Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool FC can turn around their Europa League quarter-final tie against Benfica as they have the advantage of a valuable away goal.
Although Liverpool FC lost 2-1 in controversial circumstances in the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon last night the result could have been much worse.
Striker Oscar Cardoza, scorer of two second-half penalties, missed three good chances even before Ryan Babel was sent off on the half-hour for pushing a hand in Luisao’s face.
Numerous other opportunities were wasted by a very forward-thinking Benfica side who will pose a threat on the counter-attack in the second leg at Anfield next Thursday.
However, defender Carragher is confident Liverpool FC can overcome the obstacle of a one-goal deficit.
"It’s disappointing but it’s still all to play for and only half-time," said the Reds’ vice-captain, who in playing his 621st match on Thursday moved up to eighth in the all-time list of Liverpool FC's appearance-makers.
"The plan was to keep it tight and nick a goal, which we got early on. Obviously the sending-off had a big part to play.
"To play an hour with 10 men is always difficult and although it’s still disappointing the result is not too bad.
"It’s good to get the away goal but we have to capitalise on that in the second leg to make it count.
"At the moment we’re behind but a 1-0 victory at home will be enough to see us through and if we can get that, that’s when the away goal will prove crucial."
A guilty Babel has apologised to his team-mates for being naive in allowing himself to get sent off, admitting it was "stupid and silly".
"I will learn from the mistake and it won’t happen again," said the Holland international, who will be suspended for the second leg.
"It was a stupid, silly thing for me to touch him in the face, but I think a yellow card would have been fair enough.
"I have spoken to the lads and said sorry. It’s good to know that my team-mates are backing me up and they didn’t let me down.
"They fought all the way and I am confident we can do well in the next game.
"I feel very guilty that we lost but a big complement to the team is that we were still comfortable with 10 men.
"Hopefully we will get the good result we need."
Although Liverpool FC lost 2-1 in controversial circumstances in the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon last night the result could have been much worse.
Striker Oscar Cardoza, scorer of two second-half penalties, missed three good chances even before Ryan Babel was sent off on the half-hour for pushing a hand in Luisao’s face.
Numerous other opportunities were wasted by a very forward-thinking Benfica side who will pose a threat on the counter-attack in the second leg at Anfield next Thursday.
However, defender Carragher is confident Liverpool FC can overcome the obstacle of a one-goal deficit.
"It’s disappointing but it’s still all to play for and only half-time," said the Reds’ vice-captain, who in playing his 621st match on Thursday moved up to eighth in the all-time list of Liverpool FC's appearance-makers.
"The plan was to keep it tight and nick a goal, which we got early on. Obviously the sending-off had a big part to play.
"To play an hour with 10 men is always difficult and although it’s still disappointing the result is not too bad.
"It’s good to get the away goal but we have to capitalise on that in the second leg to make it count.
"At the moment we’re behind but a 1-0 victory at home will be enough to see us through and if we can get that, that’s when the away goal will prove crucial."
A guilty Babel has apologised to his team-mates for being naive in allowing himself to get sent off, admitting it was "stupid and silly".
"I will learn from the mistake and it won’t happen again," said the Holland international, who will be suspended for the second leg.
"It was a stupid, silly thing for me to touch him in the face, but I think a yellow card would have been fair enough.
"I have spoken to the lads and said sorry. It’s good to know that my team-mates are backing me up and they didn’t let me down.
"They fought all the way and I am confident we can do well in the next game.
"I feel very guilty that we lost but a big complement to the team is that we were still comfortable with 10 men.
"Hopefully we will get the good result we need."
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