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SUNDERLAND 0-1 LIVERPOOL: THE VERDICT
A wonderful strike from Fernando Torres ensured Liverpool's Barclays Premier League campaign got off to winning start with a 1-0 win at Sunderland. Here's the best of the post-match analysis.
The local paper
Fernando Torres is a match-winner par excellence who has an extraordinary ability to turn base metal into solid gold. The goal he scored to leave Sunderland trailing in his wake has been seen before - most memorably from closer in at the San Siro last season “ so it was surprising to see Roy Keane's defenders back away from Torres when he received a precision pass from substitute Xabi Alonso. At that very moment, almost everyone in world football knew what was going to happen next and so it came to pass as Torres took advantage of the space made available to him by firing expertly into the bottom corner of Craig Gordon's goal."
Tony Barrett, Echo
The national newspaper
Fabio Capello believes Fernando Torres is the best striker in the world and although he did not look it here, he did sink Sunderland with a wonder goal seven minutes from time, however, and that is all anyone can ask of a world-class striker. To the enviable talents fully displayed last season and in the European Championships in the summer can now be added the knack of appearing to sleepwalk through a game before bursting into life with one decisive moment. The match was petering out to a draw and Sunderland had no reason to suspect imminent danger when Torres collected Xabi Alonso's shrewd pass just outside the centre circle, took a couple of strides towards goal and shot past Craig Gordon from 25 yards out.
The Guardian
The player
The first half in particular was not good enough, we know that. They put us under a lot of pressure and maybe we were a little bit slow to get going. It was certainly not the best game we have played but the important thing was that we got better in the second half and at the end Fernando popped up with a goal and that was enough to win the game. It was a good finish from Fernando. I was just behind the shot and I could see exactly where it was going. It was a great strike and it gave the keeper no chance. None of us were surprised that Fernando scored in that way because we have seen him do it before in games and he also does it in training. It's great for us that we have that kind of player in our team.
Sami Hyypia
The boss
I think it was a difficult game first half. They controlled the game in the opening 45 minutes but didn't have clear chances other than one. We were a little under pressure but the second half was different. We were controlling it and the quality of our passing was much better. We had plenty of possession and were much better going forward. The difference at the end of the game was Torres. We know he can score these kind of goals but the team as a whole needs to play well."
Rafael Benitez
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