Champions League, Liverpool 4-1 FC Porto:It has the air of a handsome victory, yet there were clumsy and even ugly moments. Fernando Torres had struck twice to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead but the match had been tied when there were a mere 12 minutes left.
Despite any criticisms the victors have achieved their aim. They will be overjoyed principally that Besiktas beat Marseille in the other Group A match.
Liverpool go to France level on points. A win is essential since a draw would leave the teams tied on eight points and Marseille enjoy a better head-to-head record thanks to a win at Anfield. There will, though, be other matters on Liverpool's mind. This was an uneven display.
It was enhanced, in the result at least, by the ultimate collapse of a Porto side who had enjoyed periods of authority before they were overcome by the tempo and endeavour of Liverpool.
The inadequate centre back Milan Stepanov handled to concede a penalty that Steven Gerrard converted for the home team's third and the substitute Peter Crouch headed in a corner from the midfielder for the concluding goal.
After the march in support of Rafael Benitez the match itself started as if it would serve as a warmdown for the emotions. The visitors did not look then as if they had an ebullient approach in mind, with the manager Jesualdo Ferreira even naming his playmaker Raul Meireles among the substitutes. Porto had come to Anfield as group leaders, yet they had reached that altitude with a mere five goals in four matches.
That languor was deceptive since the habitual champions of Portugal, after falling behind to an opener from Fernando Torres, reacted with a simple yet efficient equaliser and might have been ahead by the interval. The stadium had not generated the emotional power supply that has been the source of so many electrifying displays.
Perhaps it is still difficult for any observer, no matter how devoted they are, to take in the fact that Liverpool, winners and losing finalists over the course of the last three seasons, can be at risk of elimination at this humble stage in the tournament.
There were spells here when the side's vulnerability was demonstrated and Porto might well have been in front at the interval.
Liverpool took the lead from a Gerrard corner in the 19th minute. Torres placed himself between Lucho, who belied his usual poise by slipping, and a static Stepanov. The Spain centre forward headed in simply for his first Champions League goal with Liverpool.
Porto were neither provoked nor disturbed by that and, instead, gradually established a rhythm. Nonetheless Benitez would have been mortified by an equaliser that was as preventible as the visitors' goal had been. The midfielder Przemyslaw Kazmierczak broke on the left after 33 minutes and Alvaro Arbeloa could not attend to the cross, allowing Lisandro Lopez to head home.
Not long after the Porto striker slipped the ball wide when clean through on Pepe Reina.
It cannot have been part of the manager's grand strategy but the Liverpool display did bear out his claim that action in the January transfer window is essential. The danger of depending on Gerrard at all times was glaring when the captain, prior to the interval, could offer little more than a free-kick that flew a yard wide.
There was not enough impact from Liverpool, with players such as Ryan Babel subdued. Andriy Voronin, who had been man of the match in the 8-0 trouncing of Besiktas, was removed after 64 minutes, with Benitez hoping that Harry Kewell would add flair. The Porto goalkeeper did at least need to impress by clearing a Javier Mascherano cross with his feet as Babel bore down on him.
Liverpool had at least achieved a higher tempo, preventing Ferreira's line-up from settling into their studied style.
There was incident in abundance, including a speculative appeal or two for penalties, but it was sheer excellence of technique that brought about the breakthrough. After 78 minutes Kewell fed Torres and he turned Stepanov before finishing with a firm and sure shot. Liverpool will need more of that elevated technique if they are to survive and thrive in this campaign.
LIVERPOOL:Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Benayoun (Crouch 71), Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel (Kuyt 85), Voronin (Kewell 63), Torres. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Riise, Lucas, Sissoko. Booked: Hyypia.
FC PORTO:Helton, Bosingwa, Stepanov, Bruno Alves, Cech, Mariano Gonzalez (Sektioui 77), Lucho Gonzalez, Paulo Assuncao (Postiga 81), Kazmierczak (Raul Meireles 65), Quaresma, Lopez. Subs Not Used: Nuno, Pedro Emanuel, Fucile, Bolatti. Booked: Paulo Assuncao, Stepanov, Quaresma.
Referee:Roberto Rosetti (Italy).