Bordeaux against Liverpool

Craig Bellamy is withdrawn for the last few minutes with defender Stephen Warnock on to steady things at the back.

They're starting to create moments of anxiety and Fernando sees a powerful header from inside the box sail just over.

There is at last more urgency from the French side but has it come too late?

Bordeaux have had their fair share of free-kicks from the edge of the box and Sami Hyypia is guilty of giving away a silly foul. Luckily for him the set-piece is wasted.

Wendell finally delivers and Chamak rises and meets the cross only to see his header drop the wrong side of the goal and wide. A fine opportunity that would have left Reina with no chance.

It may take an error to hand the home side an equaliser and Carragher almost obliges with a mis-kick. Reina tidies up to spare the defender's blushes.

All the play is in and around the Liverpool box at the moment but you rarely feel that Bordeaux will find the killer pass to unlock the defence.

Wendell has a lovely left foot but that doesn't mean he has the right to have a go from any angle. It's been a case of 'Wendell the waster' so far.

The French side are piecing together some neat passing moves but the final ball has been dire.

Rafa Benitez doesn't look to happy mind, he's ranting and raving in the dugout as Reina gives away possession needlessly.

Bordeaux are being frustrated by Liverpool who keep coming forward. It's not pretty stuff out there but it's certainly effective.

Riise was greedy there. From all of 40 yards he tries his luck an the predictable outcome is a deflection that fails to beat the first man.

A sneaky header from the unmarked Chamak almost embarrasses Liverpool, but it flies inches past the post.

And to further tighten things up in midfield, Mohammed Sissoko comes on for Mark Gonzalez. Zenden switches to the left leaving the Malian to slot into the middle of the park.

Liverpool's shape and stubborness is beginning to frustrate the home side and forces them into two uneccessary errors.

Important defending from Carragher as he comes across to the near post to head away a fierce cross that was aiming for Chamak.

Riise has a speculative effort that bobbles past the post from 30 yards.

Liverpool look happy to sit back and soak up the pressure now. They know that the French side have got little to threaten them and even bring off goalscorer Crouch for Dirk Kuyt.

With the home side now chasing the game, Radoman Chanak comes on to replace Laslandes Alonso comes off for Joubert.

Crouch has been buoyed by his goal and is finding some space along the back line.

It was a classic Crouch header and capped a fine spell of play from the visitors.

We said that Peter Crouch only needs a good delivery to find the net and that's exactly what he's done. A beautiful cross from Bellamy is met by the lofty striker who thunders his header into the back of the net.

GOAL: BORDEAUX 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Fernando again beats his marker and plays a throughball looking for Darcheville. It's too strong and gobbled up by Reina.

Bordeaux are beginning to step it up now and Fernando is starting to bring the ball through midfield and thread a telling pass. On this occassion Carragher spots it and intercepts.

Reina tips the resulting free-kick nervously into touch. He didn't look confident there did the Spaniard, but thankfully for him it is cleared to safety.

Wendell's pace causes Steve Finnan a problem. He jinks past the Irishman and earns himself a free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box.

Gonzalez tries to find Bellamy with a through ball but it's just a bit too strong and runs through safely to Rame.

Bordeaux are having real difficulties in breaking Liverpool down. The Reds have kept their shape well and their best chance of attack is on the counter after a Liverpool move.

The 32,000 fans in the stadium are beginning to stir. Maybe the Stella Artois at half-time raised their spirits.

No goals here but Didier Drogba puts Chelsea ahead against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. We could do with some goals here now!

We desperately need the pace to increase this half and Fernando has an early chance that is struck straight at Reina.

We're back underway!

A lacklustre half to say the least. Neither side have shown any quality and it's been a damp squid so far in France.

HALF-TIME: BORDEAUX 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Everything Bordeaux have created has come down their right-hand side with Julietti and Laslandes doubling up up on John Arne Riise.

And boy do the Bordeaux players work hard for their free-kicks. The referee must have a headache from the moaning displayed in the first period. And when they do get their decisions Wendell wastes them.

