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The Slaying of Liverpool – A Memory
Posted On 25 Mar, 2013 – By lostbhoys – With 2 Comments
Source: http://www.hailhailmedia.com/the-slaying-of-liverpool-a-memory/
Thommo-AnfieldI just thought that, with the International break an’ all, I’d follow the green and white rabbit down memory lane. It came to my (our) attention that 10 years ago this month, Celtic conquered the might of Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool in the quarter-final of the Uefa Cup and set us up for couple of incredible months which have evolved into Celtic folklore.
Liverpool had the prolific Michael Owen, Emile Heskey- the man with the muscle, they had Didi Hamann- the German think tank and they had a man who’s name is now gold around Celtic Park-El Hadji Diouf, he of Broony fame \0/.
Celtic boasted Big Bobo-The beast at the back, Neil Lennon-now the Gaffer, Chris Sutton-Freddie Kruger’s nightmare figure and the man who’s very name brings back luscious memories of golden goals and silver trophies, Mr Henrik Larsson.
What a billing it got in the media. Even the English press-pack gave Celtic some semblance of a shout due to their prolific previous and ability to win from any given situation. Game on.
The draw was relatively unkind to Celtic as the second leg was to be away at Fortress Anfield. Dudek the Czech, Carragher the pom and Hyypia the Finn weren’t noted for their generosity to opposing strikers and would be formidable at home, so a healthy lead at Parkhead was required in order to give OURSELVES some semblance of a shout. It didn’t quite turn out that way and so began the topsy-turvy nature of this fascinating game of football.
The fevered crowds rolled up in their thousands with scarves and banners aloft, complimenting the throaty sermons from the heaving banks of the faithful as song after song rose from the vast stadium.
This was all to be surpassed though, when a certain Gerry Marsden (Gerry and the Pacemakers!) appeared on the pitch and led the green and red hordes into a very stirring rendition of his timeless and emotional “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Not a dry eye was to be seen in that moment, a moment when two great and world famous clubs united as one force to show the world why football in this context cannot be touched by any other in any sphere. It was sheer magic.
The roar as the teams came out the tunnel reminded me of why greats of football past often remark on the atmosphere at Celtic Park as “spine-tingling” and the noise from the fans went into overdrive. The ball was centred and the “Battle of Britain” was about to commence.
Celtic fans were jubilant as the name “Larsson” appeared in the pre-match announcements as the great man was expected to be out through injury. He was in the final throes of overcoming a fractured cheekbone sustained by the flying elbow of one Chris Bahoken of Livingston. However, as is with the greats, the Swede defied the odds (again) when he appeared in the first minute and scored in the second.
Just before that shock opener though, Chris Sutton found Johnny Hartson with a deft touch and the big man unleashed a volley which the bar should be commended for stopping! Celtic on the ascendancy is always a good thing and they made it count in grand style almost immediately after.
A high ball was dealt with neither by Norway legend Riise nor England great Jamie Carragher, allowing Hartson and Thompson to fashion an attempt by Henke who’s left knee was surely kissed that night. As the ball bulged the rigging the stadium erupted and the Celts went mad. A great start but, could the elation be elongated?
It was to and fro for a bit until John Arne Riise compensated for his earlier aberration by driving at and through a retreating Celtic defence. His precision pass out left to the marauding Emile Heskey was one of exquisite quality and likewise Heskey’s drive on the run which whipped across the lush wet grass, past Douglas and into the far corner. It was a shock but what a goal it was. No complaints.
Half-time came and went but the second-half started without Alan Thompson. A big loss to injury but no-one at that time was aware of what it would mean to save him for the Anfield battle.
Liverpool pretty much dominated the second period but Celtic battled gamely throughout. There were to be no more goals but as the whistle blew and the coaches gave their “for the cameras” assessment on proceedings, Liverpool held all the aces as their away goal is a priceless commodity in Europe.
ANFIELD!
Going into the second-leg at Anfield, the scriptwriters were less kind to Celtic and it appeared the border crossing was to be a fruitless sojourn. Those in green and white who partied their way down in their packs of thousands were not convinced that the papers were being completely truthful to their gullible readership and decided to test the English waters nonetheless. Bigger ships have been sunk with sheer passion!
They packed the Celtic End and then some. Green and white swathes were seen in every area of the feverish arena, except perhaps in the Kop? No, if you look at the footage of the game you’ll see hooped celebrants in attendance. We gave them nothing that night. Nothing!
Ok, we did give them Paul Lambert and Momo Sylla to contend with and bhoy-oh-bhoy did it pay dividends. Celtic were not content to sit back and hope the ‘pool didn’t score again but showed an aggression and a determination to give their huge travelling band something to sing about on the way home to Scotland and Ireland.
It was level pegging until the 45th minute when the keyboards in the press gallery went ballistic. Celtic earned a free-kick to the right of the Liverpool box. Larsson ran to strike and dummied for Alan Thompson. As the wall jumped in anticipation of a high strike, Thommo kept his head down and drilled a vicious low shot underneath the leaping Red defenders and into the near corner past a static Dudek.
The Kop went into shock but the Celtic fans went into ecstacy and the roar from them as the half-time whistle blew was something to hear. Just warming up? You bet your last Fergus McCann dime!
The second half confirmed the hype leading up to this tie as Liverpool and Celtic went hell-for-leather at each other. The home side were restricted to speculative long drives although with Gerrard and Hamann doing the driving, they are always a danger.
Dudek didn’t have time for a cigar either, as he was tested by both Hartson and Larsson and the game hung on a knife edge. That is, until eight minutes from time when Celtic fans may have been forgiven for asking Dudek to pass his unused cigars among their ranks!
It all started with another forward foray from the hoops and the ball arrived at the feet of Welsh giant “Big Bad” John Hartson. The fear-bringer took the ball to the right, five yards outside of the area where he side-stepped Jamie Carragher. Stilyan Petrov and Henrik Larsson peeled off their markers, anticipating the killer pass. They are still waiting!
Hartson rolled the ball to his right before swivelling his massive hips and unleashing a drive which took off like a cannonball. At that moment, you knew, you just knew. Bodies rose and arms were thrust into the air in anticipation and they were rewarded for their faith as the ball ripped into the top right corner of Dudek’s goal, leaving the Reds ‘keeper to wonder about the bedlam behind him.
Anfield became Paradise for the Celtic fans, (temporarily you understand,) and the euphoria went viral. All over the world, men and women who are steeped in the traditions of all things Celtic rose to acclaim and wildly celebrate a momentous victory, a wonderful occasion and a night which will go down in the annals of Celtic football Club as a truly great one.
I hope you enjoyed this little stroll into my happy memory banks of the past and I hope this current squad take heart from stories of these nights and continue their rise to legend alongside the guys you’ve just heard tell of. Watt did it against Barcelona. There’s the benchmark Bhoys. Let the show begin.
HAIL HAIL!
Eddie Murray.