Liverpool began with a stuttering start to their Champions League campaign as they overcame Debreceni 1-0 at Anfield. The Reds always looked comfortable and the scoreline probably should have been more emphatic, nevertheless Rafa Benitez will know there will be sterner tests to follow than that offered by the Hungarians.
A frustrating first half for Liverpool ended with Dirk Kuyt giving the Reds the lead after it seemed the game was destined to remain scoreless.
Liverpool had dominated possession but failed to make the most of it. Debreceni had been content to sit back and invite the home side to break them down.
A series of misplaced passes and a failure to find the final pass had given the visitor's hope of taking something from this Group E Champions League game.
Then on the half hour the tone of the game changed. Twice in quick succession Debreceni almost took the lead.
Pepe Reina palmed over a Peter Cvitkovics shot then saved a free kick from the same player.
This unexpected rush of action from the Hungarians suddenly galvanised Liverpool into a series of attacks with Albert Riera leading the charge.
The Spaniard twice had fierce shots parried by keeper Vukasin Poleksic one of which rebounded to Dirk Kuyt whose follow up effort was cleared off the line.
Steven Gerrard arrived late in the penalty area but poked Riera's cross wide.
But the home side were not to be denied and on the stroke of half time they made the breakthrough.
The second period meandered much as the first with too many periods of flat play to arouse the interest of the crowd.
Gerrard fired a shot narrowly over and Yossi Benayoun went on a jinking run which produced a corner..
There were other opportunities for the Reds to ease the nerves of a one goal lead and in the final ten minutes Debreceni had the chances to make Liverpool pay for their wastefulness. Adamo Coulibaly took advantage of slackness in the hosts defence but the Frenchman's chip over Reina was cleared behind.
From the resulting corner Jamie Carragher had to be alert to charge down a goal bound effort.
Benitez admitted a failure to capitalise on their dominance almost cost them at the end.
"We had chances, didn't take them and out ourselves under pressure at the end.
"In a game like this against a team that is well organised it is important to score early. We didn't and they gained confidence. The second half was the same.
"The player's weren't nervous but they should failed to get that second goal despite all our pressure.
"The most important thing though was to begin the Champion's League campaign with three points, and that we did."
