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AFTER a season of disappointment, Liverpool are looking to bring back some smiles by winning the UEFA Europa League.Reds fans would have been hoping for Champions League glory this year, but after a disastrous foray in the group stage, manager Rafa Benitez knows that succe s in the Europa League is the only way to restore some pride and get the Rafalution back on track.Liverpool were drawn into Group D of the Champions League, alongside Debrecen, Lyon and Fiorentina. Despite a tough selection, Benitez would have been confident of the Reds progre sing to the knock-out rounds.Early warning signs of trouble were present from the off though. An uninspiring 1-0 home win against lowly Debrecen left supporters ruing the lack of cutting edge. Problems worsened in Italy, when Fiorentina comfortably despatched of the Reds with two goals from Stevan Joveti.UNHAPPY TIMES: Rafa Benitez looks Shi Smith Jersey on a Liverpool flounder against Debrecen and FiorentinaThe drift into stormy waters was confirmed in late October when Lyon managed a smash and grab win at Anfield. The Reds had taken a first half lead, however a lack of concentration let the French side back in the match with 20 minutes to go. Super sub Csar Delgado then popped in injury time to steal the win, resulting in a stunned silence from the Liverpool faithful.Benitez shook off the tsunami of complaints stating: We now must be ready for the next game. I have confidence we have the quality to overcome these problems. Despite his best wishes, the problems werent that easy to shift. The return game in East France saw a near deja-vu performance. The Reds once again established a lead but an injury time Lisandro Lpez goal snatched Lyon a point, and left Benitez staring down the barrel; qualification looking now all but impo sible.GAME OVER BOYS: A Ryan Babel goal wasnt enough as Liverpool conceded a crucial late equaliser against Lyon.A 1-0 win in Debrecen couldnt mask another poor performance. The victory proved ultimately fruitle s though, as Fiorentinas win against Lyon slammed the qualification door shut for the Reds. A torturous campaign was finally ended by the Italians, as the Viola grabbed an injury-time 2-1 away win, leaving Liverpool fans booing their sides capitulation.As one story ends, another one begins. Liverpools domestic improvement over the winter months lead many to believe that they could go on and win the League Cup of European football.Their first opposition, Unirea Urziceni, were themselves Champions League cast offs. The Tommy Tremble Jersey minnows from Romania put up a good fight, however they couldnt match the quality of their group rivals.Reds fans were left reminiscing of Debrecen as Liverpool scored a narrow 1-0 win over Unirea, leaving it till 83 minutes when David NGog stepped up to the mark to save Benitezs blushes.With the tie still open, Liverpool travelled to Eastern Europe knowing another humiliating exit was po sible. And Benitez and co must have feared the worst when Bruno Fernandes levelled the tie on 19 minutes. The Reds regrouped though, and three goals inside 30 minutes allowed the English side to comfortably if not convincingly secure their pa sage to the Round of 16.RELIEF: Javier Mascheranos goal helps send Liverpool through against Unirea UrziceniTheir next opponents will be French side Lille. Liverpool will be confident of a Quarter-Final spot but theres no doubt this match-up is a potential banana-skin. Lille currently lie fifth in Ligue 1 and are only four points off top spot.Liverpool have been a Jekyll and Hyde side this year. At times sublime, at others, awful. Europa League silverware is perhaps a bridge too far. Theyll battle hard but with confidence problems and the headache of netting that crucial fourth Champions League spot, I feel Rafas men have too much on their plate to pick up a European prize.LIVERPOOLS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CAMPAIGN 2009/2010 |
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发表于 2025-7-21 18:05:35