Gerrard’s the man again as Liverpool advance

However, the end of the match was marred when Cisse appeared to be targeted for racial abuse by a few CSKA supporters, who were heard to shout monkey noises.

“Always it is a pity to hear such things, but the UEFA official has heard and it has gone in his report,” Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez told a news conference.

“The atmosphere in terms of support was good in the ground, but the monkey noises are a pity. We must learn and not do it because it is really bad for football. The UEFA officials have done the report.”

Captain Gerrard, who scored seven goals in Liverpool’s previous four qualifying games, set up Cisse and did the same five minutes later for Morientes to head home.

Unmarked CSKA midfielder Velizar Dimitrov, who had been out of action since February due to injury, rose to head home from six metres just before the break.

But Morientes’s second goal in the 58th minute from six metres out made it safe for the champions. “(Morientes) has got ability, there’s no doubt about it. I think this season’s going to be his season. The two goals will give him a lot of confidence,” Gerrard said.

“We’re confident we can go through after tonight’s result. It gives the manager a chance to rest a few players (in the second leg). But we’ve still got to be professional and get the job done,” he said.

Liverpool started the game calm and confident, patiently waiting for their chances, and scored from the first. Cisse ran onto Gerrard’s pass into the left side of the penalty area and the French striker steered a cross shot into the far corner. Spanish striker Morientes powerfully headed home to make it 2-0 five minutes later following Gerrard’s free kick from the left.

The Bulgarian champions’ efforts were rewarded in the last minute of the first half when Dimitrov met a cross by Morocco international Mourad Hdiouad with a header from six metres that goalkeeper Jose Reina could not reach.

Morientes sealed the victory 13 minutes into the second half shooting between the legs of CSKA keeper Evgeni Hmaruk from six metres following a perfect cross by Gerrard.

However, Gerrard and Morientes missed good scoring chances to make the result more impressive. “We’ve done a good job as a team in defence and played compact football. In the end, it was a good result,” said Benitez.

“They (CSKA) ran a lot and played good football but we managed to score three and had other opportunities.”

Benitez was able to substitute Gerrard and other leading players in the second half as his side protected their two-goal cushion for the return leg at Anfield next week.