Football story by Boris Webb, Wed, 22 Feb 2006 13:00:00 GMT


LISBON - Benfica continued their giant-killing ways in the UEFA Champions' League when they defeated defending champions Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their second round match in the Stadium of Light last might. Benfica had earlier accounted for Manchester United in the group stage of the competition.

The match appeared to be headed for a draw, but a late strike by Benfica defender Luisao ensured that the Portuguese team takes a slender lead into the second leg to be played at Anfield. Liverpool strikers Fernando Morientes and Robbie Fowler hardly had the ball in a match played out on a bumpy pitch that discouraged free-flowing football. This meant that either goalkeeper was not severely tested, even though Jose Reina had to make a couple of saves from Simao Sabrosa and Armando Petit's shots.

Liverpool were without their skipper Steven Gerrard, who had a minor leg injury. He did however come on as a substitute late in the game. But even his presence made no difference as the players struggled to come to grips with the surface. Mohamed Sissoko was injured after he was allegedly kicked in the head and had to be off by 35 minutes. Hamman replaced him and it was his foul that allowed Benfica a late free kick in the game. Petit took the kick for Luisao to head home.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said that he had opted not to risk Gerrard aggravating his injury, "I'd rather have Steven Gerrard ready for the next month rather than just 80 minutes of this match," he said. "I've confidence that we can play much better at Anfield. We need to score one quickly and with our fans behind us I believe we can go on to win the game and the tie. I was happy with the effort of my players but maybe we could've attacked more."

Benfica manager Ronald Koeman said that his side are the favorites now, "We know that if we score one, they must score three. We are more favorites now, Liverpool were but we are now favourites. It was their first defeat in the Champions League proper this season and Liverpool have played Chelsea twice and not lost."

Match Details
Referee: K Plautz (Austria).

Benfica: Moretto, Alcides, Luisao, Anderson, Leo (Ricardo Rocha 87), Robert (Nelson 76), Petit, Beto (Karagounis 58), Manuel, Simao, Nuno Gomes.
Goals: Luisao 84.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Luis Garcia, Sissoko (Hamann 35), Alonso, Kewell, Morientes (Gerrard 78), Fowler (Cisse 65).

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