An own goal by defender Jorge Andrade gave Liverpool a valuable 1-0 win over a toothless Deportivo Coruna at the Riazor in a Champions League Group A match on Wednesday.
The Portuguese centre back turned the ball into his own net in the 14th minute under pressure from Liverpool striker Milan Baros after Norwegian midfielder John Arne Riise had swept in a low cross from the left.
Depor, who had not scored in any of their previous group matches, threw men forward in search of the equaliser but were unable to break down the powerful Liverpool back four.
The result leaves Liverpool in second place in the group, level on seven points with leaders Olympiakos, who beat Monaco 1-0 at home.
Depor, who reached the semi-finals last season, are rooted to the bottom of the table on two points and now have little chance of making it to the next phase.
Liverpool had a gilt-edged opportunity to snatch the lead straight from the kickoff when Milan Baros beat the offside trap and found himself alone in front of goal, but Depor keeper Jose Molina reacted sharply to smother the ball as he entered the area.
Depor responded well to the early shock and quickly got control of the ball in midfield with Victor making several dangerous forays down the right flank and Sergio lashing wide from the right-hand-side of the box.
But the Liverpool back four, marshalled by the outstanding Sami Hyypia, refused to give ground and frustrated Depor's attempts to get into the area.
POWERFUL PLAY
The visitors gradually grew in confidence and took the lead on 14 minutes
The Croatian shrugged off several challenges as he strode forward towards the Depor area, pushed the ball out wide to Riise on the left and the Norwegian's cross was turned into the net by Andrade as he was pressured by the waiting Baros.
The Galicians flooded forward in search of the equaliser, but they never managed to cause serious problems for the well-oiled Liverpool back four.
And it was the Merseysiders who came closest to scoring another before the break.
Riise had a double chance after he had powered into the area, but his first shot was blocked by Molina and his second was cleared off the line by Andrade.
Dietmar Hamman nearly scored a wondergoal on the stroke of halftime when he tried a monster shot from 40 metres out on the left after spotting Molina off his line, but the Depor keeper managed to recover his position and turn the ball over the bar.
Depor put Liverpool under more pressure after the break and had several good chances in the opening 10 minutes, substitute Pablo Amo headed just wide of the far post after an Albert Luque free kick and Juan Carlos Valeron skimmed the bar moments later.
Depor coach Javier Irureta sent on Diego Tristan in place of Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani just before the hour, but Jamie Carragher and Hyypia gave the Spaniard little room for manoeuvre.
Liverpool had a final chance to stretch their lead seven minutes from time when Luis Garcia was put clear by Baros, but the former Barcelona forward fluffed his chance when he lost control of the ball as he neared Molina.
© 2024 Rediff.com -