Home England Capital One Cup Besiktas 1 – 0 Liverpool

Besiktas 1 – 0 Liverpool

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Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League after losing their first ever penalty shoot-out in a European tie. Dejan Lovren missed the all important spot-kick after Tolgay Arslan netted a 20-yard curling effort which forced the extra 30 minutes.

Liverpool were on top in the first half, Cenk Gonen even to a Daniel Sturridge shot but Besiktas grew as the game went on, Demba Ba going the woodwork width’s away from sealing the game in injury time.

The visitors were back in the stadium where they produced the unforgettable comeback against AC Milan in 2005, but this time things were to be very different.

Sturridge created the Red’s best early chance after Balotelli did well to play him in, Gonen was able to palm the effort away.

Besiktas took their time to get a foothold in the game, and it was less than five minutes before half-time when they registered their first shot on target, Mignolet having no trouble dealing with an effort from Olcay Sahan.

After half-time things changed, the home side more energised and capitalising on Liverpool weaknesses in midfield.  The introduction of Arslan was a key moment in Besiktas getting back level on aggregate. The German U21 smashed a shot from no less than 35 yards out inches wide of Mignolet’s post.

Liverpool didn’t learn from that effort and the Belgian keeper was left with no chance when Arslan curled a powerful effort straight in to the top left hand corner leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.

Of all players, Demba Ba had a chance that went begging in injury time, his shot from four yards out rebounding off the woodwork, leaving the bar still shaking as Damir Skomina put an end to the 90 minutes.

Throughout extra time, it always seemed the tie was destined for penalties and so it was, the Turkish side scored all five, with the visitors scoring the first four, only for Dejan Lovren to smash his over the bar and leave Liverpool with just the FA Cup left this season in terms of trophy hopes.

By Connor Billington

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