Let’s Talk About Six Baby

Sports - Football - CL Final - THFC 0:2 LFC 

LFC Make It Six

XxXXxX 

A week to go till the UEFA Super Cup in good old Istanbul (oh yes, we LOVE Istanbul), I thought I would go through my notes to recap and relive the night we became European Champions for the SIXth time:

That Saturday night, Madrid turned red, the whole of Europe and the football world was covered in red, cheers, songs and fire works.

After last year’s heart break against Real Madrid in Kiev, Liverpool came to the Spanish capital to make sure it will all be rectified, by beating Tottenham 0-2.

It took just over 22 seconds for the Reds to get a breakthrough. Handball given against Moussa Sissoko, blocking Sadio Mané’s take, penalty! VAR confirmed the arm moved towards the ball after it bounced off the player’s chest.

Mohamed Salah banged the spot kick in, leaving Hugo Lloris uselessly blank, 0-1 (2’). 

Jürgen Klopp’s men were in control from then on, but had Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to thank for keeping their cool and very solid on a handful of occasions.

Spurs dominated possession and chances, Christian Erikson’s late free kick was the top pick of the saves, full-stretch (85’). Gulp.

The more relieving and satisfying it was to see sub Divock Origi double the Reds’ lead (87’) and get the party started. Boom!

This encounter was maybe less thrilling, shocking, unbelievable than the semi-finals and THAT 2005 final  (the last time LFC won the CL in case you needed reminding, in Istanbul, I thought maybe just to mention), but still unforgettable. 

The stories leading up to the night, fans and players, of both sides, made this night oh so sweet! That's why we love football! :-D And that YNWA at the end, goosebumps! #YNWA

XxXXxX 

I enjoyed the night in a casino in the South-West of France, I was not the only Red full of joy (and my Gunner husband was happy as well).

The drive back up North was good fun, sharing the motorway with happy Red and not so happy Spurs vans and busses. Again, unforgettable.

I followed the victory parade on my phone, couldn't get the smile off my face and still can't. #LetsTalkAboutSixBaby

And what makes this even better, I am so sure it is just the start, the first, just the opening chapter of an even more glorious, joyous, and oh so happy story. #WalkOn #WithHopeInYourHeart #YNWA

Lots of fans are worried because of the lack of summer transfer activity at the club. WHY? Have you already forgotten what Klopp and co have done?! Why chop and change the record-breaking kings of Europe?! #WeAreTheChampions #WeWillKeepOnFighting

Click here for my last post.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC live match and parade coverage and report.

LFC Unable To Cope With PSG

Sports - Football - Champions League - PSG 2:1 LFC

Paris St Germain ended up easy 2-1 winners at the Parc des Princes, beating and frustrating the hell out of Liverpool, in their crucial Champions League group clash on Wednesday night.

The result means the Reds drop down to third in group C and will have to beat group-topping Napoli 1-0 or by two goals if they concede in the final and decisive group match on 11th December.

The French league leaders could not have asked for a better atmosphere and start to the match, Juan Bernat giving the hosts the lead, capitalising at the near post after Virgil van Dijk was unable to clear Kylian Mbappé’s cross into the box (13’).

Record-signing Neymar doubled the lead, slotting home from close range after Edinson Cavani’s attempt was saved by Alisson (37’).

James Milner pulled a goal back for the visitors after Sadio Mané was fouled in the box by Ángel Di María just before the break.

Referee Szymon Marciniak had originally given a corner before the linesman made him overturn his decision and point to the spot.

The Polish official was very inconsistent with his calls throughout the night, giving the hosts free kicks for every little touch and turn and dramatic fall, whilst the visitors were left wondering.

Marco Verratti was only cautioned when he lunged in with studs up onto Joe Gomez’s shin (24’) and got away with plenty more challenges after that, whilst one Liverpool player after another got booked (six in total).

Like Jürgen Klopp said after the match, the Reds were definitely not good enough, but the referee made it much worse:

“It looked like we were butchers when you look at the yellow cards we had. It was clever of PSG.”

Clever indeed, cause it frustrated the hell out of the visitors and they were unable to cope with the antiques and calculated overall control by Thomas Tuchel’s men.

