Liverpool are on the verge of failing to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in Rafael BenÍtez’s reign after they were beaten 2-1 by Besiktas in the city of their greatest triumph last night.
After the home defeat by Marseilles three weeks ago, this setback across the Bosphorus from where they lifted the European Cup in Istanbul in May 2005 had the air of a calamity as Marseilles and FC Porto last night drew 1-1 to cement their places at the top of group A. With Chelsea beating Schalke 04 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last night, on the back of Arsenal and Manchester United winning in such glorious fashion on Tuesday, Liverpool’s despair was all the more tangible.
Steven Gerrard, given centre stage as BenÍtez placed his trust in his captain, scored six minutes from time with a brave diving header but this time, unlike in that glorious final against AC Milan at the Atatürk Stadium, it did not prompt a memorable comeback.
After the home defeat by Marseilles three weeks ago, this setback across the Bosphorus from where they lifted the European Cup in Istanbul in May 2005 had the air of a calamity as Marseilles and FC Porto last night drew 1-1 to cement their places at the top of group A. With Chelsea beating Schalke 04 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last night, on the back of Arsenal and Manchester United winning in such glorious fashion on Tuesday, Liverpool’s despair was all the more tangible.
Steven Gerrard, given centre stage as BenÍtez placed his trust in his captain, scored six minutes from time with a brave diving header but this time, unlike in that glorious final against AC Milan at the Atatürk Stadium, it did not prompt a memorable comeback.
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