Articles
Liverpool held by Boavista
A Michael Owen goal proved the high point on a night of frustration for Liverpool as they were held to a draw in their Champions League Group B clash against Portugal's Boavista.
Boavista took a surprise lead after just two minutes with Brazilian striker Silva's shot stunning the Anfield crowd.
Liverpool looked nervous at the back throughout but remained patient and were rewarded after 28 minutes.
The in-form Owen rescued a point for manager Gerard Houllier's side when he curled a shot into the top corner of the visitors' goal.
Key incidents
2 mins: Silva's shot gives Boavista the lead
19: Hyypia heads narrowly wide
20: Duda's headers is well saved by Dudek
28: Owen equalises for Liverpool
The home side pushed for a winner while Boavista were a threat on the counter-attack but it ended in a stalemate.
It was not the result Liverpool had hoped for after receiving a rousing welcome from the home crowd on their return to Europe's premier competition for the first time since 1985.
They suffered the worst possible start when the home defence failed to clear a long ball by Boavista goalkeeper Ricardo.
Silva steered a header towards Alexandre Goulart before powering the return into the Liverpool goal.
The Anfield side were again caught out by a high ball played into the box and this time Duda flicked a header towards the far post.
Liverpool's new goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek had to react quickly to dive low to his right and impressively palm the effort away for a corner.
It's a bit frustrating - we are conceding too many goals, and that is where we have to improve our game
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier
There was no panic from Liverpool and they did not have to wait long for the equaliser.
Midfielder Steven Gerrard found Emile Heskey who turned and played a ball into the path of an in-form Owen.
The England striker clinically curled a shot into the top corner of the Boavista goal.
The Portuguese champions almost caught Liverpool out shortly after the interval but Duda dragged a shot across goal wide.
Houllier's side pushed forward in search of a goal but Boavista were always a threat at the other end.
The visitors again caused confusion in the Liverpool area with a cross but Pedro Emanuel was penalised for a late challenge on Dudek who bravely saved at the Boavista player's feet.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admitted his side found the beginning of the Champions League learning curve very difficult.
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield by Portuguese champions Boavista on Tuesday.
The Reds had found themselves a goal down within two minutes but an equaliser courtesy of Michael Owen on the half-hour mark ensured a point.
Houllier said: "I was impressed by our character.
"To start our competition by conceding such an early goal was tough.
"That can affect your confidence and unsettle the team, but we came back and fought hard for our point."
Boavista coach Jaime Pacheco accused Liverpool of "savaging" his players.
Eight players were booked - seven from the Portuguese title-holders.
Pacheco said: "I came to Liverpool to play football, not rugby.
"Our players are less physical, less endowed and they were savaged.
"The referee seemed to be on the side of Liverpool.
"We even felt that one of their players should have been sent off, [Stephane] Henchoz at the end when he pulled our player down."
Houllier saw it differently. He added: "When we played in Rome and Barcelona last season we were never accused of being over-physical.
"The demands of this competition are that you are strong and physical - that's what we were."
Copyright - BBC
Boavista took a surprise lead after just two minutes with Brazilian striker Silva's shot stunning the Anfield crowd.
Liverpool looked nervous at the back throughout but remained patient and were rewarded after 28 minutes.
The in-form Owen rescued a point for manager Gerard Houllier's side when he curled a shot into the top corner of the visitors' goal.
Key incidents
2 mins: Silva's shot gives Boavista the lead
19: Hyypia heads narrowly wide
20: Duda's headers is well saved by Dudek
28: Owen equalises for Liverpool
The home side pushed for a winner while Boavista were a threat on the counter-attack but it ended in a stalemate.
It was not the result Liverpool had hoped for after receiving a rousing welcome from the home crowd on their return to Europe's premier competition for the first time since 1985.
They suffered the worst possible start when the home defence failed to clear a long ball by Boavista goalkeeper Ricardo.
Silva steered a header towards Alexandre Goulart before powering the return into the Liverpool goal.
The Anfield side were again caught out by a high ball played into the box and this time Duda flicked a header towards the far post.
Liverpool's new goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek had to react quickly to dive low to his right and impressively palm the effort away for a corner.
It's a bit frustrating - we are conceding too many goals, and that is where we have to improve our game
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier
There was no panic from Liverpool and they did not have to wait long for the equaliser.
Midfielder Steven Gerrard found Emile Heskey who turned and played a ball into the path of an in-form Owen.
The England striker clinically curled a shot into the top corner of the Boavista goal.
The Portuguese champions almost caught Liverpool out shortly after the interval but Duda dragged a shot across goal wide.
Houllier's side pushed forward in search of a goal but Boavista were always a threat at the other end.
The visitors again caused confusion in the Liverpool area with a cross but Pedro Emanuel was penalised for a late challenge on Dudek who bravely saved at the Boavista player's feet.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admitted his side found the beginning of the Champions League learning curve very difficult.
Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield by Portuguese champions Boavista on Tuesday.
The Reds had found themselves a goal down within two minutes but an equaliser courtesy of Michael Owen on the half-hour mark ensured a point.
Houllier said: "I was impressed by our character.
"To start our competition by conceding such an early goal was tough.
"That can affect your confidence and unsettle the team, but we came back and fought hard for our point."
Boavista coach Jaime Pacheco accused Liverpool of "savaging" his players.
Eight players were booked - seven from the Portuguese title-holders.
Pacheco said: "I came to Liverpool to play football, not rugby.
"Our players are less physical, less endowed and they were savaged.
"The referee seemed to be on the side of Liverpool.
"We even felt that one of their players should have been sent off, [Stephane] Henchoz at the end when he pulled our player down."
Houllier saw it differently. He added: "When we played in Rome and Barcelona last season we were never accused of being over-physical.
"The demands of this competition are that you are strong and physical - that's what we were."
Copyright - BBC
