So Liverpool made it.

You know what is funny? Liverpool finish 2nd in a group where they put 4 or more goals past each and everyone of their opponents. Let me put this right. Against the same 3 opponents in the last three matches, Liverpool scored a total of 16 goals while conceding just one. Compare that to the first three games of 2 goals scored while conceding a total of 4.

Put that aside, in this competition, its time to focus on the knock-out rounds, where casualties hit the biggest baddest teams around. With 3 not so good matches, Liverpool's got a mountain right in their paths of European success. With the nature of the competition and the fact that Chelsea and Man Utd won their groups and Liverpool cannot face the group winners of their own group, Porto, the Reds are going to be up against the 5 other group winners.

Namely, Barcelona, Ac Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Sevilla.

No disrespect to Sevilla but any other team versus Liverpool in the first Knockout round is simply a blockbuster round. Personally, I wish Sevilla will be our opponents, but that is just a 20% chance.

Either this is not the time to be afraid of any opponents thrown at us, and its about time pool make things happen.

That goes for their League Campaign as well. We all know the Christmas crunch time is coming up. Hopefully here we will see Benitez's rotation policy working.

And the Reds go marching onnnnn...

As of now I'm still feeling lazy so I should just plagiarize from the Liverpool home page. It was a great match by the way, dominating at the beginning and getting the job done at the end.

Fernando Torres struck a magnificent double as Liverpool left it late to clinch a 4-1 win over FC Porto and keep our hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League alive.

The Spain international, who has now scored 10 goals in 16 appearances, struck 12 minutes from time after his first-half opener was cancelled out by a Lisandro Lopez header with a Steven Gerrard penalty and a header from substitute Peter Crouch sealing the win.

The result means that Liverpool will qualify for the last 16 of the competition if they beat Marseille at the Stade Velodrome in an all-or-nothing clash on matchday six.

The Anfield faithful was in good voice ahead of the game and the team responded in kind, with a high-tempo opening that could have been rewarded with a penalty on five minutes, but the referee waived away Yossi Benayoun's appeals after his effort seemed to strike the arm of visiting defender Marek Cech.

Fernando Torres then showed just what he brings to the Liverpool side when he dispossessed Paulo Assuncao on the halfway line and ran at the heart of the Porto defence before unleashing a 20-yard strike that was well held by Helton.

Jesualdo Ferreira's men topped the group at the start of play and seemed content to sit back and soak up the pressure. But that all changed on 19 minutes when Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a deserved lead.

The Spain international rose unmarked to power home Steven Gerrard's corner from the right and claim his ninth goal of the campaign.

It was the perfect start for the Reds and they continued to dominate possession without truly troubling Helton in the Porto goal.

It seemed like they would go in at half-time with a priceless interval lead but on 33 minutes a defensive lapse allowed the away side in to equalise.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak broke down the left and after evading the challenge of Steve Finnan he sent over a dangerous cross that was met by Lisandro Lopez who guided his header beyond Pepe Reina at the Kop end.

The goal was a bitter blow for the Reds but they did not lose heart and they could have restored their lead a minute later but Torres was thwarted at the last minute after a clever ball form Benayoun.

However, it could have been worse for Rafa and co and hearts where in mouths on 37 minutes when Lisandro Lopez contrived to stab his effort wide of the post after his intelligent run beat the offside trap.

Liverpool began the second period attacking the Kop end but chances were at a premium as the Portuguese outfit maintained their stubborn resistance.

Benayoun squandered the first opening of the half when he sliced his effort wide after good play by Torres before both substitute Harry Kewell and Sami Hyypia went close.

It looked like the visitors would hold on for a hard-fought draw but when Kewell fed Torres on 78 minutes the young forward held off the challenges to guide his effort past the keeper and send the home fans into delirium.

And it got better four minutes later when Steven Gerrard sent Helton the wrong way from the penalty-spot after a Porto defender was adjudged to have handled in the area.

There was even time for substitute Peter Crouch to put rub salt in the visitors' wounds as he headed in Gerrard's corner with Porto's defence all at sea.

Can you count to 8?

My question to you today is simple. Can you count to 8?

Liverpool-Besiktas-LdC-031107
Uploaded by rory_cabt_die

=D

I know I can!

Liverpool's Judgement day

Its hard to imagine Liverpool Knocked out by Match Day 4 for the Uefa Champions League. It is true that Liverpool did not get an easy group for this competition, but it is not the hardest either. The group is just filled with pricks and problems that the current Liverpool squad should have no problem overcoming.

