Debrecen VSC 0 Liverpool FC 1: Reds crash out of Europe

by Richard Buxton. Published Tue 24 Nov 2009 21:41, Last updated: 2009-11-25

Steven Gerrard trudged away from a television in the visitors' dressing room in Budapest and told reporters: "You get what you deserve in football", seconds after his side crashed out of the Champions League.

Liverpool didn't get what they deserved after a 1-0 win over Debrecen on a bumpy Budapest pitch. David Ngog's early goal was not enough to send his side into the knockout stages as Fiorentina defeated Lyon to condemn the Reds to their first exit from Europe's premier club competition since 2002/03.

To view Click Liverpool's minute-by-minute coverage of tonight's game, visit: http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/126968-debrecen-v-liverpool.html

Four minutes into the game, the Frenchman broke the deadlock, turning the ball home after Jamie Carragher headed an Aurelio ball across the box to the 20-year-old.

Liverpool continued to dictate the game to their Hungarian hosts and Ngog nearly grabbed a second with a 20-yard effort that stretched Vukašin Poleksic but their dominance failed to pay off as Debrecen held on until the break.

Adamo Coulibaly took to the field in a bid to provide some support for Gergely Rudolf up front but the Anfield outfit maintained their assault on Poleksic's goal. Gerrard was denied with a close-range shot inside the area whilst Lucas Leiva blazed a header wide just yards from goal.

Debrecen had two strong penalty claims waved away for fouls on Rudolf by Argentine duo Emiliano Insua and Javier Mascherano. First Insua penalised the Hungarian forward with an outstretched arm in a tussle after the young defender lost possession before his midfield compatriot scythed him down on the edge of the area.

Rafael Benitez took off Ngog in favour of fresh legs in the form of Yossi Benayoun but his presence failed to inject more creativity into the side. At the other end Rudolf continued to cause the Reds' back four problems with a cross-cum-shot ten minutes from the end. Alberto Aquilani and Andrea Dossena were given very brief cameo appearances in stoppage time.

In the dying seconds Coulibaly almost gave his side a late equaliser but fired straight at a prone Pepe Reina to ensure that Liverpool finished the game with only points and pride to show as they face up to playing in the Europa League after Christmas.

Final score: Debrecen VSC 0-1 Liverpool

Debrecen: Poleksic, Bodnar, Meszaros, Mijadinoski, Fodor, Szelesi, Kiss, Szakaly (Coulibaly), Czvitkovics, Laczko, Rudolf. Subs not used: Pantic, Ramos, Dombi, Komlosi, Bernath, Varga.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio (Dossena), Gerrard (Aquilani), Ngog (Benayoun). Subs not used: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Spearing, Skrtel.