Liverpool lost 2-1 to Olympique Lyonnais at Anfield on matchday 3 of the Champions League. Benayoun had put the home side ahead four minutes before the break, but a goal from second-half substitute Gonalons, plus a stoppage-time winner from Delgado, secured all three points for the visitors.

Fernando Torres watched his club’s defeat from the sidelines. The Spaniard had failed to recover in time for the Group E clash, but Rafa Benitez hopes he’ll be back to lead the Red attack against Manchester United on Sunday.

The home team started the first half strongly, but the French outfit weathered the early storm. The best chance of the opening exchanges fell to Lyon’s Lopez, but luckily for the home side, the striker’s header from Cissokho’s cross was straight at Reina.

Rafa Benitez was forced into making a change on 24 minutes when Steven Gerrard was forced off. The captain, who had just come back from injury, was replaced by Fabio Aurelio.

Kuyt and Ngog both came close to breaking the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. The Dutch striker found space in the box but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Cissokho, before Ngog’s follow-up was saved by Hugo Lloris.

The Merseysiders deservedly took the lead on 41 minutes. Fabio Aurelio’s cross missed everyone in penalty area, eventually falling to Benayoun at the far post. The midfielder made no mistake, firing Liverpool into the lead.

Hugo Lloris kept his side in the game with an excellent save on the stroke of half-time. The Lyon shotstopper tipped over Fabio Aurelio’s header after some good work by Kelly out on the wing.

The visiting keeper was again Lyon’s hero after the break, this time pushing a Dirk Kuyt header round the post.

Olympique drew level with just under twenty minutes remaining. Gonalons headed Lyon’s equaliser after Reina had produced an excellent double save to deny Toulalan and Govou.

With the game set to end all-square, a right-wing cross from Govou was met at the far post by Delgado.

The defeat leaves Liverpool, with 3 points, third in Group E behind leaders Lyon, on 9 points, and Fiorentina on 6 points. Debrecen are bottom with 0 points.



- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly (Skrtel, 74), Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard (Aurelio, 24), Benayoun (Voronin, 84), Ngog

Booked: Ngog

Goals: Benayoun 41

Lyon: Lloris, Reveillere, Cris (Gonalons, 42), Toulalan, Cissokho, Pjanic, Makoun, Kallstrom, Govou, Lopez (Delgado, 86), Ederson (Gomis, 61)

Booked: Cris, Govou, Reveillere

Goals: Gonalons 72, Delgado 90+1