Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Anzhi in Moscow this evening, reversing the scoreline from the game a fortnight back at Anfield.
The reds made massive changes to the line-up, with almost both eyes firmly planted ahead at the weekend's Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Youngsters Adam Morgan and Conor Coady were included in the starting XI - although they were joined by senior players who have been overlooked in the Premier League such as Joe Cole, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Jamie Carragher.
Despite the changes, Liverpool played well in the first half against a decent side on a poor pitch.
It was the reds youngsters who provided the most drive in the first half and Jordan Henderson had a great chance to give Liverpool the lead. In the 23rd minute Adam Morgan turned and played Henderson in. Jordan had only the keeper to beat, but bottled out of shooting, choosing a pass to Cole that was intercepted.
A mistake by Wisdom in the 35th minute - caught in posession, saw Zhirkov find Eto'o - but Brad Jones produced a great reaction save to keep it level.
But with only 10 seconds of injury time remaining in the first half - Lacina Traore, standing almost 2 metres tall, flicked a ball over Coates before firing past Jones to rewrite Brendan Rodgers half-time teamtalk.
Liverpool were not as good in the second half, Traore probably should have doubled the lead but fired wide with only Brad Jones to beat.
Suso, Pacheco and Assaidi were all introduced but they couldn't unpick Anzhi's solid defence.
The reds slip from top spot in the group but are still well placed to attempt to qualify from the group. The major worry for Rodgers will be the reds continuing inability to convert good play in to good chances - and the reds haven't won in 4.
The reds travel to Chelsea at the weekend.
LIVERPOOL: Jones, Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Flanagan, Coady (Assaidi 76), Shelvey, Henderson, Downing, Cole (Suso 61), Morgan (Pacheco 61)
UNUSED SUBS: Gulacsi, Wilson, Robinson, Sama
BOOKED: Flanagan, Shelvey
hey lads, it was so goddamn painful to watch not only defeat from the swarthy bastards but also to watch Scouser fans kinda fraternizing with em… In Russia, no matter which club do you support, if you are Slavic and especially from Moscow or Saint Petersburg no matter how much do we hate each other with CSKA and ZENIT – we always all together against ANZHI!!!
I cheer for Liverpool since I was 9, and it was so focking bitter to watch… I can understand for Brits it is exotic and all but nevertheless… it was fairly demeaning(
Absolute GARBAGE!!!!!!!!
Rodgers OUT!!!!