Time is relative in Robbie's world

The part of the world I come from values the concept of time. The Irish like to do a job well and if it takes the extra hour, so be it .This philosophy came to mind as I contemplated the remaining Anfield hours of one Robbie Fowler, and his potential impact on proceedings in Athens.

As student I spent some time in rural west Kerry and learned one of life’s important lessons: how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness. An obvious right of passage, Stout demands time. The barman’s mantra has always been a mainstay, “Leave it settle, leave it settle”.

The thing with Fowler is his ability to transcend mere physics and dispatch the half chance whilst the last defender is still preparing his challenge. His career defining hat-trick against one of the meanest back fours in English football seems to support the argument. Who was this kid with the lopsided smile and the extra half second in the penalty box? Now Athens looms in the distance like the Persian army that blocked out the Spartan sun, the brave 300 versus the hired assassins known as the ‘rossoneri’. The Italians arrive in Greece with revenge stamped on their passports regardless of what their PR machine will tell you. We all have our theories on the formations, mine is that Rafa will set his side up to smother Milan in a zonal blanket, and look for Crouch to supply the second balls. Kuyt I suspect will run the channels in a more withdrawn role and look to tire the mature limbs of Maldini and Co. As our manager never tires of telling us, victory is found in the detail, along with the devil, albeit on this occasion, not a red one! Sir Alex will have his wine, but it won’t be on Wednesday night .Liverpool are a stronger side than the one that played in Istanbul whilst Milan, still very dangerous, have not significantly improved. At this level, the idea of preservation is a false concept, ‘You get better or you get worse’.

Most of us hope that Robbie will be wearing boots on the night. I was on holiday in Greece at the time Mr Fowler was tearing Arsenal apart. I called a pint as the first goal went in. By the time I sat down again it was 3. The pint was a Carlsberg. Walk on.

Teak (RORY O’CONNOR)