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Matchday 2
Final
Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool
Half: 2-0
Goals
29'S. Jovetic1-0  
37'S. Jovetic2-0  
Stats  |  Matchcast
Final Boxscore
Commentary  |  Team Stats  |  Player Stats
Fiorentina v Liverpool
Time Commentary
94' FULL TIME
They may have showed a vast improvement for 20 minutes after half time, but in truth Liverpool got exactly what they deserved from tonight's game - nothing. The Reds were distinctly average going forward for long periods of the game, and were simply overrun in defence by a rampant Fiorentina side in the first half. Not a disaster of a result, but it makes life far more uncomfortable for Rafa Benitez in this competition during the next few weeks. Full time in Florence, Fiorentina 2 Liverpool 0.
90' ADDED TIME
Three minutes remain for Liverpool to mount a very famous comeback.
90' LAST-CHANCE SALOON
Last-chance saloon for Liverpool - Gerrard wants to write another famous script with a 35-yard free kick, but it curls wide of Frey's post.
89' LATE SUB
Lorenzo De Silvestri replaces the impressive Marchionni for the final few minutes.
87' LYON NEXT UP
So where do Liverpool go from here? Well it's a Lyon double-header next up, starting at Anfield in three weeks. Defeat in either of those games, combined with two Fiorentina wins over Debrecen, and Liverpool will have a real fight on their hands to qualify for the knockout stages.
84' GERRARD CHANCE
They really had to score that, you feel. Babel does superbly to get in a floated cross towards Gerrard, but the midfielder's header drops inches wide. Only six minutes to rescue this now for the Reds.
82' MUTU OFF
The hosts also make a change, with Marco Donadel replacing Adrian Mutu. The former Chelsea man hasn't had much of a sight of goal tonight, but his link-up play has been excellent.
80' LIVERPOOL SUB
Andriy Voronin replaces Dirk Kuyt as Liverpool look to shake things up.
79' CORNER CONCEDED
He may be good going forward but Skrtel's defending leaves a little to be desired there - he lets in Jovetic down the left and Fiorentina win a corner.
76' NOT HAPPENING
What a run from Martin Skrtel - the Slovakian makes it all the way from the half-way line to the byline via a Babel one-two, but the eventual cross sees Torres' shot blocked. It's just not happening for Liverpool.
74' FIORENTINA SUB
Experienced Danish midfielder Martin Jorgensen replaces Vargas for the Viola.
74' GROUP E UPDATE
Incidentally Lyon are 4-0 up in Hungary now. Their goals have come from Kallstrom, Pjanic, Gomis and a Czvitkovics own goal.
72' LIVERPOOL SUB
Ryan Babel is on for Liverpool, replacing Emiliano Insua. Babel scored twice as a substitute against Hull on Saturday - if he can repeat the feat tonight Benitez might even start him at the weekend. I doubt it though.
70' PERFECTLY-TIMED
Yet more wonderful defending from Gamberini who, with Torres about to let fly from ten yards, gets in a perfectly-timed tackle.
69' FINAL BALL
Liverpool's final ball has improved tenfold in this second half, but they still can't get a white shirt on the end of one. Aurelio's fired cross is hastily punched clear by Frey as three Liverpool players lurk behind the keeper.
66' TIME RUNNING OUT
Time is running a bit short for Liverpool here - just 24 minutes for them to score two goals. Kuyt's cross is superbly headed clear by Gamberini with Torres ready to pounce.
64' HEART IN MOUTH
Gamberini's heart jumps into his mouth temporarily as he diverts an Aurelio cross towards goal, but fortunately for the defender the ball is in keeper Frey's arms.
60' WARNING SIGN
Marchionni shows another warning sign to Liverpool with a curved low cross which is only just ahead of Mutu.
59' CARRAGHER SHOT
Jamie Carragher, of all people, fancies blasting that Fiorentina defensive record wide open, and smacks a swerving 25-yard shot only marginally wide, after staying up from a cleared corner.
