Liverpool 0 - Valencia 1

Liverpool: Dudek; Carragher (Cheyrou 82'), Hyppia, Diao, Traore; Murphy (Smicer 61'), Gerrard, Hamann, Riise; Owen, Heskey (Baros 61'). 4-4-2.
Valencia: Cañizares; Curro Torres, Marchena, Pellegrino, Carboni; Albelda, Baraja; Rufete, Aimar (Angulo 68'), Kily González (Vicente 88'); Carew (Mista 79'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 34. Rufete. Shot which deflected off Hyppia after Carew laid ball back.

Group B:
Valencia.................. 13 points
Liverpool................... 7 points
Basel.......................... 5 points (1 game less)
Spartak Moscow.... 0 points (1 game less)

Valencia beat Liverpool for the second time this season to qualify for the second phase of the competition as champions of group B. Rafa Benítez's side came in to the game only needing a point to be sure of going through, but the manager did not want to leave it to the last minute and put out a full strength line up, missing only the suspended Ayala. Houllier's side had not been beaten at Anfield all year, but Valencia started well, with Kily González hitting the bar with as long cross-come-shot, and Baraja shooting over from close range after Aimar's short pass.

Ten minutes before the break the visitors scored what was to be the only goal of the game, Rufete's speculative shot taking a fortunate deflection off the leg of Hyppia to beat Dudek. Cañizares saved from Gerrard as Liverpool came back, but Dudek was also in action a minute later tipping Carew's effort for a corner.

The English side kept up the pressure from the restart, Cañizares saving again from Owen and Rufete clearing off the line from Hamann. Heskey shot wide again, and Benítez took off Aimar to bring on Angulo, who immediately forced Dudek to palm away his first time effort. As time ran out Houllier threw caution to the wind, but Cañizares was there again to save from a Hamann free kick and then late in the game from substitute Baros.

In the end though Norwegian referee Terje Hauge called it a day, giving Valencia . their first win in England in 41 years. Liverpool will not know their fate until Spartak and Basel play next week, but they will probably need a win in Switzerland in two weeks time to be sure of joining their opponents in the second round draw.