Football: Benfica v Liverpool in the Europa League

Rafa Benítez's Liverpool are in Portugal tonight to face Jorge Jesus's Benfica. Benfica were an indomitable force in the early 1960s winning the European Cup twice in succession thanks to the man known as the 'Black Panther', Eusebio. Liverpool have since won the European Cup five times ... Tonight, though, both sides find themselves in the second tier of European football chasing the Europa League trophy Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport Photograph: Adam Davy/guardian.co.uk As pre-match intimidation tactics go, Benfica's method is unique - they've unleashed Victoria the eagle, who swoops around the stadium looking for prey Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photograph: John Powell/guardian.co.uk Liverpool make a flying start to the game, scoring after nine minutes when Daniel Agger's audacious back-heel turns Steven's Gerrard's free-kick into the bottom corner of the net Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images Photograph: Matthew Childs/guardian.co.uk The referee had no intention of awarding a free-kick until the fifth official behind the goal signalled that Gerrard had been tripped. Liverpool's players look delighted as they celebrate their precious away goal Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images Photograph: Matthew Childs/guardian.co.uk Dirk Kuyt looks to set Liverpool free on the left wing as Benítez watches from the touchline Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport Photograph: Adam Davy/guardian.co.uk Benfica's Pablo Aimar fights for the ball with Gerrard Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters Photograph: Nacho Doce/guardian.co.uk Benfica's Oscar Cardozo rises above Emiliano Insua to direct a header goalward ... the home side are taking control of this match as the half progresses Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters Photograph: Nacho Doce/guardian.co.uk David Luiz skips over Kuyt Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters Photograph: Nacho Doce/guardian.co.uk Ryan Babel earns himself a red card in the 31st minute for pushing Luisao in the face while the referee was attempting to book the Benfica centre-back. After a confusing delay in which Luisao appears to be shown the yellow card twice, Babel is eventually sent from the pitch Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images Photograph: Matthew Childs/guardian.co.uk Luiz attempts to block Gerrard's progression Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images Photograph: Ian Walton/guardian.co.uk An aerial threat causes the visitors more problems Photograph: Manuel de Almeida/EPA Photograph: Manuel de Almeida/guardian.co.uk Pepe Reina looks desperate as the ball escapes him Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Miguel Riopa/guardian.co.uk Oscar Cardozo scores the first of two penalties as Benfica seize the lead in the second half. The first was awarded when Insua tripped Pablo Aimar, the second was given following a handball by Jamie Carragher as he slid to the ground Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images Photograph: Ian Walton/guardian.co.uk Luiz celebrates his side's second goal ... Benfica have deservedly turned this tie around with two goals in 20 minutes Photograph: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport Photograph: Adam Davy/guardian.co.uk Torres and Gerrard are despondent - a familiar sight this season. This will be Liverpool's fourth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions if it stays like this Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images Photograph: Matthew Childs/guardian.co.uk The home supporters grow increasingly raucous and begin throwing firecrackers onto the pitch. The referee looks concerned, but, after a short delay, the game continues Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photograph: John Powell/guardian.co.uk Kuyt leaps above Fabio Coentrao as both sides hunt more goals Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Francisco Leong/guardian.co.uk Torres is guilty of a terrible miss when played through by Gerrard. His skewed his shot wide when one-on-one with the keeper. Ultimately the match ends 2-1 to Benfica - Liverpool will have to score at Anfield in the return leg next Thursday if they are to progress to the semi-finals Photograph: Nacho Doce/Reuters Photograph: Nacho Doce/guardian.co.uk