Liverpool pay for goalkeeper's errors

AS a serene afternoon turned to dusk yesterday, Liverpool discovered that even Paris in springtime has its less romantic, darker side. Three goals, all born of their own carelessness to varying degrees, allow Paris Saint-Germain to dream of greater glory in the Cup Winners' Cup.

Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, lamented errors that suggest the task his side faces in the return leg of this semi-final is bordering on the impossible. The deficit, though, is a testament to the superior desire and speed, both in body and mind, of the French.
Liverpool appeared listless towards the end of what became a draining experience and that does not bode well, given their schedule.

This match was the first of four in nine days that will define their season. Unless they swiftly exorcise the demons that are beginning to engulf them, there will be no silverware; not even, perhaps, a top-two finish in the FA Carling Premiership that would guarantee a place in the Champions' League.

It is to the Premiership that Liverpool must now look for their most realistic opportunity after a night when Evans, his eyes deadened with the shock of such a defeat, spoke harshly of his side's performance. "We lacked passion and we lacked pride and that is desperately disappointing for me," he said. "It is one of the most disappointing nights I have experienced because you do not expect Liverpool to perform like that. We played the game so slowly, we didn't defend and we didn't attack."

It is true that Paris possess a technique that English sides can only envy, but it was not superior skill that undermined the visitors. Liverpool simply had less desire, resolve and pace to their game, an irony, given the breathless approach of the Premiership.

Paris, with their Brazilians, Raí and Leonardo, tapping out a compulsive beat, controlled the tempo of the match, taking complete charge of midfield to dictate proceedings with mesmeric skill. When they surged forward, they left Liverpool gasping in their wake. Yet, for all their persuasiveness, the French suggested a defensive frailty that offered Liverpool hope, even as they slipped further behind in a match of many moods.

At 2-0 down, there was chance still, but Pouget, a late substitute, removed that six minutes from time. He had been on the field barely a minute when he collected the ball on the right, dived inside past two tired challenges and then offered the effervescent Jérôme Leroy a shooting opportunity from close range. It was with some certainty that the youngster, who shows so much promise, took it. David James, the Liverpool goalkeeper, had been left exposed for the goal, which replaced faint hope with an air of acceptance of their fate. James, though, must take much of the blame for two errors in what is fast becoming a sorry chapter at the end of an otherwise commendable season. Mistakes have crept into his game and one proved costly after 11 minutes. The goalkeeper missed a telling cross from Fournier and even though he partially redeemed the mistake with a fine save from the industrious Cauet, Loko capitalised on Liverpool ball-watching by smuggling a cross back into the six-yard box for Leonardo to stroke into a gaping net.

The goal had underlined a compulsive Paris opening, when they threatened to engulf their sluggish opponents. Cauet had shot at James in the first minute and Leroy also went close, yet the goal briefly roused Liverpool and they had perhaps their best period of the match as they began to probe obvious gaps in the home defence.

Just as they suggested a revival, though, James was again exposed as he fumbled a ferocious cross by Leroy from the right and Loko again retrieved the ball to allow Cauet to score from close range, his mis-hit shot going in off the far post.

"A little bit of uncertainty has crept into David's game recently, but in fairness to him we looked uncertain defensively all night and that exposed him a little," Evans said. "None of my team did themselves any credit at all and they will have to go away and do some soul-searching."

Liverpool had their moments and McManaman can perhaps feel slightly aggrieved that his headed goal was disallowed for offside just after the interval. Earlier, Fowler had exposed the Paris defence with his pace and presence, but was twice denied by the reflexes of Lama in the home goal.

Evans replaced Collymore with Thomas at half-time to add steel to a limp midfield, but the damage was done. Harkness will miss the second leg through suspension and Liverpool's hopes look paper-thin, but Evans has not yet conceded the tie to the holders. "We are not out of it yet," he said. "You never can tell at Anfield, where we can be a different team." They will need to be.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (3-3-2-2): B Lama B N'gotty, P Le Guen, D Domi (sub: J Algerino, 39min) L Fournier, V Guerin, B Cauet Raí, J Leroy (sub: B Allou, 86) P Loko (sub: C Pouget, 83), Leonardo.

Liverpool line-up on LFChistory

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