Real Betis against Liverpool

The ninety minutes are up but don't relax just yet. A staggering five minutes of stoppage time has been found from somewhere. Can Betis make use of it?

Capi tries his luck from distance but has none. Reina is in no rush at all to take the resulting goal-kick.

Garcia who continues to look busy and willing uses his head in just holding up the ball in the face of a couple of challenges to earn his side a throw in and some respite.

From the right hand side of goal the Brazilian enacted a trademark up and over with no shortage of fizz but Reina is lively on his toes and moves across to snatch the goalbound shot to his chest. Panic over.

Hyypia again sold into giving away a free-kick in Assuncao country. Danger lurks here.

Liverpool's turn to come forward for a change but Riise's final pass is poor when he had options. Sensing danger Garcia puts the boot in to concede a goal-kick. More time used up.

Betis continue to dominate possession but, fearful or repetition, Liverpool's massed ranks are proving to resolute a lock to unpick.

Bit of relief for Liverpool as a long ball forward finds Cisse well offside. relief I say as it eats up a bit of the clock and gives the backline - which is virtually 10 men strong - a bit of a rest.

Wonderful ball out wide from Assuncao is taken down beautifully by Joaquin who drives into the box where Liverpool players show prudent reluctance to attempt a tackle. The cross is deflected and the angle at the end for the shot is too tight.

Joaquin gets up a head of steam and knocks the ball past Sissoko before throwing himself over a none existent challenge to 'earn' a free-kick. Hang your sunken-eyed head in shame young man.

Liverpool really filling any available space in their own third which is giving Betis the opportunity to send balls into the box but they are, as yet, finding little in the way of chances from it.

Joaquin, who really hasn't been enough of a presence in this game as his team needed, gets the ball at his feet, advances and lets fly from distance but Reina is untroubled.

Liverpool follow suit on the substitutions front by playing their third and possibly trump card. Pongolle leaves us and, rather later than expected, Gerrard arrives.

A lot of Betis' play coming down the left now. Capi spins on a Euro and sends over an inviting cross that is punched clear by Reina only as far as Joaquin who fluffs his attempted volley.

Betis make their third and final substitution as goalscorer Arzu retreats and a deafening roar greets the clearly very popular and wonderfully named Jesus Capi.

Reina forced to take no chances with a high ball and turns it over for a corner under no pressure. Corner isn't great but prompts forlorne appeals for handball from that mischievous little scamp Dani. Referee is unmoved.

Riise, Garcia and Cisse cause problems from Betis but the former's eventual shot lacks any bite and is collected with ease by Doblas.

Loose kick from Reina turns possession over and invites Betis back on to the visitors.

Melli, up for a corner, challenges Josemi and one of the many Spaniards in red is down in some pain (or wasting a bit of time needlessly, depending on how cynical you are).

John Arne Riise comes on in a straight swap with Zenden but his extra zeal in defensive duties tells you what you need to know about Liverpool's plans and the pattern of the game that stretches out before us. Hold tight, Liverpool are going to defend this lead to the death and hope to exploit Cisse's pace on the break.

Liverpool sitting deep and crowding out space in their own half when the ball is up the other end and in the possession of the Spanish.

First signs of malice and argy bargy follows an injury to Lopez from the unwitting studs of Pongolle. The Betis players are angered that Garcia did not put the ball out but it blows over as quickly as it starts. Betis reduced to 10 for half a minute.

Great holding play from Oliveira as he collects anothe rlong pass and holds off two Liverpool challengers before releasing the ball wide left but the cross is not of the same standard.

Rumours from the touchline suggest it won't be long before we see Steven Gerrad. The sooner the better for Liverpool on this evidence. Betis with the bit between the teeth now.

Pongolle tries to twist and turn in the Betis box but he is artfully robbed by the imposing Lopez.

Arzu pings a smart ball forward that Oliveira gets on to but the angle he is forced to run to collect means his first time shot is at best hopeful.

And now the change comes. Off goes Peter Crouch under the watchful (and wandering) eye of England boss Sevn Goran Eriksson. On comes Cisse.

