LIVERPOOL 4 - 4 ARSENAL
Tuesday 21 April 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League
Tuesday 21 April 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League
Here's the pick of the post-match reaction following Liverpool's pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal.
The local paper
Liverpool were the better side and by no little distance, particularly in the first half which they dominated only to perversely find themselves trailing, and the fact that Arsenal did not win a single corner in the entire match tells its own story. The problem was that they put so much energy into their latest comeback from a losing position that they ended up running on empty in the closing stages and when Arshavin again found the target it was hard to see how the Reds could possibly get back into the game. From somewhere though, they again found the resilience and determination to come up with a result just when it seemed one would be beyond them and in doing so they kept their title dreams alive. Should Portsmouth show as much desire at old Trafford tonight as Arsenal did at Anfield then a disappointing point could yet turn into a decent one. The advantage is very much with United but no-one should write Liverpool off just yet, not in a season when anything can and so often does happen. The white knuckle thrill ride that is Liverpool's title challenge may have been driven off course but it has not been derailed and the seemingly endless succession of twists could still turn things back in their favour.
Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
The tabloid
Just when you think games can't get any better, you are proved wrong, wrong, and wrong again. A week ago, Liverpool had played their part in the match of the Champions League season at Chelsea. Last night, Rafa Benitez witnessed the Premier League equivalent.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
The broadsheet
What a night, and what a match. Arshavin's four goals were stunning, four breathtaking finishes and they represented the only four clear-cut chances that Arsenal had all night. Yossi Benayoun's 93rd-minute equaliser was the last significant act in another conflagration of dodgy defences and swashbuckling strikers. Arshavin stole the show but Torres, with two goals of his own, was a giant, leading Liverpool in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard. Just eight days ago, Benitez's side played out another eight-goal extravaganza against Chelsea in the Champions League and last night they did it all over again.
Sam Wallace, The Independent
The broadsheet
When the dust finally starts to settle around Anfield this morning, after an extraordinary night when the old place was shaken to its foundations, it will be of little consolation to Rafael BenÃtez that his team have suddenly become English football's great entertainers.
Oliver Kay, The Times
The player
It was great game for the supporters to watch but not for us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the game. In the first-half we created four or five really good chances but then they scored with their only shot of the half. We came back strong in the second-half and led 2-1. At that point we were controlling the game but we made more mistakes and then when we had to chase it they punished us. We have the best defence in the league and the best goalkeeper too, but I think we didn't defend well as a team against Arsenal. We scored four goals and still didn't manage to pick up the three points so I think that shows we should have done better.
Yossi Benayoun
The boss
I am very disappointed because we have conceded four goals we wouldn't normally concede. We made massive mistakes. You don't remember any saves from Pepe Reina. It's just four chances and four goals - all of them from our mistakes. You never know what can happen in football, so we have to be confident we'll have chances until the end of the season. United are in the driving seat, but we will see what happens on Wednesday. If they win it will be more difficult, but they have to win. They also have to play Arsenal, so we will see.
Rafa Benitez
The skipper
I think that point could be big. We'll have to wait and see how big it could be for us. Performance-wise, at times we were very good. Torres and Benayoun were frightening going forward. It's not like us to concede that many goals like we have tonight. We're normally sound defensively, especially at home. Now we need United to get beaten which is difficult to do because they're a good team. But I still believe there will be twists and turns in this title race.
Steven Gerrard
The opposition manager
The game was quality on both sides but you are only half happy when you concede four goals. We are bit less than half happy because we were 4-3 up with just a minute to go. The positive is that we have a long unbeaten run and this keeps that going, and another positive is that we have shown our quality. The negative is that three points would have been better.
Arsene Wenger
The fan
Phenomenal commitment, great entertainment (although I'm neutral on this) and the atmosphere was unbelievable. Three players stood out for me though: Torres, Benayoun and Kuyt. Torres is getting back to his goalscoring best and, according to an Arsenal mate who was in the away section tonight, was incredible. Benayoun is growing into one of my favourite players at the club. His heroic performances of 2009 so far will never be forgotten by me. Brave, skilful and pops up with goals. Gerrard clearly loves him and I do too. And Kuyt - the effort he put in was out of this world and he produced two stunning assists.
