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Carson accepts blame for goal
By Gideon Long
April 06, 2005 11:52 IST

Liverpool's 19-year-old goalkeeper Scott Carson accepted the blame for what could prove a vital away goal for Juventus in their Champions League clash on Tuesday, but refused to dwell on his mistake.

"At the time I didn't think it was an error but I've seen it on telly and obviously I feel as if I could have done better," said Carson, who made his debut in the competition in the 2-1 victory for Liverpool.

"But I'm not going to beat myself up about it. If you go into the next game thinking 'I made a mistake in the last game' you're going to struggle."

Carson appeared to let Fabio Cannavaro's 63rd minute downward header slip through his hands, giving Juventus a lifeline for the second leg of the quarter-final tie.

"I talked to the goalkeeping coach after the match," added the England under-21 keeper who joined from Leeds United.

"He said 'It bounced in front of you. It's just one of those things. Forget about it'."

Carson's team mate Milan Baros said that despite conceding the goal, Liverpool could still reach the last four of the competition.

"We know the second match won't be easy but we're 2-1 up and they have to play," said the Czech striker. "We can't go there to defend. We have to play offensively and try to score.

"We've played quite well in the Champions League so far so I don't think we'll be intimidated by the atmosphere in Turin."

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had to pick the ball out the back of his net twice in the first 25 minutes after a fantastic start by Liverpool, was pleased to be heading back only one goal in arrears.

"It could have been worse," he said. "They made a really furious start and took advantage by scoring their two goals but we did just as well in the second half to come back at them.

"Certainly, though, their quick start wrecked our plans."

The Italy keeper said the fevered atmosphere at Anfield, in the first meeting between the two sides since the Heysel Stadium disaster 20 years ago, had helped lift the home side.

"It was a great atmosphere, very hot," he said. "The fans were definitely an extra weapon for them."

 

Gideon Long
Source: REUTERS
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