Top of Group!

PSV 1 Liverpool 3
Lazovic 37 - Babel 45, Riera 69, Ngog 78

It was not telecast live over here in Singapore, therefore I could only watch the highlights over the internet. Good goals by Babel, Riera and Ngog were enough for us to secure the top spot and this would mean that second leg of the next knock out round will be at Anfield. This is very important especially in a 2-legged knockout phase.

It's nice to see us winning even we did not field the best team, able to rest some key players and this is a big squad should be all about. Squad depth is essential especially for a long seasons with so many matches to play for.

Let's look forward who we draw next. :)

Match Highlights

You'll Never Walk Alone..

Steven Gerrard 100 Goals Tribute

Captain Steven Gerrard has finally broken his 100th goal duck against PSV and became the 16th Liverpool player to reach the century mark. Let's look back and see some of his terrific and memorable moments he has scored in his career!

I managed to get some pictures and share his thunderbolts goals over the years.

I wouldn't forget this one! Thunderbolt over Fabien Barthez against Manchester United at Anfield. We won 2-0, with Robbie Fowler scoring the other.

Merseyside derby. How can I leave this out? Fantastic shot which left many breathless! Goodison Park was silenced!

League Cup Final. Against Alex Ferguson's men. Gerrard thunderbolt flew over Barthez again, with a little deflection from David Beckham's foot.

Next, my favourite goal of all time. His crucial 3rd goal against Olympiakos which brought us to the next round and in the end, winning the cup! Andy Gray: "Awwww you beauty! WHAT A HIT, son! WHAT A HIT!"

Istanbul. Champions League Final. The header goal which brought us back to life! What else can I say?

A year later, FA Cup Final. 2 Brilliant Goals.

Champions League Quarter Final. Against Arsenal, a late penalty and up step, Captain Gerrard who finished it off!

And finally, his 100th goal!

Well done, Steven Gerrard!

Fantastic achievement and what a player he has been! I've been watching this man playing since his debut goal against Sheffield Wednesday, he has grown maturely, becoming one of the best players in the world.

What's lacking is just Steven Gerrard lifting the Premiership title. :)

You'll Never Walk Alone..

A Good Night To Remember

Liverpool 3 PSV 1
Kuyt 4, Keane 34, Gerrard 76 - Koevermans 78
AR Man of the Match: Gerrard

A memorable night for the Anfield faithfuls to remember, which sees Steven Gerrard getting his 100th Liverpool career goal as well as Robbie Keane's first goal for his childhood dream team. A disciplined match against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, a regular Champions League opponent over the last few years.

Another typical Anfield European night, gave the team confidence and many positives from this game. Despite playing 5 defenders across the back, PSV failed to contain the home attacks and somehow, Liverpool was expected to score and get the 3 points.

Goals from Kuyt, Keane and Captain Gerrard made it 2 wins out of 2 so far in the opening group stages of the Champions League. Kuyt's goal scoring record in the Champions League seems to be improving each time he plays and he has instilled himself a place in Rafa's first 11. His work rate is definitely one of the best, if not the best around and I do wonder how many lungs he has.

Many positives from this game.

1. Keane got his first goal for Liverpool with a Torres assist. Keane assisted Torres at the Merseyside derby and this shows that this partnership is beginning to work.

2. Captain Steven Gerrard has finally scored his 100th goal for Liverpool Football Club. The 16th player to be able to do that. I could see that his form is picking up and once he gets into form, opponents have to be beware.

3. Liverpool is playing well at the moment, showing the sense of urgency in games which I strongly believed was lacked last season. Consistency is the key and I'm sure Rafa & Co has the experience to at least, challenge this year.

4. Rafa has cut down on his tinkering. Keeping to his key players practically every game and he himself also agreed that it's hard to change the team when the 11 players are putting in good performances. Players like Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger just simply couldn't break into the first team.

Still, we must not be overconfident and concentrate on every single game. We have not win anything yet, it's important to be calm and continue to win games. Somehow, being a Liverpool fan, I'm afraid to have high hopes at times. Every season, somehow high hopes will turn out to be bigger disappointment. Hopefully, this season won't be. Well, I'll still shout "GOAL" at my top of my voice when the team scores!

Manchester City up next!

Goals
Source: Kop-tv

You'll Never Walk Alone..

PSV 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Team of the day..
Reina, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Aurelio, Gerrard MBE (captain), Alonso, Mascherano, Crouch, Bellamy.
Subs - Hyypia, Zenden, Gonzalez, Pennant, Arbeloa, Bellamy, Dudek



Match Highlights..

PSV 0-3 Liverpool [Highlights]
Uploaded by redhalfofmerseyside

Louis' Comments..

The first leg of Champions League quarter-final went really well for us. We were back at the Philips Stadium again this season against the Dutch team PSV. I was not surprised by this line-up. Somehow, I knew that Peter Crouch would be playing. Craig Bellamy maybe not feeling 100% fit and Dirk Kuyt was to partner Crouch upfront. Finnan and Riise back in the team line up.

