LIVERPOOL vs CELTA VIGO

by "Sky Sports"

Spanish pace-setters Celta Vigo gave Liverpool a torrid time in an entertaining UEFA Cup tie and punished error-ridden defending in an impressive victory in Spain.

Vigo started strongly, and their stunning quick passing football ripped through Liverpool's fragile defence which included Bjorn Kvarme for his first game of the season.

Tomas, Juan Sanchez, danger man Alexander Mostovoi and Bulgarian Luboslav Penev all threatened in the opening 15 minutes, but Liverpool held firm.

When Liverpool finally got into Celta's half new skipper Jamie Redknapp was booked by Greek referee Georgious Bikas for taking a long-range free-kick too quickly. He, along with Ince and McManaman, will miss the return leg at Anfield.

In spite of the pressure, Owen then wasted a glorious chance on the break after 27 minutes. Soon after, from a corner James had to make a superb one-handed save from a corner when the ball bounced off Steve Staunton.

But two minutes later, against the run of play, Liverpool stole the lead when David Thompson put Owen clear again and this time the youngster was slipped the ball past Vigo's keeper Dutruel.

Liverpool undid all their hard work within minutes of the restart. Heggem was booked and ruled out of the return leg and two minutes later Sanchez headed a left wing cross down for the unmarked Russian Mostovoi to drill past James from 12 yards.

Celta then dominated the game - one sweeping move ended with Valeri Karpin sending a first time ball into the box for Claude Makelele to head narrowly wide and a minute later Vigo's other Russian, Karpin, drove the ball low into the net after Heggem miskicked a clearance from a corner.

Penev thought he'd scored a third five minutes later but the whistle had gone for offside. Liverpool seemed content to hang on for the 2-1 scoreline but Vigo repeatedly tore through Liverpool's defence.

Time and again the away side failed to clear the danger, and when Kvarme missed the chance to head away Bjornebye's sliced clearance in the 92nd minute, Bosnian substitute Gudelj nipped in to give Celta a great chance of progression in the tournament.

Liverpool's manager Garard Houllier was disappointed with the second half performance: "Some of our players were not up to the physical challenge that came in the second half. We conceded some silly goals but we mustn't forget that we have got that one important away goal to take back to Anfield."

"This tie's only halfway through. That goal is vital and we still think that we are in with a chance. Celta are a very good side, but we knew that. I'm disappointed that we were unable to cling on to that 1-0 half-time advantage for 25 minutes or so of the second period."

"But we made life difficult for ourselves and we allowed them back into the game by making errors that they punished. I'm annoyed that we gave away the advantage we earned in the first half. We lost our shape in the second half and our discipline went as well as we lost sight of our main objective."

He continued: "It became more and more difficult. It was a physical challenge from them and some of our players were not up to it. The errors were schoolboy and the goals given away were silly and we created our own problems. But we do not believe it's over. We can pull this round."

Celta Vigo: Dutruel, Cacares, Vales, Mazinho, Tomas, Karpin (Caires 83), Penev (Gudel 83), Sanchez, Djorovic, Mostovoi (Echevearria 88), Makelele.

Subs Not Used: Cadete, Pinto, Cainzos, Eggen.

Booked: Penev.

Goals: Mostovoi 49, Karpin 56, Gudel 90.

Liverpool: James, Heggem, Kvarme, Staunton, Bjornebye, Berger (Babb 85), Redknapp, Carragher, Thompson (Riedle 78), Owen, Fowler.

Subs Not Used: Leonhardsen, Friedel, Murphy, Gerrard, Wright.

Booked: Redknapp, Heggem.

Goals: Owen 35.

Att: 31,500

Ref: G Bikas (Greece).