LIVERPOOL FC came so close but sadly failed at the final hurdle. A gallant effort by the whole team but it wasn’t meant to be. Who knows, if we’d taken one of the chances we had over in Russia, it might have made our life easier going into last night’s game.
Unfortunately a defensive lapse by Carragher playing in his 150th and ultimately his last game in Europe miscontrolled a pass which Hulk seized upon and coolly ran towards the goal and dispatched it into the Kop net.
You could hear a pin drop when that goal was scored.
In the end the defensive mistake cost us the tie. You may think I am harsh as Carra has been a terrific servant to the club since he made his debut all them years ago, however experienced players whoever they play for, should know in a game of such importance that errors can totally affect the result.
Hopefully people will remember Carra as someone who would put his life on the line for the team – a prime example Istanbul – rather than the defensive mistake.
On a more positive note the whole crowd before and during the game were fantastic in creating a wall of noise that set the occasion in that it was one of those special European nights. The way Anfield needs and should be even in league games. The atmosphere could be improved and the fans should get more involved we all know what the ‘12th man’ can do.
The equaliser was courtesy of a typical forward burst by Daniel Agger who was fouled on the edge of the box by defender Nicolas Lombaerts. The Zenit players tried to delay the taking of the free kick numerous times before Bjorn Kuipes, the referee, booked Igor Denisov and Suarez made them pay by blasting the set piece through the Zenit wall and into the net.
An unlikely scorer in Joe Allen put the Reds 2-1 in front on the night after Jose Enrique found space down the left an exchanged passes with Henderson before crossing from the byline for Allen. Allen’s initial header was parried but the midfielder followed up to hook home, a scrappy goal but they all count and credit to Joe for being in the right place at the right time.
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The lads regrouped at half time and took the momentum into the second half knowing that two more goals and they would pull off one of the greatest comebacks in history.
Tomas Hubocan was very lucky not to have conceded a penalty after his handball was missed by the referee and his assistants (what is the point of the guys with the baton standing there if they don’t do anything – 5th official). I have seen them given.
On 59 minutes Roman Shirvov fouled Suarez outside the box and majestically our number 7 stepped up and curled an inch perfect shot into the top corner. I did shed a tear at that moment as I thought that maybe the impossible is going to happen, looking to the skies for divine intervention. The fans did all they could to inspire the team to find the 4th and most important goal of all.
If only Stevie G’s acrobatic effort that was awkwardly bouncing towards the Kop net only for Malafeev to palm the ball out of reach.
The elusive goal didn’t materialise and cruelly the Reds were knocked out on the away goals rule.
I cannot fault the team for their efforts they showed the passion, belief and mental toughness that has been lacking at times this season. Overall a very good performance which would of pleased the fans and Brendan Rodgers.
Hopefully the squad can take the experience into the remaining 11 fixtures to achieve a possible European place finish.
Follow me on Twitter @MRSSG
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