The Papers on the Monaco game 16-9-04
Posted by Rushian on September 16, 2004, 01:52:56 am
Cisse and Baros breathing new life into Benitez regime By Henry Winter,
Daily TelegraphRafael Benitez's impact on Liverpool accelerates by the game, this victory over last year's Champions League finalists bringing rich applause from the Kop by the end. Fine strikes from Djibril Cisse and the substitute Milan Baros brought three Group A points but it was the unsung work of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia that also impressed ... this was the sort of football Liverpool fans crave: high on tempo and ambition, completely unfettered by fear ....
Baros completes Liverpool tonBy Dominic Fifield,
The GuardianIt is almost two years since Liverpool last contested the Champions League, though any fears that they had fallen behind Europe's elite in the interim have been smartly allayed. Monaco, the team who embarrassed Real Madrid and Chelsea en route to last season's final, were dismantled last night and, though the scoreline suggests a squeeze, the reality was emphatic. This was almost a mismatch ... there was a vibrancy to Liverpool's play which utterly eclipsed the visitors, their upbeat tempo set from central midfield, where Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were outstanding ....
Luis García gives Liverpool fine startBy Peter Lansley,
The TimesRafael Benitez had to ration himself to the number of grateful waves he offered the Kop as they chanted his name last night. Liverpool, back in the Champions League after a fallow year, controlled a match against last season’s runners-up with such comfort that their new manager was having to restrain himself from acknowledging the Anfield faithful every time they burst into song in his honour ... it was Luis García, playing in the hole behind Cissé, and Xabi Alonso, partnering Steven Gerrard in midfield, who provided the élan Anfield craves ...
Cissé and Baros give Liverpool the perfect startBy Phil Shaw,
IndependentWatched by Gérard Houllier, as well as by Ian Rush, Sammy Lee, Phil Thompson and other legends of continental triumphs past, Rafael Benitez's new-look Liverpool hit the Champions' League trail with a routine win over a depleted Monaco. Djibril Cissé set Liverpool on their way with a ruthless finish after 22 minutes. The peroxide poacher later gave way to Milan Baros, with whom he has so far struggled to form a partnership, and the substitute completed the victory with a splendid solo goal with seven minutes remaining ... Garcia is not a classic No 10, operating more as a frontrunner, but his skill and stature make him well suited to the shirt ....
Liverpool ease to 2-0 winBy Press Association,
SoccernetLiverpool lived on their nerves but in the end deservedly grabbed a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over Monaco on their return to the Champions League. Monaco, last season's runners-up, were outplayed for long spells but - for all Liverpool's clever, inventive football - were not finished off until six minutes from time. Djibril Cisse put Liverpool ahead as their slick movement and passing threatened to over-run Didier Deschamps' side ... Liverpool continued to improve with Alonso having an increasing input, while Finnan was a constant menace - timing his runs into space on the right to collect a string of excellent cross-field passes ....
Confident Liverpool see off MonacoBy Jonathan Caswell,
UEFA.comLiverpool FC negotiated a potentially tricky first game in UEFA Champions League Group A against last season's finalists AS Monaco FC, Djibril Cissé and Milan Baroš scoring in each half to secure a solid win for Rafael Benítez’s side. Despite the brilliance of Luis García, it was a solid team performance which won the game for Liverpool with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso impressive in central midfield and Baroš looking lively as a second-half substitute ... the crowd then rose to a free-flowing Liverpool who were displaying great commitment and a full array of passing, stepping up a gear with García instrumental in everything positive they did ....
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