Injury-time penalty saves Liverpool
Gerrard rescued Liverpool with a highly dubious penalty
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Tuesday, 04, Nov 2008 10:28
Liverpool needed an injury-time penalty from captain Steven Gerrard to gain 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
On the balance of play it was no more than Rafa Benitez's men deserved, although the decision to award the penalty was a highly dubious one.
Liverpool looked set to be on the receiving end of their second defeat in three days when Gerrard seemed to collide with Atletico defender Luis Perea.
Referee Martin Hansson pointed to the spot, and Gerrard tucked it away to give the home side a share of the points.
The visitors had taken a well earned lead in the first-half through Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez.
Rodriguez took an Antonio Lopez pass perfectly in his stride before firing a right-footed shot past Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.
Earlier Robbie Keane put an 18-yard volley just wide, while Simao Sabrosa should have done better when he put a left-footed volley high into the Kop.
Keane missed a great chance to equalise when he rounded Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco but couldn't finish after creating a difficult opportunity for himself.
Liverpool piled on the pressure in the second-half and should have been awarded a penalty when Perea handled in the area.
Daniel Agger put a header just over the bar from Gerrard free-kick, and while Gerrard fired over from ten yards after some impressive build up play involving Keane.
Agger went close again, but Atletico seemed to be heading for a famous victory before the referee awarded the injury time penalty.
The result leaves Liverpool still on top of the group, ahead of Atletico on goal difference.