Torres earns his spurs

So goodbye to another season. Reading through the piece I wrote this time last year there was a long rant about The Mancs. However this time I’ll just leave it by saying that they are worthy Champions and that I “Sky+ed” through their bit on Match of the Day!

To White Hart Lane Insula was in as to was Voronin however, it wasn’t so much who was on the pitch that made the news. Riise, Pennant, Alonso and Crouch didn’t even travel, signs that they will in the close season? The “old” kit replaced the “new” kit! Across the City Gareth Barry lined up for Villa at West Ham against a background of newspaper reports that he will talk to us.

We made a good start with Voronin from Gerrard’s free kick then Babel however both shots were easily saved. Berbatov stretched Reina with a good header. However there wasn’t much to get excited about mainly because of the nature of the match and the hot conditions. It was all laid back stuff. I kept expecting the play to break for a Pimms and sandwiches for perhaps Rafa and Ramos to join in the end of season mood by going in their respective goals!

Things began to get moving in the second half with a good exchange between Gerrard and Torres which saw Cerny saving the Spaniard’s shot. Gerrard, who looked really desperate to finish the campaign with a goal, had a few shots but couldn’t find his range. The goal was a straight forward affair. Skrtel on the half way line had an age to decide what to do with the ball. Being a defender he eventually opted for a long punt to Torres on the edge of the area! His flick found Voronin who managed to evade Hutton and, after a couple of touches, finally tucked it home.

This galvanised Spurs a bit with Berbaov producing another excellent save from Reina. However we were having none of it and it was left to Torres to put the game, and the season, to bed. He collected Benayoun’s pass on the edge of the area made Michael Dawson look like Les Dawson and flicked it past Cerny. A record for the most goals scored by a foreigner in their first season beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record and no penalties! Right at the end he was unfortunate not to finish off with a terrific goal after his chip bounced off the cross bar.

In the final game of last season Robbie Fowler took his last bow. It’s apt that this season’s last meaningful piece of action for us should involve the player who has become the first Liverpool player since Robbie to get over twenty league goals in a season. Thirty three in all. Said Rafa

“You know when you sign a player like Torres you will get goals and you expect that but this season he has been amazing. He has been fantastic.”

In a season racked by off the field disagreement, petty bickering, and underhand selfishness surely that is the one thing everyone can agree on?

Tottenham: Cerny, Hutton, Dawson (Bent 75), Woodgate, Gilberto, Malbranque, Jenas (Huddlestone 46), Zokora, O’Hara (Tainio 46), Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Chimbonda.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt (Lucas 80), Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun 59), Torres, Voronin (Finnan 71).
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Hyypia.

Att: 36,063

Gerrard’s statement of faith and Spurs speak.

So here it is “D Day” or “Grand Slam Sunday” or, for many, “Couldn’t Careless Sunday”.

Who knows what Sky have concocted for this afternoon. No doubt we will have helicopters or airships looking down on the grounds and more poetry at the start of the programme a disturbing, annoying and thoroughly pretentious development.

Richard Keys will be as hairy and as solemn as usual making everything sound as if the future of the plant depends on the title or relegation games and no doubt we see plenty of “interim tables” as the games unravel. “If the scores stay as they are now this is what will happen, but of course all that could change”. Really? Mix in long, lingering, post match shots of fans slumped dejectedly in the stands after their team has gone down and there you have it. Isn’t it time someone tried something new? Still, it will be nice to see everyone kick off at the same time for once.

I guess our game against Spurs is one of the few in the Premiership that doesn’t have any bearing on the title or relegation issues. One wonders how Rafa will approach it. Had it been at home then perhaps we would have seen the full team out for the goodbye. However, that happened against City last week so may be he feels he can ring the changes? This time of the season is certainly one for players to look back and reflect. It is also one to look forward and it was very heartening to here Steven Gerrard’s words about the way he sees his future in the light of recent transfer speculation. It seems that after a rocky patch, which involved a mild flirtation with Chelsea, the bond with the club is stronger than ever. Speaking to the website he said..

