LIVERPOOL - MARSEILLE : REDS BEATEN BY LATE STUNNER

The Reds endured a frustrating night in front of goal as a sensational late effort from Mathieu Valbuena earned Marseille a surprise 1-0 win at Anfield.

Rafa Benitez's men struggled to test Steve Mendanda in the visitors' goal throughout the match and but for some fine goalkeeping by Pepe Reina the away side could have returned to France with a bigger margin of victory.

In a frustrating first-half the Reds took a while to get into their stride and Marseille should have taken the lead after just 12 minutes.

Karim Ziani won the ball off Fabio Aurelio on the halfway line before releasing Mamdou Niang, whose effort on the run was well blocked by Pepe Reina.

Rafael Benitez's men struggled to build any momentum and the visitors continued to create the better chances on the counter attack.

Lorik Cana contrived to head over despite being unmarked in the box before the home crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief when Karim Ziani's effort was ruled out for offside just after the half hour mark.

After the interval the home side stepped up a gear and could have broken the deadlock on 52 minutes but Peter Crouch misjudged his volley after a fine run and cross from Steve Finnan.

Both sides then had efforts from distance with Niang firing a free-kick straight at Reina before Gerrard curled a superb 25-yard effort just wide over the right-hand post.

With 20 minutes to go Marseille took off the dangerous Niang and replaced him with former Reds striker Djibril Cisse, whose first piece of action was to flash a 25-yard effort well wide of Reina's goal.

The away side continued to cause the Liverpool rearguard problems and 13 minutes from the end they struck the winning goal.

Momo Sissoko lost the ball in midfield allowing Mathieu Valbuena to turn and exchange a one-two before curling a magnificent 25-yard effort in off the crossbar.

It was a goal worthy of winning any match and despite late chances for Yossi Benayoun, Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres, it leaves the Reds with it all to do in their remaining Group A fixtures.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Leto, Gerrard (captain), Sissoko, Benayoun, Crouch, Torres. Subs - Riise, Mascherano, Arbeloa, Babel, Kuyt, Voronin, Itandje

Olympique Marseille: Mandanda, Taiwo, Rodriguez, Givet, Bonnart, Zenden, Cana (captain), Cheyrou, Valbuena, Ziani, Niang. Subs - Zubar, Oruma, Arrache, Moussilou, Hamel, Cisse, M'Bami

Referee: Plautz, Conrad

Conditions: Raining

Attendance: 41,355