Fernando Torres scored his first goal of the new season in superb fashion to save Liverpool from a potential opening-day stalemate against a resilient Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Reds were made to work hard for their victory, with Sunderland boasting former Liverpool player El-Hadji Diouf up front.
Both sides had their fair share of chances. The Black Cats’ Daryl Murphy had a golden opportunity to put Roy Keane’s side ahead early on in the first half, however his header was directed straight at Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal. Diouf also impressed on his debut, and his scuffed shot in the 54th minute really should have put Sunderland ahead.
On the other hand, Liverpool had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 33rd minute as Israeli Yossi Benayoun was clearly knocked to the ground by Sunderland debutant Pascal Chimbonda, however referee Alan Wiley decided instead to award a free-kick for the original foul committed by Nyron Nosworthy on Steven Gerrard.
The Reds failed to exert control in the middle of the pitch during the first half, with the inexperienced Frenchman Damien Plessis struggling to make an impact. Benitez’ solution to this was to bring on unsettled Spaniard Xabi Alonso for the second half, and he made an immediate impact, as Liverpool began to dominate. He also very nearly scored the third of his trademark half-way line goals with ten minutes to spare, almost catching out a relieved Craig Gordon as the ball flew just wide.
The lack of communication between Fernando Torres and new signing Robbie Keane was glaringly evident in the 71st minute as Keane accidently blocked a goal-bound shot by Torres. This lack of communication can only be expected with the formation of a new strike partnership, and the pair will no doubt begin to gel together the longer they play.
The Reds seemed to be heading towards an embarrasing opening-day goalless draw as the game reached its final minutes. However Sunderland’s defence, who had dealt with Torres so well for the majority of the game, gave him too much space in the 83rd miunte, and once a phenomenal player like Fernando Torres gets into space, he is lethal.
Xabi Alonso collected the ball and passed it to Torres, who burst into the area, and fired the ball staight into the bottom left corner. Gordon had no chance; it was an unstoppable shot.
The final whistle blew, and Benitez left the Stadium of Light a happy man with his side taking all three points. However Sunderland perhaps deserved a point in the game, and Benitez must realise that his team must improve if they are to mount a serious title challenge in the long run. Benitez must also realise, more importantly, that it was Xabi Alonso, as well as Torres, who saved his blushes; a player who has been deemed ‘surplus to requirements’ by the manager as he continues his endless pursuit of a more expensive, and perhaps less effective, player. Judging by his performance today, Benitez may have second thoughts about Alonso’s role in the team.
Gruffudd Owen
