"If we played Liverpool every week we'd be top of our league by ten points." If Liverpool's players needed any motivation to get themselves 'up' for this game, then that quote will have done just the job.
Gerard Houllier may want to send a bottle of his finest red wine to his Olimpija counterpart after that ridiculous eve of game statement ensured that there'd be no slacking from the reds. There's always a danger when you play these Mickey Mouse teams that complacency can set in, so I'm sure Gerard will have been more than happy to see the opposing camp questioning his players' heart and desire.
No doubt the players and management of Olimpija feel differently after this game, in which they were comfortably despatched by a Liverpool side missing Michael Owen.
Anthony Le Tallec, Emile Heskey and Harry Kewell all found the net, and El Hadji Diouf missed a penalty, as Liverpool should have at least doubled the 3-0 scoreline.
Heskey could have had five in the first half alone, as Liverpool continued their recent good attacking play. It took a little while for the reds to settle, and Olimpija actually had a couple of decent opportunities on the counter attack.
Their number eleven was very lively, and saw one shot well tipped over by Dudek from a tight angle, before he left deposed skipper Sami Hyypia trailing in his wake only to be denied by a great covering block from Biscan.
But once the reds took the lead they completely dominated. The goal is something of a landmark, as it's the first 'official' senior Liverpool goal for Anthony Le Tallec. It won't be the last. The press can build up that blag Ronaldo at Old Trafford all they like, but Liverpool fans know that it is ALT who's the real deal. There's a lot more to Anthony's game than a Mark Walters stepover and a silly little blonde piece of hair.
Anthony's goal owed a lot to the Olimpija keeper, who inexplkicably elected to palm out a cross from Smicer instead of gathering it up. The ball fell kindly to ATL, who had taken up an intelligent position in the box, and he finished coolly with his left foot.
The Olimpija keeper was brilliant in the first leg, and he impressed again tonight. That was his only mistake, but once again he pulled off a string of great saves.
Heskey was denied on three occasions in the first half, and it has to be said that the big lad reacted very positively to what happened in the tunnell in Turkey. Whatever it was that happened in Turkey, it certainly appeared to have lit a fireunderneath Liverpool's genial number eight.
He wasn't brilliant tonight, but he was a lot more energetic and involved than he usually is. Whether it's because Owen's absence meant he had to get his finger out, or whether he is finally starting to punch his weight is something which only time will tell.
Heskey's goal capped off a wonderful move. The passing and movement which is unrecognisable from the stagnancy of last season was a joy to behold, as the ball was worked to the right for Diouf to lay it on a plate to Heskey.
Steven Gerrard was controlling the game, winning tackles, making interceptioons and providing the fulcrum for every attack. Being made skipper is the best thing that could have happened to him, and the team. Stevie has been doing the captains job for some time, he just hasn't had the armband.
As for Sami, he had a solid game, and didn't look to have let the whole captaincy issue affect him. But the opposition ha to be taken into account, and in truth Olimpija didn't really have the players to test Sami and his defensive partner Biscan.
The second half was all Liverpool. Kewell made it 3-0 with a smart finish from a Heskey cross, and but for the brilliance fo the keeper the reds would have added several more to their tally. Biscan was denied twice, Gerrard had a goal ruled out for offside and even Finnan and Riise were trying to get on the scoresheet.
With the game won, Houllier began to rest some of his players and give his subs a run out. Henchoz replaced Smicer, with Biscan taking over Stevie G's holding role, allowing the skipper to get forward a bit more.
Then Le Tallec went off with what looked a slight knock, giving his pal Florent Sinama-Pongolle his senior debut. 'Flo' was very lively, showing good pace and close control, but he was having the legs kicked from under seemingly every time he got the ball. He's a livewire though, and looks like he could be a very useful player to have coming off the bench.
Gerrard was next to go off, making way for Diao after a virtuoso midfield display. Salif's presence allowed Biscan more creative license, and the capacity crowd were treated to some rampaging runs from him. It was all great entertainment, as everytime Igor did something good it was greeted with the customary "eeeeeegggoooooorrrrr" from his cult following.
Igor had the time of his life actually. Fresh from his 'partying' which got him thrown out of the Croatia squad (I'm not buying that story one bit, Igor may be many things but a hard drinking party animal is not one of them!), the big Croat is revelling in his new found cult hero status, and and one mazy run saw him drop the shoulder and change direction about three or four times, leaving defenders trailing in his wake before unleashing a stinging left footer which brought a smart save from the keeper. It took me back to the days of John Barnes. Well, not quite, but it was good fun nonetheless.
With Gerrard off the field, Harry Kewell took centre stage, dictating the play and showing his class. Harry has gotten better with every game, and he's oozing quality at the moment. He scored one, could have had more and has really added a new dimension to the side's attacking play this season.
Liverpool continued to press forward, and should have made it four when they were awarded a penalty following a trip on Finnan. Diouf stepped up, but his tame kick was well saved by a goalkeeper who has done his reputation no harm at all over these two legs. He should be playing at a higher level than he is at the moment.
So all in all a good night. A full house, a good display and a decent scoreline. More goals would have been nice, but the entertainment level was high. Compare this to the game with Vitesse Arnhem last season, or Slovan Liberec in the treble season. Things are looking better by the week,. Now bring on Pompey.
Liverpool: Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan, Igor Biscan, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise; Stevie Gerrard (Salif Diao), Anthony Le Tallec (Florent Sinama-Pongolle), Vladimir Smicer (Stephane Henchoz), Harry Kewell; Emile Heskey:
