Liverpool Fc Fans!! (10 Viewers)
- Thread starter KOPITE
- Start date
int:
Mikhail is da hardXcore.
How is Dublin, if that's actually where you live? My friend invited me to go there with him for a month this summer but I'm not sure if I would rather do that or just go to Prague/London.
Is it a good vacation spot for teenagers?
(All i know about it is that one of my italian friends went there and got beaten with a chain at night, by some gang :/ )
How is Dublin, if that's actually where you live? My friend invited me to go there with him for a month this summer but I'm not sure if I would rather do that or just go to Prague/London.
Is it a good vacation spot for teenagers?
(All i know about it is that one of my italian friends went there and got beaten with a chain at night, by some gang :/ )
Dublin's nice, though I'd definately prefer Prague or London (though I'm biased - doubtless if I lived in either of them, I'd be recommending Dublin :wink:). If you're going to stay here, just mind which part of the you stay in. The likes of Tallaght or the city centre can be rough. Most places are fine though.
If you come here, you've got a pretty good pub/club scene in Templebar (right in the middle of the city), and there's museums (plenty of history and art), guided tours (some nice old buildings) and the Book of Kells (1200 year old illustrated manuscript of the Bible) if you're into that kind of thing. I guess this would be a good place to start that kind of thing: http://www.visitdublin.com/
It's a nice city for the most part.
If you come here, you've got a pretty good pub/club scene in Templebar (right in the middle of the city), and there's museums (plenty of history and art), guided tours (some nice old buildings) and the Book of Kells (1200 year old illustrated manuscript of the Bible) if you're into that kind of thing. I guess this would be a good place to start that kind of thing: http://www.visitdublin.com/
It's a nice city for the most part.
RAFA: I'M HAPPY HERE
Paul Eaton 07 March 2006
Rafael Benitez has once again declared his commitment to Liverpool following weekend speculation that he could be set to quit the club.
Speaking at this afternoon's press conference to preview the Champions League clash with Benfica, the Reds' boss was asked about reports that he will leave Anfield if a sizeable transfer kitty isn't handed to him in the summer.
"You know what my answer is going to be," replied the Liverpool boss. "I am really focussed on the Champions League clash and am not worried about other things. All I am doing now is preparing my team for the game and talking to the players about the match.
"I have no problems with the board, with the Chairman or with the chief executive. I am happy here.
"All we want to do now is beat Benfica and then afterwards I promise my only thoughts will be on the Arsenal match."
Paul Eaton 07 March 2006
Rafael Benitez has once again declared his commitment to Liverpool following weekend speculation that he could be set to quit the club.
Speaking at this afternoon's press conference to preview the Champions League clash with Benfica, the Reds' boss was asked about reports that he will leave Anfield if a sizeable transfer kitty isn't handed to him in the summer.
"You know what my answer is going to be," replied the Liverpool boss. "I am really focussed on the Champions League clash and am not worried about other things. All I am doing now is preparing my team for the game and talking to the players about the match.
"I have no problems with the board, with the Chairman or with the chief executive. I am happy here.
"All we want to do now is beat Benfica and then afterwards I promise my only thoughts will be on the Arsenal match."
RAFA: NO NEED TO PANIC EARLY
Paul Eaton 07 March 2006
Rafael Benitez has urged his players not to panic too early as they go searching for an all-important goal against Benfica tomorrow night.
The Reds will start the game trailing 1-0 following Luisao's late header in Lisbon a fortnight ago.
Benitez is well aware of what's required for the Reds to keep a tight grip on their Champions League crown, but he has insisted there's no need for his men to go gung-ho from the first whistle.
"Our idea is clear," said the Liverpool boss. "We want to score as early as we can, but if that's not possible, okay, as long as we win the game at least 1-0 after 90 minutes we will be in the tie. Then we can think about extra-time.
"I know people are talking a lot about scoring a lot of goals. That's what we would like to happen, but we need to be clever and use our experience of this situation.
"We've shown in the past that no matter how difficult our position, we can come back. We did it against Olympiakos and AC Milan when we needed three goals.
"These are good memories for the supporters and the players. We showed how quickly a game can change. You can score three goals in eight minutes, or score the crucial goal with the last kick.
