Late rally continues Liverpool magic, sends Reds to Champions League semis

The Associated Press , Liverpool | Wed, 04/09/2008 10:01 AM | Headlines

A runner with the pack in England, Liverpool seems to have some magical force in the European Champions League.

Seemingly destined for elimination when Arsenal equalized in the 84th minute, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel rallied the Reds with a pai of goals Tuesday, and sent Liverpool into the last four with a 4-2 victory that keeps Rafa Benitez on course for a third final in four years.

"We have enough experience of such matches and clearly the belief to succeed showed again," Benitez said. "When we went to 2-2 so near the end, my players showedtremendous character and
desire to get up off the ground to win the tie."

Both times Liverpool advanced to the final, in 2005 and 2007, Liverpool beat Chelsea in the semifinals and will face the London side again after it beat Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr. is dreaming oftraveling to Moscow for May's final after attending his first match at Anfield since December.

The beaming American, who has been feuding with Anfield partner Tom Hicks, raced into the dressing room to congratulate the players after the 5-3 win on aggregate.

Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to put Arsenal into the final four in the 84th minute. Walcott evaded Gerrard's attempt to poke the ball away at the half way line, then went around as Fabio Aurelio crashed into him.

Walcott maintained possession as Javier Mascherano printed to catch up, went wide as Mascherano fell down, then evaded Sammy Hyypia and slotted the ball past a falling Martin Skrtel to Adebayor.

"Even at 2-2 we had a great chance to kill the game off, but we lacked experience and made big mistakes," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "We were too native and lacked bit of maturity defensively."

But a minute later, Babel was hauled down by Kolo Toure and Gerrard converted the ensuing penalty.

"I was delighted with the belief of my players, particularly in the second half," Benitez said. "We had been so poor before the break, but so much better in the second period.

"It was a tremendous game for our fans, there were six goals."

Abou Diaby had given Arsenal the lead in the 13th minute, but Sami Hyypia equalized in the 30th and Fernando Torres put Liverpool ahead in the 69th by beating Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos before swiveling to shoot past Manuel Almunia.

Wenger disputed the penalty and was upset because he said Alexandre Hleb was denied a spot kick in the first leg.

"The defeat was down to a dodgy decision of the referee I think," said Wenger, who takes his side to Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League title race. "I believe over the two
games it's difficult to swallow because of the double disappointment and all the big decisions were against us.

"It's very difficult to understand because it wasn't a penalty tonight and last week it was a real penalty." (***)

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