Torres To The Rescue In Opening

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1
Torres 83
AR Match of the Match: Torres

The opening game of the Premier League of 08/09 season started off with Liverpool facing Roy Keane's men, Sunderland. At the Stadium of Light, it's important for Liverpool to get the 3 points at the start.

Sunderland started on the hungrier side, aggressive on the play while Liverpool was still suffering from its holidays mood syndrome. Exactly how they played their Champions League Qualifier in midweek, they were slow in passing, losing out first and second balls to the home side.

Xabi Alonso, whose future is still in doubt, came on in the second half. This was when Liverpool started to buck up in their play, dictating the ball around, creating chances and he almost scored again from his own half. Fortunately, for Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, the ball was slightly off target.

As the game seems to be coming to a bore draw game, this was time for match winners to perform their show. Who else? Fernando Torres! The man who scored the goal against Germany in the European Final and won the Cup for Spain! Once again, he received a pass from Alonso, turned himself towards the goal, and shot into the bottom of the goal. No chance for Gordon. Superb shot!

We managed to hang on and got the 3 points. Not 100 marks performance by Rafa's men, but they got the result. Many rooms for improvement for the team and to challenge for the title, we have to keep up the pace, but not chasing year after year.

You'll Never Walk Alone..