"The game against Charlton is also a good example. We had to wait until the end to score a goal, and everyone can see Robbie Fowler's goal was onside.
"If the same thing happens again and the decision is right, we will have extra-time."
Paul Eaton 07 March 2006
Rafael Benitez has urged his players not to panic too early as they go searching for an all-important goal against Benfica tomorrow night.
The Reds will start the game trailing 1-0 following Luisao's late header in Lisbon a fortnight ago.
Benitez is well aware of what's required for the Reds to keep a tight grip on their Champions League crown, but he has insisted there's no need for his men to go gung-ho from the first whistle.
"Our idea is clear," said the Liverpool boss. "We want to score as early as we can, but if that's not possible, okay, as long as we win the game at least 1-0 after 90 minutes we will be in the tie. Then we can think about extra-time.
"I know people are talking a lot about scoring a lot of goals. That's what we would like to happen, but we need to be clever and use our experience of this situation.
"We've shown in the past that no matter how difficult our position, we can come back. We did it against Olympiakos and AC Milan when we needed three goals.
"These are good memories for the supporters and the players. We showed how quickly a game can change. You can score three goals in eight minutes, or score the crucial goal with the last kick.
"The game against Charlton is also a good example. We had to wait until the end to score a goal, and everyone can see Robbie Fowler's goal was onside.
"If the same thing happens again and the decision is right, we will have extra-time."
STEVIE: LET'S SHOW WHY WE'RE CHAMPIONS
Paul Eaton 08 March 2006
Steven Gerrard today urged his team-mates to create another epic Anfield night as the Reds look to keep a tight grip on their Champions League crown.
Liverpool will start against Benfica tonight trailing by a single goal and knowing they'll need to find the back of the net at some point during the game to continue the defence of their trophy.
"We have to show everyone why we're European Champions," says the Reds skipper.
"We deserved the title last year for the way we came back and this is our biggest test so for in this year's competition. We've got the belief and confidence to get the result we need."
"I know it sounds strange to take something positive from a negative result, but when we were in the dressing room after the game in Portugal, none of us was thinking we've blown it.
"There is just something about this team, this group of players and our fans which almost relishes being up against it.
"I've felt some of our least impressive European performances have been in games where we've been protecting a lead or happy with a draw. It can be dangerous when you're in a negative mindset and you're caught between attacking or sitting on what you've got. It's when we've known we've had to go for it you've seen the best out of us.
"That's the situation we're in now and that's why we're all looking forward to tonight so much. We won't know until after the game if it's going to be the same again, but last year fighting against the odds actually helped us. We've got to play at a high tempo from the start and look for goals. We also know we've got to be careful about how we go about it, but I'm sure you're going to see us at our best tonight.
"I expect Benfica to be organised, not giving anything away and trying to play on the break, so the onus is going to be on us to break them down. We've got the players to do that.
"Benfica have a lot of respect for us and they'll be well aware of what we did at Anfield last season. They know they're going to have to produce one of their best performances to knock us out, so we've got to make sure that doesn't happen.
"We're used to being in this situation. Ideally we wouldn't have slipped up on a set-piece and conceded that goal, but we now find ourselves in an identical situation to the one against Olympiakos. We knew we had to beat them by two goals.
"We've also got our own fans behind us and when they make the kind of noise they do on a European night, it really helps us.
"The players here still talk about the crowd on the night we beat Chelsea, and how their singing 45 minutes before kickoff got everyone in the dressing room going. It was a massive help, and it will be again tonight."
Paul Eaton 08 March 2006
Steven Gerrard today urged his team-mates to create another epic Anfield night as the Reds look to keep a tight grip on their Champions League crown.
Liverpool will start against Benfica tonight trailing by a single goal and knowing they'll need to find the back of the net at some point during the game to continue the defence of their trophy.
"We have to show everyone why we're European Champions," says the Reds skipper.
"We deserved the title last year for the way we came back and this is our biggest test so for in this year's competition. We've got the belief and confidence to get the result we need."
"I know it sounds strange to take something positive from a negative result, but when we were in the dressing room after the game in Portugal, none of us was thinking we've blown it.