The second half was interrupted again and again by someone rolling around, chances were hard to come by either end, any momentum impossible.

The Red front trio were covered well, surrounded whenever the ball came near them, any danger controlled and cleared quickly.

Marquinhos saw a goal disallowed for offside (47’) and his header from the centre of the box was kept out well by Brazilian compatriot Alisson (70’).

Gianluigi Buffon had nothing to do or even worry about on the other side of the pitch, the penalty being the only shot on target from the opposition.

In 16 years, Milner had never lost a game in which he scored, but records are there to be broken, and that one was shattered last night in Paris.

As painful as it was to watch, the Reds know they can do it, the kings of comebacks, just like they did in 2005. Again. And again. 

Klopp just has to look at and question his lineup and formation as it is just not working.

Jordan Henderson and Milner didn’t work too well together in the middle, Van Dijk and Gomez were disturbed by Dejan Lovren and at the front it’s still not clicking.

And it was harsh on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri, after their brill goals and displays in the league, not to give them a look into this crucial game.

Last season, the Reds were on fire, but leaked too much. This season, it seems like there is more stability but also a weird hesitance, odd caution, annoying softness, worrying weakness to the side, making it difficult for themselves to ignite that flame and take over and find that BOOM again.

When will it finally all click???

PSG Goals: Bernat 13’ and Neymar 37’.

LFC Goals: Milner pen 45’+1’.

Match Stats: PSG 2-1 LFC

Possession: 44%-56%

Shots: 12-8

On target: 8-1

Corners: 5-5

Fouls: 12-20

Bookings: 2-6

PSG Team: 1 Buffon; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 4 Kehrer; 10 Neymar (booked 90’+4’), 6 Verratti (booked 24’), 5 Marquinhos, 11 di María (13 da Silva 65’); 7 Mbappé (25 Rabiot 85’), 9 Cavani (17 Choupo-Mouting 65’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 16 Areola, 23 Draxler, 27 Diaby, 34 N’Soki.

LFC Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson (booked 90’+3’), 4 van Dijk (booked 90’+1’), 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez (booked 34’); 7 Milner (23 Shaqiri 77’), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 17’) (8 Keita 66’, booked 90’+5’); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 71’, booked 84’), 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

Man of the match: Marquinhos 

Ground: Parc des Princes

Attendance: 46,880

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, post-match reaction and Sky Sports app.

CL Shocker At San Paolo For Reds

Sports - Football - Champions League - NAP 1:0 LIV

Liverpool suffered their second defeat in their last three matches, all winless in all competitions, losing 1:0 against Napoli in the Champions League group match at the Stadio San Paolo, thanks to Lorenzo Insigne’s last-minute winner (90’).

The Reds were a shadow of their usual attacking and hungry selves, losing the ball again and again and not recording a single shot on target in Italy on Wednesday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men, second in Serie A, six points behind leaders Juventus, dominated possession, play and didn’t let the visitors have a single sniffer into the game.

Jürgen Klopp was unusually quiet as well, not his usual manic shouting and gesturing self on the sideline. One could feel something was just missing, not clicking, not right.

Especially the front trio, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah just couldn’t connect and kept misplacing and losing the ball, whilst there was no sign at all of Roberto Firmino.

It didn’t help when Naby Keïta had to be replaced by Jordan Henderson early on in the first half due to an injury to his back (18’).

Alisson stopped Arkadiusz Milik’s shot from swivelling in and collected the rebound (33’) before the Blues upped their game after the restart.

Milik’s drive was too much for the Brazilian stopper and needed to be hacked away by Virgil van Dijk (50’).

Joe Gomez cleared José Callejón’s volley off the line (75’) before sub Dries Mertens hit the crossbar (82’).

But the hosts were rewarded for all their hard work in the final minute of normal time when man of the match Insigne netted Callejón’s precise cross, sparking wild celebrations.

This result and PSG’s 6-1 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade throw Group C wide open, taking Napoli above Liverpool to the top.

It was the first time since February 2006 that the Reds have failed to record a single shot on target in a Champions League game (0-1 vs Benfica).

And December 2009 was the last time they have lost a Champions League game thanks to a 90th minute winner (Alberto Gilardino for Fiorentina).

