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Tuesday,23 August 2005
Liverpool qualified for the Champions League despite losing the return leg match tonight to the Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia. Valentin Iliev scored early in the match to give CSKA 1-0 win at Anfield, however Liverpool won 3-2 on aggregate. CSKA looked a better team throughout the match, with Liverpool's side reduced to defending first leg advantage in a game that was expected to be a mere formality. Liverpool was missing several players most notably the skipper Gerrard was out due to injury. Rafael Benitez also decided to rest Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Bolo Zenden.
Dietmar Hamann, John Arne Riise,Josemi, Scott Carson and Darren Potter were given the chance in the starting eleven. Liverpool created several chances before Valentin Iliev's 20-yard curl put the Bulgarian side ahead. As the match progressed CSKA grew in confidence and even had a goal disallowed in the injury time when Velizar Dimitrov was ruled off-side.
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