Liverpool, clearly rattled, have Cisse warming up ready for his swift introduction.

Dani - nothing if not consitently reliable - tries for a penalty by leaping over Traore's legs by the touchline but all his theatrics (7.5 for this one) earn is a free-kick just outside the area that comes to nought.

Betis have the ball and what was aimless passing at the back has been transformed into decent approach play. Another free-kick, wide on the left level with the penalty spot fails to find a green shirt but the signs are good.

A renewed impetus and energy from what was presumably a half-time roasting from the manager along with the introduction of Xisco has changed this match completely.

And expectation quickly turns into something concrete. A fantastic trough ball from Dani is pounched on by the fast breaking Arzu as Hyypia hopelessly tries to cut it out and a calm finish through Reina's legs puts Betis very much back in the game.

Bit of bite to the early exchanges in the second half has raised the noise levels and expectations.

The reaction of the Betis fans - all smiles and hugs - speaks volumes as to the Braxilian's prowess from here. Up he steps and a firmly struck dipping shot goes up and over the wall but it is well held by Reina who, it is worth noting, is one of the few Spanish keepers never to have been beaten by Assuncao from a free-kick.

This is interesting. A Carragher foul on Danni (a foul worthy of the yellow card he is given) gives Assuncao a first sight of goal from a dead ball, dead centre about 30 yards out.

Xisco gets invloved early latching on to a long diagonal ball but Josemi's untidy challenge prevents him making any capital out of it as the balls drifts off for a goal-kick.

With that in mind off goes centre-back Juanito - another Liverpool target this summer - to be replaced by attacking midfield player Munoz Xisco.

It is customary now to mention that 'Liverpool of all people' know that the second half of a match sometimes bears little comparison with that which went before but Betis start the second half with a lot to do to turn this around.

Yet for all that, the home team have been presented with a couple of opportunities that they have not made the most of. Joaquin is being muscled out of the game so Betis match winners need to come from elsewhere. The need to push forward, however, should be tempered by the fact they are leaving space for Livepool to exploit; a third would kill any hope they have of a recovery.

The perfect start for Liverpool has been followed up with some resolute and disciplined defending that Betis have not got to grips with at all. Dispirited and on the back foot they are foced to take the initiative but have been found short of ideas. Sissoko has been a rock for Liverpool after Pongolle's pace and belief had put Liverpool on top.

Assuncao - the best free-kick taker currently playing for my money - takes one that is too far out even for him to try for goal. A chipped ball into the box is dealt with by the Liverpool back line and, with that, the half comes to an end.

Long throw aimed at Crouch is easily defended and Betis break with Joaquin who again courts the attention of a pair of red shirted destroyers; Sissoko out muscles him and is having a great game in what I believe is called the 'Makelele role' in modern footballing parlance.

Wonderful skills from Joaquin, finally getting some joy on the right. After breaking clear of Traore and Garcia he simply ghosts past Hyypia before an intelligent cut back narrowly fails to find a team-mate.

Free-kick causes a moments panic at the back for Liverpool and a volley shot as the ball breaks out ripples the side netting.

Dani settles in early with a pretty routine tumble over Hyypia's barely outstretched leg. A poor 6.5 for that (just the two tumbles and no pike).

Betis really need to stop wasting possession with stupid long balls trying to cut out the liverpool midfield. They just don't have the aerial presence or, for the time being, the accuracy to do it.

Joaquin shows his team's frustrations by appealing for a throw that was never in his favour.

Liverpool dead ball out on the right high up the pitch after a nothing sort of challenge on Garcia. Whipped in by Alonso but straight into the keeper's grateful hands.

A chance for Betis as a clever ball puts Assuncao in on the left hand channel. A powerful driven shot but Reina was out of his goal like a whippet and blocks at close range.

But will this change things? Off goes the attacking midfield player Fernando to be replaced by an out and out chea... sorry, I mean striker in Dani (goes down easily for a small man).

Betis are desperately looking for width but are taking so long about it that Liverpool are simply able to move across as a solid unit and deny the space. Only one result on the cards at the moment.

Liverpool are being first to every ball in the middle of the pitch with Sissoko and Zenden in particular working tirelessly.

