Liverpool repeat Istanbul heroics
I would love to know what the odds were on the FA Cup final ending 3-3 and then Liverpool winning on penalties. I thought I would never see anything like Istanbul again; I was wrong. West Ham were awesome and very unlucky to lose the game but Liverpool just kept going and going in and Steven Gerrard we truly have one of the greatest players in the world at the moment. His goal to make it 2-2 was fantastic; his goal to make it 3-3 was simply majestic. The game was so similar to the Champions League final that even at the end of extra-extra time Reina had to make a great save to deny the Hammers, just like Dudek made against Shevchenko. I take my hats off to both teams for giving us one of the best FA Cup finals ever.
As a Liverpool fan I am delighted that we have ended the season winning some silverware. Rafa has been here for two seasons and has delivered two trophies in that time, and we have also, this season, achieved our highest ever points tally in the Premiership. Under Houllier we had the potential to be a great side; under Benitez we are realising that potential. Benitez knows that Liverpool need to improve even further to win the league and this is where Houllier failed. His signings were simply awful and we ended up going backwards. I cannot see Benitez making the same mistakes and if he can get the right players in, then we really will be serious title contenders.
This is a great time to be Liverpool fan.
posted by SKG at 5/14/2006 12:13:00 pm
EFT match of the season for 2008/2009: Barcelona construct a masterclass footballing performance to defeat the reigning Champions League holders and current English champions, Manchester United, by a scoreline of 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome
EFT player of the season for 2008/2009: Chelsea central midfielder, Frank Lampard
EFT player of the month for May 2009: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for April 2009: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for March 2009: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2009: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
EFT player of the month for January 2009: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
EFT player of the month for December 2008: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2008: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2008: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for September 2008: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for August 2008: Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic)
EFT match of Euro 2008: Turkey's amazing comeback from two goals down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 as captain Nihat Kahveci's two goals in the last three minutes sensationally put his country through to the quarter finals at the expense of their beaten opponents
EFT player of Euro 2008: Spain (anchor) central midfielder, Marcos Senna
EFT match of the season for 2007/2008: Liverpool win titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg 4-2 against Arsenal that also saw two of the best football moments of the season - Fernando Torres' top corner strike and Theo Walcott's thrilling run across the whole of Anfield.
EFT player of the season for 2007/2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for May 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for April 2008: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
EFT player of the month for March 2008: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2008: David James (Portsmouth)
EFT player of the month for January 2008: Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for December 2007: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
EFT player of the month for November 2007: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for October 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for September 2007: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for August 2007: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for May 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for April 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for March 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for February 2007: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for January 2007: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for December 2006: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for November 2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2006: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
EFT player of the month for September 2006: Andrew Johnson (Everton)
EFT player of the month for August 2006: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
EFT match of World Cup 2006: Italy win a thrilling 'end-to-end' World Cup semi-final 2-0 against Germany courtesy of two late extra time goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero 
EFT player of World Cup 2006: Italy captain and centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro
EFT match of the season for 2005-2006: Liverpool win the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties against West Ham after a Steven Gerrard-led fighback saw the Anfield side recover from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the match in normal time
EFT player of the month for May 2006: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for April 2006: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for March 2006: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
EFT player of the month for February 2006: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough)
EFT player of the month for January 2006: Jason Roberts (Wigan Athletic)
EFT player of the month for December 2005: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2005: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for October 2005: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for September 2005: Danny Murphy (Charlton Athletic)
EFT player of the month for August 2005: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT match of the season for 2004-2005: Liverpool win Champions League final 3-2 on penalties against AC Milan after sensationally recovering from 3-0 down to level the match in normal time
10 Comments:
SKG- when Liverpool went two goals down I said one word to my brother: 'Istanbul'. It's amazing that lightning did strike twice!You are spot on to highlight the similarites- even going down to a last mintue great save in extra-time by Reina to take it to penalties.
