It was so close yet so far for Liverpool as the Reds went out of the Europa League on goal difference despite beating Zenit St. Petersburg 3-1 at Anfield on Thursday.
An uncharacteristic mistake from Jamie Carragher, in what would be his last European game in a glittering continental career for the central defender, allowed Hulk clean through on goal to open the scoring on the 20 minute mark before Luis Suarez and Joe Allen netted before the end of the first-half to rescue the Reds chances of going through.
Another well-taken free-kick from Suarez early in the second period put Liverpool within one goal of progressing to the next round but Brendan Rodgers' side couldn't fund the all-important fourth goal despite Gerrard, Suarez and substitute Jonjo Shelvey all coming close throughout a final thirty minutes in which the visitors defended well.
With Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho ineligible due to their European involvement with Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively Brendan Rodgers named Luis Suarez as the only recognised striker in Liverpool's starting eleven, with Henderson and Downing supporting the striker on either side whilst Allen, Gerrard and Lucas held the three midfield positions.
Liverpool started the game brightly, with Luis Suarez troubling the Zenit back line, but it was the visitors who struck first after twenty minutes, with Jamie Carragher, playing his 150th European game for the Reds, making a mess of a back pass which allowed Hulk to go clean through on goal, with the Brazilian calmly slotting it past Pepe Reina to give the visitors the lead.
With Liverpool looking at an uphill struggle that saw them needing four goals in order to progress to the next round it was top scorer Suarez that once again stepped up to give the Anfield faithful belief, firing a free-kick on the edge of the box low, through a wall which should have done better, past Malafeev and into the bottom corner, bringing the Reds level on the night and to 1-3 on aggregate.
The Reds continued to pressure throughout the first-half and got their rewards just before the half-time whistle as some clever build-up play from Liverpool led to a scramble on the goal line which eventually allowed Joe Allen to fire home, giving his side a 2-1 lead on the night but needing two more if the Merseyside outfit were to make it to the next round.
The start of the second-half started much as the first ended, with Liverpool pressing the Zenit back line and creating chances, with the Reds efforts paying off once again as Suarez was brought down outside of the box by Neto, with the Uruguayan stepping up to the free-kick and firing his effort over the wall and into the back of the net, bring the hosts with just a goal needed to win the tie.
Liverpool continued to push deep into the second-half, with Jonjo Shelvey, who came on alongside Assaidi for Henderson and Allen, hitting the side netting from close range whilst Gerrard and Suarez both tested Malafeev, Suarez with yet another free-kick and Gerrard with an effort that bobbled before forcing the keeper to push the effort away with his fingertips.
It wasn't enough though for Liverpool, even the late addition of Raheem Sterling couldn't give the home side the extra boost they needed and, despite winning 3-1 on the night, the Reds went out of the Europa League on goal difference.
An uncharacteristic mistake from Jamie Carragher, in what would be his last European game in a glittering continental career for the central defender, allowed Hulk clean through on goal to open the scoring on the 20 minute mark before Luis Suarez and Joe Allen netted before the end of the first-half to rescue the Reds chances of going through.
Another well-taken free-kick from Suarez early in the second period put Liverpool within one goal of progressing to the next round but Brendan Rodgers' side couldn't fund the all-important fourth goal despite Gerrard, Suarez and substitute Jonjo Shelvey all coming close throughout a final thirty minutes in which the visitors defended well.
With Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho ineligible due to their European involvement with Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively Brendan Rodgers named Luis Suarez as the only recognised striker in Liverpool's starting eleven, with Henderson and Downing supporting the striker on either side whilst Allen, Gerrard and Lucas held the three midfield positions.
Liverpool started the game brightly, with Luis Suarez troubling the Zenit back line, but it was the visitors who struck first after twenty minutes, with Jamie Carragher, playing his 150th European game for the Reds, making a mess of a back pass which allowed Hulk to go clean through on goal, with the Brazilian calmly slotting it past Pepe Reina to give the visitors the lead.
With Liverpool looking at an uphill struggle that saw them needing four goals in order to progress to the next round it was top scorer Suarez that once again stepped up to give the Anfield faithful belief, firing a free-kick on the edge of the box low, through a wall which should have done better, past Malafeev and into the bottom corner, bringing the Reds level on the night and to 1-3 on aggregate.
The Reds continued to pressure throughout the first-half and got their rewards just before the half-time whistle as some clever build-up play from Liverpool led to a scramble on the goal line which eventually allowed Joe Allen to fire home, giving his side a 2-1 lead on the night but needing two more if the Merseyside outfit were to make it to the next round.
The start of the second-half started much as the first ended, with Liverpool pressing the Zenit back line and creating chances, with the Reds efforts paying off once again as Suarez was brought down outside of the box by Neto, with the Uruguayan stepping up to the free-kick and firing his effort over the wall and into the back of the net, bring the hosts with just a goal needed to win the tie.
Liverpool continued to push deep into the second-half, with Jonjo Shelvey, who came on alongside Assaidi for Henderson and Allen, hitting the side netting from close range whilst Gerrard and Suarez both tested Malafeev, Suarez with yet another free-kick and Gerrard with an effort that bobbled before forcing the keeper to push the effort away with his fingertips.
It wasn't enough though for Liverpool, even the late addition of Raheem Sterling couldn't give the home side the extra boost they needed and, despite winning 3-1 on the night, the Reds went out of the Europa League on goal difference.
Liverpool News 24/7
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