"There is just something about this team, this group of players and our fans which almost relishes being up against it.
"I've felt some of our least impressive European performances have been in games where we've been protecting a lead or happy with a draw. It can be dangerous when you're in a negative mindset and you're caught between attacking or sitting on what you've got. It's when we've known we've had to go for it you've seen the best out of us.
"That's the situation we're in now and that's why we're all looking forward to tonight so much. We won't know until after the game if it's going to be the same again, but last year fighting against the odds actually helped us. We've got to play at a high tempo from the start and look for goals. We also know we've got to be careful about how we go about it, but I'm sure you're going to see us at our best tonight.
"I expect Benfica to be organised, not giving anything away and trying to play on the break, so the onus is going to be on us to break them down. We've got the players to do that.
"Benfica have a lot of respect for us and they'll be well aware of what we did at Anfield last season. They know they're going to have to produce one of their best performances to knock us out, so we've got to make sure that doesn't happen.
"We're used to being in this situation. Ideally we wouldn't have slipped up on a set-piece and conceded that goal, but we now find ourselves in an identical situation to the one against Olympiakos. We knew we had to beat them by two goals.
"We've also got our own fans behind us and when they make the kind of noise they do on a European night, it really helps us.
"The players here still talk about the crowd on the night we beat Chelsea, and how their singing 45 minutes before kickoff got everyone in the dressing room going. It was a massive help, and it will be again tonight."
GARCIA BACKS STRIKERS TO SHINE AGAINST BENFICA
Steve Hunter 08 March 2006
Luis Garcia has sprung to the defence of Liverpool's under fire strikers and has backed the likes of Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch, Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse to help the team to beat Benfica and reach the last eight of the Champions League.
The Reds number 10 scored five goals during last season's Champions League triumph and would like nothing more than scoring against Benfica at Anfield on Wednesday night.
"I have faith in our front men as we have four of the best strikers in Europe," argued Garcia.
"Robbie Fowler is a legend, Fernando Morientes has won three of the four Champions League finals he's played in, Djibril Cisse is a very fast, strong striker and Peter Crouch is on his way to becoming a very, very good striker.
"We need their goals and I think the team can fully exploit the ability they have. We can't forgive ourselves for failing to score in the first match. Scoring goals is something we have to improve on.
"For most of the match we were in control against Benfica, but that counts for little if you don't score. We had chances but sometimes the ball doesn't go in. It was one of those nights.
"Liverpool are definitely not a defensive team. We always have a solid defence but the aim is to build from the back and turn our play into attacks.
"It's true that we're having problems scoring goals and it's hard to know why because we have a midfield full of goalscorers and we also have magnificent strikers.
"Everyone in this team is capable of scoring decisive goals. It could be Gerrard, it could be Xabi Alonso and it could also be me, as it was sometimes last season in the Champions League."
Steve Hunter 08 March 2006
Luis Garcia has sprung to the defence of Liverpool's under fire strikers and has backed the likes of Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch, Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse to help the team to beat Benfica and reach the last eight of the Champions League.
The Reds number 10 scored five goals during last season's Champions League triumph and would like nothing more than scoring against Benfica at Anfield on Wednesday night.
"I have faith in our front men as we have four of the best strikers in Europe," argued Garcia.
"Robbie Fowler is a legend, Fernando Morientes has won three of the four Champions League finals he's played in, Djibril Cisse is a very fast, strong striker and Peter Crouch is on his way to becoming a very, very good striker.
"We need their goals and I think the team can fully exploit the ability they have. We can't forgive ourselves for failing to score in the first match. Scoring goals is something we have to improve on.
"For most of the match we were in control against Benfica, but that counts for little if you don't score. We had chances but sometimes the ball doesn't go in. It was one of those nights.
"Liverpool are definitely not a defensive team. We always have a solid defence but the aim is to build from the back and turn our play into attacks.
"It's true that we're having problems scoring goals and it's hard to know why because we have a midfield full of goalscorers and we also have magnificent strikers.
"Everyone in this team is capable of scoring decisive goals. It could be Gerrard, it could be Xabi Alonso and it could also be me, as it was sometimes last season in the Champions League."
