Debrecen 0 Liverpool 1:Liverpool's disappointing season took a turn for the worse as they were bundled out of the Champions League despite a narrow victory over Debrecen in Budapest.

David Ngog scored the only goal of a nervy match to secure victory for Rafael Benitez’s side but events in Italy, where Fiorentina closed out a 1-0 win over their own over Lyon, ensured the Reds would miss out on the lucrative knockout phase.

Debrecen have been the whipping boys of Group E, conceding 13 goals in their previous three matches, but Liverpool were not even able to producing a convincing victory as they exited at this stage for the first time since 2002.

Liverpool could not have asked for a better start to settle any nerves as they went ahead after four minutes.

Debrecen had barely touched the ball prior to Liverpool’s opener, bar the concession of a couple of corners and the taking of a goal-kick.

Fabio Aurelio’s cross from the right curled beyond the far post for Jamie Carragher to head back across goal, where David Ngog guided the ball with the outside of his right-foot in off the post.

It could have been two after 10 minutes, but Dirk Kuyt was unable to meet Steven Gerrard’s angled cross six yards out.

Liverpool were enjoying 70 per cent of the possession, but news of a Fiorentina goal against Lyon was enough to silence the travelling support.

Debrecen’s first opportunity soon followed with an unmarked Gergely Rudolf heading wide.

The Hungarians were now having their best spell, running from deep and making Liverpool’s defence work at last.

But it took a fine save from Vukasin Poleksic after 38 minutes, turning away an Ngog drive following a neat pass from Gerrard, to stop Liverpool extending their lead.

Liverpool needed, at least, to settle the issue with a second goal as Debrecen continued to grow in confidence.

Poleksic made another fine save to turn away a close range Gerrard effort after he was set-up by Glen Johnson.

Debrecen then sent on striker Adamo Coulibaly in place of Peter Szakaly. The big Frenchman had caused Liverpool plenty of problems in the first match between these club’s earlier in the season.

Emiliano Insua then lost possession to Rudolf on the edge of the box, only regaining the ball with the Debrecen forward throwing himself in the box as Liverpool’s nerves frayed even further.

Daniel Agger’s run set-up a chance to Gerrard, but he drove high over from the edge of the box.

Debrecen players were going down at every opportunity now, with howls of anger from the home fans.

Yossi Benayoun came on for Ngog after 77 minutes, with Debrecen replacing Marcell Fodor with Tibor Dombi a minute later.

Carragher headed an Aurelio corner just wide, but the second goal remained elusive for Liverpool.

Kuyt was now the central striker with Benayoun on the right, but it was Liverpool now on the defensive as Rudolf forced Jose Reina into a save from a fierce angled drive.

Liverpool sent on Andrea Dossena for Aurelio with a couple of minutes left, Alberto Aquilani replacing Gerrard in injury-time.

There was still time for Coulibaly to have a glorious chance kicked clear in the six-yard box.