“I cannot see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching, I have won trophies here but there is one I am missing and I want that before I finish playing. I do not want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that.”

Positive words in what has been a difficult season. No doubt Gerrard will be keen to see more signings over the summer and although this is now wishful thinking Spurs possess two players who I would be delighted to see in red shirt. Robbie Keene and Dimitar Berbatov. I think Robbie Keene is made to be a Liverpool player I think the crowd would love him and I also think he would slot in alongside Torres without too much difficulty. We’ve been rumoured to be interested in him in the past but I suspect our chance has gone now. Likewise for Berbatov. When he is on form I could watch him all day. It’s been suggested that Spurs are resigned to letting him go this summer but do we have the money and the clout to attract him? Sadly I’ve a feeling we’ll see him lining up against, rather than with, us.

Meanwhile Martin O’Neil keeps bleating on about the Gareth Barry situation accusing Rafa of having no respect. There seems to be some confusion over the story and who spoke to whom and what was said but it’s hardly major stuff and certainly doesn’t merit O’Neil’s outburst. Perhaps he is vociferous because is suspects he WILL lose Barry, we shall see. Me thinks he doth protest too much?

Prediction for today? Very difficult to say as it depends on who plays and who is up for it in what, to all intents and purposes, is a meaningless game. However, I’ve a feeling that Spurs, being the home side, will want to make it difficult for us. It would not surprise me if it ended all square but hell this is the last game of the season so I’m going to go for 2-1 for us and even go out on the limb and suggest that John Arne Riise, if he plays, will score in what could his last game. I’m certainly having a bet on it anyway!

Enjoy your day.

Faint praise for Crouch as Rafa names his price.

It looks like the fat lady is about to starting singing for the tall guy. Yesterday Rafa hardly gave Peter Crouch the boost he was wanting regarding his Liverpool future. Although he is willing to keep Crouch, he can’t guarantee him a start every week and he stated that he can leave for the right price, £15m.

“If we receive a very good offer, and by that I mean £15m, we will consider it. I’m reading about £8m but, if we only receive that, then I’d rather keep the player. He’s a good player, so it’s not a problem to me. We’ve offered him a new contract, we like the player and we want him to stay but we cannot offer him a guarantee he will start every game every week.”

Hardly something that is going to please Crouch and make him ready to commit to the club? Reading between the lines I suspect Rafa will be looking to off load him especially, as is suggested, funds might not be readily available meaning that he will have to sell to buy.

I have sympathy for Crouch he has had limited opportunities this season but, after a few ill judged newspaper articles on his bench warming, he has knuckled down and tried to win back his place. Even though he’s played fairly well when he’s had the opportunities, it’s clear Rafa is looking elsewhere. I guess, with hindsight, the writing was on the wall as soon as Torres began to make his impact? Crouch has his uses, well documented, but he also has his limitations, again well documented. However, having shown considerable patience, and given himself a season to try and win over Rafa, surely it is time to say “enough is enough, let’s agree to disagree” and move on if only to get regular first team football?

Hopefully Rafa will put the money towards buying another top class striker to complement/play alongside Torres however there has been no mention of this in the press. Instead we are still picking over the increasing smelly carcass that is the Gareth Barry “deal”. Martin O’Neil has been fairly vocal in his criticism of the situation and only the other day said we were a “million miles” from the sort of offer that might tempt Villa to sell. However, Martin O’Neil strikes me a pretty vocal sort of guy!

It’s difficult to see how this will pan out. Ultimately I suppose it will depend on Barry, who has kept quiet, presumably waiting for

a: for Villa’s season to end out of respect or the fans
b: to see O’Neil’s plans for next season and;
c: see who else comes in for him?