It was the worst display by far this season, no pace, no connection, no chance and last season’s finalists only had their keeper and defenders to thank that it didn’t end up being a bigger thrashing.

It will not help their confidence ahead of the big Super Sunday Premier League clash against champions and league leaders Manchester City.

If they play like this against the champions, they will get thrashed, torn to bits and left to wreck... 

But it wouldn't be the first time for Klopp to have a surprise up his sleeve and come back stronger. 

The German conceded this one goes on him, it was his fault and will make sure they will learn from it to make sure the Reds keep their unbeaten record in the Premier League up and going.

Napoli Goal: Insigne 90’.

Napoli Team: 25 Ospina; 6 Rui, 26 Koulibaly (booked 25’), 33 Albiol, 19 Maksimovic; 8 Ruiz Peña (14 Mertens 68’), 17 Hamsik (c) (20 Zielinski 81’), 5 Allan, 7 Callejón; 99 Milik (9 Verdi 68’), 24 Insigne. 4-4-2

Subs not used: 23 Hysajs, 27 Karnezis, 30 Rog, 42 Diawara.

Liverpool Team: 13 Allison; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 8 Keita (14 Henderson 19’), 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c) (booked 45’+2’) (3 Fabinho 76’); 10 Mané (15 Sturridge 89’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri.

HT Stats: NAP 0-0 LIV

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 3-3

On target: 1-0

Corners: 1-0

Fouls: 5-5

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: NAP 1-0 LIV

Possession: 57%-43%

Shots: 14-4

On target: 5-0

Corners: 5-1

Fouls: 12-9

Bookings: 1-1

Referee: Viktor Kassai

Man of the match: Lorenzo Insigne

Ground: Stadio San Paolo

Attendance: 37,057

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app and BT and RMC Sport coverage.

Reds Outplay PSG In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - CL - LFC 3:2 PSG

Liverpool started their 2018-19 Champions League campaign with a five-goal thriller at Anfield, ending up impressive 3-2 winners against French champions PSG on Tuesday night.

The Reds dominated throughout, pushing and detaining any kind of threat from the Parisians, who looked very subdued at times.

Corner for corner, chance after chance went to the home side in the early stages and after just over half an hour, all the dominance finally paid off.

In a rare start Daniel Sturridge headed in Andrew Robertson’s cross six minutes before James Milner doubled the lead from the spot after Georginio Wijnaldum was fouled.

Belgian right back Thomas Meunier pulled one back for the visitors before the break, but it still looked all too comfortable for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

There was not much to see from the £400million frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, Liverpool were in control.

Mohamed Salah was not at his best either though, losing the ball too many times and when the great Egyptian scored, it was harshly ruled out for a foul.

The Reds were stunned by Mbappé’s equaliser with only seven minutes left on the clock, pouncing and netting past Alisson in the box to make it 2-2.

But then came the super-sub, Roberto Firmino! Put on the bench because of an eye injury he sustained in his side’s win at Tottenham on Saturday, the great Brazilian came on to find the winner deep into stoppage time, beating Alphonse Areola with a low drive from a tight angle.

It was well deserved, with late drama or without, the Reds had outplayed the Red and Blues.

Thomas Tuchel was left wondering what the hell happened again as the last time the German met his compatriot Klopp at Anfield in 2016 with Dortmund, there was late drama and defeat as well. Deja vue!

This result makes it six out of six wins for the Reds, their best start to a season since 1961/62, and they have never been beaten in a European game at Anfield under their great German boss!

Hell yeah! #YNWA (nor get bored!)

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 30’, Milner pen 36’ and Firmino 91’.

PSG Goals: Meunier 40’ and Mbappé 83’.

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 PSG 

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 8-7

On target: 5-4

Corners: 8-1

Fouls: 7-4

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-2 PSG

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 17-9

On target: 7-5

Corners: 13-1

Fouls: 14-10

Bookings: 1-1

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk (booked 27’), 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 10 Mané (3 Fabinho 93’), 15 Sturridge (9 Firmino 72’), 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 85’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 8 Keita, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip.

