Champions League: Liverpool miss two glorious chances

Barcelona 0 Liverpool 0

Liverpool had a glorious chance to take an early lead after Litmanen had been fouled by Thiago Motta in the fourth minute.

When John Arne Riise’s free-kick curled into the box it cleared everyone and was met by an unmarked Gerrard racing in but the midfielder completely mis-hit his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The last time Liverpool were in this massive bowl of a stadium they defended for their lives and rarely threatened in attack. This time they were being more adventurous.

A 10th-minute move down the right produced another opening. Danny Murphy fed Gerrard, whose instant ball into the box was met by the stretched leg of Emile Heskey, who almost surprised Roberto Bonano with a stabbed shot that the keeper needed to react swiftly to.

Murphy found himself in the book after 12 minutes, as he and Francesco Coco both raced for a loose ball, and the Liverpool man arrived a fraction to late and sent the Italian flying.

Gerrard, Murphy and Riise were hounding Barca right across midfield, and Gerrard’s interception of a poor Carles Puyol throw gave Litmanen the chance to try his luck from 30 yards but the ball sailed wide.

On 20 minutes Jamie Carragher sent in a cross from the left which Heskey just failed to reach in the six yard box, before Barca managed their first shot seconds later when Saviola fired over.

Liverpool had another great chance after 21 minutes when Murphy’s free-kick from the left was met by Gerrard, who glanced a header agonisingly wide.

Gerrard became Liverpool’s second booking on 25 minutes when he chased Rivaldo from half way and brought him down just outside the box to incur Greek referee Kyros Vassaras’ wrath.

Dietmar Hamann was next into the firing line for Liverpool, blasting over from 20 yards after a poorly-cleared Riise corner fell to him on 27 minutes.

Barca had been kept at arm’s length despite having plenty of possession but the danger they have was evident when Rivaldo’s clever pass sprung Kluivert into the clear, but the Dutchman failed to control the ball properly and allowed Jerzy Dudek to collect.

The Catalans opened up Liverpool again on 34 minutes when Carragher fell as he tried to dispossess Saviola and the little Argentinian crossed low into the six-yard box where skipper Luis Enrique completely missed the ball as it fizzed invitingly in front of a gaping goal.

Hamann was next into the book for a high lunge that sent Puyol spinning to the ground on 39 minutes.

Kluivert had a header held by Dudek and then Saviola’s angled shot from the left was deflected just wide by Stephane Henchoz.