Liverpool 0 Marseille 1:It is rarely the Liverpool way to make heavy work of the Champions League group stages but that is the path they have chosen now. They were fortunate to escape with a draw in Porto, but last night there was no reprieve for another uncharacteristic European display as Marseille inflicted the first defeat in 10 group matches on Rafael Benitez's side to become the unlikely leaders of Group A.

Languishing 17th in the French league, with only one domestic win to their name this season, Marseille reaffirmed the old adage of raising their game for a new manager as they handed Eric Gerets a memorable debut one week after his arrival.

He was so nearly denied in stoppage time as Fernando Torres struck the post from a rare Liverpool attack but, with only one point from two games and three dropped at home, it is Benitez who is facing the greater ordeal in the competition upon which he has built his reputation here.

For once Benitez rotated in deference to the Premier League, rather than vice versa, as the Liverpool manager recalled Mohamed Sissoko for the increasingly influential Javier Mascherano and gave his South American left flank, comprising the Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio and the young Argentinian Sebastian Leto, a chance to reprise their effective partnership against Reading in the League Cup. The Champions League is an altogether higher plane, however, and it showed in the efforts of those under orders to make an instant impression.

By half-time Benitez had enough questions scribbled in his jotter to hold an inquest as, in keeping with the dishevelled start made against Porto in their opening game in Group A, Liverpool were once again ponderous, error-strewn and unrecognisable from the Champions League specialists of recent seasons.

It was almost painful to watch Sissoko as his every touch and pass appeared to hit a blue shirt or sail into touch; the withering condemnation of the Kop was not loud enough to drown out the cries of condemnation and encouragement from his team-mates.

Leto, despite promising signs in his third start for the club, soon drifted to the margins while Aurelio was fortunate to escape with only a rebuke from his manager when he came close to giving Marseille an early lead.

The defender was caught in possession by the visitors' prominent right midfielder, Karim Ziani, and though his first-time pass released Mamadou Niang inside the area Jose Reina made a vital block with his knees.

The pressure continued to flow towards the Kop goal. Niang missed another inviting opportunity when he met a deep cross from Taye Taiwo with an air-shot and only a close offside call against the Marseille striker prevented Liverpool falling behind.

Niang somehow shot straight at Reina from point-blank range when a cross from the former Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden dissected the home defence and though Ziani converted the rebound Marseille celebrations were cut short by a flag.

It was a fortunate reprieve for Liverpool, who were second to every loose ball and challenge, and whose only threat came when Aurelio's free-kick struck the referee, Konrad Plautz, on the backside and Gael Givet produced a fine last-ditch tackle on the marauding Torres.

Peter Crouch was preferred alongside the Spanish international in attack but for a player who was also under pressure to adapt seamlessly to rotation this was a trying night.

Though tidy in possession, the England striker was isolated alongside Torres by a Liverpool midfield that struggled to offer support either in numbers or distribution, and his opportunity ended when he was replaced by Dirk Kuyt 15 minutes from time.

Though he was anonymous, Benitez had seen enough of Leto to withdraw him after only seven minutes of the second half, but the pattern of the contest remained unaltered.

Liverpool did improve, marginally, but Marseille were by far the more incisive, composed team on display and finally took the lead they merited having hesitated over several opportunities to punish their overly generous hosts.

There was an inevitability to the breakthrough, the first goal Liverpool have conceded from open play this season, as Sissoko capped a dreadful night's work by losing possession 30 yards from his own goal.

The busy and productive Mathieu Valbuena, preferred to the former Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse by Gerets, took over with devastating consequences.

Following a swift one-two with Zenden the forward stepped inside Jamie Carragher and curled a delightful finish into the top corner of Reina's goal. Delightful to all from France that is.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio (Voronin 70), Benayoun, Gerrard, Sissoko, Leto (Riise 52), Torres, Crouch (Kuyt 75). Subs not used: Itandje, Arbeloa, Babel, Mascherano. Booked: Gerrard, Sissoko, Carragher.

MARSEILLE: Mandanda, Bonnart, Rodriguez, Givet, Taiwo, Cana, Cheyrou, Valbuena (Oruma 83), Ziani, Zenden (Arrache 87), Niang (Cisse 70). Subs not used: Hamel, Zubar, M'Bami, Moussilou.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria).