There can be no dispute that Liverpool Football Club is a shadow of its former self.
At this stage last season, they dished out back-to-back thrashings to Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively, within the space of four days. The past 12 months have been cruel to the Reds.
Back then they were in strong contention for domestic and European supremity. Even a year previous, they were enjoying an historic victory in Milan's San Siro. But now, Rafael Benitez's side find themselves fighting a losing battle to secure fourth place and short-term stability.
The Europa League pales in significance to its continental bigger brother and it could be, just like Champions League qualification, ebbing further out of the club's reach after a 1-0 reversal in Lille.
Benitez had held crisis talks with the squad to avoid giving away careless fouls which cost them not only a win against Wigan Athletic but also a £25,000 fine, yet they still conceded 20 free-kicks throughout the game compared to Lille's 13.
As it had done at the DW Stadium, Fernando Torres' temperament boiled over again to the point that Alan Larsen cautioned him for dissent, proving a blemish on what was an otherwise inspiring performance.
The hitman was one of Liverpool's only real threats going forward, alongside Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard who also provided occasional efforts on Mickael Landreau's goal.
Also high on the Benitez's pre-match agenda was removing the blame culture and negative body language his team displayed in Monday's loss but a lack of communication was still evident in defence.
Pepe Reina and his back four appeared to be at odds with each other on numerous occasions during the first half as they allowed Eden Hazard and Franck Beria to dart to the byline and angle crosses in.
Yohan Cabaye tested the Spaniard with a series of efforts, most notably when his long-range effort skimmed the crossbar. But it was 19-year-old Hazard who netted the winning goal with a well-taken free kick that eluded players from both sides as it looped into the net.
Substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should have put the game beyond doubt but saw Daniel Agger deflect his shot onto the outside of the left-hand post.
As the end neared, Liverpool attempted to redress the balance but saw a series of half-chances blocked by Lille bodies in the penalty area. Aurelien Chedjou denied Gerrard a late equaliser with a decisive block, leaving the visitors with it all to do in next week's return leg.
FINAL SCORE: LILLE 1 LIVERPOOL 0
LILLE: Landreau, Emerson, Beria, Rami, Balmont, Cabaye (Dumont 73), Obraniak (Toure 82), Chedjou Fongang, Mavuba, Hazard, Frau (Aubameyang 77). Subs (not used): Butelle, Vandam, Souare, Souquet.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt (El Zhar 87), Gerrard, Babel (Riera 72), Torres. Subs (not used): Cavalieri, Aquilani, Kyrgiakos, Kelly, Ngog.
Referee: Alan Larsen
--
Follow our breaking LFC news on Twitter, at http://twitter.com/clickLFC
Ashok, India around 1 year, 11 months ago