Riise blunder hands Chelsea advantage

Liverpool had led from a first-half goal by Dirk Kuyt and looked to be heading to Stamford Bridge next week for the second leg of this Champions League semi-final in pole position.

But although Liverpool had created most of the scoring chances in a captivating match, Chelsea will know their priceless away goal could be decisive as they aim for the May 21 final.

Liverpool fielded the same side that had beaten Arsenal in the previous round, with Chelsea having Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba back.

And the visitors started full of desire and pace, unfazed by the vociferous Kop, Ballack and Lampard were dominant and Liverpool were instantly forced back.

The home side needed to raise their game, and they did. Steven Gerrard was being smothered by Claude Makelele everywhere he went. But one clipped pass from the Liverpool skipper after 31 minutes sent Fernando Torres clear, only for Petr Cech to produce a vital save.

But Liverpool's steady improvement was to produce a goal after 42 minutes. And it was all about Kuyt, with his seventh goal in 11 European ties this term. After his run and cross preceded a poor clearance, he won the ball back from Lampard and when it was turned into the box there was Kuyt to force it under Cech's despairing dive.

That gave Liverpool all the incentive they needed to return after the break flying forward looking for another; Ryan Babel tormenting Paulo Ferreira and Gerrard and Xabi Alonso at last finding space.

The balance was swinging again as the clash entered the closing stages, Jamie Carragher's stunning tackle on Lampard stopping an almost certain goal.

But the sucker punch was to come. In the fifth minute of time added on, Riise dived forward in the six-yard box to head a Salomon Kalou cross into the roof of his own net, under pressure from Nicolas Anelka. The Kop were stunned, Chelsea delirious, somehow they had achieved the away goal and draw they desperately wanted.