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Champions League Group A, September 18th, 2007, Liverpool FC 1-1 FC Porto
This was the first time that Liverpool travelled to Porto to face their opponents in the Champions League and Rafael Benitez was in charge of the Reds during the time. Lucho Gonzalo put the hosts in front just eight minutes into the game from the penalty spot but Dutchman Dirk Kuyt levelled things up for Liverpool in less than 10 minutes from going behind. English winger Jermaine Pennant was sent off for Liverpool after receiving his second yellow card in the space of a minute but the Reds held on to a claim a hard-fought point.
Liverpool lost their two following games against Marseille and Besiktas in the Group and needed to win all their remaining games to qualify to the Round of 16. Next up was Porto at Anfield but the Reds managed to get their first win of the competition on the night for that season.
Champions League Group A, November 28th, 2007, Liverpool FC 4-1 FC Porto
In a must-win game for the five-time European winners, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres got the hosts off to a great start but Lisandro Lopez equalized to bring the nerves back at Anfield. The Spaniard though was at it again for Liverpool and gave them the lead 12 minutes from the full-time whistle. Steven Gerrard’s penalty and Peter Crouch’s late goals were an assurance and Liverpool were still alive in the competition.
Benitez then led Liverpool to the final of the Champions League once again in 2007 after winning it back in 2005 and faced the same opponents but this time ended up on the wrong side of the result and suffered heartbreak.
