Liverpool Turkish Delight

Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas



In a what was billed as a ‘must’ win game for Liverpool, a pressure situation that would put Liverpool’s nerve to the test, Liverpool tore up the script with 8 goals and played like they had no pressure and were already through to the group stages.

Anfield has provided a many of drama on crucial European cup games over the years, yet it will take some match to recreate a match that was filled with so many goals and guile yet somehow played like a match with not much riding on it. After being humiliated in Turkey by their opponents, Rafa Benitez reign as Liverpool manager was under pressure for the first time since he lead Liverpool to European glory in 2005. Yet again Benitez showed his cool head and fired back at his critics in a furious fashion.

A inspired Yossi Benayoun Hatrick and a brace from Crouch and Babel and a goal from the excellent Steven Gerrard insured a team that was bottom of their group at the start of the night and staring a knockout of a competition they have such a dear friendship with. It was important for Liverpool to show some eagerness and fight to boost confidence as their season looked set to fall apart only November in. And they didn’t disappoint with Steven Gerrard flying into the besiktas midfielder Delgado, who taunted Liverpool by saying he wouldn’t ‘be surprised’ if Besiktas had won. Besiktas gave Liverpool an early scare after Mehmet Sedef hit the side netting, but after that Liverpool put in a performance to suggest to Europe that this team are ready to fight.

The deadlock was broken 19 minutes in, when Crouch was put through by a combination Vorinin pass and a Besiktas back pass, one on one with the keeper, crouch hit a left foot shot against him, only for it to bounce gleefully to serial benchwarmer Crouch who duly obliged with a finish that will make stubborn Benitez take notice. Gerrard slowly recovering his best form was in top shape as he battled for every ball in the centre that left Besiktas begging for mercy. A quick throw by Riise allowed Vorinin to take on the Besiktas defence, as he teased the defence he lifted a perfect ball to a unmarked Benayoun who had enough time to manoeuvre a shot away from the keepers palms and get the honour of scoring Liverpool 500th goal in European

After the break it was important for Liverpool to covert their domination into goals, and two goals in two minutes put the game well and beyond the reach of Besiktas. Riise found himself too much space again in the area and he unleashed a trademark power blaster from 12 yards out. The keeper managed to keep it out but Benayoun was there to tap in an easy goal. On a hatrick it only looked a matter of time before Liverpool were going to score again and benayoun again grabbed a rebound to pick up his first Liverpool Hatrick. A similar situation to the 3rd goal, a Gerrard free kick had too much power for the keeper and a bad night for the keeper and a great night for Benayoun continued as he tapped in his hatrick. England will be hoping for more of the same from Benayoun, as the Israeli captain plays Russia next Wednesday.

The best goal was finished and started by Gerrard. Gerrard burst through with his trademark lung busting run and played a great one two with Andriy Vorinin who back heeled in Gerrard path and he struck a shot against a Besiktas defender and left the hapless keeper stranded. After that goal, the Liverpool fans demanded more and they got more. A low cross by Benayoun was met by substitute Ryan Babel deft back heel that rolled into the net. A fortunate Babel earned another goal, after a Lampard esque deflection looped over the keepers head.

Liverpool had now matched Arsenals previous champions league record of 7-0 two weeks, and theyt looked to end Arsenals brief spell. And it was a case of ‘He who starts it.. Ends it’ as Crouch Powered in a header 2 minutes from time from a Benayoun cross.

A night that needed Liverpool to stand up and show some passion was instead replaced by Liverpool cooking up a turkey stew, with massive amount of flavour. With the Besiktas keeper Arikan head firmly stuck inside of it.