57' RESPITE
Respite for the hosts in the form of the dribbling Montolivo who earns his side a throw in down the left flank. Look away now Liverpool stat fans - Fiorentina are the only Serie A side yet to concede at home this season.
54' GAME OF TWO HALVES
Not sure how long Fiorentina will be able to survive this onslaught. To say this has been a game of two halves so far would be a ridiculous understatement. Gerrard nearly finds Torres with a venomous cross before Gamberini gets there first.
51' TOO UNSELFISH
Unselfishness from Kuyt probably costs Liverpool a goal. The Dutchman takes on Gobbi and Dainelli with a flick and a header (think Gazza, Euro 96) but then decides to nod the ball across the box instead of volleying at goal, and Fiorentina clear the danger.
49' KUYT SHOT
Another shot for Frey to deal with but this one's slightly easier to handle - Kuyt's low drive from the right of the area is meat and drink for the Frenchman.
47' JUST OVER
And from the resulting corner Lucas is oh-so-close to scoring, but arrows his free header from six yards centimetres over the bar. In just over a minute Liverpool have created their best two chances of the game, by a country mile.
47' BENAYOUN CHANCE
Well that's a good sign. Benayoun beats Comotto to the ball and suddenly he's free on the left. The midfielder cuts back from the byline and arrows one towards the corner, but Frey makes a decent save.
46' SECOND HALF
We're back playing again in Florence. If there's a smidgen of a hint of a comeback, or of Gerrard or Torres performing at anything like their normal level - I'll let you know.
45' HALF TIME
Purposeful, creative, pacey, dynamic - Fiorentina have been everything Liverpool haven't in that first half. Rafa Benitez has got a job on his hands in the next 15 minutes. His side need inspiration and discipline, or it's unlikely they'll be able to drag themselves back into this one.
42' CORNER BALL
Good link-up play between Benayoun and Gerrard forces a corner. Riera swings one in but Zanetti nods clear.
39' GROUP E UPDATE
More bad news for Liverpool - Lyon are 3-0 up in Hungary against Debrecen. Looks like Group E is going to be a three-way fight for two places. And a tight one at that.
37' FIORENTINA 2-0 LIVERPOOL
Fiorentina are 2-0 up and you can't say they don't deserve it. Liverpool don't do enough to prevent the final ball yet again as a Vargas cross is stabbed home by STEVAN JOVETIC for his second of the night. This boy is quite the talent.
35' FIRST SHOT
Finally, Liverpool's first shot in anger. Steven Gerrard goes for precision rather than power from 30 yards, but can't find the corner and Frey makes the save.
34' RAMPANT
The hosts, and Jovetic in particular, are rampant. There's no better word for it. Zanetti tries a carbon copy of the goal but this time Reina can collect the through ball.
33' CUT OUT
Fellow full back Comotto is at it now, gallivanting down the right flank before crossing towards Jovetic, but Johnson does well to cut the ball out.
31' VARGAS CHANCE
Liverpool have got to be careful here - Fiorentina are on fire and the visitors look like they'd rather be somewhere else. Vargas steams forward down the left and tests Reina to the full with a vicious half-volley from out wide, but the Spaniard is up to the task.
29' FIORENTINA 1-0 LIVERPOOL
The defending takes a turn for the worse but it's cost Liverpool this time – Fiorentina have the lead. Zanetti's through ball finds the Red's back four in what is anything but a straight line – STEVAN JOVETIC holds his run and then coolly slots the ball past Reina. It had been coming.
26' BLUSHES SPARED
An awful Carragher header - Liverpool's number 23 simply nods a cross directly up into the air when he really should clear - causes panic in the penalty area before Montolivo spares his blushes with a volley which flashes wide.
24' LIVEWIRE
Jovetic enhances his burgeoning reputation (with me anyway) with an ambitious 30-yard drive which was never going in - but you've got to love that youthful exuberance. Marchionni then should find the unmarked striker in the box but a terrible cross means the attack breaks down.
22' ENTER THE FREY
Benayoun dinks a nice-looking pass into the box looking for Aurelio, who has got into a fantastic position in the six-yard box, but keeper Sebastien Frey gets there first.
