Liverpool FC V Barcelona

Euro nights are special for Liverpool anyway but when you have the likes of Barcelona in town these nights seem to have that little something extra.

Barca’s team sheet looked formidable on paper with an attacking line up to make even the most experienced defenders shudder. Messi, Eto and Ronaldinho all started and the game plan would surely be to get the ball up to them as often and as quick as possible, the tie would then take care of itself wouldn’t it?

Well as it turned out the legendary 12th man was in attendance at Anfield tonight and was in full voice, he seemed to have the visitors unnerved a little as they timidly tried to go through the gears and find that top gear that in the past has seen them effortlessly cut through defences and rack up the kind of scores you'd expect of such a talent filled side. From the off Liverpool played like a side possessed, Gerrard starting out on the right and running himself ragged, as did Bellamy and Kuyt. Along with Carragher these four formed the backbone of the Liverpool effort and crisp passing from Gerrard and Alonso added to Barca’s problems. Momo’s presence in the middle was also a thorn for Barca although his passing wasn't up to much. Riise was a constant threat down the left and continually ran down the wing to test Thuram and seemed desperate to score as he kept eyeing up goal every time he was in range. His efforts almost paid off when he hit the crossbar after Thuram backed off enough to give him the room. Sissoko also hit the bar in a John Barnes style effort after Valdes had sliced a clearance and at half time the shot counter read 10-1 in our favour.

Wait a minute, I can’t remember Barca having a shot.

The formidable front three line up that was supposed to have the Red defenders shaking in their boots were AWOL. Not one of them had a major impact on the game and Eto slipped off the pitch without anyone really noticing. Were Barca just going to lie down and accept defeat?Probably not.

Whilst Barca seemed to have more possession, Liverpool seemed to be more sensible with their time on the ball, reflected in the shot counter and I'm sure I saw Rijkaard say “Have you seen the bloody shot counter?” to one of his coaching staff.

Rijkaard’s team talk at half time seemed to have little effect, Barca managed to rack up a few shot counter style efforts in the second half but did little to threaten the Liverpool goal other than that. Ronaldinho did his best to level the woodwork count with a shot curled around Reina and off the post, Liverpool deserved to be in front overall.
With time ticking away and Liverpool still taking the fight to Barca through the efforts of Kuyt and Gerrard particularly, Barca needed something more and the change came with the substitution of Eidur Gudjohnsen on for Lilan Thuram. It seemed to be just what the Dutchman ordered. Gudjohnsen scored with 15 minutes left and the game was left to sit on a knife edge.

There was a kind of storm from Barca where they controlled much of the last quarter of an hour of the game and at one point it looked like they might get the second goal they needed; the ghosts of Man united seemed to be returning with Liverpool maybe paying the price for not taking advantage of the chances they created. The referee had been very generous with the yellow cards all night and took acceptation to Pepe wasting time and gave him one too. Pennant came on for Bellamy and later Crouch for Kuyt, the two combined well to create an opportunity for Crouch to calm anxious Liverpool hearts but he blasted over from close range.
Ultimately we deserved to go through, it would have been nice to have gone through without losing at home but we’re through to the last 16 and that’s all that matters.