LYON PILE ON AGONY FOR LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL are in crisis ahead of Sunday's big game with Manchester United after suffering a fourth successive defeat that leaves their Champions League hopes in the balance.

Lyon came from behind to snatch an injury-time win at Anfield to stun the home side and leave Rafa Benitez's Reds languishing in third place in their group.

Captain Steven Gerrard suffered a worrying recurrence of his groin problem and was replaced in the first half as the hosts, without crocked striker Fernando Torres, again failed to impress.

Dirk Kuyt had a goal disallowed before Yossi Benayoun provided the opener from a Fabio Aurelio cross.

It should have signalled some relief for the Merseysiders but, even when Pepe Reina pulled off a couple of miraculous saves, Lyon still scored through Maxime Gonalons to level the scores on 72 minutes.

The Kop jeered when Benayoun was withdrawn late on and their mood darkened further when a breakaway raid in stoppage time allowed Sidney Govou to cross for Cesar Delgado to steal an unlikely away win. News of Fiorentina's 4-3 win at Debrecen added to the gloom.

Elswhere, Arsenal drew 1-1 against AZ Alkmaar, who put their off-the-field financial troubles behind them to maintain their impressive home record in Europe.

Skipper Cesc Fabregas looked to have given the Gunners the three points by finishing clinically after being set up by Robin van Persie.

However, David da Mendes Silva struck deep into injury time to cheer the home fans and make the North Londoners pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

Notable results elsewhere included Barcelona's shock 2-1 home defeat to Rubin Kazan and Rangers' 4-1 Ibrox nightmare against Dan Petrescu's Unirea Urziceni.

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