Sport 08-12-2000 Liverpool Reach Europe`s Top 16 who: Liverpool what: Qualify for final 16 in UEFA Cup where: Anfield, LIVERPOOL when: Last night snippet: "Thirteen was Liverpool`s lucky number," says The Sun`s Mike Ellis, after Emile Heskey scored his 13th goal of the season - his 12th in 12 games - in last night`s 2-0 UEFA Cup defeat over Olympiakos at Anfield. "As in the Olympic Stadium a fortnight ago," notes The Telegraph`s William Johnson, "Liverpool`s scoring heroes were both England internationals, Emile Heskey extending his splendid purple patch with the opener and Nick Barmby scoring for the fourth time in six European matches." Houllier`s controversial decision "to leave out Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler - confirming their lack of full fitness - paid off," says Express Sport Live`s report, and particularly in the second half the Greek side struggled "to contain the aggression and running power of Murphy, Barmby and the excellent Gerrard". "The quality of opposition improves considerably now," the report continues, "but Liverpool have a couple of months to bask in the glory of getting themselves back among the elite they`d almost forgotten existed." [... more]

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