Liverpool vs. Madrid Redux

K-9 · 10-03-2009 11:00PM

dannydiamond wrote: »

I'm astonished at what transpired tonight,to see such a free flowing attack minded performance was a joy for any Liverpool fan and lifted the spirits of us all,considering the events of the last few weeks.

I've seen us threaten to do this in many home European games. In fairness, the Torres goal could easily have been disallowed and the peno was a joke. If we hadn't got those 2, it would have been a different match.

dannydiamond wrote:

Tonight was our club at its best and a real throwback from other times,when Anfield was a ground that even the best in Europe feared visiting,and it's great to be able to consider the scoreline flattering to Madrid imo.

A throwback? Anfield is one of the most feared grounds in Europe, if not THE most. It's why most fans would hate to see it go.

Headshot wrote: »

ya Mascherano was superb but he let himself down with that yellow card
He'll be deffiently missed in the next round

Given the refs 1st half performance, maybe he made a mistake. Don't think so though. He's one of those players who plays on the edge.

Boggles wrote: »

Yeah I factored that in, he ruined Torres chance when he spun Canavaro. I thought that was a wonderful save.

The save from Masch, was brilliant too, considering he went with his wrong hand for it.

Babel did okay, but in fairness he had the whole side of the pitch to himself, he will never get that again in a game of even semi competitive football.

True, especially in the Premiership.

rarnes1 wrote: »

If Babel would only look up when he gets the ball, he keeps the head down all the time. Frustrating to watch sometimes. He does need a run of games but he is hit and miss for me and to be honest I dont think he is good enough and may be moved on in the summer.

He did play pretty well tonight though

But he'll only learn that from playing top class full backs. Most fans say he has potential, he's never going to fulfil it on the bench.

I think the Keane saga knocked him back.

mayordenis · 10-03-2009 11:06PM

K-9 wrote: »

In fairness, the Torres goal could easily have been disallowed for no reason at all and the peno was a joke.

it's not liverpools fault they disagreed with the 1st but 3-0 or 4-0 is very little in the difference but if tthe penalty wasn't given but one of the other of many chances was taken it's going to be the same outcome.

To say mush bad about that performance says bad about you.

dannydiamond · 10-03-2009 11:07PM

K-9 wrote: »

A throwback? Anfield is one of the most feared grounds in Europe, if not THE most.

I believe this to be a gross exaggeration but I'm happy to go with it:)

noodler · 10-03-2009 11:18PM

K-9 wrote: »

I've seen us threaten to do this in many home European games. In fairness, the Torres goal could easily have been disallowed and the peno was a joke. If we hadn't got those 2, it would have been a different match.

A throwback? Anfield is one of the most feared grounds in Europe, if not THE most. It's why most fans would hate to see it go.

Given the refs 1st half performance, maybe he made a mistake. Don't think so though. He's one of those players who plays on the edge.

True, especially in the Premiership.

But he'll only learn that from playing top class full backs. Most fans say he has potential, he's never going to fulfil it on the bench.

I think the Keane saga knocked him back.

Keane causes global warming as well.

Great performance, I wish it was more forthcoming in league games.

In a wider view, the rest of Europe is really becoming detached from England's top 4. Will this just be a normal cycle and end soon enough or will the financial differences ensure the gap keeps growing instead?

kinaldo · 10-03-2009 11:21PM

It would seem my 3-0 away prediction was some way off tonight

Not that I really, genuinely, believed that, but I'm a little disappointed to say the least. It was a result contrary to form and talent, with only Casillas turning up for Real, but congrats to Benitez and the Spanish Liverpool all the same on another big European scalp.

They really ripped Real to ribbons, and were almost unplayable at times. I do hope they play to that level at Old Trafford this weekend, though I expect a lot more caution.

The scoreline will sadly be seen as some sort of vindication that the Premiership is indeed the best league in the world. I wouldn't read too much into it, we all know that the big 4 are starting to dominate in the latter stages of Europe, just don't mention the rest then.

And anyway, Liverpool will probably go on to lose to some minows like Villarreal in the next round (I don't know that result yet btw)...

