LONDON - Five-times champions Liverpool, who were staring at Champions League elimination, scored the sole goal of the tie late on to oust Standard Liege and qualify for the lucrative group stages on Wednesday.
Dirk Kuyt's goal with three minutes to go in extra time propelled the Reds into the hat for Thursday's 32-team draw along with Arsenal who thrashed Steve McClaren's FC Twente 4-0 at home for a 6-0 aggregate scoreline.
French first division front-runners Marseille muddled through after an unconvincing 2-1 home win against Brann to go through 3-1 on aggregate while Atletico Madrid thanked the form of Olympic gold medallist Sergio Aguero in their 4-0 beating of Schalke 04 in the Spanish capital for a 4-1 overall
victory.
Liverpool goalscorer Kuyt told ITV television afterwards: "We wanted to play in the Champions League. We have been in the semi-final and final the last two years. It was a tough match but we believed in ourselves and it was a good performance."
And on Liege, Kuyt added: "They were tough, they were really fighting, even in extra time."
The Reds lifted the European Cup for a fifth time by beating AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005, then lost the final two years later to the same opponents.
Rafael Benitez's side had been unconvincing all evening and the game appeared destined for penalties when Kuyt struck with a far post volley from Ryan Babel's deep cross.
For Liverpool, the goal brought relief after a stuttering display that will have reinforced their manager's determination to bring in new faces during the remaining five days of the transfer window.
Benitez had attempted to downplay the significance of the first leg draw in the build-up to this game, insisting his side would be better prepared than they were when the two sides met in Belgium.
Then, Pepe Reina's penalty from Bonfim Dante had been largely responsible for Liverpool escaping with a scoreless draw.
And while the Anfield club's form had been disappointing in their subsequent two league games, they came into this clash having secured back to back wins and with a growing self-belief that their season was about to fire into life.
Down in London William Gallas produced the perfect response to his critics as the Arsenal captain booked his side's place in the Champions League group stages with a rare goal against FC Twente.
Gallas's captaincy credentials had already been questioned after his meltdown against Birmingham last season, so when the France defender's sloppy marking gifted Fulham a shock victory on Saturday he was inevitably singled out for some harsh words from fans and pundits.
But Gallas led by example in the third qualifying round second leg against Twente. He was outstanding in defence and scored with a second half tap-in after Samir Nasri had given Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner scored in the closing stages to put the seal on Arsenal's 6-0 aggregate victory.
It was their most emphatic performance of the season and Arsene Wenger must wish the Gunners could play Steve McClaren's team every week.
"It was a big game for us and the response was clear," Wenger said. "There was togetherness and focus. That is what we wanted after a result like Saturday.
"We needed to be organised because they play a little with your patience. We were disciplined and focused and we were never really under threat.
"I felt the whole team was sharp. Physically we were much better than Saturday."
Results:
BATE Borisov (BLR) 1 Levski Sofia (BUL) 1
(BATE Borisov win 2-1 on aggregate)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4 Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1
(Dynamo Kiev win 8-2 on aggregate)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 1 Galatasaray (TUR) 0
(Steaua win 3-2 on aggregate)
Fenerbahce (TUR) 2 Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 1
(Fenerbahce win 4-3 on aggregate)
FC Basel (SUI) 2 Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 1
(Basel win 2-1 on aggregate)
Olympiakos 1 (GRE) Anorthosis Famagouste (CYP) 0
(Anorthosis Famagouste win 3-1 on aggregate)
Slavia Prague (CZE) 0 Fiorentina (ITA) 0
(Fiorentina win 2-0 on aggregate)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) 4 Schalke 04 (GER) 0
(Atletico win 4-1 on aggregate)
FBK Kaunas (LTU) 0 Aalborg (DEN) 2
(Aalborg won 4-0 on aggregate)
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 1 Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 3
(Shakhtar Donetsk won 5-1 on aggregate)
Marseille (FRA) 2 SK Brann (NOR) 1
(Marseille win 3-1 on aggregate)
Arsenal (ENG) 4 FC Twente (NED) 0
(Arsenal win 6-0 on aggregate)
Liverpool (ENG) 1 Standard Liege (BEL) 0 (after extra time)
(Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate)
Gallas back in favour as Arsenal ease through
LONDON - William Gallas produced the perfect response to his critics as the Arsenal captain booked his side's place in the Champions League group stages with a rare goal in Wednesday's 4-0 win against FC Twente.
Gallas's captaincy credentials had already been questioned after his meltdown against Birmingham last season, so when the France defender's sloppy marking gifted Fulham a shock victory on Saturday he was inevitably singled out for some harsh words from fans and pundits.
But Gallas led by example in the third qualifying round second leg against Twente. He was outstanding in defence and scored with a second half tap-in after Samir Nasri had given Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner scored in the closing stages to put the seal on Arsenal's 6-0 aggregate victory.
It was their most emphatic performance of the season and Arsene Wenger must wish the Gunners could play Steve McClaren's team every week.
Wenger gave his players a rare dressing down after Saturday's loss and Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue appeared to pay the price as the trio were consigned to the bench.
Cesc Fabregas, back from a hamstring injury, replaced Eboue for his first competitive appearance since helping Spain beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final in June.
With Fabregas back and the tie under control after the first leg, this was an ideal chance for the Gunners to kick-start their season. After a subdued start they began to rediscover some rhythm.
