Post match thread - Real Madrid

[FatTony]

Was that the sky interview where he clearly said "Yes it's clear" when first asked if he wanted to stay?

He didn't say he wouldn't sign a new contract. This means he must be staying.

He mentioned that perhaps the build up to a CL match the thing to do was concentrate on the match and let the rumours take care of theirselves.

He also hinted he was unaware of the story and was told of it by Ian Cotton.

It's just tabloid reporting on tele IMO.

BTW I think Joe Cole likes us

Cracking result against an in-form team, I think Benny is getting better by the week, he seems to be the creative spark in most things at the moment.

He didn't actually say that, but on second hearing it doesn't seem that bad.

When asked if he wanted to sign a new contract he answered "we will talk in the future".

When asked if he was thinking of resigning or walking he said "no clearly I was just thinking about winning the game", not "Yes it's clear" .

There was a trademark cheeky smile at the start though, which makes me feel a little better.

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,12606_4973925,00.html

Yes, Joe Cole obviously wants to where the red shirt.

[Reece]

Rafa Benitez hailed Liverpool's team ethic after a famous 1-0 victory at the home of Real Madrid.
To watch Yossi's goal click here>>

An 82nd minute header from Yossi Benayoun saw the Reds prevail without skipper Steven Gerrard, who sat on the bench until the dying seconds.

Liverpool also had to cope without Fernando Torres for the last half hour after he sustained a twisted ankle.

Benitez said: "We knew it was going to be very difficult. They were winning games in a row so we knew they had a lot of confidence.

"We needed to work very hard. We had some chances and at the end from the free kick we scored a very good goal. Without Gerrard and Torres in that second half the team was doing well.

"It's important in Europe not to concede but especially here because they've been scoring so many goals, but our teamwork was very good.

"I was very pleased with the team's defending and also we were going forward and trying to score. At the end 1-0 is a very good result."

On Torres' injury, the boss added: "He twisted his ankle in the first half and we were waiting but we could see that he wasn't fully fit and it would be a risk for the next games."

Doesn't include owt about the "speculation" though.

[Reece]

Jamie Carragher labelled Yossi Benayoun's late header 'massive' after Liverpool left the Bernabeu with a 1-0 advantage in the Champions League second round.
To watch Yossi's goal click here>>

The Israel captain nodded home a Fabio Aurelio free-kick on 82 minutes to give the Reds a priceless away goal against Real Madrid.

The sides will reconvene at Anfield in two weeks, when Juande Ramos will have no option but to send his men out to attack.

Captain for the night Carragher said: "Away goals are massive in Europe and that means they've got to get one now in the second leg. Hopefully if they come at us it'll give us more space and make it easier.

"We have done well in this competition by being organised. We are one of the best organised teams in this competition. That's why we've done well in the last few years and we've done it again tonight.

"That's just what we came for - a clean sheet and an away goal. But it's only half time, you know. They know what they've got to do and that's come to Anfield and score, so it's still game on."

[Reece]

YOSSI STRIKE SECURES FAMOUS WIN

Yossi Benayoun has scored arguably the biggest goal of his career to give Liverpool a magnificent first leg victory over Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu.

With just eight minutes remaining of the Champions League first leg clash in the Spanish capital, Benayoun rose unmarked inside the area to head home an unstoppable goal following a brilliant free kick delivery from Fabio Aurelio.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved after yet another mature, controlled and often dominant performance in Madrid, and Rafael Benitez's men will now be odds on favourites to finish the tie at Anfield and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Cheered on by a capacity crowd still revelling in the 6-1 destruction of Real Betis at the weekend, the Madrid supporters ensured the atmosphere reached fever pitch before kick off, while the three thousand Liverpool fans housed high up in the Bernabeu gods were making themselves heard loud and clear.

As expected, captain Steven Gerrard's fitness wasn't risked and he started the game on the bench, but Xabi Alonso was recalled in midfield, while Fernando Torres was paired with Dirk Kuyt in attack.

It was Torres who should have opened the scoring - and broken his duck of never having scored at the Bernabeu - after 20 minutes when he latched onto a defensive slip by the home side and charged clear on goal, only to see his powerful right footed shot expertly turned to safety by Iker Casillas.

