OWEN HAT-TRICK FINNISHES HAKA
The Reds always looked likely to breeze through this tie, with Haka only still in the competition after Uefa's decision to expel Maccabi Haifa, but the Finns threw men behind the ball early on before a late collapse.
Michael Owen never hit his brilliant best but his pace troubled Haka throughout and when the England international got the measure of the offside trap he looked very dangerous.
Strike partner Heskey opened the scoring in the first-half with a close-range header, and after the break Owen capitalised on well-weighted passes to grab all three of his goals.
Owen's first came courtesy of Finnish hero Jari Litmanen, who, in the 55th minute, drew the defence before releasing his diminutive team-mate with a perfect pass that was received and slotted home with aplomb.
Patrik Berger then had the chance to grab the third, but Owen got in his way and squandered the chance.
Fortunately the Czech star did not bear a grudge and moments later his lofted chip through allowed Owen to steal in, knock the ball past the goalkeeper with his first touch and pass the ball into the empty net.
Finnish captain Hyypia then got a gift of a third when a semi-cleared corner fell to Owen, only for his mis-kicked overhead attempt to land at the feet of the grateful defender who lashed home in front of his adoring fans.
With Haka heads dropping, Owen then earned the match-ball when he again raced clear and drilled a fine finish into the back of the net past goalkeeper Andra Vilnrotter.
In stark contrast to the second period, the first-half had been a frustrating experience to a Liverpool side obviously still building up to full fitness.
The Finnish side's determination to keep the score down led to plentiful possession for The Reds, but no real penetration.
To their credit Haka played to their game plan, and time and time-again the Liverpool forwards found themselves caught offside.
Owen, often the most culpable through the early stages, gained himself an early chance but tamely side-footed his effort into the grateful Vilnrotter's arms.
Heskey and Owen both had early half-chances, and, for the Finns, Ville Vaisanen impressed with his tidy ball skills.
It always seemed a case of when Liverpool would score rather than if, and when Steven Gerrard showed his strength down the right-hand side after half an hour, The Reds finally got their all-important opener.
The England international muscled his way down the flank and picked out Heskey with a pin-point cross that the powerful ex-Leicester man followed to perfection before slamming a diving header past the helpless Haka keeper.
Liverpool now face the formality of the home-leg, but will already be looking at who they may face in the first group stage of Europe's premier club competition.
