Liverpool against Atlético Madrid

Former Liverpool player Luis Garcia comes on to universal approval from the crowd. He replaces Simao.

Arbeloa brought down by Pernia, and Liverpool have a free kick 35 yards out. It's swung in and the referee gives a soft free kick to the Spanish side.

The Spaniards have now given up any pretence of attack, and have all their players behind the ball.

Carragher stings the palms of Franco with a drive from 25 yards, and the ball is turned over.

Liverpool have had 18 shots to Atletico's six, and that sums up the two teams' approaches.

Agger header from the corner, but with the goal at his mercy he sends the ball wait.

Excellent work from Ngog beating the defender with a flick, but he drives straight at the keeper from an acute angle.

Liverpool have a free kick 35 yards out. Gerrard rises at the far post, tries to head across the face of goal, and wins a corner.

Ball swung in from the left and Ngog does well to get his head on it, but it's behind him, and goes over the bar.

Atletico win a corner, which they roll backwards, and it finds its way back to Franco - the goalkeeper.

Liverpool still pressuring from the edge of Atletico's box. A decent half-chance for Ngog but the young striker's touch lets him down eight yards out.

Liverpool making a change here. Mascherano goes off for Lucas.

News from Rome: Chelsea have pulled one back. It's now 3-1.

Gerrard tries to burst through on the left, but Lopez is strong and wrestles the ball from him.

Marseille are winning by 3 goals to nil in France, so if this game is to stay the same, Atletico will confirm their qualification tonight, and that is evident in their fans' loud singing.

Aguero breaks away down the right, beating two men and showing the twinkly toes for which he is so lauded.

On comes Kun Aguero. Robbie Keane makes way for David Ngog.

Beautifully worked one-two with Gerrard and Keane, which slices open the Atletico defence, only for Gerrard to blaze over agonisingly.

Liverpool have had two-thirds of the second-half possession, according to the official stats, which should tell you all you need to know.

Liverpool are again camped around the Atletico area, playing neat, intricate passes, but again they come to nothing.

There's a yellow for Maniche for a bit of a fruity challenge. Alonso swings the kick in, and it goes for a corner.

Atletico are playing with 10 men behind the ball, leaving Forlan to plough a lone furrow, and attacking almost exclusively on the counter.

Gerrard is clobbered on the left of the Atletico area, but nothin' doin', says the referee.

Agger volleys from six yards but doesn't get a sweet connection and Franco smothers.

Liverpool build again and win another corner.

Gerrard chests down from a long ball and drives the ball, but it's an awkward connection, and he skews it into the Kop.

Riera goes off for Ryan Babel, in Rafa's regular 60-minute-mark switch.

Liverpool have a corner. Franco fists away and Atletico break very quickly and slickly, but Liverpool pick the ball up and counter-counter attack, but to no avail.

The Spaniards make a rare foray into the Liverpool half, but it's quickly back towards the Kop end. News from Italy: Chelsea are now 3-0 down to Roma in the rain.

Whipped in by Aurelio and Agger meets it on the edge of the six-hard box, sending the ball inches over the Atletico bar.

Ironic cheers, as a handball is finally given to Liverpool, and they have a free kick on the right corner of the Spanish penalty box.

And AGAIN Liverpool are denied a corner, the ball going behind off Heitinga. The ref not the most popular man in the ground at the moment...

Liverpool denied a corner by the referee who again misses a touch off Perea.

Atletico under the cosh now, with Liverpool mounting some intense pressure. Carragher swings one in towards the back post, and Riera is just beaten to it. It's one-way traffic.

Arbeloa swings one in from the right towards Keane and EVERY player and Liverpool fan in the crowd screams for a clear handball, but it's on the blindside of the referee, and Perea gets away with it.

And news from Rome: Chelsea are now two behind.

Liverpool win a corner on the left in front of the Kop. It's swept in and Simao breaks with it, but the counter breaks down.

Mascherano gets into the area on the right but his low drive is blocked bravely by Perea, who is easily the pick of the Atletico defenders.

Both sides are back out now, and waiting for the whistle - and there it is...

And the ref blows for half time, leaving some dejected faces in the stands.

A minute of time will be added on before half time.

