Liverpool sunk by Gilardino's late winner

Alberto Gilardino scored a last-gasp winner for Fiorentina to secure a 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Yossi Benayoun gave the Premier League side the lead with a 43rd minute header at Anfield before Martin Jorgensen scored a 63rd minute equaliser for the Italians. Gilardino won it in the final minute after converting a Juan Vargas cross.

With Fiorentina safely through to the last 16 and five-times European champions Liverpool resigned to playing in the Europa League next year, this was a dead rubber in terms of placings in Group E.

But there was some encouragement for Liverpool fans in the shape of midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The 20 million pounds signing from Roma in August had made just three substitute appearances since his move but showed some decent touches on his first start before being substituted after 75 minutes.