VS
1. Original Kayu Nasi Kandar– Kota Damansara, SS2, Aman Suria, Bukit Tinggi)
Episode II – The calm before the storm
When the team line-ups were announced, nobody was surprised that Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez made changes to their team. What was even more surprising was the introduction of a certain 20 year old French debutant, Damien Plessis. His position was to be in the middle of Liverpool’s midfield in a surprised 4-1-4-1 formation for the day. In maintaining some conformity, only Reina, Skrtel and Carragher were retained from the previous match to face Arsenal again.
For Arsenal though, Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Flamini and Fabregas were retained to give the Arsenal team some extra incentive. This was to break down a changed Liverpool team whose priority lies in the Champions League. This is to provide Arsenal with a fringe of a chance of maintaining their challenge for the EPL crown this season.
So it seems.
The match started slowly enough with both changed or rotated depending the view for sides that were probing each other. Not a threat to each other’s goal. Seemingly, the Liverpool’s Daniel Plessis appeared calm and composed when faced with Arsenal’s ‘experienced’ youngsters and gave an assured opening few minutes.
However, moving far away from dullness Peter Crouch crafted an opening in the 4th minute and immediately tested Almunia with a 40 yard shot which was well on target and had to be tipped over. The visitors were looking more assured and assertive including a Peter Crouch swift move away in a one-on-one with Manuel Almunia had the linesman not incorrectly flagged for offside.
In full confidence of playing like a member of the 1st eleven, Daniel Plessis was enjoying his debut at the Emirates. In one swift move of making possession in the centre circle, he played the ball into Peter Crouch who then saw the marauding Riise and played an amazing through ball which Riise did well to collect the ball just outside the penalty box but alas, Riise’s right foot shot posed no threat to Almunia.
Subsequently, Yossi Benayoun had a golden opportunity. He was played through on the right by the ever impressive Crouch and Benayoun in his moment of haste and indecision, played neither a shot nor a cross as it went harmlessly wide with Riise too far away at the other to retrieve the cross-shot.
At the Gunners end, there was intelligent inter-play between Fabregas, Eboue and Gilberto. The triple combination were doing well and were making inroads into the Liverpool end. In once of those moves, they created a half chance for Bentner just outside the penalty box but he scuffed the shot harmless straight into the greatful arms of Pepe Reina.
Just before half time, Reina pumped a long kick towards Crouch and beat Toure to the ball by playing a one two pass with Benayoun and at tandem together enabled Crouch pushing aside Willam Gallas who was watching him closely, to releas a powerful shot that just landed between Alumina and the post.
1-0 to Liverpool just before half time!
It was a well deserve lead as a ‘second string’ Liverpool side proved more than match for Arsenal’s seasoned youngsters. In tribute to Liverpool, it was really strange and odd to hear the traveling kop singing the Torres song when Crouch scored. This is especially so when Torres wasn’t even in the pitch!!
A tribute to Peter Crouch to being as the same class level as Fernando Torres, maybe?
In the 2nd half, Arsenal came back into the match via some neat set pieces and Toure almost equalized when the ball flew millimeters away from the post. Suddenly, the Liverpool defence looked vulnerable and a subsequent free-kick conceded by Pennant, Cesc Fabregas curled a brilliant ball right into the heart of the Liverpool defence and whilst Reina did not come out to meet the ball, Bendtner jumped highest to meet the ball and headed home to lift the home crowd at Emirates Stadium.
1-1 and game on and the momentum had swung to the home side of the Emirates though the crowd was not totally behind their team.
Not even a teeny bit.
Wenger sensed blood and duly sent in Adebayour into the fray to win the match and retain their rights to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea at the top. This was to the death for the EPL Crown this season as the Gunners were leading earlier in the season.
The introduction of Adebayour changed the complexion of the game and the home side had regained the momentum. The Liverpool defence were now working overtime alongside with the midfielders equally working hard to close down the Arsenal onslaught. There were some shouts for penalty from the Arsenal fans when Fabregas went down in the penalty box seemingly a repeat of the earlier game ala Episode I when Lucas Leiva was the culprit this time for shirt-pulling. At this point, furor would be an understatement, as Arsene Wenger was the more animated of the two managers. Whether it was agitation or annoyance, Wenger was disappointed that his team had not created more to put Liverpool to the sword.
Rafale Benitez made changes too to counter Arsenal’s rising dominance in the 2nd half by bringing in Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin whilst Wenger brought it Alexander Hleb and Gael Clichy to add more penetration from the wings.
