69 mins. 2-1 LFC losing the plot after the restart and Arse playing with their swagger again. Pires brings down Kewell at midfield.
Kewell dances and gets a shot off, but Lehmann grabs. Watch out, Heskey coming on (for Diao or Owen, probably). TLT gets to a cross but can't do anything with it. He's been invisible this half.
Kewell wins a corner. Heskey, whose late heroics at Anfield won LFC a draw against Arse last year, comes on for Owen. Wiltord on for Aladiere.
It wasn't a corner, but a goal kick. Lovely touch from Diouf to Heskey, who miscontrols it. Henry pulls it back but Dudek grabs. Heskey gets a cross in but no one there.
Witord shoots from a similar position as Pires but Dudek grabs easily. 75 mins. 2-1, Arse TLT gets it to Kewell in the box, who can't pull the trigger.
Kewell escapes a challenge and Gerrard wins a corner. Lehmann flaps and it's out for another corner. Cleared off the line! Lehmann flapped but might have been fouled. No call. Another corner and it's poor. Out for a throw. 79 mins. 1-2
Henry gives it up in traffic and flops. No call, but he wins one a few seconds later. Free kick 40 yards out. It's got pace, but Dudek has it.
Heskey gets in behind Campbell but the cross to Kewell is cleared well by Campbell. TLT gets it 20 yards out and put it inches wide!
LFC unable to do much. They're disrupting Arse's attack but can't get it to their own guys. 87 mins. 1-2
Giveaway by TLT almost costly but Stevie wins it back. Gerrard's working his ass off with so much inexperience around him.
Turning point of the match was Smicer leaving. It not only left us with considerably less experience, but also allowed Arse to concentrate on Kewell, who was marked out of the second half. Hopefully Vlad and Michael are alright and will not have to miss any action. Disappointing result after such a promising start. Pires' goal was absolute class, though.
Stats courtesy of Soccernet: Shots (on goal) LFC: 13 (7) Arse: 12 (8) Fouls LFC: 12 Arse: 20 Corners LFC: 11 Arse: 3 Offsides LFC: 5 Arse: 3 Poss. LFC: 48% Arse: 52% Yellow LFC: 2 Arse: 2 Reds None for either team Saves: LFC: 9 Arse: 12
turning point was smicer leaving?????? he did next to zero on the pitch... try gallic bob's curling shot in the corner.. that was the turning point mate... and does diouf go down like that all the time?? wow... fun game~
Disappointing result at home, especially after taking the lead with a great goal from Kewell. I agree with Lanky134, we looked far less threatening when Smicer went off injured. And again, a silly mistake by Gerrard at the back cost us a goal.