Erik Gerets the new manager of Marseille must have been overjoyed at this result which saw the French team stay on top of group A with two wins out of two. The result was certainly no fluke as Rafael Benitez described the performance as one of the worst since he took over the club. Not many of the fans who came to watch Champions League live would have disagreed as Anfield endured a lack luster performance from their players.

Although Benitez introduced his substitutes earlier than he would have hoped it had little effect as the home side produced very little in clear cut chances. That they were able to hold out until late in the second half was as remarkable as it got, but having conceded they never looked like a team who were capable of forcing a draw never mind a winner.

The winning goal came following yet another Liverpool player being caught in possession as Sissoko was dispossessed and the ball was passed to Mathieu Valbuena who confidently stuck the ball from around 20 yards out. With the Liverpool keeper Jose Reina beaten the ball went in the net off the post to give Marseille a deserved lead on 77.

Despite Liverpool having several chances to score an equaliser late on, the result was little more than they deserved. After a poor match against Porto in their first match, the Premier League side have left them selves a hard task to qualify now as they are in third position, three points behind second team Porto.

Rafael Benitez knows that if Steven Gerrard and the other Liverpool players are hoping to get to the knockout stages, their performances and results must improve dramatically starting with their next match, otherwise they will face early elimination.