Liverpool crashed out of the Europa League this evening courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat to Besiktas in the second leg of their last-32 clash.
Tolgay Arslan's second-half strike was enough to send the match into extra time, although Demba Ba came within inches of settling things inside 90 minutes when he rattled the bar in the dying stages.
Neither side could find a winner in the additional period and, following nine penalties of the highest quality, it was Dejan Lovren who missed the all-important spot kick, blazing his effort high and wide from 12 yards.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the second leg of Liverpool's Europa League last-32 clash with Besiktas. The tie is currently in the English side's hands following their victory at Anfield a week ago, but Besiktas will still feel that they are in with a good chance of progressing to the last 16 here, so we should have a good game on our hands in Istanbul. First things first, let's start with a look at the two teams on show...
BESIKTAS STARTING XI: Gonen; Kurtulus, Uysal, Franco, Opare; Kavlak, Hutchinson, Tore, Sosa, Sahan; Ba
BESIKTAS SUBS: Fidayeo, Pektemek, Ozyakup, Arslan, Koyunlu, Boral, Nukan
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Toure, Skrtel, Lovren; Allen, Can, Moreno, Ibe; Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Manquillo, Williams, Brannagan, Lallana, Lambert, Borini
What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, the big news for Besiktas is that Demba Ba starts up front having missed their match at the weekend with a calf injury. The former Chelsea striker was a major doubt for this evening's game due to the injury, but leads the line here, while Tore has also overcome an injury to feature. It is a rather makeshift Besiktas defence, however, with Gulum and Ramon both suspended.
For Liverpool, Balotelli makes a rare start having scored the winning goal in the first leg a week ago, albeit in controversial fashion. The Italian striker took a penalty away from stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson and, despite dispatching the spot kick, was criticised for his actions by club captain Steven Gerrard after the game. Balotelli has had an impact in recent victories over Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Besiktas, though, so he has earned the starting spot tonight.
Sturridge also returns to the side in what is an attacking lineup from Rodgers, with Sterling playing in the hole with Coutinho rested and Lallana on the bench. Toure comes in at the back as Can moves up into midfield to fill in for the injured Henderson, while Moreno also returns to the starting lineup having missed the first half against Southampton. Ibe was a danger throughout in the first leg and he again plays in the right wing-back role for Liverpool.
The onus is very much on Besiktas to come out and win this game tonight, with Liverpool merely having to avoid defeat to progress into the last 16. An away trip to Turkey is always likely to be a hostile affair, but Liverpool come up against Besiktas at a decent time here. Tonight's hosts have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions and are not overly keen on playing their matches at the Ataturk Stadium, with their usual home ground currently undergoing renovation.
Slaven Bilic's side fell to a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Eskisehirspor on Sunday, a result that saw them relinquish their lead at the top of the table and drop down to second place. It could have been even worse had Fenerbahce won on the Monday, but their defeat ensured that Galatasaray ended the gameweek top of the table having begun it third. Domestic matters are very much a priority for Bilic, but his side would also be amongst the favourites for this competition should they get past Liverpool tonight.
They finished top of their Europa League group having been knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal at the qualifying stage. They faced another Premier League team in the shape of Tottenham in Group C and picked up four points from their two matches with Mauricio Pochettino's men to help them to top spot, one point above Spurs. They went through the group stages unbeaten, and their loss in the first leg of this tie was their first in eight Europa League matches.
Besiktas have flittered between home grounds this season, but all of their matches in this competition have come at the Ataturk Stadium. They already have a win over Spurs to their name here, but they haven't exactly made a fortress out of either ground so far. They have fallen to four home defeats this season, although they have won each of their last three.
Indeed, playing at the Ataturk Stadium will probably have more positive connotations for Liverpool than it does for Besiktas. The Reds pulled off arguably the greatest moment in their long and illustrious history here 10 years ago, coming from 3-0 down at half time to a mighty AC Milan side and going on to win their fifth Champions League title. Their comeback has gone down in folklore and is widely regarded as one of the best in the history of the game, with their unlikely success eventually confirmed thanks to a Jerzy Dudek save from Andriy Shevchenko's penalty.
