The Liver Bird  

Reina played his 300th game for Liverpool last night...
I use the word "flop" because it is highly appropriate. I don't think we deserve "crash" out of the Europa League because really we didn't provide enough action to be subject to a "crash", don't know about you but last time i checked a "crash" involves movement from two objects or in this case sides and we sure as hell weren't providing enough movement! "Drop" i also don't think we deserve because it's nowhere near harsh enough...

To "flop" out of the Europa League of course is quite embarrassing, but no less embarrassing than having to compete in the competition in the first place. We can fall back on several excuses but when it boils down to it, despite a long unbeaten run within this competition we'd been dragging out and scraping through performances, i can't remember a good performance.

Despite this, because it's Liverpool and our …

He's well chuffed!...
A slightly different starting eleven fielded by Dalglish for the home tie against Sparta Prague meant Danny Wilson, Daniel Agger and Sotirios Kyrgiakos were included in defense. Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher did not feature and with captain Steven Gerrard still out Pepe Reina was named as captain.

A start which showed similarities to the dismal display in Prague meant that Liverpool were creating slow build up in attack. Still without Suarez and awaiting the start of Carroll the Reds were suffering slightly. However Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles were good sources and their efforts throughout the 90minutes were superb.

Martin Kelly was impressive once again for Liverpool, dedicated to the cause and some brilliant whipped in crosses meant that a watching Fabio Capello would surely have been pleased.

Speaking about being dedicated to the cause, what a man Kyrgiakos is. He was bashed in the mouth and bleeding so had to be treated for that. Clattered in the throat…