Post Match EPL: Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1 by theALBERTUS @ Terrorist

War of the Liverbird and the GUN: Gerrard's LFC v Farbregas's Arsenal

Some say this was going to be Liverpool Football Club's defining moment. Some say the Goons were going to put our Barclay’s Premier League title aspirations to bed. Others were harping about the possibility of Rafael Benitez suffering the same fate as Jose Mourinho and Martin Jol, if he doesn’t deliver the goods. No matter what the future holds for Rafa, the boys in RED at Anfield were in for a long night.

As most of you would have known, MyRAWK’s home, M Bar was closed on Oct 29 to give everyone some well-earned rest as the game was being played on a Monday morning local time. Most of us will have to get up for work or attend classes some 4 or 5 hours later. Fear not fellow MyRAWKites, we will be back on Nov 4th for the away game against Blackburn.

Those of us who braved the Sunday night rain, managed to gather with all the other MyRAWKites to watch the game at Yippee Cup, SS2. However, it felt rather strange to watch a game outside of M BAR but we did managed to meet a new recruit (RAY, if you’re reading this, WELCOME TO MyRAWK!)

Arsenal's passing and attacking prowess overwhelmed us with excitement and trepidation. The “sexy” free flowing football on show was something out of the normality of the hustle and bustle of English football. Much credit must be paid to Arsène Wenger for showing us what “the beautiful game” is about.

The goal at the 8th minute scored by Gerrard from just outside the penalty box through a free kick, was a typical Stevie G's strike – well struck and venomous. After going in front, we were watching anxiously as our defense was pushed to the brink of collapse, trying to contain the merciless barrage of crosses and quick passing and movement of the Gunners, led by Fabregas. We missed Agger’s ability in holding and bringing the ball out of defense tremendously. Carragher and Hyypia were hoofing the ball to clear our lines and we could not control the ball long enough to launch more coordinated attacks – passing was again a big let down.

We managed to breakup most of their play in the midfield through Mascherano’s tireless hounding of Fabregas and Rosicky. Alonso also played a big part in controlling the free-flowing movement of the Gunners’ attacks and he freed our Captain Marvel to do what he does best – making surging runs deep into the heart of their defense to support our attack.

At half time, Crouch was brought in to replace Torres, who was unfit and took a knock to his leg. Alonso was replace by Arbeloa later after he re-injured his metatarsal (let’s keep our fingers crossed that it’s not too serious). It was good to watch Crouch, like a man on a mission with a point to prove, causing havoc to the Arsenal defense led by Gallas. He had numerous albeit rather difficult chances to score but his positioning and willingness to dig in to fight for the second goal will not be left unnoticed by Rafa. Many of us thought that had he started, he might just repeat the hattrick he got against the same team 6 months ago.

Toure hit the post with a fine shot at the 54th minute and somehow from the rebound, Fabregas missed the gaping goalmouth by a mile. We could only watch in horror as the Gunners’ attacked us relentlessly to find the equalizer. Most of us agreed that we lost most of our attacking initiative after Alonso was substituted. At the 80th minute, our fears were realized when Hleb sent an inch perfect pass to Fabregas, who ran past a sleeping Arbeloa to toe poke his 10th goal of the season past Reina at his near post. Reina would be kicking himself though as not only did he got beaten at the near post, he also got a bit of a touch on the ball and left us thinking what would happen if he moved his feet about 3 inches to the right.

With only 10 more minutes remaining, both side desperately tried to score the winner. Fabregas cracked a shot against the upright and Bendtner who came in as a substitute for Clichy fired a shot over the gapping goal after he picked up the rebound. Our best chance to win it fell to Gerrard, who raced clean through the Arsenal defense and was denied a certain goal and winner only by the outstretch legs of Gallas that deflected his goal bound shot out wide. It was a fair result in an entertaining league fixture and both teams will continue to defend their unbeaten run in the league. As for Liverpool and Rafa, its back to the drawing board to salvage a stuttering season that has seen us win only once in 5 home games. The ever-growing injury list consisting of Agger, Alonso, Aurelio, Torres, Mascherano and Pennant will certainly be a cause for concern.

At 6th spot, 6 points adrift from the top and with 28 more matches to play before the end of the season come May 2008, we can only wait and hope that No. 19 will not too far away from our grasp. It’s tough times and moments like these that define what Liverpool Football club and Rafael Benitez are about. Till then, we will continue to sing You'll Never Walk Alone to support of our beloved Liverpool Football Club.

Our next game will see the return of GOD in Cardiff City colors on Wednesday morning on Oct 31, 2007 for the Carling Cup tie. Also, take note of our next league fixture away to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Nov 4th.

With that in mind, I’d say, "Viva La Liverpool FC", "WALK ON WITH HOPE IN YOUR HEART ", for that is all we have for now till no. 19 comes along.


Goals: Gerrard (7) 1-0; Fabregas (80) 1-1.

Liverpool (4-2-1-3): Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise; Alonso (Arbeola, 68), Mascherano; Gerrard; Kuyt, Torres (Crouch, h-t), Voronin (Benayoun, 65). Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Babel.

Arsenal (4-4-2): Almunia; Sagna, Touré, Gallas, Clichy (Gilberto, 75); Eboué (Bendtner, 75), Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky (Walcott, 66); Hleb, Adebayor.
Substitutes not used: Lehmann (gk), Diarra.

Referee: H Webb (Yorkshire).

Booked: Liverpool Voronin, Mascherano, Carragher. Arsenal Rosicky

Man of the match: Hleb
Attendance: 44, 122.


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