Magpie007

(Just cos i knew AJ would like the story)

Liverpool are in serious danger of an embarassing Champions League exit after going down to a 2-1 Group A defeat to Besiktas in Turkey.

Serdar Ozkan and Bobo put the hosts 2-0 up at the Inonu Stadium and Steven Gerrard's late header was not enough to save Rafa Benitez's side from a disappointing defeat that leaves them with just a point from their three games.

Liverpool's determination to win the game was highlighted by Benitez's attacking line-up, with Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant out on the wings and Steven Gerrard back in central midfield.

However Besiktas were lucky not to concede an early penalty when the ball struck Steve Finnan's hand in the box and they fell behind in the 13th minute.

Jamie Carragher produced a fine saving tackle to deny Bobo but his attempted clearance deflected straight to Ozkan and the midfielder slammed home from eight yards, via another deflection of Sami Hyypia.

John Arne Riise was denied an instant equaliser by Hakan Arikan before the goalkeeper pulled off another good stop at the feet of Steven Gerrard.

Babel blazed over before half-time but the hosts were largely keeping Liverpool at bay, particularly following the introduction of Koray Avic to stifle Gerrard's runs from midfield.

It was Besiktas looking the more likely to score again following the restart and it took until the 58th minute for the Reds to muster a decent attack, with Gerrard drilling narrowly wide after Andriy Voronin's knock-down.

Yossi Benayoun replaced the ineffective Pennant a minute later and the Israeli had the ball in the net with 20 minutes remaining, only to see the goal rightly ruled out after Voronin strayed offside.

Bobo missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 when he blazed over from five yards but he seemed to have wrapped up the win in the 81st minute, beating Hyypia to a loose ball before slotting calmly through Jose Reina's legs.

Liverpool gave themselves hope three minutes later when Gerrard superbly headed home from 15 yards after substitute Peter Crouch caused problems in the box.

But Benitez's men could not find an equaliser in the dying moments to leave them rooted to the bottom of their group and staring Champions League elimination in the face.

 

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