Liverpool end Barça challenge

Liverpool end Barça challenge

Liverpool FC withstood a late barrage by FC Barcelona to book their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as the 2005 winners ousted the holders on away goals, despite Eidur Gudjohnsen bringing the visitors a 1-0 victory at Anfield. With the aggregate scores level at 2-2, Liverpool's first-leg success proved decisive and kept the five-time champions dreaming of another triumph.
Tactics prediction

Rafael Benítez said he expected his Liverpool team to be facing an attacking formation featuring Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi. So it proved as Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard sent his side out playing an adventurous 3-4-3 system. For his part, Benítez promised he had a different game plan from Camp Nou, but named the same XI that had prevailed in Spain.
Riise close

After an opening spell where both teams were testing each other out, John Arne Riise had the first shot of the match which fizzed narrowly wide of Víctor Valdés's left-hand post. The Norwegian international went even closer three minutes later when another trademark left-footer came cannoning back off the crossbar as Liverpool made a promising start.
Visitors rally

Barcelona soon hit their stride and two curling free-kicks in quick succession by Deco threatened to cause problems but ultimately came to nothing. Liverpool almost took the lead in the 26th minute when Craig Bellamy's initial effort was well blocked by Valdés, who then brilliantly turned away Dirk Kuyt's rebound before Barcelona captain Carles Puyol cleared Riise's diving header off the line at full stretch.
Sissoko denied

Valdés proved he was living a charmed life when his attempted clearance in the 33rd minute went straight to Liverpool's Mohamed Sissoko around 20 metres inside the Barcelona half. With the visiting goalkeeper stranded, Sissoko's instinctive first-time shot sailed towards the open goal but bounced against the bar and behind.
Ronaldinho emerges

The Premiership side went on the offensive within moments of the restart but Bellamy and Kuyt failed to get the right connection on a dangerous cross by Steven Gerrard. Ronaldinho made his first meaningful contribution in the 51st minute yet his free-kick from 35 metres was comfortably kept out by Pepe Reina and, soon after, the Brazilian came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock only to hit the outside of Liverpool's post after accelerating through the home defence.
Eto'o off

Ludovic Giuly came on for the tiring Eto'o after an hour but it was still Liverpool who seemed the more likely scorers and Kuyt sprinted into space before drilling another shot just wide. Jermaine Pennant replaced Bellamy as Liverpool reverted to playing Kuyt alone up front for the final 20 minutes, while Barcelona added another forward into the mix with the introduction of Gudjohnsen.
Barça goal The Icelander quickly offered Barça hope with the breakthrough on 75 minutes, latching on to Xavi Hernández's pass before rounding Reina and slipping the ball into an unguarded net. Despite late pressure from the European champions, though, Liverpool held firm to reach the last eight having fallen as holders at this stage 12 months ago.
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