v Athletico Madrid (A)

[CrazyHorse]

22nd October, 19:45.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg77/firestarter8_photos/Versus/LFCvAthMadridcopy.png

With Torres & Babel out, all we needed in midweek was a "must win" CL game!!

Thankfully, this isn't, and I'd gladly settle for a draw in this game.

However, the Reds have shown already this season that they can perform without some of their top players being involved.

Hoping for another away European win.

[carpe diem]

madrid derby on tonight,always a fiesty affair,so a tough week for athletico also.

[gav003]

Can see us playing very defensively for this hoping to save energy for next weekend.

[Andrew]

Yeah, Liverpool don't need to win this game. Obviously a win would be great but we should be able to get enough points from the final 3 games to ease through the group.

I'd be happy with a draw. Maybe give El Zhar a start on the right. He impressed in preseason and he did a fine job as a sub today. No harm giving the lad a shot.

[dking]

Wipeout.

They are down 0-1 after a few mins so they are going to have to chase this derby !

and now down to 10 men

[Judas Souness]

So glad we got the 6 against Marseille and PSV.

Great chance for Agger to find his feet some more in the run up to Chelsea.

I think UEFA changed it back to Madrid as soon as they knew Torres was out.

That said, 3 points from Wigan, imagine if we took all 9 from the 3 games!

[robbie st leger]

So glad we got the 6 against Marseille and PSV.

Great chance for Agger to find his feet some more in the run up to Chelsea.

I think UEFA changed it back to Madrid as soon as they knew Torres was out.

That said, 3 points from Wigan, imagine if we took all 9 from the 3 games!

I think UEFA changed it back to Madrid as soon as they knew Torres was out.
yes of course they did - WTF:confused::confused:

[Judas Souness]

I think UEFA changed it back to Madrid as soon as they knew Torres was out.
yes of course they did - WTF:confused::confused:

I said it in jest.......as it happens, they actually havent provided an alternative excuse, and the fact that they have turned it back means that their original response was poorly planned, disproportionate and ineffectual.

[Phil!]

Chelsea game on sunday definatly more important so would take a 0-0 and no injuries we cant afford to lose anymore players

[Judas Souness]

Chelsea game on sunday definatly more important so would take a 0-0 and no injuries we cant afford to lose anymore players


I think we have enough quality to go for a win. I have a feeling Keane will be rested and N'Gog will come in. El Zhar might have earned a shot too.

[marathonman]

Yeah, Liverpool don't need to win this game. Obviously a win would be great but we should be able to get enough points from the final 3 games to ease through the group.

I'd be happy with a draw. Maybe give El Zhar a start on the right. He impressed in preseason and he did a fine job as a sub today. No harm giving the lad a shot.

unfortunately El Zhar is not eligible to play in the CL as Rafa left him out of the squad.Still don't understand it, think he is a great talent, but what I do know.

[corcaigh]

cant play sami either which is absolutely insane. carra never gets rested though i suspect he would kill something if he was rested. is insua on the cl squad, dossena was rubbish today and starting a reserve ahead of him would be sending a message.

[oobydooby]

unfortunately El Zhar is not eligible to play in the CL as Rafa left him out of the squad.Still don't understand it, think he is a great talent, but what I do know.

Because of that homegrown/local ruling.

Here's our squad:
Cavalieri, Reina,Dossena, Agger, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Carragher, Degen, Darby, Kelly, Irwin, Skrtel,Gerrard, Reira, Alonso, Benayoun, Pennant, Mascherano, Leiva, Spearing,Keane, Torres, Kuyt, Babel, Ngog

Rafa can name a new squad if/when we qualify for the next round. Lads like Insua, El Zhar and Pacheco would probably have gotten a runout in the Atletico game were it not for this ruling. I'd like to see Rafa bleed a few of the younger lads anyway.

[GaryMc]

Watched the Athletico/Real game last night and have some decent players. They are though not great at the back. Hetinga looks very suspect when taken on at pace.

I can see Lucas coming in for Alonso.

I think Robbie should play as I dont think he will next Sunday. I suspect Rafa will go with Kuyt up front his own next Sunday with Masher, Alonso and Gerrard more advanced against Chelsea.

[Judas Souness]

unfortunately El Zhar is not eligible to play in the CL as Rafa left him out of the squad.Still don't understand it, think he is a great talent, but what I do know.

:(:eek:

[oobydooby]

Has anyone here (maybe lads who live across the pond) ever seen these young lads playing: Darby, Irwin or Kelly? Are they up to the grade at all? Or is Rafa just filling the squad with token locals?

I've seen Spearing play on telly I think, must have been a Carling Cup match, can't quite remember but he didn't impress as much as I'd expected he would from reports.

[red1965]

they play most weeks for the reserves you can see it on lfc tv

[robbie st leger]

I think we have enough quality to go for a win. I have a feeling Keane will be rested and N'Gog will come in. El Zhar might have earned a shot too.

Keane will start as the lone man up front with 5 in midfield as point is great result with the reurn at home to wrap up the group

El Zhar might have earned a shot too.[/QUOTE]- little bit of research needed for that one :confused:

[siflood]

one nil win

[carpe diem]

dont think rafa will use this game as a platform for younger players,think you'll see a 4-5-1 formation,with masher coming in alongside alonso,gerrard infront of them,keane on his own upfront,and depending whos fit the usual back four,dont think babel will start so probably riera and kuyt on the wings.

[Judas Souness]

Watched the Athletico/Real game last night and have some decent players. They are though not great at the back. Hetinga looks very suspect when taken on at pace.

I can see Lucas coming in for Alonso.

I think Robbie should play as I dont think he will next Sunday. I suspect Rafa will go with Kuyt up front his own next Sunday with Masher, Alonso and Gerrard more advanced against Chelsea.

If Rafa makes too many changes we could be in grief.

I think he will pick..

--------------------------------REINA--------------------------------

------Arbeloa-----------------CarrAgger---------------------------Dossena

-----------Benny---------Lucas-----------Gerrard---------------Riera

-----------------------Keane--------------Kuyt-------------------------

[Andrew]

CarrAgger :D

Poor Skyrtel. CarrSkyrtel just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[dg2]

this will be a difficult game, there will be a great atmosphere in the stadium and I am glad fans dont have to change flights if game had been moved, 2-1 Liverpool, Keane and Gerrard

[Judas Souness]

CarrAgger :D

Poor Skyrtel. CarrSkyrtel just doesn't have the same ring to it.

It doesnt have too. Martin Skrtel can make his name rhyme with anything.

CarrSkrtel. See. It Rhymes.

[paddy cork]

referee will be claus bo larsen of denmark

[bobby benitez]

Am I the only one who doesnt care about this game. I'd love to see 3 or 4 at least rested for Chelski. This group in done and dusted already - 2 shocking teams in it.

I can see a very boring nil nil and a moany RTE studio.

[Rover 609]

Am I the only one who doesnt care about this game. I'd love to see 3 or 4 at least rested for Chelski. This group in done and dusted already - 2 shocking teams in it.

I can see a very boring nil nil and a moany RTE studio.

Well unlike you i DO care about this game,but i agree that id have no qualms with a couple of players rested with Sunday in mind.

[bobby benitez]

Well unlike you i DO care about this game,but i agree that id have no qualms with a couple of players rested with Sunday in mind.

The Champions League is all about getting through to the spring. Nobody remembers who came 1st or 2nd in a group. You can just as easily get a bogey draw finishing 1st or 2nd.

IMO this a massive inconvience before the biggest game since Athens.
When the draw was made this was the game I was most looking forward too - its just the timing is sh*te.

[Judas Souness]

referee will be claus bo larsen of denmark

Maybe Agger knows him.:p

[Judas Souness]

The Champions League is all about getting through to the spring. Nobody remembers who came 1st or 2nd in a group. You can just as easily get a bogey draw finishing 1st or 2nd.

IMO this a massive inconvience before the biggest game since Athens.
When the draw was made this was the game I was most looking forward too - its just the timing is sh*te.

I know, we won the group in 2006 and got Benfica...then we won it in 2007 and got Barcelona!

[Judas Souness]

Am I the only one who doesnt care about this game. I'd love to see 3 or 4 at least rested for Chelski. This group in done and dusted already - 2 shocking teams in it.

I can see a very boring nil nil and a moany RTE studio.

Before this game starts I am going to write up EXACTLY what Dunphy will say if we lose.....and exactly what he will say if we win.

Watch how he ties Wigan, Atletico and Chelsea into some sort of a magic pattern which proves him right, once again.

Atleti are a team who like to get the ball down and play with it.

Sinama Pongolle, a player who was part of the 2005 Winners Squad, a guy who Benitez sold, is playing for them.

Two things, just by way of a taster:

If Atleti play really well and come away with something, you can expect this:

Eamonn/Ronny: "There we have...hold it there...yeah....uh, Simon Pawnfall, a fella that can actually get the ball down and play with it, a real footballer, and Benitez got rid of him....got Mark Gonzalez or someone instead.....keeping the ball....keeping the ball......pass pass pass"


If we beat them, this is what you will get

"There we have it...now here is an example of what I am saying Bill...watch this....LUIS GARCIA.....A CLOWN.....givin the ball away Bill......these are the sort of guys Benitez was always into, this is the sort of guy who he likes to buy....never did anything in England Bill......too easy for Gerrard there....you wont get those sort of chances against Chelsea Bill....."


If we destroy Atleti, it will be because Atleti just werent up to it...and Chelsea will do us on Sunday. If we have difficulties, then its because Benitez has bought Rubbish..."Lucas, the Brazililan, bought him from Fluminense Bill, £36m,...rubbish bill" and Chelsea will mop the floor with us.

