Eye witness report from Anfield - as promised

[full back]

I think you should be concentrating more on Chelski than Barcelona minder

I actually think they will have the medicine for us this time.

Ah well, if you actually think it, then it must be true.................

[Minder]

It is.

[nrico2006]

Exactly nrico, it is certainly extreme luck that they have reached 3 semi finals in the last 4 years........Tell whiskeynose to give Benitez a shout and he will point him in the direction of how to win in the Camp Nou, dont worry Stoichkov & Romario wont be playing this time........

Take those blinkers off - Liverpool were fortunate against Chelsea in 2005 as the ball didn't go over the line, and then again against Arsenal the standard of officiating again favours Liverpool - penalty not given to Arsenal in the 1st game, yet one given to Liverpool in the 2nd.  Benitez is a master tactician?  Thats why he has played Kuyt all year and left Crouch on the bench, makes sense.

As for Romario and Stoichkov, need you be reminded that in 94 United were severely hampered by the limitation on foreigners rule, but thats in the past.  Im looking to the future, United and Chelsea in Moscow!

[ziggysego]

Tony, my sister makes a great lasagne and chips. Real tasty!

[stevo-08]

Liverpool were fortunate against Chelsea in 2005 as the ball didn't go over the line

Christ, not this all over again. I wonder if Jose was asked at the time, what would he prefer: The ref to allow the goal, or award a penalty & send off cech for the foul on Baros.   As a Liverpool fan, I'd have preferred the latter!! We're not bad when it comes to the spot kicks   and against 10men and a stand in goalie, I'd have fancied our chances of getting a 2nd.

Liverpool won the CL in 2005, get over it.

[nrico2006]

Not this again, I was merely stating that Anfield is hardly a cauldron of intimidation that affects teams such as Chelsea and Arsenal as previously stated.  Aside from that, I'm confiident that Chelsea will beat the 4th best side in England in the semi's.

[AZOffaly]

nirco, I know you are winding again, but I think if you read some of the comments from the Chelsea lads, or Juventus, Inter or any of the other top teams that have experienced Anfield on a European night, they are all impressed by the atmosphere. Jaysus if Tony is impressed by it, there must be something to it

[Dinny Breen]

Wind-ups aside Tony, that's a pretty fair analysis, although the irony that to watch CL football you had to watch the goons is delicious...

[stevo-08]

well chelsea failed on 2 occasions despite apparently been a far superior side. one shot on target over the 2 legs in 2005 & not to mention the attempts at penalties in 2007. Terry said it was the scariest atmosphere he ever played in.

And Arsenal bottled it completely after the equaliser on tues night - Adebayor's fluffed shot, Toure's rush of blood, Fabregas went awol. It took a moment of brilliance from walcott (& a mistake by gerrard) to get Arsenal back into the tie.

Nobodys saying that team's freeze completely at Anfield, but based on the scalps that Liverpool have taken over the last few years, with very mediocre squads I might add, I think it's fair to say that the atmosphere at Anfield has played a fairly significant part.

[nrico2006]

I would agree that Anfield helps average sides like Liverpool achieve results beyond what they should, in the same way Parkhead influences a mediocre Celtic team.

And Arsenal bottled it completely after the equaliser on tues night - Adebayor's fluffed shot, Toure's rush of blood, Fabregas went awol. It took a moment of brilliance from walcott (& a mistake by gerrard) to get Arsenal back into the tie.

To say Arsenal bottled it is stupid, they have been playing bad for weeks now and this was just a continuation of that.  Fabregas awol - no moreso than Gerard.  I think Arsenals performance had more to do with fatigue from the season whereas Liverpool have rotated and also rested their main players at the weekend, while Fabregas etc played as they are challenging for the league aswell.

[Mentalman]

Man, it's like having one of those tiny toy dogs barking away at you; you know it's harmless, and completely ridiculous, but man it doesn't half get annoying after a while.

Some fans feel they have to show their loyalty by hating the opposition. On the other hand they get so caught up in it they stop focusing on their own team, didn't United have a match last night, with a brilliant headed goal from Tevez?

[stevo-08]

To say Arsenal bottled it is stupid, they have been playing bad for weeks now and this was just a continuation of that.  Fabregas awol - no moreso than Gerard.  I think Arsenals performance had more to do with fatigue from the season whereas Liverpool have rotated and also rested their main players at the weekend, while Fabregas etc played as they are challenging for the league aswell.

Oh sweet jesus, It's like talking to a brick wall!!

Arsenal played sublime football for 30mins and played liverpool off the park. Senderos goed to sleep, equaliser goes in and all of a sudden Arsenal panic. Liverpool dominated the game for the last hour & to suggest that it was fatigue is stupid. Did this all of a sudden kick in after 30mins??? They did bottle it. But the point that is being made, is that the Atmosphere in anfield can effect teams like that.

I never suggested that Gerrard didnt go awol. but I think that was more to do with him being played on the left wing than anything else. He doesnt like playing on the wing and decided to sulk - his attitude was appalling. Fabregas went missing, end of.

Man, it's like having one of those tiny toy dogs barking away at you

nail on the head.

[Uladh]

I think i remember United beating a Koeman driven Barce in the cup winners cup final. Mark Hughes - what a player.

[Mentalman]

I think i remember United beating a Koeman driven Barce in the cup winners cup final. Mark Hughes - what a player.

Brilliant goal from an acute angle, all the sweeter because he'd been given the white hankerchief treatment during his time at the Camp Nou.

[AZOffaly]

To say Arsenal bottled it is stupid, they have been playing bad for weeks now and this was just a continuation of that.  Fabregas awol - no moreso than Gerard.  I think Arsenals performance had more to do with fatigue from the season whereas Liverpool have rotated and also rested their main players at the weekend, while Fabregas etc played as they are challenging for the league aswell.

Oh sweet jesus, It's like talking to a brick wall!!

Arsenal played sublime football for 30mins and played liverpool off the park. Senderos goed to sleep, equaliser goes in and all of a sudden Arsenal panic. Liverpool dominated the game for the last hour & to suggest that it was fatigue is stupid. Did this all of a sudden kick in after 30mins??? They did bottle it. But the point that is being made, is that the Atmosphere in anfield can effect teams like that.

I never suggested that Gerrard didnt go awol. but I think that was more to do with him being played on the left wing than anything else. He doesnt like playing on the wing and decided to sulk - his attitude was appalling. Fabregas went missing, end of.

Man, it's like having one of those tiny toy dogs barking away at you

nail on the head.

Fabergas was absolutely wrecked. It makes the decision to play him in the League game, when Wenger rested Adabeyor and co, all the more puzzling. I think Fabergas is a great little player, but he was out on his feet. Unfair to say he went missing I think.