Group Stage
Liverpool 2-0 Monaco (15th September 2004)
The Reds hit back with a brilliant team performance against the side that had finished second in the competition less than six months earlier, losing in the final to Porto. Djibril Cisse score the first – his first goal at Anfield – before Milan Baros scored a delightful second just before the end. Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were equally instrumental as their partnership began to blossom in central midfield.
Olympiacos 1-0 Liverpool (28th September 2004)
Liverpool lost for the first time on Greek soil after a sorry performance in Athens. The Reds failed to have so much as a shot on target during a first-half in which they were dominated from start to finish. Leroklis Stoltidis deservedly grabbed the night’s only goal after 12 minutes, heading home Rivaldo’s free-kick. We pushed forward in search of an equaliser during the second-half but it was to no avail.
Liverpool 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna (19th October 2004)
It was another frustrating night for Liverpool as we failed to capitalise on a whole host of chances to claim a crucial three points. Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros were both denied by the brilliant goalkeeping of Jose Molina, while several other opportunities were painstakingly wasted.
Deportivo La Coruna 0-1 Liverpool (3rd November 2004)
The Reds came into this game knowing that we’d need to win at least one of our two remaining away games, with this match representing our best opportunity. A first-half own goal by Jorge Andrade proved to be enough, as we claimed our first win in Spain for more than 20 years. Luis Garcia missed a late chance to make the points safe but in the end it didn’t matter.
Monaco 1-0 Liverpool (23rd November 2004)
Javier Saviola scored the only goal as Liverpool dropped to third in our group ahead of the final round of fixtures. To make matters worse, both Luis Garcia and Josemi were stretchered off, joining Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros on the sidelines. Despite appearing to handle the ball in the build-up, Saviola’s goal stood, leaving goalkeeper Chris Kirkland looking understandably frustrated.
Liverpool 3-1 Olympiacos (8th December 2004)
It will go down as one of the most memorable nights in our European history. Needing to win by two clear goals to ensure qualification for the knock-out stages, we fell behind early to a sublime Rivaldo free-kick, leaving us with everything to do and time against us. Substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle struck first, just moments after coming on, before Neil Mellor repeated the trick to leave Benitez looking like a managerial genius. But the decisive third was all about Steven Gerrard, who rifled the ball into the corner of the net from range to leave Anfield in hysterics.
