Lille 1 – Liverpool FC 0
Although the Red’s latest trip from Merseyside ended in defeat we all know that Anfield’s influence in reversing European deficits is legendary and next Thursdays return leg could yet be a chance for redemption.
Benitez will be pleased that this display was vastly superior to the abject performance at Wigan on Monday and even resisted apportioning blame to Reina for Eden Hazards’s goal saying,
“It was a good delivery and very difficult for the keeper. I am disappointed with the result but really pleased with the efforts of the players”.
After weathering the first half storm from the attacking trio of Hazard, Obraniak and Frau Liverpool began to assert themselves.
Torres, menacing from deep, released Babel, demanding a fine sliding tackle from the towering centre back Adil Rami. The pair cut through Lille’s defence with a fine exchange of passes only for Babel, enjoying one of his more inventive outings, to shoot at Mickael Landreau’s legs.
Torres , again went close with a header from a Glen Johnson cross that forced Landreau into a low dive and although Lille might have had more of the ball, Liverpool and particularly Pepe Reina had little trouble holding them at bay.
It was the Belgian international Eden Hazard who settled the game with an 85th minute free-kick over the Liverpool defence and past a static Reina inside the far post.
Liverpool now face a telling seven days as they face Premier League bottom side Portsmouth on Monday, Lille on Thursday before travelling to Manchester United the following Sunday.
Although the Red’s latest trip from Merseyside ended in defeat we all know that Anfield’s influence in reversing European deficits is legendary and next Thursdays return leg could yet be a chance for redemption.
Benitez will be pleased that this display was vastly superior to the abject performance at Wigan on Monday and even resisted apportioning blame to Reina for Eden Hazards’s goal saying,
“It was a good delivery and very difficult for the keeper. I am disappointed with the result but really pleased with the efforts of the players”.
After weathering the first half storm from the attacking trio of Hazard, Obraniak and Frau Liverpool began to assert themselves.
Torres, menacing from deep, released Babel, demanding a fine sliding tackle from the towering centre back Adil Rami. The pair cut through Lille’s defence with a fine exchange of passes only for Babel, enjoying one of his more inventive outings, to shoot at Mickael Landreau’s legs.
Torres , again went close with a header from a Glen Johnson cross that forced Landreau into a low dive and although Lille might have had more of the ball, Liverpool and particularly Pepe Reina had little trouble holding them at bay.
It was the Belgian international Eden Hazard who settled the game with an 85th minute free-kick over the Liverpool defence and past a static Reina inside the far post.
Liverpool now face a telling seven days as they face Premier League bottom side Portsmouth on Monday, Lille on Thursday before travelling to Manchester United the following Sunday.
