Besiktas 1 (1), Liverpool 0 (1) (5-4 Pens): First Thoughts

Besiktas 1 Arslan 72'
Liverpool 0

• Pre-match thoughts: There was a bit of forced and deliberate rotation in the victory at Southampton, and that continued in the second leg of the Europa League. Liverpool made four changes as Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, Kolo Touré, and Alberto Moreno all moved from the bench to the starting line-up. The injured duo Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho were left back in England while Lazar Marković served the second game of his four-match ban. Adam Lallana dropped to the bench. Such changes were required as Liverpool's next opponent, Manchester City, played their European game two days earlier.
  
  
• The opening stages of the game were cagey as both sides didn't create anything of note. The early yellow card for an enthusiastic and hard-working Mario Balotelli was a slight worry but he continued the rest of the half sensibly by holding the ball up excellently, tracking back, and playing good passes in the final third. He was also the subject of some close attention but remained calm. 
  
  
• Sturridge and Sterling had excellent chances to give Liverpool the lead as they were put through on goal at an angle but showed either indecisiveness or over-elaboration before squandering the respective opportunities. Sturridge played Moreno in on 34 minutes for a shot straight at the Besiktas goalkeeper Gönen. Raheem Sterling also tested the home goalkeeper after great work by the superb Alberto Moreno.
  
  
• By the end of the first half, Liverpool seemed to be in control of the game and created more chances in one half than they did in two halves at Anfield. Besiktas' ploy of playing the ball over the top and down the channels to trouble the wider centre backs was generally handled with comfort. Simon Mignolet was forced into a save and 
  
  
• Half-time thoughts: Liverpool were in control of the game with Balotelli playing an important role in attack. Daniel Sturridge would be wise to avoid taking too many touches when Liverpool create chances on the counter attack. Dejan Lovren had a solid half defensively but appears to be a basic defender who is unable to pass effectively.
  
  
• Beskitas started the second half with a greater tempo, and after five minutes, good work down the home side's left flank eventually created a long-range shooting opportunity for Kurtulus that was saved by Mignolet. Two minutes later, Sosa followed that up with another shot outside of the area that was comfortably saved by Mignolet. Liverpool's right side was being troubled by Slaven Bilić's team but Liverpool's defensive shape was acceptable.
  
  
• Liverpool continued to sit deep and invite Besiktas on to them without responding with any effective counter attacks to trouble the Turkish side. With 20 minutes to go, Liverpool's attacking players looked frustrated and out of ideas. Gökhan Töre's influence grew on the left and Arslan's lovely strike after 72 minutes levelled the tie. Brendan Rodgers responded with Javier Manquillo for Jordan Ibe and later brought on Adam Lallana for Mario Balotelli.
  
  
• Demba Ba hit the cross bar in added time with a shot after a corner and nearly proved to be a nemesis for Liverpool again.
  
  
• 90 minutes: Liverpool went into extra time in a two-legged cup tie for the second time this season and needed to offer more in attack on the counter against an energetic, harrying Besiktas side.
  
  
• Liverpool lacked energy in the opening stages of extra time and Simon Mignolet denied Demba Ba at his near post before Martin Skrtel hooked clear. Demba Ba was involved again as he set up Töre. The first half of extra time was somewhat difficult for the away side.
  
  
• Besiktas looked for a winning goal in extra time but couldn't create much in the second period of extra time.
  
  
• The game went to penalties. Besiktas went first in the shoot-out. Demba Ba scored, Rickie Lambert scored with an emphatic penalty, Töre scored but Mignolet went the right way, Adam Lallana sent Gönen the wrong way, Veli Kavlak sent a high penalty successfully into the net, and Emre Can put it in the corner but Gönen went the right way. 3-3. Atiba Hutchinson stepped up...and slammed the ball into the net. Joe Allen stepped up and did the same. 4-4. Tolgay Arslan made it 5-4.
  
  
• Dejan Lovren stepped up. Could the commanding and vocal defender handle the pressure and score? Liverpool had to score. Could Lovren do it? No, he couldn't and Liverpool were out.
  
  
• Full-time thoughts: Another last 32 exit for Brendan Rodgers in the Europa League, and the wait to win a European knock-out tie in the Rogders era goes on. It's all about domestic football now.
  

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.