Liverpool fail to Standard

Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane on Wednesday did not spark as Liverpool stuttered to a goals against Standard Liege draw in their Champions League qualifying match of the UEFA.

Kick-off was delayed to allow groundsmen clear rolls of toilet the pitch and when the operation has been carried out, Liverpool had to weather an early scare goal 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 is criminally wrong that the defense should have cost more than Liverpool did, with many in the stadium rightly arguing that the ball ha ido on the line. After the match Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina told ITV television that he was not sure if the ball had crossed the line.

"I do not know," said Queen. "I still do not know. We'll have to see it on television because it is much easier to see. The important thing is we got a result and we have to improve for the second leg."

Liverpool were left watching as European novices four minutes later when a penalty was recognized after Reds debutant Andrea Dosseda was determined that have handled the ball. But the standard Brazilian left-back Dante tamely hit the spot-kick against the Queen to give the visitors a lifeline.

That proved Liege best chance of rape and the British certainly felt like Dante descending some rings in hell when he thought about what I had the opportunity. Liverpool responded nine minutes later Torres was dragged by a clumsy tackle, a subject on 90 minutes but the battered Alonso free-kick off the wall.

Liverpool were looking a little ragged by half as Liege set the pace, fluid in the defense, and with the probe Dalmatian runs and incisive passing asking big questions of Rafa Benitez's gameplan. And yet there is no impact of the much vaunted partnership Keane and Torres as the first 45 minutes referred to an end.

Liverpool began the second half until it ended the first, with a high, long balls up front, which were unsuitable for the new strikeforce. It seemed as if their defenders had forgotten that Peter Crouch had been sold to Portsmouth in the close season.

In 50 minutes Igor De Camargo scuff a great opportunity after a good pass from Alex Witsel, Belgium's young player of the year. A slow Torres effort was a harassed and Harri Liverpool had to show 60 per minute.

Liege, who suffered just one defeat National last season, they add up to the pressure, Dante out collecting Camargo in 65 minutes but the striker should have done work harder Queen. Suddenly the ghost of the Rangers, who fell to Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas last week, loomed large in Liege.

Steven Gerrard came to Keane as Benitez asked for time to his dynamic duo, pulling Dirk Kuyt in a paper later. However, even Gerrard's talismanic presence can not change the course of Camargo and tested as new DART get behind the Liverpool defence to send the ball inches wide.

It Liege, playing with courage and enthusiasm, which were the most active in the final stages, and they think they should have reached the scoresheet. This shows Keane and Torres have some way to go to live up to its billing as the new Rush and Dalglish.