Liverpool 8, Besiktas 0 - post match analysis

Nov 7 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Benitez’s side had threatened even before going ahead, Voronin dragging Crouch’s knockdown wide, Crouch off target from a John Arne Riise cross and Benayoun hitting the outside of a post after good work from Javier Mascherano and Arbeloa.

Spurred by his strike, Crouch flashed an ambitious volley across the face and Riise’s header was cleared off the line by Uzulmez from a corner by the impressive Aurelio.

The lead was eventually doubled on 32 minutes when Riise’s long throw down the left found Voronin, who cut inside and waited for reinforcements before picking out Benayoun at the far post, the Israeli taking one touch to control possession before lashing a volley beyond Arikan for Liverpool’s 500th goal in European competition.

Television replays suggested the initial throw-in should have been awarded to Besiktas. But given the fortunate nature of their opener a fortnight ago, the visitors couldn’t quibble about a lack of luck.

Crouch was denied by a fine block from Koray Avci as Liverpool ended the half in total control, a grip that was tightened eight minutes after the interval.

Again Voronin and Riise were instrumental down the left, the Ukrainian feeding his Norwegian team-mate to hit a trademark rasping left-foot shot that Arikan beat out straight to Benayoun, who tapped home.

And the Israeli capitalised on another keeper error three minutes later to complete his hat-trick after Arikan had feebly spilled Gerrard’s low free-kick.

Besiktas substitute Ali Tandogan was lucky to escape with a clear handball shortly afterwards as the visitors lost heart, Arikan redeeming himself slightly with saves in quick succession to deny Gerrard and substitute Babel.

Gerrard, though, wasn’t to be denied his goal which arrived in magnificent fashion on 69 minutes. Racing on to a clever Mascherano pass on the halfway line, the skipper burst forward, exchanged passes with Voronin and lashed a shot that deflected off Diatta past Arikan.

Benayoun turned provider in the 78th minute, taking a pass from Lucas and rolling the ball across the area for Babel to flick nonchalantly home off the back of his foot.

Babel’s second goal three minutes later was somewhat less intended, Toraman belting his clearance against the Dutchman with the ball looping over Arikan, who by now, like most of the Besiktas team, had given up.

Babel was then a crossbar’s width away from a quickfire treble after heading Harry Kewell’s cross and, with a minute remaining, Benayoun found Crouch to head home his second and Liverpool’s eighth.

Referee Markus Merk put Besiktas out of their misery by deciding not to add on any injury time.

But by then, Liverpool had ensured they will have extra time to extend their Champions League campaign.

Match Facts

MAN OF THE MATCH: Yossi Benayoun. Several players could have claimed the award, but the hat-trick hero deserves the nod.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio ( Babel 63); Benayoun, Gerrard (Lucas 72), Mascherano, Riise; Voronin (Kewell 72), Crouch. Subs: Martin, Finnan, Kuyt, Torres.

GOALS: Crouch 19, 89, Benayoun 32, 53, 56, Gerrard 69, Babel 78, 81

BESIKTAS (4-2-3-1): Arikan; Kurtulus (Higuain 62), Diatta, Toraman, Uzulmez; Avci, Cisse; Ozkan (Tandogan 46), Delgado, Sedef (Ricardinho 78); Bobo. Subs: Recber, Yozgatli, Kas, Karadeniz. BOOKING: Ozkan (unsporting behaviour).

REFEREE: Markus Merk (Germany).

ATT: 41,143.

NEXT GAME: Liverpool v Fulham, Barclays Premier League, Saturday 5.15pm.