[mypost]

The Champions League is all about getting through to the spring. Nobody remembers who came 1st or 2nd in a group. You can just as easily get a bogey draw finishing 1st or 2nd.

The difference is the home game in the second leg. That's what everyone wants. You don't want to go into the away leg needing to rescue the game.

Before this game starts I am going to write up EXACTLY what Dunphy will say if we lose.....and exactly what he will say if we win.

The way to avoid all that, is watch Sky's coverage. RTE's is there to tell all the manc viewers how crap we are.

[mrpotatohead]

The way to avoid all that, is watch Sky's coverage. RTE's is there to tell all the manc viewers how crap we are.

Or just watch with the sound off, both are puke TV.

[Fowler's God]

Aguero is rumoured to be not in the starting XI tomorrow nite for Atleti.

Coupet GK; Seitaridis (RB) Antonio López (LB); DomÃ*nguez and Perea (CB); Camacho and Maniche (CM); Simao and Luis Garcia down the flanks; with Diego Forlán and Sinama Pongolle in attack. (according to Balague)

[liamo3]

I can help you not getting banned by asking you to read the rules sorry if that sounds smart but its true :)

[Molby Is a Legend]

I can help you not getting banned by asking you to read the rules sorry if that sounds smart but its true :)

:D:D:D:D

[Judas Souness]

I can help you not getting banned by asking you to read the rules sorry if that sounds smart but its true :)

:confused::confused: Who was this in reference to?

[liamo3]

Oh my lord!

[Gerry]

:confused::confused: Who was this in reference to?

Was hoping he meant you but sadly not, it was in reference to a post the mods removed but we live in hope !

[RedMurph08]

Was hoping he meant you but sadly not, it was in reference to a post the mods removed but we live in hope !

:D:D:D

[liamo3]

Was hoping he meant you but sadly not, it was in reference to a post the mods removed but we live in hope !

Now that was funny :D

[Bren100]

For those who havnt heard yet; the ref has been told by UEFA if there is fighting in the stands or if the Athletico fans start any racist chants he has full authority to stop the game and abandon the match.

I like to think there wont be any hassle for our traveling fans prior to this game; with all the connections between the clubs buying/selling players.

Im gutted for Torres not being able to grace his old fans, but I hope Garcia gets a noticable cheer from the travelling fans. He drinks Sangria you know!

[mrpotatohead]

For those who havnt heard yet; the ref has been told by UEFA if there is fighting in the stands or if the Athletico fans start any racist chants he has full authority to stop the game and abandon the match.

I like to think there wont be any hassle for our traveling fans prior to this game; with all the connections between the clubs buying/selling players.


I would like to think the ref has the authority to stop any game he is in charge of if there is violence or something he deems unacceptable going on in the stands. Hopefully theres no crap like that going on tonight and the players regardless of colour or religion are let get on with their jobs.

Starting to get excited about tonight so. Athletico have a wide range of attacking options, so I think Mascherano will start tonight to try and help get a strangle hold in midfield. I love watching Aguero play, hes a real class act but hopefully the supply of ball will be cut out by alot of hard work in midfield. Hopefully also Forlan has an absolute nightmare if hes playing.....

Attacking wise, it will be interesting to see how we line up, Dirk could continue his scoring run, hes ususally good in Europe. We should play for the win tonight, but if we come out with a draw and no injuries for Sundays match i will be happy enough.

[Bren100]

Id say we'll go 4-5-1 with Dirk on the right and Wobbie up front.

[Pimboli]

Id say we'll go 4-5-1 with Dirk on the right and Wobbie up front.

Agreed, its a pretty obvious formation that he uses in away games now. I think if we get a draw we will be doing ok. Athletico's attacking play is exceptional and our defence isnt looking the best at the moment so I wouldnt be surprised if they score against us. A draw tonight and a win at Anfield and thats the group sorted.

[Judas Souness]

Was hoping he meant you but sadly not, it was in reference to a post the mods removed but we live in hope !


Well, hope away matey, hope away.:D It must suck to have someone else do your dirty for you!

[Shels-07]

Pridicting a tight game tonight.. Even a draw would not be a bad result, But of course a win would be great

[MrsStevieG]

Im gutted for Torres not being able to grace his old fans

Me too, feel really sorry for him I'm sure he's pretty peed off himself. I heard Atletico offered him a VIP seat for the match. Small gesture in the circumstances but thought it was nice all the same.

Looking forward to this tonight. I watched the Madrid derby while over there last week and while they were limited compared to Real they did have a good few chances and were unlucky in the end.
Not too worried about tonight but you just never know with Liverpool

[mypost]

2 wins from us in this double header opens the door for Marseille or PSV to throw the racists out of the competition. :)

[StevieGisMyIdol]

This on RTE or UTV ??

[mypost]

The return game is on ITV. Tonight's is on Sky.

[StevieGisMyIdol]

Balls..

No sky :(

[StevieGisMyIdol]

Dude,i checked it up and its on RTE

I dont really give a **** about this anti rte thing you have,thats bollix..

Why would u want to watch english channels when its clearly on rte ? **** the analysis guys,just dont watch that part if you are so pissed at them. Tv license money goes to RTE,not the ****king bbc/sky/utv

[beardo81]

The analysis on RTE is gift, I know Dunphy et al usually give out f*ck bout the 'pool but theyre so funny about it, real grumpy old men!! And they do SOMETIMES have a point....

[mypost]

I dont really give a **** about this anti rte thing you have,thats bollix..

Why would u want to watch english channels when its clearly on rte ? **** the analysis guys,just dont watch that part if you are so pissed at them. Tv license money goes to RTE,not the ****king bbc/sky/utv

One example (http://84.51.233.73/forums/showpost.php?p=95240&postcount=31):

[mrpotatohead]

One example (http://84.51.233.73/forums/showpost.php?p=95240&postcount=31):

If you wanted I could write whatever Andy Gray will say tonight too....most of the pundits are predictable enough.

If Liverpool win, it will be all about Gerard or whoever he brings to the team, if we lose there will be some spin about Forlan etc and how he is back to haunt us once again. They are all motor mouths who are paid to make noise, i dont think too many people with the ability to form opinions of their own pass much heed on them.

[carpe diem]

some athletico team news.


The home side are without Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi after he picked up an injury in last weekend's Madrid derby defeat to Real, but Pablo Ibanez is available again.

Atletico captain and former Reds target Maxi Rodriguez misses out with a thigh problem and French goalkeeper Gregory Coupet is also sidelined with a thigh injury.

[mypost]

If you wanted I could write whatever Andy Gray will say tonight too....most of the pundits are predictable enough.

If Liverpool win, it will be all about Gerard or whoever he brings to the team, if we lose there will be some spin about Forlan etc and how he is back to haunt us once again.

On Sky, you have to put up with one pundit slating us, should we lose. On RTE, there are 3 of them and the 2 commentators, win or lose. It's a no-brainer which station fans should watch.

[dking]

some athletico team news.


The home side are without Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi after he picked up an injury in last weekend's Madrid derby defeat to Real, but Pablo Ibanez is available again.

Atletico captain and former Reds target Maxi Rodriguez misses out with a thigh problem and French goalkeeper Gregory Coupet is also sidelined with a thigh injury.


Ujfalusi,Rodriguez and Coupet all out is good news .
Doesn't make up for Nando but still good news.

[bobby benitez]

Agreed, its a pretty obvious formation that he uses in away games now. I think if we get a draw we will be doing ok. .

Rafa does nothing obvious. Expect at least 2 surprises tonight. We always attack away from home when least expected too.

[carpe diem]

The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Benayoun, Keane. Subs: Cavalieri, Lucas, Babel, Darby, Pennant, Kuyt, Aurelio.

[jaza]

This on RTE or UTV ??

cant believe you still have that sig ha you son of a bitch :D :p

[dking]

Is this Dossena's first CL game?

DK being held back to be released on the Chavs.

[fermoyred80]

Right 7 o clock on liverpools champion league night. Time for 45 min of slatting from Dunphy and his possy:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[carpe diem]

wow aguero on the bench,thats good news.

[IrishRed1892]

enough of this im off to the couch for45 min of slatting from Dunphy and his possy:rolleyes::rolleyes:

im guessing 2-1 to us

[mypost]

The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Benayoun, Keane.

Oh blx. 1 man upfront going for the draw nonsense. :mad:

[Bren100]

Its ok all ... Luis Garcia is our man in Europe for important goals ... oh, hang on!? :(


Athlitico are no team to be under estimated. Id be happy with a draw, considering these are the toughest opponents in our group and it will be away. I have a feeling Yossi will play well tonight.

[mypost]

They're 4th seeds, and overrated. They overachieved in La Liga last year, and we should be looking to win twice. I'd settle for a point as well, but only with 20 minutes to go.

Rafa will probably get a hostile reception, for his Real connections. :rolleyes:

[MrsStevieG]

Very defensive set up tonight - we're going for a point here I think. Not too happy with that mentality but Rafa's being cautious away from home and I suppose a point wouldn't be the worst. We'll see.......

[carpe diem]

yea defensively minded alright,options with babel and kuyt if it needs changing.

[dazzlermac]

yossi is a donk imo

[carpe diem]

get in there robbie !!!!!!

[Phil!]

Get in Robbie!!!! Delighted!

[dazzlermac]

yereeeessssss keane

[Aido82]

great pass. two great touches. great finish

Get in there robbie

[Phil!]

Keep up that tempo we have started with and will run away with this

[RobbieC]

Whats the bets that at half time Whelen and co still say we are sh*t and that its athletico who are bad we are playing against a rubish team

[Phil!]

