Trabzonspor v Liverpool – as it happened

Preamble: Liverpool have got a job on tonight. Turkey is never the easiest of places to go at the best of times. Liverpool aren't experiencing the best of times. Quite the opposite in fact - they were shambolic in defeat to Manchester City on Monday night, Joe Cole's Anfield career could only get worse if he scores a hat-trick of own goals tonight before later revealing he's best mates with Boris Johnson, there's no Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres, man-marking isn't all it's cracked up to be, Dirk Kuyt, good old Dirk Kuyt, wants to leave, Rafael Benitez still wants to sign Javier Mascherano, Javier Mascherano's dummy is currently residing in Barcelona, Daniel Agger appears to still be concussed from that knock he took against Arsenal and Roy Hodgson wants to sign Paul Konchesky. Things can only get better. Right? Here are tonight's teams: Trabzonspor: Kivrak; Cale, Korkmaz, Kacar, Balci; Colman, Gulselam, Inan, Yilmaz; Gutierrez, Yattara. Subs: Zengin, Baytar, Atas, Alanzinho, Badur, Jaja, Oztorun. Liverpool: Reina; Kelly, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Johnson; Lucas, Poulsen; Kuyt, Cole, Aurelio; Ngog. Subs: Gulacsi, Pacheco, Babel, Spearing, Shelvey, Skrtel, Eccleston. Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia) Ok, so this is just my opinion and everything, but that Liverpool line-up doesn't exactly inspire you with confidence, does it? Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Torres and Jovanovic are all missing from the defeat to City, while Joe Cole, suspended in domestic games, will play in the hole behind David Ngog. I'm not sure about the idea of playing Cole in the hole - hey, that rhymes! - as he lacks both explosive speed after a catalogue of injuries and an eye for the final pass or shot. And as Carlo Ancelotti intimitated, he's not the most intelligent of footballers. As for Ngog, he falls into the category of players who have been unfairly castigated by their own fans - think Emmanuel Eboue - but who are actually quite good. Trabzonspor summed up better than I could ever manage, with thanks to Nazim Dikbas: "Hoping for a win for Trabzonspor here in Istanbul - but it is not only Liverpool who are missing crucial players: Glowacki, our new defender who was outstanding against Fenerbahçe on the weekend when we won 3-2, had to come off injured at that game and does not feature. In fact, the second half showed that we do tend to get the jitters once we are in front against strong opposition, and it was on more than one occasion that our excellent keeper Onur prevented us losing the lead. Colman on the other hand missed a penalty to extend our lead, and he retains his place, and will be looking to make amends. Teofilo has already scored 5 goals this season, but I sense he is not (yet) a player for big occasions. Yattara, as always, is the player to watch, the mercurial right-winger has all the tricks, dribbling skills and composure you can ask for (an audacious chip for the 2nd goal against FB), and although he has often been (probably rightly) accused of not tracking back, I was happily surprised to see him constantly support a shaky defence on Monday night -maturity has perhaps belatedly arrived." Was there anything more tragic than Ryan Babel's summer realisation on Twitter that Milan Jovanovic plays in his position? Jovanovic will not feature altogether while Babel, who scored the only goal in the first leg last week, starts on the bench. There's a decent player waiting to emerge there, if he gets his head right and stops penning that follow-up to the Anfield Rap. On the subject, Andrew Dean writes: "How bad is Babel that he can't get in the team ahead of Aurelio, a defender, on that attacking left wing? Though nothing new, that's got to be difficult for Liverpool fans to see." Did I imagine Roy Hodgson playing 4-4-2 away to Manchester City with the egotistical Gerrard in central midfield? Or do I just have really rubbish dreams? 1 min: We're off, Liverpool in their traditional red kit and Trabzonspor in their claret and blue stripes. Claret and blue? I know who I'm backing tonight. Anyway it's a fierce atmosphere in the stadium, whistles greeting Liverpool - that won't be stopping any time soon. The home side get us underway, kicking from left to right. The ball is hoofed up field, Liverpool return it with interest and it's out for a goal-kick. My, the stadium really is rocking. 2 min: That was encouraging for Liverpool. Christian Poulsen attempted to play a through-ball for Ngog to chase - realising he was offside, he left the ball but so did the home defence, allowing Joe Cole to get a cross in from the left which was knocked behind for a corner. Fabio Aurelio took it, swinging away from goal, but Krygiakos's header was straight at Onur. GOAL! Trabzonspor 1-0 Liverpool (Gutierrez 3 min) What a dreadful start for Liverpool! Dirk Kuyt lost the ball in his own half, allowing the Trabzonspor left winger Colman to run at the Liverpool defence on the left. With little on, he unleashed a shot that was heading well wide, but with the Liverpool defenders apparently still asleep from Monday night, Gutierrez stole in to sidefoot the ball past Reina from 12 yards out. He was unmarked. That was utterly dreadful and the tie is level on aggregate. 