Champions League Group Stage: Liverpool v PSV

Liverpool 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
Steven Gerrard's picturesque blast sealed the victory for Liverpool and marked the 100th time he has scored for his beloved club. The free kick put Liverpool up 3-0 in a game they would eventually win 3-1, on a rainy night at Anfield.

PSV Eindhoven came in severe underdogs, their counterparts coming off a huge 2-0 away victory in the Merseyside derby putting them second in the league, behind Chelsea in only goal differential. Two years ago the same two squads met four times in the Champions League, with Liverpool winning three and drawing one. This PSV team, although still defending Dutch champions, were not as confident nor as talented as the squad which bowed to the Reds in that campaign.

From the opening kickoff Liverpool controlled the game, dominating possession and pushing forward with intent. In just the 4th minute, a wonderful Gerrard corner was met on the volley by Fernando Torres at point blank range, deftly thwarted by PSV keeper, Andreas Isaksson. The rebound darted out to Dirk Kuyt, who after quickly gaining control, fired the ball back towards Isaksson, now down and out, and only able to deflect the ball into the top corner of the goal.

After a lot more possession and turned away attacks, Robbie Keane finally, after eleven painful games, got on for Liverpool. Torres, out on the right wing, made a crafty move along the touch line and after a blazing run down the wing, sent a hard cross into the box, where Keane, after a slight adjustment back to remove himself from the defender, redirected the ball with his right foot into the bottom left corner of the goal. It was a great looking play between the two expensive strikers, followed by Keane's trademark cartwheel and a little somersault.

Gerrard would add his free kick goal in the second half, after El Nino was brought down on the break. It was wonderful strike from the left side, hit hard, straight on through the wall into the far left side of the goal, past a diving Isaksson. A goal one minute later, by PSV sub, Danny Koevermans, was the only blight on an otherwise solid game from Liverpool.

Young PSV striker, Nordin Amrabat, looked like a class player up front for the Red White Army. He was the only player who gave the Reds any trouble all night. The Morrocan born, Dutch Under-21 player has a great work rate and various skills. He was physically hard to knock off the ball, had class on the ball, and good pace. Look for him to go to a bigger club in the next year or two.

Steven Gerrard's 100th goal for Liverpool in all competitions, only supports his claim as one of the all-time greats at Anfield and one of the best midfielders of our time.

Torres
Fernando Torres, coming off his two goal performance at Goodison Park, had plenty of chances for more tallies. His volley off the Gerrard corner would almost have been a sure goal on another night. He would have a couple more chances in the game, where Gerrard put him into the box with the ball at his feet, and he lost his footing on the rain-soaked Anfield pitch.

Later on in the second half, he was in with a defender at his heels and Isaksson coming forward. El Nino employed his effective right side footed flick on and scooted the ball wide right, a play he would have never missed during last season's dream goal scoring binge. On yet another play, he had a free header in the box, which he pushed just wide. The good news for the Reds is that they are still winning while Torres is missing chances.

Rafa Benitez
Rafa seems to have learned his lesson from last season's rotation policy, keeping 10 of the 11 players intact from the weekend. His only change was replacing Andrea Dossena at left back with Fabio Aurelio. I believe Aurelio should be the permanent starter at left back, as he has become a force since the second half of last season.

A big surprise was that Javier Mascherano was left on the bench. Liverpool have somewhat of a dilemma here, as Mascher is one of the best in the world at defensive midfield, but the formation forces a decision between him and expert fulcrum Xabi Alonso, who has returned to form after a poor season. Hard to say what Rafa will do if he keeps a 4-4-2. Gerrard has been hanging back early this season, as a result of having to cover for Alonso's defensive liability in center midfield. The presence of Mascherano allows Stevie to run free, but do they need it with Keano and El Nino up front?

It's a good problem to have for Rafa, as Liverpool look to have some depth off the bench this year. Babel is a great option as a super sub, as he is clearly not disciplined enough to earn a start every time out. Benayoun can be brilliant in the right circumstance and he offers a little punch off the bench. Then there is Hyypia and Agger being able to step in at center midfield whenever possible. Now if only Rafa could find a decent right back.