Decent first half have the lead and havent been put under any major pressure so happy so far

[marathonman]

Forgot how much Luis loves a dive and lying down.

[carpe diem]

would be the perfect 2nd half for babel imo,theyre gonna go for it in the 2nd half and will throw aguero on at some stage so i expect some counter attack football on our part,game could be set up for babel.

[pdesmond1404]

Need to keep the card count down now

[fermoyred80]

plus will give him some game time under his belt for sunday

[pdesmond1404]

is el zhar on the bench? another fella who could do with gametime

[carpe diem]

is el zhar on the bench? another fella who could do with gametime

no mate ,no el zhar

[pdesmond1404]

jaysus that was lucky. great linesmen on hte job this week.

[south]

we're getting away with murder at the moment

[carpe diem]

ffs get benni off and babel on,well done riena

[south]

ffs get benni off and babel on,well done riena

i agree with you on that one

[pdesmond1404]

we've totally lost shape. bout time he came on

[Molby Is a Legend]

Are Keane and Stevie Carrying knocks?????

[carpe diem]

they had minor knocks coming into the game so i dunno,whats our formation now??? riera left kuyt right,alons mash and benni playing off babel???

[pdesmond1404]

looks that way. hopefully weathered that storm

[gang of gin]

Just watching the game, and was incensed enough to throw up a post for a few reasons.

Robbie Keane's 'flash' attempt in the first half, when he could easily have converted in a more conventional fashion and had us 2-0. Absolute disgrace. Dunphy declared had he been the manager he would have him off. Personally I agree. I never thought that guy had much upstairs and he's just confirmed it with a moronic effort like that. God, how could we have bought a footballer with such a vacant look on face like that(see interviews - would make Beckham look like a top-10 Mensa member). Carries himself as though he had a lobotomy. Just to add, I felt that he was a player in the twilight of his best days, and somehow managed to muster up a decent season last year. Hardly criteria to spend that much on him. A speculative striker, feeding off scraps kind of player, always expecting the 'ball over the top', only to be constantly intercepted. Not good enough anymore. Defenders are far too wily and basing your game around that hope is ridiculous. He doesn't utilise his brain at all. Coupled with that, he's starting to look out of shape and losing a lot of pace.

Beneyoun is absolute cack. Getting lost two-thirds up the pitch, not chasing back and leaving simao take absolute precedence on the wing, in turn, leaving Arbeloa completely exposed. We don't need a player like that. He looks like a boy for christ's sake. The under 18s wouldn't have him. He has awful difficulty staying in his feet in any given situation.

We've got a lot of dead wood in the side. Enough is enough. To blame external circumstances like bad officiating in a game like tonight's would be naive.

[pdesmond1404]

b*llox. was coming in fairness

[carpe diem]

balls to that anyway

[mcinerdo]

crap second half....game thrown away!

[pdesmond1404]

ill take a draw now!!!!!

[mcinerdo]

Disgraceful...team came out for second half and looked like they couldn't be arsed

[gang of gin]

I'll facetiously blame Keane for everything. What a terrible performance by all essentially.

[pdesmond1404]

disgraceful miss in the 1st half in fairness. not often i agree with Dunphy

[gang of gin]

We could still nick it. We're great at that.

[pdesmond1404]

hopefully a good kick up the arse befoer sunday

[Aido82]

1-1 draw isnt that bad.
Get them back home and we will bury them and take top spot.

We have a huge game on sunday hense stevie and robbie going off i presume

Robbies little flick - if it had gone everyone would have been talking about it and saying it was genious. Blaming him for everyrhing is harsh

[pdesmond1404]

maybe, but at this level....

[mcinerdo]

The whole team including Benitez should be fined a weeks wages for that rubbish ! everyone except Kuyt, he may not be the best but he never lacks effort and attitude...and beneyoun should be left behind in Madrid when the bus leaves

[gang of gin]

The RTE camera person keeps showing that rather annoying looking Athletico fan. What's that about.

[pdesmond1404]

predictable analysis on the way!

[Aido82]

The RTE camera person keeps showing that rather annoying looking Athletico fan. What's that about.

thats not rte, its the madrid camera man, they send there transmittions across europe

[pdesmond1404]

he's a pool fan stuck in the wrong seat!!!

[gang of gin]

1-1 draw isnt that bad.
Get them back home and we will bury them and take top spot.

We have a huge game on sunday hense stevie and robbie going off i presume

Robbies little flick - if it had gone everyone would have been talking about it and saying it was genious. Blaming him for everyrhing is harsh



I was being faecetious when I wrote that as I mentioned. Obviously it's a terrible performance all round to be honest. Few in there that tried, Kuyt to name one.

[gang of gin]

thats not rte, its the madrid camera man, they send there transmittions across europe


Oh yeah, sure, that'd be right!

[fermoyred80]

The whole team including Benitez should be fined a weeks wages for that rubbish ! everyone except Kuyt, he may not be the best but he never lacks effort and attitude...and beneyoun should be left behind in Madrid when the bus leaves

Relax mate..a draw away from home in europe is ok, bring them back to Anfield and get the win.. Bit of an overreaction there with fining the team

[carpe diem]

you dont take alonso gerrard and keane off in one game,his substitutes mystified me yet again,if we went for this game we could have been out of sight at half time but hey i would have took a point before the game,but realising how sh"t athletico really were,not taking 3 points is a shame but a points a point,riera played well,dossena wasnt actually too bad,but benni left the defence down in the 2nd half,we will beat them at home,i have no doubt so cant be too down about the result.

[GaryMc]

Good enough result!!! Although should have beat them well. Babel was poor, he gave the ball away far far too much when came out. Benayoun was terrible tonight. Why was Lucas taking set pieces, all the ones he took were brutal?

For once Carra got caught out, but its the best match for it take place. Will still get through easily.

[fermoyred80]

you dont take alonso gerrard and keane off in one game,his substitutes mystified me yet again,if we went for this game we could have been out of sight at half time but hey i would have took a point before the game,but realising how sh"t athletico really were,not taking 3 points is a shame but a points a point,riera played well,dossena wasnt actually too bad,but benni left the defence down in the 2nd half,we will beat them at home,i have no doubt so cant be too down about the result.

Keane has a slight groin injury, Gerrard was poor tonight imo, thought Lucas done alright

[mcinerdo]

predictable analysis on the way!

Point out where they are getting it wrong.......if you can

[MrsStevieG]

Well I was settling for a draw before the game but disapointing performance from Liverpool and shame not to have got the win as we threw it away. Things went downhill when Stevie came off, thought he had a great game before that.
Have to say I'm becoming more and more frustrated with Yossi and also Arbeloa - don't like saying it but they are a dead weight on the team. Esp Arbeloa.

[carpe diem]

Keane has a slight groin injury, Gerrard was poor tonight imo, thought Lucas done alright

he took 2 central midfielders off and put one on,benni was shocking and he put him in gerrards position,brought kuyt on up front for keane then brought babel on and swapped him with kuyt,then alonso who wasnt playing too bad,put lucas on for him.


that whole scenario is what mystified me :D

[mcinerdo]

Relax mate..a draw away from home in europe is ok, bring them back to Anfield and get the win.. Bit of an overreaction there with fining the team

a draw away from home isn't good enough when the game was there for winning....not putting in the effort isn't good enough....and getting them back to Anfield and winning isn't a certainty as we well know...how can you be so complacent after so many years of not winning the league

[carpe diem]

a draw away from home isn't good enough when the game was there for winning....not putting in the effort isn't good enough....and getting them back to Anfield and winning isn't a certainty as we well know...how can you be so complacent after so many years of not winning the league

i would be shocked if we didnt beat them convincingly at home.

[gang of gin]

I know this won't happen but Chelsea will whip us if we go out with that lame attitude again. Obviously, away in Europe there are certain factors and approaches to these games, but when the opposition is poor -as Athletico were- we should have killed it off at half time. Anyway, nuff said. A point is a point as one punter said.

[wonit5times]

It was unlike the mighty Carragher to get caught like that from the long ball, he will be very dissapinted with himself. On a brighter note a draw isnt a bad result but cos we were leading it will be 2 points lost rather than 1 gained.
Sets it up nicely for Anfield in 2 weeks time.

[fermoyred80]

Take your points. Sundays game will be different. Different atmosphere, attitude from players etc. Fair enough they should have the same attitude for every game but Sunday is the biggest of the season so far(thats including the mancs).

[BenEadir]

It's hard to be too critical when things are going so well but we definetly left two points behind tonight which could cost us top of the group status and Robbie's show boating won't endear him to anyone. I know we have to take the whole package, warts and all with Robbie and I do think he's going to be great but it is frustrating to think we could have been 2 up and cruising if he hadn't tried his fancy stuff.

[gang of gin]

It's hard to be too critical when things are going so well


So well with results, but a lot of em are us coming from behind, giving me grief week in week out:) Great to watch and snatch victories from apparent defeat, but Chelsea, in particular, are blowing everyone away. We need that kind of dominance. If we don't have that, we'll never be in serious contention to win the league.

[pdesmond1404]

Sundays should be different alright. would just worry bout the full backs v chelsea. arbeloa playing v poor. agger will settle hopefully as he did 2 years ago.

[Raven136]

2 points left behind but we would have been delighted with a draw before kickoff.
Right thing to do to take off those players and sunday will be different.

I have reached the stage of just laughing at rte and not really taking what they say seriously.Sky presented a better option tonight.

