Morientes makes the difference
Last updated : 11 August 2005 By The Guardian
Though some gloss was taken off the evening by racist chanting directed at Djibril Cissé by home fans, which has been reported to Uefa by its match delegate, Liverpool will be heartened by Morientes's return to form.
The Spain international, who since arriving on Merseyside in January has struggled to rediscover the scoring touch that made him one of Europe's most feared strikers, scored twice here after Cissé had given the European Cup holders an early lead. The return leg at Anfield would now appear to be a formality.
The manner of victory will have been particularly gratifying for Rafael Benítez, who had to include Milan Baros on a substitutes' bench which was still one body short, so threadbare is Liverpool's squad, but was not required to use him. Baros is surplus to requirements at Anfield and will be more attractive to potential suitors if he is not cup-tied in Europe.
"For us I think it's a very good score against a good team," said Benítez. "Always for a player it's important to score goals but for a striker it's more important. For Morientes it will be the best for the future because he will have more confidence now."
A Liverpool spokesman confirmed that the Uefa delegate Trygve Borno would include details of racist chanting, which began after the 78th minute, in his report. "Always it's a pity to hear these things but it's clear that Djibril has done his job because they made monkey noises towards him," said Benítez.
The Liverpool manager rejected claims that his striker's celebrations had been provocative. "I think that to score goals is not to provoke people," he said.
The incident, though unsavoury, should not be allowed to overshadow what was a highly competent Liver pool performance, during which Cissé and Morientes showed signs that their partnership is beginning to burgeon. Both endured difficult first seasons at Anfield; the Frenchman missed much of the campaign after suffering a horrific broken leg, and Morientes has looked a shadow of the player who propelled Monaco to the Champions League final less than 18 months ago. Liverpool fans will be hoping that the Spaniard's performance here marks a turning point.
The visitors signalled their intent within the first two minutes when Cissé outpaced Radoslav Zabavnik and struck a left-foot shot which the CSKA goalkeeper Evgheni Hmaruc repelled at the near post. But the Bulgarian champions failed to heed the warning and their rearguard was soon exposed again; this time Cissé was in less forgiving mood.
Steven Gerrard, from whom so much of Liverpool's attacking moves emanate, shaped to shoot before cutting a deft reverse pass into the path of the forward, who took one touch before placing a left-foot shot low beyond Hmaruc.
Liverpool doubled their advantage on 31 minutes, with Gerrard again the architect. The England international delivered a vicious free-kick from the right touchline which Morientes met with a trademark header. His celebration might have been subdued but the relief was tangible. It was his first European goal for Liverpool and one that should have enabled the visitors to kill the game.
However, a lapse of concentration threw CSKA, who had threatened only sporadically, a lifeline. With seconds of the first half remaining Mourad Hidiouad found space on the left flank to send a measured cross into the six-yard box. Velizar Dimitrov, whose run went unchecked, arrived to head powerfully past José Reina.
Liverpool, though, refused to be chastened and moments after the restart they should have extended their lead. Morientes again escaped the clutches of the defence but his well struck shot clipped the outside of the post. He was not so profligate moments later.
Cissé found Gerrard with a deep cross and the England player dummied before dragging the ball inside. His cut-back found Morientes, who tapped home from three yards.
CSKA's search for a way back into the match left more holes for Liverpool to exploit, and Morientes, visibly growing in confidence, came close to completing his hat-trick. Steve Finnan crossed from the right and the Spaniard rose majestically to head at goal, only for Hmaruc to produce a fine save.
Benítez withdrew Morientes and Gerrard, who picked up a slight back injury, as the game petered out, leaving Baros on the bench. That, like this victory, was just what the Liverpool manager wanted.