PSG Team: 16 Areola; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 12 Meunier (booked 45’+1’); 11 di María (17 Choupo-Moting 80’), 5 Marquinhos, 25 Rabiot; 10 Neymar, 9 Cavani (23 Draxler 80’), 7 Mbappé. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 4 Kehrer, 19 Diarra, 24 Nkunku, 34 N’Soki, 50 Cibois.

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir

Man of the match: Georginio Wijnaldum

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 52,478

Click here for my last LFC match.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Karius Howlers Hand Real 13th CL Cup

Sports - Football - Champions League - RMA 3:1 LIV

Liverpool keeper Loris Karius was in tears after giving away two howlers and watching substitute Gareth Bale's stunning smacker of a goal, seeing his side fall 3-1 against Real Madrid at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev on Saturday night, handing the great Spanish side and their manager Zinédine Zidane their third consecutive Champions League trophy, 13th European Cup overall.

The score does not reflect the match in the slightest, it was no real competition, as in Real have been handed a very generous result for a mediocre performance thanks to the Red number 1.

Jürgen Klopp's men were dominant and in control in the first half, no real sign of Cristiano Ronaldo and co apart from one offside goal, Karim Benzema denied on the rebound after Karius saved the number seven's header.

The first and biggest blow for the Reds came after Real skipper Sergio Ramos clashed and fell with LFC star man and top scorer Mohamed Salah.

The great Egyptian landed awkwardly on his shoulder and arm, the pain reflected in his tears and devastation having to come off and be replaced by Adam Lallana with only half an hour gone.

Ramos' actions and reactions looked very calculated and menacing, close to ridiculing his opponent, no respect whatsoever, shame on the Spaniard. (A petition against him and his actions has collected over 150,000 signatures!!!)

A few minutes later Daniel Carvajal was forced off as well due to injury, replays showing his ankle giving way, Nacho replacing him.

It remained goalless at the break, both teams trying to cope and reset after receiving injury blows. It was all to play for.

Benzema was handed the opener six minutes after the restart, Karius throwing the ball against the French striker in protest of the player not keeping his distance, to watch the ball ricochet off the man and into the back of the net. 1-0 out of nowhere, like a bad comedy outtake clip!

But the Reds fought back, Sadio Mané equalizing four minutes later, prodding in Dejan Lovren's header off James Milner's corner and taking his total of the season to 20 goals. Game on.

Then came the decisive substitution, Bale on for Isco with just over an hour gone, and three minutes later the former Tottenham striker thanked his manager with an absolute stunner, overhead kick into the back of the net. Wow. 2-1

Liverpool were still in the game, and their Senegalese forward had a couple of chances including hitting the woodwork, until seven minutes from time when Bale gave it a try with a shot from distance for Karius to softly glove the stoppable attempt into the back of his own net. Ouch.

The Welsh striker is only the second Brit to score a brace in a European Cup/Champions League final after Bobby Charlton for Manchester United in 1968, the first player ever to do so coming off the bench.

It was absolutely heart-breaking to watch as an LFC fan with players like Andy Robertson and youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold having played their hearts out and owned the opposition throughout the 90 minutes, to be beaten and broken in such embarrassing manner.

It was Klopp's sixth final defeat out of seven, third with Liverpool, whilst Zidane joins Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti having won the European trophy three times - the (in)famous Frenchman being the only one to have done it in three consecutive seasons.

The Reds fans kept singing on, despite the result, proud of their side and full of hope that they learn from their mistakes and come back even better and stronger next season!!!!! WALK ON!!! XxXxX YNWA!!!

Real Madrid Goals: Benzema 51', Bale 64' & 83'.

Liverpool Goal: Mané 55'.

Match Stats: RMA 3-1 LFC
Possession: 66%-34%
Shots: 14-13
On target: 5-2
Corners: 9-5
Fouls: 5-18
Yellow cards: 0-1

Real Madrid Team: 1 Javas; 12 Marcelo, 4 Ramos (c), 5 Varane, 2 Carvajal (6 Nacho 37'); 8 Kroos, 14 Casemiro, 10 Modrić; 22 Isco (11 Bale 61'); 7 Ronaldo, 9 Benzema (20 Asensio 89'). 4-3-1-2
Subs not used: 14 Casilla, 15 Theo Hernàndez, 17 Lucas Vázquez, 23 Kovačić.
Manager: Zinédine Zidane

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 6 Lovren, 66 Alexander-Arnold, 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 7 Milner (23 Can 73'); 19 Mané (booked 82'), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah (20 Lallana 30'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 2 Clyne, 17 Klavan, 18 Moreno, 29 Solanke.
Manager: Jürgen Klopp

Referee: Milorad Mazic
Man of the match: Gareth Bale
Ground: Kiev Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 61,561

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report and Sky Sports app, Twitter and BT and beIN sports coverages.

