On the pitch, Liverpool put on a sparkling display Saturday against an admittedly poor Blackburn side. nate at ohyoubeauty has a match recap that sums it up nicely. Four nil was kind to the visitors, who looked out of sorts and posed little threat at any point in the match. I knew the result before I was able to watch, but I was about as impressed by Liverpool as I was discouraged for Blackburn. Liverpool got forward with ease throughout the match, but it was difficult to tell if Liverpool are that good or Blackburn are that bad. Probably a balance of both. The big takeaway for me, besides the first goal from Fernando Torres that got half the women in attendance pregnant, was the play of Insua and Agger. Insua continues to churn out quality performances when he’s given the opportunity, and the third goal from Agger was an absolute scorcher…there has to be a place for him in the squad, right?

And then there’s tomorrow. I’m of two minds here…part of me says it’s over and that’s fine, Liverpool need to concentrate on league. If Liverpool continue to pour it on it league, they have a great chance to nip the title at the end. And 3-1 in the first leg begs for Liverpool to focus on league.The problem with that, though, is that a league title is not in Liverpool’s to win. United keep getting the points they need, thanks in large part to Nivea for Men hair gel. Plus Chelsea laid the wood to Liverpool last Wednesday, and nothing would be sweeter than earning the unlikeliest of results tomorrow at the Bridge. Liverpool will have to be on top attacking form, and the return of Steven Gerrard could be a huge boost.

Despite the disappointment of last Wednesday, I’m excited for tomorrow. I’m always excited for European nights with Liverpool. Mostly because of the way things have gone the last few years, I feel like Champions League ties always hold something special. Could be an early goal, maybe additional steel from a good weekend result, definitely inspiration from a fan base coping with an annual time of grieving. These are the times when it’s great to be a Liverpool fan, and I’m hoping we’re in for something special again tomorrow night.

Tomorrow, Stamford Bridge, 2:45PM EST. Liveblog on, maybe over at the Champions League Offside, maybe here. Come on you Reds!

The other match-ups were:

Porto-Manchester United
Villareal-Arsenal
Bayern-Barcelona

You could argue that United and Arsenal got the “easiest” draw, but at this point I really believe any team is capable of progressing. Plus, Liverpool have a well-documented history with Chelsea in the Champions League:

I couldn’t bring myself to post what happened at Anfield in the first leg last year. I found it on YouTube, you can search for it if you want, but I don’t want to damage my optimism.

I’m fine with the draw, Chelsea are playing well under Hiddink, but Liverpool are flying high right now and are rightfully viewed as one of, if not the, most dangerous teams in the quarterfinals.

Here’s the squad, and a best guess on the formation:
————–Reina—————
Arbeloa–Carragher–Skrtel–Aurelio
Benayoun–Alonso–Masch–Riera
——–Torres—Kuyt————-

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Gerrard, Lucas, Babel, Ngog

With Gerrard on the bench, I don’t see the 4-2-3-1 playing out today. A 4-4-2 allows Liverpool to play more conservatively, which will likely be the case. Liverpool will look to scratch one on the counter and otherwise defend from here to eternity. It would be great to be proven wrong, but history tells me that Rafa will try to kill the game with possession. Liverpool have had success in the past being the underdog in first leg away fixtures in the last 16 of the Champions League, but are now missing a driver-wielding Welshman. But with one matchup 28 years ago as my guide, I can safely say that it’s looking good.

I’ll be checking in sporadically to give some semi-live blogging…otherwise check out the Real Madrid live blog and cheer on the Reds.

Edit: that best guess at a formation was a bad guess. Looks like a 4-2-3-1 with Kuyt in the Gerrard role and Torres the lone man up top…expect some overlap with Benayoun and Kuyt. And how nice, Corey from Real Madrid Offside has wished us good luck! What a great sport!

Spanish clubs interested in El Jefecito: Not really much here, but apparently some Spanish clubs are interested in Masch. Seems like he’s happy at Anfield, I’m hoping there’s nothing in the statement, “then we’ll see what happens.”

Insua back with the squad: I think we’re all happy he’s back, his form was top notch before he left for the U-20s in South America. Not great that he was sent off in their last match, but he’s not injured. A little concerned about this picture, though. He looks too much like another dimunitive Argentinean in the Premier League, who is on his way to your nightmares.

