A protracted journey that began against the Welsh minnows TNS some four weeks ago is finally nearing completion after Fernando Morientes inspired Liverpool to a fifth consecutive victory last night which all but guaranteed their place in the Champions League group stage.
The Guardian
Liverpool comfortable in defence
Liverpool, winners of the European Cup so spectacularly in May, should now be able to make a proper defence of their trophy after comfortably accounting for CSKA Sofia in the first leg of their third qualifying round.
Daily Telegraph
Morientes looking the part at last
You have to hand it to Fernando Morientes, he knows how to pace himself. Just when his manager had been asked to defend his £6.3 million forward’s peripheral contribution to Liverpool’s expected renaissance, Rafael Benítez was rewarded with two goals from the former Real Madrid player, who could have scored double that number on a night when the European champions effectively secured their place in the group stage.
The Times