Face saver: Reina's penalty heroics spare Rafa's blushes on rocky night

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Alonso, Plessis, Benayoun, Kuyt, Keane, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Gerrard, Voronin, Pennant, Insua, El Zhar.

Referee: Tom Ovrebo (Norway)

Liverpool's reputation as one of Europe's leading lights suffered a mauling as unfancied Standard Liege threatened a major upset here.

A fifth European crown in Istanbul in 2005 followed by an agonising near-miss in Athens 15 months ago added substance to the long-held view that Liverpool are a force to be feared across the continent.

There was little sign of anxiety from Laszlo Boloni's team, though, as they marked their first Belgian title in 25 years by running Liverpool ragged. They threatened a breakthrough twice in the opening 11 ,

Fernando Torres holds off Bonfirm da Costa Dante

Rafa Benitez's side looked like the European novices a s centre back Marouane Fellaini headed a seventh-minute free-kick against a post and striker Dieu Mbokani had a shot hacked away from the line in the ensuing scramble.

Liverpool had an even bigger escape four minutes later as Pepe Reina dived to his right to save a Dante Bonfim penalty after Andrea Dossena handled.

A Liverpool team minus skipper Steven Gerrard took the field to a bizarre pre-match ritual. A toilet roll had been placed on every seat in the Publik Hysterik Stand, and, on a count of three, every last one was hurled on to the pitch as the teams lined up near the centre circle.

The intended effect wasn't immediately apparent, other than to necessitate a clearingup operation by an army of stewards and volunteers, who took several minutes to scoop up all the debris.

Xabi Alonso of Liverpool is tackled by Marouane Fellaini of Standard Liege

Benitez decided against risking Gerrard after monitoring his recovery from a thigh injury in training, but he was still named among the substitutes. Liverpool could have done with their inspirational midfielder's calming influence as they endured a torrid start against the Belgian champions.

There was cause for alarm in only the seventh minute as Standard skipper Steven Defour swung in a free-kick and Fellaini's downward header bobbled agonisingly against Reina's right-hand post. The ball looked about to cross the line until the Liverpool keeper dived full length to stick out an arm and claw it to safety. As Standard players vainly claimed it had gone in, Mbokani pounced on the rebound and had a shot blocked on the line.

Standard were awarded a penalty four minutes later. Dossena stopped a waist-high cross from Wilfried Dalmat with his left hand and, while Liverpool protested the offence was outside the area, Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

Reina bailed out his teammate, though, with another crucial addition to his catalogue of penalty heroics, albeit from a mis-hit effort by Brazilian defender Dante. Worryingly for Benitez, Liverpool had looked out of sorts and off the pace in a one-sided opening half-hour, as reflected in Xabi Alonso's booking for an illjudged, mistimed tackle in the 26th minute.

With little cohesion from open play, Liverpool had to rely on a set piece for a belated threat on the home goal.

Alonso's long-range free-kick had keeper Aragon Espinoza stretching anxiously as it curled over him and landed on the roof of the net in the 37th minute. Gerrard went on in the 67th minutes but failed to inspire a winner, despite curling a 20- yard free-kick over.