20' ON THE BALL
Fiorentina are enjoying the lion's share of possession here and Liverpool aren't looking at all comfortable. The midfield five haven't offered anything meaningful going forward.
16' LIVELY
Young Jovetic looks a bit lively for the home side. The 19-year-old finds room on the left and has Skrtel backtracking before the Slovakian gets in a really good block from what is a powerful shot.
14' NOT TOO FAB-IO
Aurelio sends a deep cross to Benayoun but the ball evades the Israeli and Fiorentina have a goal kick. Neither side has registered a shot on goal yet.
11' DODGY CLEARANCE
Corner for Fiorentina and Liverpool don't deal with it too well, playing the ball straight back to Marchionni and then a dodgy Torres clearance takes the Reds a while to recover from.
10' SOFT TOUCH NEEDED
Once again Liverpool are a slightly over-hit pass away from creating a one-on-one opportunity - this time Torres' ball to the onrushing Kuyt just needed a little less power.
8' YET TO SETTLE
It may be noisy off the pitch but it's pretty quiet on it. Neither side has really settled into their stride yet and a few passes are going astray.
5' PASSIONATE
The home fans are generating quite an atmosphere in Florence - these supporters are some of the most passionate in Italian football.
3' OVER-HIT
Two slick passes from back to front and Liverpool are nearly in on goal - Skrtel to Gerrard to Torres - but the second pass is slightly over-hit.
1' KICK OFF
Fiorentina kick us off. Liverpool are playing in their white away kit.
0' FIORENTINA TEAM NEWS
Fiorentina show six changes from the six which beat Livorno 1-0 on Saturday. Five players drop to the bench but Alberto Gilardino is suspended and so doesn't make the squad. Montenegro international Stevan Jovetic, 19, partners Adrian Mutu up front. Full line up: Frey, Vargas, Dainelli, Gamberini, Comotto; Gobbi, Zanetti, Marchionni, Montolivo; Jovetic, Mutu. Subs: Avramov, Kroldrup, Donadel, Castillo, Jorgensen, Pasqual, De Silvestri.
0' LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Just the one change from Saturday's 6-1 pummeling of Hull as Fabio Aurelio comes in for Albert Riera, who drops to the bench. Yossi Benayoun has shaken off a dead leg and starts in midfield. Full line up: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Aurelio; Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Plessis, Spearing, Babel, Riera, Voronin.
0' KICK OFF 1945 BST
Can Liverpool's 2009-10 bandwagon gather more pace as the games continue to come thick and fast? Join us from 1915 BST for the all-important team news followed by live text commentary of this intriguing Champions League clash.
0' THE REF
German referee Felix Brych is the man in the middle this evening. Liverpool fans probably won't remember him from the last time he took charge of a Reds game – the 3-1 win over PSV last season when he dished out just one yellow card.
0' EXPERIENCED OPPOSITION
The Viola are in the Champions League for the second consecutive campaign and will be hoping to improve on last season's exploits, when they crashed out at the group stages. Manager Cesare Prandelli, in charge since 2005, has assembled an experienced squad which includes familiar names Cristiano Zanetti, Sebastian Frey, Martin Jorgensen and shamed ex-Chelsea star Adrian Mutu.
0' TINKERMAN?
Javier Mascherano is out after picking up a hamstring injury in training, but Yossi Benayoun may recover from a dead leg in time to feature. Ryan Babel will hope for a starting place after his two-goal salvo as a substitute against Hull and Benitez may well choose to shuffle his pack with a huge game against Chelsea looming large at the weekend.
0' PREVIEW
Liverpool travel to Florence tonight for what is arguably their toughest test of the season against a more than capable Fiorentina side. Then again, who would want to be facing the Reds in their current form? Rafa Benitez's side slammed six past Hull on Saturday, with Fernando Torres laying his claim for the mantle of world football's best striker. After struggling past Hungarian unknowns Debrecen at Anfield two weeks ago, Benitez will be hoping his players can take their Premier League form into Europe tonight.
