Liverpool 1 Lyon 2 Post-Match Analysis
Liverpool's Champions League Campaign Hangs in the Balance
Oct 21, 2009
After losing to Fiorentina, Chelsea and Sunderland, Rafa Benitez was looking for a win and a convincing performance against Lyon. The French side have only lost once in all competitions this season and lead Group E in the Champions League after victories in their opening two games.
Gerrard Injury Major Concern For Benitez
Liverpool were again without Fernando Torres who is recovering from a groin injury, and was replaced by David Ngog. Steven Gerrard, who also missed the game against Sunderland at the weekend, returned in his familiar forward position, but only managed 24 minutes before limping off with a reoccurrence of the groin injury he picked up whilst away on International duty. It was a sight the Anfield faithful did not want to see. Not only would they have to play out the remainder of this match without the heartbeat and inspiration of the team, but there is also the prospect of facing Champions Manchester United without the skipper.
Gerrard's departure seemed to galvanise Liverpool somewhat and despite creating little took the lead shortly before the break. With Lyon looking the more likely to score, it was a much needed goal for the home side, if not somewhat fortunate. A speculative cross by Fabio Aurelio, on to replace Gerrard, somehow found its way to Yossi Benayoun at the back post to calmly guide home. There was a moment of hope and belief around the ground and Liverpool looked as though they could get a stranglehold on the game. It would appear however, the break came at the wrong time and their momentum was lost.
Labouring Liverpool Lack Creativity
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first half. Lyon played neat, passing football and looked a threat going forward. Liverpool laboured, lacked creativity and were limited to long range efforts. The only exception was when teenager Martin Kelly, a late replacement for Glen Johnson, bombed down the right flank and whipped in a perfect cross for Ngog. The young French striker took the ball down on his chest but couldn't position his body to strike the ball cleanly and his shot limped harmlessly wide. Lyon always looked the more likely to score and sure enough they equalised with 18 minutes remaining when Maxime Gonalons headed in the rebound after Pepe Reina had made a brilliant double save.
For Benitez and Liverpool it was the same old story. Lucas and Javier Mascherano shielded the back four as well as they do, but didn't offer anything going forward. Dirk Kuyt and Ngog gave the ball away cheaply, Benayoun tried to weave and chink his way through the Lyon defence, but mostly ran into trouble. Andriy Voronin came on for Benayoun late on, a decision by Benitez that did not endear him to the Anfield crowd who voiced their discontent. Rightly so, Voronin didn't get a look in and a minute into injury time Lyon sliced open the Liverpool defence for Cesar Delgado to hit the winner.
The result leaves Liverpool in third place, three points behind Fiorentina and six adrift of Lyon. The Reds must now travel to France on November 4 and avoid defeat if they are to progress to the knock-out phases. Failure to qualify for the final stages of the Champions League could jeopardise the sale of the club - and with the unrest behind the scenes between the current owners, a collapse of sale will leave a dark shadow lingering over the club until the Americans finally leave.
