UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE Liverpool 1 Anzhi Makhachkala 0:GUUS HIDDINK arrived with tributes for Liverpool, laying a wreath at the Hillsborough memorial before Anzhi Makhachkala's Anfield bow and insisting the football "institution will always resurrect and return to the top where it belongs". This was a recovery in Europa League terms only yet it had the capacity to stun even a coach of Hiddink's standing.
Stewart Downing, frequently overlooked since Brendan Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager, produced an outstanding finish to transform Anfield’s prospects in the competition and douse the ambitions of the wealthy club from Dagestan. It was only the fourth goal of Downing’s Liverpool career.
Not that Liverpool were undeserving victors. Rodgers had taken a huge gamble on his team selection and the decision was vindicated as Liverpool emerged with limbs and confidence intact as well as top spot in Group A.
A foul from behind by Chris Samba on Suarez prompted audible groans and a booking for the former Blackburn Rovers defender as Liverpool dominated the early exchanges, withthe Moroccan Assaidi dispossessing Kamil Agalarov inside his own area and testing Gabulov at the near post before Glen Johnson was refused a difficult penalty call from the Dutch referee, Bas Nijhuis. Johnson missed his shot completely as he closed in on goal but appeared to have been nudged out of his stride by Agalarov.
Anzhi survived and though their performance steadily improved as the first half progressed, with their midfield finally retaining possession, it was not until stoppage time that they first tested Brad Jones in the Liverpool goal. Fedor Smolov’s 30-yard strike flew just wide of the post.
Johnson did not reappear for the second half as Rodgers gave Downing another opportunity to demonstrate his belief that a Liverpool career going nowhere on the wing could have a future at left-back. It was taken as a back-handed compliment for the England international when first suggested by the Liverpool manager after the play-off win at Hearts. But the switch was given foundation after only eight minutes against Anzhi.
Moments after Steven Gerard had headed tamely wide at the start of the second half, Shelvey picked out Downing in an advanced position on the left. There was little on but the maligned winger thought otherwise, and cut inside the full-back Agalarov before releasing a stunning finish from the corner of the penalty area beyond Gabulov. And with his right foot.
Guardian Service
LIVERPOOL:Jones, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson (Sterling 46), Gerrard, Sahin, Shelvey (Allen 80), Downing, Suarez, Assaidi. Subs not used: Gulacsi, Henderson, Carragher, Fernandez Saez, Yesil. Booked: Suarez, Agger.
ANZHI MAKHACHKALA: Vladimir Gabulov, Agalarov (Logashov 61), Samba, Joao Carlos, Zhirkov, Shatov, Georgi Gabulov, Boussoufa (Lakhiyalov 77), Carcela-Gonzalez, Eto'o, Smolov (Traore 64). Subs not used: Pomazan, Gadzhibekov, Tagirbekov, Mukhammad. Booked: Samba,Agalarov.
Referee: Bas Nijhuis(Netherlands).