Liverpool will be full of confidence going into this match having tasted just one defeat in their last 18 outings in all competitions, and that coming in extra time away to Chelsea. They have won their last four matches in all competitions and a goalless draw with Merseyside rivals Everton is the only match they have failed to win in their last seven outings as they continue to push for a top-four place as well as silverware in the FA Cup and this competition.
Things weren't always going so well for the Reds this season, however, and they are only in this competition due to their failures in the Champions League before Christmas. The Reds only managed to win one match in the group stages and drew at home to Basel in their final game when a victory would have secured them a place in the knockout rounds. Worryingly for the Reds, they lost two and drew one of their away games in Group B, which means that they are now four European away games without a win.
However, that extra-time defeat to Chelsea is their only loss in their last 10 away games in all competitions, a run which has seen them win eight matches. The most recent of those came on Sunday as they recorded an impressive 2-0 victory against top-four rivals Southampton at St Mary's, with the clean sheet being their fifth in a row away from home in the Premier League.
PREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff in Istanbul now, which means that it is time for a prediction! Liverpool go into this match knowing that they only need to avoid defeat, but Brendan Rodgers's team selection suggests that he fancies grabbing an away goal to help kill the tie off. The Reds are certainly the form team going into the game and, despite Besiktas having home advantage, I can see Liverpool coming away with another victory tonight. I'll go for a 1-0 away win.
Liverpool have won their last four games against Turkish opposition, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one in the process. That tally is helped largely by an 8-0 victory over Besiktas at Anfield in the Champions League back in 2007, but the last meeting between the two sides in Turkey ended with a 2-1 victory for Besiktas. That would not be enough for the hosts to progress tonight, though, as any Liverpool goal would leave Slaven Bilic's side needing at least three in response.
KICKOFF: Liverpool get us back underway amid a raucous atmosphere in Istanbul as they look to see out the second half of this two-legged tie and book their place in the last 16.
There really is a hostile environment in the Ataturk Stadium here. Balotelli has the chance to chase a ball over the top but he slightly shoves the defender, who duly goes down. Balotelli isn't happy with how easily the defender went to ground, but it was a needless shove from the striker.
One of Liverpool's biggest challenges tonight will be silencing this crowd. There are deafening whistles whenever Liverpool get possession, which immediately puts pressure on the Reds.
Liverpool have enjoyed a few decent spells of possession in the opening stages of this game, which should help to calm any nerves in the team. Besiktas aren't making much effort to win the ball back when Liverpool are passing it around in defence, instead choosing to defend their own half in numbers.
It is something of a surprise that Besiktas haven't looked to start more on the front foot here considering the onus is on them to get the victory here. They are biding their time in the opening exchanges rather than looking to get at Liverpool from the off.
YELLOW CARD! Balotelli goes diving into a rash challenge on Kavlak on the touchline and is rightly booked by the referee. Balotelli has just shown a couple of signs already that he could be in regular contact with the referee tonight. He needs to calm down as the last thing Liverpool need is to go down to 10 men here.
Still no chances to speak of for either side here. It has been a bit scrappy so far, with both sides putting in a few hefty challenges already.
UPDATE: There have been a few goals in a couple of the other 6pm kickoffs in the Europa League tonight, with Ajax taking a 2-0 lead away to Legia and Sevilla breaking the deadlock against Borussia Monchengladbach. In the early kickoffs, meanwhile, Zenit lead PSV 2-0 while Dynamo Moscow and Anderlecht are drawing 1-1.
Besiktas are seeing more of the ball at the moment, with Liverpool struggling to get anything of note going in the final third. The hosts have tried a couple of long balls over for Ba, but Skrtel has been alert to the threat so far.
Important defending from Skrtel as Besiktas get in behind for the first time tonight. The ball is slid through for Sahan down the left channel and he in turn plays a low cross towards the front post for Ba. However, Skrtel gets across well to concede the first corner of the night.
SAVE! Liverpool respond with their first effort of the match as Sterling draws the stop from Gonen. Balotelli flicks the ball through for Moreno down the left and the full-back cuts inside before squeezing a pass back to the youngster on the edge of the box. Sterling lets fly from 20 yards, but it is at a nice height for Gonen and he palms it to safety.
