Liverpool v Chelski, Champions League S/F @ 1945 BST

[mcgillianaire]

Tonight is Liverpool's biggest match of the season and if we win, we will play either Man Utd or AC Milan in the Champions League final in Athens on 23rd May. But! We can also win and still be chucked out due to the away-goals rule. And if we lose, we will end the season trophyless.

After their 1-0 narrow victory in the 1st leg at home last week, Chelsea hold the advantage, but don't rule out the Reds. In recent years, Liverpool has come back from behind and defeated such giants as AC Milan (albeit on penalties) and Barcelona.

The game promises to be bombastic on paper but it could be a scrappy free-for-all if Liverpool manages to slip in an early goal. Chelsea will obviously be looking to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities as one presumes Liverpool will come out all guns blazing. But who among us knows anything until the match actually kicks-off? Nobody, i presume.

Even for the neutral viewer, the match should be worth watching, if only for the sake of witnessing yet another Steven Gerrard-classic goal. It's matches like these that brings out the best in one of the world's top midfielders. Even if you don't watch it, I most certainly will (Indian Cable TV & Electricity-willing of course). :)

GO LIVERPOOL! YNWA!!

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EDIT @ HALF-TIME: (Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea)

Wow! It's even-stevens on aggregate at Anfield. A skillful free-kick slotted home by Danish defender, Daniel Agger, puts us ahead at halftime. No doubt, one of the many tactics devised by Rafa, and practiced to perfection in the training ground. Now I'm more nervous than ever. Every Chelski goal from here will necessitate 2 Liverpool goals just to force extra-time, and 3 goals to go through on aggregate. Can messrs Carra & Agger handle the pressure and carry us through to another glorious night of European glory?

Find out on this journal in less than an hour!

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UPDATE @ FULL-TIME: (Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea)

Extra-time! Another update in just over a half hour.

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UPDATE AFTER EXTRA-TIME: (Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea)

I hate penalties!!!

Comments

[soccer-gal.livejournal.com]

This game was awesome!
Gooooooo Agger! Goooooooooo Gerrard! and gooooooo Pennant! I thought Pennant was quite a good playmaker today. Crouch was okay he was using his height as an advantage like always haha.

[mcgillianaire.livejournal.com]

For a LFC supporter it was an awesome result but I don't think it was an awesome game. If I wasn't supporting either team, I would've probably chosen to catch up on lost sleep. Agger's goal was the only sparkling moment of the game. Gerrard took everybody by surprise, and most importantly, Chelsea's defence. It was the best way to get even, and I wonder if Mourinho could feel the "ghost" of 2005 making its presence felt again. Pennant though was a disappointment for me. He created too few chances and gave possession away all too easily. There were moments of class, but too far and few between for a team that wants to win the European Cup again. Crouch was very quiet, as usual, but as soon as he was taken off in extra-time, his loss was felt. He didn't have too many chances but hell, I don't care, we're through. Will your team join us? :)