Somehow, things just don't go as the universe is meant to be. Its unfortunate, but on the bright side, the next 3 European fixtures will test Liverpool's true strengths. Teams faced might not be modern day European Champions material, but they will be tough obstacles.

Tonight, Besiktas will be making a trip to Anfield, supposedly a fortress when it comes to European nights. The last time a Champions League game was played here, pool lost though.

Things certainly does not look good. With injuries of Torres, Alonso and Agger, conveniently one of each position, it affects Liverpool's game. I hope Benitez does not make silly judgements tonight like he has recently.

He is either a tactical genius or a Soccer *inserts negative word here*. Lets hope he's a genius tonight.

Pool in UCL tonight

Not many expected a Do or die situation as far as the group stage goes this season, but after the last Champions League game, supposedly the 2nd easiest game out of 6, Liverpool lost. And 1 point out of 6 is bad, by Liverpool's standards anyways.

This time, the opponent is Besiktas. In Istanbul. Istanbul might be memorable for the UCL final win 2 years ago, but the last time Pool came, they lost 3-2 in a meaning less game.

Both team knows that defeat would mean end that they will very well not progress pass the group stages, which means 3 points today brings a lot of significance to the equation.

Liverpool might be still unbeaten in the Premier League this season but are yet to replicate that form in the UEFA Champions League and must make do so without Fernando Torres, ruled out by a thigh injury. Benítez recognises the increasingly urgent need to kick-start a stuttering campaign, explaining: "It is a very short competition and you have to perform well in every game. Both sides want to win and we know the game will played in front of passionate supporters and against tough opponents."

As usual, it is hard to guess who will be starting for Liverpool tonight.

Prediction: 3-1 win to Liverpool.

Liverpool 0 Marseille 1

Honestly, what can I say?

I woke up at five thirty and refreshed Livescore.com and found this scoreline.

Liverpool losing in a home game? Everyone expected a win. After a draw with Porto, a win here would be good. And its a home game, we expect to get all 9 out of 9 points in the 3 home games. No excuses really.

I didn't watch the match, so I really can't say much about it. All reports saying that it was Liverpool's worst European night out under Benitez, and stats don't lie, often. Looks like a bad game. So what if the squad was rotated, and Sebastian Leto starting on the left? It doesn't matter, its still a Liverpool squad losing a home game in the group stages.

Liverpool is supposed to be in a group against teams that looked like they will cause a threat but the end story is the other. So far, not too good.

On the bright side, the last time Liverpool lost to a French team, they ended up winning the tournament. And usually 10 points is needed to qualify to the next stage. That means in the next four games, 3 wins are required. As bad as the last 2 games go, 3 wins are highly possible.

On the other UCL matches from last night, I can embarrassedly admit that most of my predictions were wrong.

2 out of 8 matches where correctly predicted. I'm so ashamed.

Man Utd vs Roma

Remember that 7-1 scoreline from a few months back, in the same fixture? I remembered watching the first leg where Roma won by 2-1. I was happy enough to hope for a draw between the two in the next leg then, and when I woke up a little late and saw Man Utd with a 4 goal lead. Then they scored some more.

It doesn't reflect the quality difference between the teams really. If I could conclude on how that happened in the first place as just pure focus. Lets not forget self belief. After 2 goals, Roma was probably shivering inside, wondering what, how and why they are even alive.

This time I assure everyone it will be different. No matter what, there will be no goal fest, at least not like last season's game.

Roma will walk into this game with injuries and bad form (4-1 lost to Inter) while Man Utd will be heading to this one picking up form (even though they played badly) and with fit again players.

On paper, looks like a 2-1 or 2-0 win for United. Not too difficult.

Chelsea 1 and who? 1

Chelsea drew Rosenberg at home 1-1.

Now lets look at this in a neutral point of view.

Chelsea's John Terry's weekly wages can probably pay for the whole of Rosenberg's first eleven. wages. Shevchenko's 30 million pound price tag can buy the whole of Rosenberg's first eleven. Heck, add a couple of million pounds and you can own the whole team.

Lets see... Rosenberg traveled to Stamford Bridge to face a mighty Chelsea team. Forget the injuries, Chelsea's back ups are as good as any top Premiership players.

Now let me ask, how can a mighty Chelsea team not win against a Norwegian side that are considered under par in the Champions League (no disrespect to Rosenberg)?

Its so funny.

UCL matchday 1

Woo Hoo! I love the Uefa Champions League. Don't you?

