Champions League Matchday 4
Besiktas vs Liverpool
Following their defeat two weeks ago in Istanbul, Liverpool sit with 1 point from three games in the Champions League. They got off to a great start, missing Fernando Torres, as their attack split wide down the flanks. Voronin got the first scoring attack started, running down the left and playing the ball into Peter Crouch, who benefited from defensive lack of concentration before cracking a shot at the Besiktas keeper, who made a good save only to have Crouch gather he rebound and strike it past the keeper's outstretched fingers. Liverpool continued to attack and Besiktas had some strong play of their own but Liverpool really took control of their destiny in the 32nd minute as Voronin played a beautiful cross to Benayoun open in the box. The Israeli settled the ball and then volleyed it into the lower-left corner, under the diving keeper. Liverpool had a great half and will probably slow the play in the second half and play their traditional, conservative brand of football with a lead like this.
The Second Half
Going contrary to my opinion, Liverpool opened the half attacking fiercely, on their way to Champions League history, scoring six goals in the second half to set a new record for goal difference in a CL match, surpassing Arsenal (Oct 2007) and Juventus (2003), who both won their games 7-0. Benayoun scored his second of the match off the rebound of a strong Riise shot from just inside the box, which the keeper parried but was unable to control. Just two minutes later, Gerrard struck a free kick low and hard as Benayoun again got on the end of the rebound to one-touch it home. The attack continued, with Gerrard scoring in the 69th minute off a 1-2 exchange between himself and Voronin, ending with Gerrard one on one with the keeper, blasting the ball into the opposite side of the net with his considerable power. In the 78th minute, Ryan Babel scored the goal of the match, delicately back-heeling a low cross by Benayoun into the left side-netting. Just three minutes later, Reina destroyed a goal kick which the first defender could not clear and fell to the second, one on one with Babel. The defender tried to clear the bouncing ball but Babel's speed was too much, as he turned and the ball struck his back, lobbing the onrushing keeper into the net. Babel crushed a cross into the crossbar a couple minutes later, barely missing the hat-trick. In the 89th minute, Benayoun provided another beautiful ball into the center of the box and Crouch, unguarded by either of the center backs, headed the ball home. A great game from Voronin, Riise, Gerrard, Benayoun, Crouch and Babel saw Liverpool capitalize on all of their talent and put on a real show for the home fans. Man of the match: Benayoun with 3 goals and 2 assists.
