Liverpool v Arsenal: Act III
Tuesday, 08 April 08, 03:49 PM · Comments (2)
Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (Aggregate 5-3)
Arsenal's season was left on life support following a 4-2 loss in a thrilling encounter on Merseyside. The Gunners ran out to an early lead thanks to Abou Diaby's powerful drive on 13 minutes. The Frenchman latched onto Alex Hleb's superbly placed though ball, took one touch and hammered the ball to the inside of Pepe Reina's inside post.
For a quarter of an hour Arsenal were in the driver's seat until conceding a corner and with almost half an hour gone Sami Hyypia managed to lose Phillipe Senderos in the box to make it 1-1. The giant Finn got a firm header on the ball which left Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia with no chance.
Emmanuel Eboue wasted a glorious chance with an hour gone by electing to shoot from a tight angle rather than crossing to Adebayor who found himself in a delicious position. Frustration cannot describe the look it left on Arsene Wenger's face.
Arsenal would pay for the wasted chance almost 5 minutes later as Fernando Torres latched onto Pepe Reina's punt, spun Senderos and hammered the ball passed his countryman Almunia. It makes you wonder if Arsene Wenger will finally call upon Johan Djourou.
Wenger made two attacking changes soon after the goal with Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott replacing Diaby and Eboue.
The decision to bring on Walcott would appear to be a masterstroke almost 10 minutes later as the young Englishman departed on a blazing solo run before picking out Adebayor who equalized to send the traveling contingent into delirium.
High drama would take place right after the kickoff as Toure appeared to bring down Liverpool substitute Ryan Babel in the box. Replays would show there was contact but how much is sure to be a point of hot debate. Steven Gerrard would slot home the penalty in efficient style. At this point Arsenal appear deflated.
Arsenal would manage a few futile attempts at attacking but couldn't muster anything and felt the hammer blow when Liverpool were able to clear a Cesc Fabregas freekick long for Babel to get on the end of, Babel made no mistake as he put the ball and the tie out of Almunia and Arsenal's reach.
After such a promising start Arsenal must now hope for Manchester United to self destruct to stand any chance at silverware this season.
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2 Comments · Add yours
liverpool are the best, moscow here we come!
It's a good but extremely lucky win for Liverpool. God knows how belief and luck can take you so far despite such sustained mediocrity.
Liverpool stand a great chance of making their 3rd final in 4 years but are arguably an even worse team than the one that fluked their win in 2005.
Has there ever been such a consistent team in the Champions' League who are so far off the pace in their domestic league ?
Even when Monaco reached the final in 2004 they were 3rd in France - only 4 points off the top.
Still, Torres is a class finisher and will probably score in the Anfield leg of the semi-finals.
Good Luck to Liverpool - they are still a better option than Chelsea. But are they a better team ?