Babel edges Reds ahead

Cole fails from the spot, but Hodgson's men hold upper hand

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 20th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Babel edges Reds ahead

Babel: Vital strike

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Ryan Babel struck on the stroke of half-time to hand Liverpool a 1-0 lead in their Europa League play-off with Trabzonspor.

Things could have been even better for the Reds had Joe Cole converted a second-half penalty, but he saw his effort palmed away to safety.

Roy Hodgson, who took Fulham all the way to the final last season, chose to rest Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt from midweek action, meaning Babel was handed a lone frontman role and Cole, who was dismissed on his debut against Arsenal on Sunday, was given freedom to float.

The Reds took their time to settle, though, and struggled to get to grips with a surface slickened by persistent drizzle.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos did force Onur Kivrak into a smart save with just five minutes on the clock, but the hosts lacked fluidity and surrendered possession far too easily.

They were almost made to pay for their lethargy on 11 minutes when Burak Yilmaz flashed a header across the face of goal after Martin Kelly had looped the ball over his own crossbar.

Trabzonspor were certainly not being overawed by the occasion and Umut Bulut tested Jose Reina with a deflected shot from the edge of the box.

Fabio Aurelio wasted a 25-yard free-kick as Liverpool tried their best to establish some rhythm, but they continued to look shaky at the back far too often.

Debutant Christian Poulsen was hardly helping their cause, with it painfully apparent that he is still some way short of full match sharpness.

Hodgson's men did start to find their stride, though, as the half wore on, with Cole able to find plenty of space in front of the Turkish back four.

Drifted

He almost drifted in behind shortly before the interval, but Babel delayed his pass fractionally too long and the assistant's flag was raised.

That pair were to combine to devastating effect moments later, though, as Cole broke from halfway and laid the perfect pass into the feet of Babel.

The Dutchman, faced with the first real clear sight of goal, displayed commendable composure to close on the keeper and stroke the ball into the far corner as the clock ticked into first half stoppage-time.

Liverpool could consider themselves somewhat fortunate to be in front, having created little, and Hodgson looked to mix things up after the break.

Fernando Torres was introduced from the bench and the Spaniard almost made an immediate impact as he forced Kivrak to tip a stinging drive over the top with his first touch.

From the resulting corner Lucas Leiva was left all alone inside the box, but he could only divert a free header past the post.

Liverpool were finally looking like a side capable of making inroads in continental competition and Poulsen sent a 25-yard effort sailing into the Kop.

The Reds then had two penalty shouts in the space of 60 seconds, with Maxi Rodriguez waved to his feet at the first time of asking.

The referee did point to the spot second time around, though, as Lucas was sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge from Serkan Balci.

Cole took responsibility from 12 yards, keen to get off the mark for his new employers, but his tame effort was easily beaten away by Kivrak.

Combined

The Turkish visitors, who had been so sprightly in the opening 45, were now looking tired and Ceyhun Gulselam joined Balci in the book when he sent Milan Jovanovic flying.

Liverpool's Serbian winger then came close to grabbing a second for the hosts when he combined well with Torres, but was unable to force the ball home.

At 1-0 Trabzonspor were always in with a fighting chance, though, and they almost hauled themselves level shortly before the hour mark when Bulut beat the offside trap, but saw Reina deny him with a top drawer save that diverted the ball over the bar.

The game was now swinging from end to end and shortly after Aurelio whipped a dangerous free-kick inches past the post, Torres thumped a towering header into the midriff of Kivrak.

Chances continued to come and go in both penalty areas, with Bulut unable to get a telling touch to a floated corner and Cole unable to pick out a team-mate when he profited from a nervy flap from Kivrak.

Poulsen thought he had bundled in a second for the Reds on 73 minutes, as Kivrak wobbled again, but the Dane was denied a dream start to his Anfield career by a questionable call from the referee who awarded the Turkish keeper a free-kick.

Frustration began to tell for Trabzonspor as time ticked away and they conceded a spate of dangerous free-kicks which Liverpool really should have made more of.

Reina was called into action on a couple of occasions in the final 10 minutes, but he was never tested by ambitious efforts which Jamie Carragher and co had well under control.

Liverpool took their foot off the gas in the final stages, prepared to defend what they had and avoid taking any unnecessary risks.

The return meeting in Turkey, when the Reds will be looking to defend their narrow lead, takes place next Thursday.

LiverpoolTeam StatisticsTrabzonspor
1Goals0
7Shots on Target2
5Shots off Target4
2Blocked Shots5
6Corners5
16Fouls24
2Offsides1
0Yellow Cards4
0Red Cards0
77.78%Passing Success79.37%
21Tackles20
76.19%Tackles Success65.00%
51.00%Possession49.00%
50.67%Territorial Advantage49.33%
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Comments (14)

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Kelly Mcdonald (Liverpool fan) says...