Roll on sunday

[marathonman]

Robbies little flick - if it had gone everyone would have been talking about it and saying it was genious. Blaming him for everyrhing is harsh

Have to disagree mate.Agree we would be hailing him if he scored.It was a terrible thing to do by a seasoned pro.3 or 4 up maybe, but in a match that would have nearly certainly seen us through. It was unforgivable.Torres would have put it away anyway he could.Disgraceful, given the fact that he has only scored one goal before tonight.Never a fan of Robbie and always hoped to be proved wrong but I was disgusted at what he did.

[Jockser]

Its clear to me where Rafas priorities lie this year and its not the champions league. we are in a very easy group thankfully.
Keanes "attempt" in the first half was a disgrace and babbel didnt want to know
but its another point i suppose

[KELMG]

I agree that a point away from home on this occasion is good and was presumably what Rafa intended but that second half display was simply useless.In fairness Athletico did step it up a notch or two in the second half but our reaction was brutal.We had the game grasped going into the second half and we got TOO confident and relaxed in my opinion.

As for Robbie`s ``flick``.....I don`t want to blame the outcome on him as it was a poor performance from the whole team (bar one or two)but it was definitely an idiotic thing to do.Im sure he will be kicking himself over it tonight and it should be forgotten about.

Nevertheless its not a diasaster.Just hope we can pull it together for sunday.:)

[gang of gin]

2 points left behind but we would have been delighted with a draw before kickoff.
Right thing to do to take off those players and sunday will be different.

I have reached the stage of just laughing at rte and not really taking what they say seriously.Sky presented a better option tonight.

Roll on sunday


Awhhhh, gerouovvvit! Sky? Jamie bloody, "Oh, look, he would have put that away 9 times out of 10" Redknapp. A manikin with a pulse. He's an awful pundit. He's got nothing else to do, so they've got him on blathering away about nothing.
The lads on RTE have a far better insight and more damning critique, when needed, and which is necessary. They can spot the bullshit, but the likes of Redknapp and co. give every player(players like Heskey and ****ing Lucas) far too much berth for being crap. It's hard to listen to. Don't get me started on that ******* Andy Gray.

[gang of gin]

Have to disagree mate.Agree we would be hailing him if he scored.It was a terrible thing to do by a seasoned pro.3 or 4 up maybe, but in a match that would have nearly certainly seen us through. It was unforgivable.Torres would have put it away anyway he could.Disgraceful, given the fact that he has only scored one goal before tonight.Never a fan of Robbie and always hoped to be proved wrong but I was disgusted at what he did.


Well said. Well said.

[Raven136]

Awhhhh, gerouovvvit! Sky? Jamie bloody, "Oh, look, he would have put that away 9 times out of 10" Redknapp. A manikin with a pulse. He's an awful pundit. He's got nothing else to do, so they've got him on blathering away about nothing.
The lads on RTE have a far better insight and more damning critique, when needed, and which is necessary. They can spot the bullshit, but the likes of Redknapp and co. give every player(players like Heskey and ****ing Lucas) far too much berth for being crap. It's hard to listen to. Don't get me started on that ******* Andy Gray.

insight?giles says dm are not needed and dunphy describes masch as a donkey.if you want insight try elsewhere.if you want someone trying to be a drunken pub loon,try rte.
the other two pundits on sky were good

[GaryMc]

Dont watch the muppet show on RTE at all these days for Liverpool matches, but I can bet Giles was preaching about the basics and being baffled by Rafa's tactics. Dunphy was probably was talkin about Wayne Rooney being the new Roy Keane and wants to ghost write his autobiography.

I saw Ronnie was on the panel as well and he was probably agreeing with all the lads points and generally pointing out the obvious.

[galway-red]

ok we should have won, but its not all doom and gloom. we've 7 points from 3 games, (still top of the group) with 2 tricky aways games out of the way, and people are still moaning......... our big game is on sunday not tonight.

[gang of gin]

I wasn't referring to their opinions solely on Liverpool. They do manage to discuss other teams on occasion as well. It's subjective anyway, but I think they do have measured opinions and not lamping out the lumpen masses well-worn, pleasing, sit on the fence rhetoric. That, in my opinion, is a bit condescending. Not everyone who watches footie is a fool. People do structure opinions, valid opinions, on their own. And I think that Sky punditry say things that please the viewer(the cowed viewer, in their opinion).

I don't think the lads on RTE have what you call something along the lines of drunken pub utterings. The contrary, in fact. The reason you might think that is because their take on a match might be delivered with vehemence and passion, on odd occasion a bit of interrupting, but overall well delivered, valid points.

[rushscored4]

Dont know why anyone would listen to four mancs on rte talking shite. They have always been anti Liverpool,even if we play great in a game they say the opposition was rubbish.They never give us any credit,not that we deserved much tonight anyway.
Thought we played reasonably well in first half,very poor in second.Everyone needs to calm down a bit and stop over reacting,not a good performance but still got a point.

Bring on the Chelsea rent boys!!!

[gang of gin]

The things that gets to me is Joanne Cantwell amateurish commentry for the round ups. Galling! She shouldn't have a say about anything regarding sport.

[Bren100]

Lads and Ladies, On paper that was the hardest game we have in the group stages. I mentioned in this thread much earlier, personally I would be happy with a draw. That wasnt a bad Athletico team, a lot of players who didnt make it in the Premiership but that doesnt make them a bad team. I dont buy the over rated team statments. They're not going to go much further than the 2nd round / quarters but they're not a weak side.

All in all, considering we are missing our no#1 striker and before the Wigan game both Keane and Kuyt have managed 4 goals in total between them in all competitions.

I dont mean to carry the beat Agger torch but what was he at for the goal? I can only excuse his positioning mistake because Carra has taken up where he left off last season making costly mistakes. I love Carra as much as the next person but he is not the player he was.

Taking goals that should have been, missed that shouldnt have been misses, Im happy with the draw. Be positive, we are in a very strong position!

[gang of gin]

Dont know why anyone would listen to four mancs on rte talking shite. They have always been anti Liverpool,even if we play great in a game they say the opposition was rubbish.They never give us any credit,not that we deserved much tonight anyway.
Thought we played reasonably well in first half,very poor in second.Everyone needs to calm down a bit and stop over reacting,not a good performance but still got a point.

Bring on the Chelsea rent boys!!!


Yeah, because Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton are mancs through and through?? Jesus, they're not anti-Liverpool. Dunphy may well be, but the proof is there and they just declare it. We haven't won a league in a long long long time. We have no complaint if they say we don't have enough to win the league yet, because we haven't. If they were blatantly slagging Liverpool off I'd be the first to pen an e-mail of complaint to the old crusties.

[GaryMc]

I wasn't referring to their opinions solely on Liverpool. They do manage to discuss other teams on occasion as well. It's subjective anyway, but I think they do have measured opinions and not lamping out the lumpen masses well-worn, pleasing, sit on the fence rhetoric. That, in my opinion, is a bit condescending. Not everyone who watches footie is a fool. People do structure opinions, valid opinions, on their own. And I think that Sky punditry say things that please the viewer(the cowed viewer, in their opinion).

I don't think the lads on RTE have what you call something along the lines of drunken pub utterings. The contrary, in fact. The reason you might think that is because their take on a match might be delivered with vehemence and passion, on odd occasion a bit of interrupting, but overall well delivered, valid points.

Gilesy is stuck in the good old days when players did not need tactics and no one needed to be rested as they all played every game. Once you get basics right la la la..... Dunphy has his favourite players, Rooney, Terry, Fabregas and beyond football is now contaminated with poision, not like when players like Roy Keane, Roy Keane and Roy Keane were trying to break players legs. Once he makes an outlanish statement about a player, he never will admit he got it wrong, NEVER!!! He is a shame of a pundit and is only there for shock factor.

[Bren100]

Yeah, because Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton are mancs through and through?? Jesus, they're not anti-Liverpool. Dunphy may well be, but the proof is there and they just declare it. We haven't won a league in a long long long time. We have no complaint if they say we don't have enough to win the league yet, because we haven't. If they were blatantly slagging Liverpool off I'd be the first to pen an e-mail of complaint to the old crusties.

Agreed. Cant slate a man for telling it like it is.

[GaryMc]

Yeah, because Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton are mancs through and through?? Jesus, they're not anti-Liverpool. Dunphy may well be, but the proof is there and they just declare it. We haven't won a league in a long long long time. We have no complaint if they say we don't have enough to win the league yet, because we haven't. If they were blatantly slagging Liverpool off I'd be the first to pen an e-mail of complaint to the old crusties.

One of the reasons I dont watch many matches(esp Liverpool matches) on RTE is because of Ray Houghton. A true Ireland legend, but the most negative pundit on this earth. Last season when we beat Bestikas 8-0, Porto and Marseille he still managed to either blame the other side for not having the bottle or claim Liverpool were lucky. I dont know what his problem is, but he sure loves critising Liverpool. Have not seen much of Ronnie on the box, but I know he aint too fond of Rafa.

[rushscored4]

Yeah, because Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton are mancs through and through?? Jesus, they're not anti-Liverpool. Dunphy may well be, but the proof is there and they just declare it. We haven't won a league in a long long long time. We have no complaint if they say we don't have enough to win the league yet, because we haven't. If they were blatantly slagging Liverpool off I'd be the first to pen an e-mail of complaint to the old crusties.

Yes Ronnie Whelan supported the Mancs before he joined liverpool and he still does!!!They are anti liverpool ,never have a good word to say about us even if we win 4 or 5 nil. I dont think we have a good enough squd yet to win the league yet either,but if we play well they should say that and not always say the teams we are playing are crap.

[Bren100]

Getting off the point lads .... lets keep it to the thread.

