Liverpool’s early season good form is ebbing as the matches coming thick and fast. This season The English Premiership title might be the most preferred competition for Rafael Benitez’s side but the prospect of another UEFA Champions League success won’t be out of their mind. But if Liverpool’s performance against Besiktas on Wednesday is to taken in account, then the Reds are in serious danger of missing out on the knockout stages this season.
After their 2-1 defeat to the Turkish side in Istanbul on Wednesday in a Group A encounter, the Merseyside club are sitting at the bottom of their group with just 1 point from 3 matches. Liverpool have now lost twice in as many matches in Europe and are 6 points off top spot.
Against Besiktas in Istanbul on Wednesday, Rafael Benitez’s tactics failed to work and Liverpool’s otherwise strong defence was ripped apart by the opposition. It’s never easy for a European club to go to Istanbul and come away with a win and Liverpool’s task was made harder by a 13th minute own goal by Sami Hyppia. From that moment, Liverpool lost the initiative and Besiktas piled on the pressure.
The host went 2-0 ahead in the 81st minute thanks to a strike from the Brazilian striker Bobo and although Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored a header off a brilliant Peter Crouch supply 5 minutes from the end to set a thrilling finale but it was too little, too late for the Reds.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez though remains optimistic despite this defeat. But it is obvious to all that in the first three matches in the Champions League this season, the Spaniard’s tactics have failed. His side was lucky to have returned home with a draw at FC Porto in the opening game but the shock home defeat to Marseille and now this away loss to Besiktas are firm indicators that the Premiership outfits need to improve their game in Europe. Or else last year’s beaten Champions League finalists may not even qualify for the knockout stages this time.
Image Source: ChinaDaily
Source: The Independent, UK
