Benfica vs Liverpool, 1st Leg

Thanks for following the game tonight on ESPN Soccernet. Join us on Saturday for what should be a titanic clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. Bye!

An interesting game, characterised by bad misses and poor refereeing, and the second leg is in just one week's time.

The away goal could prove crucial for Liverpool, as a 1-0 victory would be enough for them at Anfield.

Benfica will be happy to win, but they still have a lot of work to do if they are to knock Liverpool out.

And that's the end of the game. Benfica win 2-1 on the night.

That came to nothing. The Liverpool defence stepped up and the ball flew out.

Foul by Agger on Gomes. Late late chance for Benfica.

Johnson stops the lively Di Maria in his tracks on the halfway line.

Free kick by Johnson is too high and out for a goal kick. Johnson would have done well to keep possession there.

Benfica concede a free kick, just inside their own half. Ngog is fouled.

Benfica re pinning Liverpool back. Di Maria tries a shot from distance. His low shot is gathered by Reina.

Liverpool sub: Benayoun on for Gerrard

We are into the final minute. There will be 5 additional minutes.

A lively end to the game as both sides are trying to grab another goal.

Gerrard bursts through on the left and forces a corner. Gerrard gets the ball back and tries a chheky shot at the near post. Saved by Julio Cesar.

Ngog buys a free kick out of Amorim.

Liverpool come out with it and Ngog is fouled.

Benfica sub: Airton on for Aimar.

Coentrao has forced a throw right by the corner flag.

Offside against Gerrard.

Understandable substitution by Rafa Benitez. Torres is carrying a yellow card and will be saved for the second leg. Ngog has 8 minutes to make an impact.

Liverpool sub: Ngog on for Torres

And another firecracker...

Carragher was booked for that handball. And it was handball, given by the extra official. They do have a use after all.

Yellow card: Carragher (Liverpool)