Update: On Thursday night Rapid eased their way into the Europa League third round qualifiers. A comfortable 3 - 0 win in Albania ensured an 8 - 0 aggregate victory over KS Vllaznia. A trip to Cyprus to face domestic cup holders Kinyras Peyias now awaits the Green & Whites.Prior to kick off the relocated Block West treated us to a stylish show of support, turning one end of the packed out Stadium into a sea of green and silver. Liverpool got the game under way with the decibel maeter extended to ist fullest.The match began with both teams feeling each other out, Liverpool trying to dominate possesion against a determined Rapid outfit. The Green – Whites looked sharp and dangerous, seizing on loose ball as the visitors possesion broke down and were controversially denied an opening goal as Jimmy Hoffer stole in behind the Liverpool defence and beat the on rushing keeper with an instinctive finish. Celebrations were caught short though as the Rapid hitman reeled away only to be greeted by the linesmans flag. Replays suggest the marksman got his angles spot on. In the 16th minute the lively striker was again denied by an incorrect flag as he beared down on Liverpool keeper Cavalieri. With Liverpool wobbling a little at the back, tidy Rapid interplay almost put Stefan Hofmann in. Minutes later a deep cross from Drazan was met by the on rushing Rapid Captain, who fired a spectacular effort narrowly wide of the target.The rest of the half played out mostly in the stands as the Rapid support continued their vocal onslaught, pushing the team forward at every opportunity. Shortly before half time Jimmy Hoffer was denied by last gasp goalkeeping. An outswinging cross from Markus Katzer caused havoc in the Liverpool defence before breaking to Hoffer, his attempted stab at goal turned away for a corner.The half closed with the masses of Rapid fans still in full voice.Rapid and a much changed Liverpool were welcomed back for the second half by a blaze of red flares and as the smoke cleared things started promisingly for green - whites, Stefan hofmann looking to take the game by the scruff of the neck and Jimmy Hoffer picking up where  he left  off in the first half. As Rapid began to ring the changes Christopher Drazan looked an increasing threat down the left and his menace would manifest in the opening goal. In the 58th minute the wideman was crudely felled by Dirk Kuyt 25 yards from goal. Stefan Hofmann stepped up to curl a perfect free kick beyond the reach of the diving Liverpool keeper to send the already rocking stadium into delirium.Rapid continued to take the game to the visitors with Hofmann and Drazan pulling the strings. Maierhofer, on for Hoffer, had a goal rightly chalked off just two minutes later for offside as the Liverpool defence continued to creak.Liverpool managed to regain their composure and their sharp passing yielded one or two half chances, the best falling to Dirk Kuyt, however the men in Red seemed unable to force the equaliser as the Rapid backline held firm. The closing stages of the match saw half chances come and go as the ground errupted into a party atmosphere fitting of the occasion.With the clock wound down and Rapid closed in on the victory Liverpools attacks became more fleeting and looked increasingly inspid against a well marshalled home defence, new signing Jovanivic doing his standing with the Rapid faithful no harm at all with a commanding performance.As the final whistle blew and confirmed Rapids well earned victory the curtain fell on an amazing spectacle in which both teams and sets of fans played their part. With Rapid celebrations continuing long after the final whistle it was a perfect way to round off the pre season Jubilee celebrations.SK Rapid - Liverpool FC 1:0 (0:0)Ernst-Happel-Stadion, 50.000 Zuschauer (sold out), Ref GrubelnikGoal: Hofmann (58./Freekick)Rapid: Payer (56./Hedl) - Dober (64./Thonhofer), Eder, Patocka (46./Jovanovic), Katzer - Hofmann (77./Kulovits), Heikkinen (78./Kavlak), Pehlivan (61./Trimmel), Drazan (89./Schrammel) - Jelavic (56./Maierhofer), Hoffer (56./Konrad)Liverpool 1st half: Cavalieri - Degen, Carragher, Ayala, Insua - Gerrard, Plessis, Babel - El Zhar, Nemeth, Voronin2nd half: Gulacsi (77./Martin) - Degen (64./Kelly), Agger, San Jose, Insua (64./Mascherano) - Kuyt, Leiva, Spearing, Benayoun - Pacheco, N'Gog(gw)
31.08.2015