Reds Earn a Trip to Athens on PKs
Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Goalie Jose Reina stopped two penalty kicks and Liverpool converted its first four attempts in a shootout to defeat Chelsea on Tuesday and advance to the Champions League final.
Defender Daniel Agger gave Liverpool the one goal it needed in regulation to force a 1-1 aggregate tie and Boudewijn Zenden, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt scored in the shootout. Liverpool advanced on penalty kicks, 4-1.
Liverpool will play in the final for the seventh time in club history and eliminated Chelsea in the semifinals for the second time in three years. Chelsea also had its 23-game unbeaten streak snapped, a stretch dating back to a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in a Premiership game at Anfield.
Liverpool, which dropped the first leg of the semifinals at Chelsea 1-0, will play the winner of Wednesday's other semifinal between Manchester United and AC Milan on May 23 in Athens. Manchester United won the first leg, 3-2.
Zenden attempted the first penalty kick and struck it well into the upper right corner with his left foot. Chelsea substitute Arjen Robben was then denied by Reina, who dove to his left to knock the ball wide.
Alonso was next for Liverpool and his attempt went just under Chelsea goalie Petr Cech on the right side. Frank Lampard answered for Chelsea, striking a perfect shot into the upper right.
Gerrard then calmly struck a low shot into the right side of the net, blowing a kiss to the fans at Anfield afterward. Chelsea called on another substitute for its third attempt, but Reina dove to his right to stop a poor attempt by Geremi.
Kuyt, who thought he scored in overtime but had the goal disallowed by offsides, didn't waste another opportunity to win the game. He hit the ball into the lower left corner for the clincher, then jumped into Reina's arms to celebrate.
Reina's heroics and Liverpool's 4-for-4 effort in penalty kicks will long be remembered, but the most important goal came just 22 minutes into a game that lasted 120.
On a free kick just outside the box on the left side, Gerrard played a ball square on the ground to the top of the box. Agger raced uncovered to the ball and perfectly one-timed an unstoppable low shot with his left foot just inside the left post.
Chelsea was silent until the 32nd minute of the first half when Didier Drogba managed its first shot. John Obi Mikel passed to a streaking Drogba down the right side and he was able to touch the ball into the box and unleash a hard shot. But Reina denied Drogba his seventh goal in the Champions League.
Drogba's near-miss did spark Chelsea, though. After managing to hold possession just 30 percent of the time for the first 25 minutes, Chelsea played much better for the remainder of the half. The team's next chance came in the 40th minute off a corner when Drogba headed the ball to open teammate Michael Essien but he wasn't able to connect as the ball skipped off his shoulder for a goal kick.
Chelsea had its final opportunity of the first half in the closing seconds when Lampard directed a free kick toward the near post. The dangerous chance was punched away by Reina to preserve Liverpool's 1-0 lead.
Early in the second half, Liverpool finally displayed its aerial attack. Peter Crouch, a 6-foot-8 striker, nearly put a header inside the near post in the 55th minute and Kuyt sent a header off the crossbar in the 59th minute.
Chelsea's first chance in the second half was in the 75th minute when Ashley Cole crossed a ball from the end line to just a few yards in front of the goal. The ball was somehow deflected up and over the crossbar by a Liverpool defender, although the referee believed Drogba got the last touch on the ball and awarded a goal kick.
Reina made one of his best plays in the 85th minute when he raced off his line to beat Drogba to a loose ball. Liverpool then nearly put the game away late in regulation when Zenden bent a shot toward the far post but it was saved by Cech.
Although Liverpool dominated possession early in the first half, Chelsea leveled the playing field by the end of regulation. Still, Chelsea went more than 60 minutes between shots on goal, both attempts by Drogba. After a shot on goal in the 32nd minute, Drogba's next attempt was in the first overtime.
Liverpool looked to have the deciding goal in the first overtime when Kuyt buried the ball into the net off a rebound, but with the fans erupting in celebration, the offside flag was shown. Kuyt covered his face with his hands in disbelief.
Chelsea's best chance in the first overtime was on a corner but Reina hauled in a loose ball near the goal-line to end the threat.
Chelsea had a few scoring chances in the second overtime. Drogba fanned on a cross from just a few yards out with five minutes left and another opportunity was wasted when Lampard put a free kick out of bounds.
