Liverpool agony as late goal takes Lyon through

By Bertrand Boucey

LYON, France (Reuters) - A late goal by Lisandro Lopez gave Olympique Lyon a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, sealing the home team's place in the last 16 and leaving the visitors on the brink of going out.

Argentine striker Lopez fired home from close range in the 90th minute as Lyon progressed from the group stage for the seventh time in a row.

Liverpool had gone ahead with a thunderbolt 25-metre shot from Ryan Babel in the 83rd.

Lyon top Group E with 10 points from four matches followed by Fiorentina (9), Liverpool (4) and Debrecen (0).

Rafa Benitez's side now need to win their last two matches and hope Fiorentina drop points.

Lyon coach Claude Puel praised Hugo Lloris for a superb performance in goal.

"He is the one who kept us in the game but that is no surprise," Puel told reporters. "He has played a prominent part in our Champions League results."

Fernando Torres, who has been suffering with a groin injury, started for Liverpool at Gerland stadium but the Spain striker was a shadow of his normal self.