Keane helps Reds past PSV

Keane: Off the mark

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Liverpool breezed to a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven on Matchday Two of the UEFA Champions League.

Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring early on, before Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard ensured a solitary strike from Danny Koevermans was nothing more than a consolation.

The hosts dominated proceedings from the off in their Group D clash and it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring after just four minutes.

Fernando Torres' volley from a Gerrard corner was well kept out by Andreas Isaksson, but the former Manchester City was unable to prevent Kuyt smashing the rebound through his grasp and into the roof of the net.

PSV produced little going forward and looked lacklustre throughout, before falling further behind on 34 minutes.

Torres did well to create space on the right and the Spaniard swung over a cross for Keane to volley home his first goal for the club.

On a landmark night, Gerrard then bagged his 100th goal for the Reds on 76 minutes when he smashed a 30-yard drive past a helpless Isaksson.

PSV snatched a lifeline two minutes later when Koevermans restored some respectability to the scoreline, but the game had long since gone for the Dutch outfit.

Expectation

With their side previously unbeaten this term, it was no surprise that there was an air of expectation around Anfield at kick-off, and after four minutes the Kop got the start they wanted.

Gerrard's first corner, from the right, was met by a Torres first-time shot. He was criminally left unmarked with Jeremie Brechet hopelessly adrift of his prey.

Somehow Isaksson blocked the Spaniard's effort, only for Kuyt to ram home the rebound from 10 yards.

Xabi Alonso tried another of his trademark 60-yard efforts, with Isaksson having to back-track to catch the ball, before Keane had a good penalty shout turned down when he was caught by Carlos Salcido.

Kuyt tested Isaksson again, this time with a 20-yard effort on the turn that the Swedish goalkeeper held low to his left.

Torres then headed wide from a Fabio Aurelio corner, before setting up Keane for his first Liverpool goal.

It came after 34 minutes when Kuyt's hard work sent Torres away down the right.

When the low cross arrived in the box, it was met by Keane first-time, his shot speeding into the far bottom corner of the net.

PSV needed to do better after the break to rescue some pride. They brought on young defender Erik Peters for Brechet, and at last started to come forward with some conviction.

Spinning

Otman Bakkal saw a 25-yard shot fizz just wide, before Salcido's tackle on Torres sent the Spaniard spinning to the turf, and a hush fell over the stadium until he struggled painfully to his feet.

Nordin Amrabat, who had battled away bravely on his own in attack, then unleashed a fierce 20-yard effort which thudded just wide.

Torres should have ended the debate after 65 minutes when Jan Kromkamp's wayward pass put him clear - but his flick past Isaksson drifted inches wide of the far post.

The game was seemingly meandering to an inevitable conclusion, with Yossi Benayoun now on for Albert Riera.

Gerrard was the next to try his luck, lifting a shot over from just outside the box, before Lucas replaced Keane.

Dirk Marcellis was booked for a foul on Torres, and that paved the way for Gerrard to grab his 100th goal for Liverpool after 76 minutes, smashing a fierce 25-yarder past Isaksson, to the acclaim of the Kop.

But PSV hit back two minutes later, when substitute Balazs Dzsudzsak crossed from the right.

The ball cleared Jamie Carragher to allow Koevermans to get to it ahead of Martin Skrtel, and he headed past Jose Reina from 10 yards.

Ryan Babel replaced Gerrard with nine minutes to go - and the Reds comfortably saw out the closing stages of the match.