Champions League: Liverpool on course for semis

Bay Leverkusen 1, Liverpool 1 (1-2 agg half-time)

Abel Xavier celebrated his recall to the Liverpool side tonight with a vital goal to put the Reds in the driving seat in their Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen.

Xavier cancelled out Michael Ballack’s strike to edge Liverpool ahead 2-1 on aggregate in this quarter-final second leg.

Leverkusen were looking comfortable after pulling level on aggregate and started to win the majority of possession.

While Houllier remained impassive, Thompson was pacing the technical area, trying to urge his players into action.

Liverpool were certainly on the back foot as half-time approached and it was a worrying spell for the management team.

They were grateful to goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek in the 40th minute for pulling off a superb save.

He reacted instinctively to push away a shot from Thomas Brdaric after Bernd Schneider had delivered a cross from the right.

Heskey came off in the 41st minute after appearing to tweak his hamstring and was replaced by Jari Litmanen.

A minute later Liverpool pulled level on the night to edge ahead again on aggregate when Xavier headed home a corner from Danny Murphy.

Goalkeeper Butt got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it going into the net and Xavier took off with an animated celebration, racing to the dug out.