Chelsea 1, Liverpool 1: What an own goal

Chelsea looked well on its way to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield today, which probably would have been okay given the home-and-home format of the Champions League semifinals, but when Liverpool substitute John Arne Riise headed a cross into his own net, the Blues were downright ecstatic.

The own goal cancelled out a Dirk Kuyt first-half strike and means Liverpool heads to Stamford Bridge next week needing a win or a or a tie of 2-2 or more to advance, and a 1-1 tie to force overtime in this Champions League semifinal series.

If you haven't seen the own goal, prepare to either laugh or cry after the jump:

What did you think of the own goal? An all-time great? Will Liverpool regroup or will this give Chelsea the momentum to reach the Champions League final?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Kire]

I'm crying.

Well, at least I know my Caps will come through for me tonight!

[Chris]

thats really, really got to be heartbreaking for liverpool.
and i really feel bad for riise.

[Matt]

I feel awful for Liverpool - not.

What goes around comes around.

[Brian]

I sat there motionless for about 5 minutes until my phone was going off the table from all the buzzing cause of all the texts. Unbelievable....

[Rocco]

That's one of the best-looking goals I've seen in a couple weeks - too bad it was an own goal. He sure fired that one home!

[Joamiq]

Perfect technique!

[kpugs]

Match fixing scandal anyone?

I can't think of a defender on earth who knows how to play and would go after that ball with his head in front of his own goal. A certain ginger-haired Norwegian is supplementing his income.

[Spencer]

A new way to go out with a bang. Great exit from Anfield. Since he's leaving in the summer.

[Mike O]

WOW! How unfortunate. It looked like the ball was low enough for Riise to handle with his feet or body at least. He just panicked. He must've thought the Chelsea player behind him was in a better position to finish than he was. Still you have to give credit to an excellent cross which forced his hand.

[andrewk]

What goes around comes around cough cough Luis Garcia cough cough

[eric]

That was awful. Some a$$hole client just had to take all my time this afternoon, so I rushed home and caught most of the game on Classic, so it's fresh over here.

Just terrible. I had a feeling that Liverpool would pay for their missed chances in the 2nd half, and I got real worried when the fans started singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" in celebration in anticipation of a victory in 15 seconds.

So, does the Kop feel so brotherly towards Riise now?

[MGerbs]

Is this photo going to be available for "you write the caption"?

drogba's face is priceless and riise looks like he's taking a nap hahaha

[Reed]

Anyone have a link? i cant seem to find one...

[Joe_in_ND]

I was crying, but I do feel better now.

We will come back at the Bridge. Rafa is best at two-legged Champions League ties, and hopefully we don't get that same god-awful referee.

[brentmcd]

ahahahahaha!

[nelson]

I was watching the stream, and at first I was like: -_-; But then, I LOL'D.

[Arvin]

I am still wondering why in the hell did he try to clear that off with his head. THE BALL WAS AT HIS FEET! Not that I want Liverpool to win, but that was just a horrible decision

[Soccer Dad]

Wow. What in the world made him think a low header like that was smart? He had to work for that one. Good way to have a cleat lodged in your head, let alone the risk of, well, an own goal. Just wow.

[chatnoir]

I guess after Liverpool's "phantom goal," Chelsea can have some sense of luck going their way.

Watching Cech was pretty amazing. That headgear must be the secret.

[smokeminside]

Here's a link. It's almost as good a header as Donovan's was against the Dynamo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oobn89OhZhs

[Gabe]

Yeah, I felt terrible for Riise. But Auriello will probably still be out next week, so he'll get the shot to redeem himself.

[NOLA soccer fan]

its painful to watch...such a well played game by liverpool. i guess it should teach them a lesson not to get lax on defense when your up by one goal.

[Steve B]

In some countries you get shot for a mistake like that!

That was a priceless goal, and will surely seal Liverpool's fate.

[Joe_in_ND]

Oh Riise is a fool!

That's why he doesn't play that much.

[DL]

If Riise had a clue how to use his right foot, that ball wouldn't have been a problem for him. Back to the pine for Riise.

[Collin]

Ruined my day. Probably one of the best (worst) OGs of all time.

[GS]

Ah, what a lovely sight to behold. Chelsea are the better team anyway.

I sorta feel for Riise, the ball looked to be coming right to his head and then dipped so he had to commit - sorta the same thing happened to be, but I didn't put it in as an own goal, just went to head-snap the ball and it kept dropping and next I knew I was on the ground. But, Like I said, only sorta feel for him, def not for liverpool though, ya wankers deserve it. 2-0 next week to the blues.

[Simona]

I dislike them both but own goals are awful and I would feel bad for the player. If I had to choose I would have wanted Liverpool to have done better but blah still bitter so whatever.

[Jamie Z.]

It wasn't his first, poor guy (See: goal #1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhV45iit7m8&NR=1

[WHY]

Why do you spoil the game in your headlines. Hello!! PEOPLE CAN SEE YOUR TITLE IN THEIR RSS FEEDS. UGH!

[papa bear]

@Posted by: Mike O | April 22, 2008 at 06:32 PM
You are forgetting that you are watching the 'all guts, no technique' Prem. Seriously, things like this are what turns me off of the Prem.

@Posted by: WHY | April 23, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Why would you go to a sports side, much less check the RSS of a sports site if you are trying to avoid a score? That shows an absence of logic.

[HE from NJ]

I couldn't believe it, I thought Liverpool had it in the bag! What a disaster, I'd kick that guy off the team. That goal could prove to be costly in the future. I couldn't believe it! They had the game won!

[Erik]

Was anyone else annoyed and fed up at Drogba? I haven't watched Chelsea in months because they are one of the most boring teams around, but I almost wanted to stop watching the game every time Drogba flopped around.

When are refs going to stop acting like little girls and let these people play? Drogba is a joke and a cheat.

As for the game, Liverpool looked the better side and will probably still go through in a penalty shootout.

[paul Lorinczi]

No right foot.

You can also blame the marking in the corner. He should have never been able to get that cross in.

[Nordy]

It couldn't have happened to a better mama's boy!

(yes, I'm still bitter he signed with Liverpool over Fulham at the last minute)

[DMee]

Ives, you're a McCain fan?

[Felix]

I want Chelsea to win this tie just to see what all the Grant-bashers are going to say. Because if Chelsea go on and win this tie against Liverpool, that will mean that Avram Grant did two things that the "Special One" never did - beat Liverpool in the Champions League and make it to the final.