LIVERPOOL 0-2 BENFICA
Wednesday 08 March 2006 19:45 , Champions League Last 16 (2)
REDS BOW OUT TO BENFICA
Liverpool's bid to retain the Champions League title is over after goals from Sabrosa Simao and Fabrizio Miccoli gave Benfica a famous 2-0 win at Anfield tonight to complete a 3-0 aggregate win for the Portuguese Champions.
Rafa's side were bidding to overturn a first leg deficit for the first time since 1991 after losing 1-0 in Portugal a fortnight ago. But they were made to pay for missing a host of early chances when Simao put the tie beyond them with his wonder strike.
The Reds kicked off knowing they would need to beat Benfica by two clear goals and they were almost off to the dream start after just 11 minutes when Crouch collected Garcia's pass and saw his shot deflected against the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
And they would keep going in their search for an early opener with just moments later Benfica keeper Moretto being forced into a point-blank save from Garcia's shot on the turn.
It was clear from the opening exchanges that the Reds would enjoy the lion share of possession, but it was just a question of whether they would be able to convert that into the goals that would take them through.
Everyone was doing their bit to help the Reds' forward offensive and next it was Steve Finnan breaking through only to see his shot blocked.
Benfica reminded us what they were capable of when Simao's cross flashed dangerously past Reina's goal. But the Liverpool attacks kept on coming and Garcia spurned their best one so far when shooting over after 15 minutes.
Liverpool were playing well enough to suggest Garcia's miss wouldn ?t matter, but when Peter Crouch missed an even better chance in the 25th minute the seeds of doubt were surely beginning to be grow.
The chance came when Gerrard made a superb burst through the centre and when he threaded a pass for Crouch a goal looked likely. But the tall striker was denied by Moretto, who had sensed the danger and rushed to smother Crouch's shot.
Our worst fears came home to roost in the 36th minute when Benfica, who had gradually clawed their way back into the game, took the lead with a brilliant strike from Sabrosa Simao.
There had appeared to be no danger as Carragher chased a long ball back toward his owngoal, but the ball found it's way to Simao and he stunned Anfield with a curling shot from 18 yards that gave Reina little chance.
Liverpool responded as you would expect and Crouch hit the same post he had hit earlier with a 43rd minute header. The Reds though would need a second half fight back to rival that of Olympiacos and Istanbul.
The Kop did their best to recreate the atmosphere of Istanbul with a half time chorus of You'll Never Walk Alone, but as hard as the players tried, they just couldn't force a way back into the game.
Benitez replaced Kewell with Cisse on the hour, but their best chance of a comeback was already on the pitch in Captain Steven Gerrard. No one more than Gerrard epitomised the spirit needed for this fight, but even his mighty efforts proved to be to without reward.
As you would expect, Liverpool never gave up. Gerrard crossed to the head of Carragher, who only just failed to keep his header down. And Gerrard came close himself soon after when curling a free kick onto the roof of the net.
The Reds had the ball in the net in the 83rd minute only to see it ruled out for the ball going out of play. But Benfica completed a memorable night for them when Miccoli made it 2-0 in the 89th minute with a fine piece of skill.
It wasn't to be for Liverpool and although there'll be no Paris date in May there is still the romance of FA Cup to look forward to.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Carragher, Traore, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Crouch, Morientes. Subs - Anderson, Barragan, Cisse, Dudek, Fowler, Hamann, Hyypia
Benfica: , , , , , Robert, Fernandes, , , Gomez, . Subs - Karagounis, Kariaka, Miccoli, Rocha, , ,
Referee: M De Santis
Conditions:
Attendance:
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard
Breakdown
19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Benfica get the game underway kicking towards the Kop
1 mins : Booking: Laurent Robert: Late tackle on Warnock
3 mins : Gerrard's free kick into the area is headed behind for a goal kick
4 mins : Morientes creates space outside the box but Moretto makes a comfortable low save from his shot
8 mins : Morientes is brought down on the left side giving the Reds a free kick in a good area
10 mins : Crouch finds space on the right of the area and his drive is deflected onto the post and away for a corner
11 mins : Carragher misses a golden chance to open the scoring when he shoots wide from just a few yards out after Benfica fail to deal with a well delivered corner
15 mins : Finnan bursts into the area and wins another corner with another deflected shot
17 mins : Alcides wins a corner off Gerrard at the Kop end
18 mins : Liverpool launch a quick breakaway and Garcia's shot is deflected behind for yet another corner kick
19 mins : Garcia has another chance from close range but this time blazes his right foot effort miles over the goal
24 mins : Beto picks up the ball inside the Liverpool half and drives forward before scuffing a right footed shot wide of Reina's goal
25 mins : Gerrard creates a brilliant chance for Crouch but the Reds striker's shot rebounds back off the goalkeeper and away to safety. Big chance gone begging.
