, Dossena, Hyypia, Ngog 1
Fulham: Johnson 7; Dempsey 5; Murphy 4; Davies, Gera, Nevland, Zamora 2; Hangeland, Kamara, Konchesky, Seol 1
Referee: Steve Bennett. Oh goody!
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
12 players (Gerrard, Torres, Alonso, Riera, Reina, Arbeloa, Kuyt, Mascherano, Benayoun, Agger, Skrtel, and Hyypia) featured for their international clubs over the break. Two of those – Yossi and Sami – assuredly won’t play due to injury. And after returning from Bolivia’s high altitude, where Argentina lost 1-6, I worry whether Mascherano will as well. Hopefully he’s so enraged by the loss he’ll insist on playing, but we rarely see Masch right after he plays for his country. Maybe Aurelio will fill in, with Insua covering at left back (both stayed at Melwood), but Lucas seems more likely.
(EDIT: I probably should have checked the Echo and Daily Post before writing the previous paragraph. For what it's worth, the Daily Post is reporting that no matter Masch's trip, he'll keep his place against Fulham.)
It was one of the worst possible times for a break with the form the team was in. And Liverpool will undoubtedly shuffle the pack somewhat to compensate for international duty, as well as the upcoming three games in one week. But a fair few players kept up momentum: both Riera and Kuyt continued their scoring form following Villa, while Alonso also tallied from the spot on Wednesday. Gerrard played well in both of England’s qualifiers, and Torres made it through Spain’s unscathed (which is all that matters).
The trickiest line-up question comes in defense. Agger or Skrtel? Both played two matches for their countries and Agger’s only recently back, but I think the Dane will start. We’ve seen more stories about Agger’s return to fitness (like this one), and I think Liverpool would benefit from having Agger’s ability on the ball against what’s likely to be a compressed Fulham side.
Fulham’s up to 9th after beating United (thanks, by the way) before the break, and have also upset Arsenal at Craven Cottage. And held Chelsea to a draw. In fact, they’re fourth in the home league table, behind United, Liverpool, and City, with 9 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses.
Not to mention the little factor of a 0-0 draw last November. This was one of those poor home results that still irk, and still linger in the memory. Fulham will be a tough side regardless, but Liverpool certainly have extra incentive to get one over on the opposition.
I always worry after an international week. The team hasn’t played for two weeks. There’s always some sort of hangover. But three points are beyond essential. I can’t think of a more crucial eight-game stretch than the one on the horizon.
Last 4 head-to-head:
0-0 (h) 11.22.08
2-0 Liverpool (a) 04.19.08
2-0 Liverpool (h) 11.10.07
0-1 Fulham (a) 05.05.07
Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 5-0 Villa (h); 4-1 United (a); 4-0 Real (h)
Fulham: 2-0 United (h); 3-1 Bolton (a); 1-2 Blackburn (h)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Gerrard 13; Torres 9; Kuyt 8; Alonso, Benayoun, Riera 3; Aurelio, Babel 2; Arbeloa, Carragher, Dossena, Hyypia, Ngog 1
Fulham: Johnson 7; Dempsey 5; Murphy 4; Davies, Gera, Nevland, Zamora 2; Hangeland, Kamara, Konchesky, Seol 1
Referee: Steve Bennett. Oh goody!
Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Aurelio
Lucas Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres
12 players (Gerrard, Torres, Alonso, Riera, Reina, Arbeloa, Kuyt, Mascherano, Benayoun, Agger, Skrtel, and Hyypia) featured for their international clubs over the break. Two of those – Yossi and Sami – assuredly won’t play due to injury. And after returning from Bolivia’s high altitude, where Argentina lost 1-6, I worry whether Mascherano will as well. Hopefully he’s so enraged by the loss he’ll insist on playing, but we rarely see Masch right after he plays for his country. Maybe Aurelio will fill in, with Insua covering at left back (both stayed at Melwood), but Lucas seems more likely.
(EDIT: I probably should have checked the Echo and Daily Post before writing the previous paragraph. For what it's worth, the Daily Post is reporting that no matter Masch's trip, he'll keep his place against Fulham.)
It was one of the worst possible times for a break with the form the team was in. And Liverpool will undoubtedly shuffle the pack somewhat to compensate for international duty, as well as the upcoming three games in one week. But a fair few players kept up momentum: both Riera and Kuyt continued their scoring form following Villa, while Alonso also tallied from the spot on Wednesday. Gerrard played well in both of England’s qualifiers, and Torres made it through Spain’s unscathed (which is all that matters).
The trickiest line-up question comes in defense. Agger or Skrtel? Both played two matches for their countries and Agger’s only recently back, but I think the Dane will start. We’ve seen more stories about Agger’s return to fitness (like this one), and I think Liverpool would benefit from having Agger’s ability on the ball against what’s likely to be a compressed Fulham side.
Fulham’s up to 9th after beating United (thanks, by the way) before the break, and have also upset Arsenal at Craven Cottage. And held Chelsea to a draw. In fact, they’re fourth in the home league table, behind United, Liverpool, and City, with 9 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses.
Not to mention the little factor of a 0-0 draw last November. This was one of those poor home results that still irk, and still linger in the memory. Fulham will be a tough side regardless, but Liverpool certainly have extra incentive to get one over on the opposition.
I always worry after an international week. The team hasn’t played for two weeks. There’s always some sort of hangover. But three points are beyond essential. I can’t think of a more crucial eight-game stretch than the one on the horizon.
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