PA Sport, 10 Aug 2005 CSKA Sofia 1 Liverpool 3 FLBuild: Fidolook 2002 SL 6.0.2800.94

PA Sport, 10 Aug 2005 - CSKA Sofia 1 Liverpool 3

Fernando Morientes bagged two goals to move Liverpool to the brink of qualification for the Champions League group stages.

The Spaniard scored a fine first-half header and then a predatory close-range strike in the second period to give Liverpool control of this tie ahead of the return at Anfield on August 23.

Strike partner Djibril Cisse put Liverpool ahead with his fourth goal in five European matches this summer, but after Morientes' first, the Bulgarians hit back with a close range header seconds before the break from Velizar Dimitrov.

So it now looks as though Liverpool's long hot summer travelling Europe in defence of the crown they clamed so magnificently in Istanbul in May will have the reward they craved.

Boss Rafael Benitez, robbed of eight squad players through injury and recovery from operations, put out the strongest side he could muster.

CSKA were quick and competitive while playing with three up front, while Liverpool - mindful of the fast overlapping full-backs Benitez had pinpointed as the dangermen - had John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia hugging the flanks.

Twice early on Cisse had chances, lashing a shot at Evgheni Hmaruc, and then with a 25-yard effort which went wide.

The hosts responded with a neat pbutt from Dimitrov which sent Guillaume Zadi clear. Goalkeeper Jose Reina opted not to dive at the Bulgarian's feet, forcing him wide and out of play.

The home pressure subsided when Liverpool got control of the ball, and when they finally put together a pbutting movement with pace, they took the lead.

In the 25th minute Steven Gerrard took a pbutt from Luis Garcia and slipped the ball sideways for Cisse to cruise into the box and rifle it into the net from a tight angle.

Liverpool were on top now and had Xabi Alonso dictating play from a deep position with his long angled pbuttes.

One found Steve Finnan wide on the left, and when the Irishman was fouled, the resulting free-kick produced Liverpool's second just past the half hour.

Captain Gerrard whipped the ball into the box and Morientes' renowned heading ability saw him rise to clip a fine effort past Hmaruc.

Another goal at this point would have ended the tie as a contest, and Gerrard almost forced his way through soon after before a fine Stephen Warnock cross on the run just eluded Cisse in the box.

Another first time angled pbutt from Gerrard on 43 minutes nearly created a third for Morientes, who sent a clipped header just wide of the far post.

But all the good first half work was wasted with seconds to go before the break when Mourad Hidiouad got away on the left and sent in a cross which Dimitrov nodded past an exposed Reina.

Liverpool found themselves facing fired-up opponents after the break and Morientes wasted a glorious chance to restore the two-goal advantage when he hit the outside of a post from 15 yards after Xabi Alonso had sent him clear.

But the visitors did get a third goal in the 58th minute when an excellent quick pbutting movement saw the ball move from Gerrard to Cisse, back to Gerrard and then into the feet of Morientes six yards out.

This time the former Real Madrid man had the composure to turn and force the ball through Hmaruc's legs for Liverpool's third.

Xabi Alonso was lucky to avoid a booking for a crude tackle - and when he was brought down by Hidiouad seconds later, the Moldovan international was cautioned.

The Spaniard was soon replaced by Dietmar Hamann and in the 69th minute Benitez replaced Gerrard with Mohamed Sissoko - with Saturday's Barclays Premiership opener against Middlesbrough in mind.

Liverpool replaced Morientes 13 minutes from time, bringing on another defender in Spanish youngster Antonio Barragan for his debut.

Late bookings for Luis Garcia and Stephen Warnock preceded a fine injury-time save by Reina from Evgeni Yordanov which preserved the holders' two-goal lead.

CSKA Sofia: Hmaruc, Zabavnik, Matic, Todorov, Gueye, Silva, Gargorov, Hidiouad, Yanev (P Dimitrov 35), V Dimitrov (Sakaliev 59), Zadi (Yordanov 80). Subs not used: Maksic, Ivanov, Matko, Yurukov. Booked: Hidiouad Goals: V Dimitrov 45

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard (Sissoko 69), Alonso (Hamann 63), Warnock, Morientes (Barragan 79), Cisse. Subs not used: Carson, Baros, Whitbread. Booked: Luis Garcia, Warnock Goals: Cisse 25, Morientes 31, 58

Att: 16,512 Referee: Jan Wegereef (Holland)

GERRARD: "MOR" TO COME

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes more is to come from Fernando Morientes after the Spain striker scored twice in the 3-1 win against CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.

Morientes' goals gave Rafael Benitez's side a great chance of reaching the Champions League group stages after taking the advantage in the first leg of their qualifier.

Gerrard told Sky Sports: "He's got ability, there's no doubt, his all-round game was a lot better and there's a lot more to come from him, definitely."

Djibril Cisse scored the other goal for the visitors, while Velizar Dimitrov reduced arrears.

Gerrard set up all three goals, but added: "That's my job - to set up goals and score, but the team performance was the main thing.

"We're happy with the score, we would been a lot more happy with a clean sheet."

Gerrard almost suffered an injury celebrating Morientes' second strike and he added: "When we were celebrating he nearly pulled my back out of place, but everything is fine. We feel sharp and ready for Saturday against Middlesbrough."

Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia added: "It was a good win but we can't be 100% happy about conceding a goal. But in the second half they only had a few chances.

"They are a good team and we knew it would not be easy, if you give them space and time they can hurt you."

Liverpool boss Benitez was pleased with his players' performance, adding: "The players concentrated and in the end it was a good result.

"They (CSKA) ran a lot and played good football. We have also did a good job, it's important to score goals. We did a good job in defence and in attack.

The former Valencia boss also believes Morientes will shine this season, adding: "We're waiting to see him score goals in the Premiership, but he had a very good game. We need to give him more crosses and we'll see the best of him."