Jivin Turkey · 10-03-2009 11:41PM

kinaldo wrote: »

It was a result contrary to form and talent, with only Casillas turning up for Real, but congrats to Benitez and the Spanish Liverpool all the same on another big European scalp.

A scalp would indicate that the underdog won. Liverpool are a bigger team in Europe at the minute than Madrid.

kinaldo wrote: »

The scoreline will sadly be seen as some sort of vindication that the Premiership is indeed the best league in the world. I wouldn't read too much into it, we all know that the big 4 are starting to dominate in the latter stages of Europe, just don't mention the rest then.

What a load of nonsense.

The Premiership has a single team in the last 16 of the UEFA cup only because Spurs and Villa threw their chances away intentially. Spain has none and Italy just has one.

Add to that, as the top four is such a monopoly in England, teams outside it get little top level European experience where as teams like AC Milan, Deportivo, Weder Bremen, Valencia and even Udinese have been competing the CL regularly over the last few years so even if they just held their own in this competition is would be a great feat for them, but they do more than that, and do every year.

The Premiership is the best league in Europe now, it can't be denied. It is a fact.

SlickRic · 10-03-2009 11:44PM

rafa out.

Boggles · 10-03-2009 11:47PM

SlickRic wrote: »

rafa out.

Haha. Joking aside.

I think it has been echoed on here by a couple of posters, but I do think tonight had a downside for Liverpool, I have no doubt Madrid will now try their best to pry Benitez away, and we know what they are like when they want something.

Mr.Nice Guy · 10-03-2009 11:47PM

Very good win for Liverpool. Probably the best I've seen them play since they crushed Newcastle at St James' Park. In fact Casillas' display reminded me a lot of Shay's.

It is a bit concerning that they seem to have hit top form with the game against United looming large.

SlickRic · 10-03-2009 11:58PM

Boggles wrote: »

Haha. Joking aside.

I think it has been echoed on here by a couple of posters, but I do think tonight had a downside for Liverpool, I have no doubt Madrid will now try their best to pry Benitez away, and we know what they are like when they want something.

absolutely.

i completely agree that the boardroom needs to be sorted asap, and a contract put on the table that he can't refuse, because Real will come calling. this result does not cover the flaws we have in the league, but by God it shows that under Benitez we have the potential to win the Holy Grail if we can erase those flaws (i.e. winning games in 1st and 2nd gear like utd do).

wonderful performance tonight. i can't remember the last time i enjoyed watching the play from my team that much. i'm always proud of the effort they show, but the skill level they showed just blew me away at times, and at such a high tempo.

let's revel in this for a while. and let's bring the same intensity and skill to Old Trafford and see what happens.

on a side note, Iker is God. i'd happily pay money simply to watch him goalkeep.

joe123 · 11-03-2009 12:03AM

KerranJast wrote: »

Every player getting in the oppositions face isn't tactics. It's your starting point. They should be doing that every week as every top team does.

I honestly think with some people Benitez will never get credit when hes due it. He gets slated when he deserves it though.

x in the city · 11-03-2009 12:03AM

Dub13 wrote: »

Not in la liga,they are playing very good in that.

not well enough to keep him in a job this time next year

K-9 · 11-03-2009 12:03AM

mayordenis wrote: »

it's not liverpools fault they disagreed with the 1st but 3-0 or 4-0 is very little in the difference but if tthe penalty wasn't given but one of the other of many chances was taken it's going to be the same outcome.

To say mush bad about that performance says bad about you.

LOL. That's your interpretation. We would have won anyway, but if the first goal was disallowed and the penalty not given, who knows?

Anyway, what ifs are dreamers so I'll leave it there.

dannydiamond wrote: »

I believe this to be a gross exaggeration but I'm happy to go with it:)

LOL. We'll agree to disagree. I'd love to see what team in the last 8 wants to come to Anfield though on a European night.

noodler wrote: »

Keane causes global warming as well.

Great performance, I wish it was more forthcoming in league games.

In a wider view, the rest of Europe is really becoming detached from England's top 4. Will this just be a normal cycle and end soon enough or will the financial differences ensure the gap keeps growing instead?

