Debutants give Liverpool win
Bellamy's goal in front of the Kop marked his debut in style
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Wednesday, 09, Aug 2006 10:25
Debut goals from Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez gave Liverpool a narrow 2-1 win over Maccabi Haifa in the first leg of their Champions League third round qualifying tie.
It was an anxious night at Anfield but the Chilean's 88th minute effort means the Reds now only have to avoid defeat in the second leg to reach the group stages.
Liverpool had struggled in their pre-season build-up and they began this game slowly, enjoying some good spells of possession but never threatening the Israeli goal.
John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher had decent efforts from the edge of the area midway through the half but it was Maccabi Haifa who took the lead on 29 minutes.
Gustavo Boccoli brought the ball out of defence and as he crossed the halfway line, he exchanged passes with Roberto Colautti and found himself in behind the Liverpool back-line.
After taking a couple of touches, the midfielder calmly rolled the ball past Jose Reina into the corner to give them a shock lead.
The advantage lasted just four minutes before Bellamy marked his debut with a goal.
Momo Sissoko's 20-yard shot was parried by Nir Davidovitch in the Maccabi goal but the Welsh striker held of the challenge of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to lift the ball into the net.
Liverpool were much better in the second-half but once again looked devoid of a cutting edge in the final third.
Rafael Benitez brought on Peter Crouch 20 minutes in as the Reds went more direct and the England man flashed a header just wide on 75 minutes.
However, it was the introduction of Gonzalez with five minutes remaining which was telling.
Xabi Alonso clipped the ball towards Crouch but it found the Chilean unmarked at the back post and he dug the ball out from under his feet and swept the ball into the goal to give the home side the win.