Liverpool Versus Chelsea

[kinboshi]

sets it up nicely for the second leg. though if chelsea score at anfield i think that'l be enough  to see them thru as cant see liverpool scoring 3

I agree, although we've scored 3 in the second half before...

[turny]

sets it up nicely for the second leg. though if chelsea score at anfield i think that'l be enough  to see them thru as cant see liverpool scoring 3

I agree, although we've scored 3 in the second half before...

still living in the past....

[kinboshi]

sets it up nicely for the second leg. though if chelsea score at anfield i think that'l be enough  to see them thru as cant see liverpool scoring 3

I agree, although we've scored 3 in the second half before...

still living in the past....

We have a past.

[The Baron]

We didn't turn up for the first half and Chelsea played well.

I also have to admit Rafa got it wrong not starting Crouch who has consistently troubled Terry and Carvalho in the last two seasons.

It is an uphill struggle now.

Well done to Chelsea.

[kinboshi]

I posted this on another forum, and can't be arsed editing it for here.  It's my thoughts on the game last night.

Rafa got the team selection wrong. He should have started Crouch, as he's our biggest goal threat and can also hold the ball up well so that we can build on our possession in the oppositions half. Part of the problem last night was that we couldn't sustain an attack more than a few passes. Also their defence was comfortable, and as soon as Crouch came on they looked a lot less assured.

We lacked width, and very rarely got down the flanks to cross a ball across into the box - they were coming from too deep and were too straight. Easy to defend without a Crouch or Drogba to hold up the ball.

Width would have come from Pennant on the right, and either Zenden or Gonzalez on the left. Zenden wasn't our worst player, remember he was playing in the same side with the same targets and same support as the other players who underperformed.

Pennant playing would have protected Arbeloa. He was shown up last night that he is still Finnan's understudy - and I hope that those who don't/didn't appreciate Finnan understand his quality and worth now. In addition, Arbeloa didn't add a lot going forward - in fact I can only remember one cross he contributed. This is partly due to the fact that he had no protection in front of him a lot of the time. Gerrard was playing his usual 'free' role from the right-hand side. Pennant offers a lot more to the right full-back in terms of support and protection, and this also helps going forward (which in turn helps to pin the opposition left-back deeper, making the defensive job easier in turn, a virtuous circle).

I don't think chavski had enough to think and worry about last night. We weren't a threat to them, except from the occasional Gerrard attempt - and it was going to require a moment of brilliance or a mistake for us to score.

With the attacks from the wings, and Crouch as a target, with Gerrard and/or Kuyt in support, they would have had a lot more on their mind, and their evening would have been far harder.

Alonso worked hard, but I thought Mascherano was relatively disappointing - especially in terms of adding to the attack. All-in-all, this left most of our attacking options in the final third being down to Gerrard, and even Zenden and Riise down the left. Not sure if Gonzalez could have added a lot more - he certainly has the pace, but isn't the most cultured crosser or finisher - but I think he might have given their defence a few more problems.  Left-wing is certainly a position that Rafa will look to strengthen in the summer.

Agger also struggled last night. Maybe this was systematic of the other problems in front of him. Then again, it was Drogba who was giving him the trouble - and he's the in-form striker in Europe at the moment, so it's not the biggest sin in the world.

Reina was our best player. Great saves, commanded his area well, and his distribution from throws was good. Someone commented that his kicks weren't great - but I thought they were fine most of the time, and again his options for targets weren't always the best.

I think Rafa did get it wrong - but if Gerrard's shot had gone in, and it'd finished 1-1, we'd all be delighted (at the result). 1-0 is a scary score line, as it means keeping them out at ours and scoring, or scoring at least 3. Still, it's half-time and we've been here before..

[JungleCat03]

I posted this on another forum, and can't be arsed editing it for here.  It's my thoughts on the game last night.

Rafa got the team selection wrong. He should have started Crouch, as he's our biggest goal threat and can also hold the ball up well so that we can build on our possession in the oppositions half. Part of the problem last night was that we couldn't sustain an attack more than a few passes. Also their defence was comfortable, and as soon as Crouch came on they looked a lot less assured.

We lacked width, and very rarely got down the flanks to cross a ball across into the box - they were coming from too deep and were too straight. Easy to defend without a Crouch or Drogba to hold up the ball.

Width would have come from Pennant on the right, and either Zenden or Gonzalez on the left. Zenden wasn't our worst player, remember he was playing in the same side with the same targets and same support as the other players who underperformed.

Pennant playing would have protected Arbeloa. He was shown up last night that he is still Finnan's understudy - and I hope that those who don't/didn't appreciate Finnan understand his quality and worth now. In addition, Arbeloa didn't add a lot going forward - in fact I can only remember one cross he contributed. This is partly due to the fact that he had no protection in front of him a lot of the time. Gerrard was playing his usual 'free' role from the right-hand side. Pennant offers a lot more to the right full-back in terms of support and protection, and this also helps going forward (which in turn helps to pin the opposition left-back deeper, making the defensive job easier in turn, a virtuous circle).

I don't think chavski had enough to think and worry about last night. We weren't a threat to them, except from the occasional Gerrard attempt - and it was going to require a moment of brilliance or a mistake for us to score.

With the attacks from the wings, and Crouch as a target, with Gerrard and/or Kuyt in support, they would have had a lot more on their mind, and their evening would have been far harder.

Alonso worked hard, but I thought Mascherano was relatively disappointing - especially in terms of adding to the attack. All-in-all, this left most of our attacking options in the final third being down to Gerrard, and even Zenden and Riise down the left. Not sure if Gonzalez could have added a lot more - he certainly has the pace, but isn't the most cultured crosser or finisher - but I think he might have given their defence a few more problems.  Left-wing is certainly a position that Rafa will look to strengthen in the summer.