It's a shame their heroes on the pitch aren't showing any. Most of their efforts are tied up in appealing for fouls and throw-ins.

The home crowd are sensing there players are getting on top and at last we hear some emotion from the French.

A nothing challenge from Jamie Carragher brings out some Torvill and Dean-like theatrics from Laslandes and brings a card for Rame who sprints off his line to protest at the tackle.

Two chances in three minutes for Crouch and this time his first touch is sublime. He brings down Alonso's pass superbly, but his scuffed shot is palmed round the post by Rame.

A controversial incident as Hyypia barges Laslandes inside the box. The ref is having none of it though.

The Liverpool players are starting to get impatient with each other. A neat passing move is ruined by a heavy touch from Gonzalez and Bellamy voices his frustration.

Oh, there he is! And how has Crouch missed? A wonderful cross from Bellamy finds the lanky forward completely unmarked at the back post only for him to guide his side-foot pass wide.

Another free-kick for Liverpool and another waste from Xabi Alonso. The quality of ball into the box has been woeful so far.

Wendell looks like the only player who wants to have a run at Liverpool. Too bad his team-mates aren't on the same level as him.

The French side haven't won in 11 of their last Champions League matches and you can see why. There is precious little endeavour going forward and creativity is at a premium in midfield.

We said Bordeaux could threaten from free-kicks, well Liverpool have one themselves. It's a poor one though and headed to safety.

Is Crouch playing? I certainly haven't seen much of him this half. Mind you we've seen that if he is given the right chance he'll grab his side a vital goal.

Liverpool are giving the ball away in dangerous areas but so far haven't been punished. How many invites will Bordeaux require?

Tempers are beginning to fray down the Liverpool left with Gonzalez and Jurietti at the forefront of the battle. It's shaping up to be an interesting tussle down that wing.

All square on the card front now. A bodycheck from Zenden gives the bald referee from Norway no choice to book the Dutchman.

Bordeaux's best chance of scoring may be from set-pieces and Wendell's pin-point cross whistles past Johan Micoud's head and drifts wide of the post. Had the veteran midfielder got the slightest of touches, he would have put the hosts in front. Best chance of the match so far.

Xabi Alonso is a fantastic striker of the ball but his swipe from a tight angle sails into row G and Liverpool waste a move.

Play halts after a crunching tackle from Franck Jurietti. The Frenchman can have no complaints and goes into the referee's book for the first card of the match.

Gonzalez comes in on his weaker right side and sends in a tame right-foot pea-roller that skips through to Ulrich Rame. No danger.

Those two efforts have helped settle the home side down. It looked for a long time that they would stuggle to raise an attack.

Another effort from the Brazilian, this time with his favoured left-foot, but it has the same result, slashed wide into the boards.

The first piece of attacking play from Bordueax ends in a wayward effort from Wendell. It was from 20 yards and flew into the advertising hoardings.

Darcheville may have the pace but at the moment he can't find the quality to breach the Liverpool defence. A mazy run ends with a shot that goes out for a throw.

Bellamy is caught offside as his eagerness to break the back line takes sees the decision go against him.

Liverpool look comfortable at present. Their away form may not be good in recent weeks but if the opposition remain as docile as they have started, they could bring that bad run to an end.

A free-kick from Wendell causes no danger to Reina. It was never likely to test the Spaniard from 40 yards, mind.

Bordeaux's best chance of piecing a move together is if Liverpool give the ball away. And the Reds have been guilty of just that in the last few minutes.

Bordeaux look patient in their build up and seem in no rush to spring a quick attack on Liverpool.

Darcheville shows what he's capable for Bordeaux and his pace causes problems for Finnan but not Alonso who steps across to halt the striker inside the box.

Bellamy gets his first sight of goal thanks to a neat build up involving Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise. The Welshmanb just gets the ball trapped under his feet as he turns and sends in a low tame drive that is easily gathered.

Both teams are struggling to get a hold of the game in these early stages and it's a scrappy start in France.