Van der Vaart making shit up: I don’t remember any Liverpool coaches/players talking about having anything other than a healthy respect for Real Madrid. It’ll be a challenge, no doubt, as their form has improved since Juanderful took over, but “frightening” might be a bit of a stretch. Placing an imprint of your ass on the bench apparently makes you supremely bold…or gives you flower-wilting gas.

And finally, we can melodramatically remember better days in the FA Cup.

Have a great weekend all, and roll on next Sunday.

Other mouth-watering fixtures:

Inter Milan vs Manchester United: The Special One is finally back on English soil!

Arsenal vs Roma: Erm…

Chelsea vs Juventus: Ah the romance of football…Claudio Ranieri returning to his former club

Lyon vs Barcelona: With Lionel Messi as joint top scorer, Barca looks to be favourites to win this tournament

Most unexciting match in my opinion: Villareal vs Panathinaikos

Doubt there will be an all-English final in Rome.

Who would you like to see Liverpool draw?
( surveys)

It looked as though PSV would lead at the half until a free kick taken by Lucas glanced off of Ryan Babel’s head during extra time. Liverpool came out much stronger in the second half. Robbie Keane would have probably came up with a goal if he had been playing deeper or if Babel hadn’t been a selfish prick twice in a row and passed back to Keane. To be fair, Keane had a great opportunity earlier on and passed rather than attempt a shot. He also seemed to be playing in more of an attacking midfielder role than a striker. That role did lead to him supplying David Ngog with a long pass and the young Frenchman finished beautifully. Albert Riera can also be proud of his goal that was a howler from about 25 yards out that ended up in the top left corner.

A solid performance by Liverpool. It was good, but still not great. Cavalieri did well in goal, giving Reina a much deserved night off. Steven Gerrard surely also felt fortunate to not have to see the cold wet pitch. Even though he scored a goal with a glancing header, I felt Babel was the weakest in the team. He wasted too many opportunities. Robbie Keane’s work rate seemed to emulate Dirk Kuyt who was also given the night off. Lucas showed some of the quality that Rafa is convinced he has, but still has a long way to go. I don’t see him yet as the midfielder that’s going to supply the forwards with smart passes.

Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing, and Martin Kelly were handed debuts through substitutions. Alberto Riera, Álvaro Arbeloa, and Andrea Dossena all picked up yellows because the ref was obviously going in alphabetical order based on first names. It was a night that the younger players can definitely be proud of, but I doubt we’ll see many of them this Saturday against Hull City. Benitez will likely throw all of the experience he can into the league match because those Tigers are looking a little scary.

I’ve heard of Carragher being called man of the match as well as Lucas. My man of the match has to be Albert Riera who was consistent throughout the match and always posed a threat. It is a nice change to have so many players performing at a decent level for that choice to be a hard one.

Rafa finally learns how to pronounce ‘dilemma’, some Marseille fans are morons and clearly, we have a goal-scoring crisis

CSD was spot-on when he predicted a narrow score-line for Wednesday’s Matchday 5 encounter with French side, Olympique de Marseille. Nevertheless, this “scary” win qualifies the Reds to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League tournament for the 5th successive year – a perfect record for Benitez. Back from groin injury, Captain Fantastic showed us why he hearts scoring against Marseille with a 23rd minute emphatic header from a Xabi Alonso cross, making him joint top scorer with Barca’s Lionel Messi. Though seriously we should all give thanks to Bakari Koné for hesitating to man-mark Steven Gerrard in the penalty area.

Erik Gerets’ men won at Anfield the last time they visited, so they were probably confident of stealing a victory at our fortress again. Niang, Zubar, Taiwo and pink-lovin’ Ben Arfa came close, but all failed to beat the awesomeness, that is, Pepe Reina.

2nd half was a one-sided affair with the Ligue 1 team surging forward, hoping to level the game to at least guarantee them a UEFA cup placing, ahead of PSV Eindhoven. The introduction of Andrea Dossena to replace injured Fabio Aurelio, exposed the left flank, and the Italian proved he lacks the pace to keep up with feisty Ben Arfa, and was even guilty of making foolish tackles, that could have resulted in a penalty, if not for Portugese ref’s leniency.

Milestones

This game was Benitez’s 66th European game in charge of Liverpool and the win marks his 39th victory, equaling Bob Paisley’s record. Steven Gerrard’s cracker was his 30th goal in Europe.

