05.04.2005 - Garcia stunner gives Reds advantage
A spectacular goal from Luis Garcia gave Liverpool a crucial lead in their quarter final tie with Juventus on an emotional night at Anfield.
On the first meeting between the sides in European competition since the Heysel disaster 20 years ago, a number of tributes were paid before the game to those who died in the tragedy including a minute's silence before kick off.
There was no shortage of noise once the game kicked off though, and Liverpool ensured that the noise levels didn't drop after getting on top of the game early and setting a tempo to the match which Juventus struggled to cope with.
Milan Baros' endless running caused Juve's usually reliable back four endless problems early on as Liverpool looked to grab an early goal, but when the inevitable goal did arrive in Liverpool's favour, it was not Baros, but Sami Hyypia who struck for Liverpool.
Hyypia's left foot volley may have looked more the finish of an international striker than that of a centre back, but it was overshadowed by a sensational second goal by Luis Garcia after just 25 minutes.
Le Tallec headed the ball into the path of Garcia, 25 yards from goal, and the Spanish star fired a shot which curled away from Buffon and dipped just under the bar and into the top corner, leaving the Italian number one helpless.
Juventus were almost back into the match less than a minute later, after a quick break finished with a low strike by Zlatan Ibrahimovich which struck the base of Scott Carson's right hand post.
It was a warning for Liverpool, and Carson had to be at his very best to deny Del Piero soon after, but made an excellent save after the Juventus captain looked to place a shot into the far corner having been played through on goal by Nedved.
Juventus created very little else of note in a first half totally dominated by Liverpool, but managed to claw a goal back on 63 minutes, through Fabio Cannavaro's header.
At that point, Juventus were in complete control of the match, with Emerson commanding the midfield, and Liverpool struggling to continue playing at the same tempo as that which had enabled them to cause their opponents so many problems during the opening period.
There was to be no equaliser for Fabio Cappello's men though, and the teams will meet for the second leg in two weeks with the tie finely balanced.
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