He may also want to find out what Rafa’s plans are. Will he play most games? It might be hard with Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano in the side. There is also the question of where will he play? Benitez has made reference to Barry’s ability to play in three positions, centre, and full back and midfield. Would Barry, after a fair few seasons playing in midfield, a position in which got him selected for England, now consider reverting to defence as playing “out of position” or a backward step?

Rafa has also been talking about the future of John Arne Riise, another player earmarked for the out door. It been suggested that Barry would be replacement for Alonso if he goes but surely, because of his ability to play in midfield and defence, he is a replacement for Riise? Compare Rafa’s words about Riise to those earlier in this piece about Crouch..

“He is a fantastic lad and very good professional and player. He has one year left on his contract and we know there are some clubs interested in him. We will wait until the end of the season and try and do the best for him and for us.”

Finally, rumours that Inter have made a £25m bid for Gerrard have been scotched. More nonsense from every Liverpool fan’s favourite red top it seems. The same one that said Crouch was “raging” about Rafa’s comments. Can anyone imagine Crouch raging? We are more likely to see Roy Keane tripping at the Glastonbury festival in a kaftan with flowers in his hair!

Back tomorrow with a review of Spurs game.

Rafa’s Olympic trials, Crouch speaks, plus stadium and Harry’s “costs”

It’s been a quiet, flattish couple of days a far cry from this time last season when everything was building up to Athens? Actually a far cry from most of this season in terms of being in the headlines!

The main bit of news is good. Well done and congratulations to the reserves who won the National Championship through beating Aston Villa 3-0 last night. Progress is not always about the first team and this is proof, if ever it were needed, that we are making good headway in establishing a squad with strength in depth and laying good foundations for the future?

On the first team front it seems that in addition to Mascherano we might lose Lucas for the beginning of the season. Both players have expressed a desire to represent their respective countries at the Olympics in Beijing. The games take place between August 8th and 24th which clashes with the start of the season however, there is also the issue that Lucas and Mascherano will be required to take part in training camps two or three weeks before these dates. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Lucas and Mas play in roughly the same area giving us a potential problem in midfield.

Quite why they should want to travel half way across the world to take part in a tournament that amounts to nothing more than a side show, designed to tap into new TV audiences is beyond me. Compared to the World Cup, Euro 2008 or, if you are South American, Copa America, Olympic football is a poor relation even when compared to a Premiership game against Stoke City! It’s not as if the footballing crème de la crème will be playing, like Olympic tennis or baseball, the medals would not be won through competing against the best in the world?

Transfer rumours regarding John Arne Riise, Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant were deepened by their absence from the post match lap of honour on Sunday. A rather tenuous assumption but why let that get in the way of a newspaper story? Peter Crouch, who after a spat of moaning and groaning at the start of the season over losing his place, has gone on to handle the situation admirably, has broken his silence over a potential move.

“What I must do is speak to the manager. When all is said and done, I don’t think I can have another season like this year where I’ve started nine Premier League games …… I’ll have to speak to the manager and see what his plans are. I need to see him and sort things out. I have to find out what he wants from me for next season and whether or not I can continue with that. In some ways I want to feel wanted. I’ve got a few questions I want to ask him, and I’m sure he has with me, too.”

Another player who must be a favourite to go is dear old Harry Kewell, the only player who has his own chair in the physio room! Fulham and Spurs were rumoured to be interested at one stage however, such is his track record of injuries surely many would be put off? One of the red tops calculates Kewell’s contribution to us at 157k a game once you take into account the transfer fee, wages they also forgot to add plasters, splints, crutches, bandages and nurses etc. This is of course silly, irrelevant nonsense how much has Torres at 20m plus cost us so far? However, 157k a game Eh? Better not mention this to the Star Spangled duo it might give them ideas regarding admission charges to the new stadium speaking of which…..

Revised plans for the stadium were approved for the third time the other day. Most of the changes relate to really, really interesting things like the restaurants, the car park and something called the “skywalk”. However, it’s good that the roof has been modified to enable the pitch to get more exposure to elements. One only has to look at that problems the Millennium stadium has had with it’s surface over the years to see the type of issues it can course.

