Liverpool 3 Lille 0 (agg: 3-1)

Liverpool 3 Lille 0 (agg: 3-1)
Gerrard 9 pen
Torres 49, 90

This was a good performance for Liverpool. Most players played well plus with effort and some passion. The goals were well made and well taken, and whilst the spectre of Lille stealing an away goal came close a couple of times, Liverpool were deserving winners of the match and the tie.

Benitez lined up Liverpool in his standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Aquilani was out due to a runny nose, Maxi was cup-tied, and Riera was suspended for voicing his opinion in public, so there were starts for Babel, Lucas and Kuyt.

———— Reina ————
Johnson – Carra – Agger – Insua
——— Lucas – Masch —-
Kuyt –– Gerrard –– Babel
——––––– Torres———

Benayoun came on for Babel on 90 mins and there were stoppage time run-outs for Kyrgiakos and N’Gog.

Liverpool had the brighter start and when Lucas was felled after a dazzling run, the resulting penalty tucked away by Gerrard gave Liverpool a good early goal to settle the worst of the nerves. Liverpool were passing the ball well, and Agger came close from a header.

Liverpool had the better of the play for the first 30 mins but only had one goal to show for it. Then the young duke of Hazard broke into the box but shot straight at Reina as he saved it with his head. A let-off for Liverpool somewhat as an away goal then could have changed attitudes and confidence, etc.

Liverpool responded from that close shave with two close efforts from Agger and Torres, although Lille were in the ascendancy as the half drew to a close.

But Liverpool got another confidence boost early in the 2nd half with a goal from Torres. A long ball move saw Torres master control of the ball before clinically chipping their keeper. Torres has got back to match sharpness it would seem which will surely help Liverpool in their tasks as the season runs to a close, as long as he can stay fit and avoid injury or niggles.

But even at 2-0, Liverpool perhaps gave Lille too much of the ball and they contrived a chance that just went over the bar. A 2nd warning for Liverpool that this tie was still in the balance. Benayoun was thrown into the fray to try and change things. Kuyt who was not having one of his better games then got in a couple of shots and could have settled things, but it took another finish from Torres as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes to settle it after good work from Stevie G. And it brought broad smiles to all, players and fans alike. The tallies at the end of the match read Liverpool’s 18 attempts to Lille’s 7.

It was a deserved result, and whilst there are clearly frailties remaining, this victory may help the players continue to improve and put in a good run. There is a chance of Europa Cup success but it must still be an outside chance given the propensity for this team to capitulate. The league run is also on tenderhooks, and Villa won during the week at Wigan keeping pressure up.

Next up is the league and the match at Man Utd on Sunday. Clearly the players wont need any motivation for this derby-like clash, yet Man Utd have been licking their wounds in recent seasons against us and will fancy their chances. The players will need to be at their best and keep their game up and the tempo even if they should go behind. That will be a tough test for this team who are by no means ‘cured’ of this season’s malaise. Liverpool may not be a sinking ship, but there are icebergs ahead ….

Redspider