SAVE! Mignolet is called into action for the first time tonight, but it is a simple one for the keeper. Lovren gives the ball away to Opare cheaply, but the left-back's shot from range is tame and he may have been better served looking for support in the form of Ba.
Kavlak has certainly got himself stuck in during the opening quarter of this match. He has been responsible for one or two heavy challenges while also being on the end of a couple. The referee may have already noted him and he might not be too far away from a caution.
CHANCE! Good chance for Liverpool as Sterling gets in behind the defence, but the youngster's touch is poor and, with only one defender up against him in the box, he is held up and eventually gives it away. That was a waste of a very promising position.
Liverpool have started to threaten more in the final third in the last five minutes or so, with Sturridge looking to get on the front foot and Sterling also having a couple of sights of goal. It is the visitors who are looking most likely right now.
Another chance for Liverpool as Sturridge tears away from his marker and bears down on goal. He can't quite get it under his spell, however, and that allows the defender to get a foot in and deny the striker a clear chance.
SHOT! Moreno wins the ball back inside his own half and pings a beauty of a pass over the top for Sturridge. Sterling is racing up in support and Sturridge just about squeezes the ball to him, but the youngster's shot on the turn is blocked before it can trouble Gonan. Skrtel meets the resulting corner, but he plants his header well over.
Balotelli holds the ball up well twice in a row and gets dragged to the ground on both occasions to win a free kick. Besiktas have certainly tried to wind the Italian up a few times tonight and, with a yellow card to his name, Rodgers will be hoping that he keeps his cool in such a heated environment.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool to break the deadlock! A slip in midfield allows Balotelli to nick the ball in a dangerous position, and he delays his pass perfectly to set Sturridge through on goal. Not for the first time in this tie, however, Sturridge tries to do too much, cutting back on himself a couple of times before getting a shot away. He draws a save from the keeper, but he should have done a lot better there.
CHANCE! Again Liverpool get in behind having won the ball back in a good position. Moreno is the man to make the challenge this time, winning possession before exchanging passes with Sturridge. The left-back hits his shot first time, but the angle is against him and it is a simple one for the keeper to gather.
Brendan Rodgers will be pretty content with this first half so far. His side have looked the more dangerous of the two and, crucially, have kept things tight at the back as well.
Sturridge twists and turns away from Kavlak, who swipes the striker's legs from underneath him for another foul. Still no card is produced, but the Reds now have a free kick in a good crossing position...
...Balotelli's delivery is a good one as he swings it into a very dangerous area, but there are no red shirts around to knock it in and the referee blows for a foul in the box anyway.
SAVE! Besiktas have their best moment of the match as Olcay Sahan picks the ball up on the left wing before cutting inside Toure and drilling an effort towards goal. Mignolet makes a fairly routine stop, but can only parry it away when he perhaps should have caught it. At the other end, Balotelli winds up a shot from 35 yards but puts it over the crossbar by almost the same distance.
UPDATE: Celtic, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in their first leg, have seen their task get that bit harder at the San Siro courtesy of a red card for Virgil van Dijk.
HALF TIME: Besiktas 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool lead 1-0 on aggregate)
So far, so good for Liverpool as they go into the break still goalless in Istanbul, maintain their 1-0 lead on aggregate. The visitors have come closest to breaking the deadlock and will be pleased with their display so far, but an away goal would make things a lot more comfortable for them. Even so, they are just 45 minutes away from the last 16 as things stand.
Sturridge has had the best chance for Liverpool so far, being played in by Balotelli after the Italian strike had pounced on a slip in midfield. However, Sturridge turned back on himself twice when he had a clear shot on originally, and in the end he could only draw a relatively comfortable save from the keeper. Sturridge took too many touches inside the box and should have done better with the opening.
Sterling has also threatened on a couple of occasions, drawing a good stop from the keeper from 20 yards while also seeing another effort on the turn blocked in front of the keeper. His speed has caused Besiktas a few problems in the first half, and that could be increasingly important on the break as Besiktas commit more men forward in an attempt to force the issue in the second half.
Moreno has also seen an effort saved in that opening 45 minutes, while Besiktas have tested Mignolet on a couple of occasions at the other end. The first saw Opare let fly from range, although his tame effort was an easy one for the Liverpool keeper to save. Olcay Sahan posed more of a threat at the end of the half, cutting inside Toure before driving an effort towards the near post, forcing Mignolet to parry it away.
