UEFA Champions League 3rd Rd Leg 1
Wed 15th August 2007, 3:30pm at Stadium Municipal, Toulouse, France
Liverpool take a one goal lead, and an away goal back to Anfield thanks to Andriy Voronin's wonder strike which sealed the outcome of the reds first European clash of the season.
Rafa Benitez made six changes from the side that won at Villa Park on Saturday. Hyppia replaced Agger in defence, Mascherano partnered Gerrard in the centre with Babel and Benayoun starting on the wings. Peter Crouch and Andriy Voronin started up front.
From the outset Toulouse appeared hell bent on securing a goal-less draw, frustrating any hint of a Liverpool attack, with a policy of every man behind the ball. Ryan Babel made a number of inspiring runs which failed to lead to any significant chances.
However, not for the first time in history, an attempt at defending by the French proved unsuccesful. With half time a couple of minutes away, a Peter Crouch flick on found the reds new Ukrainian, Andriy Voronin, who cooly chested down the ball before turning and unleashing a superb 25 yard strike to score the only goal of the game.
Considering the media frenzy over Liverpool's transfer spending - it was apt that the free transfer became the reds first striker to score this season, ahead of the rest of the £45 million worth of striking talent.
In the second half, the French side decided to attack with more gusto but only one major chance fell to Elmander, the hero for Toulouse last weekend. Jose Reina prevented any hope of a Toulouse equaliser.
Liverpool didn't appear all too interested in attempting to secure the second goal and eased off. With the return leg in less than a fortnight's time at Anfield, and with the reds relatively poor Anfield record in the Qualifying rounds - let's sincerely hope we're not made to pay for this disinterest.
Teams
Toulouse: Douchez, Ebondo, Fofana, Cetto, Mathieu, Dieuze (captain), Sirieix, Emana, Cesar, Elmander, Bergougnoux
Subs - Riou, Jonsson, , Sissoko, Gignac, Mansare, Batlles
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Babel, Gerrard (captain), Mascherano, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin
Subs - Agger, Riise, Torres, Kuyt, Itandje, Alonso, Sissoko
Goal: Voronin (43 mins)
Match Highlights / Goals
Watch the goal in this thread in the forum