Underdogg, Liverpoolfc.tv forums
The local paper
Liverpool were the better side and by no little distance, particularly in the first half which they dominated only to perversely find themselves trailing, and the fact that Arsenal did not win a single corner in the entire match tells its own story. The problem was that they put so much energy into their latest comeback from a losing position that they ended up running on empty in the closing stages and when Arshavin again found the target it was hard to see how the Reds could possibly get back into the game. From somewhere though, they again found the resilience and determination to come up with a result just when it seemed one would be beyond them and in doing so they kept their title dreams alive. Should Portsmouth show as much desire at old Trafford tonight as Arsenal did at Anfield then a disappointing point could yet turn into a decent one. The advantage is very much with United but no-one should write Liverpool off just yet, not in a season when anything can and so often does happen. The white knuckle thrill ride that is Liverpool's title challenge may have been driven off course but it has not been derailed and the seemingly endless succession of twists could still turn things back in their favour.
Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
The tabloid
Just when you think games can't get any better, you are proved wrong, wrong, and wrong again. A week ago, Liverpool had played their part in the match of the Champions League season at Chelsea. Last night, Rafa Benitez witnessed the Premier League equivalent.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror
The broadsheet
What a night, and what a match. Arshavin's four goals were stunning, four breathtaking finishes and they represented the only four clear-cut chances that Arsenal had all night. Yossi Benayoun's 93rd-minute equaliser was the last significant act in another conflagration of dodgy defences and swashbuckling strikers. Arshavin stole the show but Torres, with two goals of his own, was a giant, leading Liverpool in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard. Just eight days ago, Benitez's side played out another eight-goal extravaganza against Chelsea in the Champions League and last night they did it all over again.
Sam Wallace, The Independent
The broadsheet
When the dust finally starts to settle around Anfield this morning, after an extraordinary night when the old place was shaken to its foundations, it will be of little consolation to Rafael BenÃtez that his team have suddenly become English football's great entertainers.
Oliver Kay, The Times
The player
It was great game for the supporters to watch but not for us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the game. In the first-half we created four or five really good chances but then they scored with their only shot of the half. We came back strong in the second-half and led 2-1. At that point we were controlling the game but we made more mistakes and then when we had to chase it they punished us. We have the best defence in the league and the best goalkeeper too, but I think we didn't defend well as a team against Arsenal. We scored four goals and still didn't manage to pick up the three points so I think that shows we should have done better.
Yossi Benayoun
The boss
I am very disappointed because we have conceded four goals we wouldn't normally concede. We made massive mistakes. You don't remember any saves from Pepe Reina. It's just four chances and four goals - all of them from our mistakes. You never know what can happen in football, so we have to be confident we'll have chances until the end of the season. United are in the driving seat, but we will see what happens on Wednesday. If they win it will be more difficult, but they have to win. They also have to play Arsenal, so we will see.
Rafa Benitez
The skipper
I think that point could be big. We'll have to wait and see how big it could be for us. Performance-wise, at times we were very good. Torres and Benayoun were frightening going forward. It's not like us to concede that many goals like we have tonight. We're normally sound defensively, especially at home. Now we need United to get beaten which is difficult to do because they're a good team. But I still believe there will be twists and turns in this title race.
Steven Gerrard
The opposition manager
The game was quality on both sides but you are only half happy when you concede four goals. We are bit less than half happy because we were 4-3 up with just a minute to go. The positive is that we have a long unbeaten run and this keeps that going, and another positive is that we have shown our quality. The negative is that three points would have been better.
Arsene Wenger
The fan
Phenomenal commitment, great entertainment (although I'm neutral on this) and the atmosphere was unbelievable. Three players stood out for me though: Torres, Benayoun and Kuyt. Torres is getting back to his goalscoring best and, according to an Arsenal mate who was in the away section tonight, was incredible. Benayoun is growing into one of my favourite players at the club. His heroic performances of 2009 so far will never be forgotten by me. Brave, skilful and pops up with goals. Gerrard clearly loves him and I do too. And Kuyt - the effort he put in was out of this world and he produced two stunning assists.
Underdogg, Liverpoolfc.tv forums
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