One concern for Liverpool will be the temperament of Mario Balotelli. The Italian picked up a yellow card in that first half and has been targeted a little by Besiktas. You certainly wouldn't put it past him losing it briefly in what has been a hostile environment, and that is something for Rodgers to consider at the break. The tie is in Liverpool's hands right now, but a red card would completely change that.
For Besiktas, they need to get Ba in the game more if they are to stand any chance of getting that all-important goal. The striker was a doubt for this match with a calf injury and he doesn't quite look to be fully fit, with Liverpool dealing with him comfortably so far. The hosts have no choice to push forward in the second 45 minutes, but one goal for Liverpool would need them leaving three in response.
KICKOFF: Besiktas get us back underway for the second half, and they have 45 minutes to come up with a goal and keep themselves in the Europa League.
Besiktas has begun this second half with a little more urgency, making inroads down the right flank on a couple of occasions already. They look to be committing more men forward, which may work in Liverpool's favour with the pace they have on the break.
Liverpool did a good job of silencing the crowd in the first half, but they will need to do it all again in the second. The home fans are back in full voice in the opening stages of this second period.
SAVE! Good play from Besiktas as they attack down the left and squeeze a cross in that eventually falls to Ba. He squeezes the ball back and it is worked out to Kurtulus, who unleashes a powerful effort that Mignolet holds well at the near post.
SAVE! The hosts are looking a lot more threatening in the final third now. This time it is Sosa who goes for goal from outside the box, but once again Mignolet is down in plenty of time to make a fairly comfortable stop.
Liverpool just need to get hold of the ball for a decent spell here. They have given the ball away far too easily in the opening 10 minutes of this second half and Besiktas are building up pressure as a result. Meanwhile, Kavlak goes down as if there is a sniper in the crowd having been unintentionally caught by a stray arm from Balotelli.
Liverpool win a corner and Can rises highest in the area to meet it, but he has to generate all of the power himself and can only loop an effort into the arms of Gonen.
UPDATE: Spurs are on the verge of elimination from the Europa League having fallen 1-0 behind against Fiorentina in Florence. Their task hasn't really changed as they still need an away goal, but that would now only take them into extra time after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Mario Gomez got the goal for the Italian side there.
Painful one for Balotelli as Opare inadvertently scrapes his studs right down the back of the striker's leg. He goes down and needs treatment, while there is also concern over Sterling.
BESIKTAS SUB: The first change of the night sees Sosa depart and Tolgay Arslan come on in his place.
SHOT! Tore looks to come up with something for his side, picking the ball up on the left flank before cutting inside and unleashing an effort from 20 yards. There is plenty of powerful behind the strike, but it ends up a couple of yards over the top.
Besiktas have just 25 minutes remaining to come up with a goal here, but they have shown a few signs in this second half that they are very much still in this match. One goal for them would force extra time, and the pressure is only likely to get heavier on Liverpool's defence.
Tore again poses a threat on the left wing, collecting a long ball forward before delivering a very dangerous cross into the box. Skrtel is there to turn it behind for a corner, however.
Important defending from both Toure and Moreno just as it looked like Besiktas must be in. First Toure got a foot in to deny Ba, only for the ball to fall to Arslan. Moreno gets back well, however, and makes a vital challenge.
CLOSE! Besiktas almost get their goal in spectacular fashion! Arslan lines up an effort from a good 30 yards out and hammers it towards goal, with Mignolet at full stretch. It beats the Liverpool keeper but also whistles inches past the post as Liverpool survive.
GOAL! Besiktas 1-0 Liverpool (Tolgay Arslan)
Besiktas level things up on aggregate, and you can't say that it hasn't been coming. Tore advanced down the left and cuts the ball back to Ba, who looks to turn and earn himself a yard on the edge of the box. The ball instead falls for Arslan, however, and the sub curls a superb strike into the top corner. Mignolet had no chance there and suddenly Liverpool find themselves in trouble.
