Marseille vs Liverpool Highlights: Champions League Highlights

Posted on September 16, 2008 
Filed Under UEFA Champions League


Steven Gerrard was inspirational tonight as he scored a brace by taking his Liverpool goals tally to 99 as the Merseysiders opened their Champions League group campaign with a crucial 2-1 win in Marseille.

Marseille were the first to take the lead through their skipper Lorik Cana, but Gerrard - already Liverpool’s record scorer in Europe - grabbed a fine equaliser with an outstanding 25-yard curler.

Then six minutes later he cracked home a penalty to give Liverpool something to defend for in the second half.

And they needed to fight hard as the French side put on a brave battle in the second period, but Liverpool clinched their victory with a defiant rearguard action.

The Reds included both Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their starting line-up for the opening group D clash. Both key players have been recovering from injury and their inclusion was a major boost.

Marseille, who won 1-0 in the Champions League last term at Anfield before losing the return 4-0, included Hatem Ben Arfa, their £10m signing from Lyon. Skipper Cana also returned, having been rested at the weekend in the draw at Bordeaux.

Liverpool had opted for caution with Robbie Keane and Albert Riera both on the bench. Gerrard was being used in the attacking midfield role that worked to perfection.

Liverpool were quick to get into goal scoring mood after just seven minutes, Steve Mandanda tipped over a Lucas header and soon afterwards Dirk Kuyt’s pass set-up Ryan Babel. Then Gerrard shot forced Mandanda into a diving save, before Torres saw a header clear the far angle.

Marseille had their own chances. Mamadou Niang was clear on the left but wasted the opportunity, shooting high over. Martin Skrtel was booked for a late tackle on Niang after 20 minutes as the game became surprisingly open.

But after 23 minutes the French side were ahead when they caught Liverpool off gaurd and punished them with a fine goal. Rarely are Liverpool exposed straight through the middle, but when Benoit Cheyrou’s first-time ball sent Cana clear, his superb side-footed finish sent the wild celebrations at the Velodrome.

Liverpool’s responded almost immediately just after two minutes Torres won possession on the halfway line and presented Kuyt with a pass on the right that was instantly played into Gerrard’s path.

The Liverpool skipper unleashed a curling effort from 25-yards that soared over Mandanda into the far corner for the equalizer.

And after 31 minutes Liverpool were ahead. Babel’s sharp turn in the box ended with Ronald Zubar’s foul and a penalty. Zubar was booked before Gerrard struck the ball past Mandanda off the post.

But Austrian referee Konrad Plautz ordered a re-take because Kuyt had entered into the box. Gerrard kept his nerve and clinically netted a second time to put Liverpool ahead.

The double strike extended Gerrard’s European goals record for the club. Last season, in the Anfield side’s 4-0 win in Marseille, Gerrard’s goal that night broke Michael Owen’s tally of 23. Liverpool captain stretched his tally to 27, and 99 for the club in all competitions.

Marseille were stunned and put on Mathieu Valbuena for the injured Modeste M’Bami after 41 minutes.

The game was still very open. Babel almost forced the ball around Mandanda at one end, while Liverpool were making too many defensive errors at the other end and Benitez was tested time and again.

Marseille could easily have been level when Vitorino Hilton met a corner with a fierce downward header that Jose Reina managed to hold on to.

Liverpool sent on Riera after 64 minutes for Torres, and also took off Gerrard in he 68th minute, sending on Yossi Benayoun with Babel now the lone striker.

Babel saw a golden chance to finish the contest go to waste after 74 minutes when Riera and Benayoun set him up close in, but his shot failed to get past Mandanda.
Babel then struck the post after 78 minutes as he surged through on the left. But still Marseille came forward searching for the equaliser as Liverpool sought to punish them on counter attack.

Niang saw a diving header go wide from a right-wing cross, Marseille were still fighting for an equaliser. Reina pulled off a superb save in injury-time from Niang and Liverpool had their victory.

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