ROBBIE Keane scored his first goal for Liverpool and Steven Gerrard claimed his 100th to give the Anfield side a comfortable Champions League victory.
Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven were outclassed in the Group D clash, as Liverpool, following a win in Marseille on opening night, made sure of victory in their first two pool matches for the first time. Dirk Kuyt, with a tenth goal in his last 16
Champions League games for the club, opened the scoring with Keane netting before the break. Gerrard cracked home his 100th for the club with 15 minutes left, substitute Danny Koevermans adding a late goal for Eindhoven.
"It was almost the perfect night," said Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager. "It was a really good game for us, a solid performance with balance and quality.
"I was pleased for Robbie Keane. Now he has got his first European goal for us, I hope he will now score his first Premier League goal. I know Robbie will score a lot more goals for us in the future, so this was just the first step for him.
"I was pleased also for Steven Gerrard. For a midfielder to score 100 goals is very impressive. He is among the very best offensive midfield players anywhere."
With their side previously unbeaten this term, it was no surprise there was an air of expectation around Anfield, and after four minutes the Kop got the breakthrough they wanted. Gerrard's first corner, from the right, was met by a first-time shot from the unmarked Fernando Torres.
Keeper Andreas Isaksson blocked the Spaniard's effort, only for Dirk Kuyt to ram home the rebound from ten yards – with Isaksson letting the ball squirm through his hands.
Robbie Keane had a good penalty shout turned down when he was caught by Carlos Salcido.
Torres then headed wide from an 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 bottom corner of the net. Anfield erupted, Keane having finally netted on his 11th appearance for the club.
After the break, PSV at last started to come forward. Otman Bakkal saw a 25-yard effort fizz just wide, before
Nordin Amrabat, who had battled away bravely on his own in attack, unleashed a fierce 20-yard shot just wide.
Torres could have ended the debate after 65 minutes when Jan Kromkamp's wayward pass put him clear – but his flick past Isaksson drifted inches wide.
Lucas replaced Keane before Dirk Marcellis was booked for a foul on Torres. That paved the way for Gerrard to grab his century for Liverpool after 75 minutes, smashing a fierce 25-yarder from the free kick past Isaksson to the acclaim of the Kop.
But PSV hit back three minutes later when substitute Balazs Dzsudzsak crossed from the right. The ball cleared Jamie Carragher allowing Koevermans to direct a ten-yard shot past Jose Reina.
Ryan Babel then replaced Gerrard with 10 minutes to go with the job well done.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard (Babel 81), Alonso, Riera (Benayoun 68), Torres, Keane (Leiva Lucas 75). Subs not used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Mascherano.
PSV: Isaksson, Kromkamp, Simons, Marcellis, Salcido, Brechet (Pieters 46), Mendez (Dzsudzsak 76), Culina, Bakkal, Amrabat, Wuytens (Koevermans 60). Subs not used: Cassio, Rodriguez, Zonneveld, Nijland. Booked: Marcellis.
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