Liverpool beats PSV Eindhoven 3-1

Rob Harris , The Associated Press , Liverpool | Thu, 10/02/2008 3:40 AM | Sports

Robbie Keane scored his first Liverpool goal in a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Ireland striker ended a 10-game goal drought since his offseason transfer in the 34th minute after Dirk Kuyt had put the Reds ahead in the fifth. Captain Steven Gerrard then put the result beyond doubt with his 100th Liverpool goal in the 76th. Danny Koevermans pulled one back for PSV two minutes later in a rare foray forward, but Liverpool - a five-time European champion - was able to open the group stage with two victories for the first time.

The win gives Liverpool a perfect six points after two games in Group D while PSV is still without a point.

The victory on manager Rafa Benitez's 250th match in charge added to the euphoria at Anfield following Liverpool's best start to a Premier League campaign in 12 years.

The Reds wasted no time putting themselves in control of the match, with Gerrard whipping a corner in from the right and Torres only being denied by goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson's right leg.

But Kuyt, who netted the goal against Standard Liege that clinched the group stage berth, was ready to fire the rebound low past the former Manchester City goalkeeper.

Keane appealed for a penalty in the 20th when his advance was halted by Carlos Salcido's challenge.

But Keane's first goal since his 19-million-pound (US$37.9 million; euro24.1 million) move from Tottenham finally came when Torres danced around Salcido on the right flank and sent a precision cross for his strike partner to volley low into bottom left.

In lashing rain in northern England, Liverpool took more than 40 minutes to add a second.

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