Liverpool sneak into Champions League
Rafael Benitez saw his side make it through to the Champions League proper on a nervy night in Kiev
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Tuesday, 22, Aug 2006 09:55
A 1-1 draw was enough to take Liverpool through a nervy away leg against Maccabi Haifa and secure their place in the Champions League proper.
After manager Rafael Benitez's interrogation by Israeli journalists in the build-up to the game it was clear that the Reds would be in for a cagey encounter in Kiev.
And so it proved with the Israeli champions having a Yanov Katan goal ruled out for offside in a tight first half.
Though for the most part Liverpool, with captain Steven Gerrard consigned to the bench by a stomach upset, enjoyed the pick of the chances before the break.
Luis Garcia twice saw Nir Davidovitch deny him at close range with superb instinctive saves, while Xabi Alonso threatened from further out; sending a 25-yarder whistling inches wide of the upright.
With a 1-0 victory enough to take Maccabi Haifa through on away goals, Peter Crouch's headed goal just after the interval lifted a good deal of the pressure from the Merseysiders.
Jermaine Pennant was the provider, skipping clear of left-back Haim Magralishvili before placing a near-post cross on the forehead of the giant striker.
However any hopes of Liverpool playing out the tie at their leisure evaporated as Roberto Colautti pounced on a loose ball after Jose Reina was unable to hold Xavier Anderson's shot.
It was Colautti who came closest to sending the game into extra time with a dipping effort that Reina was at full stretch to palm away.
But ultimately Liverpool hung on to guarantee their place in Thursday's draw for the first group stage of Europe's premier club competition.