We can start and Whelan / Houghton thread if necessary

[carpe diem]

this week is all about sunday anyway so fk tonight,we got a point when it should have been 3,but we'll beat madrid at home,beat marseille at home,psv game away wont matter and more than likely top the group,whatever happens i guarentee you we'll be in the next stage,so roll on sunday,had the chelsea game on the computer while watching the pool and they didnt look all that tonight,nevermind the result against boro,the worst ive ever seen boro play,but we got a chance sunday and we're still unbeaten baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jockser]

oh look another thread derailed by the "rte panel" B.S. debate......how interesting!!!

[gang of gin]

Yes Ronnie Whelan supported the Mancs before he joined liverpool and he still does!!!They are anti liverpool ,never have a good word to say about us even if we win 4 or 5 nil. I dont think we have a good enough squd yet to win the league yet either,but if we play well they should say that and not always say the teams we are playing are crap.



Sorry for getting off the point in the thread, but I don't see pundits from any other station swinging from the rooftops about Liverpool(just yet). Underachieving in whatever decade will always stick. Detractor or not. The only way to eradicate it is to prove all the b******s wrong.

[bobby benitez]

Rafa does nothing obvious. Expect at least 2 surprises tonight. .

Lads relax the cacks. All will be forgotten in the spring. 3 more points and thats it.

Ive been listening to people moaning about Rafa prioritising the CL for too long, now he makes PL top priority and he is slated. I would have rested Stevie, Dirk and Xabi tonight.

Chelsea is the most important game of the Rafa era, more important than Istanbul IMO.

[carpe diem]

start a thread gang of gin,im sure it will get lots of posts,im a fan tbh ,mainly because i dont take too much of what they say about liverpool to heart,but they have serious valid points that alot of people on here are not willing to accept,selective hearing is what they call it i think,hehe,their comments on the defence was valid tonight,will this lot accept it,i think not.

[marathonman]

Chelsea is the most important game of the Rafa era, more important than Istanbul IMO.

3 points or the Champions of Europe after been 3-0 down.Let me think about this one.

[carpe diem]

3 points or the Champions of Europe after been 3-0 down.Let me think about this one.

gotta say plus one on that comment,3points behind at the start of the season... would love to be sarcastic and nasty :D:D:D

[bobby benitez]

3 points or the Champions of Europe after been 3-0 down.Let me think about this one.

Well I am thinking of Spurs at home in May with Stevie G lifting that trophy.
I can watch my Istanbul DVD any day - lose on Sunday and it could be ANOTHER year.

[carpe diem]

Well I am thinking of Spurs at home in May with Stevie G lifting that trophy.
I can watch my Istanbul DVD any day - lose on Sunday and it could be ANOTHER year.

you obviously read my other posts then???? lol,given the 2 options you gave id take 2005 over sundays game 10/10,we lose 3 points sunday but lose a memory that lasts a lifetime in istanbul,sundays game wont decide the league mate,but it is more important than tonights game,chill out bud :D:D

[bobby benitez]

you obviously read my other posts then???? lol,given the 2 options you gave id take 2005 over sundays game 10/10,we lose 3 points sunday but lose a memory that lasts a lifetime in istanbul,sundays game wont decide the league mate,but it is more important than tonights game,chill out bud :D:D

I am chilled. My orginal point was that everyone else needed to chill atfer tonight.

Win lose or draw nobody can take away anyones memory of Istanbul. It was and probably always will be the greatest night of my life.

I will rephrase my earlier comment for the sake of the peace. Sundays game is the biggest LEAGUE game of the Rafa era IMO.

[carpe diem]

I am chilled. My orginal point was that everyone else needed to chill atfer tonight.

Win lose or draw nobody can take away anyones memory of Istanbul. It was and probably always will be the greatest night of my life.

I will rephrase my earlier comment for the sake of the peace. Sundays game is the biggest LEAGUE game of the Rafa era IMO.

im fairly confident games towards the end of this season will be classed as the biggest league games in the rafa era,this is only the start of the season bud,dont want an arguement with ya,just a difference of opinion thats all,dont see the chelsea game as a must win,although i think we'll get something from sunday,maybe jan 31st at anfield will be more important,but just to stick on the original thread liverpool and athletico will go through,im confident we'll top the group.

[Raven136]

Sunday is important but not the end of the world if we lose it.Keep level or ahead of United and we will be there or thereabouts.
Its clear we will get out of this group and fIrst or 2nd doesnt bother me as tough teams await in both instances.

I think rte make some valid points but only on the odd occasion.I believe that Giles and Dunphy dont understand modern football,they talked about bobby charlton last night.modern footballers and the modern game is a different beast.
Managers believe in tactics more,the defensive midfielder is the most important player in most teams now.Thats not true of 30 years ago.
Dunphy called Masch a donkey and said liverpool will win nothing carrying players like him and carra.Why in the name of God would i pay attention to this rubbish?
Do you think that any pundit who doesnt rate Ronaldo/Berbatov/Macherano and up until this year Gerrard talks sense.
He said the irish manager who has won league titles isnt entitled to his own opinion.
Granted sky are no great shakes either but RTE is just a panto,we all know what they say every champions league game about each team.
Liverpool:poor signings,tactics,rotation,honsesty of effort
Arsenal:cesc,wenger,kids,good football
Chelsea:Strong,Deco,clever,scolari
United:Rooney,laziness

Thats not punditry,thats bulls##t and we all know it.its not anti liverpool they are just full of it.Yeah the numbers are great for viewing but its mostly tripe.
Vincent Hogan wrote a great piece about it last year,its worth checking out.

Sorry,i'll be back on topic from now

[carpe diem]

Sunday is important but not the end of the world if we lose it.Keep level or ahead of United and we will be there or thereabouts.
Its clear we will get out of this group and fIrst or 2nd doesnt bother me as tough teams await in both instances.

I think rte make some valid points but only on the odd occasion.I believe that Giles and Dunphy dont understand modern football,they talked about bobby charlton last night.modern footballers and the modern game is a different beast.
Managers believe in tactics more,the defensive midfielder is the most important player in most teams now.Thats not true of 30 years ago.
Dunphy called Masch a donkey and said liverpool will win nothing carrying players like him and carra.Why in the name of God would i pay attention to this rubbish?
Do you think that any pundit who doesnt rate Ronaldo/Berbatov/Macherano and up until this year Gerrard talks sense.
He said the irish manager who has won league titles isnt entitled to his own opinion.
Granted sky are no great shakes either but RTE is just a panto,we all know what they say every champions league game about each team.
Liverpool:poor signings,tactics,rotation,honsesty of effort
Arsenal:cesc,wenger,kids,good football
Chelsea:Strong,Deco,clever,scolari
United:Rooney,laziness

Thats not punditry,thats bulls##t and we all know it.its not anti liverpool they are just full of it.Yeah the numbers are great for viewing but its mostly tripe.
Vincent Hogan wrote a great piece about it last year,its worth checking out.

Sorry,i'll be back on topic from now

think alot of us got side tracked tonight lol,but as you and i and many have said,we'll go through no bother.psv have 2 away games and us at home lol.

[marathonman]

Sunday is important but not the end of the world if we lose it.Keep level or ahead of United and we will be there or thereabouts.
Its clear we will get out of this group and fIrst or 2nd doesnt bother me as tough teams await in both instances.

I think rte make some valid points but only on the odd occasion.I believe that Giles and Dunphy dont understand modern football,they talked about bobby charlton last night.modern footballers and the modern game is a different beast.
Managers believe in tactics more,the defensive midfielder is the most important player in most teams now.Thats not true of 30 years ago.
Dunphy called Masch a donkey and said liverpool will win nothing carrying players like him and carra.Why in the name of God would i pay attention to this rubbish?
Do you think that any pundit who doesnt rate Ronaldo/Berbatov/Macherano and up until this year Gerrard talks sense.
He said the irish manager who has won league titles isnt entitled to his own opinion.
Granted sky are no great shakes either but RTE is just a panto,we all know what they say every champions league game about each team.
Liverpool:poor signings,tactics,rotation,honsesty of effort
Arsenal:cesc,wenger,kids,good football
Chelsea:Strong,Deco,clever,scolari
United:Rooney,laziness

Thats not punditry,thats bulls##t and we all know it.its not anti liverpool they are just full of it.Yeah the numbers are great for viewing but its mostly tripe.
Vincent Hogan wrote a great piece about it last year,its worth checking out.

Sorry,i'll be back on topic from now

Mate, everybody knows this. I know you mightn't have seen th old threads but there is more about the rte pundits than there is about some of the Liverpool players and that is no exaggeration.
I will always watch rte and for what it's worth I agree with most of your comments but I watch it for this reason.They are always controversial and I cannot stand the politically correct bbc and itv where nobody does anything wrong and they all watch the games through rose tinted spectacles, especially english teams in europe.

[mypost]

Mate, everybody knows this. I will always watch rte and for what it's worth. They are always controversial and I cannot stand the politically correct bbc and itv where nobody does anything wrong and they all watch the games through rose tinted spectacles, especially english teams in europe.

And what's wrong with that?? :confused:

RTE don't do analysis, they do abuse.

If people abuse LFC players/staff here, they get criticised, sworn at, and sometimes warned. Yet a bunch of mancs are lapped up on tv for doing it, in the name of "being controversial", and "a laugh".

The analysis on Sky may be weak, but at least it's people who have recently played the game offering measured opinions. RTE's headline act is the ramblings of a drunkard. Analysis doesn't have to be controversial. If people want to lambast the players, and discuss their faults, then forums are a good outlet for it.

As for the game itself, Darkey the boxing commentator was on Sky telling us that it wasn't a disaster, and in the grand scheme of things, it isn't. Rafa came for the draw, and got the draw, so he's happy on the flight home.

