26 METROSPORT Wednesday, November 25, 2009 D No miracle for Liverpool this time despite Ngogs winner debrecen 0 liverpool 1 LIVERPOOL won in Hungary last night but Rafael Benitezs men still crashed out of the Champions League after Fiorentina beat Lyon. The Reds needed already-qualified Lyon to do them a favour in Italy and the French sides defeat meant this victory, courtesy of David Ngogs early goal, proved academic. Instead Liverpool, five-time winners of the European Cup, will play in the second-tier Europa League when continental competition resumes ear- ly next year. Ngogs fourth-minute strike put Liverpool in command, the France Under-21 striker netting from close range after Jamie Carragher headed Fabio Aurelios cross into his path. The visitors dominated possession throughout and Ngog almost added a second shortly before half-time with a fine strike which Vukasin Poleksic turned around his left-hand post. Yet Debrecen were not Liverpools problem it was Fiorentinas 1-0 half-time lead at home to Lyon which meant the Reds were heading out of the competition. Still, Benitezs side needed to ensure they did their job by winning in Hungary and Gerrard, drawing a good save by Poleksic, and Lucas, heading wide, both went close to extending the lead. Carragher was next up, heading a corner agonisingly wide. Debrecen grew in confidence as the game wore on but there were to be no more goals either here or, crucially, in Florence. Quick off the mark: Ngog is all smiles after his early goal Debrecen: Poleksic, Bodnar, Meszaros, Mijadinoski, Fodor (Dombi 78), Szelesi, Kiss, Szakaly (Coulibaly 62), Czvitkovics, Laczko, Rudolf. Booked: Szelesi. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio (Dossena 89), Gerrard (Aquilani 90), Ngog (Benayoun 77). Attendance: 15,000. Ref: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland). MATCH FACTS Vargas spot-kick breaks Reds hearts Gerrard targeting Europa League consolation prize LiverpooL captain Steven Gerrard has called on his side to lessen the blow of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages by winning the europa League. The reds disappointing european campaign hit its lowest point last night as they were eliminated europes elite competition despite victory over Debrecen in Budapest. of course its disappointing, we played fantastically well tonight and despite getting three points we dont progress, Gerrard said. The main prize has gone and to be playing in the europa League is disappointing but we have to accept that, move on and try to win that competition. The only consolation in this is if we go on and win the secondary one. Boss rafael Benitez was quick to shift the focus to Sundays vital premier League meeting with Merseyside rivals everton. our job was to win and we won but we couldnt control the other game, he said. The main thing is to be ready for the next match, we have an important game on Sunday. JUAN Manuel vargas scored the goal which dumped Liverpool out of the Champions League and confirmed Fiorentinas place in the knockout stages. A foul on Marco Marchionni in the 29th minute handed the Serie A side the chance to score the winner, vargas stepping up to slam home the penalty. Lyon, who had already qualified, brought on Lisandro late on but could not find a leveller. fiorentina 1 lyon 0 Soccer chAmpioNs LeAgue JOHN TERRY insists manager Carlo Ancelotti has turned Chelsea into a team the rest of Europe are scared of. The Premier League leaders turn their attention to the Champions League tonight and a trip to Porto, where victory will see them win Group D with a game to spare. The Blues have already qualified for the knockout stages and have big games in the league coming up against Arsenal, on Sunday, and Manchester City, as well as a Carling Cup quarter-final with Blackburn. And with a five-point league lead over Manchester United, Terry knows more is expected of his team. We know here what it takes to win major titles and we need to produce that now, said the Chelsea skipper. It takes winning runs. It takes periods when you keep on top, striding from result to result. When we are away with England, players from other teams tell us they are fearing us again. We have a good chance of going on to do great things this year. Terry Were the team others fear Reputation: Terry By chRis sTocks Picture:Reuters index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html