Liverpool 0 Celta Vigo 1 (Agg: 1-4)

by Paul Walker for the "Press Association"

There was no substitute for sheer class as Liverpool crashed out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of
Spanish side Celta Vigo. 

Always facing an uphill battle to reach the quarter-finals after the defensive nonsense in Vigo a fortnight
ago had left them trailing by two goals, Liverpool gave everything but couldn't cope with a side reckoned to
be currently playing the best football in Europe. 

Liverpool were without the heart of their side in Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp - the
power and the adventure, if you like - and also had Norwegian defender Vegard Heggem suspended. 

It was, frankly, too big a gulf to bridge. Celta are an exceptional side, likely to be champions of Spain, and
with a brand of flowing, attacking football that would grace the Champions' League next season. 

Liverpool had to turn to the local lads, there were seven of them in the starting line-up, but Celta contained
the fire and the passion and cruelly ended Anfield's dreams of European glory for another season. 

Boss Gerard Houllier's side are now out of Europe, out of the title race and out of the Worthington Cup. 

From now on it's going to be a searching re-evaluation of their squad as the Frenchman has only the FA
Cup and next season to build for. 

Any thought that Celta were going to defend was swept away early on. They played with three men up at
times, and had winger Valeri Karpin wide on the right, while the dangerous Alexandre Mostovoi was as
elusive at Anfield as he was in the first leg in Spain. 

Liverpool's support was deafening, trying to revive memories of those magical glory nights of the past, and
responding to Gerard Houllier's pleas for a wall of sound to roar his men on. 

But it took more than noise and passion to frighten this Celta side, who have won away in Real Madrid's
Bernabeu this season and know how to handle intimidation. 

Those bawling Liverpool fans almost choked on their chants in the first minute when Celta should have
scored and killed the game off. Phil Babb was caught one on one with Juan Sanchez as he turned to
chase a lofted clearance. 

The Irish defender made a total mess of trying to turn the ball back to David James and just presented
Sanchez with a clear run on goal. 

James hurled himself at the little forward's feet and saw the ball balloon high into the night air before
dropping just over the bar. 

That shock survived, Liverpool tore at Celta with more effort and enthusiasm than craft. Skipper Robbie
Fowler headed over from a corner won by Michael Owen's brave battling, and David Thompson had two
long range efforts that went wide. 

But Celta were as quick and fluid as in the first leg, and forced Liverpool to defend, not too convincingly.
Young Stephen Gerrard on his full debut, found himself confronted by Brazilian World Cup winner Iomar
Mazinho in midfield, and it was something of an education for the England Under-18 international. 

But he managed a display full of promise and commitment, and managed some excellent passes when
he did get possession. He ran his heart out and is clearly one for the future, although it could hardly be
expected that he could turn the tide against a side as good as this. 

Celta's keeper Richard Dutruel had his first serious shot to save after 36 minutes when Patrik Berger
drifted to his left some 20 yards out and crashed in a vicious, dipping drive that the Frenchman punched
out at full stretch. 

Liverpool brought on Danny Murphy for Babb at the break, switching to a back four, in an attempt to wrest
control of midfield from Celta but the pattern was the same. 

Steve Staunton was caught in possession after 50 minutes and with three against one, Celta surged away
and only a fine save from James stopped Karpin in full flow. 

Celta set up another chance two minutes later when Miguel Salgado crossed from the right, Michael
Revivo nodded down and Sanchez saw a hooked show sail wide. Revivo then beat Jamie Carragher in a
chase on the left and curled in a cross-shot that James punched away. 

You felt a goal was coming, and Celta got the one that effectively killed the game after 57 minutes. 

Claude Makelele won possession in midfield and spotted Jason McAteer way upfield in support of his
attack. The crossfield pass was stunning in speed and accuracy and it put Revivo clear on the left. He cut
into the box, beat Murphy and crashed a low shot past James. 

Carragher and Berger were booked in quick succession as Liverpool's frustration boiled over, and soon
Karlheinz Riedle was put on, belatedly, to replace Thompson. 

Brad Friedel came on in goal after 63 minutes, James clearly having hurt himself making an earlier
plunging save. 

Owen, with a surging run after 70 minutes, forced a flying save from Dutruel, but by now Liverpool were
playing for only their pride. 

They worked their socks off, ran and fought as Houllier had demanded, and nobody could have given
more. But with so many top stars missing, and against a side brimming with confidence, this was always
going to be a bridge too far. 

Teams 

Liverpool: James (Friedel 63), McAteer, Carragher, Staunton, Babb (Murphy 46), Matteo, Gerrard,
Thompson (Riedle 59), Berger, Fowler, Owen. 

Subs Not Used: Kvarme, Harkness, Bjornebye, Wright. 

Booked: Carragher, Berger, Murphy. 

Celta Vigo: Dutruel, Salgado, Berges, Cacares, Mazinho (Caires 86), Karpin, Revivo (Tomas 70), Sanchez
(Gudel 76), Djorovic, Mostovoi, Makelele. 

Subs Not Used: Pinto, Cainzos, Eggen, Lopez. 

Goals: Revivo 57. 

Agg (1-4) 

Att: 30,289 

Ref: H Strampe (Germany).