Dazzling European night at Anfield as Liverpool bow out
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: A dejected Steven Gerrard of Liverpool walks off the pitch following his team’s exit from the competition during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Zenit St Petersburg
Another memorable European night at Anfield and the last European game for the retiring Jamie Carragher resulted in a 3-1 win for Liverpool; but unfortunately, the Reds bowed out of the competition on account of an away goal from Zenit. Football, as we all know, can be cruel at times, but romantics will be most disheartened by the fact that Jamie Carragher, one of Liverpool’s longest-serving and most faithful players, had to exit in such a way. While it was not the best way to mark his 150th and final appearance at the European stage for Liverpool, it must have been a proud feeling to see the way Liverpool battled and fought back to almost overcome a 3-0 deficit.
The elusive fourth goal never came but the momentum of the game was wholly in Liverpool’s favour. However, Liverpool started off on the back foot and an error by Jamie Carragher allowed Hulk to get through on goal and he duly punished the error by side footing the crucial away goal. From there on, it seemed an uphill task; Anfield has been the venue of memorable European nights and it was in store for another one as Suarez thumped a equalizing free-kick through the slightest of gaps offered by the Zenit wall.
Game on and Liverpool continued to pour forward in search of a second goal before half time which would surely unnerve the Russians; a free kick at the far post and the chance was gone but soon enough, the resourceful Enrique showed his neat interplay skills and running off the ball, he squared a pass straight into Joe Allen’s path whose header was saved but he duly converted the rebound. Liverpool was truly alive and walked into dressing room with fire and tenacity at the half-time break.
The second half was a continuation of the first half and after the penalty appeal for a hand ball was waved off, Suarez made no mistake in swerving a majestic free kick past the left hand post of the Russian goal keeper. Amidst all the euphoria, Rodgers made the attacking changes, which, in hindsight, seemed to have somewhat affected the flow of the game of the Liverpool team.
Liverpool did create chances and won corners regularly and Shelvey came closest to punishing a defensive lapse by the Russians but, as has been the tale of this European tie, Liverpool were made to regret their own defensive lapses, which ultimately led to the result in favor of Zenit.
It will be cruel to blame Jamie Carragher, as it was the collective defensive lapses of the team in Russia which cost them the most. Rodgers, though, will take heart from this result and hopefully Liverpool will take the momentum of this win into the league and make the push towards the Champions league places which is so desired at Anfield.
With some scintillating football on display, it is clear that European nights are something that Anfield rises to and so do the players; and given the way the atmosphere was, the Liverpool players would want to experience more such nights at Anfield.