2 Wins Down, 1 More To Go

Liverpool 4 Porto 1
Torres 19, 78, Gerrard 83, Crouch 87 - Lopez 48

This man above is the one who still gave Liverpool hope when they were not far from elimination from the UEFA Champions League last night. His 2 goals were vital and since he has joined the club, he was scoring goals. That's what Liverpool is lacking of over these years. A striker who can just score, score and score. He's none other than Fernando Torres.

Liverpool faced Porto in the second must-win game at Anfield in which the home side needs to win all 3 remaining games to qualify. They have now won 2, left a tricky away trip to France, facing Marseillie, with former players Bolo Zenden and Dyrbil Cisse.



Liverpool started the match well and managed to score a goal early in the game. Fernando Torres rose high and headed into the goal. He made it look so simple, feigning off his marker and a powerful header into the goal.



However, somehow Porto managed to get back into the game. Despite Liverpool dominating the possession, Porto managed to equalise with a stunning header, totally against the run of play.

Since then, Liverpool struggled to dictate the play which they did earlier in the game. Instead, Porto had controlled the game and almost got a second not because of poor finishing.

Porto's defence was stubborn and Liverpool just couldn't break it. At that moment, a draw would be good enough for Porto to qualify for the knockout while Liverpool would be saying goodbye to Champions League football for the rest of the season.

I was getting worried as time passed quickly. Liverpool didn't have any clear cut chances and we seriously needed a goal. I couldn't see it coming from anyone else but Fernando. And yes, he didn't disappoint me, or I should say us.



Supersub Harry Kewell did very well on the flank, brought down the ball. His pass to Torres was not the best, but managed to get past the legs of the defender and the Spanish striker was too quick for any Porto men to catch him. His goal burst opened Anfield. All the anxiety and worries were all released at that point you saw Torres' strike went across the line.



Once we got the goal, Porto seemed shattered. Liverpool was growing in confidence and the goals kept coming. A freekick from Stevie was handled by Porto defender Stepanov after pressurised by Sami Hyypia. A penalty was given and up step Captain Stevie again who didn't make any mistakes from the spot.

Liverpool seems to be hungrier as the game coming to an end. Peter Crouch added the 4th for Liverpool in the dying minutes. A corner by Stevie again was well timely headed by Crouch into the goal while Porto goalkeeper was helpless coming off his line. It's nice to see him scoring for the Reds again. Even though he seemed to be on his way out of Anfield, I still do like him. :)



2 wins down now, 1 more to go. Rafa knows what's expected of him and I'll be behind him till the end. Keep it going lads!

You'll Never Walk Alone..

Reds Meant Business In St James' Park

Newcastle 0 Liverpool 3
Gerrard 28, Kuyt 46, Babel 66

Match Goals


As the international break was over, it's time to be back for Premiership football. Many would have still be talking about England's disability to qualify for the Euros and Steve Mcclaren's sacking. Nevertheless, all I care is Liverpool getting the points in the league which was at St James Park last night.

Yes, they did. 3 points in the bag, a convincingly 3-0 win over Newcastle at their home. What else can I ask for? It's a great result at the right time for Liverpool as over the week, there are reports about the rift between Liverpool boss and the American owners. I do not know what really happened, but I do know that as long as Rafa maintain their unbeaten ways, I believe he would be fine.

Liverpool started brightly though the fact that Momo Sissoko was in the team. Harry Kewell and Lucas Levia also started. We spread the ball well and passing was neat. Sadly so, Captain Steven Gerrard was being booed by the fans in the stadium. It's definitely due to England's mishap during the week. It's normal for him to get some stick especially from these hostile fans, however, I do think it's unfair to Stevie.

Still, Stevie did his talking on the pitch. He was not affected by the constant boos and went on to scored a stunner. On the 28th minute, the away side got a freekick outside the penalty box. Up step Stevie, he didn't reserved any power from the lay off by Lucas to him. Top Corner. Gave Shay Given no chance.



Liverpool had several great chances, but they also missed them terribly. This time around, Torres was being the main culprit. He could have got a hat-trick but the fact that he didn't stop trying showed how determined this young man is. He hit the post at the end of first half was the closest he could score last night.



Liverpool managed to add another to their advantage right after the break. Steven Gerrard's corner was flicked by Big Sami onto Dirk Kuyt knee, rebounding into goal. It's lucky goal by the Dutchman and Liverpool was in a comfortable position with 2 goals up.



Newcastle was clueless in the whole game. I do wonder what happen to them at home. They left too much space in the middle of park, which ended up pressuring the defence.

Ryan Babel came on as Liverpool played on a counter-attacking football. The flying winger was quick, strong and determined to get forward whenever he's given the chance. He got his rewards then by scoring a nice 3rd goal for Liverpool. A 1-2 with Stevie gave Babel space to shoot straight into the bottom corner.



2 players who impressed me last night. Harry Kewell & Lucas Levia. Even though both of them didn't score, their hard work in the game for the team was not neglected. Harry had been injured for a long time and it's great to see him back. He's definitely one of those who can help Liverpool push further as long as he's fit. He needs several games more to gain back his match fitness, which I agreed with Rafa, he would be like a new signing.