As I said on Redsman's post- I definitely believe like you that your team are on the way up under Benitez's leadership. He is a fantastic manager- and I'm convinced he is going to bring in more quality players in the summer that will strengthen the team. His determination looks clear to build a team that will win the P'ship title... and given his record at Valencia and his first two seasons at Anfield, who will back against him not being able to achieve this feat?
5/14/2006 5:46 pm
With Benitez there is immense promise, he is tactical and when I have doubted his judgement I have nonetheless stood behind him, for he knows and feels the team. He, as much as any other coach, despise losing and it hurts when it happens, so he aims to build the team in accordance with the club spirit into a strong one. But improvement and purchases (one may bring the other) are required to push the likes of Chelsea for the title. I hope so, made the race much more unpredictable than it has been,
RedsMan.
5/14/2006 7:42 pm
i've noticed more similarities between the two finals - kewell started both games and was substituted injuring his groin; milan were also wearing white shirts like the hammers; the penalties were taken at the opposition end; hamann came on as a sub; liverpool players got cramp. can anyone else think of more? i've also heard that liverpool's bus route around the city today was identical!
5/14/2006 7:58 pm
It just goes to show what a difference a truly world-class player can make. Very few teams are lucky to have one in their ranks and when the chips are down its these players who seperate teams. Gerrards done on the big occasions just like Zizou. can't wait to see which of Ronaldinho or the perennial big stage flop Henry will show their true colours on wednesday!
5/15/2006 4:42 pm
Yes, Anon (4.42PM), what a final to come in the Stade de France. Possibly the toss-up between Henry's speed, vision, and finishing, and Ronaldinho's equal vision, skill, and finishing. What is it that makes you say he is a big stage flop?
RedsMan.
5/15/2006 9:22 pm
I just think that the great attacking players prove themselves in the big occasions by dominating defences and scoring goals. Henry is older than Ronaldinho and has more opportunities but...he failed to score in the finals of: UEFA Cup 2000, Euro 2000, the three consecutive cup finals between 2001-2003. He also failed to score in the world cup 2002 and didnt exactly set the world on fire at euro 2004. I'm not saying he isn;t a good player, he is. You have a feature on Shearer, who didn't get the opportunity to play in massive games and no matter his class his legacy will be affected by that. Henry has had those chances and been in those teams, but he hasn't, so far, stamped his authority on world football with his performances. Zidane has done it, Gerrards done it, Ronaldos done it, but Henry hasn't and Ronaldinho is getting his first chance this summer with a CL final and a World Cup. If Ronaldinho failed to score/open up teams this summer in Germany it would be regarded as a flop because he should step up in those circumstances.
5/16/2006 4:39 pm
Right, Anon, thanks for returning back. I believe T, a Gooner fan, asked why it was Henry was overlooked for World Player Of The Year in an article either this year or last, and I stated that possibly one's performance domestically and internationally is taken into consideration.
My logic is one cannot be World Player and be the best in the world without influentially playing globally, i.e. internationally. Head-tohead, I think Henry has a superior doemstic record to Ronaldinho's and this is then balanced in the Brazilian's favour when intenrational records are compared.
RedsMan
5/16/2006 10:59 pm
I agree with anon on his comments about Henry but not realy about the others. He claims players like Gerard have done it and Ronaldinho is getting his first chance? Erm Gerard has been preety average for england and hasnt done or won any international honour but you put him in that list. Lets see what he can do this time around.... Ronaldinho was a rising star in the last world cup and had a good world cup? Remember the goal againts England? He has already been there and done that...:)
5/17/2006 3:02 pm
No, fair point, Anon (3.02PM), Gerrard has been average for England, England in general have been average, which I find incredible when I look on the players we have.
RedsMan.
5/17/2006 4:51 pm
I see what you are saying but I mean Gerrard has done it by scoring in SIX finals! Admittedly hes been average for England and ahasn;t produced the same form but I think his performances in big finals show him to be a world beater. Ronaldinho did score in the world cup but it was Ronaldo's goalscoring form that was the stand out...You make a good point though.
5/18/2006 9:56 am
Post a Comment
<< Home