Liverpool to focus on Champions League

We've left all insignificant tournaments.  Liverpool is focusing on the Champions League, with a difficult tie against Inter Milan at Anfield on Tuesday.  Fans who watched the FA Cup loss (1-2) will be all the more nervous going into Tuesday.  The match was typical of the season- dominating possession, much better on the ball, creating "schances", but not finishing.  In this case, the debutant keeper Luke Steele, on loan from Middlesboro, made himself into a club hero.  He was a brick wall, denying 19 of our 20 shots on goal.  Barnsley started fast, let up for the middle of the match, and won it in stoppage time.  Fans will struggle to find positives from Liverpool's display, which would include Kuyt finding his shooting boots and Babel's dominating the left side.  

Ryan Babel was Liverpool's top player.  He was unlucky to be removed at 70 minutes, being replaced by an above-current-average Kewell.  Babel linked with Riise to cause constant headaches for the Barnsley right back.  I expect we'll see him featured Tuesday- the boy is IN FORM.  Riise typically wasted attacks by shooting miles from the goal, but looked fit and useful.  Kewell shot well, but couldn't break through the gates of Steele.  Barnsley's first goals came from a set piece, where Foster beat Carragher and Crouch for a header (no small feat) and the second goes down to a lapse of concentration from Alonso, who received 9 staples in his forehead after a knock from his teammate Lucas (this may have been his only talking point) and was certainly off his form.

Liverpool can't feel too aggreived with the result- they were frustrated by the loanee keeper, but should have done better.  Inter is licking their lips.  I'm getting even more nervous.

Itandje:  Blameless in the goals.  We won't get to see him again this season, but a solid performance from the Frenchman.  7.

Finnan:  Average.  7.

Carragher:  Out of sorts- didn't carry the defense. 7.

Hyypia:  Nearly gifted a goal, shaky, lost out on headers. 6.

Riise: Above his average.  7.

Benayoun: Drifted inside during the second half, largely anonymous.  All of our attacks went through the left.  6.

Alonso:  Tough as nails, but ineffective. 6.

Lucas:  Put a head into his teammate, otherwise, forgettable.  6.

Babel:  Drove at defense, crossed the ball well, should have been more selfish taking it toward the goal.  8.

Kuyt:  Scored cooly.  Looked average for him.  7.

Crouch:  Absent.  6.

A game fans would rather forget.  Arsenal fans and Liverpool fans are crestfallen, while The Red Scare is growing.

Liverpool v Inter Milan on ESPN2 Tuesday from 2:30, on Deportes from 7PM.  This match will not be for the faint of heart.  ManU fans can see their club face Lyon at 4:45PM on Deportes.  If you are a DishNetwork subscriber, consider the Latino Dos package, which gives the most football dollar-for-dollar, including GolTV (Spanish), Deportes (Spanish), and FSC.  You can also see some great soap operas.  You lose out on the Deuce, but small price to pay.