The car park? According to the Echo a condition of the build is.

“The club must make sure spectators leaving their cars in the stadium’s 970 parking spaces arrive an hour before kick-off and wait an hour after the final whistle to leave.”

Hmm me thinks taking the bus or the train might be a better alternative? Halving the size of the car park is however, a welcome boost to local industry meaning the kids in the streets outside the ground, who on match day offer to “mind your car” for a quid or so, will not be forced to look for alternative revenue streams! I look forward to Hicks going on record and hailing this as a significant PR coup!

The “skywalk” is apparently some kind of public viewing gallery which has now been scrapped. I can’t help thinking that the owners are missing out on a trick here. They could name it after one of our South American players. The “Lucas Skywalker” has a certain galactic, futuristic ring to it!

May the force be with you!

Sven will I see you again?

Liverpool 1
Torres 58.

Manchester City 0

The final home game. Goodbyes for many until next season or forever?

It was ironic that in a season where discontent about the owners has blighted us that our last home game should see, of all people, the visitors protesting in such a way. The game was played out against constant chants from the City end in support of Sven. For us it was a case of been there, done it, still got the manager!

Rafa picked a strongish side for the last home game. Torres made a miraculous recovery from his tight hamstring. Four changes from Wednesday’s starting line up were made, Insuua, Hyypia, Finnan, Lucas and Babel. The new kit replaced the old one!

Inevitably the game had a relaxed, “end of term” feel to it. With both sides taking it easy showing little urgency with us showing sings of not having fully recovered from Wednesday? Sure chances were made, Babel heading over from Kuyt’s cross and Gerrard firing wide but it was rather relaxed. Gerrard produced a brilliant save from Hart in the City goal with a long distance curler. Next it was Torres’ turn firing across the goal. You got the feeling that we needed to make these chances pay as inevitably City would have their own. So it was with Elano hitting the post from a free kick. However we eventually made our pressure tell.

Kuyt nodded on a poor clearance to Torres who advanced into the area with Dunne all over the place. Torres cruised past him, evaded his attempts to pull his shirt and struck a sweet shot across Hart and into the corner the net. His 32nd of the season equaling Roger Hunt’s record of scoring in eight home games in a row.

It was amazing that we only managed to score one as but now the chances were reigning in thick and fast. Lucas an attempted over head kick and Kuyt clattering the bar from Hyypia’s cross with Hart beaten all ends up. Babel skied horribly into The Kop from Torres’ cross. Then Maschernao powered through the centre and fizzed a low shot that Hart parried away.

A typical end of season event but plenty of action. We should have wrapped it up much earlier than we did but there you go. The team thanked the fans, bought their kids on and took in the applause. After the game Rafa talked about improvement and signing new players no different from any other manager but how many have had the experience he’s just gone through? Maybe Sven is about to?

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas (Alonso 74), Kuyt, Gerrard (Voronin 78), Babel (Benayoun 68), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Skrtel.

Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Jihai, Vassell (Garrido 81), Ireland, Johnson, Petrov (Castillo 67), Elano (Hamann 67), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Isaksson, Gelson.

Att: 43,074

City chat and Barry deal reveals Rafa’s hand?

The Gareth Barry situation took another turn over this weekend with the news that Rafa offered Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise or Scott Carson as part of the deal.

Will this go through? Who knows. I guess ultimately the decision will lie with Gareth Barry, even though he has two years left on his contract? What it does show, if reports of Rafa’s offer are true, is who in the squad has been earmarked for the exit door this summer. None of them are great surprises.

Scott Carson would walk into most premiership teams. However, we have Jose Reina and there is no way, that Carson will be content to warm the bench after long stints in the Charlton (last season) and Villa first teams.

