Sport Liverpool Football Club

[SPE]

An all English final is the most turgid tie possible!

Yeah, because this match was 120 minutes of dullness, wasn't it? And yesterday's will go down in history as a showcase of the best free flowing football the world has ever seen. Under Grant, Chelsea always look likely to press for more goals, instead of sitting on a slim lead. Over both legs, this semi was far more entertaining and open than previous CL encounters because of it.

[Darragh]

Bah. A penalty decision could have gone our way, and we'd be through. But it's easy to say that in the face of defeat. Well played, Chelsea.

To be fair to Drogba, he had a cracking game. Didn't dive, scored twice, he deserves some praise for it.

[Kelthink]

All I'll say is: Well done lads. You've done us proud, again.

(That's Liverpool, not the other ones)

[Guest]

Maybe I was a bit harsh there. Just disappointed.

Overall you know what this means don't you?

Barnsley are European Champions.

[Ryan]

Bah - their first goal was offside and we should've had a pen in extra time. Suffice to say we've not had the luck in this semi final.

It wasn't offside, it was on. Rule is that there must be clean space between the defender and attacker. There wasn't - half the attacking player was level with the defender - so it's onside.

Gutted that Liverpool lost.

Is it possible for UEFA to arrange it so that both teams loose the final?

[rjpageuk]

It wasn't offside, it was on. Rule is that there must be clean space between the defender and attacker. There wasn't - half the attacking player was level with the defender - so it's onside.

That isnt the rule. You are offside if you are closer to the opponents goal than the 2nd closest opposition player.

I dont know where this clear space thing came from, I thought it used to be the case too but it certainly hasnt been that way for a few seasons now.

EDIT: found a link - http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesAndRegulat...02/05/12115.htm

"In the definition of offside position, "nearer to his opponents’ goal line" means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition."

[dogsout]

I believe the 'day light rule' was introduced to the wording of the offside rule for one season a few years back. I'm not 100% on that but I know it certainly isn't in effect now anyway. However, no excuses, we had a go and the small details cost us in the end. I'm proud of the team, the manager and the fans that traveled down and gave it their all.

[Ryan]

I dont know where this clear space thing came from, I thought it used to be the case too but it certainly hasnt been that way for a few seasons now.

I first heard it on ITV, assumed that was the rule change. Wikipedia agrees with you, which is good enough for me. He was offside.

[SPE]

Football pundits in not knowing the rules of the game SHOCK!

[McNeillR]

We're not happy we lost. So is there any need to rub it in our faces? Why be such a wanker?

Look in the Chelsea thread and you'll see some of us Liverpool fans offering our congratulations.

We can handle defeat, we just don't like people who take pleasure in sticking the knife in in a thread that is going to be sad for tonight.

I'm just pointing out how amazing it was he took off Torres. It'll be all over the papers tmrw.

But HAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU LOST HAHAHAHAHAHAHA isn't really my cup of tea. You should see how much Cal sticks it to me in the Celtic v Rangers debate whenever Celtic drop points, but we don't go around calling each other 'wankers' or 'sticking the knife' in each others backs it's all part of the eb and flow.

I posted that image in the Chelsea thread because it has that precise duality about the game.

Taking Torres off was pretty poignant, but I'm pretty sure his gameplan would have been to bring on Crouch instead of Hypia. The timing of it was momentous.

And you can hardly be 'sad' when you've made it to the final and semi final so many times and enjoyed countless excursions in Europe in the past few decades and throughout the clubs' history.

[McNeillR]

You posted the same picture in the Chelsea thread and put 'Ha!' as a caption. You are just trolling in your sad little way. Most people have either stuck to their appropriate threads or offered some form of congratulations/commiserations.

Oh fuck this then.

HAHAHAHA YOU DIDNT MAKE THE FINAL HAHAHAHAHA.

ROTATION POLICY GETS YOU NOTHING YOU GLORY HUNTING LOSERS!

Is that more trolltastic and 'sad' for you?

