Huzzah! Liverpool beat Arsenal and have gone through to the Champions League semi-final!
What really amazes me is that, once again, Liverpool have produced a superb UCL display. Not for the first time in recent seasons, Liverpool look like a completely different team when playing in the UCL compared to when they play in the premiership.
In the premiership, they very often look pedestrian in the games that I watch. At times, even when they win, it seems like the players are just knocking the ball around and seem bereft of vision or any desire to win the game. In fact, when you watch a Liverpool side in the premiership, I very often don't get the feeling that they could score at any moment (unlike for example, Man Utd or Arsenal who are fantastic attacking teams). To be honest, I am being unfair on Liverpool here as the statistics probably don't bear this out (they are ranked fifth in the premiership in terms of goals scored) - but that is the impression I get.
However, in the UCL, they manage to beat teams who are, on paper anyway, a better team than them. And they do this consistently. Believe it or not, over the last four years, this will be the third time that they will have reached the semi-final. And considering their recent record against Chelsea in the UCL, I'm sure many people will be hopeful that they can make it to the final.
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4 comments:
"We're off to Moscow!"
You're right - it does seem rather strange. However saying that, Liverpool have not been far off in the premier league.
This season, its not been losses that have cost them, but too many draws, especially against the poorer teams. There was a period where the team just did not get going around Dec-Feb.
Things have improved since they got in a new defender during the Jan transfer window (Skyrtel) and settled on the 4-2-3-1 formation that Rafa used in Valencia.
Saying all of this, they are fourth with an outside possibility of 3rd if Arsenal slip up any further.
Anyway, lets see how they do next year, although Man U are still the team to beat.
Bro
The interesting thing is, statistically, Liverpool are one of the best defensive teams in the league. Only Man Utd and Chelsea have let in less goals.
Also, I really don't see them catching up to Arsenal. With 5 games left to go, Liverpool are still 8 points behind - which means that Arsenal need to lose 3 games for Liverpool to even have a hope.
However, if you look at the fixture list, Arsenal have Man Utd, Reading, Derby, Everton and Sunderland left to play. Admittedly, some tough games against Man Utd and Everton but the other 3 are all way down the league.
I did say an outside chance. And you are forgetting about draws (which they have had a few of recently)
Liverpool to win their 5 remaining games, taking 15 points.
If Arsenal lose vs. ManU and Everton, and only draw vs. Reading and Sunderland, then Liverpool overtake them.
Also, don't write off Reading - they are a bunch of dirty players who could do a "Bolton" on Arsenal...
Sunderland are also finding a vein of form to pull themselves out of the relegation zone - and with Roy Keane as manager you know they will put in the hard work.
It all depends on how well Arsenal recover from their CL hangover, and how well they knuckle down for this final push.
A couple of big assumptions there. First off, Liverpool don't exactly have an easy lineup as they need to face some goods teams as well. In other words, there is doubt whether they can win all 5 games.
Secondly, even if Arsenal screw up and lose to Man Utd and Everton, I just don't see them screwing up so badly that they only manage a draw against BOTH Reading and Sunderland.
Yes - its mathematically possible. But when you start talking about "mathematically possible", then you know the season's over.
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