Sports Thread #1 For 11/4/09: Heartbreak For Liverpool Again; Arsenal Dominates AZ

Image from UEFA.com

That just seems it up for Liverppol season. The minute they get a glimmer of hope, closed out by a dash of misery.

Lisandro 90th minute goal sends Lyon through to the Knockout Stages once again, as they tied Liverpool 1-1 at home. It seemed Rafa Bentiez's team would salvage their Champions League campaign with a wonderful goal from Ryan Babel of all players in the 83rd minute. The disappointing young Dutchman seem to give the Reds a most needed victory in France. But shoddy defense in the back freed Lisandro to put it past the stretched Jose Reina's arms to add another blow to the Anfield side in this campaign.

And with Fiorentina dominating Debercen 5-2, Liverpool will not massive help in order to advance to the Round of 16.

In other results, Arsenal basically moved themselves to the Round of 16 with a 4-0 beating of Arsenal.

Inter Milan scored a clutch win on the road against Dynamo Kiev 2-1, as Barcelona and Rubin Kazan ended scoreless. Both matches were played in frigid cold temperatures, especially in Kazan.

Those results put Group F, clearly the Group of Death in this year's UEFA Champions League, in a massive tailspin. 6 points for Inter, 5 for both Kazan and Barcelona, and 4 for Dynamo. And, if results stood today, Barcelona, the defending champions and best team in the world, could be out of the competition.

It will get only more interesting there.

Not many would have thought that about Barcelona being possibly knocked out, but also Sevilla being the first Spanish team to qualify for the knockout stages. The 1-1 tie with Stuttgart sends them through, with the runners up spot in Group G still very much in the balance, where even Rangers could make it through despite their dreadful performances at home.

They tied with Unirea Urzcieni today 1-1, as they trail the Romanian side by three points with two matches the play. Stuttgart is in the middle, two points behind Unirea on 3 points.

And as Arsenal reigns supreme over their group, it seems Olympiacos are in pole position to be second, as they score a big three points over Standard Lidge.