RAFALUTION

from soccernet.com

Rafael Benitez hailed Peter Crouch's spectacular double but he knows he must solve defensive problems if Liverpool are to make any serious impact on the Champions League.

The Reds were 3-0 up thanks to Crouch's fine efforts and a header from Luis Garcia, but ended up hanging on to their precious three points to head Group C as Galatasaray swept back with two fine goals of their own from substitute Umit Karan.

It had Anfield in a state of nervous exhaustion by the end of a thrilling game in which they could easily have lost had former Blackburn striker Hakan Suker not missed two decent late chances.

Benitez described Crouch as 'amazing', with the big striker back in the front line after four games on the bench, hitting goals and form at just the right time to aid England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign next month.

Crouch too, was delighted with his display and especially his second goal - a scissor-kick - telling Sky Sports: 'It was great. It's nice to get a goal like that. It was obviously a special one.

'That second one was my best for the club, you don't get too many of those. Most of the time they go over the stand and thankfully that one went in the corner and it's got us the win, so it's great.

'There are dangerous sides in the Champions League and if you step back and allow teams to come on to you it can become very difficult.'

Benitez revealed his relief at the end, with three points in the bag the hard way.

He said: 'It was a strange game, we started so well with lots of crosses, shots and goals.

'And we were well on top after just 20 minutes. But maybe we were thinking the job had been done, and then they started to cause us problems.

'The positives were the amazing second goal by Crouch. When you see him score a goal like that, a fantastic hooked volley, then you understand his quality.

'But Galatasaray started to move forward when they were three down with nothing to lose. They attacked with lots of players and we had trouble controlling the game after that.

'But we have taken three points, we are still unbeaten in the group and we are top as well. If we win our final two home games we should qualify.'

He added: 'I am normally calm and trying to analyse the game in the closing minutes, but we were under pressure and it was very difficult. But we aim to continue to look forward to the next match and we are grateful for the three points.'

Galatasaray coach Erik Gerets was angry with the mistakes that allowed Liverpool into a three goal-lead.

He said: 'We forgot to play football in that first half, we were too impressed by the surroundings and the team we were facing.

'If you play like that with stars in your eyes, then you end up losing. If we had played in the first half like we did in the second it would have been a different story.

'In that second period the team played so much better and attacked more and caused them many problems.

'We could easily have scored more, we missed some late chances to equalise. Now we are crying and unhappy and I am angry that too many players made too many mistakes at crucial times to give them goals.'

Daily Mirror 28 September 2006

IF IT is wonder goals you are after, then Anfield is clearly the place to be - just as long as your heart can stand the excitement.

A quite ridiculous Champions League tie saw Liverpool romp into a stunning three-goal lead last night, thanks to another goal of the season contender from Peter Crouch that matched even Xabi Alonso's 70-yard stunner here against Newcastle a fortnight ago.

But even as the English club were celebrating another famous chapter in their illustrious European history - and Crouch's incredible overhead kick will surely go down in legend - Galatasaray found a way to almost spoil the party with an improbable comeback that was almost too much for the Kop to bear.

It all seemed so simple when Crouch announced his return from exile on the bench with an opening goal on nine minutes that was followed by some wonderful play by the home side and a second before the break from Luis Garcia.

Soon after the interval the England striker showed just why he is held in such high esteem by his managers, even when others doubt him, with a goal that defied physics. Steve Finnan's tenacity allowed him to cross from the right and Crouch launched himself horizontally to smash an overhead volley into the roof of the net.

Three-nil, and the party could begin, as qualification for the next round crept closer.

But the visiting Turks had other ideas, and they almost spoilt Crouch's big moment when substitute Umit Karan twice diverted delicious headers into the net within the space of six breathless second-half minutes.

From there Liverpool limped home with several alarming moments as their defence seemed to disintegrate, but even though their bubble was spectacularly burst, it was still a very important victory.

Rafa Benitez's team changes are one of the few certainties in life. That he again rotated his line-up - for the 94th game in succession - was barely worth recording, but for the inclusion of one very significant figure.

Crouch is significant in more ways than one, of course, given his piste-like proportions and his recent glut of goals for his country.

But he has languished on the bench for the past four matches as Benitez has relied on his summer signings Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy up front.

Crouch, though, has an unshakeable belief in his own ability and can always be relied on to bounce back from any setback - a point he proved perfectly inside nine minutes.

It was a fine goal too, in keeping with the quality of Liverpool's display on a blustery Merseyside evening.

