Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Liverpool beat Juventus 2-1
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-06 08:30

A sensational finish by Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia helped give Liverpool a 2-1 win over Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg tie at an emotionally-charged Anfield.


Liverpool's Sami Hyypia, right, celebrates scoring the opening goal against Juventus during their Champions League quarter-final soccer match at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Tuesday. [AP]

The former Barcelona player struck from 25 yards to put Rafael Benitez's side 2-0 up after Sami Hyypia had given the Premiership club a deserved lead. 

But Liverpool must overcome the toughest of challenges in the return leg in Turin next week if they are to advance to the semi-finals after Fabio Cannavaro presented the Italians with a second-half lifeline courtesy of a header which inexperienced keeper Scott Carson ought to have saved.

Afterwards Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told ITV Sport: "We're pleased. We would have taken that before the game. It was such a great atmosphere and we scored two but it was a blow to concede one.

"I'm sure Scott will be disappointed with it but he stopped one in the first half that was one of the best saves I have seen this season.

"He will learn and now Scott or Jerzy (Dudek) need to keep a clean sheet for us in the second leg.

"I don't think we'll play for a 0-0. We have got the ability to nick a goal over there. That will be the game plan, to keep a clean sheet and nick a goal.

"A clean sheet and we're in the last four of the competition. That would be magnificent."

Hyypia, whose left foot volley put Liverpool ahead after 10 minutes, added: "It is half-time at 2-1. We have a difficult game at their place next week. We will have to work hard to get the result there.

"We do not fear anyone. They are a good team and it is going to be hard but we showed today we can win."

It was the first competitive meeting between the two sides since the Heysel disaster at the 1985 European Cup final where Juventus's 1-0 win was overshadowed by the deaths of 39 Italian fans.

Before kick-off there was an impeccably observed minute's silence which was preceded by the sight of Phil Neal, captain of the Liverpool side that ill-fated night in Brussels, carrying a banner promoting peace and friendship between the two clubs from one end of the ground to the other.

Many other players left traumatised by events in Belgium 20 years ago were also present in the crowd, including former Republic of Ireland international Ronnie Whelan and France great Michel Platini, whose penalty saw Juventus crowned kings of Europe for the first time in their history.

It is nine years, however, since the Italians were last top of the European tree and they may have to wait another few years to claim the title unless they can turn things around next week.

Injury-hit Liverpool were forced to field one of their most inexperienced teams for one of their biggest European nights in recent time with 20-year-old French striker Anthony Le Tallec and 19-year-old Carson making their first Champions League starts.

Yet any fears the occasion might prove too much for the youngsters quickly vanished as Liverpool rocked Juventus by racing into a commanding 2-0 lead.

The Serie A joint-leaders had hardly ventured outside their own half when they fell behind to a goal from the most unlikeliest of sources.

A corner by Gerrard was flicked on by Garcia and waiting at the back post to volley the ball over the line was none other than Hyypia to put away his second goal of the season.

So often this season Liverpool, who are lagging behind in fifth place in the Premiership, have been accused of taking their foot off the gas. Not this time.

Juventus were forced to endure wave after wave of first-half pressure and it was no surprise when Garcia increased the Merseyside club's advantage with a sublime 25th minute left-foot finish.

There appeared to be little danger when the former Barcelona midfielder unleashed a venomous 25-yard rocket shot which left keeper Gianluigi Buffon - Juventus's 32 million pounds record signing - rooted to the spot as it flew into the top corner.

Suddenly Liverpool were in dreamland but Benitez's outfit were given a warning that the hard work was not over when Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit the post before the interval while it needed a smart save by Carson to deny veteran hit-man Alessandro Del Piero a vital away goal.

Juventus pressed strongly after the break with Liverpool forced to endure some desperate defensive tactics to keep out the visitors.

But just as it seemed they had weathered the storm Cannavaro found the net with a 63rd minute header to set up an intriguing second leg.



Ding Junhui wins World Snooker China Open
Luneng beats Shanghai International in opener
Tiger Woods
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Japanese textbook distorts history, stirs fury

 

   
 

400,000 to relocate for water project

 

   
 

Possible US textile safeguards draw criticism

 

   
 

China, Pakistan sign cooperation treaty

 

   
 

Shrine visit angers both sides of Straits

 

   
 

People flock to honour Yellow Emperor

 

   
  Liverpool beat Juventus 2-1
   
  Lyon draw 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven
   
  Basketball: FIBA champs gather in Beijing
   
  Snooker star Ding rewarded for China Open win
   
  Beckham tops rich list
   
  Miller, Davis named NBA Players of the Week
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement