Nou Camp defeat confirms Barcelona downturn

BARCELONA, Feb 22 (Reuters) Barcelona's 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Champions League confirmed that the Catalans are a mere shadow of the side that took Europe by storm last season.

In contrast to their double winning campaign last year, the European champions have fluffed their lines on almost every occasion when they have been on the big stage this term.

They were blown away by fellow Spaniards Sevilla in the European Super Cup at the start of the season, lost to arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, went down to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and were outwitted by Brazil's Internacional in the final of the World Club championship.

Last weekend they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Valencia and there was a certain inevitability when they lost their first European match at the Nou Camp in almost four years against Rafa Benitez's muscular and well ordered Liverpool.

Things started well enough when Deco put the home side ahead with a fine header in the 14th minute, but Liverpool weathered a barrage of Barca attacks in the next 10-minutes, never lost their composure and grew in confidence as the game wore on.

With the help of an uncharacteristic error from keeper Victor Valdes, Craig Bellamy put Liverpool back on level terms and his reluctant karaoke partner John-Arne Riise dealt the final blow when he blasted high into the net 14 minutes from time.

Barca have never managed to turn round a European tie on the seven previous occasions on which they have lost the first leg in their own stadium and the local media admitted that they face an almost impossible task at Anfield in two weeks time.

''We need a miracle,'' read the front page in the Barcelona-based Sport newspaper.

Coach Frank Rijkaard struggled to strike a more optimistic note.

''We can't be happy about this result,'' said the Dutchman. ''The situation is very difficult, but we mustn't give up hope.

''Liverpool have a big advantage in that they don't have to change the way they play in the next leg whereas we have to have a great night where everything goes perfectly.'' Barca's hopes of turning the tie around lie in the hope that live-wire striker Samuel Eto'o will recover fitness in time for the second leg and that Ronaldinho will rediscover the magic that has deserted him in the present edition of the Champions League.

''With the team and Ronaldinho in top shape, and Eto'o leading the attack, Barca are a better side than Liverpool,'' said Sport.

''But if that isn't the case, Liverpool's physical power will prove to be an insuperable obstacle once again.'' The odds are stacked against the defending champions, but a glimmer of hope comes from the fact that they have beaten Liverpool at Anfield, winning 3-1 in the second group phase in November 2001.

Barca fans would celebrate a repeat triumph almost as much as they did when they beat Arsenal in Paris in last year's final.

REUTERS PM SSC1610