With Arsenal pushing up in pursuit of the winning goal to sustain their EPL chance, Liverpool counter-attacked. Liverpool found several gaps and created some half chances which was not taken, most notably, when Voronin, playing between the lines and managed to round Manuel Almunia only to drag it a little too wide. Pity, that he did not have a left shooting foot as the ball spun harmlessly and slowly out for a goal kick!
What a waste!
In the closing minutes of the game in injury time, a beautifully cross from the right found Hleb with acres of space with Finnan drifting centre. Unfortunately, for Arsenal faithful, Hleb miscontrolled the ball slightly and Finnan was able to recover and the danger was curtailed and with that final chance, the match ended and with that the end of Arsenal’s challenge in the EPL this season
Mathematically, it is still possible, but it would require the capitulation of both Chelsea and Manchester United. It is a remote possibility for this is football.
All in all, an assured debut outing for a 20 year old Damien Plessis whose dandy long legs and playing style looked similar to our adopted German Scouser Dietmar Hammann, Nothing fancy, just calm and basic passing and closing down opposition play. A potential gem in the rough waiting to be cut.
It is of no wonder why, Momo Sissoko was permitted to leave in the January 2008 transfer window!
Now, with both series ending in draws, we move on to the crucial final of the trilogy at Anfield – The Return of the Champions League King?
All Liverpool FC fans and football romantics must be praying and hoping it to come true. For a night playing in Europe, Liverpool FC endears itself to the legends of European club football.
Man of the match: Damien Plessis
Far from all of Rafa Benítez's numerous Liverpool recruits have succeeded, but the French midfielder's debut bodes well. Tall and mobile, if occasionally wild in the tackle, Plessis positioned both ball and body accurately. 'To play as well as he did in this stadium means we're going in the right direction,' said Benítez.
By Henry Winter from the Telegraph.co.uk with editions from Albertus Lim
Advantage to Liverpool. This is a side that shows a real European experience, Rafa Benitez's side absorbed everything that Arsenal threw at them here last night, and will believe they can reach the semi-finals at an impassioned Anfield next week Tuesday. Myself was stuck in a mamak called the Al-Meerasa at the old Paramount Theater now converted to a Giant Supermarket. And of all peoples, I watched it with a gooner (Yes! Callen, if your'e reading this! HA! HA!)
The game was billed as a very English affair, this first leg was shaped by goals from a Togo international, Emmanuel Adebayor, and a Dutchman, Dirk Kuyt, who equalised. Arguably the most impressive performer was the Argentinian, Javier Mascherano, who delivered a determined 90-minute shift of ball-winning and simple distribution.
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At half time, I managed to meet some Liverpool fans sitting nearby. Sean, Anand and Lowell, good to have met your acquaintance and I hope to see you in our MyRAWK events. I hope I got your names right though. By the way, with all the trash talking we got from the gooners, this is sweet tasting revenge.
Next stop, same stop. They reconvene here in the Premier League on Saturday, when surely changes will be made by Wenger and Benitez to keep their stars fresh for Tuesday's resumption of Champions League combat. Liverpool have the belief, and the away goal, although they had to come from behind last night.
It was little surprise that it had required a set-piece to break the deadlock. As crowded as a Tube carriage in rush hour, midfield provided no room to breathe, let alone move. Ken Livingstone could have extended his Congestion Charge to this green swathe off the Holloway Road and made a fortune. With both sides deploying lone strikers, space was at a premium in the centre.
Steven Gerrard was hounded into surrendering possession by Emmanuel Eboue, who promptly lost it to another tackle from Mascherano. With Cesc Fabregas increasingly prominent, Arsenal hinted at being the first to impose their undoubted skill, to find a path out of the midfield maze.
It took Adebayor's 23rd-minute goal from a corner to open the game up, to throw down the gauntlet that Liverpool immediately seized with an almost instant equaliser. Fabregas and Robin van Persie looked to orchestrate a corner on Arsenal's right, the presence of such deft feet, left and right, instilling doubt in Liverpool's defence, allowing Adebayor his split-second of fruitful freedom.It was the left foot of Van Persie that connected first with the ball, tapping it to Fabregas, who immediately laid it back. Van Persie, whose intelligent use of possession has been much missed this season, curled it into the box with just enough trajectory to keep it away from Pepe Reina.