Betis are already preparing a substitution which perhaps shows how they feel the night is going.

Promising situation for Oliveira is rightly pulled up for offfside.

Pongolle drifts across from right to left exchanging passes with Crouch and Zenden before letting fly with a shot that Doblas is more confident about leaving than I would have been. It goes wide which perhaps shows why he is a top class goalkkeper and I am not.

Betis looking more lively but with their backline pushed high up the field they are in danger of giving away a huge amount of space in front of their own goal. Liverpool just sit in numbers and say 'come and have a go' until the Spanirds get bored and waste possession with punts forward. The visitors must be feeling smugly satisfied with how things are going.

Betis go close to getting one back. A corner is returned out then back in where a hooked volley spins the ball into a melee of bodies. when the dust has settled the ball is in Reina's hands on the goal-line.

Messy passage of midfield play is ended with a lob forward for Liverpool. Dobias comes racing out of his goal a la David James but uses his head, literally to clear.

Joaquin switches to the right to see if he can get any joy over there.

Other group G news - Chelsea have just taken a lead through Frank Lampard (with a helping hand, or not as the case may be, from the Anderlecht goalkeper).

Another well crafter Liverpool passing move down the left almost puts Pongolle in again but a last ditch tackle from Lopez averts danger.

A first sighting of the blistering skills of Oliveira. The Brazilian leaves Hyypia for dead on the edge of the box before a thunderous left footed strike that Reina does well to parry firmly away.

Sharp turn from Pongolle is followed up by an overhit pass aimed at Garcia.

Loose pass from Melli is intended for Fernando but he leaves it and the ball rolls out for a throw. The home fans voice their displeasure. A bad sign this early on.

Betis look a little rattled, understandably and, one chance aside, haven't threatened much yet.

Hyypia gives away a free-kick out on the left which is swung in to a crowded box to little effect. Carragher and Hyypia can deal with hopeful high balls all day and all night.

In 15 minutes of Champions League (the proper stuff) Liverpool have scored twice as many goals as they have in the Premiership all season.

Peter Crouch, showing a great touch for a big man (unavoidable, sorry), holds up possession, dummies a cross before sliding a cute pass inside the Betis defence to Zenden whos low cross is met by Garcia and it's 2-0 Liverpool. Nothing muxh of a game so far but an explosive start for Liverpool none the less.

Joaquin - who Betis look to for inspiration as often as is possible - is being crowded out every time he gets possession. Could it be Pongolle's pace down that side of the pitch (the Betis left) that has earned him his start?

Betis pass the ball across the full width of their defence unhurried before a hopeful ball is lobbed up to the grateful Hyypia. They will need to do better than that.

Another promising move for Betis is halted by the untidy but effective Traore.

That has lifted the stunned home fans and their is a lively atmosphere now.

Glorious chance for parity. Great defence splitting angled pass puts Fernando in on goal but he wants to take an age to pick his spot and Traore slides in and 'does enough to put him off.' Reina makes a comfortable save from a poor shot. Wasted opportunity.

For the neatral, an early goal for Liverpool is probably not the best thing that could have happened to this game with their habit of closing out away games in Europe, but let's see what Betis are made of.

Pongolle is lifted already and finds Garcia in the box with a dinked pass but nothing comes of it.

A first Champions League start and a goal inside 90 seconds for Pongolle. A master stroke from Benitez. Blockbuster Sinama!

And he was wise to do so. Another high ball causes confusion, Crouch and pongolle seem to have got in each others way until a touch from the big man tees up his team-mate for a deft lob from the edge of the area that embarrasses Dobias in the Betis goal. 1-0 to the champions.

Early Liverpool free-kick in their own half is launched forward, aiming for Crouch no doubt, but it falls to Pongolle who resists the temptation to shoot and lays it back.

The sartorial toe-to-toe at the exchanging of pendants goes the Spaniards way with a their striking green and white. Liverpool's classic all red carries some style but they have decided to make their numbers all gold. It does not glitter.

Will Crouch be walking tall - I promise to keep such lazy journalism to an absolute minimum but excuse me the occasional lapse - or will Joaquin have the last laugh? Join us in five minutes time to find out.

