Gerrard guides Liverpool
Friday, 28 November 2008
LIVERPOOL, Nov 27(AFP): Steven Gerrard celebrated his return from injury by firing Liverpool into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Marseille here on Wednesday.
The Liverpool captain's first-half header from Xabi Alonso's cross proved enough to secure a victory over opponents who deserved better from a display every bit as spirited as the one that had seen them become the first French club to win at Anfield 13 months ago.
"We'll have a few regrets because we had chances up to the last minute but the only thing that makes me unhappy was the result," said Marseille coach Erik Gerets.
"I was quite happy with the performance. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit and with the kind of desire that everyone said we were missing."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted his side had lived dangerously at times. "It was a strange game. We were controlling the game and then we scored and they started to attack us.
"We were trying to play on the counter attack with Fernando Torres but our final ball was never good enough to hurt them. The game was too open against a team with pace and ability. But the important thing is we won and we are qualified."
The Liverpool captain's first-half header from Xabi Alonso's cross proved enough to secure a victory over opponents who deserved better from a display every bit as spirited as the one that had seen them become the first French club to win at Anfield 13 months ago.
"We'll have a few regrets because we had chances up to the last minute but the only thing that makes me unhappy was the result," said Marseille coach Erik Gerets.
"I was quite happy with the performance. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit and with the kind of desire that everyone said we were missing."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted his side had lived dangerously at times. "It was a strange game. We were controlling the game and then we scored and they started to attack us.
"We were trying to play on the counter attack with Fernando Torres but our final ball was never good enough to hurt them. The game was too open against a team with pace and ability. But the important thing is we won and we are qualified."