1st Leg result - Liverpool 1 - 0 Bayern Leverkusen

By Craig McWalter
April 3 2002

Liverpool have a vital 1 goal lead going into the 2nd leg in 2 weeks time thanks to the Impressive Sami Hyypia. Read on for Match Report

In a First-Half that Liverpool rarely troubled a German side that looked comfortable until Hyypia struck after 44 mins.

After a corner crossed in by Arne Riise fell all the way to the back post Owen took it down brilliantly on his chest and crossed it in for Hyypia only 3 yards out the thrash it home to give the reds a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The goal came at the right time as the Germans had it easy first half , only worrie being a Vladimir Smicer header going a fair bit over the bar.

end of first half.

Liverpool came out strong in the 2nd half winning a corner right away which ended up with a shot from German International Dietmer Hamman going just over the bar.

Leverkusen looked good on the ball at times but with no end product and Dudek was rarely troubled.

Liverpool Contiued to pressure the Germans whenever they got hold of the ball and the got the home support right behind the team.

Murphy had a burst on 51 mins but had no real support up with him and the move came to nothing in the end.

Carragher was booked after 54 mins for a late tackle, Riise forced a great save out of the Leverkusen keeper after a brilliant over head kick from the Norweigan International. Riise again after 58 minutes forced another great save out of the german keeper then was cleared by Ramelow.

Liverpool had the German Side on the rack at this stage, a bad offside decision against Emile Heskey had the crowd on there feet after 62 mins.

Ballack saw an effort go well over the for the germans, Leverkusen made a change afer 65 mins which saw Ulf Kirsten come on.

Great work by Ze Roberto 65 mins, cut the ball across saw Ballack on his own somehow put the ball past the post, a real let off for the reds. Leverkusen were getting alot of the ball for a good 10-15 minutes but with no end product. The Home crowd were getting frustrated with astray passes.

substitution, off came Owen for Litmanen 70 minutes.

Sami Hyypia was booked for a reckless challenge on Ramelow afer 72 mins, Liverpool nearly made it 2-0 when a good break saw Murphy break into the box and his cross just drifted past the outstreched Litmanen.

Liverpool made another substitution after 74 mins which saw Vladimir Smicer come off for fellow Czech International team mate Patrick Berger.

Liverpool were getting anxious by this stage and were making reckless passes, The Germans were chasing an equaliser and won a corner on 78 minutes which was headed away by Dietmar Hamann and got Liverpool on the attack but a cross by Berger saw Litmanen just astray offside.

Liverpool won a Corner on 81 minutes which was won by Murphy, croner was took by Riise but the cross missed everyone. The Germans then had a chance after that but a shot from Ballack went well over the bar.

Liverpool were living dangerisouly when Ze Roberto got it after a ball over the top but a great tackle by Carragher prevented the Brazilian International from getting a shot in.

Man Of The Match Sami Hyypia cleared everything all night and was first class. Leverkusen won a free-kick on 89 mins which saw a brilliant header away by Steven Gerrard and Leverkusen had the corner with 2 mins added on time, hyypia headed it away but the germans came right back and dangerous cross came in but Dudek clamied it well.

FULL-TIME whistle went and Liverpool now take a 1-0 lead to Bayern.

Match Reaction to follow....