Divided Emotions In England

After the Champions League duel between Liverpool and Chelsea in the semi-finals, camps were pervaded by entirely different sentiments.

Anfield echoed with song, Liverpool players were celebrating, and the current English champions quietly descended toward the dressing rooms. Chelsea’s bitterness was evident in their faces and their manager Jose Mourinho was also dissatisfied at the meeting with the press after the game. 

- The better team dropped out this evening. We were better in the first and second half and in overtime, but no one will remember that in 10 or 20 years’ time. The penalties are part of the game and this was the only segment in which they were better than us. I only saw one team attacking today and they wore blue outfits. Liverpool is a team that only plays in the Champions League and we are fighting on several fronts. I congratulate my players for showing courage and I empathize with them – Mourinho addressed the press in his sharp tongued style. 

On the other side, Rafael Benitez was unable to conceal the ear to ear smile.

- We started very well, but they have excellent players, so it Is hard to control the game from beginning to end. Chelsea played an excellent second half, but we fought well in our penalty area. We had opportunities to determine the final score before the end, but we did not know how to do this. The players knew that they could only win with a determined game and they had the help of the excellent supporters and I thank them very much for that. I am proud of my players and supporters. I will enjoy the other semi-final and I will not say who I would like, not to offend the opposing players. 

One of the heroes in Liverpool’s victory was also Jamie Carragher who gave an excellent game in the defense and his timing was right in the attack when it was necessary. 

- It is a great thing to defeat Chelsea in a knock-out championship. We knew there would not be many opportunities in the game and that is how things went. Fortunately for us, Daniel (Agger) scored a beautiful goal and, when we reached the penalty shootouts, we knew that we had the best goalkeeper on the goal. The fans were up to the task and they showed once again how much they could help us. We do not care who we play with in the finals, now we can relax and watch the game in peace. 

Steven Gerrard also chose his words about the team players after the game. 

- When we knocked them out the first time, it was great, but to repeat that when we had to make up for a goal’s difference against a team as excellent as Chelsea, it is incredible. The atmosphere was excellent, Benitez’ tactics, everything was in the right place. We were motivated by Mourinho’s statements, saying that we were a small club. I think it is rude to call us that after we reached two finals in three years. 

Dutchman Dirk Kuyt, the scorer of the last penalty shot, was brief. 

- We simply believed. Pepe Reina was phenomenal. This is something special for me – the first year in Liverpool and, immediately, the finals.