LIVERPOOL were just seconds from a famous European victory against Olympiakos in the cauldron of passion that is the Olympic Stadium.

After producing defending in domestic matches that has seen them held up to ridicule, the Merseysiders performed magnificently to lead twice and hit the woodwork three times in last night's UEFA Cup third round first-leg clash.

Nicky Barmby put them ahead in the first half before Greek international Alexios Alexandris pulled Olympiakos level midway through the second period.

But Liverpool struck back instantly with a fine Steven Gerrard header and it looked as if they would hang on for victory before Alexandris struck again in injury time to secure a 2-2 draw.

Liverpool arrived in Athens with a massive question mark over the quality of their defending but the likes of Sami Hyypia, Markus Babbel and Jamie Carragher were outstanding.

Olympiakos have not lost a home European match in four years but Liverpool frankly deserved to return home with a victory.

Emile Heskey was in outstanding form again and with Gerrard and Danny Murphy running the midfield the vast home crowd was silenced for long periods and the Greeks must now fear coming to Anfield in a fortnight.

Admittedly Olympiakos have all the Champions League credentials but Liverpool dug deep into the memory bank of their glorious European past to claim a result that will give them immense confidence for the return and maybe do something to improve their domestic form as well.