Liverpool made liars of many a pundit last season but face an early test in Spain and Benitez would undoubtedly be happy with a draw but should the home side get an early goal this promises to be a very entertaining match; despite Liverpool's attacking threat reading an unlikely triumvirate of Crouch, Garcia, Pongolle.

Joaquin, who Liverpool tried to buy until a heavy price tag with the numer 40 and the word Euro on it was hung around the talented winger's neck, is passed fit for Betis. Good news. Less so is that which sees midfielder Alberto Rivera and defender Luis Fernandez out, both injured. Last season's top scoerer Ricardo Oliveira will lead the line.

The big team news surrounds the omission of Steven Gerrard from the starting line up; he is on bench duties with Benitez concerned about a slight niggle picked up on England duty (a severe case of shame no doubt). Florent Sinima-Pongolle also starts along with Luis Garcia meaning no place for the seemingly unloved Djibril Cisse. Peter Crouch - good touch for a...etc - makes his Champions League bow.

Reigning European champions Liverpool travel to the Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera needing Rafa Benitez to use all his local knowledge to overcome a talented attacking side in Real Betis, fourth in La Liga last season.

Riise, Garcia and Cisse cause problems from Betis but the former's eventual shot lacks any bite and is collected with ease by Doblas.

Loose kick from Reina turns possession over and invites Betis back on to the visitors.

Melli, up for a corner, challenges Josemi and one of the many Spaniards in red is down in some pain (or wasting a bit of time needlessly, depending on how cynical you are).

John Arne Riise comes on in a straight swap with Zenden but his extra zeal in defensive duties tells you what you need to know about Liverpool's plans and the pattern of the game that stretches out before us. Hold tight, Liverpool are going to defend this lead to the death and hope to exploit Cisse's pace on the break.

Liverpool sitting deep and crowding out space in their own half when the ball is up the other end and in the possession of the Spanish.

First signs of malice and argy bargy follows an injury to Lopez from the unwitting studs of Pongolle. The Betis players are angered that Garcia did not put the ball out but it blows over as quickly as it starts. Betis reduced to 10 for half a minute.

Great holding play from Oliveira as he collects anothe rlong pass and holds off two Liverpool challengers before releasing the ball wide left but the cross is not of the same standard.

Rumours from the touchline suggest it won't be long before we see Steven Gerrad. The sooner the better for Liverpool on this evidence. Betis with the bit between the teeth now.

Pongolle tries to twist and turn in the Betis box but he is artfully robbed by the imposing Lopez.

Arzu pings a smart ball forward that Oliveira gets on to but the angle he is forced to run to collect means his first time shot is at best hopeful.

And now the change comes. Off goes Peter Crouch under the watchful (and wandering) eye of England boss Sevn Goran Eriksson. On comes Cisse.

Liverpool, clearly rattled, have Cisse warming up ready for his swift introduction.

Dani - nothing if not consitently reliable - tries for a penalty by leaping over Traore's legs by the touchline but all his theatrics (7.5 for this one) earn is a free-kick just outside the area that comes to nought.

Betis have the ball and what was aimless passing at the back has been transformed into decent approach play. Another free-kick, wide on the left level with the penalty spot fails to find a green shirt but the signs are good.

A renewed impetus and energy from what was presumably a half-time roasting from the manager along with the introduction of Xisco has changed this match completely.

And expectation quickly turns into something concrete. A fantastic trough ball from Dani is pounched on by the fast breaking Arzu as Hyypia hopelessly tries to cut it out and a calm finish through Reina's legs puts Betis very much back in the game.

Bit of bite to the early exchanges in the second half has raised the noise levels and expectations.

The reaction of the Betis fans - all smiles and hugs - speaks volumes as to the Braxilian's prowess from here. Up he steps and a firmly struck dipping shot goes up and over the wall but it is well held by Reina who, it is worth noting, is one of the few Spanish keepers never to have been beaten by Assuncao from a free-kick.

This is interesting. A Carragher foul on Danni (a foul worthy of the yellow card he is given) gives Assuncao a first sight of goal from a dead ball, dead centre about 30 yards out.

