Thursday, November 8, 2012

Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 Liverpool

Liverpool were usurped at the top of
their Europa League group by Anzhi
Makhachkala after an under-strength
side lost 1-0 in Moscow.
Lacina Traore's fine individual goal in
first-half stoppage-time was enough to
send Guus Hiddink's oligarch-backed
side to the top of Group A and leave
the visitors' hopes of reaching the
knockout stage in the balance.
Brendan Rodgers left the likes of
Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez at
home with one eye on Sunday's trip to
Chelsea but though his inexperienced
side toiled keenly, they too rarely
threatened Anzhi's goal.
In near-freezing temperatures and in
front of a palty crowd - the match
played 1,000 miles from Makhachkala
for security reasons - it hardly
promised to be a classic and there
were scant early thrills to reward
anyone's journey.
Rasim Tagirbekov found space down
the left, only to watch Brad Jones easily
claim his weak shot, while 6-foot-8
Traore lingered with intent and almost
muscled his way onto a clever through-
ball.
A stodgy midfield battle ensued on the
patchy turf before Jonjo Shelvey
inspired some Liverpool rhythm but
promising build-up play fizzled out,
John Flanagan dragging a shot well
wide, before Jordan Henderson opted
for a cut-back that went to waste when
the shot was on.
Samuel Eto'o soon had a better
chance, his rising strike headed for the
top corner until Jones pushed it
behind, but Anzhi looked there for the
taking until Traore's flash of brilliance.
Mbark Boussoufa's clip forward carried
danger but this was about two touches
of real quality: a flick over the top of
Sebastian Coates and a sidefoot lob
over the outrushing Jones.
Rodgers soon sent on the fresh legs of
Suso and Dani Pacheco, though
departing teenagers Adam Morgan and
Conor Coady displayed plenty of
endeavour, but Anzhi began to press
higher up the pitch and Liverpool
struggled to craft real openings.
Traore prowled at the other end but
lashed horriby wide of an upright and
then headed into Jones' hands from
eight yards as Hiddink glowered in the
dugout.
Suso had added impetus and forced
Vlad Gabulov to parry late on but Joe
Cole - disappointing again - saw his
shot from an angle blocked and the
chance of parity probably undeserved
had gone.


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