[Liverweb] Benfica Match Report

Liverweb Match Report

Liverpool 0 Benfica 2

Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Traore, Warnock, Alonso,
Gerrard (C), Kewell, Garcia, Morientes, Crouch

Subs Used : Cisse for Kewell (63), Fowler for Morientes (69), Hamann
for Warnock (70)

Subs Unused : Dudek, Barragan, Anderson, Hyypia

Att : 42,745

Ref : Massimo de Santis (ITA)

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The Reds' euro dream is over for this season after a 2-0 home defeat
to Benfica. This is a game the Reds really should have won for all
their chances but yet again they failed to take them and were hit by
sucker punches. This had all the potential to be a great European
night - the fans were in great voice on the night and in the ground
early. Two flags were passed around the Kop as the singing started
to get louder. That singing continued even in defeat as the fans
backed the players all the way despite the missed chances.

Benfica got the game underway attacking the Kop end and had taken a
sizeable set of fans with them as well. Pre match one of the Benfica
fans threw a flare on to the pitch and was greeted by large scale
booing from the Anfield crowd. Sadly the events on the pitch were
ultimately lit by Benfica also. Inside the first minute Laurent
Robert was booked for a poor tackle on Warnock. Warnock was one of
five changes in the Reds line up, which also saw Traore deputise for
Hyypia who was still carrying a knock.

The Reds started fast as you would expect them to as they went in
search of their two goals without reply to take them through. They
looked like they could really get at Benfica as well. On four
minutes Morientes had a shot straight at the keeper. Six minutes
later and Crouch went closer still as his shot was deflected on to
the post. A minute later and somehow Carragher missed from about two
yards out. The ball came down for Carragher but he somehow put the
ball the wrong side of the post when under pressure. The chances
were certainly coming.

On fifteen minutes Finnan went in to the area but his shot on goal
was well blocked by a desperate Benfica lunge. The danger though at
the other end was evident as Benfica looked to use pace on the
counter attack. Players like Nuno Gomes and Simao looked a threat
all the time as they tried to get that away goal. They underlined
that threat when they won a corner on seventeen minutes but the Reds
were able to deal with it. The Reds broke from that corner but
Garcia saw his eventual shot blocked. A minute later and Garcia had
a glorious chance but his shot flew over the bar. Either the
defender just flicked this ball up or it took a bobble as he hit the
shot as it sat up just as he was about to strike the ball.

On twenty five minutes came an absolute pearler of a chance for the
Reds. This is possibly the one chance that you prayed to come.
Steven Gerrard opened up the Benfica defence to give Crouch a one on
one with the keeper. With one side of the goal looking wide open
Crouch kicked the ball straight at the keeper and the chance was
gone. It these types of chance that turn you from a good side to one
that will march on to later rounds.

Just before the half hour the Reds were so nearly behind when
Geovanni volleyed over Reina only to see his shot come back off the
cross bar and then he grabbed the follow up header from Simao. Two
minutes later and Peter Crouch picked up a yellow card for a dive in
the area. It was a rather pitiful attempt to get a penalty really
and the linesman flagged the offence to the referee who duly booked
Crouch.

Benfica got the opening goal on thirty six minutes. It was a class
goal but the build up to it was comical from the Reds. The move came
down their right and as the ball was played Traore fell over which
allowed the first part of the move to continue. Carragher got in but
allowed himself to be tackled on the ball. Benfica then moved the
ball across to Simao who cut inside before shooting high past Reina
in to the top corner. Now the Reds needed three to go through. It
was still possible though to get back in to it and the Reds tried to
get one back before half time.

The Reds did get a glorious chance just before half time to equalise
on the night but Carragher hit the post with his header from a
corner. This was going to be a big team talk in the second half. The
Reds were out and ready for action. The crowd turned up the volume
as You'll Never Walk Alone was aired from the whole ground to
inspire the players. George played Ring of fire over the tannoy
which got the crowd going even more. Sadly though the second half
just didn't quite happen.

The Reds huffed and puffed their way their way forward but just
didn't create clear openings. Yes they had the odd pop shot from
distance but we just didn't work the keeper enough. The Reds tried
to push forward in numbers which inevitably left gaps at the back.
Just after the hour Nuno Gomes went clean through but was rightly
flagged offside. Gomes did continue his run after the whistle and
was promptly booked. The Reds made their first change on sixty three
minutes when Cisse replaced Kewell. Garcia moved to the left and
Cisse went down the right. Fowler replaced Morientes six minutes
later and then Hamann replaced Warnock who seemed to have pulled a
hamstring.

It was starting to get desperate now for the Reds as they poured
forward in waves without creating much. Benfica were looking to pick
the Reds off at will on the counter attack. Carragher headed over
the bar on seventy six minutes but the longer time went on the more
desperate we became and the less chances we created. We did get the
ball in to the back of the net just before the end and once again it
was Fowler. Yet again it was disallowed though as the ball from the
corner went out before coming back in. In fairness the linesman
flagged straight away and the chance didn't count.

Benfica doubled their goal tally on the night with a minute left on
the clock in a fast breakaway which finally saw Miccoli scoring from
six yards out. It was a gutting blow and 2-0 certainly didn't
reflect the Reds' possession of the game. Ultimately though its
about putting the ball in the back of the net and we simply don't
look like doing it.

Going out of the European cup is depressing it has to be said but
even in the final minutes of the game we still managed to sing
You'll Never Walk Alone and chant Rafa's name. This if nothing else
gives the players a lift with more games to come. This just has to
be put to bed and we have to get on with football for the rest of
the season. Keep the heads up now and move on.

MotM : Steve Finnan - a really difficult game for anyone to shine as
it turned out but Finnan supported the team well and was one of the
few who rarely lost the ball dithering in defence.

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Match Stats
Liverpool Benfica
66% Possession 34%
7 Shots On Target 3
9 Shots Off Target 4
10 Blocked Shots 0
13 Corners 2
15 Fouls 15
2 Offsides 4
3 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0

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