Xisco gets invloved early latching on to a long diagonal ball but Josemi's untidy challenge prevents him making any capital out of it as the balls drifts off for a goal-kick.

With that in mind off goes centre-back Juanito - another Liverpool target this summer - to be replaced by attacking midfield player Munoz Xisco.

It is customary now to mention that 'Liverpool of all people' know that the second half of a match sometimes bears little comparison with that which went before but Betis start the second half with a lot to do to turn this around.

Yet for all that, the home team have been presented with a couple of opportunities that they have not made the most of. Joaquin is being muscled out of the game so Betis match winners need to come from elsewhere. The need to push forward, however, should be tempered by the fact they are leaving space for Livepool to exploit; a third would kill any hope they have of a recovery.

The perfect start for Liverpool has been followed up with some resolute and disciplined defending that Betis have not got to grips with at all. Dispirited and on the back foot they are foced to take the initiative but have been found short of ideas. Sissoko has been a rock for Liverpool after Pongolle's pace and belief had put Liverpool on top.

Assuncao - the best free-kick taker currently playing for my money - takes one that is too far out even for him to try for goal. A chipped ball into the box is dealt with by the Liverpool back line and, with that, the half comes to an end.

Long throw aimed at Crouch is easily defended and Betis break with Joaquin who again courts the attention of a pair of red shirted destroyers; Sissoko out muscles him and is having a great game in what I believe is called the 'Makelele role' in modern footballing parlance.

Wonderful skills from Joaquin, finally getting some joy on the right. After breaking clear of Traore and Garcia he simply ghosts past Hyypia before an intelligent cut back narrowly fails to find a team-mate.

Free-kick causes a moments panic at the back for Liverpool and a volley shot as the ball breaks out ripples the side netting.

Dani settles in early with a pretty routine tumble over Hyypia's barely outstretched leg. A poor 6.5 for that (just the two tumbles and no pike).

Betis really need to stop wasting possession with stupid long balls trying to cut out the liverpool midfield. They just don't have the aerial presence or, for the time being, the accuracy to do it.

Joaquin shows his team's frustrations by appealing for a throw that was never in his favour.

Liverpool dead ball out on the right high up the pitch after a nothing sort of challenge on Garcia. Whipped in by Alonso but straight into the keeper's grateful hands.

A chance for Betis as a clever ball puts Assuncao in on the left hand channel. A powerful driven shot but Reina was out of his goal like a whippet and blocks at close range.

But will this change things? Off goes the attacking midfield player Fernando to be replaced by an out and out chea... sorry, I mean striker in Dani (goes down easily for a small man).

Betis are desperately looking for width but are taking so long about it that Liverpool are simply able to move across as a solid unit and deny the space. Only one result on the cards at the moment.

Liverpool are being first to every ball in the middle of the pitch with Sissoko and Zenden in particular working tirelessly.

Betis are already preparing a substitution which perhaps shows how they feel the night is going.

Promising situation for Oliveira is rightly pulled up for offfside.

Pongolle drifts across from right to left exchanging passes with Crouch and Zenden before letting fly with a shot that Doblas is more confident about leaving than I would have been. It goes wide which perhaps shows why he is a top class goalkkeper and I am not.

Betis looking more lively but with their backline pushed high up the field they are in danger of giving away a huge amount of space in front of their own goal. Liverpool just sit in numbers and say 'come and have a go' until the Spanirds get bored and waste possession with punts forward. The visitors must be feeling smugly satisfied with how things are going.

Betis go close to getting one back. A corner is returned out then back in where a hooked volley spins the ball into a melee of bodies. when the dust has settled the ball is in Reina's hands on the goal-line.

Messy passage of midfield play is ended with a lob forward for Liverpool. Dobias comes racing out of his goal a la David James but uses his head, literally to clear.

Joaquin switches to the right to see if he can get any joy over there.

Other group G news - Chelsea have just taken a lead through Frank Lampard (with a helping hand, or not as the case may be, from the Anderlecht goalkeper).

