LiveBlog: PSV Eindhoven vs. Liverpool

By: Bob | September 12th, 2006

We made our Champions League liveblogging debut and picked a game that lacked for action and drama. Neither side can be especially pleased with their play, but both will take a point on the first match day of group play. You can read the blow-by-blow below and leave your thoughts on the match and/or the meaning of life.

Final: PSV Eindhoven 0-0 Liverpool

Full Time That’s it. After 90 minutes of uninspired play this one ends in a scoreless draw. It wasn’t the greatest match, but I had fun sitting here typing along so I think I will do it again, starting Wednesday for the Manchester United and Celtic match. Thanks to those brave enough to come along for the ride. Be safe and have fun. The world is your oyster.

90:00 You have to wonder how this game would have been different if Gerrard, Crouch and Alonso had played the full 90. Three minutes of added time.

88:20 Gerrard with a great shot that hits the inside of the post and stays out. That would have been a pretty winner from the England international. Lucky bounce for PSV.

88:18 This is probably the least annoyed I have ever been by ESPN announcers. I hate to think I have become immune to their drivel.

86:08 You’d think that PSV would want three points in this match but they aren’t playing with too much desperation. This is one of those games that makes you wonder if teams of this calibar play too much football with league games, cup matches, etc.

84:12 Farfan dives in the box but doesn’t get a call. Instead it is a PSV corner that goes in and then is banged out to Mendes. PSV called offside and there goes that.

83:00 Gerrard with a shot on goal but it is from a wide angle and it doesn’t threaten the PSV keeper.

82:48 So I’ll be back tomorrow with a liveblog for the Manchester United and Celtic match. I promise that we’ll see at least one goal in that match or you all will be refunded your money.

81:12 Fabio Aurelio wins a corner for Liverpool and he is rewarded by being replaced by Mark Gonzalez. Corner kick goes wide and there is no threat for a goal.

79:30 Reina goes up and over his defender to knock the ball away and the Liverpool keeper comes up with a neck that has undergone whiplash. Pretty spectacular looking spill but he is just fine.

78:14 Mendes and Pennat with some good individual battles on the sideline. Gerrard is on but has not been involved at all yet.

77:34 Someone needs to step up and be a hero in this game. Both these teams have more class than they are showing and will need to play better if they want to advance far in the Champions League this year.

76:49 Mendes with a free kick from far out and it goes well clear of the goal. The PSV coaches are all wearing the same suits and ties. How cute.

75:01 Fifteen more minutes and I need to return to work. Too bad they don’t play extra periods and penalty shots in the Champions League. I could watch and type all day. Still a ragged and rather uneventful game.

73:41 Finland representing tonight now that Mika Väyrynen has come on for PSV. Ibrahim Afelley gets an early exit.

72:58 Mendes takes a chance from outside the box and he lifts it over the goal. Nice work for the man from Ecuador.

71:20 Steven Gerrard on for Liverpool and Bellamy complains his way off the pitch. Let’s see if Gerrard can work some of his Champions League magic.

70:38 I think pound for pound Craig Bellamy complains more than any player in this universe.

69:00 I think pound for pound I have liveblogged more scoreless draws than anyone else in this universe.

67:49 It has taken 67 minutes for Kone and Farfan to pass to one another. Both have been on the selfish side of things for PSV.

66:33 Kuyt with a run up the middle and he drives a shot low and wide. Good effort from the man whose last name means asshole but he needs to find the goal on that one.

66:23 This game could probably use a tall, gangly forward who likes to robot dance. Not sure we’ll see Peter Crouch this evening but he always is fun to watch. Kind of like the bearded lady and the circus geek combined.

64:34 PSV with a cross into the box but Liverpool’s defenders look fairly intent on keeping a clean sheet this evening.

63:34 Speaking of Australians, Harry Kewell is still suffering from seven thousand different injuries so he will not be playing for Liverpool this evening.

62:18 Ismail Aisatti on for Jason Culina for PSV. Australia fans everywhere are heartbroken to see one of their own taken off.

61:04 Xabi Alonso on for Liverpool and Sissoko out. Smart move to help Liverpool create a bit more.

60:32 Mental note for future liveblogs: having a new phone line installed while you are typing is probably not the smartest idea. Long shot from PSV that just misses the mark.

59:01 Kone breaks free for PSV but Reina eats it up before he can get it on goal. Good piece of goal keeping for you kids watching out there.

57:49 Pennant with another long run that ends in futility. Koeman looking like a GQ model on the touchline.

56:38 Patrick Kluivert on the sideline getting limber for PSV. Would be nice to see him in the match. Pennant with a nice effort for Liverpool and fires a shot on the PSV goal but it is saved.

55:21 It has been delightful watching a match where the referee has not been a factor at all. Neither team is flopping or playing dirty. Now if there could just be a bit more excitement.