Agger also struggled last night. Maybe this was systematic of the other problems in front of him. Then again, it was Drogba who was giving him the trouble - and he's the in-form striker in Europe at the moment, so it's not the biggest sin in the world.

Reina was our best player. Great saves, commanded his area well, and his distribution from throws was good. Someone commented that his kicks weren't great - but I thought they were fine most of the time, and again his options for targets weren't always the best.

I think Rafa did get it wrong - but if Gerrard's shot had gone in, and it'd finished 1-1, we'd all be delighted (at the result). 1-0 is a scary score line, as it means keeping them out at ours and scoring, or scoring at least 3. Still, it's half-time and we've been here before..

 

It was a bad night for liverpool but should have been worse.

It is far from over though. Chelsea will find it very difficult to score at anfield against the toughest home defence in the league (5 goals conceded in 18 games)
The last time they played there they got a pasting that the 2-0 scoreline didn't completely reflect(albeit chelsea had a lot of defensive personnel injured)

There's been lots of massive european nights at anfield and something special  often happens.

Chelsea have the advantage but i think it is very slight and Liverpool have overturned much bigger deficits before....

I think the 2nd leg will be a completely different game and should be a much better match.

BRING IT ON!

[The Baron]

I posted this on another forum, and can't be arsed editing it for here.  It's my thoughts on the game last night.

Rafa got the team selection wrong. He should have started Crouch, as he's our biggest goal threat and can also hold the ball up well so that we can build on our possession in the oppositions half. Part of the problem last night was that we couldn't sustain an attack more than a few passes. Also their defence was comfortable, and as soon as Crouch came on they looked a lot less assured.

We lacked width, and very rarely got down the flanks to cross a ball across into the box - they were coming from too deep and were too straight. Easy to defend without a Crouch or Drogba to hold up the ball.

Width would have come from Pennant on the right, and either Zenden or Gonzalez on the left. Zenden wasn't our worst player, remember he was playing in the same side with the same targets and same support as the other players who underperformed.

Pennant playing would have protected Arbeloa. He was shown up last night that he is still Finnan's understudy - and I hope that those who don't/didn't appreciate Finnan understand his quality and worth now. In addition, Arbeloa didn't add a lot going forward - in fact I can only remember one cross he contributed. This is partly due to the fact that he had no protection in front of him a lot of the time. Gerrard was playing his usual 'free' role from the right-hand side. Pennant offers a lot more to the right full-back in terms of support and protection, and this also helps going forward (which in turn helps to pin the opposition left-back deeper, making the defensive job easier in turn, a virtuous circle).

I don't think chavski had enough to think and worry about last night. We weren't a threat to them, except from the occasional Gerrard attempt - and it was going to require a moment of brilliance or a mistake for us to score.

With the attacks from the wings, and Crouch as a target, with Gerrard and/or Kuyt in support, they would have had a lot more on their mind, and their evening would have been far harder.

Alonso worked hard, but I thought Mascherano was relatively disappointing - especially in terms of adding to the attack. All-in-all, this left most of our attacking options in the final third being down to Gerrard, and even Zenden and Riise down the left. Not sure if Gonzalez could have added a lot more - he certainly has the pace, but isn't the most cultured crosser or finisher - but I think he might have given their defence a few more problems.  Left-wing is certainly a position that Rafa will look to strengthen in the summer.

Agger also struggled last night. Maybe this was systematic of the other problems in front of him. Then again, it was Drogba who was giving him the trouble - and he's the in-form striker in Europe at the moment, so it's not the biggest sin in the world.

Reina was our best player. Great saves, commanded his area well, and his distribution from throws was good. Someone commented that his kicks weren't great - but I thought they were fine most of the time, and again his options for targets weren't always the best.

I think Rafa did get it wrong - but if Gerrard's shot had gone in, and it'd finished 1-1, we'd all be delighted (at the result). 1-0 is a scary score line, as it means keeping them out at ours and scoring, or scoring at least 3. Still, it's half-time and we've been here before..

Spot on.

Mascherano and Arbeloa will be fine players in future but both had a bad night. When Essien is back for the 2nd leg I think Sissoko will play anyway.

Not starting Crouch was a mistake.

You think Kewell is done then?

[kinboshi]

If Kewell ever comes back, it'll be like getting a new signing anyway.  I just can't see it myself.  He certainly has the talent, and had just started to show it for Liverpool.

[scotty2hatty]

no more goals please!!!

Selection   Selection Details  Result 
 
 
 1
Scorecast @ (100/1)
   European
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Correct score 90mins only 
2007-05-01 19:45:00
Liverpool 1 - 0
 
                           Pending   


Daniel Agger  Win 

[AdamM]

how much you got on?

[Indestructable]

Wow, good spot by itv that liverpool cheated when scoring the goal, hadn't spotted it all.

[scotty2hatty]

just a quid, was only a fun bet.

also got a tenner on the 1-0 though at 5/1.

[kinboshi]

Wow, good spot by itv that liverpool cheated when scoring the goal, hadn't spotted it all.

Yawn.  Lets see a montage of joe cole and drogba diving and cheating.

[kinboshi]

Click to see full-size image.

[Indestructable]

Wow, good spot by itv that liverpool cheated when scoring the goal, hadn't spotted it all.

Yawn.  Lets see a montage of joe cole and drogba diving and cheating.

I am not fussed who wins and both are probably as bad as each other, just thought it was a good spot.