Kuyt saves Liverpool's European campaign with late strike
Kuyt scored the vital winner at the end of extra-time
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Wednesday, 27, Aug 2008 11:09
Dirk Kuyt saved Liverpool's Champions League campaign with an extra-time winner to help the Reds beat Standard Liege 1-0 in the second leg of their qualifier at Anfield.
Liverpool had been poor in the first leg and that form continued in the second leg as the Belgian champions thwarted the danger posed by Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres.
However, as has happened in both of Liverpool's league games this season, a goal late in the game earned them a vital win.
Liege dominated the first 45 minutes and Liverpool were once again grateful to goalkeeper Pepe Reina for keeping them in the match.
He produced two excellent saves to deny Dieudonne Mbokani and Marouane Fellaini. The Spaniard pushed away Mbokani shot from the edge of the area and was also able to fend off Fellaini's volley ten minutes later.
At the other end Keane's miss-hit shot and Xabi Alonso's drive from distance was the best the home side could create.
Just before the break Liege midfielder Marcos Camozzato tried his luck from long-range but his shot fizzed wide.
Liverpool seemed to be concentrating their attacks through the middle of the park too much and that allowed Liege to get men behind the ball.
Despite their success in the first half the Belgian side spent much of the second 45 minutes content to play on the counter-attack.
Due to this the Reds found them hard to break down and chances were at a premium. Kuyt headed wide from a corner but the home side could not create a clear-cut chance from open play.
Ryan Babel came on in extra-time and that gave Liverpool a boost. They looked the side most likely to score during the extra half-hour but just as the game seemed to be heading inexorably to penalties it sprung to life.
First Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu appeared to have brought down Liverpool substitute Nabil El Zhar only for the referee to play on.
Then, with three minutes of extra-time remaining, Kuyt broke Liege's stubborn resistance. Babel provided the cross and Kuyt was on hand at the far post to tuck the ball away from three yards out.
Liverpool will now hope to repeat their success of 2005 when they came through the qualifying rounds to eventually win the Champions League.