Marseille fans

So some charitable Marseille fan decided to throw a lighter at Stevie G, while he was about to take a corner kick during the 1st half. That’s not cool. I don’t think Stevie was going for a smoke break either, but anyways, unlike Drogba, MBE was professional about it and chose not to retaliate.

And what’s with that poof holding up an Everton scarf?!?

Again?

News has it that Torres might be suffering from a relapse of the hamstring injury that has been plaguing him. Just when the Gernando partnership was about to take off…*sigh

Other news:
Inter lost to Panathinaikos (imagines puppet Jose going “shuttup Panathinaikos”)
Chelsea’s latest achievement: Frank Lampard sent off for 2 bookable offence. Keep it up people!

If we hadn’t scored, I would probably started off by saying Liverpool was shite. Nando’s former club outplayed us, and though we had most of the possessions in the 2nd half, we were not able to find the net. And this, despite 2nd-choice goalkeeper, Leo Franco, spilling the ball on several occasions.

Robbie Keane proved once again he is pretty much ineffective as a lone striker and has not yet tuned in to the same frequency as the rest of the squad. Even the commentator mentioned that he “tries too hard”.

The 1st half was mostly played in the midfield, both teams giving away the ball recklessly. We had several close calls, as early as the 1st minute into the game, and on the 15th, when Xabi Alonso’s long cross to Keane was met by a volley which then miss the back of the net.

Atletico had their chances too in the 1st half, when Simao was unmarked in front of Reina, but ballooned the ball way off the post. It was captain Maxi Rodriquez who converted for the Spanish team in the 37th minute, after a sublime pass from Antonio Lopez on the right wing.

There was a couple of hand ball claims in the 2nd half. Ref Hansson just couldn’t give 2.5 shites about them. Dejected Rafa Benitez seemed to be running out of options when he surprisingly called upon the services of David N’gog, whom I might add, looked more at ease in his striker role, than the Irishman.

Man of the match for me would have to be Steven Gerrard, if not Daniel Agger. Despite losing steam in the later part of the 2nd half, he kept pressing on and had several good shots on goal, notably one on the 70th minute after a link-up with Keane. Captain Fantastic once again saved the game for us : ))

Interestingly enough, Liverpool has not won against a Spanish club from their past 5 encounters in Anfield, so this is kinda, sorta a good draw for the Reds. LFC just needs one more victory to qualify into the knockout rounds.

Current Score
ATL 1 – 1 LFC

(Hey it’s me, Nadia. Sorry if I’m a lil bit off…am a bit tipsy but am well aware of anything Liverpool does. Go Reds! “Simao” sounds ticklish though lol)

Here comes the 2nd half.

45 – Maradona’s son-in-law is substituted in for ex-Liverpool player, Luis Garcia. So it’s Forlan and El Kun up front for Atletico.
47 – If only Keane connected…sigh…
49 – Great one-touches from Gerrard, Keane and Benayoun, but the Israeli international was offside when he found the net.
50 – Atletico looked threatening, but was quickly dispossessed by L’Pool, with Arbeloa clearing the ball
away.
52 – Dirk Kuyt seen warming up. An impending Liverpool substitution. Ooo and Forlan passed through our defence, but was 2 yards offside.
53 – And Dirk Kuyt is on the pitch. Keane is out with a suspected groin problem. The horror!
54 – Mascherano clashed with fellow Argentinian Aguero.
55 – Corner kick to Atletico. Cleared by Riera.
56 – Benayoun came close once again, but couldn’t finish On the other side, Seitarus found the net, but linesman ruled it offside.
57 – Simao hit the post. Reina managed to save the ball. Phew…another close call…and I’m furiously typing lol.
59 – Commentator says “Liverpool might have to work to hold on to their 3 points” damn straight! We need that 2nd goal, dammit!
61 – Ryan Babel in. STEVEN GERARD OUT! WTF!!!! It’s too early, Benitez!!! What are you smoking…
63 – Babel to Kuyt. Too slow in finishing. Passed to Benayoun, but lost in translation.
66 – Game being played mostly in midfield and Atletico seems to be getting forward more. Stats showed ball possessions are even.
68 – Alonso took a shot, but missed the goal. Leo Franco got fingertip on it. So corner to Liverpool.
70 – Liverpool looked dangerously close to 2nd goal, but cannot seem to freaking find the net. And Arbeloa just fouled Simao. He needs to be careful, ‘cuz he’s already on a yellow.
72 – 2nd sub from Atletico – Manacho for R. Garcia.
73 – Kuyt to Babel on the right. Babel took a shot, but Leo Franco caught it.
75 – Substitution – Leiva in Alonso out; Pongolle out Miguel in for Atletico [Benitez definitely has the Chelsea game at the back of his mind]
78 – Kuyt had a chance to score, but slipped, and it’s not such a bad thing cuz he’s offside anyways.
Vicente’s pitch needs some work.
80 – Home team on the attack. Maniche took a shot but thank god Reina did not snooze.
82 – Maniche broke free from our central defence, but once again, offside flag was up.
83 – Allowing the ball to bounce, Forlan passes to Simao, who was unmarked and proceeded to slot in the ball to the corner. Score: 1-1. Liverpool nearly bought Simao.
86 – Reina had to stretch to save Miguel’s effort. Corner kick to Atletico. Reina to the rescue again.
88 – Agger to Kuyt. Cross to Babel. He heads the ball, but missed the goal :\
90 – Mascherano gives away a corner…blimey
91 – 3 added minutes!!! C’mon REDS!!! Hang in there! ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!
93 – Raul Garcia fouls Kuyt. Lucas takes the free kick. Nothing materialized :\

