Hello everyone, welcome back to my Liverpool story.It’s getting near the end isn’t it? We only have two months left to play. In March we had beaten Inter Milan 6-2 on aggregate and that booked our place in the Quarter Final of the Champions League, where we were to face Benfica.
The first game of the month was against Benfica, the first of two back to back games against them, as we had no league games in between. We travelled away for the 1st leg, which I prefer because if we are chasing the game in the 2nd leg, then it’s always better to be at home. The atmosphere was lively, and we started as the better team and we were creating chances. It was against the run of play that Benfica took the lead, a stunning 35 yard strike beat Reina. We replied within 10 minutes, Steven Gerrard powered home a free kick from the edge of the area. I thought we could go ahead as we were still playing alot better than them. I was surprised and disappointed when Jeda finished a nice move to restore Benfica’s lead. In the 91st of 92 minutes Stewart Dowining powered home a header to give us a dramatic equaliser.
The return leg took place 6 days later, back at Anfield. I was confident as Benfica aren’t great away from home and we also had two away goals in the bag. We had to wait until the stroke of half time to take the lead, Silva’s great ball found Gerrard, whose shot beat the keeper for pace and power. Gignac secured our place in the next round with a powerful effort from inside the area. We were cruising, so I was very disappointed when Mascherano got sent off for two booking near the end, and I was even more annoyed when Otamendi also was dismissed for the same thing, just two minutes later. We will now be missing both of them for the 1st leg against Juventus, our opponents in the Semi Final.
Next up for us was a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup Semi Final game against Man Utd. I named an unchanged team from the Benfica game, but we went behind in the 14th minute, Anderson scored a rare goal. He scored again not long after, leaving us facing an uphill struggle. Fernando Torres got a goal back not long after, and I felt that we could go on to equalise or even win. It wasn’t to be though, as United held out for the victory and we were out despite being the better team.
The next game was back in the Premiership against…. Man Utd, away. The players wanted revenge for the defeat and we started well, but United went ahead through Valencia, right on half time. The match was very even and, once again, the result was harsh on us, but we didn’t play well enough after conceding.
The next game was our huge Champions League game, this time at home, against Juventus. We had lost our last two games but the players morale was still high, and I hoped we could turn in a good performance. The match wasn’t a very entertaining one and I thought it was going to drift to a 0-0 draw. Gignac stepped up, however near the end, scoring his first with a great diving header. I was very happy, but he wasn’t finished there, he scored his second in stoppage time with a nice finish. I was very happy with the result, especially as we were missing Mascherano and Otamendi.
Next up was our final Premiership game of the month, we faced Fulham at home. We got off to a good start, Torres scored a magnificent goal, slotting in after beating two defenders. Glen Johnson doubled our lead with a rare goal, his shot from 12 yards beat the keeper for pace. Macheda pulled one back with a good header, but Torres scored again with a neat finish from 10 yards. Marcelo Moreno scored another for Fulham but we held on for the victory.
The final game of the month was the return leg with Juventus, and I expected us to be on the back foot alot. Juventus scored quite early, through Diego and I was very worried at that point. The defence looked solid after that, though and I felt we were going to hold on. Right at the last we conceded a sloppy goal, De Cegile pounced and the game went to extra time. The players were really tired, but I told them they could do it and right from the kick off some good passing ended with Gerrard scoring to put us ahead on aggregate. We held on after that despite Juventus’ best efforts and we were through to the final!
That end’s the month then and despite losing 3 games, I was pleased with the month because we advanced through to the final of the Champions League. Man Utd beat Atletico in the other Semi Final, meaning they will play us in the final. It will be a tough game but I am confident as I feel we have a better team than them.
Here is the league table with just 4 games left. We hold a 6 point lead over Arsenal so I am confident we can win the league. Our remaining games are against Wigan, Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Brom, before the big game against Man Utd.
That’s all for now folks, what do you think, can we beat Man Utd and final lift the Champions League at last?
Kevin Mayo
9 февраля, 2010 at 22:38
Hi Laxeyman
I’m pretty confident that you’ll win the league based on the opposition and hopefully you get your revenge over Man Utd. Congratulations though on reaching the Champions League Final!
TheZiggy
9 февраля, 2010 at 23:53
A tough month, but excellent news that you’ve made it through to Champions League final. I really hope you can gain revenge over them, because it seems you’ve been unlucky against them this month. I’ve always thought they are one of those teams that seem to often get little bits of luck in a really tight match.
I’m pretty sure you’ll go on and win the league, which is always nice, but that final would really make this a great season.
Laxeyman
9 февраля, 2010 at 23:53
Kevin, thanks for your support. I can tell you that we have already won the league and I sincerely hope that we can beat Man Utd!
