Result: Liverpool 1 Debrecen 0

Wednesday 16 September 2009

Champions LeagueAnfield – Result

Liverpool 1 (Kuyt 45+1) – Debrecen 0

Post-match quotes:

Jamie Carragher: “We didn’t play well, we know that, just the 1-0 tonight, but we wanted to get a win as quick as we could to qualify from the group. It’s not our best performance but we got the result.”

Dirk Kuyt: “It was difficult to create chances. In the first half we should have scored more than one goal to make the game a lot easier. Like Jamie said, it’s not the best performance, but we got the clean sheet and won the game. That’s the most important thing in the first game. It doesn’t matter which position I play if I can be important for the team. I have played there before. Last year I played most of the time on the right, and this year most of the time behind Fernando. Maybe on Saturday it will be a different position, but that is up to the manager.”

Rafael Benitez: “We had three or four good chances and if we take our chances it would be easier. But it’s 1-0, and the most important thing is to get the three points. In the first half we had two or three very good chances and in the second half it’s the same. People didn’t know what to expect because they didn’t know the other team, but they showed they’re not bad.

“We have confidence and we are winning games now which is important for the players. To start the Champions League group stage with three points was always the most important thing and hopefully we’ll see better things in the next game. We had some chances, we didn’t take them and as a result we put ourselves under pressure at the end. It was a game against a side who were working hard and were well organised. We scored too late in the first-half, so it was more difficult and at the end of the game it was the same.

“We were in control in the first half and they didn’t have too many options. The difference was that we couldn’t score the second goal. But I am really pleased because in the end we won. They have good players and are well organised. We knew it could be difficult. I said before we’d have to see how they played against a top side and they showed they are a good team. We knew we had to score an early goal and change the game. We didn’t and if that happens the other team keeps working hard until the end.

“When you don’t have too much confidence like before, you need to win. But we are winning games in a row now. The problem is that if you play against this type of team at Anfield and don’t score early, they are going to press for every ball from the first minute and because of that it wasn’t easy.”

Debrecen coach Andras Herczeg: “We did our best and our performance gives us confidence for our next match.”

Liverpool: 25 Reina, 2 Johnson, 22 Insua, 23 Carragher, 37 Skrtel, 8 Gerrard (booked), 11 Riera (19 Babel 80), 15 Benayoun (20 Mascherano 87), 21 Lucas, 9 Torres, 18 Kuyt (12 Aurelio 90+2)
Subs: 1 Cavalieri, 12 Aurelio, 16 Kyrgiakos, 26 Spearing, 10 Voronin

Debrecen: 1 Poleksic, 10 Bodnar, 16 Komlosi, 21 Fodor (booked), 4 Leandro, 6 Ramos (86 Laczko 67), 17 Meszaros, 30 Kiss, 55 Szakaly (11 Feczesin 79), 77 Czvitkovics, 39 Coulibaly
Subs: 12 Pantic, 2 Szucs, 81 Katona, 22 Bernath, 41 Olah

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

Attendance: 41,591

Stats: (Liverpool – Debrecen)
Possession: 58% – 42%
Shots on target: 9 – 5
Shots off target: 15 – 6
Corners: 10 – 6
Fouls: 9 – 11

4 thoughts on “Result: Liverpool 1 Debrecen 0”

  1. Shock Horror! I was impressed with Babel tonight! He actually looked like he was up for it for a change!!! More of that Ryan!

    I suppose that the result is the main thing! I can’t praise Kuyt enough, even against Burnley (obviously Yossi gets the plaudits!) I thought he was superb in the first half and got the important second goal before half time.

    Great to see Masch and Fabio back! Need to keep winning, I’m already looking forward to the Chelsea game!

    I think Lucas has finally shaken off the “newbie” tag. I can’t fault his commitment and passing. Personally, I’d like to see more movement from him when we have the ball in our half i.e. not just stand beside the player with the ball, maybe find some space and at least drag the opposition away from the player with the ball. Anyway for a player of his age it’s never enough IMPROVE, IMPROVE, IMPROVE!!!!!

  2. I agree. Babel looked electric when he came on and for once we looked like a sub could change things, instead of the usual straight swap.

    Torres was again not in the game. He cant be blammed for this as the tactics employed by Benitez are clearly to blame. Torres constantly had two defenders on his back. Surely if old Benitez cant see that putting a second striker on the pitch (in an attacking role) would solve this problem immediately, one of his assistants can. Come on Rafa…

    Glen would make an out and out fantastic winger. With Aqualani on the other wing i think this gives food for thought. Fabio im sure could settle in nicely as a right back.

    Lucas is still very poor. Gerrard cannot advance and if watched carefully, you’ll find he is always looking over his shoulder trying to find Lucas. The confidence just aint there and its obvious to see that Gerrard does not trust this over rated player as far as he can throw him.

    3 points yes, good performance no.

    There is something not right with our team at the moment. Things are not flowing properly. Well done Ryan, more of that please.

    Again the atmosphere was poor at Anfield with the crowd being out sung on a European night.

    Big problems, no solutions. Same old story on the pitch. Good job we’ve got a genius in the bosses seat eh!

  3. Cantos, you are right about the big problems but there IS a solution!!
    Get rid of the ‘owners’ (THE CLUB IS OURS!!) and let’s see a consortium led by King Kenny, and some REAL money to invest and not merely theoretical dough in the form of massive loans!

    A world class team needs world class leadership…where’s the leadership once you leave the playing side of things?? What’s leadership when the club, OUR club, is being led in circles?? How long can someone live off the lottery of two penalty shoot outs?

  4. I agree. Babel looked electric when he came on and for once we looked like a sub could change things, instead of the usual straight swap.

    Torres was again not in the game. He cant be blammed for this as the tactics employed by Benitez are clearly to blame. Torres constantly had two defenders on his back. Surely if old Benitez cant see that putting a second striker on the pitch (in an attacking role) would solve this problem immediately, one of his assistants can. Come on Rafa…

    Glen would make an out and out fantastic winger. With Aqualani on the other wing i think this gives food for thought. Fabio im sure could settle in nicely as a right back.

    Lucas is still very poor. Gerrard cannot advance and if watched carefully, you’ll find he is always looking over his shoulder trying to find Lucas. The confidence just aint there and its obvious to see that Gerrard does not trust this over rated player as far as he can throw him.

    3 points yes, good performance no.

    There is something not right with our team at the moment. Things are not flowing properly. Well done Ryan, more of that please.

    Again the atmosphere was poor at Anfield with the crowd being out sung on a European night.

    Big problems, no solutions. Same old story on the pitch. Good job we’ve got a genius in the bosses seat eh!

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