Heartbreak in Athens

It was a tough watch on Wednesday. Knowing your team deserve the result but can't quite get it. That's the reason that, even for a Liverpool fan, it is hard to begrudge Milan their victory. Just like in Istanbul, the best team lost on Wednesday and that's very tough to take. Milan were favourites, as you would expect following the previous meeting of the teams. On the night, however, that tag was washed away as the reds intensity and impetus pinned Milan back throughout the first half.

The Liverpool performance was fantastic and a clear indictment of the Rafa revolution, which has been trundling along for the past two years, but which now needs an injection of pace. Liverpool made the chances but couldn't finish them and here in lies the reason Rafa has called for the club to spend big and spend now. United and Chelsea have both splashed out big money on match winners and Liverpool need to follow suit. Eto'o or Torres would be ideal plus a second striker, perhaps Michael Owen. The rest of the team is pretty solid although I'm sure there will be a midfielder and a defender added too. A game turning striker is key however.

To finish up on Wednesday's game, I think it's worth mentioning the players. They should be very proud of their performance. The distance the team has come in two years is phenomenol. The new finance in the club should help bridge the final divide between Liverpool and the other top teams, both in England and Europe.

Player Ratings:

Reina..................8

Played very well and unlucky to be done by a wicked deflection. Commanded his box well.

Finnan................6

Steady as always. Not sure why he was subbed. My player of the year.

Carragher..........7

Not one of his more prominent games but fairly solid. Legs were gone when Inzaghi got away from him to score the second.

Agger.................7

Finished off a great season with a solid performance. Could be a reds great for many years to come.

Riise..................6

Not had the greatest season. He played fairly well.

Mascherano.....8

Bargain of the season. Did an great job on Kaka and may have stopped the second.

Alonso...............6

Not quite the same player this season. Had a reasonable game though.

Pennant............8

Great first half. Everything good about Liverpool went through him.

Zenden.............4

Just not up to it. Time is right for him to go.

Gerrard............8

Played well and tried everything. Should probably have done better with the one-on-one. Still looks best suited to the free role.

Kuyt..................7

Hard working as always, but shy on invention. His goal was just rewards for a good season. He'll be an invaluable partner to a new striker next year.