Rafael Benitez suggested an away goal may prove crucial prior to tie commencing. Though had his own team in mind when making that prediction.
It proved prescient as a Diego Forlan volley during extra-time took Atletico Madrid to a meeting with Fulham in the final. At one stage the game looked there for Liverpool who had edged ahead through goals from Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun
Just how much could have been earned from betting that the Cottagers would remain in Europe longer than any other English representative may go somewhere to providing the Anfield coffers with a boost.
Translated from Spanish one of Atletico Madrid’s nicknames, Los Colchoneros, translates as the Mattress Makers.
It’s an unusual moniker. But one with an interesting theory which runs that a red and white striped shirts were once the cheapest to make given that these colours were used in the making of mattresses in the early 1900s.
Any fabric leftover from the process could be picked up for relatively modest fees.
In terms of transfer policy and consequently team selection Rafael Benitez has cut his coat according to the cloth available for some time but with Liverpool needing to score at least two goals to progress an attacking line-up was required.
The manager didn’t disappoint. The team selected certainly appeared to have the right intent.
With Dirk Kuyt shaking off a calf problem and starting there may have been a temptation to provide a little more insurance. After all Atletico only required a single goal to make the match a very different proposition for Liverpool. But Ryan Babel also featured. So too Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun.
The Israeli could have had Liverpool ahead within the opening seconds. Attacking the Kop end he broke down the right after Kuyt flicked Daniel Agger’s ball forward into his path. David de Gea beating it round his near post.
Two corners had been awarded by the time a minute was out. Swiftly followed by a third. Though only the latter caused de Gea too much trouble and the need to punch clear.
It was inevitable that the tempo would drop. As it did Atletico were able to gain more of a foothold. Pepe Reina made a low save when Raul Garcia chanced his arm from distance. The shot bouncing before it reached the keeper causing a little difficulty.
Until that point only regulation defending had been required. Though Atletico drew no credit from a few displays of gamesmanship. Javier Mascherano was tasked with seeing off the threat of Simao down the right as Glen Johnson traded flanks.
Midway through the opening period the pace picked up significantly. Either side could have taken the lead within a minute. Kuyt lifted the ball over when seeking to convert a Gerrard cross.
Played in by Jose Antonio Reyes down the left Aguero pulled Reina wide only to see his lobbed cross fall over Forlan.
Agger had a header ruled out for offside. The chance came through a perfectly teed Gerrard free-kick. From the captain’s next set piece de Gea punched.
It helped the momentum drift back Liverpool’s way and the half ended as it began. Though this time yielded a goal which tied the aggregate scores. Aquilani firing in after Benayoun collected a Mascherano throw and centred. Kuyt was the intended recipient but just behind the Italian applied a cool finish.
Content not to slip behind Madrid were measured in their approach on the restart though still enjoyed better opportunities than their hosts. Paulo Assuncao coming closest with a shot which dipped over. Rarely wanting to chance a break Atletico limited themselves to attempts from range. All of which found the Kop.
Benayoun would have had the simple task of firing home just before the hour had he not seemed surprised that Babel’s cross was able to reach him at the far post. His attempt to control taking the ball too far ahead of him to apply a meaningful touch.
Other than a fumbled save when Kuyt chanced his arm de Gea wasn’t tested until the closing stages when a Johnson effort which dipped and curled as it reached him needed fisting over.
A mixture of fouls and some theatrics allowed Madrid to create pressure as normal time drew near its conclusion. Heart were in the mouth moments were few in number though it took a fine piece of thinking from Gerrard to ensure a chance didn’t drop deep inside his own area.
Respectful applause greeted the full-time announcement that Fulham had reached the final. Extra-time began against a background of rousing cheers as home fans tried to lift Liverpool for the additional half hour.
A reward came within four minutes. Lucas Leiva picking out Benayoun who slipped down the left before slotting the ball across de Gea and in.
Forced to seek at least one goal Madrid showed urgency and threatened to level the aggregate scores well before doing so. Jurado on as a substitute pulled an effort less than a foot wide just prior to Forlan grabbing a goal close in after Reyes, a constant problem when the visitors looked to attack, gave Johnson the slip.
Simao clipped the roof of Reina’s net with a delicate lob as the Spanish outfit threatened to make it worse.
Meanwhile Liverpool who were made to work hard to carve out openings failed to thread the final ball through the wall created. Atletico have progressed courtesy of grinding out results and showed they could do so here too.
Out of legs and ideas Liverpool’s only hopes of silverware ebbed away.
Ronnie Realism, Liverpool around 1 year, 9 months ago