Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

Babelin' under

Thu Nov 05 08:57AM

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Last night was meant to be Ryan's night.

Ryan Babel looked as though he had pulled off an uncanny Steven Gerrard impression when he came off the bench to put Liverpool ahead against Lyon, only for Lisandro Lopez to score a late equaliser that leaves Rafael Benitez's side no longer in control of their own destiny.

The Dutchman has not been so much a 'nearly man' for Liverpool as 'oh, that guy'. His winner against Manchester United last season is the only one of his 17 goals for the club which has been truly decisive.

In fact, Babel's thunderbolt strike at the Stade Gerland was the first time he has scored the only goal for his team in a Liverpool shirt.

The vast majority have come when Liverpool have gone on to bag three or more. He has been a passenger for most of his Anfield career, never a game-changer.

But, with Liverpool firing as blank as the sponsor-less fronts of their shirts, Babel came on with 20 minutes to go in a change that even Andriy Voronin's mother was crying out for.

Imagine not being selected ahead of Voronin? "Sorry Ryan, I'm starting the low-level henchman from Die Hard ahead of you tonight. His ponytail-undercut combination might just horrify our stylish French opponents into submission."

However, what could have turned out to be a turning point in what is still a promising young career (ED means his football career, not his hip hop career), is now just a footnote.

Liverpool must now win their remaining two matches, against Debrecen and Fiorentina, and hope Lyon do a number over La Viola, something Lyon boss Claude Puel has rather sweetly promised.

"Do not worry, we will play properly because it is our goal to finish top of the group," Puel said.

"It is important for us to get a good result in Florence, and it will give Liverpool a chance." Who says the French are harsh and inhospitable?

Less than a month ago, it looked as though Sotiros Kyrgiakos's season was over as he was struggling with a knee injury. Benitez must be wishing that had been the case after the Greek had an absolute stinker.

It was easy to look at the decision to bring Fernando Torres off soon after the goal, but even if El Nino had remained on the pitch he could not have stopped Kyrgiakos flailing about helplessly as he allowed Lisandro to pass him and score.

It would be disingenuous to simply call Benitez a lucky manager, as many have. Every top boss has their fair slice of fortune along the way. But the Spaniard's fairy godmother certainly deserted him last night.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We've never had so many options on the creative side. We still have Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott who are offensive players who are not available. Denilson, Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky did not start... and Carlos Vela as well. I forgot him!" - Arsene Wenger lists Denilson ahead of Eduardo, Rosicky and Vela in his list of great attackers in the Arsenal squad. No Nacer Barazite, Arsene?

NUMBER OF THE DAY: 0 - The number of shots on target hit by Emile Heskey in 306 Premier League minutes for Aston Villa this season. Villa went down 2-1 at West Ham last night.

FOREIGN VIEW: "A draw that felt like a win" - L'Equipe basks in the fact that Lyon's late draw against Liverpool means they are the second French side to qualify for the knockout stages at the earliest opportunity.

COMING UP: The European action isn't quite over for the week yet, oh no. It's the Europa League, the competition where the groups go all the way up to L! You can follow Celtic's tough trip to Bundesliga high-flyers Hamburg and Fulham's fairytale trip to Roma at 18:00. Then at 20:05, Everton host Benfica.