29 mins : Geovanni's acrobatic volley comes back off the top of the bar and Simao's follow up header is saved by Reina as the Reds survive an almighty scare
31 mins : Booking: Peter Crouch:
32 mins : Robert's ambitious drive from distance flies wide of Reina's left hand post
36 mins : GOAL! Simao : Simao curls a brilliant right footed shot into the top corner to give the visitors the lead
41 mins : Booking: Xabi Alonso:
44 mins : Beto almost blasts the ball into his own net as we look to get back into the game
44 mins : Crouch's header hits the post as the missed chances mount up
45 mins : One added minute to be played
20:31 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool kick off needing three goals without reply to stay in the competition
49 mins : The Reds are applying the pressure in the early stages but haven't created any chances yet
50 mins : Luisao heads behind under pressure to concede a corner to the home side which comes to nothing
54 mins : Gerrard strikes a right footed shot goalwards on the volley but misses the target by a few yards
56 mins : Moretto makes a save from Alonso's strike and Garcia can't take advantage of the rebound from a tight angle
60 mins : Substitution: Georgios Karagounis for Geovanni :
60 mins : From a rare attack down the right Benfica win their second corner of the game
62 mins : Booking: Nuno Gomez:
63 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Harry Kewell:
67 mins : Gerrard curls the ball to the far post but nobody in a red shirt can convert
69 mins : Substitution: Robbie Fowler for Fernando Morientes:
70 mins : Substitution: Ricardo Rocha for Laurent Robert:
70 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Stephen Warnock:
71 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard:
72 mins : Cisse goes down under a challenge in the box but the referee waves away the penalty claims
73 mins : Karagounis takes far too long in front of goal and Benfica waste a good chance to completely finish the tie
76 mins : Carragher meets Gerrard's well flighted corner but heads over the goal
76 mins : Substitution: Fabrizio Miccoli for Nuno Gomez:
78 mins : Gerrard curls a free kick from the corner of the box over the goal and the ball lands on the roof of the net
80 mins : Chances now at a premium. Three goals needed in ten minutes
82 mins : Cisse wins another corner after another run and another blocked cross
87 mins : Gerrard finds space on the left and sends a low shot wide of the far post
89 mins : GOAL! Fabrizio Miccoli: Miccoli converts from close range to seal our European fate for this season
90 mins : Booking: Manuel Fernandes:
21:35 GMT : Match Over
Wednesday 08 March 2006 19:45 , Champions League Last 16 (2)
REDS BOW OUT TO BENFICA
Liverpool's bid to retain the Champions League title is over after goals from Sabrosa Simao and Fabrizio Miccoli gave Benfica a famous 2-0 win at Anfield tonight to complete a 3-0 aggregate win for the Portuguese Champions.
Rafa's side were bidding to overturn a first leg deficit for the first time since 1991 after losing 1-0 in Portugal a fortnight ago. But they were made to pay for missing a host of early chances when Simao put the tie beyond them with his wonder strike.
The Reds kicked off knowing they would need to beat Benfica by two clear goals and they were almost off to the dream start after just 11 minutes when Crouch collected Garcia's pass and saw his shot deflected against the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
And they would keep going in their search for an early opener with just moments later Benfica keeper Moretto being forced into a point-blank save from Garcia's shot on the turn.
It was clear from the opening exchanges that the Reds would enjoy the lion share of possession, but it was just a question of whether they would be able to convert that into the goals that would take them through.
Everyone was doing their bit to help the Reds' forward offensive and next it was Steve Finnan breaking through only to see his shot blocked.