54:12 PSV adding to its possession time by passing it side to side with no real effort to attack. Mendes is startung to assert himself on the right midfield.

53:07 Right about now PSV wishes it had Andy Johnson. The Everton stud was able to crack this Liverpool defense last weekend but the Dutch side hasn’t been able to match that feat yet in this one.

51:17 PSV passing the ball nicely in their offensive end. Liverpool playing with 10 behind the ball and looking increasingly like a team that will be content with an away point.

49:48 A shot of Jerzy Dudek chewing gum on the sideline. It looks like he is munching on an entire pack at once. Impressive work from the Polish keeper.

49:03 Kone with some nice work against four Liverpool defenders but it is all for naught as PSV once again can’t get it done in the final third.

47:29 ESPN is having technical difficulties with the picture. I was afraid I was having a seizure there for a moment. Liverpool slightly more aggressive at the start of this half.

45:49 Sissoko works his way into the PSV box and earns a corner. You don’t see Mali international players every day of the week.

45:12 Neither team has made any changes from the 22 men who brought us the fun of the first half.

45:01 We’re back underway in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Actually, I am at the office watching in my boss’ room on a monster HD television, but we can all pretend we are watching this Champions League match live. Thanks for those hearty souls out there who are reading this. Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Here’s hoping that the next 45 minutes are more interesting than putting together Excel spreadsheets.

Halftime thought Does anyone really watch a commercial about enlarged prostates and rush out to take the medicine that is being advertised? I just squirm and close my eyes when I head “enlarged prostate.” They don’t have those types of ads in Germany.

Halftime Stats PSV won the possession battle 60-40% in the first half, but both sides only mustered one shot on goal. It was a cleanly played half with 7 fouls total and only one called against the home side. It wasn’t exceptional football but what better way is there to spend part of your Tuesday? Just a reminder that I will be back at this again tomorrow for the Manchester United and Celtic match. Same time, same website.

Halftime After 45 minutes of ragged play, the two team head to their dressing rooms with the score stuck on zero. PSV had the better of the chances but neither side was able to establish much. We’ll see what changes are made at the half and if Liverpool’s stars will see some time in the next 45. I’ll be back at the start of the half. Thanks for joining me.

40:49 Kuyt races into the box with a strong run and it is Carlos Salcido who shuts him down. Great recovery from the PSV defender.

40:03 This game proving that two teams that are both quality can come together and look like they are playing in a Sunday’s men league.

38:59 Kuyt earning some whistles by his countrymen. If he keeps playing this poorly Liverpool fans might do the same. Bellamy with a shot that is easily saved by Gomes.

37:39 Arouna Kone with a shot that earns PSV a corner. Farfan takes it and it just misses the head of a jumping Alex. Almost a nice connection.

36:45 Still waiting on Jefferson Farfan to show his worth for PSV. I like him a lot as a player but he hasn’t been very active this game.

35:34 Zenden decides that is time to start playing and he blasts a left footer just wide of the PSV goal. Good effort from the shaggy haired man.

34:39 Tommy Smythe calls Alex a “Tower of Strength”. Sounds funny when you hear him say it with his crazy accent.

33:46 Jan Kromkamp with a strong run from the PSV backline but he crosses it to a ball kid on the sideline. The right idea but the wrong execution.

32:42 Zenden either needs a haircut or he needs to learn how to pass. He is sucking donkey’s ass for Liverpool tonight and I’m not sure why.

31:12 Liverpool has settled things down a bit and has been lurking around the PSV box the past couple of minutes. Still haven’t been able to muster much in the way of shots.

30:02 Peter Crouch is taller sitting down than most humans are standing up.

28:47 Bellamy with a hand ball in the attacking box. It was a deliberate effort but no card is shown. Bellamy sees things differently.

27:45 Now I remember why I always drank beer during liveblogs during the World Cup. Sure helps to alleviate the finger pain. In other action, Chelsea is up a goal against Werder Bremen. Liverpool will play Chelsea on Sunday.

26:21 Neither team really get stuck in, giving the referee an easy game to call. Liverpool with a through ball to Kuyt that is just a bit too strong. Nice idea from Bellamy.

24:43 The ball is bouncing around like it has helium in it. The pitch looks perfect but the play hasn’t been close to perfect yet. Liverpool with a cross in the box that Gomes wraps up without a sweat.

23:39 PSV going for their 50th Champions League victory. Ibrahim Afellay with a strong shot on goal but Reina makes the save. PSV with the better play thus far.

21:17 Typed too soon. Mendez brings it into the Liverpool box and the home team lofts a soft shot that gives Reina no problem.

20:31 Edison Mendez making his Champions League debut for PSV. The Ecuadorian international hasn’t made his presence known yet, but no one other than Kone really has.

19:02 Jermaine Pennant with some nice work in the midfield for Liverpool. Neither team showing much to this point.

17:10 We learn from ESPN that PSV stands for Phillips Sports Club.

