LIVERPOOL IN DANGER OF MAKING AN EARLY EXIT

The Telegraph 25 October 2007

In the city that once stirred such hope in their hearts, Liverpool walked into a storm last night.
In the city where they lifted the European Cup in 2005, Liverpool were pushed close to European oblivion by a Turkish side who were better organised in defence, midfield and attack.

"The Kop is History" read one of the many banners held aloft by the all-standing, all-shouting Besiktas fans. Such a statement may be slightly premature, as three wins should guarantee Liverpool safe passage through to the knockout stages, but Rafa Benitez's side were touching the void last night.

In the immediate inquest deep in the basement of the Inonu, far from the crowing Turks above, the quixotic Benitez switched between defying the odds and defying belief. "We knew before the game that it was clear we had to win," the Spaniard said. "Now it's even more clear that we have to win all the games. I'm really pleased with the performance; we had 28 attempts on goal. If we create 28 chances in the next game, we'll score more than one goal."

As in the 2005 final, Steven Gerrard scored with a header, allowing Liverpool fans to dream briefly of another famous comeback, but it was too little, too late. Besiktas were already over the horizon through Sami Hyypia's early own goal and a neat finish by the tireless Brazilian, Bobo.

It was still bizarre that Benitez did not bring Peter Crouch on until after Bobo's 82nd-minute strike. Liverpool were crying out for some variety in attack, for a centre-forward who would disturb Gokhan Zan and Ibrahim Toraman, centre-halves who embodied the intelligence, athleticism and determination contained in Besiktas' defence.

"The strikers Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin] were doing well," countered Benitez. Yossi Benayoun and Lucas Leiva, who arrived before Crouch, hardly resembled the cavalry.

On a night littered with negatives, there were a few positives for Liverpool to cling to. Marseille's draw with Porto means the French have not pulled away in Group A. Ryan Babel's constant raids down the left showed why Benitez paid £11.5 million for the Dutch international.

And there was a wonderful sporting exchange between the rival supporters at the end, with Besiktas chanting Liverpool's name and the small contingent of Kopites repaying the compliment.

Otherwise, Liverpool took only empty hearts and ringing ears back home with them. Benitez's side dropped more than three points here. They lost the chance to inject some belief back in to red veins. And how they need Fernando Torres, their best finisher, fit for the visit of a vibrant Arsenal on Sunday.

How they need Daniel Agger back from his broken metatarsal when they limp back into Europe with home ties next month against Besiktas and Porto. If they win those, Liverpool will have seven points, but are still likely to require victory at Marseille in their final Group A outing. Stade Velodrome may even generate as much noise as the Inonu last night.

Just before kick-off here, a lone bugler arrived to play the Last Post as Besiktas fans paid homage to the Turkish soldiers killed by Kurdish rebels last week. This pre-match moment of solemnity proved the only quiet passage of an astonishing, deafening evening.

The Inonu is proud of its record of football's loudest ever decibel level - 132. After 13 minutes, Besiktas supporters must have been within a strained larynx of setting a new mark.

The fanatical disciples of the Black Eagles religion were racing through the vocal gears as Bobo sped through Liverpool's defence. The danger seemed to have passed when Jamie Carragher put in a marvellous sliding tackle, ending Bobo's 40-yard surge deep into Liverpool's box. Unfortunately for the visitors, misfortune arrived on the scene.

Stranded on the ground, Carragher needed to clear quickly, but his attempt struck Steve Finnan. Mishaps abounded. As the Liverpool fans behind Pepe Reina's goal looked on aghast, the ball fell to the unmarked Serdar Ozkan. With Liverpool's defence in disarray, Ozkan met the ball strongly. It clipped Hyypia and flew into the net, giving the wrong-footed Reina no chance.

The Inonu dissolved into raucous celebration. Not only was this Besiktas' first goal in 192 Group A minutes but Liverpool were patently confused by the Turks' 4-3-2-1 formation, and particularly the swift breaks by Ozkan and the Argentine, Matias Delgado, towards and beyond Bobo.

Besiktas were able to exploit vast acres of space in midfield because Liverpool needed to attack. After only one point against Porto and Marseille, they had to take risks. Sometimes they fanned out in a 2-4-4 configuration with the full-backs, Finnan and John Arne Riise, pushed up, leaving Carragher and Hyypia exposed.

Staring into European oblivion after Besiktas' goal, Liverpool sought to rally. Hakan Arikan, Besiktas' excellent keeper, tipped over a typically meaty Riise drive. Then Gerrard sparked into life, working a good move with Andrei Voronin and Dirk Kuyt, making promising ground into Besiktas' box. This was more like the Gerrard of 2005, charging across Turkish soil. He connected well enough with the ball but Arikan advanced rapidly to block the shot.

Jermaine Pennant, Gerrard twice and Babel all went close, but Besiktas were happy to soak up the pressure and then hit on the break, devastatingly through Bobo late on when he calmly slid the ball between Reina's legs.

Gerrard's header gave brief hope but Liverpool discovered to their cost that lightning does not strike twice in Istanbul.