Europa Cup semifinals 2010

Liverpool vs Athletico Madrid ( 29 April 2010)

Liverpool's 2009-10 campaign has been rather disappointing and slightly above average, they being knocked off the Champions league, FA cup, Carling cup. Also the title race for the Barclays Premier League is far from their reach. Only salvation which they can obtain is by winning the Europa Cup but things didn't quite happen the way they wanted.

Athletico Madrid, the spanish club travelled all the way to the port city of Liverpool to take on 'The Reds' in the second leg of the Europa Cup semifinals. Liverpool having lost the first leg in Spain was hoping to regain some ground. Torres was out with an injury and the Liverpool squad lacked quality.

Liverpool kicked off the first half towards the KOP end and within 10 sec of the game Benayoun got a chance to put them ahead but the angle was acute and some good goalkeeping by the Athletico keeper kept Liverpool at bay. Liverpool dominated the first half, but couldn't quite capitalize and surge ahead on the score board. Daniel Agger's brilliant header from a Gerrard free kick was turned down by the linesman because Agger was just off. Good work by the Athletico defence.

Athletico had a couple of chances too, Garcia smashing a full volley but Reina did good to push the ball for a corner. Aguero had a brilliant chance when he rounded off Reina but couldn't place the ball rightly fro Diego Forlan to score.

In the 44th minute Liverpool went ahead with a Aquillani goal. The italian did well and the finish was good. Aquillani, the 20million pound transfer was at last on the score card with his first goal for Liverpool.

The danger of an away goal still loomed large at Anfield  because if Athletico scores even one goal, Liverpool would have to bounce back by scoring two.

The second half was evenly balanced with both teams surging ahead and creating chances but neither team could convert them into goals. The match was carried into another extra 30 minutes after the second half was over. The teams were tied at 1-1 aggregate.

Yossi Benayoun gave Liverpool the much needed second goal 95 minutes into the game. The execution was superb and finish brilliant,hard and low into the bottom corner of the net.

Anfield Erupted !

But celebrations lasted only 7 minutes as Forlan clipped the ball past Reina into the net to break all Liverpool hearts. Sloppy defending by Johnson and unmarking of Forlan by  Carragher cost Liverpool a chance to be in the finals of the Europa League.

Liverpool tried hard to score the third but Athletico held their nerves till the end. So another European night at Anfield had ended in disappointment for Liverpool.

Final Score: Liverpool 2-1 Athletico Madrid

Aggregate: Liverpool 2- 2 Athletico Madrid

Athletico move ahead based on away goal.