John Arne Riise? He’s had a wretched season and perhaps it is time to move if only to give him a fresh challenge and a change? Perhaps the most surprising of the four is Jermaine Pennant. He has been unlucky with injury this season but when fit I believe he can still do a job for us. However, now that Rafa seems to have hit upon a settled combination that involves Dirk Kuyt playing in Pennant’s position perhaps he feels able to off load him especially as he has been linked with other wide men?

Besides the Villa thing there are also rumours that Portsmouth are keen to take Peter Crouch back You could write a whole piece on the enigma that is Peter Crouch? Even though he provides a useful option or variation to our play and has played well recently, it’s fairly clear that since the signing of Torres, Rafa doesn’t see him as a part of his plans. One only has to look at the number of times he’s been on the bench this season even when there’s been injuries to likes of Torres and you have expected him to play. Surely the striker’s patience has now gone?

To today. I guess it’s a testament to the way the team have performed over the last few months that fourth place, and therefore another stint in the Champions league, is wrapped up with two games in hand. So, is that the season over? Will we be going through the motions today? Rafa is clear over how he sees the rest of the campaign.

“We were all really disappointed at going out of the Champions League in the semi-final because we were very close, but now we must think about the future because we still have two more games to play and I would like to win both of them. It is always important to win every game and I will try to do that and we will also try to play good football. The target is clear – to take six points out of six.”

Good stuff, the two remaining games, Manchester City today and Spurs next week, should be attractive ones? After Wednesday the players can now go play without fear and enjoy themselves? I wouldn’t be surprised if there were some changes from Wednesday not least because of the injuries we suffered, to Torres and Skrtel, and the fact that we played extra time. I suspect some be might playing their last game for us in front of The Kop?

Manchester City visit as a club needlessly in turmoil. They will finish in the top ten this season which considering previous campaigns is excellent. This should have given Sven and his players good grounds for looking forward to next season and improving on that, particularly if they can sustain the excellent start they made. However, the owner inexplicably sees this as not good enough and rumours are that Sven will go. Bizarre.

Prediction. The circumstances mean it could go either way however, hopefully we will want to get Wednesday out of our system and what better way than knocking a few goals past your next opponents? I’ll guess 3-1.

Enjoy the game.

Barry, a new red shirt and Champs League wash up.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about Wednesday night. I keep wondering why I’m not gutted or disappointed. Perhaps it is because we’ve been there twice in three years or as Steven Gerrard said it was always going to be Chelsea’s moment.

“It just wasn’t to be, sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and admit it wasn’t your night. We gave it absolutely everything and I was as proud to be captain of the team last night as I have ever been. Even after going behind we kept on fighting and looking to get back into the game and when we managed to do that it looked like we could even go on and win it. Like I said, it wasn’t to be, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. You have to give Chelsea credit, they are a good side – you don’t get through to European Cup finals unless you are.”

End of story really. I don’t think they’ll be many inquests into this game as this season has been one long, big inquest. If there are detractors should remember that we looked like going out at the group stages and the Arsenal and Inter games must be amongst the highlights of the season?

Inevitably thoughts will turn to the future as well as looking back. Overall Rafa, via the teams form in the back end of the season, has bought himself more time. He has the support of the fans and therefore most of the board and I look forward to his continued presence next season. Naturally the whole process will start again over the summer leading up into the 2008-09 season. No doubt we will have some new signings and departures so expectations will be high again. But that, and review of how this season has gone, is for another time.

Although we’ve still two games to go thoughts are already turning to next season. Unlike last summer, when we seemed to take ages to get up our transfer deals sorted, we’re out of the blocks even before the gun has started with a bid of £10m for Gareth Barry.

As mentioned before Barry would be safe bet. He has a proven track record of good form for Villa. He and Gerrard go back along way through playing at England under 21 level. Gerrard clearly enjoyed playing with him at senior level, as opposed to Frank Lampard it seems, when they paired up for the last few games of McClaren’s period of office.

