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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jonny Weeks

Football: Lille v Liverpool in the Europa League

Liverpool: Liverpool
You wouldn't know it from the look on his face, but Rafael Benitez has a strong squad to choose from tonight for this last-16 tie. Glen Johnson is fit to start for the first time since tearing knee ligaments at Christmas. He'll be joined by Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua in defence, with Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva slotting in behind Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel in midfield. Fernando Torres is operating as a lone striker tonight
Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Lille's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard evades Insua as the home side, who lie sixth in Ligue 1, launch an early attack
Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Javier Mascherano dispossesses Franck Beria
Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpol
Ludovic Obraniak tries to block Jamie Carragher as the sandy pitch tears up beneath their feet. Liverpool's players won't like this surface one bit Photograph: Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Babel
Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres scythe through Lille's defence with a swift one-two exchange but Babel's effort is saved by the keeper - it would have been a stunning goal had the Dutchman been more composed
Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Stiff, graceless and ultimately ineffectual - Steven Gerrard's leap, that is, not Ryan Babel
Photograph: Michel Spingler/AP
Liverpool: Liverpool
Eden Hasard is the architect of Lille's best opportunities - his pace proving effective on the right flank Photograph: Michel Spingler/AP
Liverpool: Liverpool
Carragher and Daniel Agger deny Adil Rami as the game remains goalless until the break ...
Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Gerrard jumps over Beria as Babel gathers possession for Liverpool. Their hopes of a 12th major European honour would be greatly boosted were they to snatch an away goal tonight
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool: Lille v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
Yohan Cabaye steers a header goalwards as Lille begin to dominate
Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool: Lille v Liverpool - UEFA Europa League
Torres takes a tumble as Hazard relives him of the ball
Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Liverpool: Liverpool
Calamitous defending by Liverpool as an inswinging free-kick is allowed to sail directly into the bottom corner of Pepe Reina's net without anyone getting a touch. The keeper didn't even flinch. Lille are 1-0 up and deservedly so
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Liverpool: Lille
Needless to say it was their Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard who took the set-piece ... Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool: Soccer
Torres, Gerrard and Mascherano look devastated. They've only six minutes left to salvage something from this first leg
Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Liverpool: Torres
Torres gets a half-chance to score during a goal-mouth scramble but the ball is cleared away and Lille hold on to win 1-0. It's been another traumatic night for Liverpool, who must now turn this tie around at Anfield next Thursday
Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images
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