[Liverweb] Real Betis Match Report

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Liverweb Match Report

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Liverpool 0 Real Betis 0

Liverpool : Reina, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Hamann, Gerrard
(C), Zenden, Sissoko, Crouch, Morientes

Subs Used : Cisse for Morientes (67), Kewell for Crouch (83), Potter
for Gerrard (90)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Traore, Josemi, Warnock

Att : 42,077

Ref : Eric Poulat(FRA)

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The Reds made it through to the last 16 of the Champions League
against Real Betis thanks to a goalless draw at Anfield. The Reds
were the better side and had enough chances to win the game but
failed to convert them.
Real Betis got the game underway attacking the Kop end in the first
half and it was the away side who nearly went through early on.
Reina though was sharp and out quickly to get tot the ball before
Joaquin could get there. At the other end Morientes and especially
Crouch were both looking to get involved in setting up attacks for
the Reds.

Morientes went close to breaking through the whole Betis defence on
eight minutes but his final touch just over ran the ball and Betis
were able to clear the ball. The main joy for the Reds in the first
half came down the right hand side. With the Reds exposing Oscar
Lopez more and more they were getting some crosses in from the
right. After Lopez was booked for a woeful challenge on Sissoko
though the Reds didn't attack him enough.

Peter Crouch had two great chances to score midway through the half
but on both occasions just missed. The second chance - a diving
header should have been buried but he just didn't quite hit the ball
square on. On thirty seven minutes Sissoko created a great chance
for himself but if only he could shoot! He blazed over after doing
all the hard work. A few minutes later and Joaquin showed everyone
how good he is. Out on the right hand side and faced with both Riise
and Hamann he danced past them as if they never existed but having
beat them he failed to put in a decent cross.

Half time arrived and time for a re-think in the dressing room. The
interval saw a presentation given to Phil Neal, Kenny Dalglish and a
young relative of Bob Paisley. The award was some form of award by
UEFA but sadly I couldn't hear what the commentator was saying. Phil
Neal got a huge round of applause as he went up for his. Then came
Dalglish and the chants of Dalglish went up around the Kop - just
like the days of old. The came the award for Bob Paisley and the
eerie chant of Paisley sang out around the ground. I love the chant
but there's something weird about it to me.

After the break the Reds got the game underway again and looked to
capitalise on their better possession. A minute in to the half and
Morientes had a golden chance but he seemed to dither before
shooting on goal. His slowness allowed the Keeper to come out and
make a save. Six minutes in to the half and Hyypia headed just over
the bar from six yards out. It was getting closer so persistence was
the key.

On fifty seven minutes the latest player to try and overhead kick at
goal was Momo Sissoko. He played keepie uppie on the edge of the box
before hurling himself in to the bicycle kick. His effort was
straight and feeble though to the keeper who collected with ease. A
minute later and Hamann picked up a booking which he really can't
complain about as he simply hacked his man down.

On sixty four minutes Morientes was presented with another great
chance - this time off a Crouch header down but his Volley sailed
over the bar from ten yards. t proved Morientes' last action as he
was subbed for Cisse a couple of minutes later. Cisse though played
right midfield and allowed Gerrard a chance to move further up field.

Steven Gerrard had a couple of good chances to score late on. On
seventy six minutes he cut inside his man before hitting a tame shot
straight at the keeper. Then on eighty seven minutes he really
should have scored when he raced clean through on goal. Gerrard
though shaped all to obviously to shoot right and the keeper saved
the ball with ease. Gerrard was subbed late on and replaced by
Potter for the final stoppage minutes of the game. Betis did put the
Reds under some late pressure and had we scored you wouldn't have
panicked quite as much as we did. That said seeing the away side
swing a corner in during the final second of the game panicked you.
The Reds cleared though and went off to the last 16 of the
tournament.

MotM: Peter Crouch - played really well throughout and is really
starting to show how he can play for the Reds. He brought the ball
down well and got in to good space to bring play up to his part of
the pitch. The goals will come for him but his all round play gets
this award.

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Match Stats
Liverpool Betis
46% Possession 54%
8 Shots On Target 2
11 Shots Off Target 3
6 Blocked Shots 1
5 Corners 3
13 Fouls 12
0 Offsides 4
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0

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