Robin van Persie tested Nicolay Mihaylov with a low free-kick before Johan Djourou poked a half-chance wide from close-range.
Van Persie should have hit the target when Fabregas' neat cutback gave the Dutch striker a clear sight of goal but his wild shot sailed over the bar.
Wenger had thumped his seat in frustration after that miss but he was soon on his feet in celebration of a far more clinical finish in the 27th minute.
Nasri has had no trouble settling in since his pre-season move from Marseille and the France winger, who scored on his debut against West Brom, gave another glimpse of his potential here.
Van Persie was the catalyst as he won possession on the edge of the Twente penalty area. His tackle ran to Nasri, who wrong-footed two defenders with a sublime turn before firing in a low shot that took a slight deflection past Mihaylov.
Fabregas' return gave Arsenal the guile so obviously missing against Fulham. A perfectly-weighted pass from the Spaniard sent Bendtner clear, only for the Danish striker to stumble over his own feet as he tried to shoot.
Van Persie fared even worse when he somehow shot wide with the goal at his mercy after Walcott's run unhinged the Dutch defence.
This was McClaren's first visit to Arsenal since his Middlesbrough team were beaten 7-0 at Highbury in 2006 and the former England coach was heading for another thrashing.
Gallas enjoyed his moment of redemption in the 52nd minute when his rampaging run set up Bendtner. The forward's shot was blocked by Mihaylov and rebounded for Gallas to slot home.
Walcott got reward for a menacing display when he exchanged passes with Bendtner and curled a low shot past Mihaylov in the 66th minute.
Bendtner's close-range strike from Denilson's backheel in the 89th minute capped the rout. Perhaps Wenger will look forward to Thursday's draw for the lucrative group stages with slightly more enthusiasm now.
Results:
BATE Borisov (BLR) 1 Levski Sofia (BUL) 1
(BATE Borisov win 2-1 on aggregate)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4 Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1
(Dynamo Kiev win 8-2 on aggregate)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 1 Galatasaray (TUR) 0
(Steaua win 3-2 on aggregate)
Fenerbahce (TUR) 2 Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 1
(Fenerbahce win 4-3 on aggregate)
FC Basel (SUI) 2 Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 1
(Basel win 2-1 on aggregate)
Olympiakos 1 (GRE) Anorthosis Famagouste (CYP) 0
(Anorthosis Famagouste win 3-1 on aggregate)
Slavia Prague (CZE) 0 Fiorentina (ITA) 0
(Fiorentina win 2-0 on aggregate)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) 4 Schalke 04 (GER) 0
(Atletico win 4-1 on aggregate)
FBK Kaunas (LTU) 0 Aalborg (DEN) 2
(Aalborg won 4-0 on aggregate)
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 1 Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 3
(Shakhtar Donetsk won 5-1 on aggregate)
Marseille (FRA) 2 SK Brann (NOR) 1
(Marseille win 3-1 on aggregate)
Arsenal (ENG) 4 FC Twente (NED) 0
(Arsenal win 6-0 on aggregate)
Liverpool (ENG) 1 Standard Liege (BEL) 0 (after extra time)
(Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate)
Gallas's captaincy credentials had already been questioned after his meltdown against Birmingham last season, so when the France defender's sloppy marking gifted Fulham a shock victory on Saturday he was inevitably singled out for some harsh words from fans and pundits.
But Gallas led by example in the third qualifying round second leg against Twente. He was outstanding in defence and scored with a second half tap-in after Samir Nasri had given Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner scored in the closing stages to put the seal on Arsenal's 6-0 aggregate victory.
It was their most emphatic performance of the season and Arsene Wenger must wish the Gunners could play Steve McClaren's team every week.
Wenger gave his players a rare dressing down after Saturday's loss and Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue appeared to pay the price as the trio were consigned to the bench.
Cesc Fabregas, back from a hamstring injury, replaced Eboue for his first competitive appearance since helping Spain beat Germany in the Euro 2008 final in June.
With Fabregas back and the tie under control after the first leg, this was an ideal chance for the Gunners to kick-start their season. After a subdued start they began to rediscover some rhythm.
Robin van Persie tested Nicolay Mihaylov with a low free-kick before Johan Djourou poked a half-chance wide from close-range.
Van Persie should have hit the target when Fabregas' neat cutback gave the Dutch striker a clear sight of goal but his wild shot sailed over the bar.
Wenger had thumped his seat in frustration after that miss but he was soon on his feet in celebration of a far more clinical finish in the 27th minute.
Nasri has had no trouble settling in since his pre-season move from Marseille and the France winger, who scored on his debut against West Brom, gave another glimpse of his potential here.
Van Persie was the catalyst as he won possession on the edge of the Twente penalty area. His tackle ran to Nasri, who wrong-footed two defenders with a sublime turn before firing in a low shot that took a slight deflection past Mihaylov.
Fabregas' return gave Arsenal the guile so obviously missing against Fulham. A perfectly-weighted pass from the Spaniard sent Bendtner clear, only for the Danish striker to stumble over his own feet as he tried to shoot.
Van Persie fared even worse when he somehow shot wide with the goal at his mercy after Walcott's run unhinged the Dutch defence.