One other thing, we won the most important game of the season on September 13th. It's much bigger than Sunday.

[D-Red]

Awful game to watch and it always feels a bit deflating when you let in a a late goal.

BUT it was a good result when you look at the bigger picture. We are bang on track to qualify and should win the group in the process. No harm done.

Nice to see Rafa letting the Champs League take back seat to the Premiership this year, which is what we all wanted.

Less said about Robbie Keane's attempt to turn a 'tap-in' into 'goal of the season' the better...

[callyno3]

Happy enough with first half, very dissapointing second half. It must have been yossi's worst match in a liverpool shirt Arebola only got help from mash against the tricky simao. Babel could do with takin aleaf outta dirks book. Dirk always looked to get in a position to receive the ball, unless babel was told to play off the last defenders shoulder.
Still a draw isn't the end of the world.

[Paul]

I don't watch RTE for games because the commentary is as poor as you'll get anyway.
Regards after match analysis i rather form my own opinion on games so i dont watch the afters on any stations.

[marathonman]

[QUOTE=mypost;96226]And what's wrong with that?? :confused:

If you enjoy listening to them that's your perogative , but we're not all like you.

[Badman]

U cant blame the pundits for calling it as it is - we were cack in the 2nd half, the game was there for the taking and we didnt do the jobs. I wont criticise rafa for taking off injured players cos u have to, especially with chelsea on sunday. But the simple fact of the matter is our squad is so bad that we cant cope with injuries. we dont look anywhere near as strong as we did early in the season with a full squad - no skertl and torres and we were def weaker. taking of fgerrard, keane and then alonso( who was excellent for most of the game) and we looked like relegation canditates. defensively we're terrible, any ball down the channels or over the top is causing us problems.
some of the players are just not worthy of playing for liverpool, or in the CL. yossi si as weak as water, babel was terrible and still ahs no first touch, lucas is the worst midfielder i can remember ever to play for us - cant even take a free kick and get it off the ground - and arbeloa is the worst right back in the top 4 by a distance and was dreadfull exposed last night ( getting no help from yossi i might add).
athletico are very average, esp without aguero - chelsea are excellent and will test that creaking defense to the limit. thats not being negative, or anti-liverpool, its just pragmatic honesty. barring a remarkable return for torres and a revolutionary change to our defensive fortune, i cant see us taking anything from the bridge. 7 or 8 of our first 11 are top class and befitting of the highest stage, but some of the rest are very average. and full back is still after 2 or 3 years a major problem, esp with finnan gone. we'll still qualify tho, ive no worries there cos PSV ans marseill are terrible

[Pimboli]

Nice to see Rafa letting the Champs League take back seat to the Premiership this year, which is what we all wanted.

Less said about Robbie Keane's attempt to turn a 'tap-in' into 'goal of the season' the better...

Agreed.

I am glad though that Rafa has publically come out and tore Keane a new one for that miss. He's always had a habit of trying these fancy flicks and touches that 1 in 10 come off but Rafa will have smacked that habit out of him now once and for all.

[locallad]

I think it was a poor show, once Keane scored we should of went on to kill the game, as soon as they had a few chances they got goin, we v poor in full back positions, the 2 boys are poison!!

All in all it a draw wasnt the worst thing to happen but still should have pushed for 3 points.

[Pimboli]

taking of fgerrard, keane and then alonso( who was excellent for most of the game) and we looked like relegation canditates. defensively we're terrible, any ball down the channels or over the top is causing us problems.


Rafa showed his priority is the premiership this year taking Gerrard off so I have no problem with those substitues.

We were always going to come under pressure second half but look had Keane had that miss, and Beni's perfectly good goal (i think it was beni anyway) not ruled out we would have been 3 up before Atletico had their chances and it wouldnt have mattered

[mrpotatohead]

I don't watch RTE for games because the commentary is as poor as you'll get anyway.
Regards after match analysis i rather form my own opinion on games so i dont watch the afters on any stations.

Good man, its amazing how relaxed you feel not getting your knickers in a twist about pundits and rambling on about them for pages and pages :)

Careful though, forming your own opinion could get you in trouble though.

Awful game to watch and it always feels a bit deflating when you let in a a late goal.

BUT it was a good result when you look at the bigger picture. We are bang on track to qualify and should win the group in the process. No harm done.

Nice to see Rafa letting the Champs League take back seat to the Premiership this year, which is what we all wanted.

Less said about Robbie Keane's attempt to turn a 'tap-in' into 'goal of the season' the better...


Well said on all points, disappointing game, but we would have took the result before hand, and we are on track to qualify without too much hassle.
Had anything happened regards Gerard or Alonso getting ruled out for Sunday we would be facing a really uphill task.
Going by the last few seasons these games have been strangled by the midfields of each team, so we need Xabi and Stevie to be on top of their game*




*Seen as whoever tackles Xabi gets a red card, do you think Fat Frank will finally get his marching orders Sunday? He usually goes out of his way to buckle him :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[The Chanter]

Good possession first half - they couldn't get near the ball at times. I agree with resting players for Sunday but too complacent second half – there was no player able to get the ball down and take the sting out of the game.

Agger was out of position for the goal, Carra tried to cover him but couldn’t, Arbeloa got dragged in trying to cover Carra and nobody was covering right back. – defense needs more discipline or a better understanding of responsibilities. Dossena started the game well – looked good going forward.

Still, 1-1 away to the group rivals is not a bad result.

[Niall]

I don't watch RTE for games because the commentary is as poor as you'll get anyway.
Regards after match analysis i rather form my own opinion on games so i dont watch the afters on any stations.

Paul couldn't agree more i am the exact same. What amazes me is so many people (not saying anyone on here) just base their opinion on what rte say and it's more or less word for word. Really fcuks me off.

[Liverpool-law]

I didn't watch RTE afterwards either, knew what they would say anyway.

Our fullbacks last night were incredibly bad, I counted about four times that Arbeloa was in the center looking at the ball when there was an unmarked man standing on the far post. The goals/offsides equalled themselves out and on the balance of play we didn't deserve to win the match on that performance. We should have buried them early on, frustrating but it's an away point and we're still unbeaten this season.

Dossena is appalling, 8 million?? Any idea what the story is with Aurelio's injury?

[siflood]

Would have takin a draw before the game but we should have left there we a easy three points.
We need to sort out the left and right backs they are all just awful
If we play dossena (more so) than arbeloa against chelsea he will be ripped apart on the wings like he has been since he joined us

[Paul]

I didn't watch RTE afterwards either, knew what they would say anyway.

Our fullbacks last night were incredibly bad, I counted about four times that Arbeloa was in the center looking at the ball when there was an unmarked man standing on the far post. The goals/offsides equalled themselves out and on the balance of play we didn't deserve to win the match on that performance. We should have buried them early on, frustrating but it's an away point and we're still unbeaten this season.

Dossena is appalling, 8 million?? Any idea what the story is with Aurelio's injury?

In fairness Dossena was know where near our worst defender last night.

Carra caught bad for the goal.

Arbeloa caught out of position time and time again.

Agger - You're not a midfielder mate ;)

[Paul]

Paul couldn't agree more i am the exact same. What amazes me is so many people (not saying anyone on here) just base their opinion on what rte say and it's more or less word for word. Really fcuks me off.

Unfortunatly you get to hear everything in work or on line anyway.
From reading RAWK it seems sky were just as bad last night.
Shame they don't have fanzone for european games :D

[Juz]

I think we all need to take 5 here.

Last night was poor and at half time I could see it ending up a draw. Gerrard was definitely “Stevie Me� last night he didn’t seem to care. And what Whelan said about how after what Keane done that Souness would have grabbed him on the pitch and said "dont do that again" is why I still think despite being a wonderful talent “Stevie Me� is a poor man’s Souness. Carra despite the goal was our best defender (I know its not saying much) ive heard it suggested that when skrtel comes back Carra should be dropped for Agger or moved to accomadate Agger. No Way I know Agger is just easing his way back but he seems to forgot the basis of defending he was caught out of position so many times last night.

The two big disappointments IMO were
a) Robbie Keane. Took his goal brilliantly then 5 minutes later the Keane that everyone knows came to the fore. It was a good break involving Alonso and Gerrard a wonderful ball in by Gerrard, Keane had timed the run brilliantly then he tries that “flick� Idiotic is the only word I can think of. The lads in RTE while going over the top a little were right to have a go. Giles commented about his background (in football terms) and how he had so many moves when he was younger meant he developed bad habits like that at all his former clubs. He apoligised in the paper this morning claiming “the ball was swerving all over the place� but he said there was no excuses. Hopefully he won’t try that again but I doubt it. You could sense when Rafa was taking about it after the game he was livid. I’d say he ate the s h 1 t out of Keane.

b) Yossi Benayoun: Awful kept losing the ball in an attacking sense then he left Arbeloa isolated so many times in the second half it was embarrassing

Still in terms of results no permanent damage done. We should beat them at Anfield.

YNWA

JUZ

[prendy]

i think this time yesterday we'd all have been happy with 1-1. especially with Chelski on Sunday. I was dissapointed with Arbeloa and Yossi. thought that wing was by far our weakest side. I think Dossena and Riera are getting an understanding and i can see slight improvement in every game.

What was keane thinking? Not like he already has 20 goals to his name this season, still no major harm done and he wont do that again.
i thought he took his goal well though.

as for the TV debate, i prefer laughing at RTE anyday then listening to Jamie Rednap and Co.
i think RTE are grand if you dont take them seriously, for me the match is important bit, the rest is entertainment.

