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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonny Weeks

Football: Benfica v Liverpool in the Europa League

Liverpool: Soccer
Rafa Benítez's Liverpool are in Portugal tonight to face Jorge Jesus's Benfica. Benfica were an indomitable force in the early 1960s winning the European Cup twice in succession thanks to the man known as the 'Black Panther', Eusebio. Liverpool have since won the European Cup five times ... Tonight, though, both sides find themselves in the second tier of European football chasing the Europa League trophy
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
football: Benfica v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
As pre-match intimidation tactics go, Benfica's method is unique - they've unleashed Victoria the eagle, who swoops around the stadium looking for prey
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Liverpool make a flying start to the game, scoring after nine minutes when Daniel Agger's audacious back-heel turns Steven's Gerrard's free-kick into the bottom corner of the net
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
The referee had no intention of awarding a free-kick until the fifth official behind the goal signalled that Gerrard had been tripped. Liverpool's players look delighted as they celebrate their precious away goal
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images
Liverpool: Soccer
Dirk Kuyt looks to set Liverpool free on the left wing as Benítez watches from the touchline
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Liverpool: Liverpool
Benfica's Pablo Aimar fights for the ball with Gerrard
Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters
European football: Benfica
Benfica's Oscar Cardozo rises above Emiliano Insua to direct a header goalward ... the home side are taking control of this match as the half progresses
Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters
European football: Benfica
David Luiz skips over Kuyt
Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters
Liverpool: Soccer
Ryan Babel earns himself a red card in the 31st minute for pushing Luisao in the face while the referee was attempting to book the Benfica centre-back. After a confusing delay in which Luisao appears to be shown the yellow card twice, Babel is eventually sent from the pitch
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images
European football: Benfica v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
Luiz attempts to block Gerrard's progression
Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images
football: Benfica Lisbon vs Liverpool FC
An aerial threat causes the visitors more problems
Photograph: Manuel de Almeida/EPA
football: football
Pepe Reina looks desperate as the ball escapes him
Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty Images
football: Benfica v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
Oscar Cardozo scores the first of two penalties as Benfica seize the lead in the second half. The first was awarded when Insua tripped Pablo Aimar, the second was given following a handball by Jamie Carragher as he slid to the ground
Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images
Benfica: Soccer
Luiz celebrates his side's second goal ... Benfica have deservedly turned this tie around with two goals in 20 minutes
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Benfica: football
Torres and Gerrard are despondent - a familiar sight this season. This will be Liverpool's fourth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions if it stays like this
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images
Benfica: Benfica v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
The home supporters grow increasingly raucous and begin throwing firecrackers onto the pitch. The referee looks concerned, but, after a short delay, the game continues
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Benfica: football
Kuyt leaps above Fabio Coentrao as both sides hunt more goals
Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images
Benfica: Liverpool's Fernando Torres
Torres is guilty of a terrible miss when played through by Gerrard. His skewed his shot wide when one-on-one with the keeper. Ultimately the match ends 2-1 to Benfica - Liverpool will have to score at Anfield in the return leg next Thursday if they are to progress to the semi-finals
Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters
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