Gerrard sweeps it in, low and fast, but a low header from Heitinga gets it clear.

Kuyt wins a free kick on the right 30 yards out.

Atletico again falling back into their familiar pattern of launching the ball from defence into the opposition half.

A lot of neat passing in midfield from Liverpool not amounting to much, as Atletico keep it tight at the back.

The stadium enjoys the sound of 3,000 travelling Spaniards in full voice.

Atletico break down the right from a long ball into the channel. It's squared into the area for Maxi Rodriguez who beats Carragher and drives home in front of the Kop.

GOAL TO ATLETICO!

News from Rome: Chelsea fans probably not singing in the Italian rain, as their former player Christian Panucci puts Roma ahead.

Liverpool again camping around the Spaniards' box. And there's a roar from the crowd, who seem to sense blood after the Gerrard and Keane efforts.

Liverpool up the pressure again and Keane finds himself clear, but Franco the goalkeeper does well as the Irishman tries to round him on the right, smothering the shot.

Gerrard bursts through in the centre of the area and only a last-gasp tackle by Pernea denies the Liverpool captain a certain goal.

For all their industry, Liverpool have nothing to show for their efforts, with half-an-hour gone.

The ball being pinged about quickly and accurately by Liverpool, who seem keen to impose their will on the Spaniards, who are largely happy to contain.

Franco punches clear, and Mascherano shoots high and wide.

Liverpool camp on the Atletico 18-yard line. Aurelio drives in, but it's deflected for a corner.

Alonso plays a perfect long ball from the right in towards the back post, but Atletico do just enough to put off Riera, who is racing in at the back stick.

It's all getting a little cagey now, after a more throaty opening 20 minutes.

Atletico keeping it neat but that largely means passing it back and forward across their back line, under pressure from the men in red.

Neat play by the Spaniards down the left but Forlan fails to pick out Maxi with the final ball across the Reds' area.

Atletico have a corner, which fortuitously comes off Mascherano's knee. He races to the other end of the pitch, and there is more than a hint of handball just outside the Spaniards' box.

The other game in Group D, the rain-fest in Marseille, also still at 0-0, although if it's anything like as open as this, the fans won't be complaining.

Alonso plays a 50-yard ball from his own half, which is beautifully collected by Keane on his chest. He lets it bounce once then viciously thrashes the ball just wide of Franco's left post.

Neat work on the right from Keane, who draws a foul from Pernia with some clever footwork.

Liverpool have a coirner. Franco with an unconvincing punch away under not much pressure, but he gets away with it this time...

Agger drives forward and wins a free kick 40 yards out. Gerrard takes quickly.

The Reds again pressuring the Spanish defence, who are again forced to hopefully play a long ball deep into the Liverpool half, which is easily gathered in front of the Kop.

Agger runs 70 yards deep into the Atletico half before being dispossessed. Liverpool now work up the right, but a miskick means an Atletico goal kick.

Liverpool defending from the front here, pressuring the Spanish defence when they have the ball, and forcing them to play a lot of long balls from the back.

Agger plays a long ball straight up the left for Aurelio, but the ball runs out of play for an Atleti goal kick.

Gerrard breaks down the right, but can't meet the return of his attempted one-two. Atleti throw.

Lopez whips in a cross from the right, but the Red back line clear with a strong defensive header.

Atletico build slowly and patiently from the back before hitting a long ball to the Liverpool area, and some tricky play means a throw for the Spaniards on the left.

A deep cross from the right by Kuyt, but it clears the Spaniards' bar.

A scramble in the six-yard box, and Liverpool almost scramble home, but the keeper gathers.

Liverpool build down the right and a deflection wins the home side a corner

And away we go...

The Liverpool team contains more Spaniards - four - than Atletico's. And they're lined up ready to kick off.

And here they come! The teams make their way onto the pitch.

'You'll Never Walk Alone' fills the stadium, as the home supporters raise their scarves above their heads.

Anfield now packed to the rafters, and the giant flags ripple their way across the heads of the supporters, who are in good voice with six minutes to go until kick-off.

Despite the absence of Torres, however, Reds fans will be cautiously pleased to see that Atletico have left their young superstar Kun Aguero - scorer of both goals in the side's 2-0 victory over Mallorca at the weekend - on the bench.

