Liverpool 2 - Bordeaux 1: Reds fans given reason to stay as Anfield side win in Europe

Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring

JURGEN KLOPP is proving himself a quick learner. Having said sorry for questioning why some supporters leave Anfield early, he ensured Liverpool gave them a reason to stay.

 

On an evening of slapstick from Simon Mignolet, and one where Daniel Sturridge’s latest no-show could prove costly, those fans who stuck it out until the end can claim they witnessed the first official sign of progress in the German’s reign. 

Liverpool came from behind to barge Bordeaux out the way and, in doing so, assured their passage into the last 32 of the Europa League. They now top Group B and will remain at the summit by avoiding defeat to FC Sion in a fortnight. 

Victory came courtesy of a soft penalty converted by James Milner and a thunderous drive from Christian Benteke who proved himself a handful throughout to lay down a marker to the injured Sturridge.

 

Klopp had stated in his programme notes that the responsibility for entertaining fans rested solely with his side, though Mignolet’s lapses into the farcical and some bizarre decisions from the match officials helped. 

Klopp had stated in his programme notes that the responsibility for entertaining fans rested solely with his side, though Mignolet’s lapses into the farcical and the match officials also helped.

Klopp will regard too much of his time has been spent talking about Sturridge’s various ailments and he is not the sort of coach to overly worry about a player who has not even turned out for him yet.

The reality is Sturridge faces being left behind regardless of whether Liverpool could still utilise a striker with such natural goal-scoring instincts when fit.

Bordeaux, who displayed a banner saying ‘Thank You’ as the teams lined up in recognition of the response to the Paris terrorist atrocities, threatened in transition as Liverpool took time before making inroads.

 

Klopp was happy with Liverpool's response to going behind

Mignolet was fortunate one early aberration was not punished when he cushioned a header straight to Clement Chantome on the edge of his own area after Joe Allen’s errant back-pass had spread panic. A goalbound effort was blocked by Kolo Toure and, in the aftermath, Lucas managed to nutmeg Diego Rolan on his own penalty spot.

Yet there was no let-off for the goalkeeper after his second blunder when, conscious of the shortcomings in his distribution he was penalised for holding onto the ball for 22 seconds by Israeli official Alon Yefet. The rules state the maximum is six.

Jaroslav Plasil touched an indirect free-kick to Henri Saivet whose whipped effort into the top corner suggested Mignolet had even lined up a seven-man wall on his six-yard line incorrectly.

It was Bordeaux’s first goal in England, though the setback succeeded only in rousing Liverpool and within five minutes they were level.

 

Ludovic Sane can feel aggrieved that he was punished when Benteke collapsed in a heap as James Milner curled over a cross and Klopp’s reaction suggested the penalty was fortuitous. He did not look as Milner sent Cedric Carrasso the wrong way, but was glued to events soon after.

A cross from Nathaniel Clyne found Benteke on the edge of the Bordeaux area and he cushioned the centre before unleashing a fierce drive that arrowed into the net on the stroke of half-time. There is an intensity and drive to Liverpool that Bordeaux will not have recognised from the first game, a tepid 1-1 draw back in September, and it should have been rewarded with more goals.

Benteke screwed Roberto Firmino’s cut-back over the bar, had a ‘goal’ ruled out when Sane took a tumble this time and Jordon Ibe drove against the legs of Carrasso when clear.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Allen (Can 67); Milner, Firmino (Lallana 74), Ibe (Origi 90); Benteke. Booked: Lucas, Benteke. Goals: Milner 38 pen, Benteke 45. Next Up: Swansea (h), Sun PL.

Bordeaux (4-2-3-1): Carrasso; Poko, Sane, Yambere, Contento; Chantome, Saivet; Plasil (Ounas 84), Jussie (Maurice-Belay 76), Rolan; Crivelli (Diabate 66). Booked: Sane, Contento. Goal: Saivet 33.

Referee: A Yefet (Israel).