[Commander Jameson]

Oh well. It was always going to be difficult to get past Arsenal and Chelsea. Congratulations to Chelsea and I hope they stuff the Mancs.

Looking forward, I've been thinking and I don't think there is any team in Europe that I would be scared of drawing next year. I didn't see anything in Barca, Roma, Lyon, Milan, Inter, Real, etc. to worry about. I can easily see the four English teams dominating Europe for a good few years.

[McNeillR]

And the Spaniard was keen to deflect criticism for withdrawing star striker Torres straight after Chelsea's second goal, explaining: "He had a problem with his hamstring."

Ahem.

[dogsout]

So he was injured. I fail to see how that is Rafa's fault. It's not like the game was lost on the back of that substitution. We still made a cock-up at the back which resulted in another goal for them and his replacement scored a goal which could and probably should have got us back in the game.

Most of the people (and I include the media in this) that are getting into him for taking him off last night were probably saying he was a waste of money when Rafa signed him. Most of the tabloids focused on his goal scoring record and questioned the signing. Then when he starts banging goals in they question Rafa's handling of him. Knob ends.

[McNeillR]

I did have to laugh when all the so called 'experts' were saying he wouldn't make TWENTY goals this season, as he was less of a direct player than someone like Crouch.

Massive lolz.

He was bought to be the predatory outlet, but all the 'experts' had seen was him foraging and doing the leg work at Athletico since he was a nipper and read the stats. I don't think he would be a success at any other club.

31 goals, 22 in the league. Imagine if he was played every game?

[choddo]

I did have to laugh when all the so called 'experts' were saying he wouldn't make TWENTY goals this season, as he was less of a direct player than someone like Crouch.

Massive lolz.

He was bought to be the predatory outlet, but all the 'experts' had seen was him foraging and doing the leg work at Athletico since he was a nipper and read the stats. I don't think he would be a success at any other club.

31 goals, 22 in the league. Imagine if he was played every game?

I think it's safe to say that Rafa knows what he's doing and there's a good chance he wouldn't have made every game anyway. How many strikers manage a full uninjured season?

[Guest]

Thing is though, we've "Strengthened" and this year...what have we achieved?

4th place, an awful FA Cup run, and falling short in the UCL. Although I guess there's plenty of money from it.

Now what...I bet it's "Ownergate" going to go into full cycle again. Christ

[McNeillR]

I think it's safe to say that Rafa knows what he's doing and there's a good chance he wouldn't have made every game anyway. How many strikers manage a full uninjured season?

He does and he doesn't. Fair enough Babel and Torres might be 'settled' in, but he spent big and has ended the season with a duck egg. Would the Hicks/Gillet fuss kicked up as much dirt if the season was more successful?

Next season, if Arsenal actually use the cheque book this summer, will see the Top 4 become tighter and push further from the chasing pack for sure but Rafa has the tools to do the job in more than one competition.

[Nate Dogg III]

Torres certainly didn't show any visual signs of an injury and in any case, it's essentially the last 15 minutes of your season, what is there to save him for? Give it ten minutes. The guy had already shown earlier in the game that he only needs one half chance and two touches to make a difference and I'd have left him on for sure and brought Babel on for a defender. Obviously I'm not Liverpool manager.

As for the first goal, the replays were barely conclusive - from what little I could see the only part of his body past the last man was his upper arm which doesn't count - so how the fuck a lino is supposed to pick that up in real time is beyond me. And are they still doing the benefit of the doubt to the attacker thing?

[Windowlicker]

Torres certainly didn't show any visual signs of an injury and in any case, it's essentially the last 15 minutes of your season, what is there to save him for? Give it ten minutes. The guy had already shown earlier in the game that he only needs one half chance and two touches to make a difference and I'd have left him on for sure and brought Babel on for a defender. Obviously I'm not Liverpool manager.

As for the first goal, the replays were barely conclusive - from what little I could see the only part of his body past the last man was his upper arm which doesn't count - so how the fuck a lino is supposed to pick that up in real time is beyond me. And are they still doing the benefit of the doubt to the attacker thing?

