How Long Will Liverpool’s Luck Last?

By: Rob | April 4th, 2008

Kuyt Pulls Back Hleb On Wednesday, Arsenal’s Hleb broke broke into the penalty area and Liverpool’s Kuyt seemed to have tugged the fella down. Despite a clear view though, the referee gave nada. Arsene was angry, but it isn’t the first time its happened to Liverpool this season - in fact in all competetions, they seem to have been getting the rub of the green from the refs. And if its true about it evening itself out over a season, Liverpool stand to have a disaster-laden run in.

The first game I watched this season, I believe was Liverpool playing Aston Villa in the Prem. Villa led, but the ref awarded Liverpool a free kick that should never have been. Steven Gerrard proceeded to bang in a magnificent free-kick. Just like the season before (sheffield United that year) i noted, Liverpool got some early rub of the green. But this season, it just hasn’t stopped.

The other big occasion in the prem this season was in the first Merseyside derby, Jamie Carragher tried desperately, bless him, to give Everton a penalty, via handballs and dragging down the opposition. But no beans. Kuyt should have walked in that game as well.

I used to believe in things evening themselves out, and indeed in a Chelsea/Liverpool fixture at the start of the season, Liverpool fans were angry at a soft penalty Chelsea got. But this is the only time I can think of (please scousers correct me if i’m doing you a disservice) where a really obvious descion has gone wrong and cost them a game.

In the Champions League, I think only the most blinded Liverpool fan would not admit they’ve been a little lucky getting as far as they have. They started very very poorly, and while some will say they earned it by rallying and winning thier last few games convincingly, they still had to do it the hard way.

There were also two sendings off in the Inter Milan tie in the round of 16, over the two legs, neither of which was a red card in my view. Particuarly the one delt to ex-Everton man The Matrix in the first leg, which really did change the face of the tie. Add that to the penalty descion in the Arsenal game (it really was a pen) and the fact that Cesc should have scored anyway, but for Bendtner, Liverpool can count themselves a bit lucky.

How far can it carry them? There’s no doubting they have a decent side - though there is a difference between them and the Man Uniteds and Barca’s of the tournament it has to be said. Could they go all the way in the Champions League with the luck they are having - well with Liverpool in Europe you wouldn’t rule it out….would you?