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REDS CRASH TO DEFEAT IN LISBON
Liverpool will have to overcome a one goal deficit to keep their Champions League dreams alive after a 1-0 defeat in Lisbon's Stadium of Light.
The Reds looked to be heading for a satisfying goalless draw after a solid battling display, but Luisao's header eight minutes from time has given Ronald Koeman's side the advantage going into the return at Anfield in two weeks time.
Another raucous Anfield European night awaits with Rafa Benitez's men needing a goal to stay in the competition ? while their failure to register an away goal in Lisbon will also mean they have to be extra careful at the back.
To make matters worse on a disappointing night for the Reds, Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko left the field injured after a first half tackle from Beto and must be rated as doubtful for this weekend's Premiership clash with Manchester City.
The opening half in the Estadio da Luz was a dour affair with neither side looking threatening in front of goal. In fact, neither goalkeeper had a save to make of any note as the two sides set about cancelling each other out in a scrappy struggle.
Liverpool dominated most of the possession but too often the final ball in the final third of the field was lacking, hence neither Robbie Fowler or Fernando Morientes being presented with a sniff of a chance.
The Reds started the second half on the front foot and had an immediate chance to break the deadlock when Garcia sliced a right footed volley wide of Moretto's goal.
Garcia had another chance a few minutes later when Xabi Alonso's stunning cross field ball fell nicely for him to control and take towards goal, but Luisao was quickly on hand to intercept for the home side.
With the game opening up by the minute Simao won a free kick for his side 25 yards from goal but Petit curled a right footed effort over Reina's goal.
Reina was forced into his first save of the game after an hour when Petit attempted an audacious lob from just inside his own half, but the Liverpool goalkeeper was alert enough to deal with the danger.
Benitez brought on Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard late on in an attempt to catch Benfica on the counter attack and claim the victory, but it was the home side who ruined the plan with a late strike.
A free kick on the edge of the box was flighted into the danger zone and Luisao arrived unmarked to guide a header inside Pepe Reina's right hand post.
The Reds spent the remaining minutes looking for the one chance which could create a pricless equaliser, but time eventually beat them and the sound of the Austrian referee's whistle signalled a disappointing night for the Reds as they lost on the road in Europe for the first time in ten games.
Teams
Benfica: , , , , , Robert, Fernandes, , , Gomez, . Subs - Karagounis, Kariaka, Rocha, , , ,
Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Sissoko, Garcia, Fowler, Morientes. Subs - Cisse, Crouch, Dudek, Gerrard, Hamann, Traore, Warnock
Referee: Konrad Plautz
Conditions:
Attendance: Unavailable
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Steve Finnan |
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