[dg2]

would have been happy with a point before the game but should have got all 3

[Juan]

i only could catch a few minutes of last nights game,but after reading through this match thread its become apparent to me that we missed out on a win because of Keane,Arbeloa,Houghton,Yossi,Dunphy and Whelan:p

[D-Red]

Gerrard was definitely “Stevie Me� last night he didn’t seem to care.

:eek:

[Juz]

:eek:

just the way i felt D-Red he seemed to be in a huff. Maybe im being harsh.

He's still no Souness though

YNWA

JUZ

[D-Red]

just the way i felt D-Red he seemed to be in a huff. Maybe im being harsh.

He's still no Souness though

YNWA

JUZ

No worries mate, For what it's worth you're right in that he wasn't great last night and wasn't overly impressive against Wigan either. But he's still a class act.
I'd say he cares more than most (Carragher excepted)

[Millhouse]

just the way i felt D-Red he seemed to be in a huff. Maybe im being harsh.

He's still no Souness though

YNWA

JUZ

Your not been harsh at all. He was going round the place with a big thick head on him - he lit Mascharano for giving the ball away and did the exact same thing himself a minute later. I was afraid some would give him a misplaced ball in case he's lose the head at em.

By no means is he indispenable - he was poor against Wigan and the weekend and should not have the right to be goin round like last night. He's the team captain after all

[Badman]

i think gerrard really misses having torres in the team (dont we all). e instictively knows where he is and torres nearly always sems to do the right thing withe ball afterwards...and it nearly always sticks. he doesnt have the same faith in robbie i think, at least three times last night gerrard got the ball and robbie was 20 yards behind him. the main purpose of being the sole man up top is to be alwasy avaialable. keane, the goal apart, was not good lasdt night. same problem with kuyt, fab worker and all that but his touch and pace up top are light years away from that of torres.
it doesnt excuse his sulking if thats what he was doing ....but i understand his frustration. he always seems to play better and with a smile on his face when fernando's on the park. i reckon after the chelski game, and the two of them are up and at it again then the results will flow

[MrsStevieG]

Mate, everybody knows this. I know you mightn't have seen th old threads but there is more about the rte pundits than there is about some of the Liverpool players and that is no exaggeration.
I will always watch rte and for what it's worth I agree with most of your comments but I watch it for this reason.They are always controversial and I cannot stand the politically correct bbc and itv where nobody does anything wrong and they all watch the games through rose tinted spectacles, especially english teams in europe.

Well said MM. Can somebody please start a thread in relation to RTE and keep all the comments in relation to them in there?!. I'm sorry but it's getting really annoying to have every European game turned into a slagging match about Dunphy & Co. If you like them, watch them. If you don't like them, don't watch them. Simple as that!!!:)

[dking]

For what it's worth you're right in that he wasn't great last night and wasn't overly impressive against Wigan either. But he's still a class act.

He wasn't .
He wasn't ,
and
he is .

Said to a mate while watching the wigan game that i thought he was carrying a knock .

[D-Red]

He wasn't .
He wasn't ,
and
he is .

Said to a mate while watching the wigan game that i thought he was carrying a knock .

Yeah it's very much possible. Whatever the problem is you just know with him it's just a matter of time and then bang, the massive performances come flooding back. no worries

[dking]

Yeah , for sure.
I remeber one of the ex players saying that even when Souness wasn't playing well that he made sure he got the best out of the rest of the players around him. Made sure they didnt drop their standard while he was having an off one .
If there is a criticism of the skipper , it doesn't look like he can do / or does this .

[Daz]

Your not been harsh at all. He was going round the place with a big thick head on him - he lit Mascharano for giving the ball away and did the exact same thing himself a minute later. I was afraid some would give him a misplaced ball in case he's lose the head at em.

By no means is he indispenable - he was poor against Wigan and the weekend and should not have the right to be goin round like last night. He's the team captain after all


Someone complained he doesn;t give out like Souness would, now someones complaining because he did have a go at someone - can;t really win can he.??

[dking]

Someone complained he doesn;t give out like Souness would, now someones complaining because he did have a go at someone - can;t really win can he.??

its called a difference of opinion mate.

[Daz]

its called a difference of opinion mate.

Thanks for pointing that out - but my point is basically no matter what he does I find he constantly get criticised and I;ve no problem pointing out that it pisses me off no end. Are there areass of his game he can improve on -yes, are there areas of his captaincy he can improve on - probably yes, but name me a player or captain who can;t.

[dking]

"Thanks for pointing that out"
I could have wrote that after your previous post too.


Ive never seen a guy get his game/personality/haircut analysed so much by everybody including his own supporters.

"yes, are there areas of his captaincy he can improve on - probably yes, but name me a player or captain who can;t."

Agree 100%.

If you look at my post i put "if" in bold .

Think the post earlier saying he shouldnt have been giving out to Mach is off the mark.
Thats just my opinion.

[mypost]

Robbie Keane. Took his goal brilliantly then 5 minutes later the Keane that everyone knows came to the fore. It was a good break involving Alonso and Gerrard a wonderful ball in by Gerrard, Keane had timed the run brilliantly then he tries that “flick” Idiotic is the only word I can think of. Hopefully he won’t try that again but I doubt it. You could sense when Rafa was taking about it after the game he was livid. I’d say he ate the s h 1 t out of Keane.

It's funny that when teams like Barcelona try to score flicks, everyone licks their backside, when our players try to do it, it's "idiotic". :confused: For what it's worth, I don't think he intended it as a flick, he just didn't connect with it properly. No harm in that. If anything it's Babel who should get more stick for his missed header near the end, when he should have turned and poked it in with his foot instead.

We were lucky to win in Marseille, the luck ran out last night, but we're well positioned to win the group.

[Daz]

"Think the post earlier saying he shouldnt have been giving out to Mach is off the mark.
Thats just my opinion.

I agree totally. And by the way my first post wasn;t in relation to yours (as I see you've highlighting IF), it was in relation to someone giving out he didn;t bollock Keane for his 'flick' and then someone giving out he had a go at Masch.

On the point of ex-players saying Souness would influence around him etc, have many ex and current teammates of Stevie not said the exact same thing

[Daz]

It's funny that when teams like Barcelona try to score flicks, everyone licks their backside, when our players try to do it, it's "idiotic". :confused: For what it's worth, I don't think he intended it as a flick, he just didn't connect with it properly. No harm in that. If anything it's Babel who should get more stick for his missed header near the end, when he should have turned and poked it in with his foot instead.

We were lucky to win in Marseille, the luck ran out last night, but we're well positioned to win the group.

I think 'silly or stupid' is a fair description of Keanes attempt, and I do think he definately intended a flick. However people calling him a disgrace and so on is way over the top.

And we're defo in a great position to win the group with 2 home games left. A home win against Athletico and that should be it I would think with them still having to go to Marseille too who will be fighting for a UEFA spot

[dking]

!"On the point of ex-players saying Souness would influence around him etc, have many ex and current teammates of Stevie not said the exact same thing"

Thats a good point .

Again just my opinion but I think there are times when the he doesn't play well and the team doesn't perform and he gets the blame . The first person some Reds go for on the sites after these games is him.
It should have nothing to do with him being argueably out most talented player(as all players have off games) , so therefore it must be peoples opinions on what a captain should be when he is not playing well. !?!?!?

[The Chanter]

He intended the flick alright. Although, he may have genuinely felt he had a better chance of scoring by dummying the keeper. Maybe he thought if he connected normally it would be easier for the keeper to read / save.

[D-Red]

Yeah, I think basically people always find it easier to blame the best player in a team when he underperforms because you notice it more.

Everyone expects the world from Gerrard so a couple of 'mediocre' games and immediately you hear people getting on his back.

His standards are huge and the standards the fans set for him are just as huge.
So one bad game and all the critics come out.

But you wouldn't want anyone else ahead of him on the team-sheet Sunday

[dking]

He intended the flick alright. Although, he may have genuinely felt he had a better chance of scoring by dummying the keeper. Maybe he thought if he connected normally it would be easier for the keeper to read / save.

Thats too much thinking :)
Lets be honest,
he should have just hit it and worried about the keeper saving it later .

Im sure he got it in the neck in training today.

[marathonman]

I think 'silly or stupid' is a fair description of Keanes attempt, and I do think he definately intended a flick. However people calling him a disgrace and so on is way over the top.




Would have to disgree with you mate on this one.Silly or stupid to me would be trying that on in a game that it is meaningless but to try it on in a game of this importance in terms of progression in the CL and also financially.What if we lost our next 2 games.
Keane is not that great of a player to be able to attempt these flicks.His season so far has been shaky enough and we talk about him getting confidence a few goals under his belt.Would he have tried it if he hadn't got the first.I doubt it.He was showing off.OK he works hard but so does Kuyt.He was bought to score goals and I thought what he did last night was a disgrace.
Only my opinion mate.

[Daz]

Would have to disgree with you mate on this one.Silly or stupid to me would be trying that on in a game that it is meaningless but to try it on in a game of this importance in terms of progression in the CL and also financially.What if we lost our next 2 games.
Keane is not that great of a player to be able to attempt these flicks.His season so far has been shaky enough and we talk about him getting confidence a few goals under his belt.Would he have tried it if he hadn't got the first.I doubt it.He was showing off.OK he works hard but so does Kuyt.He was bought to score goals and I thought what he did last night was a disgrace.
Only my opinion mate.

Fair enough but I defo think the word 'disgrace' is over the top. He (a) had a second or two at most to make a decision, which he made incorrectly and (b) executed that decision very poorly. Not the first player to miss a good chance or to make a poor decision and he certainly won;t be the last.

[marathonman]

Fair enough but I defo think the word 'disgrace' is over the top. He (a) had a second or two at most to make a decision, which he made incorrectly and (b) executed that decision very poorly. Not the first player to miss a good chance or to make a poor decision and he certainly won;t be the last.