Barry gives us an extra defensive option as he has played full back and centre half for Villa. However he seems to have moved on from this and has been chosen for England in midfield. This is an area of the pitch where we are well represented. Even if Rafa ships out a few players will Barry be guaranteed a first team place?

Martin O’Neil’s is less than pleased and was quick to criticise the offer and it’s timing..

“Liverpool haven’t made a straight cash offer. They’ve made an offer involving a mish-mash of nameless player exchanges. I’m particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public. We’re trying to build a side here and we’re not a feeder club.”

I suspect there is element of dismay in O’Neil’s comments as he could lose one of his top players however, we don’t come out of it too well. Why did we publicise it? Why couldn’t we wait until after the season, Villa are still chasing a UEFA Cup place? Further more it is perhaps an insult to Villa that we trying to palm off players as makeweights in the deal and also what does it say about our financial clout this summer if we have to strike deals in this manner? Still, if you don’t try…..?

Finally the club unveiled the 2008-09 home kit. See it by clicking here. Guess what, it’s predominantly red! I think Adidas have made a few small changes the most noticeable one is ditching of the “bat wing” collar, a change for the better me thinks. Jose Reina has gone all “goth”. He will now be in all black. Is this a wise choice? Will we be able to pick him out and quite a few away kits are black nowadays. Best keep your little yellow number Jose, just in case!

Back tomorrow with a review of the Man City game.

Close, but no caviar!

Chelsea 3
Drogba 33, 105 Lampard 98 pen

Liverpool 2
Torres 64, Babel 117

Well Rafa would have looked a bit daft in one of those fur Russian hats anyway!

It was a game containing plenty of talking points and one that swung one way then the other. However, although we still had grounds to be confident even right at the end when we could have snatched it had more stoppage time been played or the referee given a penalty, Chelsea prevailed.

It’s disappointing but the game cannot begrudge Chelsea their place in the final after two failures against us at this stage of the competition? The thought of what might have been against The Mancs in the final is also counteracted by the horrific thought, if our recent form against them is anything to go by, of er…what might have been!

Rafa kept the changes to a minimum. Benayoun was preferred to Babel and Riise replaced the injured Aurelio. The first chance came after five minutes with Drogba trying to take advantage of the slippy surface by, unsuccessfully, shooting along the ground from distance. After nine minutes we responded but Cech continued to hold sway in his duel with Torres saving well from the Spaniard. Drogba later had a chance from a similar position but didn’t trouble Reina.

I guess we suffered a slight disruption when Skrtel went off injured. Sami Hyypia, his replacement, was arguably at fault for the opening goal by firstly playing Kalou onside and then, through poor positioning, allowing him to cut inside and shoot. Reina saved but Drogba netted the rebound and made his point diving at the corner flag and arrogantly posturing and preening in front of the Liverpool bench. Doing nothing would have classier and would have more of an impact but it’s also lesson for Rafa. Idle pre match prattle about individuals is best left to other managers especially as there is a danger that it might galvanise them into better form?

Despite the goal the only other scare in the half was Ballack’s free kick which hit the net support leaving Reina stranded. We had a couple of half chances. Kuyt’s stabbed shot after good work by Garrard and then Torres was denied from the resulting corner by Drogba’s outstretched leg just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Although Chelsea continued to attack when they could and again, via Essien and Joe Cole, made use of the skidding shot they slowly begin to concede space, sitting back subconsciously protecting their lead and invite us on to them. We didn’t need any more encouragement.

On 63 minutes Benayoun collected the ball and embarked on a mazy cross field run. He beat Makelele, Drogba and evaded Carvalho’s tackle to neatly set up Torres who did the rest.

After that Chelsea were, temporarily at least, snuffed out. Tired because of the hard game against The Mancs or rocked back on their heels after the goal? Essien found time to make a long, weaving run down the right but foolishly tried to shoot from a tight angle when it would have better to cross. Nerves and caution eventually got the better of any attempts to make the decisive move. Extra time.

