Source: Telegraph
How Lyon fans might leave Liverpool beached in Champions League
Inflatable boats Quite why the only blow-up item in the Lyon merchandise range is a ship is unclear: presumably it is a case of whatever floats your boat. It does, however, suggest an appropriately naval theme for an invasion of Merseyside. A flotilla dispatched from the Anfield Road stand could cause all sorts of confusion in the Liverpool area, Pepe Reina utterly befuddled as to which vessel to board. Inflatable Lucas It might be thought that a blow-up facsimile of the Brazilian could cause some delicious confusion. As a scheme to improve their team's chances, however, Lyon fans should be aware this might easily backfire. As has been pointed out by disgruntled Liverpool supporters, on Saturday the notorious Sunderland beach ball had more significant touches than their diminutive midfielder. The worry for any subversive Lyon fan is that an inflatable Lucas might actually prove more effective than the real thing. [LNB]Balloons Old fashioned, simple, cheap perhaps. But, as was demonstrated when Manchester City played at Sheffield United in the FA Cup in January 2008, a balloon can be horribly effective. Michael Ball, then City's left-back, still has nightmare visions of attempting to clear a light blue balloon instead of the match ball when a cross came in to his penalty area, thus gifting United's Luton Shelton a goal-scoring opportunity. That he didn't actually manage to kick either balloon or ball may well be one of the reasons the player is no longer on City's books. [LNB] Related ArticlesSport on television'Beach ball' referee dropped from Premier LeagueRespect? More like wilful ignoranceTorres out of Lyon matchOwen would celebrate at Anfield'Beach ball' match will not be replayedA blow-up BenítezA version of one of those puppets pumped up by a hair dryer, that stand outside garages and DIY superstores manically waving their arms around in the air in some sort of crazed inflatable semaphore, modelled to look like the Spaniard. The only drawback with this scheme is: would anyone notice the difference? [LNB]Inflatable doctor's noteFlood Anfield with blow-up medical reasons why Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are not fit to play for the home team and the points are as good as in the bag for Lyon. [LNB]
