Crouch double gives Reds nervy victory
Peter Crouch at the double for Liverpool
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Wednesday, 27, Sep 2006 10:24
Liverpool have broken their Champions League goal drought after a thrilling 3-2 win over Galatasaray at Anfield.
A brace from Peter Crouch and a strike from Luis Garcia gave the 2005 champions the victory having failed to score in their past five European games.
But Rafael Benitez's side had to survive a late onslaught from the Turkish giants who scored second half goals from substitute Umit Karan having trailed 3-0.
Benitez made five changes to his starting line-up, the 94th straight game the Spaniard has changed his team, with Fabio Aurelio, Jermaine Pennant, Luis Garcia, Peter Crouch and Jamie Carragher recalled.
The Reds got off to a perfect start when a slick passing move was finished off by a header from Crouch following a sublime cross from Aurelio.
Six minutes later, Pennant punished some slack defending from the 2000 Uefa Cup winners and crossed for Garcia to nod into an empty net.
The second half began in similar fashion with the hosts mounting a wave of attacks.
Crouch bagged his second on 51 minutes with a stunning over-head kick after controlling Steve Finnan's pinpoint cross.
But the visitors capitalised on a nervy display from Liverpool's defence to set-up a grandstand finish.
First, Arda Turan crossed for Karan who headed past the helpless Reina on 58 minutes.
Six minutes later, Sabri Sarioglu delivered a cross for Karan to sneak in between two defenders and head powerfully past Reina.
Galatasaray then had two chances in the final 15 minutes to complete an amazing comeback.
First the impressive Sarioglu struck the post with a low drive on 78 minutes.
Then, Karan came close to netting a hat-trick minutes later with another header which went narrowly over.
The win gives Liverpool four points from their first two matches and sees them tied with PSV Eindhoven at the top of Group C, after the Dutch champions beat French side Bordeaux 1-0 away from home.