Champions League - Liverpool storms back to defeat Arsenal

It was a classic matchup of English giants in the Tuesday's second leg of the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.  The first leg last week at Arsenal ended 1-1.  The second leg opened with Arsenal on the front foot and they netted the first goal thru Abou Diaby in the 13th minute.  The visitors were clearly the better side over the first 25 minutes, but Liverpool got their feet under them and equalized off a corner kick in the 30th minute as Sami Hyypia buried a free header.  The match went to halftime with everything all square.

The second half opened slowly as neither team wanted to make the mistake and the first 20 minutes didn't create any chances.  In the 69th minute the game turned as Fernando Torres took ahold of a nothing long ball from goalkeeper Almunia.  None of the Arsenal defenders dealt with the 60 yard ball and it fell cleanly to Torres in the Arsenal box.  Torres turned inside and perfectly placed the go ahead goal into the top right corner of the net.  The Liverpool crowd went crazy as it looked as if Liverpool were prime to go thru to the semifinal.  However, substitute Theo Walcott would have something to say about it.  Walcott picked up a ball at his own 18 and began a masterful 80 yard run towards goal beating 5 Liverpool players enroute.  Once inside the box he slid a square ball to Adebayor who easily slotted the ball home.  At that point Arsenal was ahead on away goals and looked safe with only 6 minutes to play.

The match would once again turn as Ryan Babel of Liverpool raced into the box just one minute later and was fouled leading to a penalty kick.  Steven Gerrard calmly fired the penalty home to once again shift the lead back to Liverpool as shocked Arsenal fans stood with hands on head.  An injury time goal from Babel provided the final margin to a wild and crazy finish as Liverpool prevailed 4-2 and will face Chelsea in the Champions League semifinal.  Chelsea took care of Turkish side Fenerbache 2-0 today.