Steven Gerrard started the move, the drive he brings to the centre of midfield when offered a rare berth there instantly evident as he fired a fine pass to Fabio Aurelio, whose first time pass found Crouch lurking with intent to steer the ball home from within the six-yard box.

It was a significant goal from a significant striker.

Not only did it end an interminable 460 minutes without finding the net for Liverpool in the Champions League proper, it was also the 200th of Benitez's reign at Anfield, and it was a goal to grace such a landmark.

It signaled too perhaps Liverpool's best form of the season so far, as they entertained an expectant crowd with some fine passing and quick movement.

The only surprise was that they added just one further goal before the break, when three or four more would not have flattered them. This time, it was another of the men restored to the starting line-up, Luis Garcia, who provided the finish. Maybe this rotation business has some merit after all.

Jermaine Pennant exploited the poor control of Galatasaray full-back Cihan to steal the ball and cross for Garcia to head into an unguarded goal.

In fact, with Aurelio setting up the first goal, Benitez could rightly point to the fact that the game was effectively won in the first half by men with fresh legs from being rested.

Gerrard unleashed one ferocious drive that Mondragon didn't even see, but somehow saw the ball flash off him to safety, and then Garcia struck another that the visiting keeper did well to divert.

Kuyt twice came close to getting onto the end of dangerous crosses as Galatasaray were overwhelmed, but the Turks mustered some late resistance when Pepe Reina had to be alert to block a fierce cross shot from Sabri.

Rafael Benitez declared himself satisfied with his side's second home victory in the space of four days as they moved up to fifth in the table after a 3-0 victory over Tottenham.
Second half goals from Mark Gonzalez, Dirk Kuyt and John Arne Riise secured the points for the home side, with Gonzalez's opening goal coming just seconds after Spurs missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Jermaine Jenas slide the ball wide from close range.

Benitez said: "It was a good game, a difficult game. We knew how Spurs were going to play and in the first half it was hard for us to make clear chances.

"In the second period we were better. We got the ball wide earlier and the quality of players we now have meant we were able to make better opportunities. Tottenham had one good chance in the first half and one in the second but apart from that I thought we were the better side.

"I'm happy with the team and happy with the confidence we have after winning again."

Asked whether successive victories had helped repair some of the early season damage caused by defeats at Everton and Chelsea, the Reds' boss replied: "I don't like to talk about what has happened in the past. You know my idea is always to look forward and in our case that means games against Galatasaray and then Bolton.

"Our performance today was good and we want to carry that on into our midweek game now."

Xabi Alonso scored one of the most spectacular goals in Anfield history as Dirk Kuyt got off the mark in a red shirt and Liverpool got back to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Kuyt netted for the first time since his August arrival from Feyenoord when he opened the scoring by converting from close-range in the 29th minute.

But it was Alonso's stunning strike that people will be talking about for years to come. It came 11 minutes from time and was an almost carbon-copy of his famous long-range goal against Luton in January.

Dispossessing Charles N'Zogbia about 60-yards out, the Spaniard potted Steve Harper off his line and floated a delightful dipping effort high into the Kop net.

It put the seal on a well-deserved win for the Reds who dominated for long periods and have moved up six places in the Premiership table as a result.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Garcia (c), Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Bellamy, Kuyt. Subs - Crouch, Dudek, Gonzalez, Hyypia, Warnock

Newcastle United: Harper, Babayaro, Moore, Ramage, Carr, Duff, Parker (c), , Milner, Ameobi, Martins. Subs - Butt, Krul, N'Zogbia, Rossi, Sibierski

Referee: Mark Halsey

Conditions:

Attendance: Unavailable

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

Didier Drogba’s thunderbolt shortly before half time was enough to give 10-man Chelsea a 1-0 win over Liverpool, denting The Reds’ title hopes in the process.
The Blues were not at their best and for long periods were under the cosh following Michael Ballack's dismissal in the second half, but they ground out the points.

The contest was ultimately settled on 42 minutes when Drogba controlled Frank Lampard's cross from the right before unleashing an unstoppable volley.

Chelsea began the better of the two with Jose Mourinho's charges dominating the possession in the opening exchanges at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues could have been ahead on 10 minutes, but Daniel Agger was on hand to clear the danger under pressure from John Terry, although referee Mike Riley had already blown for holding by Drogba.

Despite little of the ball, Liverpool should have opened the scoring when Xabi Alonso found Dirk Kuyt with a superb through ball, but the Dutch striker opted for power and his thumping effort cannoned off the crossbar.

