Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonny Weeks

Europa League action featuring Liverpool and Fulham

Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
At Anfield, Liverpool are trailing 2-1 from the first leg against Benfica after conceding two penalties in the wake of Ryan Babel's dismissal. A goal tonight would, however, hand Rafa Benítez's side the advantage in the tie ... Co-owner Tom Hicks (pictured) will be hoping for an early strike to appease the fans
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
His partner George Gillett is also in the directors' box tonight, sporting a glum expression at kick-off
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
Liverpool take the lead when Dirk Kuyt heads in from four yards after 28 minutes
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
The linesman controversially flags for offside, but it's a ludicrous assertion - the corner reached Kuyt without taking a touch off another player and, therefore, he can't be offside. Rafa Benítez has kittens on the sidelines before sense prevails and the referee overrules his assistant. Benfica's players are furious
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
Six minutes later, Lucas bursts through the centre and rounds Julio Cesar before scoring Liverpool's second goal. The goal, as is so often the case, was created by a slick, slide-rule pass from Steven Gerrard
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
Yossi Benayoun tries to snuff out a Benfica attack
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
David Luiz narrowly avoids a karate-kick from Kuyt as they leap for a high ball
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
Fernando Torres scores Liverpool's third goal of the night following a sweeping counter-attack. Benayoun and Kuyt pulled Benfica's defence apart as they raced from one end to the other; Torres supplied the coup de grace from close range
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Liverpool v Benfica
Kuyt must take his share of the credit for playing a perfect final ball across the face of the goalmouth
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
football: Liverpool v Benfica
An animated Benítez gives instructions from the touchline
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
football: Liverpool v Benfica
Torres hits the deck after being elbowed by Luisao
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
football: Liverpool v Benfica
From a position of security, Liverpool are now in real danger ... Benfica's Oscar Cardozo scored from a free-kick to reduce the aggregate deficit to 4-3
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
football: Liverpool v Benfica
Glen Johnson and Lucas tackle Angel Di Maria as Liverpool try to stifle their opponents and close out the match. Ultimately, Torres adds another goal eight minutes from full-time to make it 4-1 on the night and thereby seal Liverpool's passage to the semi-finals. Torres will be pleased to discover that his former club, Atlético Madrid, will be Liverpool's semi-final opponents
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Europa League: Soccer
Over in Wolfsburg, Fulham are looking to extend their 2-1 first-leg lead over the German side. Their kits are seen hanging in the dressing room prior to the match
Photograph: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport
Fulham: British actor Grant smiles
British actor Hugh Grant is among the crowd at the Volkswagen Arena
Photograph: Morris Mac Matzen/Reuters
Fulham: VfL Wolfsburg vs FC Fulham
After just 22 seconds, Bobby Zamora's clever turn and shot gives Roy Hodgson's side an away goal
Photograph: Peter Steffen/EPA
Fulham: VfL Wolfsburg v Fulham - UEFA Europa League
Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg is momentarily blinded by Fulham defender Aaron Hughes
Photograph: Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images
football: VfL Wolfsburg v Fulham - UEFA Europa League
Zoltan Gera beats two Wolfsburg players with an overhead kick
Photograph: Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images
Europa League: football
Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker Dzeko gets the better of Fulham's Brede Hangeland
Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images
Europa League: football
Ashkan Dejagah is denied by Fulham's Simon Davies as the visitors hold on to the lead, surviving a disallowed goal, to win 1-0 and thereby progress to the semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate
Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images
football: VfL Wolfsburg v Fulham - UEFA Europa League
It's party time for Fulham - Dickson Etuhu leads the celebrations. Their European adventure will continue against another German side, Hamburg, in the semis
Photograph: Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.