Home > Football > Liverpool draw first blood at Arsenal - but who are you kidding, Mr Wenger?
Liverpool draw first blood at Arsenal - but who are you kidding, Mr Wenger?
Thanks to Arsene's stubbornness in trying to win everything with his young upstarts, Rafa's men have the edge going to Anfield.
by Syd Farr on 03 April 2008
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So the first game in the Arsenal v Liverpool trilogy is out of the way, and you have to say that Rafa Benitez and his men have the upper hand right now.
Whereas Liverpool aren't a cohesive and driven unit domestically - even in the second half against Everton they seemed shaky and uncertain - in Europe something clicks.
Whether it is the fact that specific targets in terms of results are laid out, especially in the second leg, or the simple truth that Rafa is far more comfortable talking the language of European football and this confidence translates through to the players, it works.They say that good chess players always look several moves ahead, and the great Olympic sprinters aim beyond the finish line so that they run the whole race at top speed, this seems to be what Liverpool FC do in Europe - they played last night's game with eyes firmly on the second leg back at Anfield.
This by no means ignores the fact that Arsenal had two wonderful opportunities to win this game, firstly through what Arsene Wenger described as a 'blatant penalty' when Aleksandr Hleb was pulled back by Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt, and secondly when Nicklas Bendtner stumbled over a goalbound Arsenal effort, inadvertently clearing off the Liverpool line. Questions have to be asked of Wenger, though. I have often accused Benitez of using the Champions League as a distraction from Liverpool's deficiencies in the league, but I think Wenger's claims that he doesn't need big swathes of dosh and that he wasn't able to pinpoint anyone suitable in January are utter tripe.
Comments (23)
by sanjeev shrestha on April 03, 2008
kewl play
on April 03, 2008 on April 03, 2008
why
liverpool's luck is sure to run out sonner or later
rafa benitez has a pact with the champions league devil
I must have been watching a different game. Arsenal were by far the better side and only a blind ref and Liverpools new Danish defender saved them from defeat. Arsenal are not scared of any team (except Bolton) and will take the game to Liverpool when they face them at Anfield.
by DAVE BALLS on April 03, 2008
whats this about liverpools luck, you should be goin on about arse's inability to score from open play. for the best flowing football team in the prem???you didnt create much because you played one of the best set up teams in europe
Go and play in europe then cos you aint cutting it in the prem
by Ole Gunner on April 03, 2008
Just a lot of nonsense. Wenger has less money to spend. He spends wisely. Since when has that become vanity you moron? He bought Sagna, Eduardo, Vela and . They have all proven to be massive buys. They've done much better than; Tevez, Hargrieves, Malouda, Anderson, Nani. Without spending huge amounts . I trust his judgement when he says he didn't find someone who adds to his team. And by the way, how many of the mid-season buys has made an impact on the league? Did Fergie by Ronaldo in mid-season? Oh wait, it was 3 years ago. The reality is that all your shallow feelings are hurt because Arsenal have done much much better than you thought. You fools wrote Arsenal off because Arsene didn't spend £100 million in Summer. Well we're contesting for league and Champions League. You just want to be right. So suck on that.
by Reds4life on April 03, 2008
Finally someone who knows what he's talking about.
by Jamie England on April 03, 2008
Liverpool got lucky, and not for the first time in europe. There a boring side to watch and as soon as they got there away goal they sat on it.... they even started trying to keep the ball in the corners with 15 mins left! Torres was in Gallas's back pocket all nite... They'll come unstuck at anfield in a weeks time.
Go and play in europe then cos you aint cutting it in the prem hmmm of course we should much more money, much more glam ! Bet you wish that your team could do the same !!
"only a blind ref and Liverpools new Danish defender saved them from defeat" - The Ref had a good game apart from the penalty shout, and Skrtel is Slovakian! Donut!
by Jonas Ottesen on April 03, 2008
He was talking about bendtner saving the goal for liverpool , not skrtel. donut
I wish all my fellow Liverpool supporters would grow up. We have consistently played second fiddle to arsenal and Man utd in the premiership and I for one would much rather win our domestic league after all you have to be consistent in 38 games, something we are not able to do
"only a blind ref and Liverpools new Danish defender saved them from defeat" - The Ref had a good game apart from the penalty shout, and Skrtel is Slovakian! Donut!
whose the donut now!! Get a sense of humour.
by Martin Mckeown on April 03, 2008
I do think you are talking A load of nonsense. Arsene Wenger, has been out on his own in the transfer market for quite some time. He has A great eye for A player and knows exactly what he wants from them. He finds it easier to mould and polish raw talent, than buying the superstar,who wants the team built around them. Henry,Viera, Petit,Anelka, Adebayor, Fabregas and Sagna are just some examples, the list goes on and on.I really think you should stop and think before you write. The one fault Wenger has, is that there is no plan B and Liverpool exposed this last night and as life long red, I am delighted, but cautious as this tie is far from over. Arsenal are A credit to the English game and deserve respect for the way they run their club and play their football. YNWA
The ref had an awful game. He blew for offside for the Arsenal goal that Bendtner blocked. There was a Stevie G cross that went 5 yards over the line and he didn't give the goal kick. There was the penalty. There were 2 other clear offside decisions not given. It was hideous how bad he was.
by Goofle on April 03, 2008
Can somebpdy tell me why Liverpool have the upper hand? We score one and it is even. No more away goals advantage. Sit back all you want, I would rather have an Arsenal team that are looking to win than a team that looks to not concede.
by Nasr Timol on April 03, 2008
This article stinks of immaturity. The kinda things you say when you a little kid..my club is better than yours just cos i support it.. It seems that alot of people take that stance against arsenal which is rather sad seeing that arsenal play the best football in europe..and thats not coming from me true arsenals squad is very stretched with a few injuries but for arsenal to be where they are with that squad size should be earning our praise. Above that, wenger's stubborness as you call it...should earn even more admiration..in a very materialistic league here's a man who's willing to be a maverick... Oh and these articles about liverpool having the upper hand are so dumb..really you'll said the same after we drew o-o with ac milan..dont you'll ever learn..guess you'll not mature enough.
by n n on April 04, 2008
yes the problem with the last game was Wenger's stubbornness, not the idiotic ref, nor the idiotic Bendtner, nor the disgustingly negative attempt at defensive play by Liverpool, yeah great defence mate, Hleb just ran through 4 of your players and should have had a penalty. Were you even watching the game? The problem wasn't Wenger, the problem was Benitez's negative play and negative attitude, telling his team to sit back and defend for their lives.
by Billy Styles on April 08, 2008
What about Wenger's stubborness, he put out his best 11 and they didn't put the ball in the back of the net! The ref wasn't idiot as Hleb milked the foul. (Sure it was a foul but he milked) (Which means NO penalty!) and don't forget Bendtner is only 19 cut him some slack! Sure Liverpool played negative but Arsenal couldn't find the back of the net. and yes that was probably what Benitez's tactics were, but again Arsenal had their chances and didn't take them! and that's the reason Liverpool are going to the Semi-final!