Lisandro Lopez Denies Liverpool Crucial Win

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Lyon 1 – 1 Liverpool

On a night where three points were simply a must for Liverpool, they were denied a crucial victory by a late Lisandro equaliser, crushing the spirits of the previously jubilant travelling supporters.

The famous Liver bird has enjoyed its recent travels to France.

In 2007, Liverpool travelled to the Stade Velodrome with maximum points a necessity. Goals from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, and Ryan Babel helped the Reds ease to a 4-0 victory.

On this occasion, the red half of Merseyside descended upon Lyon knowing that they would have to make do without their skipper, Steven Gerrard, and an only half-fit Fernando Torres.

Andriy Voronin graced the starting lineup, replacing Gerrard, while Daniel Agger returned to the heart of the Liverpool defence with Jamie Carragher shuffling to right back.

The visitors started the stronger. Lyon appeared content to allow the Liverpool midfield stroke the ball across the field while Toulalan and Makoun crowded the area in front of the home box.

Rafa Benitez had been persecuted last Saturday for relieving Torres of his striking duties midway through the second half at Craven Cottage. But the Spaniard clearly had the trip to the Stade Gerland in mind.

Within 12 minutes the first opportunity of the night fell to ‘El Nino.’ Insua, who enjoyed a return to form, provided a low cross which found Liverpool’s No. 9. However, Torres hit his strike directly at Lloris, with the French international booting the ball to safety.

Less than four minutes later, Liverpool’s Argentine full back was bounding forward once more, curling in another cross which caused confusion in amongst the home defence. The ball eventually fell to Kuyt, but his attempt was palmed over the bar.

Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva controlled the centre of the park with ease. The one flaw in the compact midfield was Voronin, who failed to cause any real threat at the spearhead of the formation.

And arguably the best chance of the match fell to the Ukrainian.

Mascherano perfectly picked out the run of Voronin from a sharply-taken set piece. The striker drove his shot directly at Lloris much to the frustration of Pepe Reina who clearly displayed his anguish at the miss.

Voronin was pencilled in as set piece taker for Liverpool, which certainly is another interesting tactical decision by Benitez. Presumably it is to keep the hapless striker out of the box and getting in the way of his teammates.

Humorously, the Ukrainian surrendered his dead ball duties, instead, instructing Benayoun to take over the responsibility. It summarised the fortunes of the forward.

Lyon showed a greater thrust in the second half. They targeted Insua with Bastos attempting to outpace the cumbersome left back time and time again.

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