Forlan goal dashes Reds’ trophy hopes

ATLETICO Madrid striker Diego Forlan scored against Liverpool for the second time in a week to end the Merseysiders’ dreams of a third European final in five years.

The former Manchester United forward, who hit the only goal in the first leg, stabbed home the crucial extra-time away goal which booked their place in May’s Europa League final despite a 2-1 defeat at Anfield.

Alberto Aquilani’s 44thminute strike had ensured the game went into the additional 30 minutes with Yossi Benayoun putting his side ahead.

But Forlan – much derided during his time in English football – had the last word and his strike snured Liverpool will not win a trophy this season.

Twice previously in this competition Liverpool had come back from first-leg deficits – against Lille and Benfica – but on this occasion even a win was not enough.

How they missed injured striker Fernando Torres, watching his former club take on his current employers from the stands, after dominating most of the game but failing to finish off their opponents in normal time.

But it was not the lack of goals which did for them, but the one they let in at the Kop end to a familiar foe.

Liverpool had needed an early boost and they almost got it after just nine seconds.

Daniel Agger’s long ball picked out Benayoun in the penalty area and his low shot was turned behind by goalkeeper David de Gea, who had an easier save when Aquilani shot straight at him in the 11th minute.

It was a sign of things to come as Atletico’s gameplan of sitting back and counter-attacking was restricted to just the former.

But the Spanish side still posed an occasional threat and Jose Reina dived low to his right to turn Raul Garcia’s long-range effort around the post midway through the half.

Liverpool thought they had scored the goal they desperately wanted when Steven Gerrard curled in a 32ndminute free-kick and Agger headed into the bottom corner only to be flagged offside.

But a minute before the interval the breakthrough finally came with the simplest of moves.

Stand-in right-back Javier Mascherano’s throw was picked up by Benayoun whose cross was missed by Kuyt but found Aquilani who curled a low shot just inside De Gea’s left-hand post.

With honours even Liverpool’s approach play was more patient and measured as the second half began.

Urged on by the Kop, Liverpool found an extra gear and when left-back Glen Johnson cut in and whipped in a rightfooted shot De Gea could only parry it over the crossbar, but the goalkeeper was able to claim Gerrard’s corner unchallenged.

After regulation time ended 1-1 on aggregate, five minutes into the added period Liverpool went ahead for the first time.

A Gerrard free-kick was only half-cleared and Lucas lobbed the ball over the insideleft channel where Benayoun drilled home left-footed.

Substitute Jose Manuel Jurado’s 20-yard effort inches wide of the post was a warning Liverpool failed to heed as in the 102nd minute Atletico scored a the vital away goal when Reyes beat Johnson to cross for the unmarked Forlan to stab home.

The goal ended Liverpool’s European dreams and their hopes of a successful conclusion to their season.