Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has finally got a reason to smile following the miserable UEFA qualifier draw to Standard Liege on Wednesday. Liverpool registered an away defeat in their very first game of the season against a Roy Keane led Sunderland in the Stadium of Light.
Liverpool started with their new 20 million signing Robbie Keane among others like Jamie Carragher, Steve Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt. However, the former Tottenham man was rarely a help in the attack.
The Reds were shocked by the way Sunderland played the first half, when the home fans were witnessing an attacking game of football from their side.
Sunderland had four debuts in El-Hadji Diouf, Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque, all four of whom tried to make a quick impression in the match.
In the 13th minute, Diouf made a stunning cross to Daryl Murphy, who headed the ball straight to the Reds’ goalie Reina.
Among others, Malbranque was also quite eager to contribute in the game.
After a goalless first half, Xabi Alonso was brought in at the start of the second one, and he almost scored from the opposite half of the ground when his strike was just off-target.
The game finally got into the Reds’ hands when Keane was substituted by El Zhar in the 77th minute.
After an attacking game of football the Spanish forward, Fernando Torres scored after 5 minutes of Keane’s substitution, much to the amusement of the away team’s supporters, which was the only goal in the match and helped the Anfield side to register a win.
Meanwhile, Hull City won their first ever Premiership match against a Fulham side with an impressive 2-1 score. However, newcomers Stoke city failed to impress, as they lost 1-3 to Bolton Wanderers.