I think so. There doesn't seem to be any young talent coming through with Real, AC, Juve etc.

redout · 11-03-2009 12:11AM

Jivin Turkey wrote: »

A scalp would indicate that the underdog won. Liverpool are a bigger team in Europe at the minute than Madrid.

Try the past six years brother.

The Premiership is the best league in Europe now, it can't be denied. It is a fact.

Only a mad man would disagree. Top four aside, Villa, Everton, Spurs, Newcastle maybe City on their day are a match for the the next level of sides in Spain and Italy in my opinion.

Boggles wrote: »

Haha. Joking aside.

I think it has been echoed on here by a couple of posters, but I do think tonight had a downside for Liverpool, I have no doubt Madrid will now try their best to pry Benitez away, and we know what they are like when they want something.

Absolutely not. Benitez = Negative Bastard. Real Madrid dont take them men on and when they do they give them the sack even when they win la liga, step forward Fabio Capello. Real Madrid fans expect their side to play with flair and panache, attacking football. It would be like Man Utd taking on Jose Mourinho, for all the trophies he was won his style of management is totally out of sync with what Man Utd under Busby and Fergie stand for. He is just not right for Real Madrid. On the other hand Mourinho could slot in nicely at Liverpool if they would like to keep playing football that does not include the above. Even Barca chose against Mourinho in the summer when they had the option to persue him and didnt think he would suit the club.

SlickRic · 11-03-2009 12:17AM

redout wrote: »

Benitez = Negative Bastard

real madrid would like to have a word with you about the merits of this statement after tonight.

Boggles · 11-03-2009 12:17AM

redout wrote: »

Absolutely not. Benitez = Negative Bastard. Real Madrid dont take them men on and when they do they give them the sack even when they win la liga, step forward Fabio Capello. Real Madrid fans expect their side to play with flair and panache, attacking football. It would be like Man Utd taking on Jose Mourinho, for all the trophies he was won his style of management is totally out of sync with what Man Utd under Busby and Fergie stand for. He is just not right for Real Madrid. On the other hand Mourinho could slot in nicely at Liverpool if they would like to keep playing football that does not include the above. Even Barca chose against Mourinho in the summer when they had the option to persue him and didnt think he would suit the club.

Madrid have been severely embarrased for at least the past 2 CL Campaigns, tonight would have been a severe eye opener for many fans, they havn't been hockied like that in 20 years.

If Rafa were to be head hunted, chances are he would be in the job no more than 12 months, if he could restore a small bit of pride into Madrid I think the fans might sacrifice the flair and paniche to insure nights like tonight don't happen for another 20 years.

rossie1977 · 11-03-2009 12:18AM

4 european cup quarter finals in 5 years since rafa took charge and the names of juve, inter, real, barcelona, ac all dispatched, who would have predicted that at approx 10pm on the night of march 25, 2004 when for the second year in a row Houllier's liverpool bowed tamely out of the uefa cup this time to a very average marseille team

raven136 · 11-03-2009 12:19AM

redout wrote: »

Absolutely not. Benitez = Negative Bastard. Real Madrid dont take them men on and when they do they give them the sack even when they win la liga, step forward Fabio Capello. Real Madrid fans expect their side to play with flair and panache, attacking football. It would be like Man Utd taking on Jose Mourinho, for all the trophies he was won his style of management is totally out of sync with what Man Utd under Busby and Fergie stand for. He is just not right for Real Madrid. On the other hand Mourinho could slot in nicely at Liverpool if they would like to keep playing football that does not include the above. Even Barca chose against Mourinho in the summer when they had the option to persue him and didnt think he would suit the club.

Madrid also expect to see their team qualify for the champions league quarter finals at least.
Not nad return in the Champions League for a "Negative Bastard".His Valencia team played lovely football going forward but defended like demons without it.

