A solitary goal by Dirk Kuyt looked to have set the first tie, and earned Liverpool a slim but yet handy advantage that can be administered on their travels at Stamford Bridge in a week’s time. The solitary goal looked to have set the reds another European night to remember whereby the big progress of the side, since the first tie in rather similar circumstances back in 2005, was vivid.

It was another great team performance that oozed with hard work. Even though taking their time, to find properly their feet like they have done against Arsenal, once they did, they never looked back and controlled, at times veering on dominating the proceedings. The four minutes added time were not greeted by jeers and disbelief as like the six ones back in 2005. They were seen as an opportunity to consolidate and further the result. Fernando Torres shot almost vindicated such mentality, but one minute later, disaster struck. The basis of the work was still there, but the facelift got scratched by a still unfathomable own goal by the supposed fresh John Arne Riise. It was a mixture of bad luck, rashness and bad judgment whereby the defender used his head but not his brains.

The facelift has definitely been disfigured, and in dramatic circumstances but the basis has already been nailed on. Liverpool have twice overcome such opposition through sheer adrenaline and hope. Yesterday, the reds showed thought and skill, whereby what we used to call hope has certainly been promoted to belief. It is sad that Rafa’s post match conference has been used to rally the lads rather than congratulate them. And while the skill and thought has been definitely added, they have not replaced the adrenaline and determination we have seen in the past two encounters. Dirk Kuyt is the epitome of such, as out on the wing, he puffed, hurried, won balls and scored. Xabi Alonso had one of his better nights this season, as he sprayed the ball around like we know he can do, aided nonetheless by the Argentinean. The pairing of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel had another good night, where the menace of Drogba was only evident in his usual antics.

It is now up to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stamp their authority in a week’s time. The basis is there, it is only the facelift that has been damaged, but it is far from irreparable. The latter has proved time and again, that he can make all the difference, and that records are only there to be broken. If anything, we have to keep this dream and season going, that is keeping us all away from the depressing situation at the boardroom.