March 9, 2008 2:30am (+8 GMT) Champions League S/final Liverpool vs ArsenalI eagerly woke up and not forgetting my son's request to include him in my early morning hour live telecast football game from Anfield, Liverpool. We were both seated at the edge of our seats watching the trilogy of both these teams in a deadlock over the 2 previous matches within a week.
At the same moment, memories of the days when my late dad used to do the same when watching early morning live telecast matches and he knows that Liverpool had always been part of me ever since I was 12 years old. 30 years onwards, my sons continue to be a die hard Liverpool supporter and in a truly "You'll Never Walk Alone" fashion.
Dad was with a slight twist, he always supported Liverpool's opponent. (just to test our faith and loyalty in Liverpool FC). Anyway, it is now a distant memory.
Back to the match, it was a truly pulsating match throughout, with the epic coming late in the match. Arsenal started brightly and we were speechless for a moment with little indication whether Liverpool would survive an onslaught by the opponent brilliant silky passing from the opening whistle.
0-1 Diaby and our hearts drop a little but wait, the Reds started playing football again which raises a glimmer of hope before the "old man" of the Liverpool team, Hyppia headed in a corner from Captain Marvellous, Stevie G to equalise. Thereon, it's Liverpool in control till half time and Arsenal never looked the same without the injured Flamini.
Almost 70 minutes when the game looks heading for extra-time when El Nino struck Arsenal with a crisp turn and lethal finishing to put Kops in advantage. It was also a situation where should the Gunners score a goal and with 20 minutes to go, they would put the issue beyond doubt.
With 6 minutes remaining on the clock, Adebayor strikes after a superb solo run by England hopeful Walcott and everything seem lost for Liverpool now. Wait a minute! Babel earned a penalty which was cooly slotted home by Stevie G and with seconds remaining in extra time, Babel again latched on to a long pass out from defence to out run the Aresenal last man before slotting it past Almunia.
Final Score : Kops gunned down Gunners 4-2
What was glaring, is Adebayor's taunting celebration jiggy by the touchline after he scored and as if that was the end of the contest and Liverpool's Champions League hopes. Other Arsenal players were celebrating as well, but they failed to realise that they were playing against the King of Comebacks. Arsenal's celebration was a little too early and Liverpool march on closer to Moscow. Walk On .......... Walk On ............. Next stop "The Blues"!
Moral of the story: It is not over till the final whistle!
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