hurdle crossed

OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE 0 - 4 LIVERPOOL
11/12/07,19:45(Spore Wed morning),Champions League Group Phase

Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Kewell, Gerrard (captain), Mascherano, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt.
Subs : Crouch, Aurelio, Leiva, Babel, Finnan, Hobbs, Itandje

Flash back to what Jamie Carragher said after we had only 1 point from the first 3 CL games :
"We've now got to look back at what happened in 2005 when we didn't look like we'd get through but ended up winning the final. We've got to look at that and try to do it again. We won't settle for the UEFA Cup, we won't settle for anything. We're still in the Champions League and if we win all three games I think we'll get through."

We played an impressive game against Marseille, scored 4 goals without reply and ended the "trilogy" of must win games on a high and qualify for the knockout stage of the CL.

8-0 win against Besiktas, 4-1 against Porto and 4-0 over Marseille, we definitely passed the tests with flying colours. How on earth in the first place did we end up in such a tight situation is beyond my comprehension. But with such incredible pressure on the field and with the "problems" off it involving Rafa and the owners, it is truly a great turn around and it shows that Istanbul Spirit is still well and truly steeped in the minds of the players.

To many other CL teams, the excitement doesn't really start until the knockout stages, but for us, the dramas, highs and lows in the group stage is already as good as it gets. Liverpool in Europe is always not kind to the supporters' heart :)

Final CL Group Stage Table after 6 games :
1. Porto 11 points - qualified
2. Liverpool 10 points - qualified
3. Marseille 7 points
4. Besiktas 6 points

Goals to remember :

4 mins : Penalty Scored! Gerrard brought down and his penalty is saved but he converts the rebound

11 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Wonderful individual goal from Torres as he dances his way through the Marseille defence before slotting the ball home

48 mins : GOAL! Dirk Kuyt: Kewell slides the ball into Kuyt's path and the Dutchman makes nio mistake with a shot into the roof of the goal

90 mins : GOAL! Ryan Babel: Babel puts the seal on a great performance by beating the goalkeeper to slot into the empty goal