Friday, December 10, 2004
This is why I love football.
This is what happened at Anfield ( Liverpool )
On a night where Liverpool either needed at least a 1-0 win or if they conceded a goal they need to win by at least 2 goals which means 3-1 to go through to the 2nd stage of the European Champions League competition.
And they came out fighting. 1-0 to liverpool would have been enough. But they conceded early. 1-0 to the greeks it stood. You can just see the display of character on the field. The comeback spirit and desire to fight back to score 3 goals. They arent going to just sit back and lie down and let themselves be trampled upon. They were at home, the fans were still singing as they tried wave after wave of attack on the greek goal.
3 goals in 45 minutes for Liverpool. Could they do it? With xabi alonso's magnificent passing and pracitically the whole team's never tiring running to chase after the ball. It seemed plausible but for the immense bad luck that Liverpool had gotten in the 1st half. A substitution by manager rafael benitez saw young sinama go on the field and within 2 minutes he scored the goal which put Liverpool level 1-1. The game then threatened to become a fight as the greeks became desperate and hauled Liverpool players down one by one.
On the 60th minute Young striker Neil Mellor came on in place for a tiring Milan Baros and within 2 minutes again. The substitute scored to put Liverpool 2-1 ahead. What magic! This gave Liverpool a new belief as they strode forward with the fans still singing in full voice.
Liverpool pressed onn and when Neil mellor nodded the ball down to Captain Steven Gerrard, he whacked the ball with such power it went past the outstretched arms of the keeper and into the back of the net. And that was in front of the kop end. The place where the most passionate liverpool supporters stand. and as steven gerrard jumped into the crowd the commentator went " what a wonderful story! what a night! steven gerrard the captain has done it for liverpool this man here loves his football. He loves liverpool! and not how much money can prise him away from here. oh my word. " and what a strike it was too. i was on the bed and as the shot went it i shouted OH MY GOSH super loudly and jumped around. COME ON!! what character. They believed, they worked and they've got their reward.
The crowd sang " You'll never walk alone " in the closing minutes of the game. And how appropriate.
I dont support Liverpool. But how they played last nite was how any team should. with passion with heart with desire. That character that football so lacks now a days. Come ooon u lads.
A passionate Neil Mellor after his goal.