Lucas Levia. The number 21 Brazilian was superb in the middle, protecting the back four last night. His tackling was precise and passing was not too bad. (Better than Momo's) At such a young age, he has turned out to be an exciting prospect for Liverpool. His intelligence on the pitch and the individual control can be seen clearly from last night's match, at least for me.

I do not know whether we played really well or it's Newcastle who made us look good. Even so, the important fact is that we got the points which we needed. Game set, next game, Porto. 2nd Final in the Champions League.

You'll Never Walk Alone..

Reds Bottom of Champions League Group

Beskitas 2 Liverpool 1
Hyypia og 13, Bobo 82 - Gerrard 84

Match Highlights


A mountain to climb before this match, now, a much higher and difficult one to climb. Liverpool had put themselves into a make or break situation. With only one point in the group, they are now in the bottom of the table.

Teams like Marseille, FC Porto, and Turkish club, Bekistas are the other 3 teams in the group. Based on Liverpool's European standards, these teams wouldn't have much chances. Sadly so, they took full advantage of Liverpool's poor form and had showed the world that they could even beat us at Anfield.

For us Liverpool fans, it seemed like an unusual sight. For the past seasons, we have been doing very well in the Champions League. I do not know why, the team didn't perform to expectations and hence, lagged behind.

Against the Beskitas, our defence was very poor. Sami Hyypia and Steve Finnan. The usual reliable ones were under-performing. Slow and positioning was always questioned during the game. I was utterly disappointed with the defence which we were always proud of.

Our attacks were threatening in the beginning. However, the problem of not able to score haunted us again. Aren't our strikers good enough? I don't think so. I believe the quality of Kuyt, Voroninn, Crouch and even Babel is definitely threatening. Just that our link plays in the team aren't working. Is the training the main factor? Or they are lacking of confidence? I hope it's not too late when they recover their form and touch.


Steven Gerrard, managed to get onto the scoresheet at the end with a top-corner header. It was too late for Reds though. Captain Stevie seems to be recovering his form back and I do hope that his good form would influence the team for better performances.

Liverpool just loves playing the hard way. The way they won the Champions League, the way they won the FA Cup, it tells it all. As Liverpool fans, we are all seems to be used to the team's disappointing results and get taunts from fans of Man Utd and Arsenal. On a personal level, I'm just hoping for the best, as I know, higher expectations would lead to higher disappointments.

You'll Never Walk Alone..

Liverpool Lucky To Have A Point

Porto 1 Liverpool 1
Luis González, pen 8, Dirk Kuyt, 17

The first Champions League against the strong Portugese side, Porto. Though being the away side, many predicted a Liverpool win because of its past records of playing in this league. However, this is one match which I thought Liverpool didn't deserve to win although my heart wanted the 3 points.



We truly struggled the whole of 90 minutes. First ten minutes was horrendously poor. Porto as expected, was firing from all direction, and Liverpool didn't do what they do best, absorb and defend the pressure. They even struggled to play the normal game. They didn't pass the ball well, overall play was sloppy. Not even a single player performed to his standard.



Ricardo Quaresma was the key member of the Porto team. One of the most wanted wingers in Europe, he troubled Liverpool on both wings. Our defenders failed to contain him down. How can you allow a winger whom we wanted to buy in the summer so much space? He would definitely punish you. Without doubt, Porto went ahead with a stupid penalty conceded by Pepe Reina. I realised that we have been conceding penalties in our recent matches and that's a bad sign.



We created only one chance in the first half, fortunately, we managed to score through Dirk Kuyt. A freekick from Steve Finnan, a flick on by Big Sami and Dirk Kuyt was there to head it home. A similar goal like last season's Champions League final at Athens. Liverpool was lucky. A goal coming from nowhere.



Jermaine Pennant, whom I thought the one who can help in Liverpool attack in the game, had a very poor game. I do not know what happened to him and what's on his mind. He was unable to bring the ball down the wings, nor he provided any width to the team. His tackles were reckless and was testing the referee's patience. Eventually, he was sent off on 58 minutes.



A foolish and redundant tackle when the ball is heading for a goal kick. I could see and sense his frustration. However, at this level, we must keep cool and play the right football. Not venting your anger onto it. Pennant just did that and he had to learn from it. This is Champions League, not any amateur league.



The overall team play was extremely bad. We didn't create any clear chances and had to play most of the second half with 10 men. Rafa himself knew what went wrong and just by looking at his face, he's boiling looking at his team's performance. Porto was not able to score the second goal. We were lucky to get a point.

I'm beginning to fear as I watch Liverpool play these few matches. Based on their performance against Portsmouth and last night Porto, it seems that Liverpool is struggling. This is not something pleasant to be seen. Rightfully, on Liverpool's standard, we should have gotten all the points we needed from these matches. We really have to buck up in all areas and produce some results. Otherwise, I'm afraid this would turn out to be a disappointing season again.

Come On Reds! With hope in your heart..

You'll Never Walk Alone..