Liverpool suffered their first Champions League defeat this season at Anfield tonight where they went down 3-1 to Spanish giants Barcelona. The teams were all-square at the interval, thanks to a Michael Owen trademark goal after 26 minutes but his fine effort was cancelled out by a strike from Patrick Kluivert. However, the second half was all Barcelona as they took the game to Liverpool. Their second goal arrived in the 64th minute after an outstanding strike from substitute Fabio Rochemback. Twenty minutes later, Barca sealed their famous victory when former Arsenal star Marc Overmars rounded Jerzy Dudek to find the net.
The visitors gave a sneak preview of the threat they posed to Liverpool's Champions League dream when this match got underway as the Spanish club started brightly and passed the ball about with ease. They gave the home side an early scare when Dudek was forced into making a flying save to pull down a lethal Rivaldo free kick. However, whenever Liverpool managed to win possession they looked dangerous. Things seemed to be going their way when Luis Enrique was forced out of the match in the first quarter-of-an-hour after he fell awkwardly when chasing a long ball from Rivaldo. He limped off to be replaced by former Arsenal star Marc Overmars.
Liverpool were now imposing themselves more on the game and on 26 minutes they finally broke the deadlock. A quick pass from Steven Gerrard found Vladimir Smicer and he slid the ball into space behind Frank de Boer where Owen was on to it in lightning speed before lifting the ball over Bonano and into the bottom corner of the net. Liverpool continued to threaten and almost had a second goal on 40 minutes when Heskey rounded Andersson but his shot was kicked off the line by Cocu.
However, Liverpool then made a rare error to allow Barcelona back into the game a mere 60 seconds later. The Spanish side broke quickly and the ball eventually found its way to Kluivert who blasted it home from 12 yards out. Overmars then went close before the half-time whistle but it remained all-square as the teams trekked off for the interval.
In the second half, Barcelona began to show their true class with Rivaldo in particular making an impression. The Spanish team began to carve out chance after chance and had little difficulty in retaining possession especially as Liverpool gave the ball away a little too easily. However, Liverpool still posed a threat and Owen will certainly rue a missed chance on the hour mark when he capitalised on some confusion between Bonano and De Boer. The ball fell to the England international a couple of yards out but it was not at a favourable angle and he could only flick the ball with his toe across the gaping goalmouth and wide. The Reds also had two appeals for a penalty turned down before Barcelona struck.
Rivaldo set up his international team-mate, substitute Rochemback, and he fired a blistering right foot shot from just outside the area past Dudek into the back of the net. From then on, Barcelona took charge and not even the introduction of Robbie Fowler, Patrik Berger or Jari Litmanen could help Liverpool's cause. The Spanish club completely dominated possession and Liverpool were reduced to being run ragged as they chased the slick passing of Barcelona all over the pitch.
Their domination paid off five minutes from the end when they struck again, although Liverpool seemed to have a case for offside. Hernandez Xavi's ball sent Overmars away and the Dutchman coolly rounded Dudek before sliding the ball over the line.
Afterwards, caretaker manager Phil Thompson would not blame his players for the defeat. "I thought we were magnificent - the lads have played against a very good team. We gave it our all tonight. You could see that at the end. They all played a part," he said. "We knew after last time they would be up for it. They're some side. Everyone of their team was comfortable on the ball, and their passing and movement was outstanding. But it's the first game in the group and we know how things can change. Teams can get beaten in their first game and still qualify and that's what we'll be aiming for," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