Liverpool's best chance in the second overtime was with just a couple minutes remaining when Kuyt created space inside the box and unleashed a hard shot Cech stopped.
But minutes later, following Kuyt's conversion in penalty kicks, Cech remained on the ground as Liverpool's players, coaches and fans celebrated.
Comments
POOOOOOL! THe kop rules the day again. Bye bye Chelsea. Hate the Pks, but love the result. Pool deserved to win anyway. See you May 23rd!
Posted by: the kopper | May 1, 2007 07:13 PM
Hail the mighty Pool! Bye Dirty Jose! Bye! I'm sure Roman has plans for you! Even in defeat Dirty Jose is trying to work the mind games saying Chelsea were better. Not tonight! Good job Pool! Well done!
Posted by: Dave | May 1, 2007 07:18 PM
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh ya.
Posted by: Keeeper King | May 1, 2007 07:42 PM
A rematch of 2005 coming? There's a very good chance. Milan has to be hungry to get another shot at Liverpool, they're going home and they have Kaka's two road goals. That's a lot of motivation. But they still need to win. And United never give up. Milan better get a goal early, or it'll be an all English final.
Posted by: yoyo | May 1, 2007 08:49 PM
I'm glad Liverpool won! Well done! It was nice to see that smirk taken off the face of Chelsea's manager Jose. That man has missed his true calling in life. With all the mind games & verbal banter he likes to engage in he should have stayed in school & become a shrink. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea's owner keeps him around.
Posted by: Johnson | May 2, 2007 02:56 AM
I respect Jose for his game tactics as a manager. However I think he makes a fool of himself when he opens his mouth & try's to play head games.There's really no need for it. It's a waste of time.
Posted by: Spivey Point | May 2, 2007 05:17 AM
I was so happy when Jose lost in that 2nd leg to count Chelsea out of run. I am very optmistic that Man U will join L'Pool on 23rd May 07.
Posted by: Revelian S. N | May 2, 2007 07:29 AM
good job reds,all in serbia knew that liverpool was better taem last night...see you in Athens 23rd...and Steve Gee w love u mare then God....Reina is the king of the world...
Posted by: mario from serbia | May 2, 2007 08:34 AM
Just want to say‚that I`m so glad,for Pool`s victory,and I hope that Roman will realise that he can buy the best players,but he can`t buy champions league trophy,because he`s reserved for those who play by hart,and not by money...
Posted by: Mario from Serbia | May 2, 2007 08:47 AM
Giova and soccer dr where are you? I am missing your comments here.
Posted by: Revelian S. N | May 2, 2007 09:10 AM
damn man that was a good game a saw it i wanted chelsea to win but is all good cuz manchester is gonna beat ac milan n then baet liverpool they r gonna let them take it........
Posted by: "M.A.S.G" | May 2, 2007 09:53 AM
We hate Notingham forest,we hate Everton too,we hate Manchester united but Liverpool reds we love you...well done last night,hope to found the ticket for the final match...
Posted by: kostas | May 2, 2007 12:44 PM
Wow, can it be that Milan-Liverpool will be the final again???? I still remember that crazy final 2 or 3 years ago, 3-0 than 3-3, and it went to penalties..........I would like to see them two again.
Posted by: wolfen | May 2, 2007 01:13 PM
well now that manchester united is out i hope that liverpool will smash milan.
Posted by: john | May 2, 2007 07:07 PM
cant bellive that Milan smashed United just like that...can Liverpool beat Milan...to be or not to be the question...
Posted by: mario from serbia | May 3, 2007 03:46 AM
Jose Mourinho needs to get a life. Chelsea were completely outplayed. Benitez has Mourinho's number. Chelsea had no creativity, no imagination. Then Chelsea took the penalties like they were the English National Team. I see some house cleaning for Chelsea in the summer.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 3, 2007 07:31 PM
Good luck Liverpool! Forza Milan! It's going to be the match of the year with all the storylines surrounding this match. Must see.