He was offside, there was more than just his arm ahead of the 2nd defender. Chelsea got lucky on that decision.

[Commander Jameson]

I didn't think the first goal was offside. Even when they drew the line in during the replay, he was level. No compaints about that from me.

[ras el hanout]

Drogba is fucking amazing against us. The sooner he goes to Spain the better.

[rjpageuk]

As for the first goal, the replays were barely conclusive - from what little I could see the only part of his body past the last man was his upper arm which doesn't count - so how the fuck a lino is supposed to pick that up in real time is beyond me. And are they still doing the benefit of the doubt to the attacker thing?

Everyone at half time thought it was offside in the studio - his foot was pretty clearly past the last man. I didnt even think it was that close, especially considering the linesman's position.

Shame on Liverpool for so transparently playing for penalties from the minute the equaliser went in - 11 behind the ball 90% of the time. Nice to get a result against them finally, the euphoria's rather watered down with memories of the last couple of semi finals but fuck it, we won this one.

I am picking this up from the Chelsea thread, as I would prefer to reply here. Sorry if this is bad manners or something. I think this is clearly rubbish. As soon as it went 1-1 for the next 10-15 or so minutes it looked like there would be only one winner - we had the momentum and continued pressing.

Chelsea composed themsleves and then pressed forward again in the last 5-10 minutes mainly bouyed by that amazing Essien run. Then right from the start of the first half of extra time it was open with good attacking play from Liverpool until your goal knocked our confidence.

[rjpageuk]

Drogba is fucking amazing against us. The sooner he goes to Spain the better.

Indeed he is! As I said earlier I really dont think it helped Skrtel going off injured as he coped with Drogba in the first leg better than Carragher and Hyypia have at any point in any other game against him.

[ras el hanout]

Come on guys, let's not moan about decisions as the worst decision was winding Drogba up. I'd rather he'd been the ragdoll last night. The loss of Skrtel was massive as he's our defender who can cope with Drogba best. I know Benayoun set up the first goal but he's a bit too lightweight for this type of game, if you ask me. Mascherano was great, again, I was totally wrong about that guy but don't tell anybody. Carragher's distrubution is woeful, it's like he was wasting time everytime he had a chance to get it forward. Gerrard was quiet as he tends to be in these games. Despite all that we nearly did it. But Drogba was the difference.

[Graham S]

I'm feeling all right this morning, compared to last week when I was acting like I was in mourning for days. I decided I couldn't affect the result, but I could try to change how I felt about it.

[ras el hanout]

I'm feeling all right this morning, compared to last week when I was acting like I was in mourning for days. I decided I couldn't affect the result, but I could try to change how I felt about it.

I just could not have handled the final. I'm really serious here. I mean, I was pretty fucked off last night but it really is for the best. I think Benitex took Torres off so that I wouldn't have to endure the final.

[Kelthink]

Oh, also: my favourite part was when Gerrard pushed Grant to get the ball. Amazing recovery.

[ras el hanout]

Oh, also: my favourite part was when Gerrard pushed Grant to get the ball. Amazing recovery.

I kinda felt sorry for him. Gerrard wouldn't have pushed Mourinho, he would have shook his hand and said "I wuv u"

[Takizawa]

No excuses here, thought both teams played relatively badly but the game could have gone either way still.

Credit to Frank for putting the penalty away, I certainly wouldn't have had the balls. One thing about Chelsea I don't understand is all the praise Ballack has been getting recently, I mean the guy has been a passer by for most of the games i've seen. Ok he scored a header and penalty against United, but his contribution during the 90 minutes was nothing out of the ordinary. Don't get me wrong, scoring two goals was obviously important, but i've seen nothing in his normal play to suggest he's in 'amazing form' and the 'reason for Chelsea's resurgence.' A stat from the UCL semi-final first leg said he had only 13/14 successful passes, less than half of our full back who went off injured.