Not really Ben. You're just explaining back the situation.

You are a cup team, nowhere near winning the title. When I said you guys taking the moral high ground, I'm referring to some of the Liverpool fans on here, and some of the comments from Liverpool players and the manager.

"Everton finished higher than us because they played the better football that season" - no sh!t sherlock! I'm saying why? How can Everton's squad collect more points over 38 matches than a squad like Liverpool's? You talk about Cheyrou but look at the Toffee's squad that year - who had the better players? Benitez has underperformed in the league. That is my point and it's hard to argue with it. You have to admit that at the start of the season, with Jermaine Pennant, Craig Bellamy and Luis Gonzalez arriving, surely you must have expected to be challenging for the title, no?

Gazza - fair play to you to gloat, why not? 2 european finals in 3 years is a fantastic achievement, I don't begrudge you that. I only question the manner of your victories i.e. penalties. And your belief that over the two legs Liverpool deserved go through.

I expected a Milan v Liverpool final (check the thread if you don't believe me) but Milan deserved their success, thoroughly outplaying United. In this one, despite your team being far fresher and suffering only 1 injury (Finnan in 1st leg) you flattered to decieve. Chelsea were tired (after chasing the quadruple), despondent (after dropping 4 points in the league at Newcastle and home to Bolton) and suffered three big injuries to half of the spine of their team in Carvalho, Ballack and Shevchenko for the 2nd leg (Ballack missed both legs). In these conditions, I expected Liverpool to win quite comfortably and for fatigue to set in on Chelsea. Instead, the longer the game went on, Chelsea looked the more hungrier team and Liverpool played on the counter.

At the end of the day, you won fair and square so no complaints on that. But I disagree that you were the more deserving team. Chelsea were.

So what if we're a cup team? I'm not going to deny that, we have been extremely good in cup runs over the past few seasons but how many on here would actually moan if their own team is labeled as a great cup team?

We're in the Champions League final ffs. Judging from the comments about the penalty shoot-outs and Liverpool never actually "winning" the tie, it seems as if you guys expect us to trash Chelsea 5-0 or something just because of fatigue and injuries and all that [beep!]!

that is fine Johaldo,your entitled to your opinion i still disagree.

In the first leg, we put the pressure on Chelsea in the 2nd half? they walked over us in the first half, and dominated the whole game really, but in the 2nd half we came back into it a bit, and had alright possesion without doing much. That is what Chelsea did to us in the Anfield game. Nothing in the first half. Had possesion in the 2nd half, but did nothing with it. I dont really see how them having no chances is them trying to go for the win? the stats also show we had the better territorial possesion. So again, im confused with your thoughts. But fair enough Jose.



what comments? do you mean the stuff about money etc? well are they not just telling the truth? you applaud and find Jose's little digs amusing, what is wrong with what Liverpool personel said?

What i will agree with you is that we hve under performed in the league and at mo a cup team. It has been very bad, and it must be sorted! i personally do see us going in the right direction, its just a shame the league is taking longer to sort out than cup competitions.


We had more injuries than just Finnan. Our whole left side pretty much. Aurelio, Kewell, Garcia. They are important players for us as well, especially Garcia.

You say Chelsea were tired. get the violins out! IF they want to win trophies they have to expect plenty of games. When we did our cup treble in 2001 (yes i know not in the same league as the trophies they going for) we played around 70 games, that is more than they will be playing. Didnt here anyone complaining cos as a footballer you want to play, you are fit enough to play those games. Plus, a club like Chelsea have a squad big and good enough to cope with the demands that going for 4 trophies has. That is not a relavent excuse in my book, and is pathetic. So is the excuse that the players were 'despondent'. If you cant get up for a Champions League semi-final against one of your biggest rivals at Anfield, then you cant get up for anything, and your not worthy as a player.