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 5, 2007 06:43 PM
Actually Ghost Rider I think your right. I'm pretty sure Sheva & Ballack are on their way out. At least thats what is being said in the soccer news & there might be more from Chelsea. Sheva is crying to go back to Milan as playing in England has never worked out for him. I think we will see some changes at Liverpool, United & Arsenal as well as far as EPL teams are concerned. Lot's of changes in Italy & Germany with clubs as well. Chances are Spain too as well as Holland & France. Its like musical chairs now with all the teams. Constant changes as every club wants that magic mixture of players. The players follow the money as thats what they are loyal to and the owners and managers all want to sign the next flavor of the month. Im not a Chelsea fan but I do think they would be making a wise choice if they unloaded Sheva. That guy just doesnt cut it.
Posted by: Krause | May 5, 2007 07:42 PM
You know Krause, I think the bigger issue for Chelsea might be whether Mourinho sticks around or not? I hear a lot of specualtion that he might be Real Madrid's next coach. That will determine a lot of who stays and goes. I also hear that Chelsea is going to call Alex into their squad (On loan to PSV). Essien has had to play out of position almost all season. If Sheva leaves, who do they bring in Villa, Defoe? Liverpool is going to have a lot of money to spend because of new ownership. Sir Alex said he wants a striker, a midfielder and a defender. Arsenal's young lions keep looking better and better. It's going to be an interesting summer, for sure. The wild card is going to be Juventus. They're going to splash cash like crazy. A lot of players are gonna be inticed by the big contract.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 7, 2007 04:55 PM
Rider. I read David Villa want's to stay at Valencia is that the Villa your talking about? I think Sheva is as good as gone! I'm pretty sure Ballack is as well. Neither one of them are happy in England with Sheva being the most unhappy. It's hard to say just what happened to him but he never really sparked playing in England. Your right about Liverpool though & your also right about Arsenal. Again your right about Juventus as I think they will want to make up for lost time. As for United I know they want Frank Ribery as well as the Bulgarian striker that play's for spurs. It will be interesting if they actually sign those two as the Bulgarian play's a lot like Rudd & Ribery would fit like a glove with United's never say die attacking style as a wing half. He was one of my favorite player's to watch in last year's world cup. I also heard & read United want's to sign Owen Hardgreaves. Still I think they should invest in some more backline defenders as they are weak there right now & took a beating with losing so many starters to injury back there. Who knows? All this transfer stuff will be like one big European soap opera I think.
Posted by: Scotty | May 7, 2007 05:34 PM
United will regroup & recharge. As for Liverpool I do not really think they will hand the title to Milan without a real fight. As for Milan they shouldn't even have been allowed to play in the CL. They are a very very good team with great players' but they were involved in all that scandal in serie A in Italy & found guilty but then again in Italy there is no real law & order over there. Club owners do pretty much what they want & league officials seem for the most part look the other way. That is as long as they get their pay off's. If they don't they scream fire.
Posted by: Henry | May 7, 2007 10:08 PM
Scotty, that is the Villa I was talking about. And the Spurs striker is Berbatov. I really like him. He's got great skill and has been Spurs best player. Only thing, Spurs will put a hefty price tag on him. Personally, I'd like to United go after Klose or a Luca Toni. United will be in a dogfight with Arsenal over Ribery. Wenger usually has an inside track on those young French players.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 8, 2007 01:42 AM
Hi Rider. Berbatov is a good player. He's not exactly quick but he has a great shot & is good at holding & controling the ball. He would be a good target man. Ribery want's to play in England. More important he has expressed an interest to play with United as he want's to play with a team he feels has a chance to play in the CL. Di Rossi is small like Scholes but like Scholes he has great skill & read's the game very well. He's a smart player & deserves to be with the first team. It should be interesting anyway to see what happens. Luca Toni would be a dream signing for U nited but word has it he's talking to Bayern but your right about Klose. He would be a great signing as well. I don't think he would have problems playing in the EPL. Either would Toni.
Posted by: Scotty | May 8, 2007 01:40 PM
Luca Toni is purely a personal fantasy. I don't believe he'll ever play outside Italy. We'll see what happens. Again, it will be an interesting summer.
Posted by: Ghost Rider | May 8, 2007 04:29 PM
It would be scary to think of Luca Toni upfront being supported by Ronaldo and Rooney. My goodness, what a thought. I would love to see that happen. I also think Luca Toni suits the English game.
Posted by: giova * * * * | May 8, 2007 06:48 PM
That's way the bestset answer so far!
Posted by: Kourtney | April 29, 2011 01:41 AM