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mong
From andy_lycett on Thu Nov 05 08:58AM
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Arti, your boys deserved something out the game last night, I am not sure if it was all 3 points tho!!
I think Hines might just be the surprise player that comes thru late and goes to the world cup, he looked very very good last night (as he did against Man Utd).
Steve Bennett please retire, shocking for both teams!
From andy_lycett on Thu Nov 05 09:02AM
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lol....good article!!ED always manages 2 entertain
From getshort125 on Thu Nov 05 09:06AM
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I said it once and I'll say it again, Lisandro's goal was irregular, Bastos who played the ball way offside!
From ian.drakestone on Thu Nov 05 09:08AM
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What happened last night Andy? The tightest defense in the prem lost! i'm gutted!
on a brighter not - Great strike by Babel! shame that L'pool only managed a draw, but great goal!
From doobie.doobiedoo on Thu Nov 05 09:10AM
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Blame for their goal with Kyrgiakos do you think Kev? he tried to claim a foul when falling over, and it was no more a foul as flea in the air! if he'd stayed on his feet, i think he could have had a chance to get a foot in!
From doobie.doobiedoo on Thu Nov 05 09:21AM
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ED doesn't understand Dutch, therefore he/they/it(?) cannot appreciate Babel's rapping... LOL
From jcverm on Thu Nov 05 09:22AM
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Although I feel we deserved to win the game, we probably would have secured it alot more easily had players like Voronin, Kyrgiakos & Lucas (who actually played alright I must admit) not been on the team or anywhere near the Stade Gerland.
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 09:28AM
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Liverpool were simply awful up front, and the Lyon goal was straight out of a sad comedy...
From rilez on Thu Nov 05 09:31AM
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Morning all. Sorry I didn't haang around on IM for the end of the Villa game Andy. I can't stand to see a grown man cry...
From danny_saks on Thu Nov 05 09:34AM
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In Beneathus we trust !!! hahaha !!!
Bindippers season in tatters.
From nikyates on Thu Nov 05 09:34AM
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12, trust me, he's better as an Liverpool player then rapper.
From saschavanpraagh on Thu Nov 05 09:37AM
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Looks like French professional football is leaving the English Mercenary EPL Soccer League behind
I blame Gillet he is the money bags that has Liverpool looking like a Saturday Morning Boy Scout Team with only a couple of reliable players capable of actually sealing the deal
Never mind Barcelona are sure to sweep the pesky French aside like matchsticks come the really big games
From arttidesco on Thu Nov 05 09:39AM
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Are Alkmaar usually as @#$% as they were last night?? I was watching the highlights and was surprised to see the goals scored.. Not that i am denying Cesc any credit, the finishing was excellent but seriously, who allowed this team to the champions league?? It was a pleasure watching Rubin doh.. Provide Barca with no space (Chelsea's game plan last year, so perfectly executed by Rubin.)
From rock.bratt on Thu Nov 05 09:39AM
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but he didnt pull out a stevie gerard impression, he didnt mindlessly attack anyone peacefully standing at a bar having a drink? well played lyon and congratulations for qualifying and putting the bin dippers down and out....thery deserve it..!GGMU...bye bye raffa the raffacake crumbles!FACT!
From stuartxland on Thu Nov 05 09:44AM
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15-Rage is a horrible thing Danny!!
BBC website report may have been written by Ray Winstone, I paraphrase, "West Ham were unlucky to give away a penalty as their defenders heel just clipped the back of Collins HEAD"
From andy_lycett on Thu Nov 05 09:49AM
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#20 - Yeah Babel could never do an impression of being the best central midfielder in the world!
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 09:50AM
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21 - Ha ha nice. Didn't manage to see MoN pulling off his players either. If you pardon the expression. Was too busy watching the Rangers fams wreck another ground. Fecking neanderthals. Should all be fecking exterminated.
From danny_saks on Thu Nov 05 09:51AM
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C'mon you Arsenal. Nasri is an important player for us. He links up play so well. Gibbs did well. Only position Arsenal are lacking at the moment is in goal. Not enough quality.
GUTTED Liverpool. Should have started Babel. Only 4 points from 4 games. Awful.
GUTTED Villa. Should be picking up away points if you want to beat Tottenham and Liverpool to 5th place.
From jay8my on Thu Nov 05 09:52AM
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Rangers truley are Scotlands Shame. the only people they did not blame for there behaviour last night was the Manchester police...
From alagerdrinker on Thu Nov 05 09:54AM
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ED, Babel had his other moments of glory - for instance he was the artisan of that Liverpool - Arsenal 4-2 win - he got a penalty and scored the last goal; he actually turned the game around back then.
From radun5 on Thu Nov 05 10:03AM
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GUTTED ARSEnal have never and will once again fail to win club football's most prestigious prize.
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 10:04AM
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Kev 27 What you talking about we've won the Premiership plenty. Well at least we've won it this millenium. GUTTED Liverpool.
From jay8my on Thu Nov 05 10:09AM
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#28 - In denial at the fact that you have never won the Champions League and will NOT this year either LMAO 18 Leagues & 5 European Cups... Boo Hoo ARSEnal
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 10:20AM
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The league is what Liverpool wants this year, the Champions League is what ARSEnal want... neither will get either! Boo Hoo
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 10:22AM
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#25 - Ohh I just about missed that comment... I see the Huns are blaming Urea for not providing enough Turnstiles thus causing havoc because everyone knows that really gives you the right to be an animal.
RANGERS are Scotland's SHAME
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 10:28AM
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29 HAHAHAHA - Congratulations on the success of your previous Liverpool teams. You're banging on about the past because your present team is fecking sh it. 1 win in 8 games LMAO, how have Arsenal done in their last 8 games?
Kev's comebacks = Liverpool were good once upon a time. (waah waah) STAP CROIYING.
From jay8my on Thu Nov 05 10:28AM
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Personally I don't see how anyone can say that Arsenal won't win the Champs league or Prem league this year for certain. Or even Liverpool for that matter. But lets face it, one is looking far more likely to win one or both than the other at the mo aren't they?
From danny_saks on Thu Nov 05 10:29AM
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#32 - I agree that our team are pants this year, but hey we are discussing the Champions League... you know the trophy ARSEnal won't and will never win?
From who_are_ya_85 on Thu Nov 05 10:31AM
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2 Letters that Liverpool fans will be associated with this season. H and A. HAHAHAHA.
From rkdo_420 on Thu Nov 05 10:33AM
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