10.08.2004 - Reds close in on Champions League
Liverpool moved a step closer to the Champions League group stage after recording a 2-0 win against Graz AK in Rafa Benitez's first competitive match in charge of the club, thanks to a superb Steven Gerrard double strike.
Liverpool dominated the game and could have been ahead in the opening minutes, through Sami Hyypia, who forced a flying save from Andre Schranz after just 3 minutes, when he headed Steve Finnan's well delivered free kick towards the top corner of the goal.
And ten minutes later, a fine 30 yard pass from midfield from Steven Gerrard played Baros behind the defence, but his shot was suffed just inside the area and Schranz gathered comfortably.
GAK's first opportunity didn't arrive until 19 minutes, and came their way after a short pass in midfield by Stsven Gerrard had been intercepted by Roland Kollmann. The forward made a determined run towards goal but was always being forced wide by Jamie Carragher and was unable to get his shot on target.
Liverpool eventually did go ahead on 24 minutes, and the captain delivered the first goal of the Rafa Benitez era, firing a shot past the GAK keeper from 25 yards out, with Cisse coming close to doubling the lead minutes later, but he narrowly failed to get on the end of Baros' dangerous ball across the face of goal.
The second half saw another one sided 45 minutes, and the Austrians were forced to deal with wave after wave of Liverpool attacks, but not until Gerrard had grabbed his second of the match was the win guaranteed.
Gerrard's second came after Kewell had failed to take a pass from Cisse under control, though he did manage to flick the ball to Gerrard, whose powerful shot gave Schranz no chance.
Salif Diao, Stephen Warnock and Darren Potter were each given a taste of the action, and having given themselves a comfortable first leg victory, there may be further chances for some of Liverpool's youngsters in the second leg, which takes place in two weeks time.
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