Commentary  |  
Team Stats  |  Player Stats
Teams
FiorentinaStarter
Sebastian Frey - 1Y
Dario Dainelli - 3Y
Alessandro Gamberini - 5Y
Vargas - 6Y
Stevan Jovetic - 8Y
Adrian Mutu - 10Y
Cristiano Zanetti - 15Y
Riccardo Montolivo - 18Y
Massimo Gobbi - 19Y
Gianluca Comotto - 25Y
Marco Marchionni - 32Y
Marco Donadel - 4N
Martin Jørgensen - 20N
Lorenzo De Silvestri - 29N
LiverpoolStarter
José Reina - 25Y
Glen Johnson - 2Y
Steven Gerrard - 8Y
Fernando Torres - 9Y
Fabio Aurelio - 12Y
Yossi Benayoun - 15Y
Dirk Kuyt - 18Y
Lucas - 21Y
Emiliano Insua - 22Y
Jamie Carragher - 23Y
Martin Skrtel - 37Y
Andriy Voronin - 10N
Ryan Babel - 19N
  
Substitution
75' - Jørgensen
 - Vargas
83' - Donadel
 - Mutu
90' - De Silvestri
 - Marchionni
Babel - 72'
Insua - 
Voronin - 80'
Kuyt - 
  
  
FiorentinaTeam StatsLiverpool
2 Goals 0
2 Assists 0
11 Shots 13
4 Shots on Goal 5
5 Saves 2
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
29 Crosses 33
4 Corner Kicks 8
5 Offsides 3
8 Fouls Committed 14
0 Cautions/Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Commentary  |  
Team Stats  |  Player Stats
Fiorentina
  GA SHT SHT-OG Svs SPct PKF PKS YC RC
S. Frey - 1 0 13 5 5 100.0 0 0 0 0
  SUB G Ast SHTS SOG SOG% CK CR FC FS Off YC RC
D. Dainelli - 3 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
M. Donadel - 4 +84 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
A. Gamberini - 5 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Vargas - 6 -76 0 1 4 2 50.0 1 5 0 0 1 0 0
S. Jovetic - 8 2 0 4 2 50.0 0 3 2 5 0 0 0
A. Mutu - 10 -84 0 0 1 0 0.0 1 4 1 2 3 0 0
C. Zanetti - 15 0 1 0 0 - 0 1 1 1 0 0 0
R. Montolivo - 18 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 1 1 0 0
M. Gobbi - 19 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
M. Jørgensen - 20 +76 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
G. Comotto - 25 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
L. De Silvestri - 29 +91 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
M. Marchionni - 32 -91 0 0 2 0 0.0 2 8 1 0 0 0 0

Liverpool
  GA SHT SHT-OG Svs SPct PKF PKS YC RC
J. Reina - 25 2 11 4 2 50.0 0 0 0 0
  SUB G Ast SHTS SOG SOG% CK CR FC FS Off YC RC
G. Johnson - 2 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
S. Gerrard - 8 0 0 6 1 16.7 1 4 0 1 0 0 0
F. Torres - 9 0 0 2 1 50.0 0 3 2 2 3 0 0
A. Voronin - 10 +81 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
F. Aurelio - 12 0 0 0 0 - 6 10 1 0 0 0 0
Y. Benayoun - 15 0 0 2 2 100.0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0
D. Kuyt - 18 -81 0 0 1 1 100.0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0
R. Babel - 19 +73 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Lucas - 21 0 0 1 0 0.0 1 2 4 2 0 0 0
E. Insua - 22 -73 0 0 0 0 - 0 4 0 1 0 0 0
J. Carragher - 23 0 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
M. Skrtel - 37 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 2 1 0 0 0

Goalkeepers
GAGoals Allowed
SHTShots Faced
SHT-OGShots on Goal Faced
SvsSaves
SPctSave Pct.(Percentage)
PKFPenalty Kicks Faced
PKSPenalty Kicks Saved
YCCautions/Yellow Cards
RCRed Cards
Players
GGoals
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
SOG%Shots on Goal %
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCCautions/Yellow Cards
RCRed Cards
AstAssists
OffOffsides
SUBSubstitution
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