I havent missed a final since Real Madrid beating Valencia 3-0, my most memorable match day 1 was after 911 of 2001 when Real Madrid faced Roma, favourite game goes to that 3-3 Liverpool and Milan draw, which was eventually won by Liverpool, I still remember the magic!

And its all starting again... in a few hours.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
TIME	HOME		AWAY	STAGE	VENUE
19:45 UK	FC Porto	v	Liverpool	First Phase Group A	Estadio do Dragao
19:45 UK	Marseille	v	Besiktas	First Phase Group A	Stade Vélodrome
19:45 UK	Chelsea	v	Rosenborg	First Phase Group B	Stamford Bridge
19:45 UK	Schalke 04	v	Valencia	First Phase Group B	Veltins-Arena
19:45 UK	Olympiakos	v	Lazio	First Phase Group C	Karaiskaki Stadium
19:45 UK	Real Madrid	v	Werder Bremen	First Phase Group C	Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
19:45 UK	AC Milan	v	Benfica	First Phase Group D	Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
19:45 UK	Shakhtar Donetsk	v	Celtic	First Phase Group D	Shakhtyor

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
TIME	HOME		AWAY	STAGE	VENUE
19:45 UK	Barcelona	v	Lyon	First Phase Group E	Estadio Camp Nou
19:45 UK	Rangers	v	VfB Stuttgart	First Phase Group E	Ibrox Stadium
19:45 UK	Roma	v	Dynamo Kiev	First Phase Group F	Stadio Olimpico
19:45 UK	Sporting Lisbon	v	Man Utd	First Phase Group F	Jose Alvalade
19:45 UK	Fenerbahce	v	Inter Milan	First Phase Group G	Sukru Saracoglu
19:45 UK	PSV Eindhoven	v	CSKA Moscow	First Phase Group G	Philips Stadion
19:45 UK	Arsenal	v	FC Sevilla	First Phase Group H	Emirates Stadium
19:45 UK	Slavia Prague	v	Steaua Bucuresti	First Phase Group H	Evzena Rosickeho Stadium

One to watch would be Porto vs Liverpool. Liverpool's going to play Fernando Torres no doubt, and it would be his European debut. Lets not forget this is a Liverpool away game, and Porto has Quaresma up their sleeves. No one is hoping for a straight win, any amount of points taken from this fixture would be good for pool.

Real Madrid vs Werder Bremen. Its all about Madrid's fantastic start in the La Liga, and Bremen's have good Group stage rounds before.

AC Milan vs Benfica. Defending Champions will start their title defence against a tricky Benfica. As tricky as they are, lets not forget that Milan has a very strong but aging team that can wipe out Benfica in 30 minutes.

Sporting Lisbon vs Man Utd. What does Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Chewbacca has in common?

Barcelona vs Lyon. Barcelona has a shaky start and everyone is busy looking for Henry goal clips in a Barcelona jersey, and I think they can't find any.

Fantasy UCL

September 19th is the date, and its time for me to pick my squad for my UCL Fantasy game.

Check it out here

I've been participating in this fantasy for years, each time, pushing my luck on a couple of players to shine, and what I really like about this game is the scoring system.

Action	Points
For playing in a game	1
For playing at least 60 minutes in a game (includes playing points mentioned above)	2
For each goal scored by your goalkeeper or defenders	6
For each goal scored by your midfielders	5
For each goal scored by your forwards	4
For each goal assist	3
For your goalkeeper conceding 0 goals (must also play at least 60 minutes)	4
For your defenders conceding 0 goals (must also play at least 60 minutes)	4
For your midfielders conceding 0 goals (must also play at least 60 minutes)	2
For every penalty save	5
For every penalty miss	-2
For every 2 goals conceded by your goalkeeper or defenders	-1
For every yellow card	-1
For every red card (includes any yellow card points)	-3
For every 3 saves	1
For earning a penalty after the referee adjudges that the player had been fouled	1
For conceding a penalty after the referee adjudges that an infringement takes place in the penalty area that results in a kick from the penalty mark	-1

It is clear on what kind of players I should select. Smart idea to put in defenders that can score, or makes crosses, Scoring midfielders, and of course a players from teams that does not concede often. Other important factor would be players with good behaviour. Good to put players that takes free kicks and corners, as they are likely to score assist points. And most importantly, scoring strikers.

Of course you cant have all the stars in the world, you've got a budget to worry about.

Here is my current squad



It was either Cech or Reina. Came down to Cech cause I could only add 2 players from the same team.

Finnan Kromkramp and Cole are wing backs that frequently swing crosses in for potential goals. Vidic is reliable.

