Michael Owen became Liverpool’s leading goalscorer in European competition but the Premiership side were held 1-1 by Slovenian minnows Olimpia Ljubljana in the Uefa Cup first round on Wednesday.
Owen overtook Ian Rush’s total of 20 goals in the 78th minute as his side were trailing a second-half goal from Anton Zlogar, which came against the run of play.
John Arne Riise’s cross from the left curled in invitingly and Owen jumped between two defenders to direct an untidy header beyond the reach of outstanding Olimpija goalkeeper Borut Mavric.
The four-time European champions should have too much for their opponents in the second leg at Anfield on October 15 and the valuable away goal gives them extra insurance, but they had to work hard to force a draw on a bumpy pitch.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admitted Owen’s record-breaking effort had come at the right time.
”It is a relief but it is also a hope because when you score in knockout competition away from home it is vital,” Houllier said.
”Their goalkeeper kept them in the game for a long time. It is a shame we conceded that goal. I think we could have scored more tonight but the pitch wasn’t very good and we had trouble finding the goal.”
England international Owen briefly thought he had broken Rush’s record in the 26th minute. Salif Diao’s shot was pushed away by Mavric and although Owen followed up and forced the ball over the goal line, he was flagged for offside.
Olimpija showed the danger they can pose on the counter-attack when the skilful Bosnian forward Nedim Jusufbeaovic got behind his marker but drove the ball straight at Jerzy Dudek in the Liverpool goal.
Having lost Milan Baros and Jamie Carragher to long-term injuries in recent weeks, Liverpool anxiously saw Danny Murphy limp off in the first period but the injury was not serious.
Liverpool gave 18-year-old French midfielder Anthony le Tallec his full debut and he made a solid if unremarkable contribution.
The English side appeared to be finally taking control in the second half.
The increasingly influential Harry Kewell’s curling free-kick produced a brilliant diving save from Mavric, who then saved his side on several occasions.
Steven Gerrard drove a low shot wide of the post, which was pushed wide by the fingertips of Mavric, who was equal to a similar effort from Harry Kewell.
Olimpia took their surprise lead after 66 minutes when Gerrard lost the ball in midfield and was caught out of position.
Jusufbeaovic’s shot from outside the penalty area beat Jerzy Dudek in the Liverpool goal but hit the post and rebounded into the path of Anton Zlogar, who volleyed in to give Olimpia their most memorable moment in continental competition. — Sapa-AFP