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  • Date: 2008-08-27
  • Kick-off: 20:05
  • Venue: Anfield
  • Attendance: 43889
  • Referee: Busacca, M

Live Commentary

120mins

LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 STANDARD LIEGE: A final, late, memorable goal from Kuyt has clinched this Champions League tie for Liverpool who are through to the group stages

120mins

Damien Plessis is on, a timewasting measure, for Torres

120mins

Gerrard is down, buying a bit of time for the Reds who look to have sneaked through to the Champions League proper at the last possible moment

119mins

Liege won't give this up easily and they win a corner in front of the kop but can't win the header

118mins

LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 STANDARD LIEGE: DIRK KUYT for Liverpool! Surely that is the winning goal! A perfectly weighted cross from Babel found Kuyt on the back post and the Dutchman shinned the ball home

117mins

Babal found the ball stuck between his feet as he looked to create some space on the edge of the Liege box

116mins

Onyewu was lucky to have got away with the tackle on El-Zhar moments ago and he must be careful as his aerial challenges are becoming increasing physical

115mins

Mbokani is again pulled back for offside when he appeared to be through on Reina, although this time the decision was a correct one

115mins

More pressure inside the Liverpool box and another penalty shout which is turned down

113mins

Gerrard and El-Zhar work well, with the sub tricking his way into the box before a tackle from Onyewu brings him down. Penalty!? No, the ref waives away the protests

111mins

Both sides are looking tired, although Liege's forward line appears more dangerous. Mbokani wins a free-kick which Toema hits long, but too long and Reina collects for a goal kick

109mins

Finally Aspinoza makes a save, although his acrobatic dive away to his right was probably unnecessary. Good hit from Arbeloa though

108mins

Mbokani almost found himself through on Reina but the linesman flagged - wrongly - for offside

107mins

Some pressure from Liege with Defour down the left but his long, cross-field pass for Jovanovic goes out for a throw

106mins

We are back underway in Anfield and this is becoming a real tense night in Liverpool

105mins

LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 STANDARD LIEGE: Half-time in extra-time and this match remains in the balance. 15 minutes left before penalties

105mins

Kuyt did well to create space for himself on the right wing but his pull-back cross is intercepted by the excellent Onyewu

104mins

An excellent counter-attack from Liverpool, after Liege had poured men forward for a free-kick, results in a corner after Babel and Kuyt combined well inside the box

103mins

The game has slowed down significantly in the last few minutes although these tired legs could end up conceding a chance or two without much effort being made

101mins

Salim Toema comes on for De Camargo who had been quiet in extra time

100mins

Liege have been able to push higher up the pitch in extra time but that has left Liverpool eyeing up the space between their defence and the goal, although the right ball hasn't been found yet

98mins

DANTE is booked and he looks surprised, claiming he was the victim of a dive

97mins

Gerrard works hard down the left to keep the ball in and send a deep cross over which almost finds the top corner itself but ends up out of play

95mins

Mbokani is down for Liege after tripping under pressure from Alonso. He walks slowly off but will come back on in a few moments

94mins

Liege have the most to gain by playing aggressive football now - one goal from them and Liverpool must score twice

92mins

Witsel fires in a hopeful shot from the right side that is straight at Reina. Liege are looking a little more dangerous that they have been for the last half hour

91mins

Gerrard almost threads a pass through to Babel but he couldn't reach the ball before Aspinoza who came quickly out from his goal

90mins

LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 STANDARD LIEGE: The first period of extra time is underway. Will Liverpool play for penalties in the knowledge that Reina is one fo the best stoppers in World football?

