Liverpool beat Trabzonspor 2-1 to make it into Europa League group stages
Liverpool completed a resounding comeback in the 2nd half in Turkey to make their way into the Europa League 2010-11. The reds were leading 1-0 from the first leg and headed to Turkey short of some of their front line players.
The unknown team, Trabzonspor could have been a tricky tie away from home, and so it proved in the early part of the match. The atmosphere in Turkey was intimidating, even though a small crowd of 20,00 was present to see the home team, but they made themselves look big and made lot of noise. Reds looked nervous at the start and the home team were the ones making all the moves in the first few minutes of the match.
If Liverpool had come with any hopes of defending their 1-0 lead from the first leg, they quickly had to change their strategy as home side knocked in a goal inside the first ten minutes. It was level 1-1 on aggregate.
The visitors lacking the services of inspirational captain Steven Gerrard and ace Marksman Fernando Torres were surely shorthanded in terms of attack. Dirk Kuyt and Aruelio did have few chances on the break, but there was not a single shot on target. The first half ended 1-0 for the home side and Liverpool went in looking for a counter plan.
The 2nd half saw the Trabzonspor once again start as the strong side. Trabzonspor’s striker Alanzinhourak Yilmaz latched on to a pass but was flagged offside - from the replays, it was about as close a call as you could get. He slammed wide anyway. It sure was a narrow escape for Liverpool early on.
Trabzon had started better, but soon there was a chance for Liverpool. Joe Cole stood up a lovely cross to the far post and with the goal gaping; David Ngog could only head wide from about six yards. It was a shocking miss from the Frenchman.
Liverpool definitely seemed to be improving since the break; it was much more even now in the Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium. Even the locals had realized it and voices had begun to go down.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson sent on the promising 19-year-old Daniel Pacheco for Fabio Aurelio. Just less than 15 minutes of normal time were left in Turkey, but extra-time and penalties were in store as it was 1-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool finally found some inspiration, but from an unlikely source. Glen Johnson did really well down the right and his cross was right into the mixer of the six-yard box, where Giray Kacar could only put it into his own net. Reds probably deserved a little luck. Trabzon was now facing a task of scoring twice before 90 minutes.
As the home side went in search of goals, Liverpool caught them on the break. Joe Cole saw his shot saved by Onur Kivrak, but the ball came loose to Dirk Kuyt and the Dutchman slotted in from close range. It was game set and match right then. It was pin-drop silence all across the ground.
Liverpool won the match 2-1 on the night, and 3-1 on aggregate. It was a tough encounter for the Reds and for most part they were the 2nd best team. However it did show the resilience and resolve of the new team under Roy Hodgson finally making their way into the group stages of Europa League.
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