DESPAIR FOR LIVERPOOL AS THEY CRASH OUT

LIVERPOOL'S Champions League hopes ended with the players huddled around a monitor in Budapest seeing Fiorentina kill off their chances of qualification.

David Ngog's early goal settled a forgettable encounter with Debrecen before all the attention switched to Florence but, in truth, it would have been rendered irrelevant but for a poor miss by Adamo Coubilaly that spared Liverpool an embarrassing draw with the pointless Hungarians.

Rafa Benitez continues to puzzle with some of his decisions - bringing on Alberto Aquilani for Steven Gerrard in injury time, maybe just so his captain could get a prime spot in front of that TV - but his position will be the subject of much debate after failing to take the Reds through the group stages for the first time since taking charge.

Debrecen never seemed to grasp the concept of defending a quick corner and were undone as early as the fourth minute when Fabio Aurelio crossed to the far post and Jamie Carragher, dangerous in the opposing box all night, headed it back.

Ngog jumped high in the air to flick at the ball and touch it past Vukasin Poleksic to give the Merseysiders the perfect start.

It looked as though Debrecen would be overrun as Dirk Kuyt just failed to reach a Gerrard cross and then an Aurelio free-kick while Poleksic made an uncomfortable save to keep out the lively Ngog.

After 33 minutes, the hosts finally mustered an attempt on goal when lone striker Gergely Rudolf headed wide, but they grew in confidence as the match wore on.

Ngog again kept Poleksic on his toes with a fine effort, the Montenegrin keeper diving to his left to paw away spectacularly, but Liverpool played like a team with their minds on matters elsewhere.

Norbert Meszaros made a great saving challenge when Gerrard threatened to convert a Lucas through ball and the Reds captain was thwarted by Poleksic as Liverpool threatened to make the game safe at the start of the second half.

But Debrecen started causing the odd problem with Emiliano Insua's challenge on Rudolf bringing a half-hearted penalty appeal and the same player also feeling he was fouled by Javier Mascherano right on the edge of the box.

Gerrard shot over after one mazy dribble by Daniel Agger and Carragher headed inches wide but as the game drifted towards its conclusion, Liverpool almost let their lead slip.

Jose Reina had to push away a cross-cum-shot from the enterprising Rudolf after he got away from Insua with nine minutes left and, in stoppage time, Rudolf invitingly fed sub Coubilaly in front of goal.

Incredibly, he opted to sidefoot straight at a grateful Reina, who blocked with his legs, rather than hammer the final nail in Liverpool's Champions League coffin.

So, instead, that task was left to Juan Manuel Vargas's first-half penalty for Fiorentina and keeper Sebastien Frey who made a couple of late stops to deny his fellow countrymen at Lyon.

It was a sad way to go out but the damage was done before this night's action. The inquest will start here.

• HANDS OFF JAVIER MASCHERANO
• BENITEZ PROMISES TOP-FOUR FINISH

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