Match Reports
Liverpool 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool take a narrow advantage to Germany next week, after a Sami Hyypia goal decided the first leg of the quarter final. Despite kicking off the game in front of a great atmosphere at Anfield, Leverkusen settled into the match quickly, and looked extremely organised throughout their line up. The start which Bayer made soon quietened the home fans down a little, but Heskey went someway to restoring the volume when he went close after 10 minutes, but the shot was just wide of the post. That effort was one of only four chances in the first half, and Gerrard's slices shot which ended nearer the corner flag than the goal can hardly be described as a chance. Gerrard was involved in setting up an opportunity for Smicer though, but the in-form Czech couldnt keep his header down. The deadlock was finally broken on 44 minutes, and it was Sami Hyypia who was the unlikely scorer, netting his first European goal since his strike in the 5-0 win over FC Haka back in August. Michael Owen was on the end of a corner by Riise, and Hyypia pounced from a couple of yards out the make sure of the goal. The second half was slightly improved on the first 45 minutes, but neither side seemed to want to give much away, and both teams kept plenty of men behind the ball, with the occasional counter attack providing the only entertainment. Riise went close with an overhead kick, but Hans Jorg-Butt made a reasonably comfortable one handed stop. Riise was again given a chance to test the keeper a couple of minutes later, but shot straight at Butt from the edge of the 18 yard box. There was even less goal action at the other end, thanks to another solid performance by Henchoz and Hyypia, but Ballack should have done better with a couple of second half chances that he was presented with. Jari Litmanen was given a taste of the action with a little over 20 minutes to go, but even when he was in possession of the ball in the final third of the pitch, there was no support to help carve out an opportunity, and the Finn spent more time in his own half, as Bayer looked for the crucial equaliser. It was far from Liverpool's best performance of the season from an attacking point of view, and many will frown upon such defensive play at home, but it was ultimately another Champions League win against top opposition, and to keep the clean sheet gives Liverpool hope even if they are to lose in Germany next week, with the competition now at a stage where the away goals rule could play a part. The second leg will take place next Tuesday, with the winners of the tie likely to find themselves with a semi final against Man United, who beat La Coruna 2-0 away from home, and look set to secure the tie when the teams meet up at Old Trafford on Wednesday. View exclusive photographs from this match!
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