[lfc-news] CSKA Sofia report - PA

PA Sport, 10 Aug 2005
CSKA Sofia 1 Liverpool 3

Fernando Morientes bagged two goals to move Liverpool to the brink of
qualification for the Champions League group stages.

The Spaniard scored a fine first-half header and then a predatory
close-range strike in the second period to give Liverpool control of
this tie ahead of the return at Anfield on August 23.

Strike partner Djibril Cisse put Liverpool ahead with his fourth goal in
five European matches this summer, but after Morientes' first, the
Bulgarians hit back with a close range header seconds before the break
from Velizar Dimitrov.

So it now looks as though Liverpool's long hot summer travelling Europe
in defence of the crown they clamed so magnificently in Istanbul in May
will have the reward they craved.

Boss Rafael Benitez, robbed of eight squad players through injury and
recovery from operations, put out the strongest side he could muster.

CSKA were quick and competitive while playing with three up front, while
Liverpool - mindful of the fast overlapping full-backs Benitez had
pinpointed as the dangermen - had John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia
hugging the flanks.

Twice early on Cisse had chances, lashing a shot at Evgheni Hmaruc, and
then with a 25-yard effort which went wide.

The hosts responded with a neat pass from Dimitrov which sent Guillaume
Zadi clear. Goalkeeper Jose Reina opted not to dive at the Bulgarian's
feet, forcing him wide and out of play.

The home pressure subsided when Liverpool got control of the ball, and
when they finally put together a passing movement with pace, they took
the lead.

In the 25th minute Steven Gerrard took a pass from Luis Garcia and
slipped the ball sideways for Cisse to cruise into the box and rifle it
into the net from a tight angle.

Liverpool were on top now and had Xabi Alonso dictating play from a deep
position with his long angled passes.

One found Steve Finnan wide on the left, and when the Irishman was
fouled, the resulting free-kick produced Liverpool's second just past
the half hour.

Captain Gerrard whipped the ball into the box and Morientes' renowned
heading ability saw him rise to clip a fine effort past Hmaruc.

Another goal at this point would have ended the tie as a contest, and
Gerrard almost forced his way through soon after before a fine Stephen
Warnock cross on the run just eluded Cisse in the box.

Another first time angled pass from Gerrard on 43 minutes nearly created
a third for Morientes, who sent a clipped header just wide of the far post.

But all the good first half work was wasted with seconds to go before
the break when Mourad Hidiouad got away on the left and sent in a cross
which Dimitrov nodded past an exposed Reina.

Liverpool found themselves facing fired-up opponents after the break and
Morientes wasted a glorious chance to restore the two-goal advantage
when he hit the outside of a post from 15 yards after Xabi Alonso had
sent him clear.

But the visitors did get a third goal in the 58th minute when an
excellent quick passing movement saw the ball move from Gerrard to
Cisse, back to Gerrard and then into the feet of Morientes six yards out.

This time the former Real Madrid man had the composure to turn and force
the ball through Hmaruc's legs for Liverpool's third.

Xabi Alonso was lucky to avoid a booking for a crude tackle - and when
he was brought down by Hidiouad seconds later, the Moldovan
international was cautioned.

The Spaniard was soon replaced by Dietmar Hamann and in the 69th minute
Benitez replaced Gerrard with Mohamed Sissoko - with Saturday's Barclays
Premiership opener against Middlesbrough in mind.

Liverpool replaced Morientes 13 minutes from time, bringing on another
defender in Spanish youngster Antonio Barragan for his debut.

Late bookings for Luis Garcia and Stephen Warnock preceded a fine
injury-time save by Reina from Evgeni Yordanov which preserved the
holders' two-goal lead.

CSKA Sofia: Hmaruc, Zabavnik, Matic, Todorov, Gueye, Silva, Gargorov,
Hidiouad, Yanev (P Dimitrov 35), V Dimitrov (Sakaliev 59), Zadi
(Yordanov 80).
Subs not used: Maksic, Ivanov, Matko, Yurukov.
Booked: Hidiouad
Goals: V Dimitrov 45

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard
(Sissoko 69), Alonso (Hamann 63), Warnock, Morientes (Barragan 79), Cisse.
Subs not used: Carson, Baros, Whitbread.
Booked: Luis Garcia, Warnock
Goals: Cisse 25, Morientes 31, 58

Att: 16,512
Referee: Jan Wegereef (Holland)

GERRARD: "MOR" TO COME

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes more is to come from Fernando
Morientes after the Spain striker scored twice in the 3-1 win against
CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.

Morientes' goals gave Rafael Benitez's side a great chance of reaching
the Champions League group stages after taking the advantage in the
first leg of their qualifier.

Gerrard told Sky Sports: "He's got ability, there's no doubt, his
all-round game was a lot better and there's a lot more to come from him,
definitely."

Djibril Cisse scored the other goal for the visitors, while Velizar
Dimitrov reduced arrears.

Gerrard set up all three goals, but added: "That's my job - to set up
goals and score, but the team performance was the main thing.

"We're happy with the score, we would been a lot more happy with a clean
sheet."

Gerrard almost suffered an injury celebrating Morientes' second strike
and he added: "When we were celebrating he nearly pulled my back out of
place, but everything is fine. We feel sharp and ready for Saturday
against Middlesbrough."

Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia added: "It was a good win but we can't
be 100% happy about conceding a goal. But in the second half they only
had a few chances.

"They are a good team and we knew it would not be easy, if you give them
space and time they can hurt you."

Liverpool boss Benitez was pleased with his players' performance,
adding: "The players concentrated and in the end it was a good result.

"They (CSKA) ran a lot and played good football. We have also did a good
job, it's important to score goals. We did a good job in defence and in
attack.

The former Valencia boss also believes Morientes will shine this season,
adding: "We're waiting to see him score goals in the Premiership, but he
had a very good game. We need to give him more crosses and we'll see the
best of him."

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