Thursday Football
25 October 2007
by Jerrad Peters
LIVERPOOL's European campaign is hanging by a thread. The Reds are bottom of Champions' League Group A after three rounds, two losses, and a draw. The latest trip-up was a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Besiktas in Istanbul, yesterday. It was a far cry from their last visit to the Turkish city. Liverpool won the Champions' League at the Ataturk Stadium in 2005. Two and a half years later, Istanbul may have provided the setting for the pentultimate match of Liverpool's season once again. Even before the match, it was an incredible atmosphere; and one just got the feeling that something memorable was about to occur. As it happened, thousands of Besiktas supporters poured into the Inonu Stadium, singing and chanting, two hours ahead of kickoff. By the time the match began, it was electric. And the hosts did not disappoint. They had a reasonable penalty shout after just three minutes when Steve Finnan appeared to make hand contact with the ball inside the area. Still, it was less than a quarter-hour before the 32,000 on hand were thrown into raptures. After a botched clearing attempt by Javier Mascherano, Serdor Ozkan's shot was guided into the back of the net my Sami Hyypia. And while the score remained 1-0 until late in the second half, the introduction of Yossi Benayoun for the ineffective Jermaine Pennant temporarily breathed new life into the visitors. Mascherano's substition for Lucas after 76-minutes was somewhat more puzzling. So too the ommission of Peter Crouch. Neither Dirk Kuyt nor Andriy Voronin fashioned much in the way of an attack for Liverpool on the night. The job was completed in the 82nd-minute when Deivson Bobo doubled the scoreline for the hosts. Steven Gerrard pulled one back for Liverpool three minutes later; but it was too little, too late. And with just a single point from Porto, Marseille, and Besiktas, Liverpool bring up the rear of Group A and are four points adrift of second-place Marseille. In order to qualify for the Round of 16, they will almost certainly have to win each of their remaining three games, including the tricky journey to Stade Velodrome.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, apparently having watched some other match, offered his analysis after the final whistle. "I am really pleased with the team's performance," stated the Spaniard. "Their keeper played very well. He made 2 or 3 very difficult saves." He continued, "We tried everything to win; but I do think we played well."
Captain Steven Gerrard had a somewhat more realistic view of the challenge ahead. "It's the worst possible result," commented the under-fire midfielder. "We said we had a mountain to climb. We have a bigger one now."
Gary Megson is the new manager of Bolton Wanderers. The 48-year-old was Trotters chairman Phil Gartside's fourth-choice candidate behind each of Birmingham's Steven Bruce, Real Sociedad's Chris Coleman, and ex-Newcastle boss Graeme Souness. By signing a two-and-a-half year contract at Reebok Stadium, Megson brings to an end a tumultuous five weeks in charge at Leicester City. Handpicked by Foxes owner Milan Manderic to succeed Martin Allen, Megson's tenure at Walkers Stadium saw the club fall to second from bottom in the Championship. In actuality, Megson's 12-year managerial career has brought him to no less than eight clubs. His most successful stint was from 2000-2004 when he earned promotion to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion. On the flip-side, his one season at Nottingham Forest saw the once-mighty side relegated to League One. Still, Gartside is convinced that Megson is the man for Bolton. "He has the right temperament for a battle," stated the chairman, yesterday, "which this season is undoubtedly going to be." Mandaric, on the other hand, pulled no punches when describing the nature of Megson's departure from Leicester City. "Gary left me no choice last night when he informed me he wanted to leave Leicester and talk to the Premier League club," stated the Serb. "Bolton's interest was neither welcome nor invited." As a player, Megson was a journeyman midfielder. He enjoyed his most prodigious years at Sheffield Wednesday and also suited-up for the likes of Manchester City, Everton, and Norwich, among others.
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