As things stand, this match is heading into extra time, but Besiktas have applied a lot of pressure in this second half and will be confident of going on and getting the win here. The atmosphere in incredible inside the stadium now, but that would all change with an away goal for Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors make their first change of the night as Ibe replaces Manquillo. The departing youngster has had probably his quietest game since breaking into the side tonight.
UPDATE: Liverpool are still just about in this match, but the same cannot be said for Tottenham over in Florence. Mohamed Salah has doubled Fiorentina's lead, putting them 3-1 up on aggregate. Spurs now need two late away goals.
Both managers have a difficult balance to strike now, with extra time in the offing but a goal either way probably sending them out of the competition. Do they settle for the additional 30 minutes or try to win this one inside the 90 at the risk of leaving things open at the back?
LIVERPOOL SUB: Another change for Liverpool as Adam Lallana replaces Balotelli, who isn't too happy about being taken off.
Liverpool are starting to see a bit more of the ball inside the Besiktas half now, which is something they haven't managed much in this second half. The hosts have comfortably been the better team since the break.
Both sides are looking a little cautious in these closing stages, with the risk of losing the tie at this late stage outweighing the reward of winning it at the moment.
Demba Ba makes space for himself to have a shot from 25 yards, but long-range efforts are not exactly his forte. He drags a poor effort well wide of the target.
UPDATE: Inter Milan have scored a late goal against Celtic to surely book their place in the last 16. They now lead 4-3 on aggregate and Celtic would need two away goals to rescue themselves.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this match. A reminder that, as things stand, we will have extra time.
OFF THE BAR! Oh my word, Besiktas are inches away from winning the tie! Arslan does brilliantly to win a corner and Liverpool fail to deal with the ball into the box. It hits Skrtel and falls to Ba, who hammers it towards goal from close range. His effort smashes against the crossbar, however, almost breaking the woodwork in half as Liverpool somehow survive. Ba had to score there!
END OF 90 MINUTES: Besiktas 1-0 Liverpool (1-1 on aggregate)
We will have extra time at the Ataturk Stadium, then! A fine second-half performance from the hosts saw them get a deserved aggregate equaliser through Arslan, who came off the bench to curl a beauty into the top corner. Besiktas so nearly won it in the dying stages too, with Ba lashing a shot against the crossbar from close range.
Liverpool certainly need to put in a better performance over the next 30 minutes than they did in that second half. They were quite a way off the pace after the break and comfortably second best. Extra time is certainly not ideal with a big game against Manchester City coming up at lunchtime on Sunday, but in truth they are fortunate to still be in the competition following that late Ba chance.
KICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway for extra time here as they look to recover from that second-half performance and book their spot in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Liverpool make an early break forward as Sturridge lifts a pass over for Sterling down the left wing. The youngster slices his delivery, however, and it ends up in the arms of the keeper.
SHOT! Positive play from Opare as he drives forward from left-back, cutting inside before drilling a low effort towards the bottom far corner. Mignolet is down and lets it go with confidence that it is going wide, and indeed it does end up a few yards past the upright.
Liverpool enjoy a calming spell of possession, which is something they haven't managed much since half time. They were looking increasingly nervous towards the end of normal time and just need to steady things here.
As you might expect with the tie hanging right in the balance now, the home crowd are making plenty of noise. There was a spell towards the end of the second half when Liverpool successfully quietened them down, but aside from that there has been a cracking atmosphere throughout.
CHANCE! Good chance for the hosts to get a crucial second goal as Hutchinson plays Ba through down the right channel, and the former Chelsea man stings the palms of Mignolet from a tight angle. The ball bounces back into a dangerous area, but Skrtel hooks it clear.
SAVE! Again Mignolet is called into action, but this one is a little more straightforward for him as he collects Tore's dragged effort from the edge of the box. The pressure continues to build on Liverpool, though.
YELLOW CARD! Can goes into the book for diving having thrown himself to the ground in midfield. No complaints with that decision.
Good chance for Liverpool to break as Sterling plays one out for Sturridge on the left flank. Sterling then races up in support of his striker, but Sturridge's pass is easily cut out.
There will be just one minute of added time at the end of this first period of extra time.
HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Besiktas 1-0 Liverpool (1-1 on aggregate)
No change in the opening 15 minutes of extra time, then, as it stays 1-1 on aggregate. One goal for Liverpool now would surely kill this game off, but as it stands we are heading for penalties.