Liverpool Through To Their 8th CL Final

Sports - Football - Champions League - ASR 4:2 LFC

Liverpool battled through to the Champions League final but not without hiccups and late drama, losing 4-2 at Roma on Wednesday night, qualifying 7-6 on aggregate after their 5-2 Anfield glory in the first leg, adding up a record number of goals in a European semi-final.

Man of the match Sadio Mané netted the opener after just over eight minutes, pouncing on Roberto Firmino's fine pass after Radja Nainggolan's giveaway, the first goal conceded by the Italians at the Stadio Olimpico in the competition this season.

That left Eusebio Di Francesco's men needing four goals to progress and were helped when James Milner headed Dejan Lovren's clearance into his own net, not knowing much about it as it was so quick, just 15 minutes gone.

Top scorer Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by his former side and continued his goal drought (of two games), but surprisingly Georginio Wijnaldum made it 1-2 (3-7 on agg) with his first goal away from home, capitalising on Edin Dzeko's failure to head the ball away and nodding it in unmarked

But the home side didn't give up, Stephan El Shaarawy hitting the post before Roma's late rally and drama saw them come back, Dzeko equalising shortly after the restart when Loris Karius pushed Shaarawy's shot straight to him.

The Liverpool keeper made some crucial saves and blocks, but couldn't help but just watch as the ball went in off the post, Nainggolan with the shot that put the Italians ahead for the first time 3-2 on the night, four minutes to go.

And the final seconds added to the Reds' nerves and worries as the Belgian added another goal from the spot, substitute Ragnar Klavan punished for handling the ball, making it 4-2 (6-7 on agg). GULP!

The officials had a lot on their hands and a few decisions were questionable, especially harsh and inconsistent with the offside flag, and their take on challenges and handballs, but that's nothing new.

After the full-time whistle Jürgen Klopp was buzzing and celebrated with the fans, who had to wait till early hours in the morning to be released from the ground, but it created some awesome and unforgettable scenes.

It was great to see the team celebrate so wholeheartedly, skipper Jordan Henderson bringing a flag for Sean Cox onto the pitch. YNWA! XxXxX

The Reds will attend their 8th European final in Kiev, an English record, against record-12-times European winners Real Madrid on the 26th May 2018.

We all know what happened the last time these two sides met in a final... :-D #BOOM

Click here for all the know-how-who-what of the two great sides in the competition. #HISTORY #LEGENDS

Roma Goals: Milner OG 15', Dzeko 52', Nainggolan 86' & pen 90'.

Liverpool Goals: Mané 9' & Wijnaldum 25'.

Match Stats: ASR 4-2 LFC
Possession: 60%-40%
Shots: 24-11
On target: 6-5
Corners: 7-3
Fouls 10-14
Yellow cards: 2-3

AS Roma Team: 1 Alisson; 11 Kolarov, 20 Fazio, 44 Manolas (booked), 24 Florenzi (booked); 4 Nainggolan, 16 De Rossi (21 Gonalons 69'), 7 Pellegrini (17 Uender 53'); 92 El Shaarawy (48 Antonucci 75'), 9 Dzeko, 14 Schick. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 28 Skorupski, 5 Jesus, 25 Peres, 30 Gerson.

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson (booked), 6 Lovren (booked), 4 Van Dijk, 66 Alexander-Arnold (2 Clyne 90'); 7 Milner, 14 Henderson, 5 Wijnaldum; 19 Mané (17 Klavan 83'), 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 87', (booked)), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 22 Mignolet, 18 Moreno, 28 Ings, 58 Woodburn.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slvn)
Man of the match: Sadio Mané
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Attendance: 61,889

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, i and Times newspapers, Twitter and beIN sports coverage.