Ukrainian free transfer Andriy Voronin produced a priceless first goal for his new club as Liverpool beat Toulouse 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.
Rafael Benitez's side had struggled for any sort of pace and tempo in the early stages in searing afternoon heat in south-west France.
But Voronin's spectacular 30-yard effort two minutes before half-time stunned the noisy home fans and now makes the Reds hot favourites to progress to the lucrative group stages in September.
Toulouse produced some impressive approach play, but failed to really trouble Jose Reina in the first period.
They did make a better fist of things after the interval, sending on Fode Mansare for Bryan Bergougnoux to give Johan Elmander some more support up front.
Elmander had a couple of half-chances, but in the end it was a comfortable win for last season's beaten finalists.
The second leg takes place at Anfield on Tuesday August 28.
Afterwards a satisfied Benitez hailed his side's professionalism in the afternoon heat.
"I'm pleased because it was a very, very difficult situation," he said.
"It was a professional job. The team worked hard.
"We controlled the game. We were a little bit under pressure ion the second half."
Benitez described Voronin's winner as "fantastic", adding: "He's a good player and can scored these kind of goals because he has quality."
Toulouse coach Elie Baup conceded his team found the searing heat and the quality of the opposition a problem.
He said: "In those conditions it is hard to keep running and trying to create things when you are playing against a side with such experience and quality.
"Our players lack the experience of playing in this competition and they found Liverpool's ability and technical quality hard to cope with out there."
Rafael Benitez's side had struggled for any sort of pace and tempo in the early stages in searing afternoon heat in south-west France.
But Voronin's spectacular 30-yard effort two minutes before half-time stunned the noisy home fans and now makes the Reds hot favourites to progress to the lucrative group stages in September.
Toulouse produced some impressive approach play, but failed to really trouble Jose Reina in the first period.
They did make a better fist of things after the interval, sending on Fode Mansare for Bryan Bergougnoux to give Johan Elmander some more support up front.
Elmander had a couple of half-chances, but in the end it was a comfortable win for last season's beaten finalists.
The second leg takes place at Anfield on Tuesday August 28.
Afterwards a satisfied Benitez hailed his side's professionalism in the afternoon heat.
"I'm pleased because it was a very, very difficult situation," he said.
"It was a professional job. The team worked hard.
"We controlled the game. We were a little bit under pressure ion the second half."
Benitez described Voronin's winner as "fantastic", adding: "He's a good player and can scored these kind of goals because he has quality."
Toulouse coach Elie Baup conceded his team found the searing heat and the quality of the opposition a problem.
He said: "In those conditions it is hard to keep running and trying to create things when you are playing against a side with such experience and quality.
"Our players lack the experience of playing in this competition and they found Liverpool's ability and technical quality hard to cope with out there."
1 comment:
Good to see Liverpool take a goal to Anfield. Should help settle the nerves for the second leg.
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