On the basis of the second half I thought we would be favourites and indeed we had the first chance with Sami heading Gerrard’s corner a foot or so wide. Earlier Riise found himself with acres of space on the left but his cross eluded everyone. However Chelsea discovered an all important second wind. Drogba outwitted Sami only to be denied by a brilliant last ditch tackle from Jamie Carragher. Essien lashed in from seemingly miles out only for the referee to judge Drogba, who was admittedly standing in the way of Reina, to be interfering with play. Does anyone really understand the new off side rule?

Just as we were contemplating what many might see as a bit of luck, a tired Sami, hampered by the conditions, upended Ballack. Lampard stepped up. Few could begrudge him the goal after what he’s been through.

Rafa’s response was to take Torres off and bring on Babel. This created plenty of speculation but subsequently we learnt he had injured his hamstring. However, before we could work out what the plan was, Anelka squared to Drogba and that, seemingly, was that.

As we know it wasn’t. Sami was bought down by Drogba but no penalty and then Babel’s late long, raking effort made it 3-2. All we needed was for John Arne Riise to get the decisive third goal but after Istanbul no one seems to write stories like that anymore!

Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole (Anelka 91), Ballack, Makelele, Lampard (Shevchenko 119), Kalou (Malouda 70), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Obi, Alex, Belletti.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel (Hyypia 22), Riise, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun (Pennant 78), Gerrard, Torres (Babel 99).
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Finnan, Crouch, Lucas.

Att: 38,900

Semi thoughts – on tonight and what lies ahead!

So here we go by the end of tonight we will know if we going into one of the most scariest but eagerly anticipated finals in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

It is a scenario that many of us have mulled over in our minds from time to time evoking a mixture of dread, if we lose and if we win… well footy wise would anything else better it? Until now this has been just talk but now it is in touching distance. The thought of it takes my stomach churn but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, that would be extreme folly.

So, let’s consider the facts. The precious, but lucky, away goal. The home advantage in the second leg. The momentum gained from Saturday’s win which might be even more relevant psychologically should they prevail tonight? The bad record at Stamford Bridge no wins and no goals under Rafa. Who looks like winning a semi final like this? Chelsea? Even Steven Gerrard admits that everything tonight seemingly points in their favour.

“I’ll be realistic and say the advantage lies with Chelsea. They’re a very good team and have been very strong at home for a long time.”

However, all this can be wiped out with one strike from us. Then the tables are turned. Nerves and the weight of expectation and anticipation sparked by the two semi final defeats against us could crush Chelsea. And what about the dilemma between attacking to make amends and the need to keep things tight at the back in case we break way and snaffle another? Said Rafa…

“If they conceded a goal the situation will still be the same – we will still need to score at least one goal. But if we score it will give them problems because they will be thinking, ‘if they score another one we will need three’ – it is a massive difference.”

Other factors that might be in our favour? John Terry is one yellow card away from missing the final. Will this be in the back of his mind as he attempts to deal with Torres? The Spaniard missed two decent chances last Tuesday. However, 30 goals suggests that this won’t go on for too long and the chances we created and domination we showed at Anfield suggest that more opportunities will come his way?

On the flip side Jamie Carragher is one yellow card away from missing the final. Will this be in the back of his mind as he attempts to deal with Drogba? The Ivorian, back from injury, will be fitter with another game under his belt and will Rafa’s “diving” comments inspire him? And Frank Lampard? I know it’s really, really crass to look at what’s happened to him and view it in terms of the game but I guess it could either way. Condolences to him and his family. Also beware Joe Cole, he was unusually quiet at Anfield

On our side Gerrard is one yellow card away from missing the final . Last week he hadn’t fully recovered from a bad neck, but is now injury free and rested. After the Arsenal game he described his performance as one of his worst in a Liverpool shirt so are we are due something big from him tonight? Although he admitted the advantage is with Chelsea, this shouldn’t be regarded as a lack of confidence on his part.

