Reds in surprise Euro defeat to Fiorentina

Liverpool's hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage have suffered a blow after they slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina.

The Reds went into the clash on the back of a six-match winning streak but rarely looked like extending it as Fiorentina claimed all the three points courtesy of a first-half double from teenage striker Stevan Jovetic.

The Reds were without hamstring injury victim Javier Mascherano, and really missed his composure and passing in midfield, with his replacement Fabio Aurelio struggling to fill the Argentinian's boots.

Rafael Benitez's troops failed to register a single shot on target in a first half which saw young striker Jovetic beat Pepe Reina on 28 and 37 minutes.

The opening goal came when Cristiano Zanetti's throughball found the 19-year-old, who coolly slotted past Reina from 15 yards.

And it was 2-0 to the hosts when Juan Manuel Vargas' fierce cross into the box from the left was deftly turned past the Reds stopper at his near post.

Benitez stirred his misfiring men at the interval, and they created three early second-half chances, with Sebastian Frey saving shots from Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt, and Lucas Leiva steering a free header from a corner inches over the crossbar.

Jamie Carragher whistled a 25-yard drive narrowly wide of the upright on the hour mark, Fernando Torres volleyed high and wide on 76 and Steven Gerrard looped a header just off target in the closing stages.

But the Italians held on for three vital points which means they are now level on points with Liverpool in Group E and three behind leaders Lyon who saw off Debrecen in Hungary.

The Reds will now look to pick themselves up in time for Sunday's crunch match with Chelsea.
Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge hoping to repeat last season's 1-0 success against the Londoners. The Reds brought an end to Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten run on home turf courtesy of Xabi Alonso's deflected strike, but they will have to be at their very best if they are to conjure up another three points against Carlo Ancelotti's men.