still, never have i been more proud of our team, especially with the post match comments. can you imagine mourinho saying what rafa said right after the game?

YNWA

Only thing I can think of was that the lads at the back seemed to be quite tired towards the end of the match so maybe we could have been opened up easier if we had gone this route. However, we definately would have been more potent in attack if you’re suggestions were followed.

Maybe I was looking at Pennant through rose tinted glasses, I only seen 2 “average to bad” passes from him, I thought a lot of his balls were very good? Anyway, I was so excited during the game that I prob missed a couple of other wayward ones.

Much and all as I am not happy with the suggestion I’m finding it hard to construct a case for keeping Xabi if we get a telephone number bid for him. However, I can see him staying with us and maybe Momo being let go if we can get a decent amount for him from Juve.

Of all the guys that Gaz has mentioned I would be very sorry (and disappointed) if we let Crouch go. I still think he gives us options that very few other players can give us. And he scores……

YNWA

1) LUCK. We had none whatsoever whereas Milan obviously had plenty with the first goal at a terrible time for us to concede. Luck is a very important factor in football, we all know that.

2) Finishing. We had more shots on goal and more clear opportunities – Stevie G really should have scored but this just hasn’t been his season for it. We can’t really complain because a lack of quality finishing has been the hallmark of our last 2 or 3 seasons, so it would have been out of character for us to actually slot every chance we had.

3) The dodgy ref. Without an ounce of sour grapes involved, he was very poor. He did NOT cost us the game, so it is not an excuse, but he sure as hell muddied the playing field with some mystifying decisions. And I don’t know what to call it when he played a full minute less injury time in the 2nd half – complete incompetence or something else?

So as far as I’m concerned, those are the reasons (not excuses) we lost – which in the end says that the lads played their guts out and can hold their heads high, because we weren’t outplayed, we just happened to lose the bloody football game.

The silver lining in this cloud is that I believe the defeat will help our Premiership campaign next season. Every player (who’s staying) will be looking to erase the memory of defeat ASAP and look forward to ripping into the Premiership campaign… whereas a victory in Athens, however sweet, really could have distracted our off-season / pre-season from the hard work that needs to be done.

Congrats to everyone for their support of the boys.

YNWA

YNWA

I’m suprisingly not as pissed at the defeat as I thought I would be. The fact we didn’t lose a 3 nil lead and that fact that we totally dominated the game. It just highlighted what our whole season has been about, the lack of attacking quality.

I guess what’s helping is the potential. If we can get to two CL finals in 3 years with a “budget” squad (compared to the Mancs and the Chavs), and now Rafa has got the cash, our future has got to look good. We’ll just have to win the PL and CL next that’s all. Imagine the parade next year!

It’s good to see that Rafa isn’t having any favourite, especially seeing Gonazales is on his way, after the hype Rafa gave him. If I was an under performing LFC player I would be shitting myself, cos I’d know I’m on my way out.

Also Europe and the PL must be cacking their pants too. The way we stop teams playing and dominate games is one thing, but adding to that the goal threat no doubt Rafa is going to buy in is going to make us unstoppable.

We’ve been criticised in the past few seasons by mancs and Chavs saying the next season we’ll be contenders, surely if Rafa can get his targets we should now be realising that dream.

We are wounded but you should never fuck with a wounded animal. We’re gonna be back and we’re gonna rule!

I do believe the manager has to take somepart of the blame if anyone if going to start with bad performances and all. I am happy we did so well to get to the final. I am happy the players played their hearts out.

I am disappointed the ref was spoiled the game.

And the tactics involved, I will probably never understand mr benny. I dun get why he took of Finnan to be subs by Arbeloa. This is the final. We needed a goal. If at all this was the time to throw on our strikers.

Also, I believe we would ave done much better if we took off Agger towards the later part of the game and played with 3 defenders, like in Istanbul. Milan was never getting past Alonso and Mascherano through the middle, Seedorf and Kaka subdued. Carra could handle any high balls to Inzaghi with ease. Milan would also not find a way through on the flanks because of Pennant and Finnan cover the right while Kewell and Riise the left, all the while having Alonso or Mascherano pushing and stifling them should they try to.

Thats why I will not understand the subs of Finnan with Arbeloa. I would have preferred to see Masherano and Alonso remain, Zenden ( did not do enough ) subbed by Kewell, Agger subbed by Bella and IF Kuyt tired out, bring on GOD or Crouch. Either of these, will put 2 strikers up front when the milan defense is tiring, free Stevie G to pick up the loose balls. All the time we would be pushing forward with Kewell and RIise putting in crosses from the left and Pennant and Finnan finding more red shirts to put their crosses to. ALso, Alonso and Mascherano to clear up the midfiled and start counter attacks from there. Carra, be his colossial self to take out any danger that may seep through.

We could have won this game. We could have won this cup… i guess that’s why I am feeling so gutted, cos we really could have.

First and foremost, congrats to Milan. They did not play well but two moments of brilliance from Kaka and luck with the freekick was all they needed.

Full credit to the boss and the lads for the effort (although the substitution of Zenden was a bit too slow for my liking).

Our finishing was not good enough, and as someone says, Pennant played well but his crossing and corners were crap as usual, and I don’t want to go into Zenden. We also should have passed to SG more often in the first half. So, although we dominated most of the game, I think it is fair to say we just gave the win away, and just like a lethal Italian side does, Milan took their chances when it counted.

Still, I don’t think we need to be ashamed of ourselves, and can look to the future. With a couple more class signings, preferably someone who can beat defenders and can put in quality crosses, I am sure we will be coming back here soon.

Thanks everyone for a wonderful European season. Let’s not waste it next time.

YNWA, and proud to be a RED!

Hyde