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Press Association match report

Michael Owen plundered a lifeline goal that just about keeps Liverpool's European dreams alive.

In truth it is a miracle that the Anfield men still have even a fleeting chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup after they were outclassed for long spells by Spain's shock side of the season.

But Owen, who missed one earlier golden chance, scampered away in the first half to put Liverpool ahead and give them hope.

Even though Vigo underlined their quality and class with three second-half strikes - two in a devastating six-minute spell and the other with just seconds to go - Liverpool will cling to that priceless away goal to give them hope in the second leg on Merseyside in a fortnight.

Substitute Vladimir Gudelj's injury-time goal after a terrible mistake by Bjorn Kvarme makes life even more difficult and the Spanish clearly think it will be enough to see them through.

But erratic Liverpool on their day are capable of pulling back this deficit and that thought is what they will cling to now, although more in hope than conviction after this mauling.

Liverpool went into battle without the suspended Paul Ince and Steve McManaman.

Manager Gerard Houllier recalled Norwegian defender Kvarme for his first senior start of the season and gave youngster David Thompson the opportunity to play in midfield - his first experience of European soccer.

Before the game Houllier had voiced his fears about deep striker Alexandre Mostovoi and put Jamie Carragher in a midfield role with the clear message to man mark the Celta dangerman.

But Vigo threatened to overrun Liverpool with some stunning quick passing football. Vegard Heggem allowed Tomas to get away down the left early on and when the cross fizzed into the middle Carragher was forced to head behind that was just a sign of things to come.

The pressure continued and Juan Sanchez was miles off side but allowed to run through only for David James to save at his feet.

Mostovoi was pulling wide to shake off Carragher and found space to be involved in a rapid passing move with Luboslav Penev that ended with Sanchez stabbing wide from just 10 yards.

When Liverpool finally got into Celta's half new skipper Jamie Redknapp found himself booked for taking a long range free-kick too quickly.

Owen then wasted a glorious gift chance to put Liverpool ahead after 27 minutes.

Fernando Caceres failed to control a ball 20 yards out and Owen pounced on the mistake to run clear but he shot weakly allowing French goalkeeper Richard Dutruel the chance to save when he really should have been picking the ball out of the net.
In the end that mistake could come back to haunt Liverpool.

Celta were soon back on the attack and Sanchez was allowed to run 30 yards into the heart of Liverpool's defence before Heggem blocked his pass. From a corner James had to make a superb one-handed save when the ball hit Steve Staunton and looked destined for the top corner.

But two minutes later Liverpool stole the lead when Thompson put Owen clear again and this time the youngster was ice cool to slip the ball past Dutruel, having banished from his mind his earlier miss.

Celta, beaten for the first time in the Spanish league on Saturday, were stunned and the packed Balaidos Stadium totally silenced.

No one could doubt that Liverpool had defended with determination and organisation but all that was wasted virtually from the start of the second period.

Heggem had been booked after 47 minutes and two minutes later Sanchez nodded a left wing cross down for the unmarked Mostovoi to drill past James from 12 yards.

It could easily have been two after 54 minutes when another sweeping move ended with Celta's other Russian. Valeri Karpin sent a first time ball into the box for Claude Makelele to head narrowly wide.

The second came though after 55 minutes when following a left wing corner Redknapp missed his kick and the ball skidded to Karpin who drove it into the net from 12 yards.

Luboslav Penev thought he'd scored a third after 60 minutes but he only found himself booked for slamming the ball into the net after the whistle had gone for offside.

James was forced into a plunging save to beat away a fierce drive from Tomas as Celta sought to punish Liverpool further.

The onslaught continued right to the end a tired Liverpool defence was being cut to pieces at times as Celta went for the throat.

Liverpool brought on Karlheinz Riedle and Phil Babb to provide fresh legs to chase and cover to keep themselves within touching distance of a side who underlined why they had been such a power in Spain this season.

In those dying minutes substitute Gudel pounced on some appalling defending by Kvarme to drill home the third and make Liverpool's task that much more difficult.

But in the cold light of day Liverpool will cling on to that Owen moment of magic and convince themselves that a two goal lead is not impossible to pull back.

Teams

Celta Vigo: Dutruel, Cacares, Vales, Mazinho, Tomas, Karpin (Caires 83), Penev (Gudel 83), Sanchez, Djorovic, Mostovoi (Echevearria 88), Makelele.
Subs Not Used: Cadete, Pinto, Cainzos, Eggen.
Booked: Penev.
Goals: Mostovoi 49, Karpin 56, Gudel 90.

Liverpool: James, Heggem, Kvarme, Staunton, Bjornebye, Berger (Babb 85), Redknapp, Carragher, Thompson (Riedle 78), Owen, Fowler.
Subs Not Used: Leonhardsen, Friedel, Murphy, Gerrard, Wright.
Booked: Redknapp, Heggem.
Goals: Owen 35.

Copyright - Press Association

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