Liverpool 0 Real Betis 0 - CL Group Match (Nov 23 2005)

[TLW]

LIVERPOOL 0 Real Betis 0

Report by Peter Schulz at Anfield

Scorer(s) - Half Time - 0-0 Venue - Anfield Date - Wed 23 Nov 2005 Star Man - Peter Crouch

 

 

 

 

Liverpool qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League when they drew 0-0 at home against Real Betis at Anfield on Wednesday. Again, all the post-match talk was of Peter Crouch and his continued failure to find the net. On Wednesday, he did everything but score that all-important first goal for the club.

His presence unsettled the Betis defence all night and only a mixture of bad luck, misfortune, call it what you will, even his brilliant lay-offs and flicks didn’t turn into goals but that was down to the fact his team mates were just as ineffective in front of goal. Crouch wonderfully set up both Morientes and Gerrard but the reds wasted gilt-edged chances throughout the game.

The game started off with both teams looking to settle nerves, but it was Betis who saw most of the ball in the early exchanges. They play neat football across the middle and have dangerous wide players and the reds seemed very aware of that fact. Fortunately, both Riise and Finnan were focused and put in solid performances to negate the threats of Joaquin and Xisco respectively. The latter had given Josemi a torrid time when he came on at half time in the first game in Seville.

Though Betis enjoyed most of the possession, Pepe Reina, Anfield’s invisible man for much of the season, was again mostly unemployed. I was missing Alonso’s composure on the ball in the middle but to be fair to Sissoko and Hamann they both did a sterling job on the defensive side. Slowly but surely, Liverpool clawed their way back into the game, and in a 5 minute spell, Crouch and Gerrard missed great chances.

Anfield was on its feet, but twice Crouch headed wide of the post when he should have scored. Gerrard’s ferocious 20-yard drive swerved well but Doblas got his hands to it somehow. By this time Betis were close to collapsing as Anfield roared on the reds, but to their credit they didn’t. And neither did their fans.

The first half finished with the reds on top, but not able to sustain the pressure of that spell midway through the half. I felt it could still go either way as the Spaniards all looked comfortable on the ball and capable of creating something out of nothing. Joaquin was flagged offside when clean through but that was it.

Second half was more of the same. The Betis players had obviously heard that Chelsea were comfortably ahead in Brussels and played with a little bit more urgency. Crouch’s performance ensured that they never dared push everyone forward. He simply kept winning the ball, flicking it on, finding teammates in space and generally looked a very intelligent player. He has weaknesses, and our attacking play suffers accordingly, but on Wednesday we got a lot out of his strengths.

I think we’re far too static up front when our midfield is in possession and there’s no one making any runs. I suppose both Crouch and Morientes know they are not going to outpace any central defences at this level. With Cisse continuing to frustrate, however, I’ll forgive Rafa for sticking with Morientes and Crouch for the time being.

Liverpool and Crouch created more chances as the half wore on and we should have had the game beyond the Spaniards when at the end they forced a series of corners as Anfield began to panic. Again, Crouch, Gerrard and Morientes were the main culprits. Morientes was then subbed for Cisse, but to the Frenchman’s disappointment he was asked to play on the right wing.

He did not look a happy bunny at all. As Morientes went off, the Betis fans saluted him like a god. It was a moving tribute to a truly great player by a truly great set of fans.

Crouch’s shot was blocked by a Spanish hand in the box, but true to tradition at Anfield, a penalty was never given. Gerrard’s were worse though. Having been played in by Crouch, he turned inside the defender and struck a low shot which the keeper saved easily. Then as he was tiring, he gave up tracking back. When Crouch won the ball near the halfway line and stabbed it into his path he was fortunate to be kept onside by a defender on the other side. His shot won’t go down as historic. He was knackered and was substituted for Potter immediately afterwards.

A few minutes of panic followed as Betis finally had a go, but Reina punched well at his near post from a dangerous corner. Relief was in the air as the ref blew his whistle.

The Betis fans, however, had not finished their marvellous Anfield showing. As they were asked to stay in the ground a little while, they paid tribute to the hosts chanting “Liverpool, Liverpool” continuously earning huge applause from the rest of the ground. It really warmed my heart that football can still be like that in these times of greed, cheating and a win at all costs mentality.

I can’t praise them enough for that. It was a great moment and if any of them read this, I’m sure I speak for every red out there when I say thank you. Anfield responded, singing “Betis” to show appreciation.

All in all then a good night’s work and another clean sheet.


Team: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise; Gerrard (Potter), Sissoko, Hamann, Zenden; Crouch (Kewell), Morientes (Cisse):