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London. Five-time European champion Liverpool is in danger of Europa League elimination after losing 1-0 at Lille on Thursday in the away leg of their last-16 clash.

Eden Hazard scored from a free kick to give Lille the advantage against Liverpool, which is also struggling to qualify for any European competition next season because of its poor form in the English Premier League.

“I have confidence we can beat anyone on a good day at Anfield. The fans will play a part, they will push and will be behind the team,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said.

It was a better night for two-time European champion Juventus, Hamburg and Standard Liege, which all posted 3-1 victories. There were three 1-1 draws — between Benfica and Marseille, Valencia and Werder Bremen, and Rubin Kazan and Wolfsburg. Atletico Madrid was held to a 0-0 draw by nine-man Sporting.

Liverpool is already struggling to get used to life in Europe’s second-tier knockout competition and nearly survived without conceding a goal in France until Hazard beat goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a curling free kick from the left.

Another Premier League side, Fulham, also endured a miserable night, losing to Juventus.

In Greece, Milan Jovanovic scored a goal and assisted another to help Belgian side Standard defeat Panathinaikos.

Alex Witsel and Igor de Camargo scored Standard’s other goals, while Loukas Vyntra was on target for Panathinaikos, which beat AS Roma in the previous round.

At Hamburg, Joris Mathijsen, Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Jarolim all scored as the German side gained a decisive lead over Anderlecht.

In Madrid, Sporting held Atletico to a goalless draw despite having Leandro Grimi and Tonel sent off.

Substitute Hatem Ben Arfa headed home in the last minute to earn a 1-1 draw for Marseille at Benfica, canceling out Maxi Pereira’s 75th-minute opener.

Wolfsburg has the upper hand in its clash with Rubin Kazan after drawing in Russia. Zvjezdan Misimovic canceled out Cristian Noboa’s opener for Wolfsburg.


Associated Press