Olympiakos pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over English Premiership giants Liverpool in their Champions League Group A clash here on Tuesday to hand them their first ever defeat at the hands of Greek opposition.
Ieroklis Stoltidis was the Greek hero heading home in the 17th minute from World Cup winner Rivaldo’s freekick, though Liverpool did get the ball into the net once but Australian Harry Kewell had it ruled out for offside.
Stoltidis nearly made it 2-0 later on when another of his trademark headers hit the bar and even though they finished with 10 men, with Anastasios Pantos being sent-off, the hosts managed to keep their nerve and record a famous win.
Yiannis Okkas posed problems for the Liverpool defence from the start as he forced Polish ‘keeper Jerzy Dudek into a fantastic save to deny him which hit the post.
Rivaldo may have had a lean time of it since Brazil took the 2002 World Cup but he still showed signs of his old class. In the second-half he produced a 30-yard half-volley which narrowly missed going in with Dudek beaten.
Pantelis Kafes should have doubled their lead but he got under the ball from Grigoris Georgatos corner and saw his header fly over the bar.
Kewell had the ball in the back of the net after a lay-off from Milan Baros but a debatable offside call denied the Reds an equaliser.
Liverpool were further encouraged at getting back into the match when Pantos was sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Xabi Alonso.
However it was the hosts who finished the stronger as Georgatos ran into the penalty area but shot wide. – Sapa-AFP