Benfica reminded us what they were capable of when Simao's cross flashed dangerously past Reina's goal. But the Liverpool attacks kept on coming and Garcia spurned their best one so far when shooting over after 15 minutes.
Liverpool were playing well enough to suggest Garcia's miss wouldn ?t matter, but when Peter Crouch missed an even better chance in the 25th minute the seeds of doubt were surely beginning to be grow.
The chance came when Gerrard made a superb burst through the centre and when he threaded a pass for Crouch a goal looked likely. But the tall striker was denied by Moretto, who had sensed the danger and rushed to smother Crouch's shot.
Our worst fears came home to roost in the 36th minute when Benfica, who had gradually clawed their way back into the game, took the lead with a brilliant strike from Sabrosa Simao.
There had appeared to be no danger as Carragher chased a long ball back toward his owngoal, but the ball found it's way to Simao and he stunned Anfield with a curling shot from 18 yards that gave Reina little chance.
Liverpool responded as you would expect and Crouch hit the same post he had hit earlier with a 43rd minute header. The Reds though would need a second half fight back to rival that of Olympiacos and Istanbul.
The Kop did their best to recreate the atmosphere of Istanbul with a half time chorus of You'll Never Walk Alone, but as hard as the players tried, they just couldn't force a way back into the game.
Benitez replaced Kewell with Cisse on the hour, but their best chance of a comeback was already on the pitch in Captain Steven Gerrard. No one more than Gerrard epitomised the spirit needed for this fight, but even his mighty efforts proved to be to without reward.
As you would expect, Liverpool never gave up. Gerrard crossed to the head of Carragher, who only just failed to keep his header down. And Gerrard came close himself soon after when curling a free kick onto the roof of the net.
The Reds had the ball in the net in the 83rd minute only to see it ruled out for the ball going out of play. But Benfica completed a memorable night for them when Miccoli made it 2-0 in the 89th minute with a fine piece of skill.
It wasn't to be for Liverpool and although there'll be no Paris date in May there is still the romance of FA Cup to look forward to.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Carragher, Traore, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Crouch, Morientes. Subs - Anderson, Barragan, Cisse, Dudek, Fowler, Hamann, Hyypia
Benfica: , , , , , Robert, Fernandes, , , Gomez, . Subs - Karagounis, Kariaka, Miccoli, Rocha, , ,
Referee: M De Santis
Conditions:
Attendance:
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steven Gerrard
Breakdown
19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Benfica get the game underway kicking towards the Kop
1 mins : Booking: Laurent Robert: Late tackle on Warnock
3 mins : Gerrard's free kick into the area is headed behind for a goal kick
4 mins : Morientes creates space outside the box but Moretto makes a comfortable low save from his shot
8 mins : Morientes is brought down on the left side giving the Reds a free kick in a good area
10 mins : Crouch finds space on the right of the area and his drive is deflected onto the post and away for a corner
11 mins : Carragher misses a golden chance to open the scoring when he shoots wide from just a few yards out after Benfica fail to deal with a well delivered corner
15 mins : Finnan bursts into the area and wins another corner with another deflected shot
17 mins : Alcides wins a corner off Gerrard at the Kop end
18 mins : Liverpool launch a quick breakaway and Garcia's shot is deflected behind for yet another corner kick
19 mins : Garcia has another chance from close range but this time blazes his right foot effort miles over the goal
24 mins : Beto picks up the ball inside the Liverpool half and drives forward before scuffing a right footed shot wide of Reina's goal
25 mins : Gerrard creates a brilliant chance for Crouch but the Reds striker's shot rebounds back off the goalkeeper and away to safety. Big chance gone begging.
