Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Liverpool Given Due Warning As Sinama-Pongolle And Atletico Go On Scoring Spree

Atletico Madrid sounded a warning to Liverpool, whom they meet in a Champions League Group D clash next month, with a 4-0 thrashing of Recreativo Huelva at the weekend.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will need to beware of Atletico's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who scored his fourth goal in a week to set Atletico on their way.

And former Liverpool forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle was also on target with two goals, with Portugal midfielder Maniche grabbing the other in a victory that lifted Atletico to six points.

Aguero, left completely alone by Recreativo's defense, took just eight minutes of the game at Vicente Calderon Stadium to continue his prolific form when he headed in the first goal from Simao Sabrosa's floated free-kick.

The Argentina striker had netted twice in Atletico's 3-0 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday and scored his team's consolation goal in the 2-1 defeat by Valladolid last weekend.

Aguero then had a second goal disallowed 16 minutes later, before Atletico finally doubled their lead in the 53rd when Portugal midfielder Maniche drilled the ball home after Recreativo had failed to clear a corner.

Sinama-Pongolle, who joined Atletico from Recreativo in the summer, ended his former club's hopes with the third goal in the 78th, the French forward side-footing home following a forceful run by Atletico substitute Miguel De Las Cuevas.

Sinama-Pongolle scored again in the 89th when he beat Recreativo defender Cesar Arzo before calmly stroking the ball home to provide Atletico with a repeat of the 4-0 win over Malaga in their opening home game three weeks ago.

It gives Jamie Carragher and the rest of the Liverpool defence plenty to ponder before the teams meet in Spain on October 22.

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