The teams then traded attempts with Lampard's free kick finding Jose Reina, while at the other end Craig Bellamy's shot from the left angle was easily gathered by Petr Cech.

Chelsea continued to create the chances, but summer signing Andrei Shevchenko was never likely to beat Reina from just inside the area with his left-footed volley.

Shortly after Steve Finnan wasted a good chance in the middle following a raking pass from Steven Gerrard, the home side were ahead before the interval with a goal out of the blue.

Lampard's cross from the right looked harmless enough, however, Drogba controlled in the middle and in a flash he lashed home past Reina with a sensational volley.

Liverpool had the final chance of the half, but after Gerrard got the better of Khalid Boulahrouz he fired his shot over Cech's bar from the angle.

Controversy struck shortly after the interval when Ballack was shown a straight red card for an apparent stamp on Reds midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Ballack was incensed at failing to get a decision from Riley and seconds later appeared to catch Sissoko's inner thigh after he played the ball.

Mourinho reorganised his side by pulling Shevchenko into a deeper position with Drogba playing in a familiar lone striker role.

The Ukrainian did not last long in the midfield with Dutch winger Arjen Robben making his comeback from a calf injury shortly after the hour mark.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez made a tactical change after bringing on Boudewijn Zenden for Sissoko and the switch allowed Gerrard to move into a central role.

The move nearly paid instant dividends with Alonso's shot finding Gerrard in the middle and he flicked the ball over Boulahrouz only to see his close-range effort superbly blocked by Cech.

Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure and Cech had to be on his toes to get behind Agger's long-range drive, while Kuyt was inches from levelling with a back post header from Finnan's cross.

The visitors thought they had a penalty when Lampard bundled over Gerrard in the box, however, Riley waved away their appeals, much to the disappointment of Benitez.

For the second time of the afternoon Kuyt should have scored, but after a knock-down by substitute Peter Crouch in the middle, the Dutch striker spooned over from 12 yards out.

Crouch should have snatched a point in injury time, however, he failed to direct his header past Cech in the middle following a superb delivery from Finnan's cross.

Despite creating all the chances in the second half, Benitez's side failed to bag that all-important leveller, leaving them with just a win and a draw from their opening four Premiership outings

Rafael Benitez felt basic mistakes was the reason why Liverpool lost the derby 3-0 and described his team's defending as "very poor."
The Reds manager also felt his team could have got back into the game as Liverpool did create some decent openings but was disappointed with the chances that weren't taken on the day.

"We made a lot of mistakes, too many mistakes and our defending was really poor," explained Benitez.

"Last season we had a lot of clean sheets so we need to analyse why we are conceding goals so easily.

"I thought we were too nice at times and put ourselves under pressure. Someone said to me we had 21 shots at goal but that counts for nothing if you don't take your chances.

"It is a very disappointing day for us for sure."

Two goals from Andrew Johnson and one from Tim Cahill condemned Liverpool to a 3-0 Derby defeat at the hands of Everton and their first defeat in 18 games at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Reds finished the game with 10 men when after Rafa Benitez had used all of his substitutes John Arne Riise had to go off after suffering a 78th minute recurrence of the ankle injury that has kept him out since the opening day of the season.

The statistics of this game will show that it was Liverpool who created by far the most goalscoring chances, but they slipped to their first Derby defeat since 2004 after Everton capitalised on the few they had.

Everton's goals both came in the first half. Tim Cahill opened the scoring in the 24th minute after meeting Carsley's flick on before sliding the ball under Reina from 6 yards. And Andrew Johnson made it 2-0 in the 36th minute when beating Carragher to the ball and placing it beyond Reina into the bottom left corner.

Not that it was all one way traffic in the first half because Fowler forced Howard into a smart save after just 8 seconds; and Steven Gerrard was agonisingly close when hitting the post after Howard had only been able to parry Luis Garcia's shot.

The Reds dominated the second half and Gerrard hit the post again in the 75th minute in an incident that should have seen them awarded a penalty after Hibbert handled the ball when on the ground.

Liverpool's misery was compounded in injury time when Andrew Johnson scored his second to make it 3-0, in the process making it the first time Everton have scored three times against their neighbours since the Premiership began.

So it will be the blue half of Merseyside who have the bragging rights after this 204th Merseyside Derby, but Liverpool must quickly put that behind them. The Reds have big games almost every week and they're playing PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday.