Gerrard, Reina start for Reds

Liverpool started the defence of their Champions League crown by fielding six of the heroes of Istanbul from the start against TNS.

The man whose penalty save won the trophy in Turkey on May 25 – Jerzy Dudek - was not even on the bench, with Jose ‘Pepe’ Reina making his debut in goal.

Striker Milan Baros was named as a substitute for the first qualifying round first leg match against the Welsh champions – but captain Steven Gerrard started.

For TNS – packed full of Scousers and Anfield fans – tonight’s Anfield test presented a daunting challenge.

Manager Ken McKenna left out skipper John Leah, record scorer Marc Lloyd Williams and Liverpool fans John Lawless – who was in Istanbul to support his heroes against AC Milan – and Steve Beck.

Evertonian McKenna’s team was designed to contain and frustrate, with the hope of keeping the tie alive for next Tuesday’s second leg at Wrexham.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Potter, Alonso, Gerrard, Riise, Morientes, Le Tallec.

Subs: Carson, Baros, Cisse, Hamann, Josemi, Zenden, Whitbread.

T.N.S.: Doherty, Baker, Jackson, Evans, King, Wood, Ruscoe, Holmes, Naylor, Ward, Wilde.

Subs: Acton, Lloyd-Williams, Beck, Lawless, Toner, Hogan, Leah.

Referee: Joeri Van Der Velde (Belgium)