This was McClaren's first visit to Arsenal since his Middlesbrough team were beaten 7-0 at Highbury in 2006 and the former England coach was heading for another thrashing.
Gallas enjoyed his moment of redemption in the 52nd minute when his rampaging run set up Bendtner. The forward's shot was blocked by Mihaylov and rebounded for Gallas to slot home.
Walcott got reward for a menacing display when he exchanged passes with Bendtner and curled a low shot past Mihaylov in the 66th minute.
Bendtner's close-range strike from Denilson's backheel in the 89th minute capped the rout. Perhaps Wenger will look forward to Thursday's draw for the lucrative group stages with slightly more enthusiasm now.
Results:
BATE Borisov (BLR) 1 Levski Sofia (BUL) 1
(BATE Borisov win 2-1 on aggregate)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4 Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1
(Dynamo Kiev win 8-2 on aggregate)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 1 Galatasaray (TUR) 0
(Steaua win 3-2 on aggregate)
Fenerbahce (TUR) 2 Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 1
(Fenerbahce win 4-3 on aggregate)
FC Basel (SUI) 2 Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 1
(Basel win 2-1 on aggregate)
Olympiakos 1 (GRE) Anorthosis Famagouste (CYP) 0
(Anorthosis Famagouste win 3-1 on aggregate)
Slavia Prague (CZE) 0 Fiorentina (ITA) 0
(Fiorentina win 2-0 on aggregate)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) 4 Schalke 04 (GER) 0
(Atletico win 4-1 on aggregate)
FBK Kaunas (LTU) 0 Aalborg (DEN) 2
(Aalborg won 4-0 on aggregate)
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 1 Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 3
(Shakhtar Donetsk won 5-1 on aggregate)
Marseille (FRA) 2 SK Brann (NOR) 1
(Marseille win 3-1 on aggregate)
Arsenal (ENG) 4 FC Twente (NED) 0
(Arsenal win 6-0 on aggregate)
Liverpool (ENG) 1 Standard Liege (BEL) 0 (after extra time)
(Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate)
Liverpool captain Gerrard to undergo groin surgery
LIVERPOOL - Steven Gerrard will on Thursday undergo surgery on a groin problem that will keep the Liverpool captain out for ten to fifteen days.
Gerrard played the full game in his side's extra-time Champions League qualifying round victory over Standard Liege on Wednesday night despite having been troubled by the injury for some time.
Manager Rafael Benitez revealed after the game - settled by Dirk Kuyt's volley three minutes from time - that the midfielder had been told he needed the operation before the clash but opted to play despite being in pain.
Benitez said: "Gerrard will have an operation tomorrow on a groin problem. We knew this would happen. He had a problem and now he will have an operation and he will be out for 10 or 15 days. It's not a big problem but he had pain and it was difficult."
The injury wasn't affected by the period of extra-time.
When he went away with England we knew he had a problem, and we knew he had a problem before the first leg in Belgium two weeks ago.
Yesterday he spoke to the doctor about the situation and he said 'okay, I'll play with pain and after have the operation'.
"He was playing with pain before and he kept going today because he knew he was going to see the surgeon tomorrow. It's not serious, it's a minor operation, but we needed to do it."
Benitez admitted his side had struggled to overcome the Belgian champions who continued where they had left off in the scoreless first leg tie.
But the Spaniard insisted he could see signs of improvement in his side and believes they will get stronger as the opening weeks of the season progress.
He added: "We knew it would be difficult because they played well in the first game and we had to work really hard until the end. For me the most positive thing is we played a little bit better against a good team who are sharp now. We scored right at the end that showed the team was working really hard.
"When you play these kind of games, the other team is playing and training just thinking about this game. But we have been bringing in players from things like the Olympic games and now we can start working as a group.
"For us to have the possibility to play for the chance of winning trophies it's amazing and really important. And also in terms of money it's the same. If you play at this level you will have more options of winning trophies and of getting money."
Gerrard played the full game in his side's extra-time Champions League qualifying round victory over Standard Liege on Wednesday night despite having been troubled by the injury for some time.
Manager Rafael Benitez revealed after the game - settled by Dirk Kuyt's volley three minutes from time - that the midfielder had been told he needed the operation before the clash but opted to play despite being in pain.
Benitez said: "Gerrard will have an operation tomorrow on a groin problem. We knew this would happen. He had a problem and now he will have an operation and he will be out for 10 or 15 days. It's not a big problem but he had pain and it was difficult."
The injury wasn't affected by the period of extra-time.
When he went away with England we knew he had a problem, and we knew he had a problem before the first leg in Belgium two weeks ago.
Yesterday he spoke to the doctor about the situation and he said 'okay, I'll play with pain and after have the operation'.
"He was playing with pain before and he kept going today because he knew he was going to see the surgeon tomorrow. It's not serious, it's a minor operation, but we needed to do it."
Benitez admitted his side had struggled to overcome the Belgian champions who continued where they had left off in the scoreless first leg tie.
But the Spaniard insisted he could see signs of improvement in his side and believes they will get stronger as the opening weeks of the season progress.
He added: "We knew it would be difficult because they played well in the first game and we had to work really hard until the end. For me the most positive thing is we played a little bit better against a good team who are sharp now. We scored right at the end that showed the team was working really hard.
"When you play these kind of games, the other team is playing and training just thinking about this game. But we have been bringing in players from things like the Olympic games and now we can start working as a group.
