Liverpool v. Barca: 2-1.

An absolutely giant win for the Scousers. They've been rubbish away all season, so to go into the den of the European champs and win 2-1 -- that's just awesome. I haven't been this excited since that brief moment last summer when I thought Beasley scored against the Italians when the U.S. only had nine men on the field.

Liverpool started fast but produced nothing. Around minute ten, Barca began to assert itself and outplayed the Reds for most of the first half. After Deco's goal at 14m, Barca looked very confident, and Liverpool was on their heels. Barca's goal, incidentally, resulted from a Zambrotta cross that immediately followed Zambrotta beating Gerrard.

Things looked bad for the Reds until Bellamy equalized in the 43rd. That goal -- which was really Valdez' fault rather than Bellamy's brilliance -- changed the entire momentum of the game. The second half favored Liverpool until Riise's 74m goal. Thereafter, Barcelona predictably increased the pressure, but their efforts were more ragged than refined.

I didn't think it was a particularly good game for either Stevie or Ronnie. Stevie got beat en route to Barca's first goal and was modest thereafter (although part of that is the role Benitez asks him to play). Ronnie has completely bought into his press, and at this point looks like he plays to make highlights rather than to win. My man of the match was Sissoko, who marauded all over the pitch and wreaked violence on the Barca attack. Bellamy and Reina also had strong games. Barca's Messi is frighteningly dangerous but thankfully he didn't score.

FF

Liverpool beats Barca at Nou Camp 2-1! Huge, huge victory for the Reds. More in depth blogging later today.

REDS!

FF

SCOUSERS!

Real beat Bayern today in a clash of the mediocre titans. I watched online at uefa.com, which, if the stream quality improves, would be the greatest thing ever. It was a 3-2 game, so there was plenty of excitement, but the play was not precise. Neither team looks a threat to win it all. I'm the joker who predicted Shevchenko would have big season in the EPL, though, so don't bet the house on any of my forecasts.

I 've only seen the extended highlights (10 minutes of highlights on uefa.com) of Arsenal-PSV, but it looks like yet another instance of Arsenal outplaying its opponent yet losing.

Tomorrow's the big one: Liverpool-Barca. I'll say it again -- I think Gerrard will outplay Ronnie, even if the Reds fall. The write-up won't come until late Wednesday, because I'll have to watch the match online after work.

FF

Bellamy attacked Riise late Friday night. This is the least the Reds need before the Barca clash. Bellamy has always been completely nuts, but apparently he attacked Riise with a golf club. Unbelievable.

FF

Champions League knockout stage begins this Tuesday. The biggest game, of course, is Liverpool-Barca. That's on 1:30 Central on Wednesday.

FF