Kluivert saves Barca, Van Nistelrooy for United

Late goals from Patrick Kluivert and Ruud Van Nistelrooy spared the blushes of both Barcelona and Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday as the two giants snatched 1-1 draws.

Barcelona stayed top of group B after Kluivert hit a stunning late equaliser in the 82nd minute to earn a 1-1 draw with AS Roma, while Liverpool fired blanks in a 0-0 stalemate with Galatasaray at Anfield that injured England midfielder Steven Gerrard left on a stretcher.

Van Nistelrooy converted a penalty deep into injury time to give United a heart-stopping 1-1 draw at Nantes that kept them top of group A, ahead on goal difference of defending champions Bayern Munich, who drew 0-0 away to Boavista.

United looked destined for a shock defeat at the La Beaujoire stadium after their defensive frailties came back to haunt them when Viorel Moldovan struck on nine minutes.

The United rearguard were pulled hopelessly out of position to allow the striker, who scored in Romania's 2-1 victory over England at the 1998 World Cup, an easy goal from close range.

It was the French club's first goal of the second phase, after 1-0 defeats to Boavista and Bayern, and looked good enough for three points after Van Nistelrooy missed a hatful of chances at the other end as United's lone striker.

DUTCHMAN STRIKES

But after United manager Alex Ferguson switched to a 4-4-2 formation, by throwing on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Dutchman notched his 28th goal of the season after a blatant handball by defender Mario Yepes who was promptly sent off.

"I thought we were a bit lucky with that one," Ferguson told ITV Sport afterwards. "We're pleased to get a point."

United and Bayern have five points apiece and are favourites to reach the quarter-finals, with both sides facing Wednesday night's opponents again next week -- only this time with home advantage.

Boavista are third, on four points, and need an upset in Munich, while Nantes are bottom with just one point.

United's feelings of relief will have been echoed at the Nou Camp after Barcelona fell behind to a 58th minute strike from Roma's Christian Panucci, who won this competition with Barca's archrivals Real Madrid in 1998.

Slack defending allowed the Italian defender time to control Vincent Candela's free-kick before wheeling round to strike his shot past goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina.

Barca dominated possession but were not rewarded until the closing minutes when Kluivert, whose goal for Ajax Amsterdam against AC Milan decided the 1995 final, steered home a superb volley.

The draw kept the Spanish side top with five points, two clear of Roma and Galatasaray, while Liverpool are languishing in bottom place with two points.

LIVERPOOL STRUGGLE

Liverpool were left to curse their luck after missing chances and hitting the woodwork as they laid siege in vain to the Galatasaray goal.

Michael Owen, European Footballer of the Year, failed to live up to expectations, while fellow England striker Emile Heskey could only send a close range header against the bar.

Assistant manager Phil Thompson, whose team will travel to Istanbul knowing they desperately need a win, told reporters: "It's going to be very very, tight."

Gerrard left the pitch with a groin injury, raising fears he will at least miss Saturday's Merseyside premier league derby with Everton.