Fernando Torres' double kept Liverpool's hopes of Champions League progress alive with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over FC Porto at Anfield.
The Spanish hitman struck in the 19th and 78th minutes, while Steven Gerrard netted a third from the penalty spot in the 84th minute and Peter Crouch nodded a 86th-minute fourth to set up a winner-takes-all clash in Marseille in a fortnight's time.
The Reds made a bright start and were unfortunate not to win an early penalty when Yossi Benyaoun tricked his way past two defenders and saw his shot strike the arm of Bruno Alves.
But Porto were soon on the front foot with Ricardo Queresma dragging a shot wide with the Liverpool defence backing off.
However, the Reds took the lead when Gerrard's right-wing corner finds an unmarked Torres and his downward header beats Helton from 10 yards.
But the visitors were level after 33 minutes when Przemyslaw Kazmiercak's cross from left picked out Lisandro Lopez and his header from 10 yards looped over Jose Reina to make it 1-1.
Torres had an immediate chance to make it 2-1 but he delayed too long in front of goal and the chance was gone. And as play switched down the other end, Lucho spurned a golden chance after racing through on goal, with his flicked effort trickling inches wide. There was another scare for Liverpool when Marek Cech's fierce left-footed strike is deflected onto the roof of the goal with Reina beaten.
After a more guarded start to the second period, Liverpool created the first meaningful chance when Torres cut in from the left and paid the ball off to Benayoun, but his first-time effort was sliced harmlessly wide of goal.
Liverpool continued to look lively with Ryan Babel causing problems down the right flank. Gerrard then flashed a shot just over the bar, Crouch saw penalty claims waved away, while Babel saw an effort hacked off the line as the Reds stepped up the pressure.
And their pressure finally told in the 78th minute when Harry Kewell's mazy run picked out Torres, who turned his man and curled a delightful effort into the far corner from just inside the area.
The Reds then wrapped up the win six minutes from time when Gerrard's free-kick into the box was handled by Igor Stepanovs and the Liverpool captain confidentally stroked home the penalty.
Crouch then nodded a fourth from two yards out with three minutes left on the clock to seal another great European night at Anfield.
The Spanish hitman struck in the 19th and 78th minutes, while Steven Gerrard netted a third from the penalty spot in the 84th minute and Peter Crouch nodded a 86th-minute fourth to set up a winner-takes-all clash in Marseille in a fortnight's time.
The Reds made a bright start and were unfortunate not to win an early penalty when Yossi Benyaoun tricked his way past two defenders and saw his shot strike the arm of Bruno Alves.
But Porto were soon on the front foot with Ricardo Queresma dragging a shot wide with the Liverpool defence backing off.
However, the Reds took the lead when Gerrard's right-wing corner finds an unmarked Torres and his downward header beats Helton from 10 yards.
But the visitors were level after 33 minutes when Przemyslaw Kazmiercak's cross from left picked out Lisandro Lopez and his header from 10 yards looped over Jose Reina to make it 1-1.
Torres had an immediate chance to make it 2-1 but he delayed too long in front of goal and the chance was gone. And as play switched down the other end, Lucho spurned a golden chance after racing through on goal, with his flicked effort trickling inches wide. There was another scare for Liverpool when Marek Cech's fierce left-footed strike is deflected onto the roof of the goal with Reina beaten.
After a more guarded start to the second period, Liverpool created the first meaningful chance when Torres cut in from the left and paid the ball off to Benayoun, but his first-time effort was sliced harmlessly wide of goal.
Liverpool continued to look lively with Ryan Babel causing problems down the right flank. Gerrard then flashed a shot just over the bar, Crouch saw penalty claims waved away, while Babel saw an effort hacked off the line as the Reds stepped up the pressure.
And their pressure finally told in the 78th minute when Harry Kewell's mazy run picked out Torres, who turned his man and curled a delightful effort into the far corner from just inside the area.
The Reds then wrapped up the win six minutes from time when Gerrard's free-kick into the box was handled by Igor Stepanovs and the Liverpool captain confidentally stroked home the penalty.
Crouch then nodded a fourth from two yards out with three minutes left on the clock to seal another great European night at Anfield.
No comments:
Post a Comment