Let's just say before I start that it was Standard Liege who impressed me tonight and very little about the home side at Anfield.
The Belgians didn't hang on for 208 minutes like you may have expected but played some great football and in many peoples eyes deserved to go through.
Football however isn't about what you deserve but about what you take and with just two minutes left on the extra time clock it was Dirk Kuyt and Liverpool who snatched the victory.
Things had looked so promising for the Anfield side after claiming six points from six in the English Premier League. The crowd belted out "you'll never walk alone" with all the anticipation of a great European night but sadly many left without their finger nails as Liverpool flattered to deceive.
First half stalemate thanks to Pepe Reina
The game was just minutes old when Liege's Mbokani fired goalwards and brought out a stunning save from Reina. An early wake up call to Liverpool.
The Belgian's set out their stall from the start as they hassled Liverpool and never allowed them to play, winning just about everything and drawing the fouls from Liverpool.
Liverpool had there moments however and Yossi Benayoun looked good early on as he linked well with Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane but the final ball was poor.
He's a great squad player but he's not good enough to be a first choice player in a League Championship winning side which is what I presume Liverpool want to be.
Benayoun's partner on the opposite wing was again Dirk Kuyt and I'm all for the little Dutchman working hard. I'd just rather have a hard working player in his correct position.
Liverpool need a winger and it was so obvious tonight.
The Merseysiders got another huge break on 17 minutes when Liege should again have gone in front but for a tangle between which striker as to who was going to put it away. When the ball came back in it was again Reina who dived low to tip the ball round the post.
The Reds were living on the edge.
Further evidence of Liverpool's frustrations were the numerous long range effort over the course of the 120 minutes. I honestly lost count and it was evidence of a lack of idea's rather than domination, believe me.
The game was on a knife edge and Liege were getting braver. The right back Marcos fired just past with a dipping half volley that had Reina scrambling.
As the half ticked on it became clear that Liverpool were in limbo and the match was being suffocated by the Belgian's.
- B/R Ticket Guide
There was no space for Liverpool to play in and no spark or imagination with which to break down Standard.
With the first half winding down Dirk Kuyt got a free header from a corner but he failed to make the most of it.
The teams went in level at the break and Standard far the happier with there performance.
Defensively the visitors were terrific with Keane and Torres not getting a sniff. Marcos at right back with Mohammed Sarr standing out at the back alongside former Newcastle man Onyewu.
Clubs looking to strengthen before the end of the month could do worse than look at those three players.
The other Liege player to impress me was Dalmat. The skillfull midfielder worked tirelessly for his team and caused Liverpool problems all night.
Liverpool continue to struggle through second half
The reds returned for the second half looking no better than the first much to the disappointment of the Anfield crowd who slowly fell silent over the second period allowing the noisy Belgian fans to gain ascendancy.
Ryan Babel came on to replace Benayoun after 60 minutes but it should have been Kuyt he replaced. Okay so Kuyt eventually scored but anything could have happened in the hour in between. Dante was finished at left back in the second half already but Kuyt failed to exploit anything from him.
The change brought about some renewed vigour from Liverpool even if it wasn't to last with Torres bursting though the defence but his effort was well blocked by the Liege defence.
It was now Liege fouling Liverpool in a reversal of the first half with many Standard players visibly tiring as the half wore on but again all Liverpool could do was shoot from distance.
The obvious tactic as I've mentioned would have been to attack Dante down the right but this wasn't forthcoming and Liverpool continued to clutch at straws.
Liege's task was made even easier by Ryan Babel's constantly turning up in the middle of the park, crowding Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso (who was having a poor night) and removing an attacking option from his side.
It's a lot easier to deal with a narrow team than a wide one after all. Especially when you're tired.
Finally in the 74th minute Liverpool sparked into life with a quick free kick that caught Liege asleep for the first time. The ball found its way to the feet of Robbie Keane in the penalty area but the Irishman miscued and the chance was gone.
The game was crying out for a change but it wasn't until 83 minutes on the clock that Rafa Benitez introduced Nabil El Zahr in place of Keane and it sparked the Reds again.
Kuyt and Alonso went close for Liverpool as the nervy final moments of the 90 ticked by. The final chance fell the way of Liege with Igor De Camargo heading just wide when he could possibly have done better.
That was that though and after 180 minutes neither team had managed the break through.
Extra time finally decides close encounter
I must admit I'd been expecting Liverpool to steal it inside the 90 with a moment of magic from Gerrard or Torres but it just never materialized.
Liege were happy to play on the counter and Liverpool looked less happy about what to do or how to do it? They looked more interested in preventing the counter attack than attacking themselves.
Torres looked tired and may be paying for a hard summer spent winning the European Championships with Spain but Liverpool can't rely on one or two players if they are to mount a league or European challenge. They were poor to say the least.
It was Liverpool's Arbeloa who brought extra time to life with a fantastic long ranger effort that was well saved by the rarely troubled Espinoza in the Liege goal.
Liverpool then thought they had won a penalty but the referee waved away the protests. El Zahr was definitely tripped inside the box but there may have been a hand ball by the youngster in the build up. All in all though the youngster was hard done by but it wasn't to cost Liverpool.
