Marseille 1 Liverpool 2 Cana 23 - Gerrard 26, 32 pen AR Match of the Match: Gerrard
The Group Stages of the Champions League has started and Liverpool started its campaign against French side Marseille once again at the State Velodrome, a home ground which many sides have struggled over the years.
A 4-0 win last season is still fresh on both sides' mind and Rafa Benitez was wanting to start the campaign with 3 points. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were back in starting line-up after being on the bench against Manchester United.
I normally records Champions League matches as it is shown at around 2.30am in the morning over here in Singapore. Due to some problems, the recorder only managed to records the second half and hence, I missed the first half where all the goals were scored.
Watched the highlights and I saw Captain Gerrard scoring a beautiful shot outside the area. A difficult ball to hit and Stevie made it looked so simple. Ryan Babel was then brought down in the penalty box after performing some nice skills in it. Gerrard made no mistakes from the spot and gave Liverpool the lead.
Liverpool have been coming back from behind these few games and that's actually a good sign. A sign of not giving up and determination to win. Still, we will have to strengthen our defence and keep a clean sheet. Pepe Reina made several great saves at the end to protect our lead.
A good start and 3 points in the bag. Let's take one game at a time.
Another match enters into the history of the Liverpool books. A night to remember which Liverpool completed their 3 out of 3 must-win games in the Champions League Group stages. This gave Liverpool qualification into the last 16 of the most prestigious European competition.
4-0 it stands at the Stade Velodrome. Marseille winning record against English opposition is finally broken as Liverpool is the first English side to beat Marseille at their home. The win was a much needed one in which this particular match could decide the club's upcoming future. Disability to qualify for the knockout stage is unthinkable which eventually would be a massive loss in income and revenue. Rafa's job may not be guaranteed if they have lost last night as well.
Liverpool treated the game as a cup final. Right from the start, they were looking to win and showed the hunger which we fans love to see on the pitch. Most importantly, we got our first goal early in the game. Steven Gerrard's superb run into the penalty box was brought down by Marseille defender, Laurent Bonnart. The ref was spot on and gave the penalty on the 3rd minute of the game.
Up step Captain Stevie. Somehow, he missed it, a great save from the home side goalkeeper. Still, he was there to finish the rebound off. 1-0 to Liverpool!
The second goal didn't came too long. Winger Harry Kewell passed a simple ball to Spanish striker Torres who was the edge of the box. From then on, he had only the goal in his mind. Dribbled past 2 defenders and slot home the second of the evening for the away side. World Class Finish.
This is what Tom Hicks and George Gillet paid 26 million pounds for. This is what Liverpool is lacking of over the years. This is the missing link which caused Liverpool to lose last season final against AC Milan. This is what we fans love to see. He's Fernando Torres.
2 goals up within 11 minutes. Marseille were left self-shocked. Silenced the crowd and I could only hear the songs from Anfield were singing. Loud and proud.
Marseille made substitutions one after another. By half-time, they had already made 3 with Djibril Cisse being the last one coming in. Despite the changes, Liverpool extended their lead.
Again, Harry Kewell passed a brilliant ball from the left which Kuyt captalised on the sleeping defence. He was onside and he was clinical in his finish. Nice shot Dirk!
With a 3 goals cushion, it's almost sure that Liverpool was qualifying into the knock out stages and sending the French side into the UEFA Cup. Liverpool was strong defensively. Marseille couldn't break the mighty wall which Rafa had already built right from the start.
Once again, Ryan Babel came on in the game and managed to get one himself. A Fabio Aurelio long ball was met with his frightening pace where he rounded off the keeper scoring the 4th for Liverpool which truly deserved to win the game. Credit to all the players in the team who worked really hard in the game. Mascherano, Kewell, Benayoun and the whole defence were superb on the night.
4 goals on an away European match with no goals conceded. What else can we ask for? It's no wonder Rafa was proud with his boys. I'm proud of them as well. I wore the same away jersey to school today with my head up high.
We shall enjoy this win and prepare for the upcoming match. The BIG GAME against Manchester United. It's time to be focus on the league.
Louis A devoted Livepool fan from Singapore, who has been supporting Liverpool since he was 5 years old. Anfieldreds is born on 23th November 2006. Anfieldreds is about Liverpool football club news, previews, Louis' views and comments. Feel free to email me at llzz_18@hotmail.com and give me your comments anytime. Enjoy.
