SOCCER/Uefa Champions League: Barcelona 1 - Liverpool 2This precious result was one element in an astounding night for Liverpool. They had initially been outclassed in the more delicate facets of the game but eventually showed themselves to be a sounder unit than idiosyncratic self-destructive Barcelona, who conceded two hapless goals.
On such a disconcerting night it was perversely apt that John Arne Riise and Craig Bellamy, who had such severe differences a week ago, should be clasped together when the striker laid on the 74th-minute winner for the midfielder. That was not to be overshadowed, and a late free by Deco bounced off the post.
Barcelona were as frail in defence as they were delicately beguiling in attack. Liverpool, outplayed and exposed for prolonged spells, could respond whenever the pressure eased because the champions were so insecure. An equaliser from Bellamy just before half-time must have bemused Liverpool even as it delighted them.
Xabi Alonso sent a free-kick to Steve Finnan and when his cross was met by the Wales striker his header flew straight to Victor Valdes. Despite having his body behind the ball the goalkeeper was positioned behind his line and therefore conceded a goal. Bellamy, seemingly gleeful over the notoriety of his actions on the Algarve last week, celebrated by pretending to swing a golf club.
Liverpool had caught sight of edginess in Barcelona well before that. Bellamy ought to have put Valdes to the test when he was alone to meet a free-kick by Steven Gerrard and nodded into the side-netting from an angle.
Barcelona did hog the attention with artistry that was as astonishing as their lapses. Rafael Benitez, the unofficial expert on defeating Barcelona, had his credentials questioned and the system he crafted had a makeshift air with Barcelona relishing the use of the wings that Liverpool had been expected to deny them.
Neither of the visitors' special measures had enough bite there. On the left Alvaro Arbeloa made his first start for the club, with Riise in front of him, but it never looked as if Lionel Messi was outnumbered. Frank Rijkaard's players kept Finnan and Gerrard in as much difficulty on the right.
A dive by Ronaldinho in the 13th minute when Finnan was in the vicinity was a shabby piece of conduct, but the Brazilian's capacity to get into such a position was significant. Barcelona had free rein at the opener seconds later. Gerrard could not stop Gianluca Zambrotta from crossing, Arbeloa failed to climb high enough to connect with the ball and Deco, free of Riise, headed in at the far post.
Deco was soon shooting against Pepe Reina after Messi had put him through and few would have guessed that Barcelona could be blocked. Liverpool, though, had been bright when they got the ball and perhaps they had borne in mind the flakiness that can affect a Barcelona that sometimes treat defending as a task unworthy of them.
The second half opened with Liverpool looking far more effective in the system Benitez had set out. Rijkaard's reaction was intriguing and whatever defensive resilience was to be found in their midfield diminished to vanishing point as Andres Iniesta took over from Thiago Motta.
Liverpool had the briskness of men reprieved and the match slipped past the hour with the visitors covering capably and going on the attack with some optimism. Barcelona yearned for some transformational virtuosity but had become far better at bringing havoc upon themselves and when the substitute Ludovic Giuly passed back into his own area Valdes impetuously picked the ball up to give away a free.
It was touched to Gerrard and although the goalkeeper blocked his drive, Liverpool were by now so full of verve that Arbeloa swept in a vibrant cross that Kuyt headed just over the bar.
Barcelona did get one invitation to regain the lead. In the 73rd minute, Javier Saviola wormed his way through and when the finish ran free after being blocked by Reina, Messi seemed sure to finish until Arbeloa got in the way of his attempt.
Moments later, Gerrard fed Kuyt and although he miscontrolled, Rafael Marquez knocked the ball down to Bellamy, who squared for Riise to hit the net. Liverpool, in all the fundamentals of football competitiveness, had come to seem the superior team.
Guardian Service
BARCELONA: Valdes, Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Zambrotta, Xavi (Giuly 65), Motta (Iniesta 54), Deco, Messi, Saviola (Gudjohnsen 82), Ronaldinho. Subs not used: Jorquera, Van Bronckhorst, Thuram, Oleguer. Booked: Belletti, Zambrotta.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Finnan, Sissoko (Zenden 84), Alonso, Gerrard, Bellamy (Pennant 80), Kuyt (Crouch 90). Subs not used: Dudek, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Mascherano. Booked: Agger, Kuyt, Sissoko, Bellamy.
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece).