6 min: Oh Roy! Liverpool have done nothing since the goal and the home crowd, if it's possible, are even more buoyant. 8 min: Actually, Gutierrez, rather than 12 yards out when he scored, was further in than that. Just thought you'd like to know. Liverpool fans - do you actually care if you go out tonight? Or is the aim of the game achieving some sort of respectability in the league? 10 min: If Dirk Kuyt really does want to leave and go to Inter, he's really furthered his cause in the first ten minutes here. It was the plodding Dutchman, of course, who lost the ball in the build-up to Gutierrez's goal. 11 min: Liverpool's response since the goal has been risible. The game remains scrappy and they currently look very, very average. A bit like Fulham, you might say. Ngog is completely isolated and is being kept quiet by the Trabzonspor defence. 13 min: Here's Nazim Dikbas again: "Perhaps Teofilo (Gutierrez) is ready for the big games after all. PS: Still dread our ability to concede simple goals." I know the feeling Nazim. 14 min: If anything, it's all Trabzonspor at the moment. The home side appealed vociferously for a free-kick on the edge of the D as Burak tricked his way across the outskirts of the area before falling over Krygiakos's outstretched leg, but the referee waves the protests away. 16 min: Glen Johnson won a corner on the right, which Fabio Aurelio plonked straight into the goalkeeper's arms. Immediately Trabzonspor broke at speed, with the dangerous Yattara a threat on the right. He skipped far too easily past Lucas's feeble challenge before smacking a fierce shot that Jamie Carragher deflected past the near post with a brave slide. Yattara's corner is cleared only to Colman on the edge of the area, who tries his luck again - his shot is deflected, drawing a smart save from Reina, turning the ball past the post. Liverpool are on the ropes here. 18 min: I'll happily admit that I'm not too familiar with the Trabzonspor team and it's not exactly helpful that the names Jon Champion is referring to don't appear to be on the teamsheet I've got... 20 min: "I'm beginning to feel a bit sorry for Liverpool. Have they reached the stage when such condescension is acceptable? I do hope so," writes Gary Naylor (who is aware that his team were playing Huddersfield last night). I think they have, Gary. They are in a right old state at the moment. 21 min: A stat for you: Trabzonspor haven't lost at home in 2010 and as it stands, it will be a major shock if Liverpool end that formidable run. 22 min: It's such a shame that Wes Brown saw fit to retire from international football because Glen Johnson really cannot defend. Positionally poor, now he's beaten for speed on the left by Burak and can only respond by bringing him down. From the free-kick, Yattara escapes Carragher's attention but, six yards out and with a free header, glances wide. A shocking miss and Liverpool should be two down on the night and behind on aggregate. 24 min: "As a Liverpool fan, this is gutting," says Scott Connolly. "But surely the only thing worse than being forced to compete against in the Europa League is getting knocked out of the Europa League? And I get that the league is a priority – but come on. If the Europa League is overwhelming, than surely the Champions League is a bridge too far." That is the lot of the supporter Scott - rationality rarely comes into it. The Europa League doesn't seem to be a welcome distraction for Liverpool this season. 25 min: Twenty-five yards from goal, Fabio Aurelio has Liverpool's first shot in anger but it fizzes well wide. Aurelio's story tickled me this summer - released by the club and then re-signed a few weeks later. What on earth went on there? He's an accomplished player too. 27 min: Liverpool finally enjoy a spot of possession, passing the ball around their own half but without much conviction. You're looking for that player who has something extra, take on a man or play a great pass. He's not there tonight. Eventually Martin Kelly hoofs the ball up the hard-working Ngog with predictable results. 30 min: "Unfortunately I have no Joe Cole gags," writes John James, not quite grasping the meaning of the word unfortunately. "Though, I only realised yesterday, if I saw what I thought I saw on the TV, that he wears glasses. I'm sure that's how it looked as he boarded the plane. Anyway, as a Liverpool fan I hope we go out tonight - so we can concentrate on the league. And if I had been Roy Hodgson, I would have signed a deal with Benitez that expressly forced him to poach players from Liverpool - like Kuyt and Lucas, for example..." Very true - I've always been a firm advocate of the removal of Dirk Kuyt from the professional game. 31 min: Liverpool's biggest threat at the moment? Glen Johnson. The right-back. 32 min: Liverpool are starting to settle a little and have a brief moment of encouragement as Ngog's sharp turn and pass plays in the galloping Johnson, who cuts inside and slots the ball into the bottom corner. Sadly, however, he was a good few yards offside and the flag went up almost straight away. 34 min: I've got a sneaky feeling that Trabzonspor may live to regret that fluffed sitter a few minutes ago by Yattara. 