We settled well in the game and we didn't have much to handle from PSV attacks. Carragher and Agger were playing comfortably at the back and Reina didn't have to make any saves. We almost scored through Carragher after a corner from Gerrard. Gomes, the PSV goalkeeper made a great save.



On the 27th minute, Stevie put us ahead. A good cross by Steve Finnan and Gerrard was in the middle heading in his 15th European Goal. Steven Gerrard has broken Ian Rush's record of 14 goals. We were in control of the game and no doubt, we were playing well.

PSV tried to put some pressure onto us in the second half. However, I guess Liverpool's defence stood strong and disciplined.



Just 4 minutes after second half, we had another. After a poor clearance by the PSV defence, John Arne Riise was able to capitalise on their mistake and shot another of his trademarks goals with his lethal left foot. Awesome goal! I was shouting "Shoot!" when he took on the ball. It just feels great to see the ball flew into the net.

The mifield worked hard with Mascherano and Alonso in the middle. Mascherano was protecting the back four and I believe that Rafa have found a gem for the team. We were passing around and making sure that PSV do not score.

We added a third on the 63th minute. Peter Crouch, who scored a hat-trick against Arsenal, headed in Liverpool's third and last goal of the night. Alonso found Finnan on the right and the Republic of Ireland right back didn't disappoint with a brilliant cross for Crouch.



PSV was totally outplayed and they had no clue on what's happening on the field. The shirt in yellow was dominating the game and the players put a efficient performance out there. Ronald Koeman was just sitting on his bench, looking helpless while the opposite number, Rafa Benitez was standing by the touchline, shouting and giving out instructions to his players. He's never seems satisfied and it deemed so hard to see Rafa smiling. (Even his team is 3-0 up away from home.)



This match was also the NIGHT OF RECORDS.

-Steven Gerrard became the fifth player in Liverpool's history to play in 50 Champions League matches.

-Gerrard's goals broke Liverpool's record of most goals scored in the competition.

-Gerrard made it 15 goals, overtaking Ian Rush's tally of 14 in the European Cup.

- It was Liverpool's biggest away victory in the Champions League.

-It was Liverpool's 50th Champions League match.

-Jamie Carragher made his 58th appearance Champions League appearance for Liverpool, a club record.

3 away goals in the bag and we can't say that we are in the semi-finals yet. We still have a job to do at Anfield and we can't allow complacency creep into us. We still have to work hard together and play some good football.

The fans were awesome as always. I could hear their singing at the Philips Stadium and it pleases me to see fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone aloud. Come on Reds!



You'll Never Walk Alone..

PSV VS LIVERPOOL PREVIEW (FIRST LEG)

Against the Dutch Champions second time this season. It's the quarter-final of the Champions League and I believe the players knew themselves how near they are from the Athens. A good result away from home is always proved to be so crucial.

Preview..

PSV v Liverpool Preview
Uploaded by redhalfofmerseyside

You'll Never Walk Alone..

QUARTER FINAL : LIVERPOOL VS PSV.

I was watching the draw and yes, somehow, I was relieved that we got PSV. Of course, PSV is a strong team and they have knocked Arsenal out. Still, I believe that we have met them in the group stage, both teams know each other really well.

Of all the other 7 teams, the Dutch Champions isn't the strongest opponent. Still, in the Champions League, every team is strong and you can't underestimate your opponents. Just remember how Benfica beated Liverpool out of the competition.. We must learn from our mistakes and I believe Rafa Benitez would know what to do against the Dutch Champions.

What Rafa Says..

"At this stage of the competition every team is going to be difficult. We know all about PSV, having already played them twice this season, but that doesn't mean it will be easy," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Sometimes knowing your opponents well can be an advantage but sometimes it can be a disadvantage because they'll also know all about us. We must be cautious.

"I'm sure the supporters will be happy with the draw but we don't want to make the same mistake as last year when went out against Benfica. Then, everyone was saying we'd go through but, of course, Benfica beat us home and away.

"PSV are a very good team. We may have beaten them at home but they held us to a goalless draw at their ground. They have improved since we last met and showed their quality by beating Arsenal in the last round. There are no favourites in this tie.

"Playing away from home first can be good as it means there'll be another special atmosphere at Anfield for the second leg. We are really close to the semi-final and need the support of everyone to help us make this next step. This is the most important game we'll play in the next month and I'm looking forward to it."

Quarter Finals..

AC Milan (Ita) vs Bayern Munich (Ger)

PSV Eindhoven (Hol) vs LIVERPOOL (Eng)

Roma (Ita) vs Man Utd (Eng)

Chelsea (Eng) vs Valencia (Esp)



Semi Finals:

AC Milan or Bayern Munich VS Roma or Man Utd.

PSV Eindhoven or LIVERPOOL VS Chelsea or Valencia

You'll Never Walk Alone..