Super Torres strike secures opening day win for Liverpool
Fernando Torres started where he left off last season
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Saturday, 16, Aug 2008 08:22
Fernando Torres struck a sensational late goal to secure a crucial first day win for Liverpool away at Sunderland.
Liverpool were far from their best and their much-lauded new strike partnership of Torres and Robbie Keane failed to gel. But with time running out and both teams looking happy to take a point, Torres struck from 25 yards out to snatch the points for the Merseysiders.
Sunderland played well but didn't really create the clear-cut chances to say they deserved to win the match. Daryl Murphy had the best chance for the Black Cats, but he directed his header straight at Pepe Reina when he was free in the box.
A much changed Sunderland handed Premier League debuts to Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque, and El-Hadji Diuof. It was Senegalese star Diuof who was the bright spark for Sunderland. The former Liverpool man had a run on goal when he intercepted a tame Sami Hyypia back pass, but Jamie Carragher managed to get back in time to scupper the danger.
Diouf then sent in an excellent cross into the box, the ball landed perfectly for Murphy and with the whole goal to aim at, Murphy headed straight at Reina, who made a comfortable save.
A disappointing Liverpool side carried on from where they left off in the Champions League on Wednesday night against Standard Liege.
They did get a little better in the second-half as captain Steven Gerrard got more into the game. Liverpool also introduced Xabi Alonso from the bench and they finally started to control possession in midfield.
Jossi Benayoun almost gave the Reds the lead but his shot was expertly saved low down by Craig Gordon. Torres then had a shot which was goal bound, but his strike-partner Keane got in the way and deflected the ball wide.
But it was the Spanish star who saved the day for Liverpool as he collected an Alonso pass before rifling the ball in from 25 yards.