Ligue des Champions 2004 2005 Liverpool Bayer Leverkusen Aller Retour

 Huitieme de Finale Aller

22 fevrier 2005

Anfield 

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Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Biscan, Riise (Smicer 89), Kewell (Le Tallec 77), Baros (Potter 85).
Bayer Leverkusen: Butt, Schneider, Callsen-Bracker, Juan, Placente, Ramelow, Freier (Bierofka 83), Ponte (Donovan 69), Krzynowek, Berbatov, 

 

 

Liverpool are not a one-man team, of course, but the impact of their captain Gerrard cannot be understated. Since Rafael Benitez took charge in the summer, Gerrard’s all-round game has added maturity, not to mention goals – nine so far

The two Spaniards signed, Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia, are top players – although Alonso is set to miss the rest of the season through injury. Sami Hyypia has found a new partner in Jamie Carragher, while Milan Baros is a willing runner up front. Dietmar Hamann is a vital part of the side, too. But there were still worries about how Gerrard’s absence would affect the side. It didn’t take long for those to subside. Garcia and Baros combined well, Igor Biscan was a driving force, John Arne Riise was tireless down the left-hand side. There were moments of individual excellence, but this was a real team effort. In Gerrard, the Reds have a player who could become one of the all-time greats. But what Benitez has ensured is how the other 10 are more than worth the sum of their parts. In the absence of Gerrard, that became 11 and it showed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huitieme de Finale Retour

Bay Arena Leverkusen

9 mars 2005

 

 

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The average age of Liverpool’s squad was over 27 years old, a surefire sign of how experience will serve well in this competition. Of the starting 11, nine have played Champions League football before this season – with Steve Finnan and Milan Baros the only two who haven’t.

But from the bench came Anthony Le Tallec and Darren Potter, two players under 21 but with different paths to get where they are. Le Tallec, plucked from Le Havre, finally got his chance under Benitez in his first appearance under the Spaniard. Potter, meanwhile, has been a regular in the squad this season. The two did well when they came on, playing with patience and intelligence. Le Tallec’s burst of pace is a real problem for defenders and Potter is a controlling midfielder, one who will work well in continental competition.

There’s enough nous in the Reds squad, but these two could bring that energetic sparkle of youth – both domestically and in Europe for years to come. 

 

 

It’s been a tricky start to Benitez’s first domestic season at Anfield. Out of the FA Cup in ludicrous circumstances and with recent defeats to Southampton and Birmingham still annoying, the Champions League was meant to be the perfect antidote for home ills.

This, it was said, would be the competition to keep Benitez’s head above water.