"For us to have the possibility to play for the chance of winning trophies it's amazing and really important. And also in terms of money it's the same. If you play at this level you will have more options of winning trophies and of getting money."
Shevchenko spoilt at AC Milan, says Mourinho
LONDON - Jose Mourinho insists Andriy Shevchenko was destined to fail at Chelsea because the Ukraine striker was treated with kid gloves at AC Milan.
Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge when Shevchenko joined for a club record 30 million pounds (37 million euros) in 2006.
Shevchenko arrived with a reputation as the best finisher in Europe but he endured a dismal two-year spell in the Premier League, scoring just nine goals, and rejoined AC Milan earlier this week.
Mourinho, now in charge at Milan great rivals Inter Milan, believes Shevchenko's hero status at the San Siro caused him to struggle to adapt to the team-first ethic he demands from all his players.
"He was like a prince in Milan and at Chelsea our philosophy was different, we had no princes," Mourinho told feelfootball.com
"Everybody needs to work like everybody else and prove he deserves to play.
"I think maybe he lost some self-confidence. Step by step a player goes in the wrong direction."
Mourinho revealed Shevchenko was given to him as a second option by the club after Chelsea's powerbrokers failed to land his number one target.
"He was not my first option but the club gave him to me as a second option," Mourinho said.
"I believe in the future he will again be a player of high quality. The truth is I never had a single personal problem with him and I wish him well for the future."
Mourinho was rumoured to be unhappy with Shevchenko during their time together but the Portuguese coach is adamant there was never any bust-up.
"The truth is I never had a single personal problem with him and I wish him well for the future," he repeated. "I believe in the future he will again be a player of high quality."
Shevchenko, 31, will have the chance to emphasise his quality to Mourinho in the two Milan derbies this season but, publicly at least, he has no axe to grind with his old boss.
"I hope he does well at Inter like he has done elsewhere," Shevchenko said. "He's a coach who knows what he wants."
Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge when Shevchenko joined for a club record 30 million pounds (37 million euros) in 2006.
Shevchenko arrived with a reputation as the best finisher in Europe but he endured a dismal two-year spell in the Premier League, scoring just nine goals, and rejoined AC Milan earlier this week.
Mourinho, now in charge at Milan great rivals Inter Milan, believes Shevchenko's hero status at the San Siro caused him to struggle to adapt to the team-first ethic he demands from all his players.
"He was like a prince in Milan and at Chelsea our philosophy was different, we had no princes," Mourinho told feelfootball.com
"Everybody needs to work like everybody else and prove he deserves to play.
"I think maybe he lost some self-confidence. Step by step a player goes in the wrong direction."
Mourinho revealed Shevchenko was given to him as a second option by the club after Chelsea's powerbrokers failed to land his number one target.
"He was not my first option but the club gave him to me as a second option," Mourinho said.
"I believe in the future he will again be a player of high quality. The truth is I never had a single personal problem with him and I wish him well for the future."
Mourinho was rumoured to be unhappy with Shevchenko during their time together but the Portuguese coach is adamant there was never any bust-up.
"The truth is I never had a single personal problem with him and I wish him well for the future," he repeated. "I believe in the future he will again be a player of high quality."
Shevchenko, 31, will have the chance to emphasise his quality to Mourinho in the two Milan derbies this season but, publicly at least, he has no axe to grind with his old boss.
"I hope he does well at Inter like he has done elsewhere," Shevchenko said. "He's a coach who knows what he wants."
Sunderland sign West Ham defender Ferdinand
SUNDERLAND - Sunderland signed West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.
Ferdinand, the brother of Manchester United and England star Rio, agreed a four-year deal with the Premier League club and becomes Roy Keane's ninth signing since the end of last season.
"We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing," Sunderland manager Roy Keane told his club's website.
"He'll bring quality and competition for places which is what we want, hopefully we can take him to another level here at Sunderland.
"He has come through the ranks at West ham and maybe just needs a change."
England Under-21 centre-back Ferdinand, who is believed to have cost around eight million pounds (10 million euros), will miss Wednesday's League Cup tie at Nottingham Forest while he recovers from a hamstring strain and could make his debut against Wigan on September 13.
He admitted it was a tough decision to leave Upton Park after spending so long at the London club.
"It was hard leaving West Ham because I have been there for 16 years but after meeting Roy Keane I knew it was time for a change," Ferdinand said.
"This is a great challenge for me and I feel it is an exciting time at Sunderland. I think the move will do me good."
Ferdinand may not be the last arrival at the Stadium of Light before the transfer window closes on Monday.
"I have one more player in mind and then that is the end of it for a few months at least," Keane said.
Ferdinand, the brother of Manchester United and England star Rio, agreed a four-year deal with the Premier League club and becomes Roy Keane's ninth signing since the end of last season.
"We needed to strengthen our defence and Anton is a great signing," Sunderland manager Roy Keane told his club's website.
"He'll bring quality and competition for places which is what we want, hopefully we can take him to another level here at Sunderland.
"He has come through the ranks at West ham and maybe just needs a change."
England Under-21 centre-back Ferdinand, who is believed to have cost around eight million pounds (10 million euros), will miss Wednesday's League Cup tie at Nottingham Forest while he recovers from a hamstring strain and could make his debut against Wigan on September 13.
