by stmichael » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:13 am
On the brink of what is undoubtedly this clubs biggest game in years, I just want to pay tribute to the players who have got us this far. Tonight, when our team steps out onto the field at Stamford Bridge it will be as Champions League semi-finalists. As a lifelong Liverpool supporter this makes me extremely proud. I could barely sleep last night for thinking about the game.
Our side have beaten the odds and they have beaten the expectations of millions of people. We have fought to the death against Olympiakos to thrillingly score the three second-half goals they needed when we were written off. Thank you Neil and Flo for your contributions - without you we would not be here. We have destroyed (and I mean destroyed) the hopes of Leverkusen, a top class German team who were made to look very very ordinary by our players - Luis, Didi, Riise, Igor, you were phenomenal in getting us past the team who beat us 3 years ago. We played magnificently at home to Juventus, arguably the best team in Europe but shaken to the core by the quality and passion from our boys, especially in the first 45 minutes. We then went to the hostile atmosphere of Turin and played with the ultimate level of professionalism to get the draw which we needed, in one of our greatest ever defensive displays. Thank you Sami and Carra - colossal performances in a heroic team effort. We have two players written off for the season but who have shown courage and determination to beat the odds and fight their way back to the first team. Xabi and Djib you are inspirational.
Most of all we have a fantastic and passionate captain and a manager who exudes class. Stevie's goals against Austria Graz got us through the preliminary, his sensational strike against Olympiakos got us beyond the group stages and his performance against Juve was outstanding. He has nothing to prove but this is his stage and he will lead from the front. Rafa has consistently made the best of what was available and drawn great performances from squad members. He has brought us to the brink of an astonishing achievement.
Millions of Liverpudlians around the globe have been waiting for years for a day like this. I know our team will do us proud. At 7:45 British time all around the globe Liverpudlians at the game, in front of TV sets, in their homes, in pubs, in their offices will be filled with hope and expectation. Today is a great day. Good luck everyone. We deserve it.
For the good of football as we know it, we have to beat Chelsea and we will. And this is why:
1 - Last year, almost every "pundit" (and i use that term very loosely) said Liverpool would be an embarrassment representing England in this years Champions League
2 - Almost every Champions League game this campaign, those same pundits have said you will either a) lose or b) get lucky. I didnt see much losing, and i didnt see much getting lucky either.
3 - After qualifying from your group they then proceed to say that you have the probable best chance of qualifying, but do they say this because they think you're rather good? Not on your nelly, its because the opposition was allegedly poor! Even after a massively handsome aggregate win, they splutter on their coffee and spout "well, they did well, but lets be honest, Lever were vile"
4 - Zero chance against Juve, they may as well have said Liverpool were sh#t and Juve were akin to a 70's Brazil side, again you won, do they marvel at this achievement of the 4th placed side in England last season? Bollox do they!
5 - Now the semi is upon us, do they reason that although Liverpool can play some dour insipid football at times, they are also more than capable of holding their own against Europes finest when on form? You guessed it, of course they don't! Again, we apparently dont have a prayer do we Mr Lawrenson? After all, Chelsea are invincible aren't they, i mean, its not like you're Man City now is it?
6 - Chelsea are actually very boring to watch at times, you know what you're going to get match after match, dull, safety first football, they dont so much sweep all before them as bore them into submission.
I could go on, but i wont
So...
For those reasons alone, we must beat Chelsea. Liverpool are the underdog in this one and that suits us down to the ground.
YNWA