SlickRic · 11-03-2009 12:21AM

SlickRic wrote: »

real madrid would like to have a word with you about the merits of this statement after tonight.

having said this though redout, i agree with a lot of what you're saying.

he's not the kind of manager real madrid generally have the patience for. the case in point, as you mentioned, being fabio capello.

missingtime · 11-03-2009 12:22AM

Well done alonso tonight. It was amazing to see the difference in liverpool when he was taken off.
Congrats to jay spearing also-i thought it was him who scored the last goal.

rossie1977 · 11-03-2009 12:22AM

redout wrote: »

It would be like Man Utd taking on Jose Mourinho, for all the trophies he was won his style of management is totally out of sync with what Man Utd under Busby and Fergie stand for.

what a load of old tosh, i didn't see any utd fans complaining when ye won what was it 10 games out of 13 recently 1-0, many with penalties and last minute goals, no then it was "the sign of champions that can play poorly and win"

fans want trophies first and performances second, if trophies come they can forgive the performances, if trophies or more importantly results are not forthcoming you can play all the nice football, but you will be out on your ear

kryogen · 11-03-2009 12:27AM

United intent was always to attack and score,it didnt happen this year

the intent is there and always has been there from united

your statement is incorrect

just because we have scored 7 goals less this year then last year doesnt mean the team is negative

Boggles · 11-03-2009 12:28AM

rossie1977 wrote: »

what a load of old tosh, i didn't see any utd fans complaining when ye won what was it 10 games out of 13 recently 1-0, many with penalties and last minute goals, no then it was "the sign of champions that can play poorly and win"

The only game United played poorly in was the 1-0 win against Wigan.

You can win 1-0 and not play poor.

SlickRic · 11-03-2009 12:28AM

rossie1977 wrote: »

what a load of old tosh, i didn't see any utd fans complaining when ye won what was it 10 games out of 13 recently 1-0, many with penalties and last minute goals

fans want trophies first and performances second, if trophies come they can forgive the performances, if trophies or more importantly results are not forthcoming you can play all the nice football you like you will be out on your ear

*ahem* we're talking about real madrid though.

i agree that utd fans, i think, would be a lot more patient than real's so your point def stands in terms of them (not the nature of the 1-0s though, because their football's still generally been a joy), just in terms of how they might embrace Mourinho. real are just a different beast altogether. results are the be all and end all for the vast majority, but real fans and hierarchy are loonies.

once again, have a look at capello's last reign with them to see how far 'results only' get you with them.

Boggles · 11-03-2009 12:29AM

SlickRic wrote: »

*ahem* we're talking about real madrid though.

i agree that utd fans, i think, would be a lot more patient than real's so your point def stands in terms of them. real are just a different beast altogether. results are the be all and end all for the vast majority, but real fans and hierarchy are loonies.

once again, have a look at capello's last reign with them to see how far 'results only' get you with them.

From what Robben pulled and a few more of them tonight, I think traditions and honour have to be put on hold for Madrid for at least a season, the team needs a backbone.

Mr Alan · 11-03-2009 12:32AM

kryogen wrote: »

just because we have scored 7 goals less this year then last year doesnt mean the team is negative

but us having scored 3 less than Utd, with our top scorer out all year means we're negative

thought Lucas did well when he came on tonight.

Kuyt was excellent too

Mr Alan · 11-03-2009 12:33AM

Boggles wrote: »

The only game United played poorly in was the 1-0 win against Wigan.

You can win 1-0 and not play poor.

Sunderland? Stoke?

Boggles · 11-03-2009 12:33AM

Mr Alan wrote: »

but us having scored 3 less than Utd, with our top scorer out all year means we're negative

More often than not Rafa is negative Alan, the dog on the street knows it.

raven136 · 11-03-2009 12:34AM

Mr Alan wrote: »

but us having scored 3 less than Utd, with our top scorer out all year means we're negative

thought Lucas did well when he came on tonight.

Kuyt was excellent too

Lucas played one lovely ball down to Kuyt when he came on.

imo everyone was excellent tonight and it was great to see Spearing get a run out,Jeez he is small

SlickRic · 11-03-2009 12:34AM

Boggles wrote: »

From what Robben pulled and a few more of them tonight, I think traditions and honour have to be put on hold for Madrid for at least a season, the team needs a backbone.

everyone knows this is probably what needs to happen if they're going to compete in the Champions League again, but as I say, Real are loonies.

they'll still be up there in the Spanish League don't forget.

Liverpool vs. Madrid Redux

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