[lfc-news] Deportivo report - PA

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PA Sport, 3 Nov 2004
Deportivo La Coruna 0 Liverpool 1

Liverpool produced a superb rearguard action to clinch a crucial away
Champions League victory which now gives them a great chance of reaching
the second stage.

The critical goal was a first half own-goal by Jorge Andrade, in a period
where Liverpool threatened with pace and drive at every opportunity.

The second period saw Deportivo hurl themselves forward, but with
outstanding displays from Igor Biscan and Jamie Carragher, Liverpool hung
on to give Rafael Benitez a winning return to Spain.

Liverpool were struck a major blow before the game when midfielder Xabi
Alonso was forced to the bench due to the calf injury which had been
troubling him since Saturday's Barclays Premiership draw at Blackburn.

The Spaniard was joined on the bench by Steve Finnan and Florent
Sinama-Pongolle.

Igor Biscan came into midfield while Harry Kewell won a place supporting
Milan Baros with Luis Garcia given a free role.

Deportivo coach Javier Irureta stuck with Walter Pandiani up front despite
the side's chronic lack of goals - they have failed to score at home in any
of their last five Champions League group matches as well as their goalless
home La Liga draw with Albacete on Sunday.

Mauro Silva was out with a knee problem, while fit again Diego Tristan made
the bench.

Rafael Benitez heard his name ring around a Spanish stadium in his homeland
again but this time it was from Scouse voices rather than those in
Valencia, with whom he won La Liga.

Liverpool's new coach must have wanted this victory so much on his first
visit back home since quitting Valencia for Merseyside.

It came from a Jorge Andrade first-half own goal but was fashioned by a
performance of desire and grit from an increasingly-stretched Liverpool,
who had unlikely heroes like Igor Biscan to thank for the vital Group A points.

And with a side hit by injuries, Benitez saw his men fight for every yard
in a battling second-half display.

But with Olympiakos beating group leaders Monaco it means if Liverpool win
their next match in Monaco later this month, they will be assured a top-two
finish and a place in the knock-out stage.

Liverpool, already without broken leg victim Djibril Cisse, were struck
another blow before the start when midfielder Xabi Alonso was ruled out
with the calf injury which had been troubling him since Saturday's draw at
Blackburn.

The Spaniard was deemed only fit enough for the bench, stretching Benitez's
resources to the very limits with Biscan coming into midfield.

Such was the obvious concern over Alonso's fitness that he took no part in
the warm-up, spending most of his time leaning against the barriers as he
contemplated missing the chance he wanted to perform with his new club back
in his homeland.

And it is likely that he would not have even been on the bench had
Liverpool had enough players left to fill the void.

Under such circumstances, with Liverpool already stripped of Steven Gerrard
and Cisse, a backs-against-the-wall approach would have been forgiven -
although chances which came their way would not have to be be wasted.

But that was what happened within 30 seconds of the kick-off when Dietmar
Hamann and Garcia fashioned a glorious chance for Milan Baros through the
middle.

The Czech was clean away but when he got to the box he tried to go round
Jose Molina and the keeper stole the ball from the forward's toes when he
should have buried the opportunity.

But after 14 minutes Liverpool did get the ball in the net. Biscan took
much credit for a battling run through midfield before feeding John Arne
Riise on the left.

The Norwegian's fierce cross arrowed into the six-yard box and Andrade -
under pressure from Baros - could only turn the ball into his own net.

Liverpool aimed to hit on the break and produced movement and passing of
their own which continually threatened to upset the Galician side with
Harry Kewell dropping deep to link with the remarkably astute Biscan.

Andrade and Cesar struggled to contain him with the Czech star seemingly
enjoying the freedom of his lone striker role without Cisse around. On 37
minutes Cesar Martin was booked for bringing down Baros on the left, a
clear attempt to slow him down.

But minutes from the break it should have been two when a fine run and pass
from Kewell set up Riise on the left but his first shot was blocked by
Molina and the follow-up was cleared from in front of an open goal by Andrade.

The Spaniards took off Cesar at the break and put on Pablo Amo at the back
in an attempt to control Baros and Deportivo embarked on the second half
with more determination.

That was underlined when Amo hurled himself at a free-kick on the far post
which left Chris Kirkland flattened in the back of the net, although the
damage was as much done by Biscan who caught the keeper in the face.

The young keeper looked groggy for some time but recovered sufficiently to
continue.

Steve Finnan replace Kewell after 58 minutes and filled a right midfield
role which allowed Garcia to push forward in support of Baros but it was
the hard running of Hamann and Biscan in the centre which was critical for
Liverpool.

Andrade was booked for bringing down Baros on a rare break for the
Merseysiders, the Czech always posing a problem when he received the ball.

Eight minutes from time Liverpool wasted a glorious chance to settle things
when Baros put Garcia through but he failed to control the ball and allowed
it run to Molina.

D Coruna: Molina, Romero, Cesar (Pablo Amo 45), Andrade, Hector (Scaloni
65), Sergio, Valeron, Duscher, Victor, Pandiani (Tristan 59), Luque.
Subs Not Used: Munua, Fran, Munitis, Capdevila.
Booked: Cesar, Andrade.

Liverpool: Kirkland, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Riise, Luis Garcia
(Alonso 91), Hamann, Biscan, Kewell (Finnan 58), Baros (Sinama Pongolle 84).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Henchoz, Diao, Warnock.
Booked: Carragher, Biscan, Hyypia.
Goals: Andrade 14 og.

Att: 32,000
Ref: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).

REDS KEEP BENITEZ HAPPY

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was more than happy with his tactics as
his side eked out a 1-0 Champions League win against Deportivo La Coruna
tonight.

Jorge Andrade turned in John Arne Riise's 14th-minute cross - and from that
moment the visitors were content to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.

The win puts Liverpool second in Group A, and another victory in Monaco in
three weeks' time will put the Reds through to the knockout stage.

"I think we played a good game," said Benitez.

"We started with a high tempo; we got the goal and we played good
counter-attacks - and at the end of the game we had a lot of chances.

"If you regain the ball quickly and go forward it is good. We had some more
opportunities to score and we could have won by scoring more goals."

Benitez was also pleased with the contribution of some of the lesser names
in the squad, including the much-maligned Igor Biscan who had one of his
better games in central midfield in the absence of the injured Xabi Alonso.

"Biscan plays well. It is a problem to have all the players ready; [it
means] you can play more games to a higher level," the manager said.

"It [the victory] is important for us, but the only thing to do is enjoy
the result of today and then to think about to win [again] and nothing more."


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