Liverpool's keeper watched in frustration as Adebayor eluded Sami Hyypia and headed firmly in. Jamie Carragher threw his hands up in anger at conceding such a soft goal to Adebayor. He ran behind Reina's goal, beating his right hand against the club crest on his shirt as supporters celebrated his 24th goal of the season. The relief at scoring appeared to relax Arsenal momentarily, and Liverpool took advantage within three minutes.
The move began slowly, Liverpool parading the Continental trick of knowing when to race through the gears. Ryan Babel dragged the ball down the left and suddenly flicked it inside to Gerrard, who in turn found Fernando Torres. They now have such an understanding that Gerrard was already off and running, knowing that Torres would work the ball back to him.
When it came, Gerrard's response was superb, the midfielder embarking on the kind of left-footed dribble that John Barnes was admired for. Eboue raced across to close Gerrard down, but Liverpool's captain simply guided the ball expertly around him.
As Gerrard's burning ambition threatened to harm Arsenal, Kolo Toure rushed across like a panicky fire-man. He, too, was beaten by Gerrard, who again neatly manoeuvred the ball around a red shirt. Mathieu Flamini dived in to block Gerrard's cross, but he was too late. The ball was speeding inexorably into the middle where Kuyt, making light of Gael Clichy's presence, turned the ball in.
And as Mark Lee's text message said it, "Back At You!", we were in for a joyride. I call it a big relief as this is what Liverpool playing in Europe is all about.
The game swung back Arsenal's way, Wenger's men enjoying 61 per cent of first-half possession. Liverpool had to show their defensive zeal. Fabio Aurelio slid in with a magnificent challenge on Adebayor. Hyypia showed all his experience in timing his tackle to thwart the onrushing Toure.
Wenger unleashed Walcott, who immediately sprinted down the left after winning the ball off Martin Skrtel and then firing in a fierce shot that Reina just tipped away. The incident happened so quickly that the otherwise excellent referee, Pieter Vink, missed Reina's touch and awarded a goalkick.
Liverpool were increasingly penned back, troubled by Walcott's electric pace. He made another purposeful run into the box, soon cutting the ball across to Eboue. He struck it well enough, but Skrtel was on the line to clear.Having impressed for an hour, allowing two Premier League sides to play their game, the Dutch referee then made a bad mistake. Alexander Hleb, hitherto quiet, darted into the back, getting goalside of Kuyt, who panicked. Vink bizarrely overlooked Kuyt's clear tug back on Hleb, his left-arm movement more suitable to an amateur tango class. Hleb, dragged down, could not believe Vink's reaction, pointing to a corner.
Wenger then introduced Nicklas Bendtner, removing Eboue, switching Walcott to the right and realigning in 4-4-2 fashion. Exposed to such high-speed movement, Liverpool's legs began to tire. No one had run more than Xabi Alonso, who had clocked up six miles when taken off with 18 minutes remaining. On came Lucas to charge around midfield.
Mascherano continued to impress, putting in tackle after tackle. Liverpool were fighting for their lives, desperate to protect a scoreline that gives them every chance of progressing.
There was almost a sting in the tail. When Adebayor crossed from the right, Fabregas reached the ball first but his header failed to trouble Almunia. Liverpool stood firm. The mood of Arsenal lifted only with news of Chelsea's first-leg demise at Fenerbahce.
As Mark easily puts it. "Phew!" We live to fight another day, and that day is at Anfield next week on Wednesday morning.
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Goals:
Adebayor (23') , Kuyt (26')
Arsenal:
(4-4-2)
Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue (Nicklas Bendtner , 67 ), William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie (Theo Walcott , 45 )
Liverpool :
(4-2-3-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso (Lucas Leiva , 77 ), Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun , 58 ), Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres (Andriy Voronin , 86 )
Referee:
Pieter Vink
Venue:
Emirates Stadium
Attendance:
60,041
Man of the match:
Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
Corners:
Arsenal - 6
Liverpool - 3
Goal Attempts:
Arsenal - 11
Liverpool - 4
On Target:
Arsenal - 5
Liverpool - 4
Booked:
Arsenal: -
Liverpool: -
1. Original Kayu Nasi Kandar– 4 outlets (Kota Damansara, SS2, Aman Suria, Bukit Tinggi)
2. Pelita Nasi Kandar – 5 outlets (SS2, Subang SS15, Bangsar, Jalan Ampang, Ampang Point)
3. Syed Bistro – 3 outlets (Plaza Alam Sentral Shah Alam, SS3, SS6)
4. Devi’s Corner – 2 outlets (TTDI, Hartamas)
5. Bestari Nasi Kandar- 2 outlets (Plaza Damas, Damansara Intan)