And... just as I finish typing that previous comment, officials announce the Marseille-PSV match WILL go ahead, despite three days of torrential rain in the French city.

The other game in Group D this evening, Marseille vs PSV Eindhoven, is under threat of cancellation due to diabolical weather in the southeast of France and a waterlogged pitch. A decision from match officials is expected by 19.15 this evening.

Liverpool welcome their Spanish rivals to balmy Anfield this evening, but both sets of fans will surely be disappointed to learn that the man of the moment, Fernando Torres, has been omitted from the Liverpool squad. (Although for the visiting supporters any disappointment at missing out on their former idol must surely be tempered with considerable relief...)

Join us at 1945 GMT to see Rafa's Liverpool side take on Atletico at Anfield.

Aguero breaks away down the right, beating two men and showing the twinkly toes for which he is so lauded.

On comes Kun Aguero. Robbie Keane makes way for David Ngog.

Beautifully worked one-two with Gerrard and Keane, which slices open the Atletico defence, only for Gerrard to blaze over agonisingly.

Liverpool have had two-thirds of the second-half possession, according to the official stats, which should tell you all you need to know.

Liverpool are again camped around the Atletico area, playing neat, intricate passes, but again they come to nothing.

There's a yellow for Maniche for a bit of a fruity challenge. Alonso swings the kick in, and it goes for a corner.

Atletico are playing with 10 men behind the ball, leaving Forlan to plough a lone furrow, and attacking almost exclusively on the counter.

Gerrard is clobbered on the left of the Atletico area, but nothin' doin', says the referee.

Agger volleys from six yards but doesn't get a sweet connection and Franco smothers.

Liverpool build again and win another corner.

Gerrard chests down from a long ball and drives the ball, but it's an awkward connection, and he skews it into the Kop.

Riera goes off for Ryan Babel, in Rafa's regular 60-minute-mark switch.

Liverpool have a corner. Franco fists away and Atletico break very quickly and slickly, but Liverpool pick the ball up and counter-counter attack, but to no avail.

The Spaniards make a rare foray into the Liverpool half, but it's quickly back towards the Kop end. News from Italy: Chelsea are now 3-0 down to Roma in the rain.

Whipped in by Aurelio and Agger meets it on the edge of the six-hard box, sending the ball inches over the Atletico bar.

Ironic cheers, as a handball is finally given to Liverpool, and they have a free kick on the right corner of the Spanish penalty box.

And AGAIN Liverpool are denied a corner, the ball going behind off Heitinga. The ref not the most popular man in the ground at the moment...

Liverpool denied a corner by the referee who again misses a touch off Perea.

Atletico under the cosh now, with Liverpool mounting some intense pressure. Carragher swings one in towards the back post, and Riera is just beaten to it. It's one-way traffic.

Arbeloa swings one in from the right towards Keane and EVERY player and Liverpool fan in the crowd screams for a clear handball, but it's on the blindside of the referee, and Perea gets away with it.

And news from Rome: Chelsea are now two behind.

Liverpool win a corner on the left in front of the Kop. It's swept in and Simao breaks with it, but the counter breaks down.

Mascherano gets into the area on the right but his low drive is blocked bravely by Perea, who is easily the pick of the Atletico defenders.

Both sides are back out now, and waiting for the whistle - and there it is...

And the ref blows for half time, leaving some dejected faces in the stands.

A minute of time will be added on before half time.

Gerrard sweeps it in, low and fast, but a low header from Heitinga gets it clear.

Kuyt wins a free kick on the right 30 yards out.

Atletico again falling back into their familiar pattern of launching the ball from defence into the opposition half.

A lot of neat passing in midfield from Liverpool not amounting to much, as Atletico keep it tight at the back.

The stadium enjoys the sound of 3,000 travelling Spaniards in full voice.

Atletico break down the right from a long ball into the channel. It's squared into the area for Maxi Rodriguez who beats Carragher and drives home in front of the Kop.

GOAL TO ATLETICO!

News from Rome: Chelsea fans probably not singing in the Italian rain, as their former player Christian Panucci puts Roma ahead.

Liverpool again camping around the Spaniards' box. And there's a roar from the crowd, who seem to sense blood after the Gerrard and Keane efforts.