35 min: Boos and whistles as Liverpool probe a little more, before Poulsen's clipped pass to Johnson skips off the very wet surface and runs away for a goal-kick. 37 min: Glen Johnson gives away another free-kick, tripping Cale. Inan curls it in but Johnson makes amends by heading away a rather poor delivery. 39 min: Ceyhun has been booked for a crude lunge on Joe Cole after the ball had gone. 40 min: "As an Arsenal fan who sympathises with Liverpool's less than enthusiastic approach to this match, surely the question with an obvious answer is: Isn't it preferable to qualify for the Champions League than win the Europa League?" asks Angus Chisholm. "Particularly for a club of Liverpool's stature? Seems like a no brainer to me, and playing in a Europa campaign is invariably going to make that harder." 41 min: Well that was confusing. Burak went on another run down the left and fell as he was chased by Lucas. The referee blew, seemingly, for a foul and looked poised to book a Liverpool player - instead, as Glen Johnson stood over the winger for play-acting, the referee did book him for diving. It was hard to tell but it's possible there was a slight trip by Lucas. 43 min: Lucas has Liverpool's first effort on target from 25 yards out, but it was far too soft and Onur gathers easily. 44 min: This is potentially worrying - Joe Cole, who has been on the end of a few hefty tackles, was just pictured grimacing and clutching his left shoulder. It couldn't happen, could it? 45 min: Kelly comes forward from left-back - right-footed, he looks unnatural attacking but manages to buy a corner off Yattara. Aurelio takes it again but it's just too high for Krygiakos to head and the move breaks down following a foul by Ngog. Peep! Peep! The referee blows for half-time. Liverpool, after a dreadful start in which they conceded a lamentable goal, have weathered the storm and will take a smidgen of comfort from that. In the ESPN studio, Ray Stubbs says "So far, it's a bit of a Turkey." Oh life. Back in a bit. Half-time analysis with Jason: "Three minutes in and this sort of thing happens, innit." Jason McAteer everyone. Some half-time emails: "The question at hand is what is the increase in compensation to Liverpool for making the group stages of such a lacklustre tournament," says Alex Turowski. "2 home games helps, plus some TV cash. Let's remember, this is a club struggling for income and could use the help in any way possible in order to afford the next Keane or Voronin." "I understand that a woman, much featured in the news recently, may be thinking of alternative employment," says Gary Naylor. "Perhaps that nice Uncle Roy could hire her to go through the squad stroking the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Lucas, but depositing the latter in a wheelie-bin? Not many would be left purring." "Liverpool fans - do you actually care if you go out tonight?" Well, I didn't even realise that game had started until five minutes ago if that's any indication. Anyway, why aren't you asking the important questions? Like is Martin Broughton secretly Magneto?" wonders Phil Sawyer. Or just Sir Ian McKellen, Phil. Yes! Cultural reference done! "I really think Hodgson is going for the worst Liverpool manager in 50 years accolade," says Navin Seeterram. "He may be the only manager never to win anything. I mean Rafa inherited a worse side that this from Houllier and he won the Champions League. Hodgson may not win a qualifier to enter the Europa Cup! I mean he's never won anything at any elite level in his life." Accolade? "Jason, what to do?" asks Ray Stubbs. Don't encourage him, Ray. Just ask Tranmere. 46 min: Liverpool get us underway for the second half. Trabzonspor have made a change at the break, Alanzinho replacing Yattara, who must have picked up a knock. 47 min: I don't want to cause anyone any undue alarm, but as it stands, this game is going to extra-time. 48 min: Liverpool are living dangerously again. Alanzinho's brilliant, piercing through-ball catches out Kelly and finds Burak on the right side of the area. Through on goal, he places the ball inches wide of the near post - not that it would have mattered, he had erroneously been flagged offside. 50 min: Now that wouldn't have been offside. Liverpool are just so sloppy in midfield and with the ball. It was Lucas, I believe, who played the ball straight to Gutierrez, who spun and slipped the ball through for Burak who had far too much speed for Carragher. Luckily Reina was quick off his line to hack the ball clear. 51 min: Again Trabzonspor work themselves into a good position just outside the area, but instead of choosing the simple option with a pass out to the right for Burak, Gutierrez tried to be clever, playing a reverse ball that ran out for a goal-kick. 52 min: Fernando Torres would have scored this. David Ngog is not Fernando Torres. Joe Cole finally manages to find a pocket of space to the right of the area, before standing up a cute ball to the far post, which is unforgivably headed just wide by Ngog at the far post. Liverpool should be level. A soaking wet Hodgson is ranting away on the bench and, to be fair, he probably would have scored that. 55 min: Thanks to the people who've emailed in to explain the confusion over Turkish names. 