UEFA Champions League 1st Knockout 2nd Leg
Tuesday 11th March 2008 @ 7.45pm
Anfield
FC Internazionale 0-1 Liverpool (Liverpool win 3-0 on aggregate)
Liverpool defeated Inter on their own pitch to comprehensively complete a fantastic Champions League victory. The painful memories of Bill Shankly's trip to Inter in 1965 can be laid to rest as the reds, despite facing an initial 20 minute onslaught, ended the game mocking the Italian's with some extensive periods of possession.
Before the tie, the media (those foolish souls) has us banged to rights - no way would we get past the 'best side in European football'. Oh how they will be crying in to their Blackberry's tonight.
Benitez takes Liverpool onwards in Europe. Again.
The last two occasions the reds have reached the Quarter Finals we have gone all the way to the final, all under Rafa's stewardship.
Who scored the goal? Do I really need to say? Fernando Torres scored the kind of goal that nobody else can. In the 68th minute he swivelled and from nothing smashed the ball past the Inter keeper.
The reds had faced some pressure in the first 20 minutes, struggling to gain composure on the ball. As the evening wore on the reds slowly got their grip on the game, and the Italians began resorting to their usual tricks. There were dives and cynical challenges aplenty. The referee fell for some of them, others he didn't.
Javier Mascherano, returning from injury, was again one of the reds key players. Liverpool's two most expensive signings are both world class. And at a club filled with the history of Collymore, Heskey and Cisse, Rafa deserves to be commended on that.
The yellow cards were mounting up and eventually someone paid the ultimate price. In the 50th minute, Burdisso already on a yellow card clattered in to Lucas Leiva. The second yellow card appeared and Inter, yet again, paid for their frustration and were left with 10 men.
Liverpool have won the last 6 games in all competitions since the horror of Barnsley. Four English sides take part in the last 8 of the Champions League.
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Babel (Benayoun 61), Mascherano (Pennant 87), Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt (Riise 81), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin, Crouch, Arbeloa.
Booked: Babel, Gerrard, Aurelio, Benayoun.
Goals: Torres 64.
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Burdisso, Rivas, Chivu, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic (Jimenez 84), Vieira (Pele 76), Ibrahimovic (Suazo 80), Cruz.
Subs Not Used: Toldo, Figo, Crespo, Maniche.
Sent Off: Burdisso (50).
Booked: Burdisso, Rivas, Stankovic, Chivu.
Att: 80,000
Ref: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).