Interesting lineup. Diao and Gerrard in the center is, I think, what GH wanted when he bought Diao. Let's see what they can do. Nice to see Kirkland and Henchoz back, and Welsh get into the matchday squad.
Ray Parlour fouls Diouf. Graham Barber is the ref today. Parlour stripped by Riise, who kicks him. FK to LFC. Gerrard swings it in, Edu forced to concede the corner. Kewell to take. Campbell heads it out for another corner. Out to Riise, who hits an Arsenal player.
Lauren gets a cross in but it's grabbed by Dudek. Diouf runs down the right and Cole concedes a throw.
Kewell makes a nice run through the center and give to Owen wide. Diouf gets a cross in and it's grabbed by Jens.
Stevie's first longball straight to Campbell. Lauren gives it away and LFC break but Kewell is offside. 8 mins. 0-0
Smicer does nice work to get to Owen, who fires from 25. Jens just getsa hand to it and it's a corner to LFC. Smicer plays short but it's cleared by Edu, who gets it to Henry. Pires gets it to Henry, who screws up.
Rainy and windy in Liverpool. Riise sends a great ball to Owen that Jens has to come out far to clear. Kewell avoids three guys. Nice work in tight quarters and Smicer fires from 37. Saved by Lehmann.
Cole gets a high boot and fould Finnan. Parlour and Lauren not playing well so far, but I said that about LIsbie last week at this point. 14 mins. 0-0
Nice pass by Diao. Some pingpong int he box and it falls to Kewell who strikes it past Lehamnn!!!!!!!! 15 mins. 1-0, LFC
Smicer plays defense, which is to say that he fouled someone. Owen wins a header on a hoof against Toure. Edu fouls Diouf in midfield. LFC recapture the pace after some possession by AFC.
Gerrard, Kewell, Smicer can't get it to Owen. Hyypia sends a great longball but Diouf is offside. Just saw the replayof the goal. Kewell reminded me of Macca, but from the right.
Horrible call. Dumb giveaway for AFC but Owen was judged to be offside, which he most certainly was not.
Stevie's second Hollywood ball was better, but Lehmann collects. Smicer gets a cross early but it's grabbed by Jens. Finnan with a cross. Riise heads it and it bounces to Kewell in a similar position, but it's high.
SHould've been a foul on Aladiere - took the legs out from Diao. Henry collects and gets Arse's first good shot on goal, which Dudek gets a hand to. Corner to Arse. Edu takes it and Toure hits it high into the Kop.
Diao comes back on after receiving treatment from the foul. 27 mins., 1-0 Good ball to Owen but Campbell is there. Owen was called offside again, which he wasn't. Diouf fouled on the right about 30 yards out. Gerrard hits it to the far post, but it's out for an Arse throw. Kewell plays defense and wins a free kick on the left about 20 yards out. Just wide by Owen!
Kewell having an excellent match so far. Arse's defense looking very saky. Poor distribution and organization. 30 mins. 1-0
Big space for Edu to get in there. Poor marking, but I couldn't see who should've had him. Arse fouling everybody. Diouf won about three in the past few minutes. He's rolling around like a tosser. Cole getting booked for dissent. Free kick to LFC 12 yards out wide right. Gerrard to take, which is cleared but LFC maintain possession, until they eventually give it up. 35 mins. 1-1