He admitted it was a tough decision to leave Upton Park after spending so long at the London club.
"It was hard leaving West Ham because I have been there for 16 years but after meeting Roy Keane I knew it was time for a change," Ferdinand said.
"This is a great challenge for me and I feel it is an exciting time at Sunderland. I think the move will do me good."
Ferdinand may not be the last arrival at the Stadium of Light before the transfer window closes on Monday.
"I have one more player in mind and then that is the end of it for a few months at least," Keane said.
Benitez sigh of footballing relief as Liverpool hang on
LIEGE, Belgium - Liverpool can look forward to qualifying for the money-spinning group stages of the Champions League but it was a close-run thing after their exploits in Belgium.
Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at Standard Liege was thanks to an early missed penalty by Liege and then what looked like a goal minutes before not being given when it looked as though the ball had crossed the line.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted they could easily have let in a number of goals and that 0-0 was not a bad result in this third qualifying round, first leg tie.
"We were not surprised by the fine performance of the Liege side, we had seen enough of them to know they were a good, aggressive side," Benitez said.
"The real surprise for me was the way Liverpool played. The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal.
"We will have to be a lot better in the second leg at Anfield, much better.
"We have been playing well in pre-season, looking confident and passing the ball well.
"But we did not do any of those things. I did not want to bring Steven Gerrard on because the doctors had told me he was not fit enough to start the match.
"We waited until well into the second-half before using him, but we were not controlling the game and I had to bring him on."
Key play Steven Gerrard did not start the match on doctors orders and when he came on late on did not look to be playing at his usual high standard.
Benitez added: "This game was far more difficult than we expected. And Jose Reina was the man of the match."
He was delighted with keeper Reina who saved the penalty and had a good match.
Benitez said: "We know we can always rely on Pepe to stop penalties, but we have been told that the other effort may have been behind the line, but these things happen."
Liege coach Laszlo Boloni said of the match: "Liverpool maybe came here asleep and not expecting this sort of game.
"Maybe, though, we have woken them up for the second-leg, which will me much harder for us.
"We felt that if we did not lose this first-leg, we would still be in with a chance. We know, though, that we still have to score and that could be the problem.
"But I want to praise my team. They attacked Liverpool from the start, and when their goalkeeper pulled the ball back from behind the line, maybe the referee was asleep too."
Wednesday night's 0-0 draw at Standard Liege was thanks to an early missed penalty by Liege and then what looked like a goal minutes before not being given when it looked as though the ball had crossed the line.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted they could easily have let in a number of goals and that 0-0 was not a bad result in this third qualifying round, first leg tie.
"We were not surprised by the fine performance of the Liege side, we had seen enough of them to know they were a good, aggressive side," Benitez said.
"The real surprise for me was the way Liverpool played. The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal.
"We will have to be a lot better in the second leg at Anfield, much better.
"We have been playing well in pre-season, looking confident and passing the ball well.
"But we did not do any of those things. I did not want to bring Steven Gerrard on because the doctors had told me he was not fit enough to start the match.
"We waited until well into the second-half before using him, but we were not controlling the game and I had to bring him on."
Key play Steven Gerrard did not start the match on doctors orders and when he came on late on did not look to be playing at his usual high standard.
Benitez added: "This game was far more difficult than we expected. And Jose Reina was the man of the match."
He was delighted with keeper Reina who saved the penalty and had a good match.
Benitez said: "We know we can always rely on Pepe to stop penalties, but we have been told that the other effort may have been behind the line, but these things happen."
Liege coach Laszlo Boloni said of the match: "Liverpool maybe came here asleep and not expecting this sort of game.
"Maybe, though, we have woken them up for the second-leg, which will me much harder for us.
"We felt that if we did not lose this first-leg, we would still be in with a chance. We know, though, that we still have to score and that could be the problem.
"But I want to praise my team. They attacked Liverpool from the start, and when their goalkeeper pulled the ball back from behind the line, maybe the referee was asleep too."
Arsenal ride their luck to spoil McClaren's debut
ARNHEM, Netherlands - Arsenal ruined Steve McClaren's FC Twente debut as goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor secured an unconvincing 2-0 win in the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg on Wednesday.
McClaren rarely enjoyed much good fortune during his unhappy reign as England coach and the new Twente manager's luck clearly hasn't changed for the better yet.
His side out-played Arsenal for long periods at the Gelredome in Arnhem before succumbing to a sucker punch when Arsenal captain Gallas struck from close-range midway through the second half.
If that was tough on McClaren there was worse to come when Adebayor added a second in the closing minutes to leave Twente down and out and Arsenal within touching distance of the lucrative group stages.
Arsenal were below strength after a raft of injuries but, despite the result, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger can't have been too pleased with his team's first competitive display since the departures of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb.
At least Arsenal have plenty of time to improve in the competition. Twente and McClaren's first taste of Champions League could be their last for quite a while.
McClaren was last seen sheltering forlornly under an umbrella on the Wembley touchline during the last rites of England's ill-fated attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.
Now installed as Twente coach, the "wally with the brolly" had a chance to rebuild his tattered reputation by inflicting an embarrassing defeat one of England's big four.
He would have taken heart from Arsenal's under-strength line-up. With Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure and Samir Nasri all injured, Wenger was forced to field an inexperienced team that included Denilson, 20, and Aaron Ramsey, 17, in central midfield.
