Heskey gives Reds victory

Bradford new boy Atherton tackles Smicer

Liverpool 1-0 Bradford City

Emile Heskey defied his critics with a magnificent strike to give Liverpool victory over Bradford City in their opening FA Carling Premiership match at Anfield.

The former Leicester striker scored the game's only goal with a tremendous drive after 67 minutes just as it appeared that Liverpool were going to be frustrated by a battling Bradford display.

In the event, Gerard Houllier's side avenged their defeat on the final day of last season that denied them a Champions League place and extended the Yorkshire team's top-flight tenure.

Liverpool, with Vladimir Smicer to the fore, finally turned their possession into chances in the second half, but were repeatedly defied by Bradford 'keeper Andy Clarke until Heskey's timely intervention.

Debuts

It is always difficult to beat a packed defence and it needs a piece of individual brilliance to do it

  Gerard Houllier

Liverpool manager elected not to give a summer signing Gary McAllister his debut, but Nicky Barmby, Markus Babbel and Djimi Traore all made first Premiership starts for the club.

Meanwhile, Sami Hyypia recovered from a groin injury to take his place in defence.

New Bradford signings Benito Carbone and Ashley Ward also started on the bench, but there were first starts for David Wetherall, Peter Atherton, Dan Petrescu and David Hopkin.

Vladimir Smicer holds off Dan Petrescu

Liverpool created the first chance of note after three minutes when a flowing move ended with Vladimir Smicer crossing for Steven Gerrard, but the youngster headed well over.

Bradford, with five in midfield, seemed content with containment, but Hopkin threatened with a volley straight at Sander Westerveld after eight minutes.

Control

Liverpool gradually began to exert control, with the lively Barmby firing wide and then crossing dangerously in quick succession. Then just after the half-hour mark, Smicer fired a venomous volley inches wide.

Bradford had the best chance of the first half when Lee Sharpe played through Hopkin, but he shot straight at Westerweld.

Liverpool might have had two goals within five minutes of the resumption. Smicer was the inspiration in both instances.

We defended far too deep after the break and allowed them much too much possession. Heskey's strike was a great goal and it meant we had to change our system and attack more

  Chris Hutchngs

He set up Gerrard only for Clarke to save superbly and then crossed for Barmby, who headed straight at the 'keeper.

As Liverpool upped the tempo, Smicer broke clear himself but Clarke again saved and he denied Owen after 57 minutes.

Liverpool were laying siege at this stage, and on the hour mark Gerrard struck the post after more great work from Smicer, while from the resultant corner, Hyypia's header bounced agonisingly wide.

Liverpool were finally rewarded for their dominance.

Emile Heskey received the ball with his back to goal, advanced to the right of the area and crashed a thunderous drive into the opposite corner of the net.

McAllister came in seconds later for his competitive Liverpool debut, and Owen was later withdrawn as Liverpool settled for what they had.

---

Liverpool: Westerveld, Henchoz, Babbel, Smicer, Heskey, Owen, Hyypia, Hamann, Gerrard, Barmby, Traore.
Subs: Murphy, Berger, Arphexad, McAllister, Carragher.

Bradford City: Clarke, Nolan, McCall, Wetherall, Whalley, O'Brien, Windass, Sharpe, Atherton, Petrescu, Hopkin.
Subs: Walsh, Myers, Ward, Carbone, Beagrie. Referee: P Durkin (Dorset)