Did you see that the BBC ran a programme celebrating Liverpool\’s 2019 victiry in the Champions League final? It came after we’d had a chance to revisit (again!) the 3-0 drubbing of Real Madrid. The reason for mentioning this is that Liverpool lost their first leg semi-final to Barcelona, 3-0. But at Anfield, they won 4-0 (vs Messi and all) and went through. So if that wasn’t a cautionary message for us after the first leg result, I don’t know what is.
We’ve also had a few posts offered to our Facebook page, poking fun at Madrid. We haven’t approved them because pride comes . . you know what. While I have every faith that our team will put on a professional and top-quality performance, Real cannot be as soporific in the second leg as they were on Tuesday, and at home, they may be much more threatening. So let’s stay respectful and not get ahead of ourselves!
But no one of that can deflect from the stupendous performance we witnessed at the Emirtaes. For the first time ever, I went home and watched the entire match again. The highlights couldn’t do justice to Saka’s whipped crosses and the defence’s peerless interventions. I had to watch it all from my sofa and admire.
So who was the player of the match? While bodies were piling on top of me as exuberant and overheated supporters hurled themselves into the air, landing several seats and rows from where they’d started and on to my head and shoulders, I was more measured, simply marvelling at just how amazing those Rice free kicks were. One in a lifetime might be normal. Two in twelve minutes is beyond incredible. So surely, he was man of the match?
But that third was taken with the aplomb of a seasoned striker. It could be the difference in the winner of the tie. So Merino?
But as Jude Bellingham said after, we could have scored so many more. I wrote here earlier in the week that we shouldn’t expect Saka to be on top form, so long has it been since he started a match. But I was wrong. He was sensational, and not only were fouls on him the catalyst for Rice’s rockets, his crosses could (and arguably should) have been seized upon to put us ahead long before. How could he not be man of the match?
I also though Partey had one of his best nights, riding tackles, making passes, staying card and focussed all night. And what about Lewis-Skelley’s runs through midfield, with one assist, on top of totally dominating his winger. Speaking of which, did Timber let anything pass him, either? Against players touted as the best in the world, he was also magnificent.
Then there was Raya’s positioning, safe handling and crucial saves. Let in that early shot from Mbappe and the game may have panned out quite differently. In front of him, Saliba was like a one-man giant, controlling virtually everything that came down the middle. And hat of the weak link filling in for Gabriel? Kiwior turned out to be a willing partnet to Saliba, and let nobody down once his early nerves passed.
That leaves Martinelli. One report I read gave him a mere 6.5 out of ten and said he failed to get involved. Was that journalist watching the game? It is true he was often left isolated on the left, and that did frustrate me. He held his position (I assume that was tactical, not lack of involvement) but either didn’t receive the ball or only received it when he had markers to beat. Yet he created Real problems, had one great shot saved, put in some decent crosses and most of all, was always back helping Myles so that our young defender was never left with opponents doubling up on him. It was also refreshing to see how hungry Trossard was when he came on, with Tierney safe and sure at right back – how can we let this man leave?!
Which leaves Ben White. Not sure he touched the ball, but having a colossus like that to come on, with his reassuring presence that tiredness would not allow Real an undeserved goal back surely helped us in the stands to relax a bit and start to celebrate. Isn’t that man-of-the-match worthy?
But in truth, they were all exceptional. Singling out one is invidious and impossible. A true team performance, illuminated by some individual, magical moments.
And the pre-match atmosphere and crowd noise throughout was unforgettable. Let’s hope it can remain a positive memory with another win on Wednesday!
First though, mighty Brentford. There’s still time to catch Liverpool!
RS
10 April