The Carvalho injury was obviously a huge blow, i agree. Essien did his team proud with a very very good performance at centre half. However, i think Chelsea are a better team when Ballack doesnt play, so him not being included was a bonus for them. They can then play with more width, and allow Lampard to play more of his threatening natural game. Shevechenko is obviously hit and miss, most Chelsea fans will probably tell you that it was better he didnt play!

At the end of the day, its your opinion, fair enough, but its one nearly everyone who saw the game disagrees with. Continue with your ass licking of Chelsea.

another quick thing.



we flattered to decieve? We played better than one of the best teams in the world, with some great players. And as you have said we are no way near their standard yet, so im confused. did you expect us to go and smack them 3/4/5-0 or something?

No.. I think he means you's could of put up more of a fight after scoring your goal rather than sitting back waiting for pens. Chelsea had a reason to sit back but they didn't and thats what made them the better team.

Another great post matey

As usual no decent comeback - pathetic Billy boy...

Liverpool Team Statistics Chelsea
1 Goals 0
1 1st Half Goals 0
5 Shots on Target 3
7 Shots off Target 6
4 Blocked Shots 3
69.2 Passing Success 76.2
43 Tackles 20
74.4 Tackles Success 85
55 Territorial Advantage 45

i know you prob wont think this means anything, but the stats dont even back your argument up.

You missed the fouls for some reason?

You need to be ahead for someone to have a need to make a comeback son...
Rolling my eyes is what most people do when the RS gloat, But as you know... We don't care what the RS say, WTF do we care.

You agreed to going back to topic which is about the final and not what you have in your cabinet of champion penalty takers, so lets do that eh and without the gloating?

Was raffa bentass not expecting pens? OF COURSE HE WAS.....



Says it all really.

it does indeed, says we were prepared, and at the end of the day, if Chelsea came at us more, maybe practised pens, and preparing properly as well, they might be in the final instead of ending the season with a trophy no one every remembers. I mean, i cant even remember who won last years League cup.



yer i missed out the fouls cos not really relavent to who was more attacking.

Benitez for England!!!!

Has Billy been visiting the Liverpool website?

Ben, I'm not debating that Liverpool were the better team in the second leg - I disagree with Jose on this. I maintain that over both legs, Chelsea were better. You only pulled up the second leg's statistics. But statistics do not always tell the story of the game anyway.

Fact: Liverpool are a cup team, they haven't even mounted a sustainable title challenge under Benitez.

Fact: Benitez has shown that he happy for his team to go to penalties rather than win matches out right. Istanbul, Liverpool had Milan on the ropes after scoring 3 very quickly, but they retreated and chose to soak up Milan and wait for the shootout. And he's admitted that he gets his teams to practice for endless hours for penalties. I like to see teams win matches out right - you only need to go back to the penalties thread a few months back to learn that my views on shootouts are very negative.

Liverpool remind me of England, but they're better at penalties. Same negative tactics, dull football etc. But Liverpool win shootouts.

I think Germany may be a better comparison to Liverpool

And I do think your being a little harsh there. At the end of the day, Liverpool has made the Champions League final twice in 3 years. That is some acheivement regardless of how they did it. Yes they relied on Penalties against Chelsea, but I personally think there is nothing wrong with that.

Benitez is obviously getting the tactics right for Liverpool to have reached the final again. If you had asked any Liverpool fans 5 years ago if they thought Liverpool stood a chance of reaching the Champions League final, not once but twice, they would have laughed at you and then bricked your house...

Which has what to do with this topic garreth?

And no... Never been there never want to.

Pleeeeaaaaase don't compare my beloved Germany to them.

But Germany play penetrative attacking football (at least they did in the last world cup), but I see your idea

Liverpool relied on penalties against Milan, Chelsea and even against West Ham in the FA Cup! I've already stated that their European record is extraordinary under Benitez, so I don't see how I'm being harsh. I have no problem with a team exercising the rules i.e. playing for penalties. My issue is the rules. But a team that consistently seeks to win via spot kicks won't win many footballing fans. But Liverpool fans won't care and why should they? They've got the silverware.