Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Liverpool put on late show to deny Arsenal place in semi's

Liverpool have tonight progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a terrific 5-3 aggregate victory over Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The visitors took the lead just ten minutes into the game when Abou Diaby's powerful left-footed drive flow in Jose Pepe Reina's near post.

The hosts levelled up the tie when Sami Hyypia's splendid header whistled into Manuel Almunia's goal to send the Anfield crowd into raptures.

The game looked to be heading for yet another 1-1 draw( following the two sides previous results in recent meetings) but Liverpool took the lead when the man of the moment Fernando Torres riffled a outstanding right-footed shot into Almunia's top right corner.

But Arsenal looked to of stole it when Emmanuel Adebayor finished after a splendid run by Theo Walcott but Liverpool captain swung the tie back in Liverpool's favour when Steven Gerrard fired a penalty into past Almunia.

Ryan Babel finished the night off in style when he slotted the ball into the back of Arsenal's net to send the Liverpool faithful home happy. Obviously a terrific night for Liverpool but it was a tremendous night for football in general tonight.

It is hard to take for Arsenal and that in my view was their last chance of taking any silverware from this season, but hey, there's always next season! Elsewhere Chelsea beat Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge to set up yet another semi-final tie between Liverpool and Chelsea.