Champions Bow Out At Anfield!

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European champions Barcelona were knocked out of this season's UEFA Champions League on Tuesday as they could only claim a 1-0 win at Liverpool

That was enough for the Premiership side to claim a 2-2 draw on aggregate which gave them victory on away goals and a place in the quarter-finals.

The Spanish giants were ousted by the 2005 winners, as Rafa Benitez again masterminded another fantastic European night for the Kop to savour.

The Reds struck the woodwork twice in the first half and were on the large very comfortable all evening against a Barca side which never looked capable of grabbing the two goals they needed until very late on and in the end they could grab just one through Eidur Gudjohnsen.

With Samuel Eto'o recalled to form a fearsome looking front-line which also included Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho - the Merseyside faithful could have expected some early pressure.

However, nothing could have been further from the truth as Liverpool - who named the same team which won in Catalunya two weeks ago - dominated the opening period and indeed should have put the tie to bed in the opening 10 minutes.

Barca were first opened up after just five minutes when Steve Finnan cut back onto his left foot and crossed to the front post, but Craig Bellamy could not find the target despite getting ahead of Lilian Thuram.

John Arne Riise - who scored the winner at Camp Nou - could easily have bagged two in as many minutes. He firstly smashed an effort just wide of the post, before going even closer as he thundered a trademark volley off the Barca bar, with Victor Valdes beaten.

Valdes then kept Barca in the tie with a great double save. He was on hand to parry Bellamy's effort at the near post, but then immediately reacted to block Kuyt's follow up - he was beaten by Riise following up with a diving header, but heroic defending from Carles Puyol saw him clear off the goal-line.

After impressing so much, the Barca number one almost handed the lead to Liverpool on the half hour mark, when he fluffed a clearance straight to Mohamed Sissoko - but the Malian star was ever so unlucky to see his first time effort bounce off the bar and over.

Half time came and Barca had failed to even test Jose Reina once, as they struggled to find a way through a Reds backline magnificently marshalled by England's Jamie Carragher.

The second half began again with Liverpool in the ascendancy and they could have easily scored within the opening minute as Steven Gerrard drove down the right before crossing perfectly into the box - but Kuyt missed the ball and Bellamy failed to make proper contact, seemingly assuming the Dutchman was getting to the ball first.

Reina was finally called into action by Ronaldinho with 50 minutes gone - but it was all too easy for the Spaniard to claim the Brazilian's long-range effort.

Ronaldinho suddenly sparked into action as he produced a brilliant run which saw him exchange passes with Deco before twisting past Carragher into the box - but his side footed effort slammed against the post, as Reina and the home crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Barca were suddenly starting to click and their front three combined for the first time on the hour as Ronaldinho found Eto'o who in turn laid the ball into path of Messi - but Reina was down well to save.

Frank Rijkaard had seen enough as made changes with both Ludovic Giuly and Eidur Gudjohnsen entering the fray and it was not long before the Chelsea man made his mark as with 15 minutes left, Barca were back in the game. Xavi received the ball from Andres Iniesta, and picked out Gudjohnsen with an exquisite pass and the Icelander did the rest as he rounded Reina before firing home.

Within a minute Reina was forced to save from Ronaldinho - as from nowhere Barca found hope and more importantly, their passing game.

Gerrard was doing his best to again inspire his side, he won a free-kick in a great position on the edge of the box - but Fabio Aurelio wasted the chance. Then Valdes was on hand to deny the Reds skipper as Gerrard turned dangerously in the box before firing a left-footed effort at goal.

Liverpool could have easily levelled in the final minutes with Pennant and Peter Crouch going close but the single goal defeat was enough as the Spaniards surrendered their crown in rather disappointing fashion.

[lfc junkie]

3-0 should have been a more fair result. comon redmen!

[shortfuse0_1]

Barcalona are a great side but we deserved to win on the night, never mind the overall tie!

[lfc junkie]

Best team in europe now, FACT! outplayed barca and man utd.

[shortfuse0_1]

I hear valencia and inter had abit of a spat? if that was an english team we'd get thrown out!

[lfc junkie]

yes, italian sportmanship that is! their league is a joke(corruption etc) and now they have the arrogance to behave like that. Kill them i say!

[reprophil]

Originally Posted by lfc junkie

Best team in europe now, FACT! outplayed barca and man utd.

FACT:
Liverpool LOST both games.

You dont win anything by LOSING, LOSERS.

[Mabudi]

Hi all...
If the Barça had not failed in his field, today we would speak about another history...Sure.
Would bet my right testicle and would not lose it.
Kind Regards

[reprophil]

Not sure what you mean there Mabudi,
But Barca were not allowed to play their flowing football and the cloggers of Liverpool won through in the end.
They will not win the trophy playing like that, and if they do it will be a travesty for real FOOTBALL fans.

[Mabudi]

Hi all...
In effect reprophil, there are two very different styles from game...but....
I insist that the mistake was in Barcelona.
Kind regards