Dirk Kuyt's strike on the stroke of half-time gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over plucky Debrecen in their Champions League Group E clash at Anfield.

The visitors created the first real chance, with Jose Reina tipping Peter Czvitkovic's 18-yard shot over the crossbar.

After that, however, it was one-way traffic with visiting goalkeeper Vukasin Rodomir performing heroics to keep Albert Riera at bay on two occasions.

Steven Gerrard sidefooted inches wide, and the breakthrough came on 45 minutes when Rodomir parried a Fernando Torres shot and was helpless to prevent Kuyt from converting the rebound.

It was all Liverpool after the interval, with Gerrard whistling a 20-yard volley inches over the bar, Yossi Benayoun being denied and Lucas Leiva and Torres heading good chances off target.

But Rafa Benitez will be happy to bank all three points.