Deportivo vs Liverpool
Who won: Liverpool 1-0
Liverpool beat Deportivo 1-0 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at Riazor Stadium. Goals for Liverpool: João Paulo (own goal) (14').
Play by play
- 90'
Liverpool did everything they had to and seemed to get their tactics spot on, absorbing weak Deportivo pressure and exploiting the space they were afforded on the break. Credit for that to Benitez and a Liverpool defence that never looked likely to be breached. But before Reds fans get carried away, the side they played tonight were very poor and spent most of the game pumping long balls up to a striker who never looked comfortable.
- 90'
And that's your lot folks. Liverpool's Champions League campaign given a real shot in the arm with three points on their travels. The 1-0 victory here means they should qualify comfortably now.
- 90'
Pongolle has no thoughts of crossing when he receives the ball on the right wing, electing instead to take the tradditional route to the corner flag and seconds wasted.
- 90'
With Depor stretched a ball across the back line almost gives Riise a clear sight of goal but he broke just a fraction too soon and is offside.
- 90'
Hamann gave Valeron a whack as he swung for a ball that Valeron had nicked away at the last minute. Looked like it hurt.
- 89'
Here's an odd substitution for you. Xabi Alonso, who was not deemed fit enough to start, is coming on for stoppage time in place of Garcia.
- 88'
Victor's corner causes a minor panic in the Liverpool box before Riise gives it an almighty punt away.
- 87'
Everyone except Molina in the Liverpool half now.
- 86'
A huge clearance is laid off by Tristan but a Liverpool man is first to it. Tristan appeals for a foul with Carragher right up against him. He should be complaining to his team-mates, none of whom were quick enough in thought. Depor have been very disappointing tonight.
- 85'
Depor continue to chase this game forcing Riise to track all the way back to his own touchline to crowd out Victor once more.
- 83'
Baros, who has had to shoulder an enormous amount of work tonight, is given a rest as Florent Sinama Pongolle comes on for the last few minutes.
- 82'
Another vain appeal for a penalty from the home fans as Victor threw himself to ground after Traore had stolen the ball from him with a perfectly executed tackle in the box.
- 81'
Fantastic chance crafted by the tireless Baros. As the furthest man forward he checked back and slalomed through a couple of defenders before sliding through a lovely reverse ball for Garcia to latch on to. With just the keeper to beat Garcia couldn't control it and Molina beat him to it. Should have been game over by now.
- 80'
Hyypia picks up a booking for going through the back of Valeron's legs. Can't have too many complaints on that one.
- 78'
Riise in a bit of pain after Scaloni looked to stamp on his foot after the two competed for a 50-50 ball. He too, you will be pleased to know, is alright now.
- 77'
Crowd appeal for a foul as Victor is shut out by Traore. Nothing of the sort; it was a fantastic tackle by the Liverpool man.
- 76'
There has been far too many loose passes and mistakes from both sides for a Champions League match. Whatever the outcome of this match I can't see either of these sides going a long way in the competition.
- 75'
Sergio benefited from a loose pass fromTraore in the left-back position to beat the same player and send over a cross to the penalty spot that Josemi was under for the visitors.
- 74'
Baros, in full flight down the left, nicked the ball past Andrea as the defender slid across him. Clear foul and booking but Baros added a flourish to his fall - just to be sure.
- 73'
Hyypia the latest to take a knock. Victor's trailing arm, as the two competed for a high ball, doing the damage to his face. He's alright as well.
- 72'
Carragher playing a dangerous game. Another cross fizzed in by Victor was bound for Tristan and Carragher looked to be climbing a bit. Some referees would give a penalty for that though there wasn't much in it.
- 70'
Play broken up - something a stuttering game doesn't need - by Josemi calling for treatment. He's alright now though.
- 69'
The second-half so far has probably been depor's but they are still struggling to make anything of the possession they are enjoying. You get the sense though that Liverpool wneed another to be safe, and also that they are capable of getting it.
- 68'
Wonderful ball from Victor picked out Tristan beautifully just back from the penalty spot. Had he been a bit sharper Liverpool may have rued letting him drift between the two centre backs. As it was his first touch wwas not the best.
- 67'
Patient build up play from Liverpool comes to nothing as Garcia's centre is straight at Romero. Very poor as Liverpool look to get a handle on a game that has gone a bit flat.