An encouraging early warning sign from Liverpool and Bellamy will have been boosted by the ease he ghosted past the defence.

And Craig Bellamy is the first to escape the clutches of the defence. He wriggles through a challenge from Jemmali but with the angle tight, he runs down a cul-de-saq and the hosts clear.

Bordeaux start the game deep and defensive, wary of counter attacks from Bellamy and Gonzalez.

We're underway!

With Steven Gerrard missing because of suspension, Boudewijn Zenden comes into the middle of midfield to partner Xabi Alonso. Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch start up front. For Bordeaux there is no Vladimir Smicer who starred for Liverpool in their Champions League success two years ago.

The teams are led out by the three Norwiegian officials.

With no Steven Gerrard in the side because of a suspension, Boudewijn Zenden comes into central midfield alongside Xabi Alonso. With Dikr Kuyt and Robbie Fowler injured, Cragi Bellamy lead the line up front.

Important defending from Carragher as he comes across to the near post to head away a fierce cross that was aiming for Chamak.

Riise has a speculative effort that bobbles past the post from 30 yards.

Liverpool look happy to sit back and soak up the pressure now. They know that the French side have got little to threaten them and even bring off goalscorer Crouch for Dirk Kuyt.

With the home side now chasing the game, Radoman Chanak comes on to replace Laslandes Alonso comes off for Joubert.

Crouch has been buoyed by his goal and is finding some space along the back line.

It was a classic Crouch header and capped a fine spell of play from the visitors.

We said that Peter Crouch only needs a good delivery to find the net and that's exactly what he's done. A beautiful cross from Bellamy is met by the lofty striker who thunders his header into the back of the net.

GOAL: BORDEAUX 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Fernando again beats his marker and plays a throughball looking for Darcheville. It's too strong and gobbled up by Reina.

Bordeaux are beginning to step it up now and Fernando is starting to bring the ball through midfield and thread a telling pass. On this occassion Carragher spots it and intercepts.

Reina tips the resulting free-kick nervously into touch. He didn't look confident there did the Spaniard, but thankfully for him it is cleared to safety.

Wendell's pace causes Steve Finnan a problem. He jinks past the Irishman and earns himself a free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box.

Gonzalez tries to find Bellamy with a through ball but it's just a bit too strong and runs through safely to Rame.

Bordeaux are having real difficulties in breaking Liverpool down. The Reds have kept their shape well and their best chance of attack is on the counter after a Liverpool move.

The 32,000 fans in the stadium are beginning to stir. Maybe the Stella Artois at half-time raised their spirits.

No goals here but Didier Drogba puts Chelsea ahead against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. We could do with some goals here now!

We desperately need the pace to increase this half and Fernando has an early chance that is struck straight at Reina.

We're back underway!

A lacklustre half to say the least. Neither side have shown any quality and it's been a damp squid so far in France.

HALF-TIME: BORDEAUX 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Everything Bordeaux have created has come down their right-hand side with Julietti and Laslandes doubling up up on John Arne Riise.

And boy do the Bordeaux players work hard for their free-kicks. The referee must have a headache from the moaning displayed in the first period. And when they do get their decisions Wendell wastes them.

It's a shame their heroes on the pitch aren't showing any. Most of their efforts are tied up in appealing for fouls and throw-ins.

The home crowd are sensing there players are getting on top and at last we hear some emotion from the French.

A nothing challenge from Jamie Carragher brings out some Torvill and Dean-like theatrics from Laslandes and brings a card for Rame who sprints off his line to protest at the tackle.

Two chances in three minutes for Crouch and this time his first touch is sublime. He brings down Alonso's pass superbly, but his scuffed shot is palmed round the post by Rame.

A controversial incident as Hyypia barges Laslandes inside the box. The ref is having none of it though.

The Liverpool players are starting to get impatient with each other. A neat passing move is ruined by a heavy touch from Gonzalez and Bellamy voices his frustration.

Oh, there he is! And how has Crouch missed? A wonderful cross from Bellamy finds the lanky forward completely unmarked at the back post only for him to guide his side-foot pass wide.

