Liverpool vs Marseille, 2007/08 UEFA Champions League, 2007 First Phase

· UEFA Champions League

Liverpool

FT
0 - 1

Marseille

77': Mathieu Valbuena

About

Liverpool are hosting Marseille at Anfield, Liverpool, England, starting on . The match is a part of the UEFA Champions League.

Match Timeline

0': Welcome along to part two of our live Champions League commentaries. Tonight we've got two matches for you to choose from. My esteemed colleague will be handling Valencia v Chelsea while I've got Liverpool v Marseille.
0': Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez leaves out full-back Alvaro Arbeloa for the first time this season. Sebastian Leto started on the left flank ahead of John Arne Riise and Ryan Babel, while Peter Crouch partnered Fernando Torres up front, with Yossi Benayoun on the right. Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano were all substitutes.
0': For former Liverpool man Djibril Cisse there was the disappointment of only being named on the bench for Marseille following a groin injury earlier in the week, but another ex-Anfield man Bolo Zenden started the match for the French club.
0': Fourth bottom, the new manager's first game in charge, star player Nasri out - this could be a cricket score for Liverpool. Well maybe not, but the hosts will certainly fancy their chances tonight.
0': Here we go then, we've heard those two iconic anthemns - You'll never walk alone and that wonderful Champions League tune, and the players are ready for the off.
0': Crouch and Torres get us under way.
1': Weather watch - it's absolutely lashing it down in Merseyside tonight. The surface is very greasy already which should make for some tasty tackles.
2': Taiwo concedes a corner early doors but Gerrard's delivery from the right finds the man who conceded the set-piece and Marseille clear.
3': Heavy first touch from Torres allows Mandanda to sweep up the danger inside the box. Poor that from the Spaniard but the wet surface may bring more such mistakes.
4': One or two misplaced passes from the home side allow Marseille a brief spell on the ball. Important few minutes for the French to build soem confidence.
5': Zenden clatters his former team-mate Sami Hyypia for a foul. As you would have seen on the site this week, the Dutchman has been giving his new boss plenty of tips on how Liverpool play. They're going to need as much help as they can tonight.
7': At least they've started positively, mind. I was expecting them to sit back from the off but right-back Bonnart has made some headway down the flank.
8': Update from Valencia and it's not good news for Chelsea. They've fallen behind to David Villa's 9th minute strike.
10': Gerrard flips in a cross from deep that Cana rises well to clear. Rain easing somewhat now.
11': Shocker of a decision from the ref. It wasn't in a dangerous area but Niang pushed the ball beyond Carragher and the defender shoved him to ground. No free-kick, though.
12': First chance of the game falls to Niang just a minute later as a mistake from Aurelio allows Ziani to feed Niang and he drills an effort at Reina. The keeper did well to stand up and block the danger but Liverpool were caught out by Niang's pace.
13': A nervy start indeed for Liverpool. They've begun in a similar vein to that of their first half in Porto. It's disjointed and they haven't got going at all.
15': The crowd have been hushed and that must have been the visitors' first objective. In fact, the opposing fans break out into song in praise of their side.
16': Careless pass after careless pass. Sloppy would be the perfect word to describe Liverpool's opening 15 minutes. Momo Sissoko is chief culprit so far.
17': Lively start from the French. It wasn't what Rafa Benitez was expecting and they've found themselves some room in midfield so far.
18': Booking for Gerrard. He got plenty of the ball but even more of the man and the ref won't be having any of that.
19': Liverpool switch off from the resulting free-kick and Bonnart is allowed to run and cross down the right for Cana who nods on to the roof of the net.
21': Chelsea are back level in their tie in Valencia. Joe Cole has bagged the equaliser.
22': Greedy from Naing. He had the chance to take an extra touch and bring down Givet's sweeping pass but he went for glory with a volley and completely fluffed it.
23': Disjointed this from Liverpool. Not much is going their way and there's a lack of cohesion among the red shirts.
24': Marseille are really working Liverpool hard. They're enjoying themselves tonight and throwing always looking to open up the hosts.
25': Better now for Liverpool. Crouch, Leto and Torres combine neatly before Rodriguez steps in to make a timely interception. No real threat but Liverpool at least getting their foot on the ball.
27': Wonderful sliding tackle from Givet. Gerrard angled through a crisp pass that Torres tried to chase down but Givet was alert to it.
28': The away support are holding their own inside Anfield. It's not often you can say that, but they have every right to be proud of their lads.
29': The visitors are dealing well with everything Liverpool can muster at the moment.
30': Out of frustration, Gerrard thumps a low drive from all of 35 yards that bobbles through to Manadanda. Not going to beat him from there, Stevie.
32': Best passage of play of the half for Liverpool. A fine build-up ends with a Finnan cross that is well cleared. Not an effort on goal but encouraging.
33': What a let-off for Liverpool. The ball is in the back of the net through Ziani but it won't count. The linesman has his flag up as he believed Niang to be offside from the initial cross. Very harsh decision indeed and Liverpool can count themselves lucky not to be a goal behind.
35': Liverpool are standing off their opponents and it's drawing the visitors forward and giving them their freedom and confidence to push on. They need to get tighter in midfield if they're to influence the game.
36': It's unsually subdued inside Anfield and that's all down to Marseille's positive start. Many thought they would come here and park the bus but they're comign forward with ease and expressing themselves at every opportunity.
37': Mandanda in the Marseille has had nothing to do so far. Barring a couple of goal kicks, he's barely earned his crust tonight.
38': Ziani again gets some room down the right but decides against a shot from the right edge of the box and Aurelio recovers to clear.
39': You get the feeling Liverpool have paid Marseille a little too much respect than they deserve. They're standing off their markers and the French are being allowed to spray the ball all around the park.
41': The linesman gets an offside decision right this time, but again Liverpool are carved open. Ziani again at the heart of the move but the flag halts him in his tracks.
