Having had an appalling season thus far, Liverpool certainly had a lot to prove this time around in the second leg as they looked to set things straight and progress to the last eight of the Europa league. iSporter Chirag Mansukhani reviews the action from the second leg at Anfield.
After getting knocked out of the Champions League the Reds certainly had a point to prove in the Europa league. Liverpool played their first leg against Lille last week away from home where they succumbed to Lille 1-0, in a last sixteen match of the Europa league.
The night certainly started with promise as Lucas was brought down in the box early in the game and Steven Gerrard stepped up and duly converted the penalty. Liverpool took an early lead courtesy the Gerrard goal and were ahead from the ninth minute of the game. It must be said that it was a much better Liverpool performance indeed, although they did have their share of tense moments through the match as Lille has a few opportunities themselves.
However, Lille failed to make the most of the few chances handed out to them and it was none other then Fernando Torres who put the Scousers up 2-0 in the second half giving the Merseyside faithful something to finally cheer about.
A 2-0 lead was still a slender lead as one got the feeling a Lille goal could change the tie completely. After all, at this stage had Lille scored they would have taken the tie on away goals being tied 2-2 on aggregate. Liverpool have suffered and been the victim of a few late goals this season the most famous one being the late goal that Lyon scored against them in the Champions League.
However, it was not to be as towards the end of the night Steven Gerrard’s shot was duly blocked by the Lille goalkeeper only to find Torres stand up and put the ball into the net. It was in the end a perfect night for the Merseyside team who could ask for nothing more. It was 3-0 to Liverpool on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Definitely, it was a much needed victory, and a much relieved Rafa Benitez as he saw his side go through to the last eight of the Europa league. Liverpool will now play Benfica in the last eight and it remains to be seen whether Rafa and Liverpool can pull something out of the bag and go on to win this competition.
One thing is for certain, Liverpool certainly have their work cut out for them. With their abysmal form persisting and the race for the fourth spot heating up it remains to be seen what happens to the team that was second to only Manchester United last year. Before their previous thumping of Portsmouth they lost to Wigan in the league.
All is certainly not well at Anfield and one only hopes that things are going to turn around. There are certainly problems behind the scenes although one hopes that the Scousers will be able to put all that behind them and end the season on a high note.
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