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Reds confront harsh reality
08:45, Dec 10 2009
Captain Steven Gerrard admitted Liverpool had simply not been good enough as their disastrous Champions League campaign ended with another defeat.
The five-time European champions are now heading for the Europa League after going down 2-1 at Anfield against Group E winners Fiorentina.
Gerrard said: "We're disappointed as a club because we want to stay in the big competitions. We've not been good enough, it's as simple as that."
Liverpool were ahead at the break through Yossi Benayoun but an equaliser from Martin Jorgensen and a winner in the second minute of injury time from Alberto Gilardino left the Reds defeated and with their lowest ever tally of points from a group stage.
Liverpool have now won only three of their last 14 games in all competitions, and their fans have not seen them win at Anfield since October 25.
The only bright spots for Liverpool were the full debut of £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani and the return from injury of Fernando Torres.
Liverpool skipper Gerrard was impressed with Aquilani but he is aware even the Italian's display will not wipe away the memory of another night of European misery.
"He did well," said Gerrard. "It's going to take him some time to get up to speed in terms of match fitness but the boy's a player, there's no doubt about that. He can see a pass, he's on the same wavelength and he will turn into a fantastic player for this club."
He added: "I thought we gave a good account of ourselves. We knew there wasn't too much riding on the game but we went out with a lot of changes to our side and had a go.
"In the end we made mistakes and conceded goals but I thought we were unlucky to lose."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