Agreed but it was showing off.It was easier to hit it straight on.Torres wouldn't have done it but what annoys me the most about it is that we more than likely would have on to win it and in effect had 3 less games this season.All we would have needed at most would be a point from the next 3 games and would have been a great chance to rest players and kep them fresh.
If he had missed it completly without been flash I wouldn't be bothered.I can accept a miss no problem, but he is meant to be a professional and doing what he did is not on, imo.
__________________

[mypost]

Agreed but it was showing off.It was easier to hit it straight on.Torres wouldn't have done it but what annoys me the most about it is that we more than likely would have on to win it and in effect had 3 less games this season.All we would have needed at most would be a point from the next 3 games and would have been a great chance to rest players and kep them fresh.

If the ref had done his job right, the disallowed Atletico goal would have stood, and we'd still be going home with a point. If Carra had headed the clearance away, then they mightn't have equalised.

Who knows what would have happened? :confused: Missed chances happen in football. No need to be hammering him over it.

I hate the whole business of resting players anyway. Footballers are there to play football games. Otherwise they may as well be paying €50 a ticket to watch games like the rest of us.

[marathonman]

If the ref had done his job right, the disallowed Atletico goal would have stood, and we'd still be going home with a point. If Carra had headed the clearance away, then they mightn't have equalised.

Who knows what would have happened? :confused: Missed chances happen in football. No need to be hammering him over it.

Keanes goal was also offside.read the thread

[D-Red]

Missed chances happen in football. No need to be hammering him over it.

No need to hammer him over it. Fair enough.

BUT there IS a need to pull him up on it.

I'm sure Rafa wouldn't have just let him off without a word in his ear.

He cant do something like that again in the next game or there will be a need to hammer him over it

[windhover]

He was bought to score goals and I thought what he did last night was a disgrace.

completely agree lad. For once I found myself agreeing with the RTE dopes. Rushy wouldn' tcare how he looked putting it in but one thing for certain.. He would put it in!
I like Keane and would love to see him settle in at Anfield I hope he got a kick up the arse after that! As the good man said.. Football is a simple game

[mypost]

Keanes goal was also offside.

Don't think so. It was borderline, and the lino is supposed to give the benefit of the doubt to the forwards.

[marathonman]

Don't think so. It was borderline, and the lino is supposed to give the benefit of the doubt to the forwards.

He was clearly offside.
You would argue black was white just to get a response.Do you ever agree with anybody?

[RedMurph08]

We were lucky to win in Marseille, the luck ran out last night.

Lol unreal :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[mypost]

He was clearly offside.
You would argue black was white just to get a response.

I've looked at the decision several times, and I don't believe he was offside. From the longview camera shot, he was partly in line with the last defender, therefore on.

Some are using their dislike of Keane to justify the offside decision.

[marathonman]

I've looked at the decision several times, and I don't believe he was offside. From the longview camera shot, he was partly in line with the last defender, therefore on.

Some are using their dislike of Keane to justify the offside decision.

You are either in line behind or in front,there is no such thing as been partly in line.Why would anybdy say it was offside just because they don't like a player.A goal for Liverpool is a goal and always one to celebrate.It's either offside or it's not and it clearly was offside.

[mypost]

You are either in line behind or in front,there is no such thing as been partly in line. It's either offside or it's not and it clearly was offside.

His head was in front of the last defender, but one foot if not both, were in line with the last defender, hence why I said "partly in line". Therefore in my eyes he was onside.

[Juz]

No need to hammer him over it. Fair enough.

BUT there IS a need to pull him up on it.

I'm sure Rafa wouldn't have just let him off without a word in his ear.

He cant do something like that again in the next game or there will be a need to hammer him over it

His head was in front of the last defender, but one foot if not both, were in line with the last defender, hence why I said "partly in line". Therefore in my eyes he was onside.

If any part of the body is ahead of the last defender then the player is offside. IMO keane was offside last night as it wasnt just his head that was offside. When the ball left Gerrards foot the only thing between Keane and the goal was the goalkeeper. Hence by the Rules he is offside.

As for his "effort" disgraceful and was a big insult to Liverpool fans who went over there at greatr expense to see him showboating like that. I hope it never happens again

YNWA

JUZ

[mypost]

If any part of the body is ahead of the last defender then the player is offside.

You'd be disallowing half the goals in football if you were that technical. It's like saying "ball to hand" in the area is a penalty, and technically it probably is. Rarely given though.

[RedMurph08]

Can someone lock this monotonous tripe? He would argue the grass is blue!

[IrishRed1892]

jesus fukcing christ it was a goal and thats that half the fukcing goals in the PL/CL are offside its a spur of the moment decision that the linesman can't go back on so until video technology is introduced to the game theres nothing anyone can do about it except maybe change the offside rule back to what it used to be instead of this "the player must be active" $hite!

[Rover 609]

Ive wasted several minutes of me life reading through some of the s***e posted on this thread.

[arklowred]

likewise azzkikr. not surprising to see who's posting it

[James]

Ive wasted several minutes of me life reading through some of the s***e posted on this thread.

Me too. I should of just came to the end.

[Gerry]

Ive wasted several minutes of me life reading through some of the s***e posted on this thread.


Looked at this thread last night when we got back from the airport and could not think of the words to use but ronan you have summed everything up just nicely ! a few minutes i will never get back

[Rover 609]

Great to see most of the travelling wilburys have made it back from madrid.keanefornando our official translator for all aways,brush up on ur dutch mate 6 weeks to go.

Great meeting up with the IK lads and putting a couple of new faces to the name,ps to phil ur booked mate for oasis,mammy said its alright.

[Gerry]

ps to phil ur booked mate for oasis,mammy said its alright.

is he allowed in the house or the tent ?

[Dub13]

from the Athletico site.


The two teams drew on the pitch, but the two groups of fans won. And by a wide margin. No arguments about that. The Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool supporters set a perfect example and for this reason the Atleti organization would like to thank both sets of fans for their exquisite sportsmanship. The attitudes of thousands of followers who focused solely on enjoying the show, respecting all of the ’fair play’ codes, were impeccable. All of the supporters who turned the Vicente Caldéron into a venue where respect for the opposing team and fans trumped all get a ‘10’ for their sportsmanship.

The National Security Forces were deployed in a way seldom done before. The media were hanging on the slightest detail to report. UEFA had warned that they would examine everything that happened at Estadio Vicente Calderón under a magnifying glass. That’s how the Atlético-Liverpool match was presented, apart from any purely football circumstances. And in the end the football ‘fiesta’ was plenary and enjoyed by all thanks to the exemplary and model behavior of the two groups of supporters, both before, during and after the match.

Two similar supporter groups experienced firsthand the great duel that took place on the pitch. Just like Atlético de Madrid’s, the Liverpool fans have a very close and passionate connection with their Club. They also suffered through some tough times, but they never lost their faith. And they never do, just like the ‘rojiblanco’ backers. And that similarity was reflected both inside and outside of the Vicente Calderón. There are so many common threads between the two sides that the empathy was immediate. One set has Fernando Torres as their indisputable idol while the other hasn’t forgotten about him. For this reason, so many jerseys were seen of both clubs with the name and number of the striker on the back.

Other players have also caused the ties between the two institutions to have tightened in recent years. Luis GarcÃ*a has made a round-trip between the two squads. He wrapped up a fantastic season at Atlético several years ago, and then several years later became an idol to the Liverpool followers. Now he’s back at Atlético, but they haven’t forgotten about him at Anfield. And the same can be said for Sinama-Pongolle, who played under Rafa BenÃ*tez and now forms part of Javier Aguirre’s team. He is still remembered by the red half of Merseyside.



Liverpool supporters began to mingle with the local side’s devotees before the match kicked off. As they began to arrive in Madrid, the British backers began to take hold of the centre of the capital, where the fans of Atlético’s foreign teams tend to congregate. The locals displayed excellent conduct from the first moment, while others acted as top level hosts. All of them had been brought together by a single passion.

The arrival of the Liverpool supporters to the Vicente Calderón took place with complete normalcy. Fans of both teams even shared coaches in the underground, without causing even the slightest incident. The trading of scarves and jerseys, normal between two football teams, was constant between the two groups, leaving the camaraderie existent clear for all to see. In Liverpool’s end, one could see red-and-white striped jerseys and flags, while in the rest of the stadium jerseys of the ‘Reds’ and scarves of the English side could be observed everywhere. It was an atypical image that was worth more than a thousand words.

The encounter began and each set of supporters were dedicated to cheering on their team. They were centred on enjoying a great Champions League match and getting behind their respective squads. Nothing else. Not a single, out-of-place dialectic ‘battle’ from either side. They even joined together in applauding Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, when he left the pitch. They cheered for their own, but so did the Atleti fans, as they valued his hard work and, above all, his incredible skill.

The referee blew the final whistle, but undoubtedly the best gesture of the day was yet to come. The Liverpool supporters were held back in the stands until the vicinity of the stadium was clear. But a group of Atlético fans waited for the Brits to be let out with the best of intentions. This group spontaneously formed a tunnel and the Liverpool supporters were applauded as they left the Vicente Calderón. It was an unforgettable moment. The second half of this friendly rivalry will be played at Anfield in two weeks time and surely it will be even better…

[Rover 609]

is he allowed in the house or the tent ?

Its a big tent Gerry,but unfortunately the way things is going even the tent could be repossessed soon;)

[trucker]

Ive wasted several minutes of me life reading through some of the s***e posted on this thread.

Well said Ronan! Some crap been wrote all right, see you next week for the home leg!