WHAT A SCINTILLATING PERFORMANCE FROM LIVERPOOL AND ARSENAL! I was still unsure that I made the right decision to view the match last night (this morning).

My heart sank when Diaby scored for Arsenal early on in the 13th minute. Arsenal seemed to dominate the possession and always looked dangerous on the attack. Adebayor is a player that has developed to be a quite a lethal weapon, and one cannot rule out the likes of Fabregas, Hleb, and Diaby who have the scoring touch.

Thoughts of Liverpool losing flooded my mind, but I told myself to have faith in the team and their Champions League form. True enough, a great give and go (one-two) by Aurelio and Gerrard allowed the former to get a deflected cross in, which Almunia, the Arsenal GK, managed to parry out for a corner.

As Liverpool were forming up for their corner, I realised that they had a great advantage with Crouch and Torres around. Amazingly, the ball was floated in beautifully by Gerrard, and Hyppia ( the defender!) knocked the ball ferociously into the net with an impeccable header.

Surprisingly, Liverpool started to dominate the attacking play, keeping good possession of the ball and threatened to create the chances. I guess this must have been the result of homeground advantage.

The score remained 1-1 for the first half.

Then, I thought that this score could not be eluded when this 2 teams clashed. They already had two 1-1 draws in the last week and I was thinking about the possibilities of an extra time battle and maybe even a penalty shoot-out. Then again, I realised that Fernando Torres, my most loved player in Liverpool, wasn't on the scoring sheet for all 3 matches against Arsenal... and I was hoping that he would be the goal-scoring hero... I was rooting for him to score since the start of the second half.

Again, Liverpool showed good form and good composure in the start of the second half. Then, at the 69th minute, a moment of brilliance from TORRES!!!! He received a knock on pass from Crouch, and with him being the only person in the box, made a clever turn and blasted the ball into the top corner. I wished that I could shout out loud, one because Torres scored, the other for my seeming prophesy. Haha. But alas it is in the wee hours of the morning, and there was no one to share my joy! So i punched my fist in the air, and shook with delight!

2-1. 20 minutes to go. Surely Liverpool have done enough. I mean, they have a good defence, and Arsenal had only managed to squeeze one goal pass them for each of the previous 2 encounters.

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal's head coach, had other plans. He substituted his two wingers for two strikers. Theo Walcott for Eboue, Robin van Persie for Diaby. This signalled danger as both players are equally lethal and can create something from nothing. Furthermore their fresh legs could spell trouble for Liverpool.

Then, I felt that it was fair for either team to progress as both teams had played well. Even though I was a Liverpool supporter, I wouldn't mind Arsenal progressing. I couldn't help but remember the painful 3-0 defeat by Manchester United not too long ago. If Liverpool progressed, and won the semi-final (against Chelsea), I guess a meeting with Man Utd was inevitable because I believe Man Utd will go all the way! They rock too. =x

True enough, Theo Walcott !!!!! A mesmerizing run from somewhere near his own penalty box to the Reds' penalty box. He beat 4 people in the process, and fed the ball for an easy tap in by Adebayor. Urgghhh. I was thinking what the headlines would be tomorrow, and how the Arsenal fans would scream with delight. Somehow most of my friends are Arsenal fans... so sad... there's even one who deserted Liverpool for Arsenal... hehe.. but it's because she likes Arsenal's team play better. Walcott really made the difference, and it was promising for such a young player to make such a big impact on such a big setting.

Oh oh oh oh oh ! I forgot to mention that Ryan Babel came in for Crouch. Crouch played very well! He is a good player. I like him. He has that something special. He is not selfish. He can pass. He can hold the ball well. He can shoot. And he doesn't have any airs.

But similarly, Babel is an amazing player. He is fast, he loves to shoot and shoots well, he is clever, he is a threat to any defense.

True enough, after the turn of events, Ryan Babel brought the ball into the box, but was brought down by Toure. wahahhahaahahahahaha. I was jumping with glee when I saw the referee's hands pointing to the penalty spot. ; )

Usually I would be afraid to watch the penalties taken by the team I support. I would change the channels. Or close my eyes until I hear the screams of the supporters. But somehow I trusted Gerrard to score. Crouching my head lower, till my nose was covered by my pillow, I watched as Gerrard cooly converted the penalty. YES !!!! LIVERPOOL 3-2 ARSENAL !!!! woohooo !!! Surely Liverpool will progress now.

Then, it was amazing. the last few minutes of the game was played off well by Liverpool. Benitez, Liverpool's head coach, did well to substitue Torres off for Riise as he was really tired from all his hardwork. And a substitution meant time wasting. ; ) clever ! and Dirk Kuyt went for the corner flag, and managed to waste even more time. GREAT !

And to top it all... the icing on the cake.... Ryan Babel, left upfield for a corner I think... chased down a long pass from his teammate... and beat the keeper in a one on one... 4-2 !!!!! and that's it... the final whistle blown. The Gunners gunned down... the Reds progress. YAY!