Liverpool forced into extra time

FT Liverpool 0 Standard Liege 0 (agg: 0-0, game in extra time)

Liverpool have been forced into extra time by Standard Liege at Anfield as they cling to their Champions League dreams.

The Belgians had produced another excellent performance to match the 0-0 draw they achieved in the first leg a fortnight ago.

Liverpool had failed to create genuine chances throughout the 90 minutes, and looked increasingly nervous as time ticked away with them no nearer the lucrative group stages.

Keane missed in the area after being set up by Kuyt and Gerrard fired over the bar soon after and then saw an angled cross-shot fly well wide.

With seven minutes left, Benitez sent on youngster Nabil El Zhar for Keane, with Kuyt pushing forward to support Torres.

Benitez has praised the little Moroccan for his ability to keep possession in tight areas and that would certainly be an improvement on much of Liverpool’s play.

Igor De Camargo headed just wide in the closing minutes, Milan Jovanovic having replaced Dalmat.