Sub-Standard Reds relieved to escape Liege with a draw
Rafael Benitez admitted his relief after his below-par Liverpool side held on for a crucial away draw in their Champions League qualifier with Belgian champions Standard Liege.
Goalkeeper Jose Reina kept the five time champions in the match with a string of saves including a first half penalty from Dante Bonfim and an earlier effort which looked suspiciously like it had crossed the line.
The Reds fielded new strike duo Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane for the first time competitively, but both were anonymous as the visitors were forced onto the back foot.
“We were not surprised by the fine performance of the Liege side, we had seen enough of them to know they were a good, aggressive side,” Benitez said. “The real surprise for me was the way Liverpool played. The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal. We will have to be a lot better in the second leg at Anfield.
“We know we can always rely on Pepe to stop penalties, but we have been told that the other effort may have been behind the line. These things happen.”
Without captain Steven Gerrard, named only as a substitute due to a groin strain, Liverpool looked disjointed. Six minutes in, Marouane Fellaini appeared to head home off a post, only for Reina to claw it away amid calls it had crossed the line. But four minutes later Liege were handed a penalty. Wilfred Dalmat’s cross struck the arm of Andrea Dossena, albeit outside the box, but Reina kept out Bonfim’s spot kick with his legs.
Xabi Alonso’s looped effort onto the top of the net was the Reds’ best.