Match Reports
Liverpool 1-0 Dinamo Kiev For the second game in a row, Jari Litmanen was the difference in a single goal win for Liverpool, as the Reds took another step towards qualification for round 2. Liverpool started the game looking extremely lively and despite missing Michael Owen, there was no shortage of goalmouth action, which began in the first couple of minutes with Emile Heskey testing the Kiev 'keeper early on. From the resulting corner, Sami Hyypia beat the keeper to the ball, which landed with Jari Litmanen, who headed into the net and past a couple of Kiev defenders who were on the line. The goal was ruled out though, after the Assistant Referee harshly adjudged that Sami Hyypia had fouled the keeper in the buildup to goal. Litmanen also forced a couple of goalline clearances by the Kiev defence over the next quarter of an hour and alays looked the biggest threat to the Ukranians' goal. Midway through the first half, Steve Gerrard struck a free kick from 40 yards, which took a couple of deflections before crashing against the post and rebounding back in play. Jari Litmanen was the player who collected the ball, and from close range, he took one touch before striking it into the goal, off the crossbar! Kiev had no clear chances thoughout the whole of the first half, and that continued for much of the second half as Liverpool carried over their domination of the game. Nick Barmby came close in the second half with a neat chip which was just over the bar, and Emile Heskey forced a good save out of the Kiev keeper. But it was Barmby again, who had the last great chance of the game. After finding space in the area, Barmby unleashed a powerful close range shot that seemed destined to creep in the near post, but the ball clipped the inside of the post and rolled agonisingly across the face of goal before going out of play. It meant that a nervous finish was guaranteed, and only after Liverpool had successfully defended a Kiev free kick, just outside the Liverpool penalty area and in the last seconds of injury time, could the Reds finally receive their first win in the Champions League. In the other Group B game, Boavista stayed top of the group with a 2-1 win against Borussia Dortmund. The win keeps Boavista in a strong position at the top, with 7 points from 3 games. Liverpool have 5 points, while Dortmund (on 2 poins), and Dinamo Kiev (on 1 point) have all the work to do. View exclusive photographs from this match! View match pictures from this game!
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