Champions League Player Ratings: Lyon 1-1 Liverpool

LYON

Hugo Lloris - 8 - Made three big saves in the first half as his side were second best, and another from Lucas after the break

Anthony Reveillere - 5 - Lasted just 18 minutes before being withdrawn through injury. Was opened up by Insua and Benayoun in that time though.

Jeremy Toulalan - 6 - Competed well aerially, and was keen to get tight as quickly as possible, though was caught square a couple of times

Cris - 6.5 - Dealt with Torres pretty well, getting tight to the Spaniard, though could be accused of ball-watching at times

Aly Cissokho - 7.5 - The French left-back is a class act, used the ball well and showed off his pace and power to good effect. His crossing is exquisite and he looks a real star.

Kim Kallstrom - 5 - Normally so cool, the Swede was hurried out of his stride and his passing game was poor on the whole, as were his set-pieces.

Jean Il Makoun - 6 - Playing the holding role, the Cameroon midfielder found life tough as Liverpool bossed, and was lucky to escape a caution for a couple of crude fouls.

Bafetimbi Gomis - 6.5 - Lively and strong, Lyon's top scorer was the most likely to conjure something, though was often left rather isolated in attack.

Miralem Pjanic - 6 - The prodigiously talented Bosnian was forced off five minutes before half-time through injury, having faded following a bright opening.

Michel Bastos - 6 - All left foot, but played on the right. Was always looking to come infield, and Insua played him pretty well. Better when deployed more centrally.

Lisandro Lopez - 7 - May have caused Carragher more problems than he did, and drifted on the periphery of the game too much, only coming to life when moved infield towards the end of the game, grabbing the goal which may have killed Liverpool off in the final minute.

Substitutes

Sidney Govou - 6 - Punished for his nightclub misdemeanors, the deposed skipper was given just 17 minutes to make an impact, and made little.

Ederson - 6 - Introduced for Pjanic before half-time, the Brazilian was more out of the game than in it and disappointed with his theatrics.

Lamine Gassama - 6 - Early replacement for Reveillere, and slotted in with minimum fuss. Offered little going forward but was OK defensively.

LIVERPOOL

Pepe Reina - 7 - Handling was exemplary as usual, but was pretty untested. Swept up well behind his defense and was his normal, reliable self in just about everything he did. Did not deserve to be beaten so late.

Jamie Carragher - 6 - Playing as a full-back, he was baffled by some decisions against him, and looked susceptible to the pace of Lisandro and Cissokho.

Daniel Agger - 6.5 - His presence helped keep Liverpool calm, though he picked up a soft booking for a foul on Gomis which may have cost him when he hauled down Ederson late on. Got tight early on his man, and helped push Liverpool forward, but was hesitant late on and punished by Lisandro.

Sotiris Kyrgiakos - 6.5 - Looked a little rash early on as he went to ground, but handled Lyon's forwards after that, save for one risky back-header from which Reina bailed him out.

Emiliano Insua - 6.5 - Grew in confidence, offering a good option down the left and getting balls into the box. Defended Bastos well though his tendency to always tackle with his left foot at times looked clumsy.

Lucas - 8 - Picked up all the loose balls in midfield and got Liverpool moving well. Much-maligned, but the Brazilian is a vastly improved player, although he perhaps ought to have scored in the second half.

Javier Mascherano - 8- Did a good very good destructive job in midfield, though was perhaps found wanting when Liverpool got into the final third and needed a bit more guile in their play.

Dirk Kuyt - 6 - Worked hard down the right, but overall quality was lacking. Tested Lloris with one useful effort but squandered possession too much.

Yossi Benayoun - 7 - Always kept the ball for his side, and was trying to create from wide. Not at his most effective, but his work rate and common sense in possession was welcome, and it was his pass which freed Babel to unleash an Exocet.

Andriy Voronin - 5 - Visibly struggled in the first half. Set-pieces were poor, he failed to hold the ball up as well as he might, and he missed a great chance, hitting Lloris when one-on-one. Hard not to feel for the Ukrainian at times.

Fernando Torres - 6 - Missed a decent early chance, and still looked short of sharpness, but his movement was smart and his mere presence kept Lyon honest. Withdrawn late in the game after Babel had unlocked the defence.

Substitutes

Ryan Babel - 7.5 - Brought into the fray for the final 23 minutes, and looked lively, before opening up the scoring with a special 25-yard screamer. Could have had a second late on. How enigmatic can you get?

David Ngog - N/A - Introduced late in the day for Torres

 Neil Jones, Goal.com