29 mins : Geovanni's acrobatic volley comes back off the top of the bar and Simao's follow up header is saved by Reina as the Reds survive an almighty scare
31 mins : Booking: Peter Crouch:
32 mins : Robert's ambitious drive from distance flies wide of Reina's left hand post
36 mins : GOAL! Simao : Simao curls a brilliant right footed shot into the top corner to give the visitors the lead
41 mins : Booking: Xabi Alonso:
44 mins : Beto almost blasts the ball into his own net as we look to get back into the game
44 mins : Crouch's header hits the post as the missed chances mount up
45 mins : One added minute to be played
20:31 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:46 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Liverpool kick off needing three goals without reply to stay in the competition
49 mins : The Reds are applying the pressure in the early stages but haven't created any chances yet
50 mins : Luisao heads behind under pressure to concede a corner to the home side which comes to nothing
54 mins : Gerrard strikes a right footed shot goalwards on the volley but misses the target by a few yards
56 mins : Moretto makes a save from Alonso's strike and Garcia can't take advantage of the rebound from a tight angle
60 mins : Substitution: Georgios Karagounis for Geovanni :
60 mins : From a rare attack down the right Benfica win their second corner of the game
62 mins : Booking: Nuno Gomez:
63 mins : Substitution: Djibril Cisse for Harry Kewell:
67 mins : Gerrard curls the ball to the far post but nobody in a red shirt can convert
69 mins : Substitution: Robbie Fowler for Fernando Morientes:
70 mins : Substitution: Ricardo Rocha for Laurent Robert:
70 mins : Substitution: Dietmar Hamann for Stephen Warnock:
71 mins : Booking: Steven Gerrard:
72 mins : Cisse goes down under a challenge in the box but the referee waves away the penalty claims
73 mins : Karagounis takes far too long in front of goal and Benfica waste a good chance to completely finish the tie
76 mins : Carragher meets Gerrard's well flighted corner but heads over the goal
76 mins : Substitution: Fabrizio Miccoli for Nuno Gomez:
78 mins : Gerrard curls a free kick from the corner of the box over the goal and the ball lands on the roof of the net
80 mins : Chances now at a premium. Three goals needed in ten minutes
82 mins : Cisse wins another corner after another run and another blocked cross
87 mins : Gerrard finds space on the left and sends a low shot wide of the far post
89 mins : GOAL! Fabrizio Miccoli: Miccoli converts from close range to seal our European fate for this season
90 mins : Booking: Manuel Fernandes:
21:35 GMT : Match Over
DEJECTED GERRARD VOWS REDS WILL BOUNCE BACK
Paul Eaton 08 March 2006
Steven Gerrard has set his Liverpool team-mates the challenge of overcoming their Champions League heartbreak to make sure they are back in the competition next season.
The Reds' defence of their crown ended against Benfica on Wednesday night as they failed to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and crashed to a 2-0 defeat on the night, despite creating a host of first half chances.
Gerrard admits their failure to score an early goal ultimately proved costly, but he insists there's no time to dwell on the disappointing defeat with a crucial league game to come at Arsenal this weekend.
"The fans were superb tonight and got behind us - but when you are 1-0 down it is important to get a goal," he said.
"We created two or three chances in the first 20 minutes - and when they don't go in and they score you start to worry.
"Good luck to them, but it is very frustrating. We never took our chances - we could not put them away.
"It is a lack of confidence, and I think we need to work on it - extra shooting sessions in training, I think.
"We need to pick ourselves up. The FA cup becomes even more important now; we need a trophy.
"And of course we want to finish the league season strongly because we want to be back in Europe again next year. That's the aim."
Paul Eaton 08 March 2006
Steven Gerrard has set his Liverpool team-mates the challenge of overcoming their Champions League heartbreak to make sure they are back in the competition next season.
The Reds' defence of their crown ended against Benfica on Wednesday night as they failed to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and crashed to a 2-0 defeat on the night, despite creating a host of first half chances.
Gerrard admits their failure to score an early goal ultimately proved costly, but he insists there's no time to dwell on the disappointing defeat with a crucial league game to come at Arsenal this weekend.
"The fans were superb tonight and got behind us - but when you are 1-0 down it is important to get a goal," he said.
"We created two or three chances in the first 20 minutes - and when they don't go in and they score you start to worry.
"Good luck to them, but it is very frustrating. We never took our chances - we could not put them away.
"It is a lack of confidence, and I think we need to work on it - extra shooting sessions in training, I think.
"We need to pick ourselves up. The FA cup becomes even more important now; we need a trophy.
"And of course we want to finish the league season strongly because we want to be back in Europe again next year. That's the aim."