Monaco report - PA

PA Sport, 15 Sept 2004
Liverpool 2 Monaco 0

Liverpool lived on their nerves but in the end deservedly grabbed a
confidence-boosting group A victory on their return to the Champions League.

Monaco, last season's runners-up, were outplayed for long spells but - for
all Liverpool's clever, inventive football - were not finished off until
six minutes from time.

Djibril Cisse put Liverpool ahead as their slick movement and passing
threatened to over-run Didier Deschamps' side.

But it was not until substitute Milan Baros broke away to grab a second
goal with six minutes left that boss Rafael Benitez was able to breathe easier.

Former boss Gerard Houllier was watching in the directors' box - and he saw
his successor leave out Dietmar Hamann to allow £11million Spaniard Xabi
Alonso to take over a central midfield role.

Otherwise it was the same team which beat West Brom on Saturday in the
Barclays Premiership, with Chris Kirkland over his back problem and
returning to the bench alongside Hamann and Baros.

Injuries and suspensions hit Monaco - with Javier Saviola banned and
Ernesto Chevanton and Shabani Nonda injured it meant Mohamed Kallon was up
front.

Monaco had only five of the side which played against Porto in last
season's final in their starting line-up.

But even though they looked defensive, with three centre-backs, they broke
quickly and had pace and awareness up front - particularly Kallon.

The former Inter Milan man, only just back from a UEFA ban for failing a
drugs test, almost caught out Jerzy Dudek in the opening minutes when he
spotted the Pole off his line - and tried a 40-yard effort which did not
miss the target by much.

But Liverpool started to grow in confidence with some crisp passing and
neat and tidy movement, particularly on the right, where Steve Finnan had
held his place.

Alonso's ability to switch play with long, raking passes kept a good supply
coming Finnan's way with Josemi up in support and the lively Luis Garcia
linking well.

There had been barely a chance until what looked a lazy Monaco build-up
ended with a neat ball from Kallon to Pontus Farnerud, but the Swede wasted
the opportunity with a shot pulled wide of the far post.

That sparked Liverpool, and the growing menace of Garcia cost Andreas Zikos
a booking when he cut down the quick-thinking midfielder.

But Garcia continued to find plenty of space to work in and almost scored
with a dipping 25-yard effort just over the far angle.

Liverpool's breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, following a foul on Garcia.

Alonso's free-kick was moved sweetly to Steven Gerrard, who played a
one-two with Garcia before playing the ball into the path of Cisse.

The striker cruised into space in the box before lashing a 12-yard effort
past Flavio Roma for his first Anfield goal.

Liverpool continued to improve with Alonso having an increasing input,
while Finnan was a constant menace - timing his runs into space on the
right to collect a string of excellent cross-field passes.

But Garcia caused Monaco most problems and when Harry Kewell put him clear
on the left only Roma's legs prevented a second goal.

Garcia could have scored twice more before the break with headers, with
Monaco looking an increasingly worried outfit.

The typically-busy Gerrard was booked in the 51st minute for a foul on
Sebastien Squillaci - before Liverpool got wasteful.

Cisse was put clear by Garcia but saw Roma block his shot while both Kewell
and Gerrard saw efforts clear the bar.

Monaco found a second wind and started to put moves of their own together,
with Dudek saving an unchallenged Adebayor header at the foot of a post,
before Jamie Carragher headed clear when the goalkeeper failed to come for
a cross.

Baros came on to replace Cisse but Monaco could now sense their chance and
were pinning Liverpool back.

Benitez moved to restore some substance to Liverpool's defending by taking
off Kewell and bringing on young midfielder Stephen Warnock.

But still Monaco came forward and what had been a comfortable performance
was becoming a nervy display.

Dudek again failed to challenge for a right wing cross - but the ball
evaded Carragher and, more significantly for the Anfield faithful, Adebayor.

Roma needed to be smart to save at Garcia's feet, but it did not swing the
game back Liverpool's way.

However, for all his invention and clever play, Garcia is prone to panic in
front of goal - and he wasted a glorious chance to settle things in the
81st minute when he blasted wide from 10 yards after Finnan's nod-down had
left him in the clear.

But the clincher arrived three minutes later after Josemi lifted a high
clearance straight down the middle.

Baros gained possession just outside the penalty box, moved into the area
and slipped round Julien Rodriguez before firing past Roma from an acute angle.

Liverpool: Dudek, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Finnan, Gerrard,
Alonso, Kewell (Warnock 76), Luis Garcia (Biscan 87), Cisse (Baros 69).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Diao, Hamann, Traore.
Booked: Gerrard.
Goals: Cisse 22, Baros 84.

Monaco: Roma, Givet (El Fakiri 80), Squillaci, Rodriguez, Anjreas Zikos,
Maicon, Perez (Juan 89), Farnerud, Evra (Camara 45), Kallon, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Audard, Modesto, Lacombe, Lescure.
Booked: Anjreas Zikos, Givet.

Att: 33,517
Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).

BENITEZ HAPPY WITH MONACO WIN

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez declared himself satisfied after his first
Champions League match in charge at Anfield ended in a 2-0 victory over Monaco.

Lone striker Djibril Cisse gave the home side a first-half lead and despite
missing a few chances after the break Cisse's replacement Milan Baros
secured the result with a coolly-taken goal late on.

"We have done a good game. We concentrated and we perhaps we could have
scored a lot more goals," he said.

"We need to know these game are difficult. This is a good team (Monaco) who
played with five at the back and we had to be patient.

"The two forwards scored, which is good for the team."

The Spanish coach admitted he had some worrying moments in the second half
as Monaco looked as though they were going to make Liverpool pay for
squandering chances.

"At 1-0 if you don't score and have a lot of mistakes you normally think
one mistake in defence you concede a goal but we managed to relax," he added.

"It is important to keep a clean sheet, it gives the whole team more
confidence.

"This is the second home victory [of the season], and it is important for
the team, supporters and the club.

"If you win many times you have more confidence."

Captain Steven Gerrard said: "We're happy with how it went - we've played
well, kept a clean sheet and scored two goals - and we could have had more.

"We played some nice football and worked hard and limited them to very few
attempts on goal - which was pleasing.

"I thought we passed the ball really well at times tonight, which was
pleasing to see.

"They had a bit of joy in the middle of the second half and we needed a
second goal to kill them off because it's always dangerous at 1-0 against
quality sides."

He continued: "This is where we want to be - we want to do well in the
Champions League.

"It's always important to win your home games in the group situation and
we're very pleased with how it's gone.

"It's something to build on for the game at Manchester United (on Monday in
the Barclays Premiership)."

However, the influential midfielder was disappointed with his booking for a
51st-minute foul on Sebastien Squillaci, with the Monaco player's
team-mates reacting vocally to the challenge.

The England man continued on Sky Sports: "I tried to explain to the referee
that I slipped and didn't mean to foul him.

"I wouldn't like to say their players got me booked but I was disappointed
with how they reacted - I was trying to explain to them as well.

"But it's gone now and I'm sure it won't be rescinded."