Laxeyman
10 февраля, 2010 at 00:00
The Ziggy, thanks mate, I agree with you about Man United’s luck and I think that happens in real life too. Although I might think that because I’m a Liverpool fan. Anyway, hopefully they won’t a get lucky in the final otherwise it could be another win for them.
TheZiggy
10 февраля, 2010 at 01:14
I hate Man United, and Everton as well, and from my biased point of view they have been a couple of the luckiest clubs I’ve ever seen. I’m sure fans of those two teams would over the years feel that Liverpool have been really lucky too, so it probably is a lot to do with your sense of perspective.
Bilal Ahmad
10 февраля, 2010 at 02:24
You done well against Benfica, however you didn’t do well against Man Utd better luck next time! You also had a decent game against Juventus! Hope you do well in the Champions League Finals and I am confident that you will win the Premiership!
Lye
10 февраля, 2010 at 02:56
Well done to reach the champions league final, i hope you can gain a victory over Man Utd in the final. Like TheZiggy, i have never been a fan of Man Utd and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Comparing to other teams, i always have certain affection with Liverpool as i grown up watching John Barnes, Ian Rush & Co.
Congratulations on winning the league and good luck in the champions league final.
Lye
10 февраля, 2010 at 03:28
Like TheZiggy, i have never been a fan of Man Utd and Sir Alex, i hope you can gain revenge and score a victory over them in Champions league final.
Congratulations on winning the league and good luck in the champions league final.
Laxeyman
10 февраля, 2010 at 09:40
The Ziggy and Lye, nice to hear that people feel the same as me about Man United! Bilal Ahmed, thanks for your support, hopefully we can win the most important of the 3 games against Man Utd!
Johnny Karp
10 февраля, 2010 at 10:08
Oh man, those Red Devils seem to have something against us! I really hope you’ll give them a nice beating in the final, good luck!
Laxeyman
10 февраля, 2010 at 20:44
Thanks Johnny, I hope we can give them a good beating, it will be great payback for those two defeats!
TheZiggy
10 февраля, 2010 at 21:20
To take up on the hating Man United theme. The reason I think so many people hate them, besides the supporters of their rivals, is for two main reasons.
The first is the obvious one, in which a side that is consistently winning, will always tend to end up with people either loving them or hating them. It’s happened with a number of clubs that have had periods of dominance.
The second comes about through a certain section of the Man United fans that show such absolute arrogance. Having chatted to a number of the real hardcore fans of the club, I have no problem with them, because they’ve seen the bad times, and are enjoying the success while it’s there. When the team gets beaten they tend understand that they fell short. The arrogance seems to come from the section of fans that are best known as the glory hunters, which seems to be embodied sometimes by the really bizarre comments that Fergie comes out with. They’re the ones to try to come up with the birzarre reasons why the team got beaten. I remember some years back Newcastle giving them a footballing lesson, and some of these people were trying to say that none of the goals should have stood for various silly reasons, and that they were denied opportunities that should have been given.
This is what makes it so easy to hate Man United. It’s those fans that don’t want to admit when they were outplayed, trying to find silly reasons for it.
Sichr20
11 февраля, 2010 at 12:38
Wow I was goingto say that I was a united fan but I don’t think I’ll bother.
I’ve only just started Reading these stories and even as a united fan I was hoping for your team to win. It’s always harsh in these games when you lose to your rivals. The supporters can be harsh. Congratulations on the past few months that I’ve read. Good luck in the champions league.
What season are you in? I’m thinking about doing a story but I can’t decide what team to do. I might just randomise it
TheZiggy
11 февраля, 2010 at 14:47
Sichr20, I wouldn’t worry if I was you. As long as you aren’t arrogant about the success, then I can’t hate you. It’s difficult to keep that level of success up, and could slip away so quickly.
Football brings such a high level of passion and hatred, that isn’t quite matched in any other sport. One of the most pleasing things is how violence between rival supporters has dropped so low, since the insanity of the 70’s and 80’s when going to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge and many other grounds, would be to risk your life. It should be about being able to say, I hate your club, but we can still be friends.
I have to admit that a few times I’ve been grudgingly pleased when Man United have had some of their European success.
Laxeyman
11 февраля, 2010 at 18:24
Sichr20, I don’t mind if you’re a United fan, I have friends who are United fans. I am in my 4th season now, although obvisouly I am near the end of it.
Dan Monksfield
13 февраля, 2010 at 00:21
Good luck in the run in for the league, im confident you will win the prem. Bit of a mix of results there, gutted about the 2 defeats against United but i am sure you will bounce back with a good final league run-in :)