Lucas was as bad as usual last night. Almost a guarantee he will give away free kicks in dangerous positions. He is useless and not worthy of a team shirt. He just skips about the centre circle and can''t pass, can''t tackle and certainly can''t head the ball straight. Get rid of him and a few other innefective drains on an already over weight wage bill. If Babel hadn''t scored what else did he do?

Posted 07:35 20th August 2010

Austin Space (Liverpool fan) says...

A poor first half display (again) by Liverpool last night, but much better in the second half, despite the missed opportunities. We should win the tie, but the truth is I don''t care if we don''t have to spend Thursday nights travelling to the four corners of Europe to play on dodgy pitches - the only thing that matters this year is a good showing in the Premier League. Europe can wait for a year ...

Posted 07:28 20th August 2010

Jack Black (Liverpool fan) says...

Good to see Babel score a goal, I always felt he was under used by Rafa, lets hope it''s the first of many goals for him this season. As for the team performance, well we not going far in this competetion playing like that and we will certainly need to step it up a gear or five for the next game. As for the Comment from Rich (Chelski fan) I agree Yossi is a great loss to Liverpool but I still beleive we got a better deal than you did, Cole will prove his worth...................I hope!!!

Posted 06:46 20th August 2010

Uakutura Tjikusere (Liverpool fan) says...

We need to improve on our performance if we want to finish in the top four position but struggling as we did against our Turkish opposition its seems like a huge mountain to climb.

Posted 04:09 20th August 2010

Lauren Jarrett (Liverpool fan) says...

Happy 2 see Ryan take his chances with a goal as new boss Roy Hodgon gave him the chances well don Ryan.

Posted 00:58 20th August 2010

Ruben Frankish (Manchester United fan) says...

Well said John... typical retarded Chelsea fan comment. After all he did for for them aswell. I for one hope he does well for pool, Even as a United supporter i would rather see Pool doing well than City. Heres hoping you steal 4th cos in the CL there''s no way city or Spurs could ever put a performance on like Liverpool used to against Chelski. Always a classic. But only if United finish above them LOL... naturally.

Posted 00:53 20th August 2010

Joe Bradley (Liverpool fan) says...

I have to say Rich must be one of those supporters who changes teams as they do well.I know a lot of chelsea supporters who have nothing but admiration for Cole and wish him all the best.Grow up Rich,Joe is a class player and it wont take long for him to shine.

Posted 00:13 20th August 2010

Ian ian Hutchinson (Chelsea fan) says...

Cole may score more goals than yossi, but Chelsea will be picking up silverware again....whereas Liverpool will be also rans again

Posted 23:31 19th August 2010

Tom Shannon (Liverpool fan) says...

not the best of games didnt create alot of chances. should have been 3-0 but cole missed the pen and the keeper ended up cheating going down ''injured'' while the rest of us looked for where this mysterious sniper was hiding. Milan Jovanovic and martin kelly however both looked good and torres looks like he is starting to recapture a bit of his old form.

Posted 23:17 19th August 2010

Mohamed Haybe (Liverpool fan) says...

Well it was good but i want to see change more than this, if they dont they won''t get eve european league next season.

Posted 23:06 19th August 2010

Eoin Mcgovern (Chelsea fan) says...

Pool fans will soon realise hes not this saviour as hes been spoken up 2 b and just an average joe :D

Posted 23:02 19th August 2010

Liam Hawkes (Chelsea fan) says...

I''ll always applaud Joe Cole if and when he returns to Stamford Bridge because when he was fit he was a great player for us. I do feel a bit disgusted that he turnt his back on us and the fans over more money. If Joe Cole was fit for 2 seasons and playing at his best, sure pay him the sum of money he asks for...but he isnt and to go to a lower standard (no offense Liverpool but your not good anymore), Europa league instead of Champions league and giving up a better chance of silverwear purely for an extra 10 grand I feel is terrible. Especially as he was a boyhood Chelsea fan too. You may of turnt your back on us Joe but this Chelsea fan will still remember the great you did for us...but dont expect me to respect you as a man though.

Posted 22:59 19th August 2010

John Doyle (Liverpool fan) says...

Yea rich, yossi is playing out his skin for your lot!!! And your Lot paid for him!! See who scores more by end of season. Fool, Typical Chelsea fan slag of players who done so much for you. Arm chair!

Posted 22:32 19th August 2010

Rich Plaine (Chelsea fan) says...

Well what can I say? Its been two brilliant performances by Joe Cole! First a red card on his debute, then missing a penalty against Trabzonspor, whoever they are lol!! What a signing! well worth his 90k a week! Not!!

Posted 22:02 19th August 2010
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