Twente were competing in Europe's elite club competition for the first time but they showed no signs of being overawed.
They carved out the first half-chance when Roman Denneboom rose above Gael Clichy to head over in the fourth minute.
McClaren hasn't had time to make his own mark on Twente yet so perhaps it wasn't surprising that they passed the ball more smoothly than his England teams ever did.
Whereas Arsenal usually weave intricate patterns around their opponents, here it was the Dutch team who looked more dangerous for much of the first half.
Manuel Almunia was forced to race from his line to block Eljero Elia's run, then Denneboom shot wastefully over after surging past Clichy.
The best chance of the half fell to Marko Arnautovic. He beat Arsenal's confused offside trap and had only Almunia to beat but, let down by a poor first touch, his shot was too close to the keeper.
Wenger's side finally threatened just before half-time when Clichy's shot was spilled by Sander Boschker, but Bacary Sagna's wayward shot from inside the six-yard box summed up Arsenal's half.
There wasn't much more cohesion in Arsenal's play early in the second half, yet they managed to steal the lead in the 63rd minute.
Robin van Persie whipped in a free-kick from the right and Twente's defence stood statuesque as Gallas scrambled the ball home from close-range.
Suddenly Twente were labouring to rediscover their spark. They seemed to run out of ideas as the match wore on and Arsenal, while never close to their best, put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute.
Twente's defenders allowed a hopeful punt forward to reach Theo Walcott and he passed to Adebayor, who side-footed home to put Arsenal within touching distance of the group stage.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
McClaren rarely enjoyed much good fortune during his unhappy reign as England coach and the new Twente manager's luck clearly hasn't changed for the better yet.
His side out-played Arsenal for long periods at the Gelredome in Arnhem before succumbing to a sucker punch when Arsenal captain Gallas struck from close-range midway through the second half.
If that was tough on McClaren there was worse to come when Adebayor added a second in the closing minutes to leave Twente down and out and Arsenal within touching distance of the lucrative group stages.
Arsenal were below strength after a raft of injuries but, despite the result, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger can't have been too pleased with his team's first competitive display since the departures of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb.
At least Arsenal have plenty of time to improve in the competition. Twente and McClaren's first taste of Champions League could be their last for quite a while.
McClaren was last seen sheltering forlornly under an umbrella on the Wembley touchline during the last rites of England's ill-fated attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.
Now installed as Twente coach, the "wally with the brolly" had a chance to rebuild his tattered reputation by inflicting an embarrassing defeat one of England's big four.
He would have taken heart from Arsenal's under-strength line-up. With Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure and Samir Nasri all injured, Wenger was forced to field an inexperienced team that included Denilson, 20, and Aaron Ramsey, 17, in central midfield.
Twente were competing in Europe's elite club competition for the first time but they showed no signs of being overawed.
They carved out the first half-chance when Roman Denneboom rose above Gael Clichy to head over in the fourth minute.
McClaren hasn't had time to make his own mark on Twente yet so perhaps it wasn't surprising that they passed the ball more smoothly than his England teams ever did.
Whereas Arsenal usually weave intricate patterns around their opponents, here it was the Dutch team who looked more dangerous for much of the first half.
Manuel Almunia was forced to race from his line to block Eljero Elia's run, then Denneboom shot wastefully over after surging past Clichy.
The best chance of the half fell to Marko Arnautovic. He beat Arsenal's confused offside trap and had only Almunia to beat but, let down by a poor first touch, his shot was too close to the keeper.
Wenger's side finally threatened just before half-time when Clichy's shot was spilled by Sander Boschker, but Bacary Sagna's wayward shot from inside the six-yard box summed up Arsenal's half.
There wasn't much more cohesion in Arsenal's play early in the second half, yet they managed to steal the lead in the 63rd minute.
Robin van Persie whipped in a free-kick from the right and Twente's defence stood statuesque as Gallas scrambled the ball home from close-range.
Suddenly Twente were labouring to rediscover their spark. They seemed to run out of ideas as the match wore on and Arsenal, while never close to their best, put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute.
Twente's defenders allowed a hopeful punt forward to reach Theo Walcott and he passed to Adebayor, who side-footed home to put Arsenal within touching distance of the group stage.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
Liverpool fail to reach Standard in Liege
LIEGE, Belgium - It was disappointment for the Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane duo on Wednesday as Liverpool stuttered to a goalless draw against Standard Liege in the final Champions League qualifying match.
Kick-off was delayed to allow groundsmen to clear toilet rolls from the pitch and, when the action got underway, Liverpool had to weather an early goal scare which would have changed the complexion of the tie.
In the sixth minute, Alvaro Arbeloa gave away a cheap free-kick from which the ever-present Marouane Fellaini rattled a header against the post.
It was criminally sloppy defending that should have cost Liverpool more than it did, with many in the stadium justifiably claiming that the ball had gone over the line.
After the match Liverpool keeper Jose Reina told ITV television that he wasn't sure if the ball had crossed the line.
"I don't know," Reina said. "I still don't know. We will have to see it on TV because it's much easier to see. The important thing is we got a result and we have to improve for the second leg."
Liverpool were left looking like European novices four minutes later when they conceded a penalty after Reds debutante Andrea Dosseda was adjudged to have handled the ball.
