Zenit push Liverpool towards European exit

Liverpool are teetering on the brink of European exit after falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. The ordinarily clinical Luis Suarez spurned four excellent chances to grab a crucial away goal, before the superbly named Hulk netted a fantastic strike and poor defending soon after allowed Semak to double Zenit's lead and put his side in the driving seat heading into the second leg at Anfield next Thursday.

With little else to play for, Brendan Rodgers picked a strong starting line-up in the hope that a Europa League run would provide some consolation for exiting the FA Cup at the early stages and the Reds' unacceptable position in the Premier League table. With Sturridge ineligible, though, Suarez was largely isolated up front, receiving little support from Downing and Sterling.

Rodgers must have been pleased he picked Reina instead of Jones, though, as the Spaniard repeatedly kept his side in the contest when Zenit threatened to open the scoring early on. First, he made a good save to deny Roman Shirokov from close range, before Hulk's shot goalwards was crucially tipped behind the post by the number 25.

At the other end, Suarez wasted two gilt-edged chances to break the deadlock. After watching his shot drift narrowly wide following a promising counter-attack, the Uruguyuan intercepted a wayward pass and went through one-on-one with the keeper. Unfortunately, his attempt to round Malafeev proved unsuccessful as his touch was too heavy, taking him frustratingly wide of goal.

Midway through the first period, Jamie Carragher demonstrated why he still has so much to offer Liverpool during his final few months playing for the club. Hulk twisted and turned as he moved worryingly closer to the goal, but Carragher stood firm, read the play like a book and won the ball cleanly. The 35-year old couldn't stop the hosts dominating, however, as Danny headed straight at Reina and Hulk then hit the post, as the home side began to place their opponents under considerable pressure.

On the break, though, Suarez had a chance to send Liverpool into the interval with a lead. Allen's cross came to Sterling, who squared for Suarez. Unbelievably, he somehow contrived to put the ball wide with a fancy flick from yards out.

It wasn't a case of third time lucky for Suarez, as he flicked wide of goal

To be fair to Suarez, as annoying as his misses were, at least he was threatening the Zenit goal. At times, it seemed like Liverpool's attack was a one-man show. The best Sterling and Downing could conjure up was a shot high and wide from the latter on the stroke of half time.

The start of the second half was scrappy, with neither side getting hold of the ball and asserting themselves on the game. The deteriorating pitch didn't help either. However, Liverpool were the happier of the two teams, as Zenit's momentum had been slowed and the contest was evidently now more even.

Thankfully, someone other than Suarez was attacking Zenit's goal as well, although Glen Johnson is hardly an unexpected source of forward-thinking football. The England international travelled all the way to the edge of the box from the halfway line but then, tiring, saw his poked effort clip the keeper and go behind for a corner.

Suarez was still the focal point of the visitors' attack, though, and he spurned his fourth and final goalscoring opportunity on the hour mark. Downing cut into the middle and the ball ran perfectly for Suarez, whose curled strike went agonisingly wide of the target when it seemed like he'd finally bagged a crucial away goal. At that stage, with the Reds on top and Kopites discussing the relative merits of a goalless draw, Zenit
stunningly struck twice in a matter of minutes to completely alter the direction of the match.

First, Henderson lost possession to Hulk and, with Skrtel failing to close him down quick enough, he launched an unstoppable strike goalwards that left Pepe Reina with no chance.

Hulk looks to the heavens after netting the opener

Then, Johnson left Sergey Semak free at the back post to convert a cross and double their advantage, leaving Liverpool with a mountain to climb. It could have been worse, but fortunately Reina managed to turn Fayzulin's late long-range effort behind his goal.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this game is that it was very similar to our defeat versus West Brom on Monday. Liverpool played well and should have scored but failed to do so and, due to a lapse in concentration at the back, conceded two goals and lost the game. A long-term concern, as well, is the inability of our attack to function without Sturridge. Even Suarez seems to lose some of his attacking potency when the former Chelsea striker is missing.

With Sturridge ineligible in the Europa League, the Reds' deficit won't be reduced by him returning for the second leg and firing them to victory. If Liverpool are to stay in Europe a herculean effort and atmospheric Anfield are required to help them surmount the uphill task they face.

YNWA