Match Summary
Liverpool are out of this season’s Champions League, despite a grinding 1-0 victory over Debrecen in Hungary.
Fiorentina’s 1-0 victory over Lyon in Italy ensured that whatever the result in Budapest, Liverpool were eliminated from the European Cup.
The Reds will now enter the Europa League (formally UEFA Cup) which they last won in 2001 under Gerard Houllier.
David Ngog got the only goal of the game just minutes into the match when he turned in a goalbound header from Jamie Carragher.
But the Reds, despite dominating possession and winning 12 corners, never really looked like adding to their early lead.
In a bizarre move, Benitez left it until the 91st minute to bring on £18million summer signing Alberto Aquilani.
Discuss the match and our Europa League prospects here
Media Reports
BBC Sport
Sky Sports
Team Line-ups
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Aurelio (Dossena 89), Kuyt, Gerrard (Aquilani 90), Ngog (Benayoun 77).
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Spearing, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel.
Debrecen: Poleksic, Bodnar, Meszaros, Mijadinoski, Fodor (Dombi 78), Szelesi, Kiss, Szakaly (Coulibaly 62), Czvitkovics, Laczko, Rudolf.
Subs: Pantic, Ramos, Komlosi, Bernath, Varga.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)
Recent Articles
Benitez departure confirmed June 3rd, 2010
Torres doubts for Spain May 4th, 2010
Rafa cancels Broughton meetings to stir future rumours May 4th, 2010
Next Up: Hull City (a) May 3rd, 2010
Chelsea add to Liverpool misery May 3rd, 2010
Match Links: