SPOT OF BOTHER ... Cardozo lashes home the
leveller from the spot
The Reds had taken an early lead thanks to a moment of
magic from Daniel Agger.
Ryan Babel's red card dented Rafa Bentiez's hopes and
Oscar Cardozo levelled after Emiliano Insua fouled Pablo Aimar in
the box.
Fernando Torres had an incredible chance to put
Liverpool back ahead late on.
But he missed and Benfica cashed in after Jamie
Carragher's handball.
Agger's genius prised open the miserly Benfica defence
to give Liverpool a dream start.
After winning a free-kick just outside the box, Steven
Gerrard sent in a dangerous low cross.
Agger lay in wait by the penalty spot and cheekily
flicked past stopper Julio Cesar Jacobi.
Liverpool nearly threw it all away moments later
though, and were lucky when Cardozo blazed over.
Aimar was next to challenge but Cesar Martins'
brilliant throughball skidded past and the Reds were let off the
hook.
Babel was then given his marching orders after Luisao
sparked a ruck.
The Benfica skipper picked up a yellow for clattering
Torres from behind.
Babel took exception and squared up to the Portugal
defender.
Ref Jonas Eriksson then brought out the red — and off
trotted Luisao, assuming he had picked up a second booking for his
part in the melee.
MINUTES later, however, it became
clear that the card was for Babel for raising his hands to the No
4.
And back came Luisao with the Dutchman trudging off in
his place.
When the game got going again, Angel di Maria came
close with a lashed left-foot drive.
In the 59th minute, Cardozo came close to smashing a
leveller when he hit the post.
But he was given a second chance when the rebound fell
to Aimar, who was fouled by Insua, and slammed home the
spot-kick.
That goal sparked the Portuguese into life and got the
Estadio de Luz rocking.
A group of fans behind Pepe Reina's goal had been
throwing bangers from the stands — but now the explosives were on
the pitch.
Gerrard and Ramieres both came close as the sides
charged into the final 20 minutes.
A glorious chance fell to Torres — but incredibly, the
hotshot dragged wide with only the keeper to beat.
And Liverpool were made to pay after Carragher's
79th-minute handball.