But Standard's Brazilian left-back Dante tamely hit the spot-kick against Reina to give the visitors a lifeline.
That proved to be Liege's best chance to breach the Brits and no doubt Dante felt like descending a few rings in hell when he thought about what an opportunity he had.
Liverpool replied on nine minutes after Torres was dragged down by a clumsy tackle, a theme over the 90 minutes, but Alonso battered the free-kick off the wall.
Liverpool were looking a little ragged by halfway as Liege set the pace, untroubled in defence, and with Dalmat's probing runs and incisive passing asking big questions of Rafa Benitez's gameplan.
And there was still no impact from the much-vaunted Keane and Torres partnership as the first 45 minutes drew to a close.
Liverpool started the second half much as they ended the first, with high, long balls up front, badly suited to the new strike force.
It looked as if their defenders had forgotten that Peter Crouch had been sold to Portsmouth in the close season.
On the 50th minute Igor De Camargo scuffed a great opportunity after a telling pass from Alex Witsel, Belgium's young player of the year.
A sluggish Torres effort was all a harassed and harried Liverpool had to show by the 60th minute.
Liege, who suffered only one domestic defeat last season, were piling on the pressure, Dante picking out De Camargo in the 65th minute, but the striker should have made Reina work harder.
Suddenly the spectre of Rangers, who fell to Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas last week, loomed large in Liege.
Steven Gerrard came on for Keane as Benitez called time on his dynamic duo, pulling Dirk Kuyt into a more forward role.
But even Gerrard's talismanic presence couldn't turn the tide as De Camargo again darted and probed getting behind the Liverpool defence to send the ball inches wide.
It was Liege, playing with guts and gusto, who were the more active in the closing stages, and they will feel they should have got on the score sheet.
On this showing Keane and Torres have some way to go to live up to their billing as the new Dalglish and Rush.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
Kick-off was delayed to allow groundsmen to clear toilet rolls from the pitch and, when the action got underway, Liverpool had to weather an early goal scare which would have changed the complexion of the tie.
In the sixth minute, Alvaro Arbeloa gave away a cheap free-kick from which the ever-present Marouane Fellaini rattled a header against the post.
It was criminally sloppy defending that should have cost Liverpool more than it did, with many in the stadium justifiably claiming that the ball had gone over the line.
After the match Liverpool keeper Jose Reina told ITV television that he wasn't sure if the ball had crossed the line.
"I don't know," Reina said. "I still don't know. We will have to see it on TV because it's much easier to see. The important thing is we got a result and we have to improve for the second leg."
Liverpool were left looking like European novices four minutes later when they conceded a penalty after Reds debutante Andrea Dosseda was adjudged to have handled the ball.
But Standard's Brazilian left-back Dante tamely hit the spot-kick against Reina to give the visitors a lifeline.
That proved to be Liege's best chance to breach the Brits and no doubt Dante felt like descending a few rings in hell when he thought about what an opportunity he had.
Liverpool replied on nine minutes after Torres was dragged down by a clumsy tackle, a theme over the 90 minutes, but Alonso battered the free-kick off the wall.
Liverpool were looking a little ragged by halfway as Liege set the pace, untroubled in defence, and with Dalmat's probing runs and incisive passing asking big questions of Rafa Benitez's gameplan.
And there was still no impact from the much-vaunted Keane and Torres partnership as the first 45 minutes drew to a close.
Liverpool started the second half much as they ended the first, with high, long balls up front, badly suited to the new strike force.
It looked as if their defenders had forgotten that Peter Crouch had been sold to Portsmouth in the close season.
On the 50th minute Igor De Camargo scuffed a great opportunity after a telling pass from Alex Witsel, Belgium's young player of the year.
A sluggish Torres effort was all a harassed and harried Liverpool had to show by the 60th minute.
Liege, who suffered only one domestic defeat last season, were piling on the pressure, Dante picking out De Camargo in the 65th minute, but the striker should have made Reina work harder.
Suddenly the spectre of Rangers, who fell to Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas last week, loomed large in Liege.
Steven Gerrard came on for Keane as Benitez called time on his dynamic duo, pulling Dirk Kuyt into a more forward role.
But even Gerrard's talismanic presence couldn't turn the tide as De Camargo again darted and probed getting behind the Liverpool defence to send the ball inches wide.
It was Liege, playing with guts and gusto, who were the more active in the closing stages, and they will feel they should have got on the score sheet.
On this showing Keane and Torres have some way to go to live up to their billing as the new Dalglish and Rush.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
Juventus thrash Artmedia on European return
TURIN, Italy - Juventus made a confident return to European action on Wednesday, thrashing Slovak champions Artmedia Bratislava 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.
Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero, Giorgio Chiellini and Nicola Legrottaglie scored as the Turin giants ended a two-year absence from the competition they won in 1985 and 1996 after having earned promotion back to the top flight following relegation in 2006 for match-fixing and finishing third in Serie A last season to qualify.
"Scoring four goals was important, it was a European return, the lads cared about it, they played a good match," Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri told Rai television.
They showed no signs of being rusty from the time away from Europe and Italy midfielder Camoranesi rifled home a loose ball in only the seventh minute after Zdenek Grygera's run in the box.
