Q Rc_Lens

To be honest, you can't tell from the angle the replay's show.

Hahaha Sorry Rc_Lens

He didn't almost miss the penalty, he DID miss the penalty. He just got the rebound tap in. LOL

At 10 O’clock on 24th October, they said we had to win three consecutive games to qualify - at the same time 48 days later, we'd done just that by a goal difference of +15. Nod bad i say.

Reina: What did he really have to do? Early in the match he had to usher a player who'd broken the defence out of harms way and throughout a few collections from deliveries and clearances. The only time he got caught out was when he came running out and the Marseille player turned his back, but Carragher was there to protect the goal. -7-

Arbeloa: Very solid from the Spaniard. Consistent as usual. The Marseille front line rarely got behind his side. What more to say? -7.5-

Carragher: Not bad from him - he didn't make any notable mistakes, which is a relief. Not that there was a whole lot to deal with. Although he may have been at fault for a late Ciise header that nearly creeped in, i can't remember who was supposed to be marking him.-7-

Hyypia: Like Arbeloa, the Finn was solid. His experience was lacking against Reading and it showed here. -7.5-

Riise: I'm glad to say he did have a competent performance. He didn't get forward as much, which is probably a relief - his crossing and shooting has been very substandard. But defensively he was on the ball. -6.5-

Benayoun: I was disappointed from the Israeli. He was a shadow of his creative self and lacking in any great energy. Nothing he did came off and his tricks and skilful dribbling were missing, which is a shame. I feel the lack of urgency played a big part in this, as we were quite content to sit back. -5.5-

Gerrard: He excelled at the beginning and most of the first half, but as the game wore on he found himself quite content to stay back in a defensive role. He faded in and out of the game, but it was his doing that got us off to a cracker. -7-

Mascherano: Excellent first half i felt, as he got in and about the Marseille team breaking play up as per usual. He was found in the heart of defence on occasions too, stopping their attacks. The second half was a little more casual from the Argentine, as was everyone's approach, though his determination nearly cost him dear when he slid in to block a strike. -8-

Kewell: A great showing by the Aussie, setting up our second and third goals i believe. He never really exerted himself, but when he did he often created something. He's nearing fitness and is (again) like a new signing. -7.5-

KUYT: The Dutchman was involved in an awful lot and deserved the goal he got, which was taken well. You could see throughout that his confidence was not up to scratch yet he still proved to be one of our best players, harassing the defence, playing people in on goal and scoring the killer goal too. Getting this guy on top form will be terrific. He's got so much to offer us. -8-

Torres: A sensational individual goal from him, showing real class - but afterwards he struggled to find the target. Twice he was in good situations and blazed over. I feel the lack of importance as the tie wore on made him less clinical, as that's usually been the pattern throughout the season (scoring in tense/important games and scuppering his chances in theoretically easy games where chances come in abundance). Still an eager showing for every minute he was on the field for. -7.5-
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Aurelio: A poor introduction from the Brazilian, misplacing passes and a reckless tackle. But it's always difficult to make a mark in a game like that in that situation. -4-

Babel: Didn't do too much (didn't have time to do too much) but rounded the game off cooly. Composure was in-tact and he showed again from the bench that he's a real "impact player".-6-

Leiva: No time to do anything of significance. -5-

To be honest, it wasn't the best performance from us. Such was the tempo, we were never really allowed to dwell on the ball and get our passing going. The game was also effectively killed at 2-0 so early on, and definately at 3-0.

There's much more to come, but i'm more than happy with the result. Now after Porto's win we're second in the group, meaning we'll draw a first placed side. Those will likely include Real Madrid, AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan and possibly Sevilla, depending on whether they win their remaining game. I'd probably rather miss Inter and Barca, if i'm honest - the other's i'd love to have a crack at, especially Milan and Madrid. The former didn't exactly give us much to fear in the Champions League final, where Mascherano had their main man Kaka in his pocket throughout - whilst the latter's boss Schuster wasn't too complimentary about our "ugly" football pre-season, so i'd love to dispose of them. If i had to take one, it'd be the Spanish giants.

Does anyone know exactly when the draw is?

His doing as in "his Dive" ?

Let it drop already Bluey,one day i can see the men in white coats coming for you,you'll then be the one in the straight jacket telling all your new friends about how nobody on here backed you up and that all along you were telling the truth about how Gerrard definitely does dive lol

seriously let it go man,i really do fear for your health

I think that a team who scored 16 goals in 3 matchs deserves to be qualified, no ?

Pretty impressive

Spot on Bluenose.

For the record, Gerrard DOES dive. But he didn't for that penalty tonight.

Editing peoples posts and then quoting them just shows your lack of forum etiquette benjamin.

You mean no Liverpool supporters back me up? Well of course they wont! you's never admit to him diving and I don't blame you as it must be SO shameful son.....

ps my health is fine thanx... I even sleep well! no need for horlicks here like some people.

I would say Gerrard "bought" the penalty i.e. the defender (who along with the other centre back was absolutely p!ss poor tonight) slid in and didn't make contact with the ball, Gerrard fell into him and WHISTLE it's a penalty. It's stupid defending to be honest, because Gerrard's last touch made the angle slightly more narrow meaning it was more missable, hence it would have been worth letting him shoot from there rather than risk a penalty and a possible red card.

I've got to hand it to Liverpool - they pulled off the great escape, although it's one they should never have been in in the first place. But 16 goals in the final three games earns my respect and more importantly a place in the knockout stages.

Finishing second it means that Liverpool will get a big team in the second round, playing away in the second leg. But Rafa is good at handling these one off games - that's why he'd be my pick for England manager - because he's a Cup specialist.

Well done you jammy Scouse pigs!

Was Marseille even playing football? Got me mad cause I had high hopes for them.

Quote from the Besiktas v Liverpool thread 24th october 2007



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What a fantastic result! I thought it might have been a close one but the players knew what was at stake and knew what they had to do. Torres showed his quality one again with a good attacking display capped by an amazing goal, his finish was delectable. Him and Kuyt were good for us up-front tonight. When I seen the starting line-up I was dissapointed not to see Crouch but Kuyt did a good job and worked tirelessly for the team, good finish for his goal aswell.

I was also pleased with Harry Kewells contribution tonight, He got at the Marseille defence, worked hard and played the pass for the Torres goal. You can see his confidence gradually getting better with every game. Talking of confidence even Riise had a good game. I can't remember him getting forward much but he just had to perform his duties at left-back tonight. He did get beaten well on one occasion in the second half by Valbuena though.

It would have been good to finish top of the group because there's some quality teams that have finished top in their group that we risk being drawn against now, but Porto were always going to beat Besiktas tonight.








A mention for Ryan Babel aswell, He must be pushing for a starting place. What more can he do? He's coming on and scoring in most games. I loved his slight touch around Mandanda for his goal, he's really impressing at the moment.

Posted on the 25th October



I was behind them with ya Tezzie mate

I personally hope we draw Milan in the next round,we know all about them and revenge is on the cards too

And I didn't admit he was a diver in the other thread aye?

Anyway, great win. Would of preferred a tense encounter, but, nevertheless this should help as a confidence boost for the Man Utd game.

God I love babel, what does he have to do to crack a start? Torres, what a goal too! Oh, and im suprised Kuyt finished his chance, i thought he was going to give somebody in row Z a real headache but he managed to hit the target!

Knock out stages. Hmm. I wouldn't mind drawing Sevilla, they are in terrible domestic form at the moment and would probably be our best chance. I can't believe Rosenborg made it through! One of the top finishing teams is going to have a very easy route to the quarter finals.

That's great news mate,i can settle knowing you're ok now

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