Liverpool up the pressure again and Keane finds himself clear, but Franco the goalkeeper does well as the Irishman tries to round him on the right, smothering the shot.

Gerrard bursts through in the centre of the area and only a last-gasp tackle by Pernea denies the Liverpool captain a certain goal.

For all their industry, Liverpool have nothing to show for their efforts, with half-an-hour gone.

The ball being pinged about quickly and accurately by Liverpool, who seem keen to impose their will on the Spaniards, who are largely happy to contain.

Franco punches clear, and Mascherano shoots high and wide.

Liverpool camp on the Atletico 18-yard line. Aurelio drives in, but it's deflected for a corner.

Alonso plays a perfect long ball from the right in towards the back post, but Atletico do just enough to put off Riera, who is racing in at the back stick.

It's all getting a little cagey now, after a more throaty opening 20 minutes.

Atletico keeping it neat but that largely means passing it back and forward across their back line, under pressure from the men in red.

Neat play by the Spaniards down the left but Forlan fails to pick out Maxi with the final ball across the Reds' area.

Atletico have a corner, which fortuitously comes off Mascherano's knee. He races to the other end of the pitch, and there is more than a hint of handball just outside the Spaniards' box.

The other game in Group D, the rain-fest in Marseille, also still at 0-0, although if it's anything like as open as this, the fans won't be complaining.

Alonso plays a 50-yard ball from his own half, which is beautifully collected by Keane on his chest. He lets it bounce once then viciously thrashes the ball just wide of Franco's left post.

Neat work on the right from Keane, who draws a foul from Pernia with some clever footwork.

Liverpool have a coirner. Franco with an unconvincing punch away under not much pressure, but he gets away with it this time...

Agger drives forward and wins a free kick 40 yards out. Gerrard takes quickly.

The Reds again pressuring the Spanish defence, who are again forced to hopefully play a long ball deep into the Liverpool half, which is easily gathered in front of the Kop.

Agger runs 70 yards deep into the Atletico half before being dispossessed. Liverpool now work up the right, but a miskick means an Atletico goal kick.

Liverpool defending from the front here, pressuring the Spanish defence when they have the ball, and forcing them to play a lot of long balls from the back.

Agger plays a long ball straight up the left for Aurelio, but the ball runs out of play for an Atleti goal kick.

Gerrard breaks down the right, but can't meet the return of his attempted one-two. Atleti throw.

Lopez whips in a cross from the right, but the Red back line clear with a strong defensive header.

Atletico build slowly and patiently from the back before hitting a long ball to the Liverpool area, and some tricky play means a throw for the Spaniards on the left.

A deep cross from the right by Kuyt, but it clears the Spaniards' bar.

A scramble in the six-yard box, and Liverpool almost scramble home, but the keeper gathers.

Liverpool build down the right and a deflection wins the home side a corner

And away we go...

The Liverpool team contains more Spaniards - four - than Atletico's. And they're lined up ready to kick off.

And here they come! The teams make their way onto the pitch.

'You'll Never Walk Alone' fills the stadium, as the home supporters raise their scarves above their heads.

Anfield now packed to the rafters, and the giant flags ripple their way across the heads of the supporters, who are in good voice with six minutes to go until kick-off.

Despite the absence of Torres, however, Reds fans will be cautiously pleased to see that Atletico have left their young superstar Kun Aguero - scorer of both goals in the side's 2-0 victory over Mallorca at the weekend - on the bench.

And... just as I finish typing that previous comment, officials announce the Marseille-PSV match WILL go ahead, despite three days of torrential rain in the French city.

The other game in Group D this evening, Marseille vs PSV Eindhoven, is under threat of cancellation due to diabolical weather in the southeast of France and a waterlogged pitch. A decision from match officials is expected by 19.15 this evening.

Liverpool welcome their Spanish rivals to balmy Anfield this evening, but both sets of fans will surely be disappointed to learn that the man of the moment, Fernando Torres, has been omitted from the Liverpool squad. (Although for the visiting supporters any disappointment at missing out on their former idol must surely be tempered with considerable relief...)

Join us at 1945 GMT to see Rafa's Liverpool side take on Atletico at Anfield.