French striker David Trezeguet almost scored 10 minutes later when he slid in to direct a deflected Cristian Molinaro cross just past the near post.
Captain Del Piero doubled the advantage in style in the 26th, finding the net with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area.
Juventus kept up the pressure and Vincenzo Iaquinta should have scored in the 33rd after Del Piero put him through on goal, but a moment of hesitancy allowed the Slovak defence to clear the danger.
Defender Chiellini, another Italy international, leaped high to head a Camoranesi freekick past oncoming Artmedia keeper Lubos Kamenár and make it 3-0 six minutes before half-time.
Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen, making his competitive debut for Juventus after moving from Sevilla, forced a good one-handed save from Kamenar with a powerful shot just after the break and Del Piero fired just over the bar from a distance.
The visitors had their only serious chance in the 55th minute when substitute Branislav Obzera sprinted into the area, but Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon blocked the danger.
The action was soon at the other end again and Iaquinta hit the post with a low drive in the 62nd.
Defender Legrottaglie headed home in the closing stages to complete the rout and make the August 27 return leg in Bratislava a formality.
Nevertheless, Ranieri remains wary.
"We'll have to be focused when we go there because this team scored five goals against Celtic (in a preliminary round match in 2005)," he said. "We should remember this."
Ranieri also praised Del Piero, Serie A's top scorer last season with 21 goals.
"Alessandro is going through a really great spell," he said. "Last year he could not do the (pre-season) preparation so he suffered a lot. Instead (this year), I'm not saying he's 100 percent ready because no one is, but he's in good shape."
Juventus will be especially pleased with the result as they went into the game without injured Croatia defender Dario Knezevic and midfielders Marco Marchionni and Cristiano Zanetti, both out for a month with thigh muscle problems.
Coach Claudio Ranieri was also unable to field Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, who was suspended after being sent off in Juve's last Champions League game, a goalless draw with Arsenal that saw them go out 2-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage of the competition in April 2006.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero, Giorgio Chiellini and Nicola Legrottaglie scored as the Turin giants ended a two-year absence from the competition they won in 1985 and 1996 after having earned promotion back to the top flight following relegation in 2006 for match-fixing and finishing third in Serie A last season to qualify.
"Scoring four goals was important, it was a European return, the lads cared about it, they played a good match," Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri told Rai television.
They showed no signs of being rusty from the time away from Europe and Italy midfielder Camoranesi rifled home a loose ball in only the seventh minute after Zdenek Grygera's run in the box.
French striker David Trezeguet almost scored 10 minutes later when he slid in to direct a deflected Cristian Molinaro cross just past the near post.
Captain Del Piero doubled the advantage in style in the 26th, finding the net with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area.
Juventus kept up the pressure and Vincenzo Iaquinta should have scored in the 33rd after Del Piero put him through on goal, but a moment of hesitancy allowed the Slovak defence to clear the danger.
Defender Chiellini, another Italy international, leaped high to head a Camoranesi freekick past oncoming Artmedia keeper Lubos Kamenár and make it 3-0 six minutes before half-time.
Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen, making his competitive debut for Juventus after moving from Sevilla, forced a good one-handed save from Kamenar with a powerful shot just after the break and Del Piero fired just over the bar from a distance.
The visitors had their only serious chance in the 55th minute when substitute Branislav Obzera sprinted into the area, but Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon blocked the danger.
The action was soon at the other end again and Iaquinta hit the post with a low drive in the 62nd.
Defender Legrottaglie headed home in the closing stages to complete the rout and make the August 27 return leg in Bratislava a formality.
Nevertheless, Ranieri remains wary.
"We'll have to be focused when we go there because this team scored five goals against Celtic (in a preliminary round match in 2005)," he said. "We should remember this."
Ranieri also praised Del Piero, Serie A's top scorer last season with 21 goals.
"Alessandro is going through a really great spell," he said. "Last year he could not do the (pre-season) preparation so he suffered a lot. Instead (this year), I'm not saying he's 100 percent ready because no one is, but he's in good shape."
Juventus will be especially pleased with the result as they went into the game without injured Croatia defender Dario Knezevic and midfielders Marco Marchionni and Cristiano Zanetti, both out for a month with thigh muscle problems.
Coach Claudio Ranieri was also unable to field Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, who was suspended after being sent off in Juve's last Champions League game, a goalless draw with Arsenal that saw them go out 2-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage of the competition in April 2006.
Results:
Barcelona (ESP) 4 Wisla Krakow (POL) 0
Standard Liege (BEL) 0 Liverpool (ENG) 0
Juventus (ITA) 4 Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 0
FC Twente (NED) 0 Arsenal (ENG) 2
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 1 Dynamo Kiev (UKR) 4
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 Dynamo Zagreb (CRO) 0
Levski Sofia (BUL) 0 BATE Borisov (BLR) 1
Anorthosis Famagusta (CYP) 3 Olympiakos (GRE) 0
Aalborg (DEN) 2 FBK Kaunas (LIT) 0
Galatasaray (TUR) 2 Steaua Bucharest (ROM) 2
Sparta Prague (CZE) 1 Panathinaikos (GRE) 2
SK Brann (NOR) 0 Marseille (FRA) 1
Schalke 04 (GER) 1 Atletico Madrid (ESP) 0
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 Fenerbahce (TUR) 2
Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) 0 Basel (SUI) 0
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