Match ends in a draw. Yay to our away goal, and to Keane finding the net in Europe.
I believe we can do better in Anfield. And I would make a sucky commentator.

**********
46′- And that’s it for the first half.
46′-Gerrard with a kick that’s blocked. That’s going to be sore tomorrow.
45′- HAHAHA Maniche booked for simulation. Okay maybe the ref has a pair.
43′-Arbeloa gets a yellow for taking down Simao. He’s lucky that’s all he got coming in from behind like that.
42′- Corner given up by Liverpool. Saved by Reina off of a bicycle kick.
41′-Forlan comes up with a good shot, but sends it just wide. If it would have gone just inside the post, he would have had Reina beat.
39′-Referee is obviously scared to death of the Atletico fans.
37′-Aw what the hell… Riera gets taken down in the box and is given a yellow card for simulation. Was definitely contact.
36′-Pace has really slowed down, not that it was ever that fast to begin with.
33′-Man down for Atletico… looks like Garcia has a knee problem. Play is stopped. Looks like he’s going to be okay, just bumped into Alonso.
30′- Good passing from Liverpool up top. Keane almost released Benayoun for a short run. We might see another goal or two yet…
29′-Bad header by Arbeloa, thankfully Reina grabbed it before the Atletico forwards could grab it.
27′-Corner for Liverpool. Gerrard will take it. Whips it in right to the keeper.
25′-Arbeloa and Mascherano putting up a major fight on defense. Not a good side to go down for Atletico.
23′-Small flick from Atletico that doesn’t give Reina any problems. Atletico still attacking. Foul by Garcia on Mascherano.
22′-Gerrard downfield by himself, waiting on support. Great cross to Keane, but he couldn’t get a foot on it.
20′-Alonso takes another long kick that sails high. Stop that! Your job is to get fouled and pass.
19′-Riera with a shot, saved, but poorly saved.
19′-Forlan with a high kick that would have decapitated Mascherano had he been closer.
17′-Alonso with a long shot on goal. Not sure why he bothers with those. He doesn’t have the cannon that Gerrard does.
15′-Long pass to Keane again in a dangerous position, couldn’t quite get to it.
14′- GOAL!!! Gerrard feeds Keane and Keano finishes it off!
12′- Dossena gives Garcia a bit of an elbow and that’ll be a free kick. Shot is headed high.
11′-*yawn* not sure who the current teams are but I’m looking forward to seeing Liverpool and Atletico play whenever they decide to show up.
8′- Liverpool unable to break down the Atletico defense and Atletico having similar problems. If this ends up more than 1-1 i’d be very surprised.
6′- Liverpool with an attack on goal, well defended.
4′- Not much happening in these early minutes, lots of passing around in the midfield.
2′- Benayoun trying to make something happen in the box, called for foul
1′- Liverpool leaving Keane up top by himself. No excuse to not be fed the ball.
0′- Liverpool looking sharp in their 3rd kits tonight.

CSD here to kick off the first half which will begin in just a few minutes. Kuyt and Aguero both starting off the bench today. Cold and rainy in Madrid tonight, Liverpool should feel right at home. The previous incidents involving fans at the Marseille match has UEFA labeling this one as “high risk.” I think the fans might surprise us all and behave.