Reds cooked in Turkey
24 Oct 2007 - 22:17:46
Liverpool remain winless and bottom of Champions League Group A after a shock 2-1 defeat by Besiktas in Istanbul.
The Reds started well, with efforts from Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt blocked and deflected wide, while a sliced clearance following a corner forced a desperate hack off the home goal-line.
Neither side found much rhythm and chances came in a rather ugly fashion, culminating in a comical opening goal.
Jamie Carragher won a tackle inside his own box before kicking the ball against the body of Steve Finnan, giving Serdar Ozkan a free shot on goal, which deflected off Sami Hyypia and past Jose Reina.
Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise had good shots saved soon after as Liverpool looked eager to end any thought of an unexpected loss.
Soon the chances dried up for Liverpool and by half-time their football had become sloppy, strewn with misplaced passes and lacklustre general play.
Only the touch and vision of Kuyt through the middle and the skill and effort of Jermaine Pennant on the right had caused problems for the home defence.
Perhaps it was spelt out to them at half-time, a loss would leave them bottom of the group and facing a struggle to even qualify for the UEFA Cup.
Whatever was said, Rafa Benitez's side came out after the break more relaxed and with a sense of purpose that was missing for most of the first period.
Another deft flick from Kuyt sent Pennant clear after 56 minutes, but the winger hesitated, unable to set himself up for a shot before he was closed down.
Two minutes later Gerrard, poor for most of the game but driving forward as time ticked on, fired a trademark 20-yard volley just wide of the goal.
Liverpool continued to look the better side, having a Yossi Benayoun strike correctly ruled out for offside, but the pressure from the clock began to tell on the visitors' defence.
Bobo found one of these eight minutes from time, flicking the ball past the woeful Hyypia and sliding a shot between the legs of the advancing Reina.
Gerrard headed in a superb effort three minutes later, but Besiktas' deep defending and strong counter-attack proved too much and the final whistle condemned the Reds to another damaging defeat.