Super Gerrard does it again for Reds

Steven Gerrard Liverpool have secured their Champions League campaign versus the best possible start with two goals in a 2-1 win at Marseille. Liverpool are also paired with PSV and athletics Madrid in Group D so that Rafa Benitez will be happy to have been opened with a victory at the Stade Velodrome.

Marseilles actually took the lead through a fine goal from Lorik Cana in 23 minutes, but Gerrard curled home a sensational tie three minutes later, before putting the Reds ahead from the penalty spot just after the half-hour mark. And the Premier League side were unfortunate not to add a third in the second half, Ryan Babel particularly bad luck, because it dominated the proceedings in France.

They had been at the top from the outset and Babel really should have put them ahead on 15 minutes when brilliantly turned his marker on the edge of the box to fire only when widly well placed. It was the hosts who went ahead eight minutes later, however, when Benoit Cheyrou brilliant ball on the Liverpool defence allowing Cana, played onside by Jamie Carragher, the possibility of a stroke calmly past Pepe Reina, a the area.

The visitors were level just three minutes later, however, when Gerrard sent a brilliant curling effort first time in the upper 25 yards from Dirk Kuyt after the ball. And they were ahead in the 32 th minute when Babel was shot down in the box and Gerrard increased to twice as many home fires, with its first effort to invade discarded. That took his tally in Europe to a club record 25 and also put him at 99 goals ahead of Reds clash with Stoke on Saturday.

Liverpool rarely troubled and from there, although Reina had to maintain a header Vitorino Hilton, is at the other end where most of the wine clear opportunities.

Babel works as a lone striker in the last 22 minutes after both Torres and Gerrard withdrew and the Dutch twice went close to extending the lead. Steve Mandanda threw out a terrible one-handed save to deny six yards on 76 and then saw a good effort by the same player strike away from his post two minutes later.

Taye Tiawo Queen forced a decent save in between the two efforts, but best efforts have not been in the last seconds when Niang forced Reina into a save with his feet after being given space in the box. Held Liverpool, however, for opening an impressive result.