Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Maccabi Haifa

Liverpool take all three points going into the second leg against Maccabi Haifa in two weeks time but just about scraped the 2-1 win, Mark Gonzalez making a previously unexpected appearance to slot home a late winner.

With the game delayed due to crowd congestion, it took the away team just under a half hour to take a surprise lead goal in the first half, Gustovo Boccoli firing home after 29 minutes, the number 7 firing low into the left corner while Reina looked on helpless.

Credit to Liverpool though as Craig Bellamy fired home an equaliser just 4 minutes later on his competitive debut for the club. Momo Sissoko had teed everything up for Bellamy with his shot saved by Davidovitch as the Welshman found himself in the right spot to tap the ball home from an awkward angle and level the scores at 1-1.

1-1 is how the game would remain as well all the way to the 88th minute when Gonzalez threw Liverpool a lifeline. The Chilean stepped onto the pitch with just over 5 minutes remaining to replace Steven Gerrard and try shake off the knock he had been carrying up until tonight. Within three minutes he had blasted the ball from close range into the top corner to ensure all three points for Liverpool.

Some scares along the way defensively, Liverpool lucky not to be down by an additional goal in the early stages of the second half as Haifa certainly lived up to their “toughest opponents” tag as labeled by Steven Gerrard (in reference to this stage of the competition) prior to kick off. Great game also by Jermaine Pennant who walked away with the Man Of The Match award for his first competitive appearance also putting in some excellent performances down the wing while also coming close on 79 minutes with a deflected free kick.

Both Garcia (for Zenden) and Crouch (for Bellamy) were introduced midway through the second half and although the style of play changed, the end result was hard to create.

We knew this would be a difficult game as they have quality players and play a good counter attack. In the first half we didn’t create a lot of clear chances but in the second half we were much better as we regained more second balls and had more possibilities.

“I wouldn’t say we are now favourites to go through but I think we will be better in the second leg as they now have to come out and attack us so hopefully we will have more space. We have a little advantage and we will be a lot fitter.”

Despite the victory, both Gerrard and Benitez came out saying that Liverpool will be better in the second leg, though Benitiez and the squad know that it will be hard work, particularly when they still don’t know where exactly the match will take place.

The win for Liverpool tonight is their 13th straight win in competitive fixtures and puts them in a good position for the second leg bar conceding an away goal. Hopefully they will take the win and build on it ahead of Sunday’s big clash.

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