Liverpool produced a predictably gung-ho performance at Anfield last night, sufficient to lift the spirit but not to extend their interest in Europe. They at least went out with some dignity and not without a fight as Karlheinz Riedle's 84thminute header set up a frenzied finale that the French survived. But Liverpool will not need to be reminded that the damage was done a fortnight earlier when a team which currently lies near the foot of the French first division strolled to a 3-0 victory. Liverpool have never recovered from such a deficit in more than three decades of European competition and a resolute Strasbourg ensured there would be no need to rewrite the reference books.
A bolder man than Roy Evans, or perhaps a less experienced one, would certainly have tossed caution to the winds before handing in his team sheet. The temptation to do the obvious thing, namely chase the impossible dream with three specialist strikers, must have been enormous, yet it was resisted, Riedle starting a frenetic evening on the bench.
An early breakthrough for Liverpool was held to be crucial and they duly tore into Strasbourg from the first whistle, seemingly forgetting that to leak even one goal would be to cede all hope.
The problem was that Liverpool's early football was careless and held little authority - nothing new there then. If there was a curious appeal in the sheer speed with which they constructed their attacks, there was also a puzzling naivety about the manner in which they sought to penetrate a defence which had already proved itself to be so admirably disciplined.
Too often Liverpool hit it long and hoped - hoped for a mistake, hoped for a lucky break, hoped for the best. Unfortunately Strasbourg had not come to lie down but to fight and prosper.
It was an unscripted contribution by the French, but their willingness to push forward at least ensured the game was genuinely competitive.
That said, it was chanceless until the 22nd minute when Liverpool finally found the guile to fashion an opening. Michael Owen ended his scamper down the inside-right channel with a low cross which was only half-cleared and fell to the feet of Robbie Fowler. Sadly Fowler fumbled when he needed his most clinical touch and his shot was still rising as it cleared the crossbar.
As an increasingly drab opening half unfolded Paul Ince and Jamie Redknapp found space inside the Strasbourg penalty area, but not in the net. Then, as half-time neared, Fowler produced a magnificent lob from 45 yards out which almost caught Alexander Vencel off his line. Almost, but not quite.
Evans had to gamble shortly after the break and he replaced his full-backs Rob Jones and Stig Bjornebye with Patrik Berger and Riedle. Perhaps believing their job was all but done, Strasbourg promptly began to fall back in numbers, something which Liverpool rightly regarded as an invitation to produce their best football of the night.
At last the French were on the back foot, at last the chances came thick and fast. Dominic Matteo went close with a header and Ince with a firm drive. But as the tempo quickened Strasbourg took advantage of a weakened defence with several spirited counterattacks.
And then, after 63 minutes, a lifeline for the Merseysiders. Riedle was bundled over deep inside the area by Olivier Dacourt and Fowler drove home the penalty kick.
Liverpool: James, Jones (Riedle 55), Kvarme, McManaman, Leonhardsen, Fowler, Redknapp, Ince, Owen, Bjornebye (Berger 51), Matteo. Subs Not Used: McAteer, Nielson, Harkness, Ruddock, Murphy. Booked: Ince. Goals: Fowler 63 (pen), Riedle 84.
RC Strasbourg: Vencel, Suchoparek, Okpara, Collet, Baticle, Zitelli (Miceli 88), Conteh, M'Goghi, Dacourt, Kinet (Rabbah 57), Ismael (Rott 53). Subs Not Used: Arpinon, Klein, Keller, Avril. Booked: Collet, M'Goghi.
Referee: R Pedersen (Norway).
