Fernando Torres stepped up with a late goal to ensure Liverpool started the season with a maximum 3 points after a drab lifeless affair at The Stadium of Light.
Sunderland had made the early running as Benitez opted to start with Plessis in favour of Alonso who had taken a knock mid-week, and also surprisingly with Hyypia ahead of Agger and Skrtel.
The reds had an enterprising opening 5 minutes but Sunderland quickly took control as the reds were hemmed further and further back. Gerrard was forced to help out at the back as Arbeloa looked to be having a poor start to his season.
As the first half ended the reds had improved with a number of free kick opportunities and countless corners landing their way, all the while as El Hadji Diouf moaned and cried his way through the game.
Liverpool had a good penalty shout when Benayoun was brought down inside the box, however the referee opted to award the reds a free kick for a foul a few seconds earlier outside the box.
In the second half the reds were improved as Benitez made an unusual half time substitution bringing on Alonso for Plessis, who had suffered a knock. The enforced substitution vastly improved the reds and Gerrard was brought more in to the game.
Alonso attempted one of his trademark 70 yard lobs when he spotted the keeper off his line but it went narrowly wide. Second later the Spaniard set up Fernando Torres who lashed home with 7 minutes left and cue wild celebration amongst the players and fans.
The game was scrappy, Liverpool looked toothless with Benayoun and Kuyt on the wings, but Fernando Torres yet again spared the reds blushes.
Fernando Torres scores the winner
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Hyypia, Plessis (Alonso 45), Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun (Aurelio 81), Torres, Keane (El Zhar 76).
Unused Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Skrtel, NGog
Yellow Cards: Arbeloa, El Zhar
Sunderland: tba
Referee: tba
Attendance: tba
what you think about El Zhar starting in the right wing?
Liverpool played crap. In the last few years, any time we dont play well we generally draw or dont win. For me it is this never say die attitude which has set Man United apart from us.
they can have a bad game and still win. I hope this will be a good omen for this season.
OK overall Liverpool were better in the 2nd half and at least they grabbed the 3pnts, which they wanted, if think that benitez isn’t going in the right way?!!, could you believe barry instead of alonso, i think no, because at the right moment he’s the best player at liverpool and i extremely dont agree to sell him, think twice benitez and pls dont spend money on players like barry but keep them for the transfer window of january, ynwa!! come on liverpoolll!
I’m a lifelong L’pool fan who’s a bit hacked off at the moment with the running of the Club! Parry has to go…………no doubt about it but Benitez showed yesterday why he needs to re-evaluate his own agenda. Plessis started a game with Alonso(£16m) on the bench. Keane (£20m) came off for El Zhar…… and Penant (£6m) never got a sniff despite our obvious need for width. Kuuyt is ineffectual and, despite offers, Benitez refuses to sell for less than an inflated price (as usual). The result was an undeserved 1-0 at Sunderland during which the under-supplied Torres (what on Earth would we do without him?) managed to salvage a win.
Benitez is a favourite and for good reason. He lives for the game and loves the Club. He seems to keep “stealing” young starlets from the other elite Clubs (Pacheco, De La Valle, Julio Iglesias etc.) and has a first-team squad brought up mainly on paella as opposed to cod ‘n chips! Don’t get me wrong…………I’m all for signing foreigners when English lads are too expensive but they MUST be good enough. Benitez is forced to agree that we need English players (through new legislation rather than choice) and decided that Gareth Barry’s versatility was just the ticket! And I have to say I agree and, in spite of the Kop’s objections, would concede he’s a far better player than Alonso !!But, there are ways to go about things and on this point I have to say LFC (whoever’s to blame) have been comical (to outsiders) in their conduct. Parry, Laurel and Hardy have to go now for the integrity of the Club and DIC should retain the services of Benitez on the condition that he stops using Liverpool FC as a Spanish Labour Exchange and promises to mention his title-winning days at Valencia less frequently! WE KNOW RAFA!!!!……….WE KNOW!In conclusion, buy Barry, a right back and a wide-man (the Polish lad looks good but I’d take Milner) and sell Kuuyt, Voronin, Penant, Alonso and Benayoun for £30m+. Remember, we’ve got Mascherano and Babel to return and with Barry, Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Keane and Torres we should have a squad to strike fear into the others. I’ve just watched Chelsea and with Deco they look awesome !! Nuff said.
the reason we arent signing gareth barry at the moment is because heir price tag is to big. yes, selling alonso would not be what all the liverpool fans would want, but by doing so, we would get the money to buy gareth barry. it’s a close call but i think that barry is better than alonso. and he will do good for us here at anfield. and then alonso can go and carry on with his footballing carer at arsenal.
COME ON YOU REDS!! YNWA
Kenny, you probably were worth a point. We didn’t get out of the blocks. Alonso was on the bench after getting a knock mid-week but yes – the reason Liverpool fans are against the Barry signing is only for the reason that we apparently have to lose Alonso to get him. Good luck for the rest of the season.
As a Sunderland fan at the game I was disappointed with the outcome. We were worth a point. Looking at your side, I cannot fathom why Alonso was left on the bench – he ran the midfield when he came on – and you’re trying to sell him! Torres/Keane were kept quiet but one chance and a great finish is what you pay £25m for. As for us, we played without fear against you this season and we have certainly improved.
I agree with you there joey about benayoun, he was hopeless, and about kuyt. I think gerrard should play right wing week in week out, whatever he says, he’s a natural right winger and that’s where he plays best. Cracker by torres, once again, hope he keeps up his 100% form of last season. fair play to you liverpool.
COME ON YOU REDS!! YNWA.
Distinctly average performance but what a cracker from Fernando.
I thought Benayoun was completely hopeless on the left wing, and Kuyt is still no right winger. Dossena had a good game but you can’t ask for any more than 3 points on the opening day. Back to Anfield now and I expect Torres to keep up his 100% record! 😉