Nine players tasted Premiership football for the first time at Hillsborough and there was not an Englishman among them. But, despite both managers insisting it will take time for players from places such as Guinea and Finland to settle in England, Liverpool's newcomers exploded that theory.
Only two of Gerard Houllier's seven summer signings, Stephane Henchoz and Dietmar Hamann, have experienced English football and injury ruled the Swiss defender out while Hamann's role was limited to 24 minutes before an ankle injury ended his debut.
Yet the other newcomers looked completely untroubled by the pace, physicality or opposition. "I told the players that the first game of a Premiership season is less about tactics than character, the will to do something well and set the tone for the season," explained a delighted Houllier.
That is precisely what he saw against an uninspired Sheffield Wednesday. With the captain Jamie Redknapp and vice-captain Robbie Fowler, two of the survivors of Anfield restructuring, particularly impressive, five full debutants - plus the late substitute Erik Meijer - played admirable roles.
Vladimir Smicer looks an appropriate replacement for Steve McManaman, with his direct, intelligent passing and energy, while Titi Camara, Guinea striker by way of Marseille, is an intriguing prospect.
The loss of Michael Owen, who flies to Geneva today to aid the FA in their presentation to the 2006 World Cup selection committee, would have hit Liverpool last season.
Now, with Fowler looking sharper than at any time since his cruciate knee ligament injury two seasons ago, Camara's robust and direct style makes him an ideal partner for the new vice-captain.
Fowler lifted a superbly-weighted left-foot shot over Pavel Srnicek for the opening goal after 75 minutes before his long-range strike was parried and Camara converted the rebound 10 minutes later.
"They're a good side," said Wednesday's manager Danny Wilson. "If the first game is anything to go by, they are going to be there in the shake-up." Wednesday have a potential contract dissident in Benito Carbone who came off the bench to tumultuous applause and, with that faultless Italian sense of occasion, scored a fantastic consolation goal with an 88th-minute volley.
Wilson says "the door has been shut" on Carbone staying longterm by his agent. "But while he is here we will utilise him the best we can," he insisted. "It is not one of those Van Hooijdonk/ Hasselbaink situations, there is no question of him not honouring his contract. This is a different situation."
Liverpool's fate could be dictated by whether their imports are similarly "different" to those who have become personae non grata in the British game.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Srnicek, Hinchcliffe, Thome, Walker, Sonner, Sibon, Rudi, Alexandersson (Cresswell 59), Donnelly (Briscoe 77), Newsome, De Bilde (Carbone 67). Subs Not Used: Pressman, Haslam. Booked: Donnelly. Goals: Carbone 88.
LIVERPOOL: Westerveld, Heggem, Hyypia, Carragher, Matteo, Smicer, Redknapp, Hamann (Thompson 24), Berger (Staunton 81), Fowler, Camara (Meijer 89). Subs Not Used: Song, Nielsen. Booked: Thompson. Goals: Fowler 75, Camara 84.
Referee: G Poll (Tring).