90mins

Despite Liverpool's domination, possession-wise, in the second period we will have another 30 minutes of football here at Anfield

90mins

Babel recieves treatment for a knock but will carry on as this match heads to extra-time

90mins

Camozzato tries an acrobatic header for Liege, flicking on a whipped cross but missing Reina's goal

88mins

Kuyt continues to fire long-range efforts, the latest skimming the surface in front of Aspinza but flying wide of his right-hand post. Alonso has a similar effort moments later but Aspinoza holds on

87mins

Milan Jovanovic is on, a great goalscorer and star for Liege last year. Dalmat is off

86mins

Alex Witsel tries to finish a promising Liege counter-attack but his 30-yard shot goes wide. Liverpool must be careful at the back as they press for the winning goal

85mins

Liege move forward down the right but at a snails pace. They will be happy to make it to extra-time even though they've had the better chances tonight

83mins

Nabil El Zhar is coming on - the forward who made an impact at the weekend. Keane goes off after another disappointing night

82mins

Liverpool appear to be eyeing up a sub as they look for that little bit extra which they continue to lack

80mins

Liverpool's domination of their right flank shows no sign of ending as Arbeloa delivers two more crosses which are headed away before Gerrard tries his luck from a ridiculous angle, conceding a throw-in

79mins

Liege have a rare run upfield and pick out Fellaini with a deep cross and the giant striker wins the header but flicks the ball wide of Reina's post

78mins

Gerrard pokes a 25-yard shot high and wide - the Reds have had plenty of shots from that distance but haven't forced the keeper to make one save yet

77mins

Aurelio's corner is well punched out by Aspinoza as Liverpool continue to tie thier opponents back

75mins

Arbeloa this time hit a low cross from the right in the direction of Keane, but the Irishman fails to connect with the pass and Liege clear

74mins

Another right-wing cross from Liverpool goes over the head of Torres. Still, the Spaniard will fancy his chances of reaching one of those balls soon

72mins

Kuyt tries his luck, slashing a 35-yard shot well wide of Aspinoza's right-hand post. Are the Reds getting desperate already?

70mins

Better build-up from Liverpool results in Arbeloa's deep cross being flicked behind by Camozzato as Torres was lurking on the far post

69mins

DE CAMARGO is booked for a petulant foul on Gerrard, clipping the Liverpool captain's heel

68mins

Again Liverpool find some space on the edge of the Liege box but it is still too crowded there for the Reds to get a clean shot off. Alonso had the best crack, finding a way through the bodies but aiming straight at Aspinoza

67mins

Torres almost found his way onto a deep, right-wing cross but it was too high for an effort on goal

65mins

Babel's not done much since he came on but Liverpool as a team have certainly improved since his introduction, penning Liege back on the edge of their own box

64mins

Arbeloa gets cropped as he moved past Dante on the right wing, winning a free-kick

62mins

A great chance for Torres as he ran in from the right wing, cutting along the top of the 18 yard box before being cramped for space by the Liege defence, forcing him into a weak, deflected shot

61mins

Benayoun goes off, having been unable to create much down the left. Ryan Babel will take up that role

61mins

SARR proves the points and picks up the game's first booking for a heavy tackle

61mins

Benayoun and Dalmat then collide moments later as the game begins to get physical. That can only work to help Liege who are the bigger side

59mins

De Camargo falls heavily under the challenge of Martin Skrtel and looks to have hurt his back. The ref awards the free-kick Liverpool's way though as the forward walks sheepishly away

57mins

Alonso and Arbeloa try to link up down the right but the central midfielder over-hits his return pass. He and Gerrard have done precious little so far this evening

55mins

The Anfield crowd calls for a pass-back as Onyewu miss-kicks a ball that finds Aspinoza, but the referee ignores their cries. Liverpool are playing almost in hope at the moment

53mins

A dangerous, curling cross from Aurelio almost finds its way to Torres' head but Sarr wins that battle and clears to Gerrard who hits a dramatic volley that is well over the bar

52mins

Defour has a pop for Liege from 25 yards but he rushed his shot and it slid well wide of the Liverpool goal

50mins

A bizare attack from Liverpool comes to nothing after Keane, looking up and seeing nothing happening, chiped a ball to Torres in hope but a miss-hit clearance fell to the Spaniard who couldn't hit the target

48mins

Aurelio's cross fails to beat the first man and Leige clear, counter-attacking down the right and winning a throw that Onyewu launches into the six-yard box where Reina claims