42': Reina has been by far the busier of the two keepers. He's had to be alert to a string of runs in behind his defence by the lively pairing of Niang and Ziani.
43': Free-kick in a dangerous position and Zenden swings it over. Reina keeps an eye on his post and watches it whistle wide.
45': HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-0 MARSEILLE
45': Eric Gerets must be delighted with his side's first half. The Marseille fans certainly are! They've dominated proceedings and should be a goal up but for a dismal offside decision. Join us for the second half.
45': No changes at the break and Marseille get us back under way.
46': I'm a little surprised Rafa didn't alter things at the break. He must have rattled his players verbally during the interval in hope of sparking some life into his charges.
47': Carragher and Benayoun were 20 yards deeper than they ought to have been in the first half and will need to press forward if they want to trouble the back line.
48': Some glum faces in the Kop end tonight. Liverpool are shooting toward their favoured end this half and will want some of that passion restored double quick.
49': Liverpool forced to defend again in the opening minutes. Zenden breaks down the middle and is thwarted by Carragher.
50': Niang is again presented with a clear chance. He scuffs at it from the edge of the box and Reina gets down easily to make the save.
51': He's only waited six minutes to make his change. Rafa Benitez hauls off the disappointing Sebastien Leto for John Arne Riise.
52': Sissoko finds his way into the book after a late lunge on Cheyrou. That's both central midfielders booked tonight.
53': Peter Crouch has a swish trying to make contact with a Benayoun cross from the right. He doesn't get all that much on it and it shins away to safety. Encouragement for the Reds though.
54': David Gest, I mean Rafa Benitez, is on his feet barking out a new set of instructions. Whatever he told his side at the break hasn't worked so far.
55': Benayoun looks to get Torres on his way with a cheeky throughball. Overhit though and Mandanda hoovers up.
56': The French fans are loving this. No idea what they're singing but it sounds like fun.
58': Still no spark from Liverpool. The possession is changing hands regularly now but it's Marseille who are just edging it in terms of getting players into dangerous areas. Still no goals, though.
59': Mandanda hasn't had much to do tonight but he came and collected that cross superbly. He rose above Crouch and smothered out the danger.
60': The Liverpool faithful try desperately to raise the spirits of this lacklustre performance. They're doing their all from the stands, but the players simply aren't responding.
61': So much room for Marseille in midfield and Zenden decides to exploit it. He slashes a shot low and wide to the relief of Reina.
62': Thunderous hit from Niang after being teed up by Ziani. It was a well-worked free-kick and the shot beat the wall and almost squirmed underneath the keeper. Good effort.
63': Gerrard tries a curler at the other end but it drops just wide. Keeper had it covered.
64': Marseille winning every first and second ball in midfield. Liverpool have been steamrolled in that department tonight.
65': Update from Celtic Park and a shock as the hosts go 1-0 up against mighty Milan.
66': Nothing doing back at Anfield though and Rafa's going to make another change.
67': Marseille continue to come forward with all the self belief and freedom of a side on the up. On paper they're in crisis, on the pitch they're in heaven... well not quite, but you get the idea.
68': Here comes the change at last. After some confusion with the switch, Voronin comes on for Aurelio, while former Red Cisse comes on for Niang.
70': All square at Celtic as Milan hit back with a penalty.
71': For 70 minutes Marseille have passed confidently and dominated proceedings. But there's 20 minutes to go and Liverpool will not want to finish without a goal.
72': Another goal in Valencia and it's gone to Chelsea thanks to Didier Drogba's fine finish.
73': Marseille certainly don't deserve to leave Anfield without at least a point and they survive a rare attack from a corner as Hyypia nods wide from five yards. Tough chance, yards wide.
74': Once again Crouch fails to finish a game. He has produced precious little tonight though and can't have too many complaints. Kuyt comes on in his place.
75': Cisse gets into space on the left edge of the box but scuffs his right foot effort and Reina can gather.
76': GOAL: LIVERPOOL 0-1 MARSEILLE
76': Boy do they deserve that! They've been in disarray for the past five minutes and eventually crumble. Mind you, not many would have been able to keep MATHIEU VALBUENA'S effort out. He curled it from five yards outside the box and it rattled in off the bar. Tremendous goal!
78': This has been a remarkable performance from Marseille. What a breath of fresh air they have been and should they hold on for another 15 or so minutes, they'll become the first French side to ever win at Anfield.
80': 10 minutes remain for Liverpool to level, though despite their pitiful performance.
81': Ziani gets another shot on target for the French. It was speculative and just the right height for Reina to clutch.
82': A few jeers and moans from the Anfield faithful sum up their thoughts on the Liverpool performance.
83': Star of the show Valbuena comes off to a warm reception from those in the away end. Wilson Oruma comes on for the closing stages.
84': Liverpool press forward in search of a crucial equaliser. Plenty of possession but not in the areas that count.
85': 11-8 reads the shots count in favour of the visitors. That shouldn't surprise you because they really have bullied Liverpool here.
87': A late change for the visitors as Zenden trudges off for Modeste M'Bami.
88': Long balls are order of the day now. It's kitchen sink time for Liverpool who are trying all they can to find an unlikely leveller.
89': Six up front for Liverpool and they've forced a corner.
90': Hyypia rises unchallenged in the box but somehow can't direct his header goalwards and Marseille surive... for now.
91': Four minutes will be added.
91': Benayoun finds some room at the back post but his header cannons off Givet and behind.
92': Incredible goalscramble almost provides Liverpool with the equaliser. Torres smashes an effort against the post as Marseille struggle to clear. Pure mayhem inside the box.
93': At the other end Cisse takes advantage of a Reina fumble and gets his shot off only for it to drop wide of the gaping net.
94': FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 MARSEILLE
94': Marseille become the first side to win at Anfield and they deserve all the plaudits they're going to get. They've played an abject Liverpool off the park and have Valbuena's stunning strike to thank for their historic victory.

