Champions' League Quarter-Final, 1st leg - 5/4/05
Liverpool 2 - 1 Juventus
Hyypia 10 (L), Luis Garcia 25 (L), Cannavaro 63 (J)
Anfield Road
Juve recovered from a dismal first half performance and were unlucky to emerge defeated 2-1 by Liverpool in tonight's quarter-final, as they had a perfectly good goal disallowed.
These two teams met for the first time since the Heysel tragedy and the 20-year anniversary hung heavy over proceedings. There was a minute's silence ahead of kick-off for the 39 fans who died on May 29 1985 and a real feeling of mutual respect between the clubs and their fans at Anfield Road. Representatives of the two sides, including Ian Rush and Michel Platini, walked out on to the pitch holding banners of friendship.
Pavel Nedved made his comeback after suffering concussion and head trauma in an accidental collision with Real Madrid's Raul Bravo in February, but it was only his second start since January 23 due to a series of injuries. David Trezeguet and Marcelo Zalayeta were not 100 per cent fit, while Alessio Tacchinardi was suspended, so Juve returned to the 4-4-2 system.
Liverpool opted to field young goalkeeper Scott Carson in only his third appearance since joining the club and gave him his Champions' League debut in this high-profile encounter.
Emerson slipped within the first 5 seconds and Milan Baros nearly took full advantage, as his shot was deflected off target. Liverpool had a very aggressive start and were swarming around Juve players when they had the ball.
Gianluca Zambrotta's error allowed Steve Finnan to fire on to the side-netting in another hairy moment for Fabio Capello's men, who were struggling to keep up with the breakneck pace early on.
The pressure paid off after 10 minutes, as a Steven Gerrard corner kick was touched on for the totally unmarked Sami Hyypia at the back post to volley in from six yards.
Carson's first real intervention came after 18 minutes, when the goalkeeper rushed off his line to clear from Zambrotta after some fine work between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Del Piero.
But Liverpool were clearly having the better of play and Buffon stuck up a hand to flap away a Baros volley with the Czech at full stretch.
Anthony Le Tallec flung himself at a John Arne Riise cross and just failed to get on the end of it with only Buffon to beat.
Liverpool doubled their lead with a stunning effort from Luis Garcia. The Spaniard's spectacular right-foot half-volley with the outside of his right foot from 30 metres dipped mercilessly under the crossbar with Buffon unable to get a hand to it.
Juventus finally woke up a minute later, but Ibrahimovic's low drive thumped the base of the upright and Nedved's follow-up was off target.
Another Baros effort was deflected on to the roof of the net as The Reds kept on coming.
Del Piero and Nedved combined passes brilliantly and the captain's finish was well parried at the near post by Carson as the goalkeeper was finally tested.
Gerrard managed to take the ball round Lilian Thuram and Juve were let off as he ballooned his shot over the bar. Buffon also blocked a tame Baros effort.
Zambrotta's fierce strike on the volley was plucked out of the air by a secure Carson and then Del Piero's header hit the back of the net only to be disallowed for an incorrect offside position. Replays clearly show the Juventus star was level with the last defender when the cross came in from Camoranesi.
There was further controversy moments later, as Zambrotta held off his marker and his cross was charged down by Gerrard's arm in the area, but the referee waved play on.
Capello had to make changes and introduced Gianluca Pessotto for Manuele Blasi at half-time. The Bianconeri were immediately more aggressive, but Nedved drilled wide from a promising position.
Del Piero was ready to finalise a great team move from Nedved's pass, but he fell in the area with a slight nudge from Traore. Fabio Cannavaro's looping header from a corner kick and a tame Del Piero shot were dealt with by Carson.
David Trezeguet replaced Del Piero on the hour mark, so Capello continued to work with the 4-4-2 system and left Nedved on the field.
A powerful but central free kick from Nedved was easily smothered, while Carragher nearly scored an own goal in his attempt to clear Zambrotta's cross.
Juventus were far improved from their first half performance and pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Fabio Cannavaro rose above two defenders to nod in Zambrotta's centre, though Carson seemed to be taken by surprise at the near post.
The confidence shifted towards the Bianconeri and Mauro German Camoranesi's shot whistled past the upright, though Riise's angled drive was deflected just wide.
A splendid team move saw Camoranesi dribble past four players and an Ibrahimovic cross intercepted just as Trezeguet was preparing to tap in.
There was bad news for Juventus when Jonathan Zebina pulled up with a suspected thigh strain and was replaced by Paolo Montero. Cannavaro switched to right-back, leaving Thuram and Montero in central defence for the closing 10 minutes.
Liverpool: Carson; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Biscan, Riise; Baros (Nunez 66), Le Tallec (Smicer 73)
Juventus: Buffon; Zebina (Montero 80), Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi (Pessotto 46), Nedved; Del Piero (Trezeguet 60), Ibrahimovic
Ref: De Bleeckere (Bel)
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