56 min: Alanzinho looks like Phil Brown's muse Geovanni. 57 min: Liverpool are getting closer. David Ngog, who has worked with little reward but missed that sitter a few minutes ago, this time operates far more adroitly. Twisting away from the Trabzonspor defence on the edge of the area, he drops a shoulder, goes this way and that, before finding a tiny gap for the shot, which he slides just wide with the goalkeeper beaten. That was great play and probably deserved better, but having done the hard part, he ought to have hit the target. 62 min: You sense a goal is coming for Liverpool. This time Kuyt squirts a ball through for Ngog in the area, but the ball just wouldn't sit properly for him to shoot and Ceyhun intervened. The ball ran away and, for a moment, it looked like Kuyt might have a chance but the Dutchman was forced too wide. Unable to shoot, he dinked the ball to the far post where Cole was waiting, but Serkan did well to head the cross away. 65 min: If you're interested, Celtic are 2-0 down in Utrecht, so their first-leg advantage has been eroded. Trabzonspor make their second change, Baris replacing Ceyhun. 67 min: Surely it can't be too long until Ryan Babel replaces Martin Kelly? 68 min: A glimpse of an opening for Trabzonspor is quickly lost as Gutierrez is unable to control a long ball forward, having got the run on the Liverpool defence. 70 min: We are facing the very real prospect of extra-time. This lot are abysmal . 71 min: After the brief flurry in the first five minutes of this half, Trabzonspor have been penned back a little but have slowly come back into the game again, Burak winning a corner. Selcuk takes it from the right, a high ball to the far post which eventually finds its way to Reina. 72 min: A burst from Joe Cole is an encouraging portent for Liverpool and his attempt to poke the ball through for Ngog to chase ends in nothing, simply because Egemen was holding the striker. The defender is rightly booked, and Aurelio's left-footed looping curler from 30 yards out is deflected behind for a corner... 74 min: ... But Aurelio's corner from the right goes straight to Onur. That was wasteful. 76 min: Daniel Pacheco is getting ready to come on for Liverpool. Will someone do something please? Anything, really. Thanks! 77 min: Fabio Aurelio comes off and is replaced by the precocious teenager Pacheco. Boy, Ryan Babel is going to be Tweeting about this tonight... 78 min: Another warning for Liverpool, as Burak, who's been Trabzonspor's biggest threat tonight, cuts in from the right, always looking to get a left-footed shot away. Just as it appears he's about to unleash a humdinger on the edge of the area, for some reason he produces a backheel to Alanzinho, who can only prod a dismal effort high and wide. 79 min: Ryan Babel looks troubled. 80 min: "I thought that Liverpool couldn't fall any further," says Edward Bottomley. "As an Evertonian I was following this game with relish hoping they'd lose. Somehow they have contrived to make even the threat of them being dumped out of Europe boring. No new LFC players for us to taunt, now new imbecilic foreign owners for us to laugh at, it's hard for us Evertonians too." 81 min: Pacheco gets his first touch, whipping in a corner that's headed away. More ammunition for Babel. 82 min: Liverpool are going to win this on penalties and my ears are starting to bleed, so loud is the crowd. GOAL! Trabzonspor 1-1 Liverpool (Kacar OG, 83 min) What was I saying? We can't have penalties now! This goal is all about Glen Johnson who, despite his somewhat haphazard defending, is always a threat on the attack. Marauding again - he never stops - he managed to reach a loose ball, and suddenly it all opened up for him as he cut inside Cale and into the area. With a plethora of options, he slid the ball into the six-yard box where, under pressure from Ngog, Kacar could only turn the ball into his own goal at the near post. Liverpool are going through. They've escaped. 84 min: Trabzonspor need to score two goals and they nearly halved that total instantly, only for Alanzinho to put a good chance wide. 85 min: Ryan Babel comes on, Ngog, who has been a threat again tonight, comes off. 86 min: Trabzonspor make their final change, Jaja coming on for Cale. GOAL! Trabzonspor 1-2 Liverpool (Kuyt, 88 min) What a turnaround! Ryan Babel's first contribution is to chase a long ball down the left channel, before laying a simple ball off for Pacheco on the edge of the area. The young Spaniard cut across the shot and hit it well, but it was straight at Onur who hardly covered himself in glory by spilling it to gift Kuyt a simple finish. 90 min: That may well be Dirk Kuyt's last goal for Liverpool - the striker could be off to Inter shortly, but what a contrast between him and Javier Mascherano, who also wants to leave. Kuyt was at fault for Trabzonspor's goal but has never shyed away from the task in hand tonight and I'm sure Liverpool fans will be grateful for his efforts. Christian Poulsen comes off, Mrtn Skrtl comes on. Peep! Peep! Peep! Applause reverberates around the stadium as the full-time whistle blows. It was a slog for Liverpool, but the only thing that matters is that they're through. Thanks for all your emails, sorry for the ones I couldn't use. Night.