Another free-kick for Liverpool and another waste from Xabi Alonso. The quality of ball into the box has been woeful so far.

Wendell looks like the only player who wants to have a run at Liverpool. Too bad his team-mates aren't on the same level as him.

The French side haven't won in 11 of their last Champions League matches and you can see why. There is precious little endeavour going forward and creativity is at a premium in midfield.

We said Bordeaux could threaten from free-kicks, well Liverpool have one themselves. It's a poor one though and headed to safety.

Is Crouch playing? I certainly haven't seen much of him this half. Mind you we've seen that if he is given the right chance he'll grab his side a vital goal.

Liverpool are giving the ball away in dangerous areas but so far haven't been punished. How many invites will Bordeaux require?

Tempers are beginning to fray down the Liverpool left with Gonzalez and Jurietti at the forefront of the battle. It's shaping up to be an interesting tussle down that wing.

All square on the card front now. A bodycheck from Zenden gives the bald referee from Norway no choice to book the Dutchman.

Bordeaux's best chance of scoring may be from set-pieces and Wendell's pin-point cross whistles past Johan Micoud's head and drifts wide of the post. Had the veteran midfielder got the slightest of touches, he would have put the hosts in front. Best chance of the match so far.

Xabi Alonso is a fantastic striker of the ball but his swipe from a tight angle sails into row G and Liverpool waste a move.

Play halts after a crunching tackle from Franck Jurietti. The Frenchman can have no complaints and goes into the referee's book for the first card of the match.

Gonzalez comes in on his weaker right side and sends in a tame right-foot pea-roller that skips through to Ulrich Rame. No danger.

Those two efforts have helped settle the home side down. It looked for a long time that they would stuggle to raise an attack.

Another effort from the Brazilian, this time with his favoured left-foot, but it has the same result, slashed wide into the boards.

The first piece of attacking play from Bordueax ends in a wayward effort from Wendell. It was from 20 yards and flew into the advertising hoardings.

Darcheville may have the pace but at the moment he can't find the quality to breach the Liverpool defence. A mazy run ends with a shot that goes out for a throw.

Bellamy is caught offside as his eagerness to break the back line takes sees the decision go against him.

Liverpool look comfortable at present. Their away form may not be good in recent weeks but if the opposition remain as docile as they have started, they could bring that bad run to an end.

A free-kick from Wendell causes no danger to Reina. It was never likely to test the Spaniard from 40 yards, mind.

Bordeaux's best chance of piecing a move together is if Liverpool give the ball away. And the Reds have been guilty of just that in the last few minutes.

Bordeaux look patient in their build up and seem in no rush to spring a quick attack on Liverpool.

Darcheville shows what he's capable for Bordeaux and his pace causes problems for Finnan but not Alonso who steps across to halt the striker inside the box.

Bellamy gets his first sight of goal thanks to a neat build up involving Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise. The Welshmanb just gets the ball trapped under his feet as he turns and sends in a low tame drive that is easily gathered.

Both teams are struggling to get a hold of the game in these early stages and it's a scrappy start in France.

An encouraging early warning sign from Liverpool and Bellamy will have been boosted by the ease he ghosted past the defence.

And Craig Bellamy is the first to escape the clutches of the defence. He wriggles through a challenge from Jemmali but with the angle tight, he runs down a cul-de-saq and the hosts clear.

Bordeaux start the game deep and defensive, wary of counter attacks from Bellamy and Gonzalez.

We're underway!

With Steven Gerrard missing because of suspension, Boudewijn Zenden comes into the middle of midfield to partner Xabi Alonso. Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch start up front. For Bordeaux there is no Vladimir Smicer who starred for Liverpool in their Champions League success two years ago.

The teams are led out by the three Norwiegian officials.

With no Steven Gerrard in the side because of a suspension, Boudewijn Zenden comes into central midfield alongside Xabi Alonso. With Dikr Kuyt and Robbie Fowler injured, Cragi Bellamy lead the line up front.