FOOTBALL: LIVERPOOL 0-0 CHELSEA

First, CONGRATULATIONS TO RAUL GONZALEZ for scoring the 50th goal in Europe! Finally, after such a long wait! However, he only got his 50th from 97 Champions League matches while Alfredo Di Stefano's record was 49 goals out of 58 matches.

Liverpool again performed so well in Europe. I was impressed by their performance and became they first team this season to stop Chelsea from winning and scoring. Referee Massimo De Santis rejected Liverpool's claims for a first-half spot-kick when Sami Hyypia was clearly fouled by Didier Drogba, when Luis Garcia was dragged by Paulo Ferreira as the last defender in the penalty box and when William Gallas handled a header from Jamie Carragher through a corner kick.

Some thoughts from the game:

1. Luis Garcia - He wasted so many passes to his team mates. So many good chances, especially through counter attack was ended by his lousy passings to his team mates. I don't know what is wrong with him, especially for someone who is able to perform outstanding back heel passes. Very disappointed with him although he did manage to control the ball well when it was around him.

2. Frank Lampard - Very quiet match for him, very lousy tackler. Not his usual self which is more offensive.

3. Steven Gerrard - I really don't like his habit of surging from behind his opponents to tackle a ball. Very dangerous and can easily earn him many cards. All his dead balls from free kicks and corners are disappointing, I wonder why they don't let the others to try out free kicks. Luis Garcia, Dietmar Hamann or Xabi Alonso will be good alternatives. Some kicks are so disappointing they cannot even fly at all!

4. Xabi Alonso - Great job throughout the night in shutting down Arjen Robben. His brilliant passes and runs to get past players were remarkable. A late challenge with John Terry which earned Terry a yellow and still keep Terry unhappy after the match by arguing with him. I thought he should play more forward than defensive so he could give more pressure upfront. No doubt he helped to stop many attacks especially coming from Robben. He should also be given more chances on dead balls.

5. Arjen Robben - Switched the wings with Damien Duff but was not able to do his stuff when Xabi Alonso was around. Else, he was dangerous. Had a great effort stopped by Reina.

6. Michael Essien - Quiet night but sent in some great passes for some offensive attacks as well as helping in the defense. This guy could only improve given time.

7. Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, William Gallas, John Terry - They were the reasons why the match went scoreless. All four had been solid, especially Terry and Carragher. Carragher did get shouted by Xabi Alonso for the dangerous pass that almost threatened Liverpool's goal.

8. Djimi Traore - He was impressive. His great control of the ball, his defence, his ability to pass good balls as well as helping in the attack.

9. Ricardo Carvalho - Having a tough night defending by committing alot of fouls. Still, effective in shutting down the attacks.

10. Djibril Cisse - Surprisingly, put on the wings but was just as good winning possessions and pressuring Chelsea with his speed. Actually, I never like him but is abit impressed by him during this match.

11. Peter Crouch - Actually, this is the first time for me to see him play live. His control of the ball is really good, he had some good chances to score. If only he was a little bit more brave and aggressive, he could score some goals! Still, he was abit slower but his height gave him great advantage on air. A good passer too for a striker with his height.

12. Shaun Wright-Phillips - I am sure he could give more impact to Chelsea's attack if he was in the starting 11. He showed some great skills controlling the ball and tricking opponents with his dummies and runs. I'm sure he could have contributed more.

13. Jose Reina - Good keeper, controls the penalty box really well. He knew when to come out to stop players when they were approaching the penalty box. Very good timing. He was solid!

14. Petr Cech - Not much action for the night from him, but when he had to work, he was perfect.

15. Damien Duff - I thought he had a good match. He was actually more effective throughout the night compare to Arjen Robben. He did managed to get past a few players and pressured the Liverpool defence a few times.

16. Paulo Ferreira - Except the incident with Luis Garcia, he had been very steady controlling the right side of the defence. He was very calm and did his job well.

17. Dietmar Hamann - Like Alonso, I thought he should go more forward instead of anchoring deep in the midfield zone forever. His contribution to the match was great. He passed well, attacked well, defended well, all-rounding performance.

18. Claude Makelele - Had some back tacklings, a bad night by his standards. Still, not too bad, he did shield the attacks in many occasions from going through.

19. Steve Finnan - Seriously, I don't recall much about him in the match.

20. Sinama Pongolle - Came in for Cisse. Did some fantastic runs into the box. Still, perhaps it was too late to bring much impact.