Warthog At Large

Still can’t get rid of that hollow, mournful feeling after Liverpool’s big loss the other day. Can’t even bring myself to write my usual amateurish post-game review. Life is sad.

Barca played magnificently up to the final whistle but United held their ground and went on to take that coveted spot in the Champions League final. The La Liga club were relentless on their attack and maintained impressive control of the ball throughout the match. Unfortunately, Zambrotta’s mistake early in the game proved to be too costly. That lone goal from Paul Scholes was enough for Man U to advance. 

The defensive wall of United was nothing short of awesome. For a team that’s more famous for its fierce attacks and the lightning speed runs of Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s refreshing to see Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown in full action once in a while. As for Barca, they’re lucky to have Lionel Messi on their ranks. The kid is sheer brilliance and can definitely give Kaka a run for his money.

Overall, it was a riveting game and a spectacular display of first-class football. Here’s to hoping tomorrow’s match will be just as much of football extraordinaire. And no more traumatic own goals. Please.

The Birmingham-Liverpool match was a drag. Benitez of course saved his better players for the second leg of Champions League semifinal against Chelsea. I’m all for that. What seemed left on the pitch though were a bunch of disinterested players who couldn’t care less whether they win or lose. All the Reds could manage on the first half was a failed attempt from Peter Crouch to score a goal.

It didn’t help that Riise was also on the line up. Yeah yeah he made one (really idiotic) mistake (at a very crucial time in this entire season) and everyone makes mistakes and he should be given another chance blah blah blah but I’m still sore about that f’ed-up header so forgive me if I don’t want to see him playing too soon. Liverpool picked up in the second half, scoring two goals to get a draw, but by then I was more interested in the scab on my big toe than in their humdrum performance. And I couldn’t take any more of Voronin. It’s torture to watch him play.

Well, these semifinal match-ups are turning out to be a lot more interesting than expected. First off, an own goal from a Reds defender in the Liverpool-Chelsea game. Now comes a handball from Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito. What was he doing waving his arms around anyway? Did he somehow hope to scare off the United attack by doing a King Kong pose? Then Cristiano Ronaldo goes on to miss the penalty shot and Man U played defensive for most part of the game. Only goes to show that more than quality play, stupid blunders are way more entertaining. Keep them coming guys.

Can you freakin’ believe it?! Riise delivers an own goal in the final minute of stoppage time, giving Chelsea an away goal advantage. Crap. Bad luck, not to mention a crucial moment of sheer stupidity, bites.

“If George doesn’t sell – because I am not going to sell – I guess we stay in this position that we are in.” That’s Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks talking. Now isn’t that something we can all look forward to. In the latest installment of this ridiculous administrative civil war saga, it’s George Gillett who’s now hitting back.

Just when Liverpool gets an all-important crack at a Champions League title, club honcho Tom Hicks decided this is the perfect time to kick out CEO Rick Parry. Club owners Hicks and George Gillett haven’t exactly been the best of pals lately and now this. Sheesh dude, is this really the best time to do this?

One of the supposed criticisms against Parry is that he hasn’t been very aggressive in the signing of players, which I agree with to a point. Darn, we should have gotten Theo Walcott. The kid was already a Reds fan to begin with! Why the heck did he end up in Arsenal?!

But the thing is, this is not the best time for top management infighting. Newsflash kids, we’re in a crucial campaign for a European title here. Wait until June at least before you rip each other’s heads off.