47mins

Torres wins an early free-kick in the right corner, diving back dramatically as Onyewu raised a hand in the direction of his chin

46mins

We are back underway in Anfield and Liverpool have 45 minutes to improve or they could well find themselves in the UEFA Cup this season

45mins

Liverpool 0 - 0 Standard Liege: There has been little difference between this first half and the one played in Belgium two weeks ago, but crucially we must have a result tonight. The second period should be enthralling

45mins

A brilliant sliding challenge from Onyewu stops Keane getting a shot away as a long ball had found him in space in the Liege box. The American has been on top form tonight

43mins

Liverpool again go forward down the right where they have been at their most productive tonight but Alvaro Arbeloa's long throw is well cleared

41mins

Aurelio takes a corner from the Liverpool right and picks out Kuyt eight yards from goal, but the Dutchman's header flashes just wide of the Liege goal

39mins

Mbokani blasts into the Liverpool box - his first surge in around 25 minutes - but Jamie Carragher watches and times his tackle well, ending the danger

37mins

Liverpool appeal for a penalty as Sarr slides in to block a Gerrard through-ball but the ref correctly waives play on and Liege go on the attack

36mins

A dangerous free-kick on the left is curled in deep towards Reina's far post but the impressive goalkeeper stretches up and collects the ball. If the English side get through tonight he will have played his part

34mins

In the first leg Liverpool managed to get going on the half-hour mark before Liege found some form again early in the second half. The Reds need to score while they have the upper hand tonight though

32mins

A much better last five minutes from Liverpool as Liege lose some of their momentum

31mins

Gerrard takes a central free-kick, 35 yards out, but it is hit high and wide. A corner is awarded though and Aspinoza is forced to flick the ball wide

30mins

Steven Defour blocks Torres off well as last season's top scorer bombed into the Liege area and was one stride away from getting off one of his lethal strikes

29mins

Aurelio and Benayoun combine well down the left but the Spaniard's deep cross is far too heavy and goes out for a goal kick

27mins

Even Torres is struggling to get past his man and create something for the home side. They look a different team from even just 20 minutes ago

26mins

Liverpool have slowed the game down a touch now. They had looked in control early on but Liege really have their tail up at the moment

24mins

Brilliant run from Dalmot down the right wing, beating Aurelio for pace, but his cross is hacked clear. Liverpool are getting seriously worried now

22mins

A soft lay-off from Wilfried Dalmat to Marcos Camozzato leads to a vicious 40-yard shot from the Brazilian that almost dipped over Reina and into the far top corner. Stunning effort, but slightly over-hit

20mins

Xabi Alonso gets into the game with a curling 25-yard strike that swerved away from Aspinoza's right hand but missed the post by a couple of yards

19mins

Liege got their head on the corner too but the ball flashed well wide. Yet another huge sigh of relief at Anfield

18mins

Another long throw causes chaos in the Liverpool box and in the scrap Igor De Camargo found himself through on Reina, but he took the ball too wide and crossed for Fellaini who forces the Spaniard into another great save

16mins

Keane found himself in a huge hole 40 yards from goal, lays the ball of to Steven Gerrard who plays an excellent pass into the path of Benayoun but he shoots off-balance from 18 yards and misses badly

15mins

Kuyt does well to win Liege's first corner of the match, but Oguchi Onyewu's long throw isn't much less dangerous. Keane gets there first though and clears

14mins

A brilliant turn from Mbokani takes him away from Alvaro Arbeloa and the full-back is forced to concede a free-kick. From it Liege work a cross to Marouane Fellaini which is flicked out for a corner

12mins

Again Liverpool build patiently down the right but Dirk Kuyt's cross is headed out by Sarr

10mins

The two best chances of the match so far two minutes apart there. Liege in particular will be encouraged by the space Mbokani was given for his skidding shot

8mins

A cheeky dive from Torres wins a free-kick on the right of the Liege penalty box. Aurelio takes it well, curling deep to the back post where Rorys Aragon Aspinoza is forced to palm the ball out, but Keane slashes at it and his shot is well over

