I have no idea why Yossi Benayoun was substituted by Andriy Voronin. This has been Rafa’s blind spot this season – the easy dismissal of the one player who gives Liverpool its best chance at crafting goals in the absence of Torres and Gerrard.
Also, the equalizer by Maxime Gonalons was achieved with 9 Liverpool players in the box who milled around clueless as Reina fell third time unlucky. Similarly, Cesar Delgado arrived at the far post with Jamie Carragher failing to shadow him. It led to the winner in stoppage time.
Lyon lead Group E with 9 points followed by Fiorentina with 6 points (they beat Debrecen, 4-3 in a thriller). Liverpool is third garnering 3 points while Debrecen are yet to gain a point and lie last. Both teams meet each other on 4th November at the Stade de Gerland. It is the worst start to Liverpool’s season in 22 years.
Next Sunday, against Man Utd Rafa has to work without Steven Gerrard who could not last even one half against Lyon aggravating his adductor strain yet again. Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, and Alberto Riera are all doubtful.