Galatasaray 1 Liverpool 1Liverpool may have emerged from a cauldron brimming with hate on the banks of the Bosphorus but their Champions League prospects hang in the balance this morning.
Emile Heskey's equaliser, thumped into the roof of the net from the substitute Jari Litmanen's lay-off, kept them afloat but only just. Hell may be over-rated but progress could remain fantasy although they were helped by Roma's 3-0 defeat of group favourites Barcelona which leaves everything still to play for.
No English club had played at this crumbling if breathlessly intimidating arena since Leeds's fateful visit almost two years ago. While the Turkish authorities had done all they could to avoid a repeat of the tragic incidents surrounding that UEFA Cup tie - there were 2,000 policemen on duty at the ground - the atmosphere even two hours before kick-off was as poisonous as ever.
Liverpool arrived here having avoided defeat on their European travels for almost four years - a 13-match sequence - but they began the match languishing at the foot of Group B with two points and one goal to their name.
That tally should have been increased midway through the first half as Danny Murphy, tentatively venturing back into the firing line, whipped in a corner that John-Arne Riise nodded goalwards. Ali Mondragon scrambled that attempt behind and the retake again eluded dithering defenders as the Norwegian's glancing attempt looped wide.
Galatasaray have won all 13 home league fixtures this season and provoked predictable panic in Liverpool's rearguard whenever Hasan Sas or Goktan Berkant eluded their markers. Arif Erdem had already forced Chris Kirkland to tip a skimming shot wide at full strength when Penbe Ergun's long-range effort was spilled by the England Under-21 goalkeeper. Jamie Carragher did well to hack the ball to safety before Berkant could react.
Such pressure, while laced with risk, tended to suit Liverpool by tempting opposing defenders up the pitch and leaving acres of tantalising turf into which Owen could charge. Just before the break the England striker nipped in to curl an attempt just wide with Mondragon beaten; just after it he burst on to Murphy's pass only for the Colombian to thwart him again at the last.
Further chances for Owen and Riise (two) were wasted and Liverpool's profligacy eventually cost them dear. Chances had been few and far between for Galatasary but, with 19 minutes remaining, they found the reward their performance hardly deserved.
Victoria's cross from the left by-passed Liverpool's defenders and Niculescu rose to head his first goal for the Turkish champions. Pandemonium engulfed the stadium - until Heskey's precious strike.
Guardian Service
GALATASARAY: Mondragon, Bulent Korkmaz, Erdem, Goktan, Sas, Victoria, Perez, Akman, Fleurquin, Niculescu (Aykut 79), Penbe. Subs Not Used: Inan, Inceefe, Suat, Sabri, Sedat, Jersson. Booked: Victoria, Bulent Korkmaz. Goal: Niculescu 71.
LIVERPOOL: Kirkland, Xavier, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Smicer (Litmanen 74), Murphy, Hamann, Riise, Owen, Heskey. Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Baros, Barmby, McAllister, Biscan, Wright. Booked: Hamann, Heskey. Goal: Heskey 79.
Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)
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