Kaka is the most reliable midfielder ever, and I put him captain so his points doubles. Scoring midfielder, creates goals and happens to be in a team that hardly concedes. Gerrard is similar to Kaka in the contribution sense. Great player, and scores. Mendez is someone I put in to cover my budget. Should be reliable enough to play at least 60 mins per game.

Van Piersie is showing his Henry replacement skills, and I gambled Crespo and Vagner Love.

Roux is a keeper to keep my budget intact, never gonna start him anyways, Toulalan is a good backup for a midfielder, and the 2 Steaua players are also there for budget reasons.

Players I would be looking at to add into my squad:

Samir Nasri
Yaya Toure
Kolo Toure - With Arsenal's easy group, they should have cleansheets
Sami Hyypia - Injury to either Agger or Carragher, and I'm getting this guy. He scores goals.
Torres
Van Nisterooy - If Crespo fails

Notice I don't have any Barcelona, Rangers, or Stuttgart regulars, besides a couple of Lyon small fries, its called group of death for a reason.

Feel free to challenge me. My league code is 1750-600

UCL Draw (after the draw of course)

Group A
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Liverpool - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Porto - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Marseille - Fra	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Besiktas - Tur	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group B
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Chelsea - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Valencia - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Schalke - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rosenborg - Nor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group C
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Real Madrid - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Werder Bremen - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lazio - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Olympiakos - Gre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group D
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
AC Milan - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Benfica - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Celtic - Sco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Shakhtar Donetsk - Ukr	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group E
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Barcelona - Spa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lyon - Fra	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stuttgart - Ger	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rangers - Sco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group F
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Manchester United - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Roma - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sporting Lisbon - Por	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dynamo Kiev - Ukr	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group G
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Inter Milan - Ita	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
PSV Eindhoven - Hol	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
CSKA Moscow - Rus	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fenerbahce - Tur	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Group H
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Arsenal - Eng	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sevilla or AEK Athens* - Spa/Gre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Steaua Bucharest - Rom	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Slavia Prague - Cze	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Full group fixtures

Yes, yes I just copy and pasted the whole chunk up there.

Group of Death goes to Group E no doubt. With Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, and Rangers, its a tough position to be in any of the clubs really, although overall, I think all the teams in pot 1 should have no problem making it into the next round. A lot of debate going on about Group E as which team should qualify with Barcelona. Lyon's been good in Europe, Stuttgart is untested, and Rangers, is seen as the dark horse of the group. To me, its going to be Lyon, I don't see Rangers have any chance of making it, maybe a Uefa Cup spot.

Group of Life award goes to Group H with Arsenal, Sevilla or AEK Athens, Steaua and Slavia Prague. And it gets worse if AEK makes it. Group of life means, all the minor teams have every chance in the world to make it through, while pot 1 Arsenal should have no problem playing reserves and scoring points.

Champions League draws are very funny. They bring back the past, give previous losers a second chance. We all know Chelsea's losing streak against Liverpool, this time, we will see Man Utd against Roma again, Milan versus Celtic, and Chelsea against Valencia.

Too early to predict a winner, but I would like Liverpool to win, naturally. And if they don't, I would like a Slavia Prague vs Shakhtar Donetsk final

UCL Draw

The draw is half as interesting as the games, and we are talking about the Uefa Champions League. One of the only European Club tournaments showing on local non-cable channels from where I live.

The pots for the draw are as follows

Pot 1

AC Milan
Barcelona
Liverpool
Inter Milan
Arsenal
Real Madrid
Chelsea
Manchester United

Pot 2

Valencia
Lyon
Porto
Sevilla/AEK Athens
PSV Eindhoven
Roma
Benfica
Werder Bremen

Pot 3

Celtic
Schalke
Stuttgart
Steaua Bucharest
CSKA Moscow
Sporting Lisbon
Lazio
Marseille

Pot 4

Rangers
Shakhtar Donetsk
Besiktas
Olympiakos
Dynamo Kiev
Fenerbache
Slavia Prage
Rosenborg

So how does this thing work?
Basically there will be groups of 4 and 1 team from each pot will fill 1 position in each group.
The other condition is that any team will not face another team of the same country in the group. For example, AC Milan and Roma, although they are in different pots, they cant be drawn into the same group.

Do the math and calculate your team's chances against different teams. Exciting tournament awaits.

Liverpool in UCL

I'l let the goal speak for themselves.

Just noting that all first team strikers opened their accounts, and Season is looking good. :)