LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 Standard Liege [Dirk Kuyt 117'], 2nd Leg Champions League 3rd Q'fying Round

[mcgillianaire]

For nearly 210 minutes, it looked like Liverpool deserved to lose to Belgian champions, Standard Liege. Yet somehow The Reds enacted their third rescue act of the season in three games, as cometh the hour, cometh the man. Dutchman Dirk Kuyt found himself lurching at the ball, and though it came off his shin, the only thing that mattered was the end result. 117th minute and seconds away from penalties. A cross from fellow Dutchman, Ryan Babel. Ball in the back of the net. In front of the Kop. A fairytale ending. Liverpool are back in Europe's premier club football competition for the fifth year running. It's that man Dirk Kuyt again. Nine goals in Europe last year, including crucial goals in the knockout stage against Internazionale Milano, Arsenal and Chelsea. And despite a stinker of a game, he produced the goods when the team really needed it. It was almost predictable. The naysayers are proclaiming an end to our lucky escapes. Apparently we're using up a season's worth of good luck in just the first two weeks. Maybe. And yes, we've got a lot of problems all over the pitch to sort out. Except perhaps in goal. Pepe Reina is a legend. A saved penalty and a dozen other crucial saves over the two legs. We're in the Group Stages. Europe here we come. Three semi-finals in four years and a final two years ago. We're not the finished product yet, but beware. When it comes to Europe, there's only one English club that counts. LIVERPOOL FC! COME ON YOU REDS!! YNWA!!!