| Liverpool conceded an injury-time goal which puts their Champions
League future in grave doubt.
An injury-ravaged home side had produced a display of spirit and
effort which did not deserve to see them finish as losers. But they
have now lost four games in succession for the first time since
1987 as their season plunges into despair.
Captain Steven Gerrard's groin problem forced him off in the first
half, as Liverpool lost this Group E match to a side who now top
the group with nine points. Liverpool led at the break through Yossi
Benayoun, but Lyon slowly edged their way towards victory with goals
from substitutes Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado.
An air of nervous tension hung over Anfield, such were the levels
of distress from fans unused to their side losing with such regularity.
The beach-ball embarrassment of the defeat at Sunderland just about
summed up Liverpool's indifferent season. Their form has been poor,
a situation made worse by having their squad systematically deprived
of its best players. Fernando Torres was again out, while Glen Johnson
was missing with a groin injury. At least Gerrard was back - but
that lasted only 25 minutes.
Teenager Martin Kelly, Whiston-born and academy produced, made
his full debut at right-back, having had just a handful of minutes
prior to this as a late substitute against PSV Eindhoven in Holland
last December in this competition. Facing them were a clever, experienced
team - full of neat passing, solid possession and pacy movement
which threatened a fragile Liverpool.
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