KICKOFF: We're back underway for the final period and both sides have made changes in the break. Kerim Frei replaces Sahan, while Rickie Lambert - a penalty specialist - comes on for Sturridge.
Sterling is bundled to the floor by Opare in a dangerous crossing position. With Lambert leading the line now the visitors have gone a bit more direct, and it worked on that occasion. What can they make of this free kick?
Lallana delivery is looped towards the far post, but Ba is there to flick the ball away for Lovren. Liverpool keep hold of the ball, but only for a short period as Lovren's attempted cross goes straight behind for a goal kick.
UPDATE: Could we be in line for a comeback in the final match involving a British team tonight? Everton have a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg against Young Boys, but the Swiss side have opened the scoring at Goodison Park tonight. They still need three more to stand any chance, though.
This has been such a laboured performance from Liverpool since half time in normal time. Besiktas have beaten them to every 50-50 and look like they want it more than the Reds right now. Liverpool's best hope may well be penalties here.
SHOT! Really good play from Frei as he bursts forward from inside his own half, leaving Lallana for dead and advancing into the Liverpool half. He gives it out wide for Ba, but he the angle is against him and he blazes his ambitious effort high and wide.
Sterling is hacked down on the left wing as he continues to probe for a way through. The youngster has put in plenty of effort tonight but has really struggled to get much joy against this defence.
Just one minute of extra time remains here and it looks increasingly like we will have penalties. It is Liverpool who are applying the late pressure, but they aren't looking like breaking through it must be said.
END OF EXTRA TIME: Besiktas 1-0 Liverpool (1-1 on aggregate)
Penalties it is, then! Neither side can trouble the scorers in a fairly scrappy and tired extra 30 minutes and it will take a shootout to separate these two sides now. No doubt Liverpool fans will be thinking back to the penalty shootout that saw them clinch the 2005 Champions League title in this very stadium 10 years ago. Will we see spaghetti legs from Mignolet?!
It will be Besiktas who are first to take here, with Demba Ba striding up for the opening spot kick...
BA SCORES! Cool penalty from Ba as he sends Mignolet the wrong way to give his side the lead.
LAMBERT SCORES! No mistake from Lambert as he powers a brilliant penalty home.
TORE SCORES! Gokhan Tore is next up for Besiktas and he puts a magnificent penalty into the top corner. Mignolet guessed the right way, but there was no stopping that one.
LALLANA SCORES! Lallana is second up for Liverpool and places his effort into the corner from 12 yards. Very good spot kick.
KAVLAK SCORES! Another superb penalty here as Kavlak places it into the roof of the net.
CAN SCORES! Again the keeper guesses the right way, but the quality of Can's penalty beats him as he tucks it into the bottom corner.
HUTCHINSON SCORES! Besiktas are giving a lesson in penalty taking here. Hutchinson is the latest to do so, putting it right into the top corner.
ALLEN SCORES! Liverpool's penalties are bad either! Allen steps up, sends the keeper the wrong way and drills it into the top corner.
ARSLAN SCORES! Mignolet almost gets to this one, guessing the right way, but again it is right in the corner from Arslan.
LOVREN MISSES!
BESIKTAS WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES!
Heartbreak for Liverpool as they crash out of the Europa League on penalties. Lovren, who has had such a difficult time of things at Liverpool so far, puts his spot kick high and wide to condemn his side to the defeat after Besiktas had overturned the one-goal first-leg deficit in the 120 minutes.
Up until that Lovren penalty, the standard or spot kicks had been brilliant from both sides. It is Besiktas who progress through to the last 16, though, and it is hard to argue against them deserving it following tonight's. Liverpool were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, but from that point on they were comfortably second best and Besiktas were inches away from winning it in normal time when Demba Ba rattled the bar. It is probably the nightmare scenario for Liverpool, though, as they have been taken all the way to penalties without any reward with Manchester City waiting on Sunday.
That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the second leg of the Europa League last-32 clash between Besiktas and Liverpool. The Reds join Spurs and Celtic in crashing out of the tournament, completing what has been a disappointing couple of weeks in Europe for the home nations. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
