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UEFA Champions League: Liverpool make dream start with 2-1 win at Betis [Tue Sep 13th, 2005]
Sevilla, Spain (Reuters) - European champions Liverpool began the defence of their crown with an authoritative 2-1 win away to debutants Real Betis in their opening Group G match.
The Merseysiders, who had to come through three qualifying rounds to earn the right to defend the trophy they won in dramatic fashion against AC Milan last season, stunned the Spaniards with two quick-fire goals in the first 14 minutes.
French striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle opened with a delightful lob just two minutes into the game and Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia squeezed a first-time shot in at the near post to make it 2-0 before Betis had time to react.
King's Cup winners Betis finally found their rhythm towards the end of the first half and pulled a goal back when midfielder Arzu steered the ball past keeper Pepe Reina six minutes after the break, but Liverpool weathered the storm to hold on for an important away win.
"We began really well and started controlling the game with good counter attacks and scored two quick goals. After that, we tried to keep the ball but it was difficult," said Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
"We controlled the tempo in the first half but after we conceded the goal it was difficult."
Benitez sprang a surprise by leaving inspirational captain Steven Gerrard on the bench and deciding to play Sinama-Pongolle in preference to Djibril Cisse alongside Peter Crouch up front.
However, Benitez's selection gamble paid off immediately when Sinama-Pongolle put his side ahead with less than two minutes on the clock.
The Frenchman received the ball on the edge of the area, looked up to see Toni Doblas off his line and lobbed the ball over the Betis keeper and inside the far post.
Betis almost manufactured an equaliser five minutes later when winger Joaquin found Fernando with a through ball but the striker took too long over his shot and was closed down by Djimi Traore and Reina.
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The 50,000 Betis fans who had come to roar on their side's first participation in Europe's elite club competition were momentarily silenced, though, when one of Liverpool's Spanish exiles Garcia made it 2-0 in the 15th minute.
The former Barcelona player drilled in at the near post from 15 metres out after Boudewijn Zenden had cut a fine pass into his path from the left.
Betis appeared stunned by the double set-back and struggled to cope with Liverpool's high pressure play in midfield.
It was not until midway through the half that they managed a response with a sharp shot from Ricardo Oliveira, but the Brazilian's effort was blocked brilliantly by Reina.
The Liverpool keeper, who had an outstanding match, frustrated Betis once again when he snapped the ball off the feet of Juanito on the goal line a few minutes later.
Betis eventually found their rhythm towards the end of the first half and put Benitez's side under intense pressure just before the break.
Reina produced another great reflex save to fend away a firm shot from defender Fernando Varela and midfielder Arzu was denied by the woodwork when he saw his dipping drive hit the top of the bar.
The Andalucians finally got the reward for their pressure when Arzu pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half after live-wire substitute Dani had threaded a pass through the Liverpool back four.
The goal gave Betis a new lease of life and they proceeded to surge forward in search of an equaliser, but Liverpool held firm to inflict a second home defeat in 15 European games for the Primera Liga side.
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