“But we have shown over the last few years that we are a very good team away from home in Europe. We really feel that we are as good as Chelsea, if not better than them. We have certainly been the better team when we’ve played them this season.”

Prediction? I’m writing this in London and it’s been raining for the last twelve hours. However, I don’t really expect it to be raining goals tonight. Does it ever when we play Chelsea? It will be usual tight stuff however, we are injury free, playing well and have confidence. Chelsea’s record has to go sometime and why shouldn’t we be the side to do it? I don’t know if it’s because the pressure’s off but I do feel pretty confident about us, more than I ever did for the previous two semis, and can see us scoring more than once to win say 2-1.

Above all we have to play without fear and believe we can do it. The outcome of last night’s semi and what lies ahead should be motivation enough?

Bring it on!

Press whip up Champs League banter and here comes the government!

Even though the game is on Wednesday the papers began to stoke up the Champions League banter over the weekend.

One wonders how much of this is a genuine or simply an attempt by the media to create something between the two clubs which isn’t really there. Don’t get me wrong, players and managers will always comment on the opposition, and Liverpool and Chelsea have had their spats in the past, but are some of the stories deliberate one-upmanship or simply a case of skewing the facts to make good copy?

For example, are Rafa’s comments about Didier Dorgba’s diving a criticism of the player, or merely a concern about the referee?

“With Drogba it is important to have a good referee. You can’t do anything (to stop him going down) but I will say it because it was so clear. Drogba was given seven fouls and Fernando Torres three. Torres has bruises all around the body. So from the first minute I was disappointed by the referee.”

The emphsis, rightly or wrongly, seems to be on Drogba rather than the referee even though all Rafa seems to have done is complain about the officials since Tuesday. Why? Because it suits the match build up for both teams to be sparing in this way. Forget about the fact everyone knows Drogba dives as do lots of other players, including our own.

This contrasts with Graham Poll’s comments in his Daily Mail (I didn’t buy it!) column over the weekend in which he addresses the same subject only this time it’s Ronaldo who goes down to easily. The week before he accused Steven Gerrard of doing the same thing and him a “cheat”. One wouldn’t normally let this go but is it really worth it. It’s only Graham Poll being Graham Poll vainly and sadly trying to keep himself in the headlines by riding on the back of top player’s newsworthiness and then saying controversial things about them. However, it is ironic that while Poll and Benitez are complaining about the same thing their solutions differ. What is Benitez’s? A stronger referee. What is Poll’s? More respect from players and managers? It seems that everyone is still Poll’s (sic) apart?

Meanwhile back to the attempts to get the two teams snarling at each other like caged tigers. John Terry has been widely reported as criticizing our fans in his Mancs match day programme comments. Jonathan Northcroft in The Sunday Times said

“John Terry, the Chelsea captain, has fanned the flames, though, by using his programme notes yesterday to accuse Liverpool supporters of “disgusting” chants at Anfield.”

However if you read his programme notes to do so click here there is no mention of the word “disgusting”. Merely a plea for the Chelsea fans to make life as difficult for us on Wednesday as we did for them last Tuesday.

When Jose Mourinho was at Chelsea it was easy for the media to build up our games and turn them into grudge matches. Mourinho only had to open his mouth and a contraversial quote or story would come tumbling out, especially as he and Rafa didn’t see eye to eye? However, now it seems that writers such as Northcroft have their work cut out as by and large Grant and Benitez seem content to concentrate on the real matter matter in hand, the game.

Meanwhile it appears the Government will be looking at the board spat as part of an investigation into governance in the game. Although our story has captured all the headlines, one wonders if we are the main thrust of the investigation, I doubt it and I suspect it will be more wide ranging affair. However, mentioning our name and our circumstances certainly gives the investigation the publicity it needs?

Finally I enjoyed reading this article by Tony Evans (click here). It is basically a personalized list, of Liverpool events, memories and experiences some good, some bad, some sad but all adding up to experience of supporting our great club.

Back tomorrow with a review of the semi second leg.