A superb late goal from Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a 1-0 Premier League win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
It was one bright moment in an ordinary game and, after their Euro 2008 triumph, it was fittingly an all-Spanish affair.
The goal was created by a player that boss Rafa Benitez wants to sell, but that Liverpool fans want to stay - Xabi Alonso, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance despite only playing the second half.
Liverpool did not look like a team confident in their ability to challenge for silverware, while Sunderland's summer building project appears to have created a side that will improve on last season's relegation scrap.
The first half was a relatively even affair, with Sunderland working exceptionally hard and arguably the better of the sides.
Benitez left the unsettled Alonso on the bench, instead preferring young Frenchman Damien Plessis alongside Steven Gerrard, and the Reds missed the Spaniard's creativity as they toiled to create chances.
Sunderland, meanwhile, played a quick, counter-attacking game with Kieran Richardson impressive in tandem with a slim-line Andy Reid in the centre of midfield and Steed Malbranque working the flanks with his former Spurs team-mate Teemu Tainio.
El-Hadji Diouf was almost let in by a Sami Hyppia error as early as the fourth minute, while Daryl Murphy forced a save from Pepe Reina with a powerful header from Diouf's cross.
The hosts bossed the early part of the match, although did not create any more clear-cut chances. Liverpool were struggling to find their feet, and while Plessis was strong in the tackle he seemed to tire and lacked the creativity that Alonso would later provide.
The visitors had a very good call for a penalty turned down when, after referee Alan Wiley waved play-on following a late tackle by Nyron Nosworthy, Pascal Chimbonda pushed Yossi Benayoun in the box. Wiley pulled play back, but signalled for the original foul by Nosworthy, which was outside the area.
Keane then saw a long-range shot fly wide as the sides entered the half-time break goalless.
Benitez acted by bringing Alonso on for the injured Plessis for the start of the second half. The Spain international quickly got to grips with the game, pulling the strings in midfield and creating chances for Benayoun and Gerrard.
Sunderland had some good chances though, with Diouf in particular unlucky when a Sunderland counter-attack ended with Murphy's low, left-wing cross falling just behind where the ex-Liverpool forward needed it, his improvised finish easy for Reina.
Liverpool then started to make their possession and quality tell. Benayoun went close but was blocked by Craig Gordon, Gerrard forced a save from the Scotland international and, in an incident following a Gerrard free-kick, Kuyt had a deflected shot saved and the quiet Fernando Torres's attempt to finish-off the rebound was inadvertently blocked by team-mate Robbie Keane.
The £19 million Irishman was goal-free on his league Liverpool debut, coming off later in the game, and his thunder was stolen by the man Benitez seemingly wants out of the club.
Alonso picked the ball up on Liverpool's edge of the centre circle and sent an audacious trademark lob inches past the post with Gordon beaten.
And, with seven minutes left on the clock, Alonso picked out Torres, who turned it on when it really mattered and fired a brilliant low drive into the bottom left of the goal.
Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, but Liverpool held firm for an opening-day win to soften the controversy surrounding their summer transfer activity |
發表於 2008-8-17 02:47 AM
| 