It was a golden opportunity in a half of few clear cut chances, as Madrid's early territorial dominance was well contained by a Liverpool side who grew in stature as the opening period went on.

Real always looked dangerous on the break, with Raul and Marcelo both bringing comfortable saves out of Reina, whose most difficult moment in the first half was to keep out a shot which had been deflected towards goal by Albert Riera.

On the stroke of the break Casillas was forced into action again as Xabi Alonso attempted one of his trademark long range efforts from inside his own half, but his Spanish international teammate comfortably back-tracked in time to divert the dipping shot over the bar.

Madrid made a tactical switch at the break, bringing on midfielder Guti in place of Marcelo, but it was Liverpool who took the initiative in the early stages of the second half with Alonso firing wide with a left footed volley and Cannavaro - who was booked for a late challenge - was forced into a last ditch challenge inside the area.

But at the other end Madrid remained dangerous, particularly when former Chelsea man Arjen Robben picked up possession, and one mazy run after 52 minutes came to an end with a poor shot into the side netting.

Fernando Torres - presumably still feeling the effects of a first half knock - was replaced after an hour, with Ryan Babel brought into the action to try and capitalise on the space the home defence was beginning to allow the Reds on the break.

But it was Madrid with the next effort on goal, a stinging drive after another eye-catching run which Reina was pleased to be able to fingertip over for a corner.

With the game looking set to end in what would have been an acceptable goalless draw, Benayoun headed home Aurelio's centre to leave the travelling Kopites wild with delight as they prepared to savour yet another famous victory away from home in Europe.

The tie is still far from over, but to beat an in-form Madrid side without Steven Gerrard for 80 minutes and without Fernando Torres for the best part of half an hour, this Liverpool team look well and truly in the mood to make another incredible impression on the Champions League this season.

Bring on the second leg and another Anfield night not to be missed.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher (captain), Skrtel, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt. Subs - Hyypia, Gerrard, Ngog, Dossena, Babel, Leiva, Cavalieri

Real Madrid: Casillas, Heinze, , Cannavaro, Ramos, , Gago, Diarra, Robben, (captain), Higuain. Subs - Dudek, Metzelder, Torres, van der Vaart, Sneijder, Saviola,

Referee: Roberto Rosetti

Conditions: Warm

Attendance: Unknown

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Yossi Benayoun

[Le Chef]

Hands up those who thought oh **** when Lucas came on

[Reece]

Missed when they mentioned it on the TV, but the crowd trouble was Madrid fans not ours right?

[Oberon]

He didn't actually say that, but on second hearing it doesn't seem that bad.

When asked if he wanted to sign a new contract he answered "we will talk in the future".

When asked if he was thinking of resigning or walking he said "no clearly I was just thinking about winning the game", not "Yes it's clear" .

There was a trademark cheeky smile at the start though, which makes me feel a little better.

http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,12606_4973925,00.html

Yes, Joe Cole obviously wants to where the red shirt.

Glad you feel better!!

Clearly my memory is slightly addled by age, I just didn't get the feeling he was anywhere near going, pushed or otherwise.

Just hope Torres isn't too bad.

[Oberon]

Missed when they mentioned it on the TV, but the crowd trouble was Madrid fans not ours right?

Yes, it was all behind Pepe's goal in the 2nd half.

[FatTony]

Hands up those who thought oh **** when Lucas came on

Oh yes, was sure a penalty was on its way.

[Reece]

Yes, it was all behind Pepe's goal in the 2nd half.

Thanks

[Neil Young]

Yes, it was all behind Pepe's goal in the 2nd half.

How did coops get in there?

[Woobus]

How did coops get in there?

A ticket?

[wavydavy]

What was worthy of praise tonight was, and Spanish TV caught perfectly and quite clearly , Rafa screaming to his players as they walked off the pitch tonight "the fans", "the fans" and pointing in the supporters general direction. He couldn't have have possibly known the cameras were on him yet he felt the need to remind the players of their obligations great result and all. I'd happily see him replaced in the Summer but credit where it's due. Nice one Rafa.

[Oberon]

How did coops get in there?

Big fella getting head butted?

[johnly]

Very very happy with the result tonight, never doubted it for one mo. We have a tendancy to do this after a bunch of negativity in the press and rumours. We just keep sticking it to em!

Good goal, good free kick. Very happy boy!