Forlan makes the difference

Diego Forlan could scarcely be described as a danger man in his Manchester United days, but the revitalised striker continued to show his true worth last night, to Liverpool's cost.

Established as one of Europe's most accomplished finishers, after making his mark at Villarreal and continuing to grow in stature with Atletico Madrid, the Uruguay forward gave his side and early advantage with a breakthrough in the eighth minute of this Europa League semi-final first leg.

Perhaps Liverpool should have seen it coming, given one of his rare successes in the Barclays Premier League materialised at Anfield, when he scored twice in a 2-1 United victory.

Either way, they should have done more to prevent it, as Sotirios Kyrgiakos missed a left-wing cross from Jose Jurado and his fellow defenders failed to react quickly enough after Forlan made a hash of the initial opening.

He needed no second invitation to make the most of his good fortune to bundle the loose ball over the line.

Rafa Benitez has made no secret of his eagerness to add the Europa League to his other Liverpool achievements. With that in mind, the Liverpool manager opted for a strong line-up, handing the injured Fernando Torres's lone striking role to David Ngog and preferring Yossi Benayoun's industry to Ryan Babel's languid approach on the left of an attacking midfield three.

A marathon two-day trip by train, coach and plane must have taken its toll on Liverpool's players, but Carragher was alert early on as he shepherded a Tomas Ujfalusi through ball away from Forlan and rescued his side again moments later with two blocks in quick succession to deny Simao.

All the long-serving centre-back's efforts were undone in the eighth minute, however, as Atletico capitalised on defending that will have infuriated Benitez.

Kyrgiakos was caught out by Jurado's cross and although Forlan made a complete hash of his header he was given a second chance as Pepe Reina rushed out and clipped the ball goalwards and watch as it bobbled over the line.

There could be no hiding behind the exertions of the past few days. It was sub-standard defending by all concerned, and Liverpool had only themselves to blame.

They at least did their best to make amends as Benayoun and Steven Gerrard threatened an equaliser.

Benayoun, in particular, could count himself unfortunate in the 18th minute after running on to a pass from Dirk Kuyt and beating goalkeeper David de Gea, just as an assistant's flag indicated his assured finish was in vain. The Israel midfielder held his head in anguish, sensing a marginal decision may have gone against him unjustly.

Gerrard looked just as frustrated a minute later after benefitting from further evidence that Liverpool were beginning to find their range with their passing. Lucas's delivery was perfect for the Liverpool skipper and he might have done better than fire a left-foot volley into the side netting.

There was a wave of acknowledgement for the pass but a shake of the head to indicate that, by his high standards, it was an opening that could easily have led to an equalising goal.

Such a response was the least Benitez would have demanded, given Atletico's form of late. Not only are they on a three-match losing run in La Liga, they have failed to win any of their last four Europa League games, the away goals rule rescuing them in each of the last two rounds.

The early goal had clearly given their fragile confidence a boost, and no-one illustrated it more than Jose Antonio Reyes. Atletico were looking for the former Arsenal winger at every opportunity and he was relishing his growing involvement on the right flank, almost opening up a chance for the overlapping Ujfalusi on the half-hour with a clever ball that split two covering defenders.

A one-goal deficit is hardly insurmountable, as Benfica discovered to their cost in the previous round, but there was no thought of containment on Liverpool's part. Gerrard and Kuyt were figuring prominently, but there was still cause for concern at the way Liverpool were struggling to make any real inroads.

Atletico scarcely looked threatening themselves but had at least a sight of a second goal in the 42nd minute. Reyes was involved again, cutting in from the right on his left foot, and when he was crowded out, Ujfalusi seized on the loose ball and took it forward a couple of paces before unleashing an angled drive that brushed the side netting.

Forlan should have doubled Atletico's lead in the 53rd minute after being picked out by Reyes, in space 15 yards out. Atletico's lone striker almost appeared to anticipate an  offside that failed to materialise as he casually flicked a boot at the ball and saw his feeble effort comfortably saved.

Gerrard appeared to have a missile thrown at him a minute later but made nothing of it. The perfect riposte would have been an equaliser, and it might have been on the cards in the 57th minute, but for a saving tackle by Perea on Benayoun, as the Liverpool midfielder looked poised to race clear.

There was danger at the other end in the 58th minute, as a slip by Glen Johnson almost proved costly for Liverpool. It enabled Reyes to meet a Simao cross with a stretching volley that Reina did well to tip round at full stretch.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.