Liverpool dealt Real Madrid their first defeat of 2009 as Benayoun crashed home a header with just under 10 minutes remaining. The goal earned an important away win for the Reds on another great night of European football. Fernando Torres, who played just over an hour, was forced to come off after receiving a knock on his right ankle in the opening 45 minute period. Before his substitution, the Spaniard came close to giving the visitors the lead, but Casillas produced an excellent reflex save to deny the forward.

Liverpool kicked-off the Champions League first-leg tie in Madrid with more Spanish players in their starting line-up than their hosts. Torres was joined by Arbeloa, Xavi Alonso, Riera and Pepe Reina; meanwhile for the Whites, Iker Casillas was in goal, Ramos in defence and club captain Raul in attack.

Real Madrid started the clash on top as Liverpool took time to find their feet. Robben was looking lively on the left-hand side as Juande Ramos’ looked to play the ball out wide at every opportunity.

The minutes passed but all the home side had for their early possession was an effort from Raul which was easily gathered by Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal.

Following Real Madrid’s bright start, the Merseysiders brought themselves into the tie as Torres at the other end was denied by a brilliant save by Casillas. The striker latched on to a long ball but his shot from a cute angle was pushed away by the Spanish shotstopper.

Benayoun then had a shot saved by Casillas as the Reds looked the likeliest to score.

Just after the twenty minute mark Fernando Torres received some treatment on his right ankle after the striker received a knock. The forward however rejoined the fray after a couple of minutes on the sidelines.

Real Madrid had failed to produce any real attacking threat and although Gonzalo Higuain had the ball in the net, the goal was correctly ruled-out for offside.

The last action of the half saw Xabi Alonso try an audacious shot from just inside his own half. The midfielder spotted Iker Casillas a few yards off his line but the Spanish number ‘1’ managed to back-pedal in time to push Alonso’s shot over the bar.

The Reds started the second-half on the front foot as Xabi Alonso tested Casillas with a shot from the edge of the area. The midfielder had another effort bounce wide as Liverpool started to turn the screw.

Rafa Benitez made his first substitution as Babel was brought on for Fernando Torres in the 61st minute. The striker could be seen struggling to run-off the knock he picked-up in the first-half.

Arjen Robben tried to lift the home crowd with a strike from outside the box, but Reina was equal to it, tipping the ball over for a corner.

With the game suffering a lull in play, Heinze gave away a foul on the right-hand touchline following a clumsy challenge on Kuyt. Aurelio curled the ball into the box and there was one of the smallest men on the pitch to head the ball past Casillas.

There was more good news for the Merseysiders when with a couple of minutes left on the clock, Gerrard returned to action after a three-week lay-off.

As the referee blew his final whistle “You’ll never walk alone” could be heard by the thousands of away fans who had travelled to Madrid to cheer on their side. 28 years had passed, and very little has changed. 1-0 to Liverpool with a goal in the 81st minute.


- Match Stats: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool

Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Robben, Gago, Lassana Diarra, Marcelo (Guti, 46), Higuain, Raul.

Booked: Cannavaro, Gago

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera (Gerrard, 88), Torres (Babel, 61), Kuyt (Lucas, 90).

Booked: Mascherano, Riera, Torres

Goals: Benayoun, 81

Photo: J.A. Sirvent