The Liverpool number ‘9’ came on to a standing ovation from the home fans on 64 minutes of the Champions League clash against Fiorentina. The return of the striker, who made his first appearance since the Reds drew at Lyon, was the only good news as the Merseysiders fell to a 2-1 defeat. - Group E -

Rafa Benitez made five changes from the team that drew away to Blackburn for the match at home to Fiorentina. Diego Cavalieri, Martin Skrtel, Andrea Dossena, Alberto Aquilani and Stephen Darby were all handed starts.

Although Fernando Torres was not in the starting line-up, the Liverpool boss revealed before the match that the Spaniard would return to action against the Italians: “We’ll try to give Torres some minutes. He’s not ready to start a game but he has been training really well.”

It was a relatively quiet first-half at Anfield with very little in the way of attacks. Fiorentina had the first real shot on target with Cavalieri having to be alert to push a De Silvestri header over the bar. The Liverpool keeper was forced into action from the resulting corner, this time blocking Montolivo’s volleyed effort.

The biggest applause of the opening half an hour was dedicated to Fernando Torres who came out of the dug-out to warm-up in front of the Liverpool supporters.

The game came to life just before the break as the hosts took the lead. Steven Gerrard’s free-kick out on the right was met by Benayoun at the near post. The Israeli midfielder flashed a header past Frey.

Martin Jorgensen hit Fiorentina’s equaliser on 63 minutes. The Italians broke forward quickly, and the Dane fired Gilardino’s cross into the far corner.

Rafa Benitez brought on Fernando Torres for Dirk Kuyt a minute after the Italian’s had drawn level. The striker’s return for Liverpool was met by a rapturous applause from a full house at Anfield.

The Spaniard almost had an immediate impact. Torres had a goalbound shot blocked by a Fiorentina defender before Gerrard’s effort from the rebound struck the side netting,

With the game headed for a draw, in stoppage-time Juan Vargas crossed for Gilardino to finish from close range. There was nothing Reina could do as the Italians hit their second of the evening to snatch all three points.

The win guarantees the Italians first-place, ahead of Lyon who beat Debrecen 4-0 in the other group game. Liverpool’s third-place send the Reds into the draw for the last 32 of the Europa League.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina

Liverpool: Cavalieri, Darby, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Aquilani (Pacheco, 75) Mascherano (Aurelio, 85) Benayoun, Gerrard, Dossena, Kuyt (Torres, 64)

Goals: Benayoun 43

Fiorentina: Frey, Comotto, Natali, Kroldrup, Pasqual, De Silvestri (Castillo, 62), Montolivo, Donadel, Jorgensen (Vargas, 71) Santana (Marchionni, 71) Gilardino

Goals: Jorgensen 63, Gilardino 90 (+2)