Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and John-Arne Riise scored apiece for a 2-1 comeback win at European champions Barcelona in the first knockout round.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (R) is tackled by Barcelona's Thiago Motta during their Champions League first knockout stage, first leg soccer match at Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium February 21, 2007. [Reuters]

It was Barca's first home defeat in Europe since April 2003 when they lost to Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and only their second loss in 20 matches in the competition in the last two seasons.

The only time they had previously lost at home to English opposition in Europe was against Liverpool in the 1976 UEFA Cup semi-finals.

Striker Bellamy equalised two minutes before the break with a header in their first leg clash at the Nou Camp, and defender Riise snatched the winner 16 minutes from time with a shot high into the net.

In the 14th minute Ronaldinho slipped a pass to fullback Gianluca Zambrotta who clipped a cross towards unmarked Deco at the far post and he steered a header low past goalkeeper Pepe Reina to score Barca's first goal against Liverpool in four games at the Nou Camp.

Barca had Liverpool on the ropes for the next 10 minutes. Bellamy came close to an equaliser when he headed into the side netting at the far post after a Steven Gerrard free kick.

In the 43rd minute, he burst into the area and send a diving header towards a surprised Valdes who ended up dragging the ball over his own line.

Barca continued to have the lion's share of the ball in the second half, but found themselves frustrated time and again by Liverpool's midfield and back four.

In the 74th minute, Riise stunned the Barca crowd when he blasted high into the net after Valdes blocked a Dirk Kuyt shot as his defenders stood by and watched.