Another well crafter Liverpool passing move down the left almost puts Pongolle in again but a last ditch tackle from Lopez averts danger.

A first sighting of the blistering skills of Oliveira. The Brazilian leaves Hyypia for dead on the edge of the box before a thunderous left footed strike that Reina does well to parry firmly away.

Sharp turn from Pongolle is followed up by an overhit pass aimed at Garcia.

Loose pass from Melli is intended for Fernando but he leaves it and the ball rolls out for a throw. The home fans voice their displeasure. A bad sign this early on.

Betis look a little rattled, understandably and, one chance aside, haven't threatened much yet.

Hyypia gives away a free-kick out on the left which is swung in to a crowded box to little effect. Carragher and Hyypia can deal with hopeful high balls all day and all night.

In 15 minutes of Champions League (the proper stuff) Liverpool have scored twice as many goals as they have in the Premiership all season.

Peter Crouch, showing a great touch for a big man (unavoidable, sorry), holds up possession, dummies a cross before sliding a cute pass inside the Betis defence to Zenden whos low cross is met by Garcia and it's 2-0 Liverpool. Nothing muxh of a game so far but an explosive start for Liverpool none the less.

Joaquin - who Betis look to for inspiration as often as is possible - is being crowded out every time he gets possession. Could it be Pongolle's pace down that side of the pitch (the Betis left) that has earned him his start?

Betis pass the ball across the full width of their defence unhurried before a hopeful ball is lobbed up to the grateful Hyypia. They will need to do better than that.

Another promising move for Betis is halted by the untidy but effective Traore.

That has lifted the stunned home fans and their is a lively atmosphere now.

Glorious chance for parity. Great defence splitting angled pass puts Fernando in on goal but he wants to take an age to pick his spot and Traore slides in and 'does enough to put him off.' Reina makes a comfortable save from a poor shot. Wasted opportunity.

For the neatral, an early goal for Liverpool is probably not the best thing that could have happened to this game with their habit of closing out away games in Europe, but let's see what Betis are made of.

Pongolle is lifted already and finds Garcia in the box with a dinked pass but nothing comes of it.

A first Champions League start and a goal inside 90 seconds for Pongolle. A master stroke from Benitez. Blockbuster Sinama!

And he was wise to do so. Another high ball causes confusion, Crouch and pongolle seem to have got in each others way until a touch from the big man tees up his team-mate for a deft lob from the edge of the area that embarrasses Dobias in the Betis goal. 1-0 to the champions.

Early Liverpool free-kick in their own half is launched forward, aiming for Crouch no doubt, but it falls to Pongolle who resists the temptation to shoot and lays it back.

The sartorial toe-to-toe at the exchanging of pendants goes the Spaniards way with a their striking green and white. Liverpool's classic all red carries some style but they have decided to make their numbers all gold. It does not glitter.

Will Crouch be walking tall - I promise to keep such lazy journalism to an absolute minimum but excuse me the occasional lapse - or will Joaquin have the last laugh? Join us in five minutes time to find out.

Liverpool made liars of many a pundit last season but face an early test in Spain and Benitez would undoubtedly be happy with a draw but should the home side get an early goal this promises to be a very entertaining match; despite Liverpool's attacking threat reading an unlikely triumvirate of Crouch, Garcia, Pongolle.

Joaquin, who Liverpool tried to buy until a heavy price tag with the numer 40 and the word Euro on it was hung around the talented winger's neck, is passed fit for Betis. Good news. Less so is that which sees midfielder Alberto Rivera and defender Luis Fernandez out, both injured. Last season's top scoerer Ricardo Oliveira will lead the line.

The big team news surrounds the omission of Steven Gerrard from the starting line up; he is on bench duties with Benitez concerned about a slight niggle picked up on England duty (a severe case of shame no doubt). Florent Sinima-Pongolle also starts along with Luis Garcia meaning no place for the seemingly unloved Djibril Cisse. Peter Crouch - good touch for a...etc - makes his Champions League bow.

Reigning European champions Liverpool travel to the Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera needing Rafa Benitez to use all his local knowledge to overcome a talented attacking side in Real Betis, fourth in La Liga last season.