Dossena: In action for Liverpool
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Torres and Keane can't inspire Reds
Liverpool's season began with a stutter as they drew 0-0 with Standard Liege in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in Belgium.
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Liverpool paired Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane together for the first time in competitive action but the duo failed to gel and the Reds can count themselves fortunate to be going back to England on level terms.
Their first escape came after just six minutes when Marouane Fellaini's header appeared to be heading in off the post, only for Jose Reina to scramble across his goal and claw it off the line.
There was some debate as to whether the ball had actually crossed but Liege really should have rendered it immaterial when they were handed a penalty just four minutes later.
Wilfred Dalmat's cross definitely hit the arm of Andrea Dossena, but the left-back was also definitely outside the box. Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo pointed to the spot, though, and it needed Reina again to produce heroics to keep out Dante Bonfim's spot-kick with his legs.
A speculative Xabi Alonso effort that landed on the roof of the net was the closest Liverpool went in a disappointing first 45 minutes and it showed no signs of improving at the start of the second.
Liege again went close through a Igor de Camargo header in the 65th minute and, while Rafa Benitez introduced Steven Gerrard for an out-of-sorts Keane, the Merseysiders still could not get into the game.
Reina punched away another De Camargo header seven minutes later but a tame Gerrard free-kick in stoppage time was the closest the visitors went to taking a lead back to Anfield.
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Your Comments
redordead (Liverpool fan)
"Over the top or what! I have never seen so many childish schoolboy comments.
OK we did not play well and Standard Liege were really up for it. This still does not warrant the abuse from the 'lesser' teams. Seems that Spurs and Villa fans are joining the esteemed ranks of Everton as jealous bitters.
Lets see what the season brings."
zzkto66
"Dont laugh some big chelsea fan cfcfan you laugh too early. Base on our record history chelsea you are no way, way behind our record lah. So you keep quite. Wait until your team win 5 times CL than only you can compared with LIV. Whahahaha....
Manchester fans, dont start to scare of Liverpool. Your comments means you all scare of us. Think, if we did not play well since day one, we would be a top your team all the way until now...so, no matter where we are in the table you need to win another EPL than only equal to our record...so keep your mouth shut macs1....."
Top_Kop (Liverpool fan)
"We were very poor last night but on the website there are a bunch of supporting idiots. This is our first competitive game and the players are still not fully fit so it is always difficult. But suddenly 2suave (tottenham hotspur fan) is comparing a first competitive game with honours already. Is there any relevance? Plain stupid if you'd ask me. As in Keane and Torres, they did not gel yesterday but what do you expect? These things need time to happen"
cfcfan (Chelsea fan)
"We are not basing liverpool's season on one game. We are basing liverpool's season based on the consistency of every pre-season euphoria of title challenger to fizzle out to 3rd or 4th placing. Wahaha...."
macs1 (Manchester United fan)
"40+ million strikeforce, liverpool fans better be hoping that they can deliver more than bugger all. but its only the first competitive game, give them a bit of time...but still, unlikely to be higher than 4th. maybe 3rd if you play your cards right. "
the truth (Newcastle United fan)
"watched the games last night and liverpool need to start playing the ball to the feet of keane and torres to many high balls and also need some high at the back and the new left back is nearly as bad as traore. "
zendenling (Chelsea fan)
"Most feared partnership strike force in Europe? Where were they yesterday? Can't see nuts, maybe they need more balls this time. "
2suave (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"liverpool challenging for honours? yeah right..its like my granny driving for mclaren!..Pool looks good for nothing!"
tdk_juggernaut (Liverpool fan)
"you are all basing liverpools season on one game hahahahah spurs and villa will come no where near 4th yet alone make a challenge for the title..."
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