Liverpool have made it very difficult for themselves in the Champions League after being held to a scoreless draw by Galatasaray while Manchester Utd earned a point against Nantes in the Beaujoire Stadium.
Liverpool started well and made all the first half chances as Dietmar Hamann tested Galatasaray keeper Asik Emre with three rasping long range drives. John Arne Riise also came close midway through the half with a typical left footed drive before a Hamann freekick produced Liverpool's best chance, Hamann floated the kick in for Hyypia who raced in unmarked to flick a header onto a post.
The second half was all Liverpool again and Emile Heskey and Danny Murphy both should have done better when they only had the keeper to beat, however Murphy shot wide and Heskey headed on to the cross-bar. That was as close as Liverpool came and the game ended goal less to leave Liverpool rooted to the bottom of their table and in need of an away win in the return leg next week.
Manchester United were also in action against Nantes in the Beaujoire Stadium. They went a goal down after just nine minutes to a Viorel Moldovan strike but competed well throughout with Ruud Van Nistlerooy always posing a threat. Then in the 90 minute their persistence paid off when they were awarded a penalty, which Van Nistlerooy easily converted.
Elsewhere in Europe Barcelona left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Roma while Boavista and Bayern Munich ended goal less.
Filed by Johnny Proby
