Liverpool emerged to a cacophony of firecrackers and whistles in the best traditions of southern European football and the massive red and white banners being unfurled were, in this instance, anything but welcoming. It is understandable how Olympiakos, despite their generally poor record in this competition, have lost at home only to Manchester United, twice, and Juventus in 23 Champions League matches in Athens. Indeed, Liverpool were daunted throughout an unnerving first period. They lacked leaders. They cried out for players to hold on to the ball and impose themselves, to quieten the crowd and dampen the Greeks’ ardour.
It was merely a reprieve for Benítez’s team. Stephen Warnock, in the starting line-up because Harry Kewell’s thigh injury had not fully healed, obstructed Dimitrios Mavrogenidis. Rivaldo’s free kick deflected up off Milan Baros, but Stoltidis reacted well to power a header into the top corner.
Warnock, on loan to Coventry City this time last year, must have wondered when his senior team-mates were going to show some authority, but despite the odd touch of class from Xabi Alonso, the absence of the talismanic Gerrard was keenly felt. While the majority of Liverpool’s players appeared inhibited, Rivaldo was performing in outlandish fashion.
Figuring ostensibly on the right of a three-man line behind Okkas, the former world player of the year ran on to Giovanni’s lay-off and walloped a shot from 25 yards just wide of Dudek’s goal.
Liverpool were fortunate to be only 1-0 down at the interval. Giovanni headed a chance narrowly wide and Pantelis Kafes headed over from Grigorios Georgatos’s corner.
It was no reflection on Warnock when Benítez called for Kewell to risk his fitness by introducing the Australia midfield player for the second half. Liverpool needed inspiration, and fast. Midway through the second half, Baros, preferred to Djbril Cissé for the lone forward’s role, dribbled across the edge of the penalty area and slipped a pass behind the defence for Kewell to run on to. He was wrongly adjudged offside but his shot was saved anyway.
Liverpool’s moment appeared to have passed. Commendably, Benítez went for broke, bringing on Cissé alongside Baros with Kewell and the disappointing Luis García out wide. There was little Liverpool could do to cope with Rivaldo’s set-pieces, however. Stoltidis, losing Alonso, his marker, thudded another header against the crossbar as a second goal beckoned.
As Liverpool, understandably, committed men forward, they left themselves prone to the counter-attack, even after Anastasios Pantos, previously cautioned, was dismissed for hauling back Kewell. The killer goal should have followed three minutes from time. Kafes beat Kewell and Jon-Arne Riise with ease before sliding in a pass for Georgios Georgiadis to cut in from the right- hand side and dink his shot over Dudek, but agonisingly wide.