16:58 PSV’s keeper Gomes looks like he was put together the wrong way. Big goofy guy who moves a bit like a moose. But he is a decent enough keeper.

15:19 The Dutchmen Dirk Kuyt has been quiet thus far for Liverpool. His last name means asshole in Australian. True fact.

14:23 PSV starting to roll it around and Liverpool content to sit back and wait for a counter. Fabio Aurelio makes a run but strikes it poorly wide.

12:34 Neither team with a goal. PSV with the better opportunities. This game is fairly wide open so I suspect will see a couple scores tonight.

11:19 Craig Bellamy is the type of player I probably would end up smacking if I played. He is always working hard and provoking things. Keep him away from Ben Thatcher. That could lead to murder.

10:12 A guy like Kone can really benefit from a strong Champions League. He has loads of talent and plays for a good team but he might earn a spot on one of the the true giants if he is able to find the net a bunch in this competition.

8:50 Kone with a long run with the ball and he fires it just over the goal. Great play from the bleached blonde from Ivory Coast. Almost the game’s first goal.

8:34 Lots of international players on both sides, but you have to think that Liverpool’s bench tonight would have done just fine if it were a team in the World Cup.

7:18 Simmons gives a Liverpool player a tast of a cleat to the back of the leg. Both teams feeling each other out.

5:55 Bellamy makes a run and dives in the box next to Alex but the Swiss ref isn’t going to call that one. Bellamy gets up and does his best Cristiano Ronaldo imitation.

5:03 Alex with an in swinging corner for PSV and Reina gets a hand on it. Alex is of course Brazilian as you can tell from his name. Reina of course is a dodgy keeper as you can see from his play.

4:12 Game being played mainly in the midfield so far with neither team able to sting together much. Keep an eye on Jefferson Farfan for PSV. He is what the kids call a stud.

2:34 PSV’s socks are making the HD tv here bug out. Those stripes are class though. Good home crowd on hand tonight.

1:23 I think I once bought a used car from Ronald Koeman. He is so casually business dressed it makes my wardrobe seem inferior. Neither side doing much yet.

0:12 Not sure which is more distracting, the new Champions League ball or Arouna Kone’s bleached blonde hair.

Kickoff Liverpool is starting a side with six changes from the Everton fiasco this weekend. No Gerrard, Crouch and others. Big surprise and a questionable move by Benitez. We’ll see if it works.

Pregame
2 Minute Countdown: The teams come out onto the pitch holding the hands of kids. Liverpool wearing yellow and PSV looking like a bunch of candy canes. Can’t say I am too fond of Liverpool’s yellow kits but I wasn’t consulted when they were made. Players looking confused while they play the Champions League music. 36,000 on hand in Eindhoven and singing in full force.

3 Minute Countdown: The teams are lined up in the tunnel and ESPN cuts away to commercials, but I guess some people are really excited about Dancing with the Stars premier tonight.

5 Minute Countdown: With Galatasaray and Bordeaux in their group, you have to think that these two teams are the favorites to advance to the next round, but the beauty of the Champions League is that even the lesser teams are usually pretty darn good.

10 Minute Countdown: As much as I dislike watching games on ESPN, I still get goosebumps when they play the Champions League music. Always gets me fired up and ready for 90 minutes of sitting on my ass while grown men in shorts exercise by kicking a ball. Liverpool is hoping to kick the ball a little better than they did this past weekend in a 3-0 loss to rival Everton. PSV has not beaten an English side in its past six contests. They’ll have the advantage of playing in front of a fired up crowd tonight.

13 Minute Countdown: Seriously, who in their right mind would join the Army these days? Maybe the Tartan Army, but not the kind where you run around with guns and stuff. Apparently the advertisements are supposed to make me think otherwise.

15 Minute Countdown: Tommy Smythe is one of the announcers, which means that I am likely kill myself somewhere around the 40th minute or so. The lead announcer has a pleasant enough voice and thankfully isn’t anyone from the horrid World Cup coverage.

20 Minute Countdown: PSV will be without its captain Philip Cocu. The 127-year-old is out because of card suspension. Liverpool will be without the services of John Arne Riise, who is out with a bum ankle. Liverpool fans need not be reminded that their team was eliminated by Benfica who were coached by Ronald Koeman. Guess who mans the sidelines for PSV these days. That’s right, its Koeman. Nothing like a little intrigue to go along with some great football.

30 Minute Countdown: I’m hoping that LiveBlogging is like riding a bicycle and that I haven’t forgotten how to do it. Today’s match should be a good one. Liverpool and PSV have never met before but neither club are strangers to playing on the biggest stage in Europe. PSV won the Champions Cup in 1987-88. Liverpool has won it five times, including two years ago. I’ll be watching the ESPN2 feed of the game and probably will poke my eardrums out listening to the commentators. If you are looking for an online video stream, go here.