Benfica 2 Liverpool 1: Reds pay the penalty after Babel sent off

It may not have been the mauling neighbours Everton suffered, but Liverpool had almost as much cause for regret as they headed away from the Estadio Da Luz. Leading through an expertly worked ninth-minute goal by Daniel Agger, Liverpool needlessly handed their opponents a new lease of life with a senseless 30th-minute sending off for Ryan Babel. To a backdrop of flares and firecrackers, the Portuguese leaders roared back with attack after attack that put Liverpool's reserves of resilience to a test every bit as stern as manager Rafa Benitez had anticipated. Off you go: Ref Jonas Eriksson shows a red card to Liverpool's Ryan BabelDown to 10 men, Liverpool needed stout hearts in their hour of need.Luck refused to play its part, though, as two debatable penalty appealswent Benfica's way to leave Liverpool facing an uphill struggle for asemi-final place when battle is resumed at Anfield next week. Benfica not only dismantled Everton 5-0 earlier this season but,prior to kick-off, had scored in every one of their previous 25 games,amassing 54 goals in the process.  Rafa fury over Babel red and Benfica penalties after Liverpool lose in LisbonJose Mourinho lines up Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli could head from Inter Milan to Liverpool European Match Zone: New Angel of the north? Di Maria shows why Man United are so keenBenfica v Liverpool: How the action unfolded in LisbonLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail