Bayer Leverkusen vs Liverpool, 2nd Leg Liverpool win 6-2 on aggregate
Match pulse
Who won: Liverpool 3-1
Liverpool beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in 2nd Leg Liverpool win 6-2 on aggregate on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at BayArena. Goals for Leverkusen: Jacek Krzynowek (87'). Goals for Liverpool: Luis García (28', 32') and Milan Baros (67').
Play by play
- 91'
FULL TIME: Great performance from Liverpool sees them comfortably in to the quarter-finals. Can they go all the way? Probably not, but it's nice to dream. I sometimes dream about flying over mountains and lakes. What does it mean? I've no idea.
- 90'
A mistake by Gerrard gives Voronin the chance to run at Dudek. The striker shoots from 20 yards, but the Liverpool 'keeper makes a great save with his feet.
- 89'
Baros breaks in to the area, with only the 'keeper to beat. Riise is crying for the ball in front of goal, but Baros chooses to try and find Smicer. The pass is intercepted, to Riise's annoyance.
- 88'
To describe Leverkusen's goal celebrations as 'muted' would be criminally innacuurate. 'Nonexistent' might be closer to the truth.
- 87'
GOAL! Krzynowek picks up a lay-off from Placente to smash home a low drive from inside the Liverpool area.
- 85'
Bierofka is found in space eight yards out, but Warnock flies across to block his shot before it could threaten Dudek. Great dedication from the young defender, at a time when he could have been forgiven for ignoring the danger.
- 83'
Remember that Leverkusen topped a group containing Real Madrid and Roma, so they qualified well for the knock-out stages. I suppose that puts in to context how well Liverpool have played over these two legs.
- 81'
At times, Leverkusen have played some decent football around the Liverpool area, but their final ball has always been lacking.
- 79'
"You'll never walk alone," sing the Liverpool fans.
- 77'
Leverkusen aren't showing any great willingness to get forward and pinch a consolation goal.
- 75'
Apparently, Basturk is now playing for Hertha Berlin. They signed him at the start of the season. Impress your friends with that knowledge.
- 75'
Whatever happened to Yuri Basturk? He was a good little player for Leverkusen, a year or two ago. Give me a minute, I'll find out for you.
- 74'
Voronin shoots from 20 yards, straight at Dudek, who is forced to put down the book he was reading to collect the ball.
- 73'
SUB: Nunez on, Finnan off. Solid performance from the Irish full-back. He gets the chance to have a quick shower before the big boys come piling in to the changing room and start flicking at his bottom with their towels.
- 71'
Voronin curls over the bar. Baros bursts through the middle of the Leverkusen defence for the umpteenth time, but his first touch is a little heavy and Butt collects.
- 70'
To be fair, the Leverkusen fans have been a credit to their side. They might be 6-1 down on aggregate, but they are making a tremendous noise.
- 69'
SUB: Carragher off, to generous applause from the travelling Liverpool fans. He is replaced by young John Welsh, a promising and versatile midfielder.
- 68'
SUB: Castro comes on for Ramelow. The veteran skipper has been one of Bayer Leverkusen's brighter lights tonight, but is replaced byyoung Spanish midfielder Castro.
- 67'
Gerrard picks out Baros with another superb ball, but his pass to Smicer on the edge of the area is cut out.
- 66'
GOAL! Baros collects a through ball and fires past Butt from the edge of the area. It's his 13th goal of the season, and a deserved reward for a strong-running performance.
- 65'
News from Highbury: Thierry Henry has put Arsenal a goal-up. They need a second to go through, but that is a major step in the right direction for the Gunners.
- 64'
An inevitable calm decends over the Bayer Arena; players begin going through the motions, fans begin thinking about what they might have for supper.
- 61'
Baros and Gerrard link-up: first Gerrard smashes a shot against Butt's legs;, before he then collects the rebound and back-heels back towards the Czech striker, but Baros mis-cues horribly.
- 60'
SUB: Smicer on, Hamann off. Midfielder for midfielder. Smicer is just returning from a long-term knee injury; this will be a nice easy run-out for him.
- 58'
I remember the days when Leverkusen were good. They were a dangerous European side. Nowadays they look distinctly second-rate.

