Reds exposed by Barcelona avengers

13 April 2012

Vengeance arrived in the company of artistry at Anfield last night as Barcelona threw Liverpool's Champions League aspirations into stark relief with a performance that exposed some of the frailties and limitations of Gerard Houllier's side.

Already their chances of emerging from the second phase of Europe's premier club competition look fragile, with testing excursions to Roma and Galatasaray, not to mention a trip to Barcelona's intimidating Nou Camp, in prospect.

There has been a good deal of false optimism on Merseyside, fuelled by the emotions that have followed the hospitalisation of Houllier and the successful stewardship of Phil Thompson.

The Spanish side gave a salutary lesson in drawing out the opposition before counterattacking. Since this was only Liverpool's ninth home defeat in a European tie in 37 years, the defeat hit them like a sledgehammer.

Liverpool will examine the video of this match and feel hard done by. Barcelona's third goal was unquestionably offside and the first might well have been. In reality, however, there was nothing misleading about the margin of victory.

Patience and possession are by-words in Europe and Barcelona offered a telling demonstration of the value of making the opposition work to regain possession.

It is a truth Steven Gerrard might reflect on this week, for if he is to develop into the player his all-round ability suggests he might become, he would do well to study the midfield performance of his opposite number, Xavi.

He provided an object lesson in midfield play, combining prodigious effort with an ability to use the ball to cause damage to his opponents .

Liverpool missed the controlling presence of the suspended Dietmar Hamann in front of their defence, an influence that Gary McAllister could not replicate.

There was certainly the sniff of Catalan revenge in the night air around an expectant Anfield. Barcelona had derisively condemned Liverpool's tactics when the sides met in the UEFA Cup semi-finals last April. That might have been because Liverpool were so successful in stifling Barca's allstar attack both in the Nou Camp and on Merseyside.

They had seem poised for more of the same in the 26th minute when Michael Owen once again demonstrated the focus which obliterates all other emotions when he has the target in his sights.

A glorious finish from a measured-Vladimir Smicer pass threatened to knock the roof off Anfield but Patrick Kluivert, who had been one of Liverpool's most vociferous critics, believes he can call on a vote or two in the election of Europe's top striker.

Moving onto Rivaldo's cushioned ball from a Marc Overmars centre, the Dutchman surprised Liverpool for the 41st-minute equaliser.

Ironically, the game turned in a matter of minutes on that most unusual occurrence, an Owen miss. And in front of Sven Goran Eriksson. The England star saw the ball rebound to him off goalkeeper Roberto Bonano, and with an empty goal gaping he flicked the chance wide.

Had Liverpool taken the lead then, they might have been able to consolidate. Instead, Brazilian substitute Fabio Rochemback gave Barcelona the lead within three minutes as Rivaldo and Kluivert teed up the chance from 20 yards.

Now Barcelona showed their mettle. A prolonged bout of teasing possession in the final five minutes involving over 40 passes lasting three and a half minutes, was climaxed with a rapier through-ball to the dangerous Overmars.

The Dutchman had come on as a first-half substitute for the injured Luis Enrique and created havoc with his pace and passing. He looked a good yard offside but there was no flag and the former Arsenal player rounded Dudek to stroke in the coup de grace.

Liverpool v Barcelona - match stats

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