Real Betis vs Liverpool

When Liverpool's teamsheet arrived it contained a few shocks but, despite reservations, Rafa proved himself again on the European stage. A couple of quick goals while Betis tried to work out a Liverpool side with no Cisse or Gerrard was followed by a typically robust reargurard action from the visitors and the three points were secured despited a spirited revival from Betis.

And that's your lot. A winning start for the defending champions in the group stage of this year's competition. 2-1 to Liverpool the final score.

Seconds remaining as one final attack from Betis falls to Dani to convert. He finds a bit of space and lets fly but Carragher recovers enough to deflect the shot high and looping into Reina's hands.

Corner clears everyone but is swung over from the opposite flank where Assuncao rises highest in a body of men but his header is weak and ill-directed.

Cute backheel from Capi was bound for the well placed Joaquin until it took a deflection for a corner. Reina kicks the ball away to waste time and is rightly booked for his troubles.

Not if they are going to do that. Varela sees some pretty unlikely headlines and cracks one from all of 40 yards at a difficult angle. The result is predictable and very welcome for those in red.

The ninety minutes are up but don't relax just yet. A staggering five minutes of stoppage time has been found from somewhere. Can Betis make use of it?

Capi tries his luck from distance but has none. Reina is in no rush at all to take the resulting goal-kick.

Garcia who continues to look busy and willing uses his head in just holding up the ball in the face of a couple of challenges to earn his side a throw in and some respite.

From the right hand side of goal the Brazilian enacted a trademark up and over with no shortage of fizz but Reina is lively on his toes and moves across to snatch the goalbound shot to his chest. Panic over.

Hyypia again sold into giving away a free-kick in Assuncao country. Danger lurks here.

Liverpool's turn to come forward for a change but Riise's final pass is poor when he had options. Sensing danger Garcia puts the boot in to concede a goal-kick. More time used up.

Betis continue to dominate possession but, fearful or repetition, Liverpool's massed ranks are proving to resolute a lock to unpick.

Bit of relief for Liverpool as a long ball forward finds Cisse well offside. relief I say as it eats up a bit of the clock and gives the backline - which is virtually 10 men strong - a bit of a rest.

Wonderful ball out wide from Assuncao is taken down beautifully by Joaquin who drives into the box where Liverpool players show prudent reluctance to attempt a tackle. The cross is deflected and the angle at the end for the shot is too tight.

Joaquin gets up a head of steam and knocks the ball past Sissoko before throwing himself over a none existent challenge to 'earn' a free-kick. Hang your sunken-eyed head in shame young man.

Liverpool really filling any available space in their own third which is giving Betis the opportunity to send balls into the box but they are, as yet, finding little in the way of chances from it.

Joaquin, who really hasn't been enough of a presence in this game as his team needed, gets the ball at his feet, advances and lets fly from distance but Reina is untroubled.

Liverpool follow suit on the substitutions front by playing their third and possibly trump card. Pongolle leaves us and, rather later than expected, Gerrard arrives.

A lot of Betis' play coming down the left now. Capi spins on a Euro and sends over an inviting cross that is punched clear by Reina only as far as Joaquin who fluffs his attempted volley.

Betis make their third and final substitution as goalscorer Arzu retreats and a deafening roar greets the clearly very popular and wonderfully named Jesus Capi.

Reina forced to take no chances with a high ball and turns it over for a corner under no pressure. Corner isn't great but prompts forlorne appeals for handball from that mischievous little scamp Dani. Referee is unmoved.

Riise, Garcia and Cisse cause problems from Betis but the former's eventual shot lacks any bite and is collected with ease by Doblas.

Loose kick from Reina turns possession over and invites Betis back on to the visitors.

Melli, up for a corner, challenges Josemi and one of the many Spaniards in red is down in some pain (or wasting a bit of time needlessly, depending on how cynical you are).