Liverpool's dreams of UEFA Cup glory were left hanging by a thread after a frustrating night at Anfield where the man they feared most plundered a crucial away goal.

Gerard Houllier's men were leading through a second-half Milan Baros goal but had never looked truly in control of the fourth round, first leg tie.

And with 12 minutes remaining, Ivory Coast hitman Didier Drogba scored his 22nd goal of the season on his 26th birthday to give Marseille a precious advantage going into the return leg in a sold-out Stade Velodrome in a fortnight's time.

The clash of the great under-achievers from both sides of the Channel had seen Baros return to the Liverpool team to partner Michael Owen up front, with Bruno Cheyrou dropping to the substitutes' bench from the side that won 4-2 in Sofia last week.

Marseille, who have had as troubled a season in France as Liverpool have had in the Barclaycard Premiership, fielded Fabien Barthez and Steve Marlet, on loan respectively from Manchester United and Fulham, while former Blackburn defender Sebastien Perez also figured.

Early on the visitors had looked the more slick outfit. Marlet got away from Jamie Carragher to produce the first chance but his drive from the edge of the box was saved by Chris Kirkland.

Barthez was booed every time he touched the ball and Baros and Owen ensured there was plenty of early work for the French international.

But all Liverpool's efforts petered out long before they had chance to trouble the visiting defence, who man-marked Owen and Baros.

Marseille had obvious pace throughout their side and created a golden chance for Marlet when Drogba got away from Liverpool's defence. He crashed into Kirkland and both players were left dazed on the pitch. The ball broke for Marlet but he put his shot wide of an open net.

Marseille forced Liverpool into mistakes in possession with swift covering and tackling, and Steven Gerrard found himself under immediate pressure every time he got the ball.

It took 25 minutes for Liverpool to create a chance and Danny Murphy and Harry Kewell set up Owen who, from 12 yards out, mis-hit his shot straight at Barthez.

Drogba gave Sami Hyypia a hard time on the deck and in the air and looked dangerous every time he got near the ball. Laurent Batlles and Matthieu Flamini broke up much of Liverpool's midfield work, and increasingly the men from the south of France looked comfortable.

Seconds from the break Carragher got down the left and hit a first-time cross that Owen met with his head 15 yards out, but he could not find enough power to trouble Barthez.

The Kop treated Barthez to a hot reception when he emerged for the second half, and some early time-wasting did little to quell the abuse.

The need for urgency had been clearly drummed into Liverpool at the break, with Steve Finnan pushing forward and Baros prepared to run at defenders from deeper positions.

Dietmar Hamann rose from six yards out to power a 54th-minute header onto the roof of the net after Gerrard's free-kick.

But a minute later Liverpool did grab the lead. Owen's run and pass sent Gerrard in, and he bravely hurled himself into a challenge with Barthez which left the pair on the ground. The ball broke for Baros to fire into an empty net and Gerrard needed treatment before he could continue.

Drogba angered Kirkland with an elbow as he challenged the keeper before Marseille tried to change the course of the game with a couple of attack-minded substitutions. They replaced full-back Perez with Demetrius Ferreira, who played in a forward midfield role on the right.

Batlles was replaced Camel Meriem on the left as Marseille sought the away goal they desperately needed.

Liverpool threatened again when Hyypia's ball sent Baros away on the left and he cut the ball back for Owen, who set up Hamann to drill wide from 25 yards.

But after 78 minutes the home side failed three times to properly clear their box. The ball ballooned around and Meriem put the ball back into the six-yard box for Drogba who held off Carragher and stabbed it past Kirkland for the equaliser.

Liverpool tried to hit back; Barthez made a fine save at Gerrard's feet and Finnan lifted a free-kick just over the bar before Emile Heskey came on for Danny Murphy with nine minutes left.

Barthez was then booked for time-wasting at a free-kick with three minutes left, before Houllier brought on Igor Biscan for Finnan.

In injury time Hyypia rose to meet a Gerrard free-kick and saw his header bounce inches wide, and then Barthez made another fine block from Baros.

But the late bombardment was not enough to secure a lead for Liverpool to take to France.

Teams

Liverpool Kirkland, Finnan (Biscan 89), Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher, Murphy (Heskey 82), Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Baros, Owen.

Subs Not Used: Diouf, Riise, Sinama Pongolle, Cheyrou, Dudek.

Goals: Baros 55.

Marseille Barthez, Beye, Hemdani, Meite, Perez (Ferreira 62), N'Diaye, Flamini, Dos Santos, Batlles (Meriem 67), Marlet, Drogba.

Subs Not Used: Mido, Johansen, Ecker, Celestini, Gavanon.

Booked: Barthez.

Goals: Drogba 78.

Att: 41,270

Ref: Yuri Baskakov (Russia).