Report by Steve Horton in Austria

Rafael Bentiez's first competitive match in charge saw Liverpool put one foot in the group stages of the Champions League. But the straightforwardness of the win was offset by events off the pitch concerning the Michael Owen transfer saga.

Our arrival in Graz was big news locally and in between drinking in the local bars I was interviewed by two radio stations and one television station, having to do an impromptu song for one of them. Local fans were very friendly and were in somewhat in awe of us, wondering just why so many would travel so far. Only between 30 and 50 fans are expected to be at Anfield for the return leg, and that was the estimate before the result was known.

Despite the Graz media calling it an invasion, only about 500 Reds had made the trip, nearly half of which were on a Flight Options charter that was delayed when someone set off the smoke alarm trying to sneak a crafty ciggie in the bog. Lonsdales had done their usually overpriced one night package too so I was quite pleased to have arranged to go for two nights for about £240, flying from Birmingham to Salzburg.

Graz play at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, which they share with arch rivals Sturm and was named after the town's most famous son. It's a neat little ground with lots of legroom and electronic turnstiles, but they still charged 30 cents to have a piss and no food was on sale inside the away section.

The home fans have rarely known an occasion like this, with last season's title triumph being the first in their history. It meant they were certainly up for this one, their biggest European game since Paul Ince's Inter Milan were in town in 1996-7. A little flag was placed on every seat for fans to wave and the customary loud music was played at top volume.

On occasions like this the only thing to do is shut the home fans up and we took the game to them early on. After Josemi was fouled in the second minute Steve Finnan's free kick was headed just over the bar by Sami Hyypia. We were awarded another free kick soon after this when Djibril Cisse was body checked but this one was wasted.

Graz seemed incapable of creating anything themselves but they were awarded a glorious chance in the tenth minute when Harry Kewell committed a needless foul. Thankfully Jamie Carragher did well to clear the resultant free kick.

Milan Baros had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the thirteenth minute when Steven Gerrard put him clear but the Czechs shot was weak and easily saved by the keeper. Baros was officially in the team as Benitez felt him and Cisse were the best strike partnership but we all know that's not true. With Owen's agents in discussions with Real Madrid, his frame of mind obviously wasn't right and to have cup tied him would have seriously reduced his transfer value.

When Owen went through the motions of warming up in front of the Reds support he was given a great reception, just to emphasise that if there is any chance of him staying he is well wanted. Florent Sinama Pongolle was given a warm welcome too, with his refusal to consider a loan move meaning the Allez Allez chant will still be around for a while to come. When it came to backing the new boss however, some attempts to get "Y Viva Benitez" going failed and it looks like we are stuck with the tedious "Rafa-Rafael" chant to the tune of "super Danny Murphy".

After 23 minutes we took the lead through another player who wanted to bail out, only to change his mind when he realised the consequences of greed. After some patient build up play Gerrard picked his spot and rifled in an unstoppable shot from thirty yards. It sent the Reds fans in the corner into rapture as the captain came running over to milk the applause.

It will take a few more of them for me to sing his name again but he was well applauded by most of the fans. He still isn't being allowed to forget it that easily though as "Stevie Gerrard" was quickly followed by "you can stick yer fuckin Chelsea up yer arse".

Graz caved in after this and they were lucky to go into the break just 1-0 down. Baros went close with a header and also crossed across the goal for Cisse, who just failed to get his foot to it. Hyypia also sent a header over the bar from a Kewell corner.   

The second half began as the first ended with Graz as good as accepting their fate. Their fans were furious at such cowardice afterwards, having been quite confident of getting a draw. Cisse showed his electric pace before forcing a good save from the keeper and even Hyypia was trying his luck, shooting just wide from distance.

Gerrard had a goal disallowed but even then the home side couldn't capitalise, with their few efforts going well wide and being greeted with derision by the crowd. Dudek didn't have a shot to save till the closing minutes, by which time we were 2-0 up after Gerrard finished well in the 80th minute when he was set up by Cisse.

We probably could have won by a few more if we had to, as we closed the game up towards the end by taking off Baros and sending on Salif Diao. Benitez was obviously under instructions from Rick Parry that we still need to sell as many tickets as possible for the second leg!

It was also nice to see Darren Potter and Stephen Warnock get on and hopefully we may now see more of the youngsters get some experience in games that are wrapped up.

All in all it was a good beginning for Benitez. There was a little concern towards the end that we eased up but it needs to be remembered it was our first competitive game of the season. The weather was warm and humid and there was no point over exerting the players at this stage. All we need to do now is sort out which players will be around for the competition proper. 

LFC: Dudek, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise; Finnan (Potter), Hamman, Gerrard (Warnock), Kewell; Cisse, Baros (Diao):

 

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