Statistics

OLM		LIV
12	Fouls	16
0	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
5	Offsides	3
4	Corner Kicks	7
1	Saves	6
53.8	Possession	46.2
15	SHOTS	13
7	ON GOAL	2
0.5	On Target %	0.2
0	Penalty Goals	0
0	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
371	Accurate Passes	281
467	Passes	401
0.8	Pass Completion %	0.7
5	Accurate Crosses	9
28	Crosses	29
0.2	Cross %	0.3
57	Long Balls	70
32	Accurate Long Balls	45
0.6	Long Balls %	0.6
0	Blocked Shots	0
23	Effective Tackles	21
27	Tackles	26
0.9	Tackle %	0.8
0	Interceptions	0
27	Effective Clearances	25
61	Clearances	44

Game Information

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Venue: Anfield
Location: Liverpool, England

UEFA Champions League Table

#	TEAM	GP	GD	PTS
1	Eintracht Frankfurt	1	+4	3
2	Paris Saint-Germain	1	+4	3
3	Club Brugge	1	+3	3
4	Sporting CP	1	+3	3

Full Table

Line-Ups

Liverpool

No.	Name
25	Pepe Reina (GK)
23	Jamie Carragher
12	Fabio Aurelio
3	Steve Finnan
4	Sami Hyypiä
8	Steven Gerrard
22	Mohamed Sissoko
11	Yossi Benayoun
33	Sebastián Leto
15	Peter Crouch
9	Fernando Torres

Liverpool Substitutes:

Álvaro Arbeloa, Charles Itandje, Andriy Voronin, Javier Mascherano, John Arne Riise, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt.

Marseille

No.	Name
30	Steve Mandanda (GK)
4	Julien Rodriguez
3	Taye Taiwo
24	Laurent Bonnart
32	Gaël Givet
10	Boudewijn Zenden
19	Lorik Cana
7	Benoît Cheyrou
28	Mathieu Valbuena
6	Karim Ziani
11	Mamadou Niang

Marseille Substitutes:

Salim Arrache, Matt Moussilou, Djibril Cissé, Modeste M'Bami, Wilson Oruma, Sebastien Hamel, Ronald Zubar.

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