Babel finally beat his man and put a great cross into the back post where a tired Dante was unable to prevent Dirk Kuyt from saving Liverpool's blushes with just two minutes left on the clock.
So Liverpool fans head home relieved tonight as they'll see there name in the draw tomorrow but for Liege it's a case of what might have been.
The Belgians have impressed over the two legs and were in my opinion the better side.
I wouldn't fancy them in the UEFA Cup draw that's for sure.
Finally a word on young El Zahr who impressed after coming on for Keane late in the second half. The kid always wants the ball and is more than willing to try and make something happen.
More in fact than any other player playing in red tonight.
Liverpool are through but it'll maybe cost them against Aston Villa on Sunday.
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2 months ago
Andrew great article. Love the knowledge you bring.
from 2 months ago
Thanks very much Garry. Glad you enjoyed it.
2 months ago
Lucky Liverpool yet again! Well, everyone's luck runs out.. and I hope that Rafa's does sooner rather than later.. I simply don't like him as a manager.
from 2 months ago
I'd rather be a lucky team than an unlucky team Shyam. You make your own luck after all.
2 months ago
Great article. Liverpool does seem to get lucky alot.
from 2 months ago
Thanks mate. Must be my longest ever :P
2 months ago
great artice Andrew. I would like to comment on shyams statement..... I reckon you would be better off addressing your own teams shortcomings. An easy victory over a poor team doesnt paper over the fact that Arsenal have no bottle no fight and no trophies anymore.
But back to Liverpool. Yes we need width for sure, im excited about el zhar and have been for a few years, he really has a lot of potential.
Liverpool were poor throughout and Liege were at the top of their game, the important thing is that were in the draw. Winning ugly has been a much talked about subject and if Liverpool can win when they play this badly it can only mean optimism
from 2 months ago
Thanks very much Matt. I agree Matt if they can win without clicking you can do nothing but be happy and wait to enjoy things when they click.
Stevie G out though...and a tough game on Sunday.
from 2 months ago
There's no need to take comments to personally.. now that you have done, I will tell you that I know my team's short comings well enough - and its not as if Standard Liege were world beaters either mate.
Liverpool were lucky.. and as Andrew said, you make your own luck.. that's all.. there's no need to get all worked up about it.
2 months ago
i dont see what the big deal is at all. when chelsea scraped past wigan, or when arsenal scraped past west brom, they wasnt seen as lucky! Liverpool have played 4 won 3 drawn one, scored 4 goals and conceded one. They are playing terribly and winning, but this I dont think is down to luck. There is a bite to Liverpool this season that was lacking before, how many late late goals did the great utd team of the late 90's score? I can think of at least 2 in a big european game! they werent a lucky side, they were a great side. Im not saying Liverpool are there but i think they deserve a lot more credit than they are getting.
from 2 months ago
they seem to have a bit more belief these days. a bit more heart maybe than teams in previous years. week in week out you need it to get the results. they are grinding them out. maybe they will play some football soon.haha.
from 2 months ago
exactly how i feel matt! its great play when man u come back from one down to win against bayern munich (they did a similar thing in the FA Cup against Liverpool as well that season), but when we come back from three down against AC Milan in ten minutes it's purely luck!
2 months ago
good article andrew again mate, i could get away with telling someone i watched after reading that, nicely recreated.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Illya. Appreciate the comment.
2 months ago
shyam...dude u r very true dat liverpool r yet again lucky...but bro.u wanna kno ....Y MOST OF DA LVERPOOL IS LUCKY....da one nonly reason is liverpool fight till .....we dont gve up..easily ...
from 2 months ago
Fair point...they didn't settle for a point in either game.
2 months ago
Very unconvincing performance..however all that matters for Liverpool is that they are through..Andrew, loved the sequence of events and how you wrote the article..You set very HIGH standards, my friend.
from 2 months ago
Thanks very much Salaar. It was great to put so much into a piece but it was hard work lol.
Nice to be appreciated though. :)
2 months ago
Great article Andrew. As a Man. United supporter I hate it when Liverpool win, especially when they nick it in the last few minutes! 84th minute against Sunderland, 94th minute against Middlesbrough, 118th minute against Standard Liege! They're a very lucky team. But then again, as you said Andrew, you make your own luck, and Liverpool certainly do that.
Once again, great article mate, the way you wrote the article with the sequence of events was great.
from 2 months ago
Thanks again Yoosof :) Haha well in that sequence they're running out of time ain't they :P
Appreciate the praise pal.
2 months ago
I didn't get to see the game, but I was wondering if American defender, Oneywu, played and was any good. We Americans are hoping he can really come in to form since he is one of our main choices for CB.
Great article as well. Always love to see such detail. Makes a great read for me here at work.
from 2 months ago
Thanks mate. Yeah he played and played very well. Pity about his sideburns :P
2 months ago
Enjoyed the article Andrew.Nice depth.Liverpool should have put them away a lot earlier.Standard leige are hardly Bayern Munich are they?
from 2 months ago
You would have thought so. liege were a hard nut to crack though and a very well drilled side. Tougher times to come yeah.
Thanks Anthony.
2 months ago
I wonder if Rafa would have survived if Liverpool had lost?
2 months ago
Probably yeah. Would prob have helped their EPL aspirations.
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