Germany has had quite enough of all things Liverpool. Having seen their national team humiliated in Munich by a five-goal salvo made on Merseyside, Borussia Dortmund fans were denied any semblance of revenge last night by an obstinate Reds' defensive display.
This was reminiscent of the regimented Liverpool that claimed a goalless draw at Barcelona in last season's UEFA Cup. After eight games without a clean sheet, the performance will have warmed the visitors' dug-out.
This game had been billed as a chance for Dortmund to restore some national pride. That Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard, who shared the goals against Germany, all started for Liverpool merely made it an opportunity that could not be passed up.
Dortmund centre-half Christian Worns was so traumatised by the 45 minutes he endured in the Olympic stadium that he considered retiring from international football, having been withdrawn from that fray at the interval. He picked his chin up in time to face his nemesis again last night, although he was soon grateful for Stefan Reuter's cover after Owen left him fin his vapour trail.
That came after 11 minutes of tentative jousting, mainly in the home half, which left the German partisans gnashing their teeth in frustration as possession was repeatedly frittered away. When Jan Derek Sorensen found rare space down the right, his cross was too high for Jan Koller. Evanilson followed his lead moments later, forcing Jamie Carragher to nod the ball to safety.
Koller is a man mountain whose aerial ability is matched by slick skills on the ground. Having eased his way into the contest, the Czech muscled his way between defenders to make his presence felt.
His marker, StΘphane Henchoz, responded with a legal challenge that left Koller in a heap, the earth shuddering and Matthias Sammer flapping wildly on the touchline. The Swiss defender was cautioned for a similar challenge seconds later, although it was his defensive partner Sami Hyypia who came closest to opening the scoring in a tepid first period.
John Arne Riise's in-swinging corner was flicked goalwards by the Finn but Evanilson blocked the effort on the line. Owen might have earned a penalty before the break but Reuter's tug went unnoticed.
Dortmund's livewire Tomas Rosicky aside, their lack of creativity was evident again here.
Indeed they relied on Liverpool to create their own problems. When Gregory Vignal sliced his clearance across the six-yard box Henchoz headed against a post. When the outstanding Rosicky smashed a 25-yard shot on to the same upright with 20 minutes left, Dortmunders must have sensed it was not their night.
Liverpool appeared happiest soaking up pressure before seeking out Heskey and pelting upfield on the break to support him. But, when Heskey laid the ball off to Danny Murphy, the midfielder blazed over. Heskey was soon motoring away from Worns down the left but Owen could find no space to turn.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Lehmann, Evanilson, Worns, Kohler, Dede, Reuter, Stevic, Sorensen (Ricken 87), Rosicky, Amoroso (Bobic 87), Koller. Subs Not Used: Laux, Herrlich, Oliseh, Metzelder, Madouni. Booked: Stevic.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Vignal, Gerrard, Hamann, Murphy, Riise (McAllister 75), Owen, Heskey. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Smicer, Fowler, Barmby, Biscan, Wright. Booked: Henchoz.
Referee: V Ivanov (Russia).