7mins

Out of nowhere Jose Manuel Reina is forced into a brilliant save low to his right from a stinging 20-yard shot by Mbokani

7mins

This is a much better start from the Reds than two weeks ago. They are getting forward well without rushing passes, although Liege are allowing them to do that

5mins

A classic 1-2-3 between Fernando Torres, Keane and Yossi Benayoun but the Israeli's final pass back to Torres is intercepted. Good intentions shown there though, clever passing and moving

3mins

Robbie Keane is dispossed trying to beat one man too many and Dieumerci Mbokani takes the ball and surges past Aurelio, before he too is tackled well

2mins

An early free-kick, on the left wing 40 yards out. Gerrard takes but Adama Mohamed Sarr heads clear from the wall

1mins

Liverpool have started aggressively, looking to press down the right before they are forced back into their own half

1mins

Everything is ready at Anfield and Liverpool kick off their £20million match. Remember: one goal from Liege and Liverpool will have to score twice

0mins

Those who saw or read about the first leg will no that Liege are no pushovers. They had a penalty saved and a Marouane Fellaini goal disallowed, while they have a 100% record in the league this season

0mins

Tomislav Mikulic misses out as Oguchi Onyewu is preferred in defence for Liege. They've also resisted the temptation to start Milan Jovanovic, the reigning Belgian player of the year, so as not to affect his potential transfer value

0mins

Liverpool will be favourites but they haven't impressed this season, despite winning both their Premiership games. One major change for them, Andrea Dossena has been dropped and Fabio Aurelio comes in

0mins

Tonight's winners will progress through to the Champions League group stage and, with a 0-0 draw in the first leg, we could be in for a cracking evening's entertainment

Match Preview

Match Report

A memorable Dirk Kuyt goal sent Liverpool through to the Champions League group stage after a nail-biting clash against Standard Liege at Anfield.

Just as in Belgium two weeks ago when Pepe Reina produced a stunning, clawed save after seven minutes and then a sharp penalty stop soon after, Liverpool left the pitch at half-time indebted to their Spanish goalkeeper.

Dieumerci Mbokani, who looked strong, quick and aggressive all night, forced Reina into his first save again just seven minute into the match.

The Congolese international picked up the ball 35 yards out and made a beeline for the Liverpool goal, slowing only to swing his leg viciously and drive a low shot to Reina's right where the 25-year-old acrobatically tipped the ball wide.

A long throw ten minutes later caused chaos in the Liverpool box and, in the scramble, Igor De Camargo found himself clean through but he took the ball too wide and instead crossed for Marouane Fellaini who forced Reina to make another top save.

The Reds never came close to matching the attacking intent shown by the Belgians, at no stage testing Aragon Aspinoza in the Standard goal.

Only an over-hit free-kick from Fabio Aurelio a few moments after Reina's first save gave Aspinoza a touch of the ball.

His flick away ended up causing more danger than the set-piece as first Fernando Torres and then Robbie Keane hacked at the loose ball, the Irishman finding more space than his partner but hooking his shot well over the bar.

Little better was produced by either side in the second half, despite Liverpool pinning the visitors back on the edge of their penalty box for most of the last 30 minutes of normal time.

Liverpool will have to name one particular stretch of grass after Alvaro Arbeloa, their Spanish right-back, who produced numerous crosses from their right flank which looked good without causing much damage.

Despite Liverpool's inability to create many good chances, credit must go to the reigning Belgian champions whose excellent defence won every header and gave the Reds no time on the ball.

Even in extra-time, when a goal for either side was likely to win the tie, Standard matched Liverpool for energy and effort, subsiding only with a few moments left.

207 minutes of this Champions League third qualifying round match had been goalless before Ryan Babel's excellent back-post cross found its way onto Kuyt's shin.

The Dutchman's scrappy goal may be priceless, although the cost of failure could have totalled £20million, but it will count for little if Liverpool fail to improve on their two poor European performances so far this season.

Liverpool

Standard Liege

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides

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