LIVERPOOL'S hearts were broken by a cruel last-minute equaliser that has all but ended their Champions League dreams for a traumatic season.
The much-maligned Ryan Babel had scored a wonderful goal with just seven minutes left and, if Liverpool could have hung on to that lead, they would still have had a realistic chance of reaching the last 16.
But Liverpool's season has been littered
with shattering luck and bitter body blows, as well as beach-ball goals. And, when Lisandro Lopez struck an equaliser in the final seconds for Lyon – sending them into the last 16 – Liverpool knew their own hopes were left hanging by a thread.
Fiorentina's expected win over Debrecen keeps them firmly in second spot and Liverpool will need more than a miracle now after this devastating blow.
Fernando Torres was in the starting line-up but, at first, the Spaniard looked barely able to run, certainly with nothing like his usual mobility. The occasional sprint when needed was about his limit early on such is the severity of the serious groin injury he is carrying.
Lyon may have been lulled into a false sense of security against Torres and, when he found a yard of space in the box, he almost had Liverpool ahead after 12 just minutes.
Emiliano Insua swung over a cross from the left, and the striker met it first time from eight yards to force a fine point-blank save from Hugo Lloris.
Liverpool's third decent chance of the half came after a foul on Torres deep in his own half. Javier Mascherano's quick free-kick cleared Lyon's back line and allowed Voronin a clear run at goal. His shot was low, but again Lloris was up to the task, blocking the effort with his legs.
Lyon started the second period with a quicker tempo, and Lisandro hooked over an Aly Cissokho cross. The full-back's next cross saw Bastos head over the far angle.
As Liverpool pressed forward, the gaps were appearing behind them, and Gomis looked increasingly dangerous.
Liverpool's first change came after 67 minutes when Babel replaced Voronin, Torres being left on this time.
Then Lloris made yet another stunning save, turning away Lucas' effort with his left hand with Kuyt following up with an overhead shot that was kicked off the line.
Lyon brought on Sidney Govou for Gomis, before Reina had to make his first serious save of the night, blocking Lisandro from close range. Lisandro got away again after 78 minutes, turning Agger and then firing a curling shot just wide of the far post with Liverpool now playing with four men up front.
Liverpool broke from defence after a painful bout of head tennis to get the ball away and grabbed a sensational goal after 83 minutes. Yossi Benayoun spun the ball out to the left for Babel, who cut inside to unleash a thunderous drive into the top corner from 30 yards.
But, with just seconds left, Liverpool's dream crashed. Lisandro got past Insua in the box and lifted his shot over Reina for the equaliser.
Lyon: Lloris, Reveillere (Gassama 18), Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Pjanic (Ederson 40), Makoun, Kallstrom, Gomis (Govou 73), Lisandro, Bastos. Subs not used: Vercoutre, Delgado, Tafer, Gonalons. Booked: Lisandro.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Voronin (Babel 68), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog 87). Subs not used: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Spearing, Darby, Ayala. Booked: Agger.
