Fernando Torres fired Liverpool to victory over Sunderland in their Barclays Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light.
The striker produced a vicious drive eight minutes from time to claim the points. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Sunderland side who had enjoyed the best of the play and all but negated the return of the Reds' fit-again captain Steven Gerrard.
The Black Cats immediately went on the attack, debutant El-Hadji Diouf powering straight into the Liverpool half before losing the ball at speed.
New boy Steed Malbranque was also eager to make an impression, nimbly turning Yossi Benayoun but chipping his through-ball just too long.
With just five minutes gone Diouf's pace had worried his former side twice, first drawing a last-ditch tackle from Jamie Carragher and then forcing Jose Reina into a clearance.
take advantage
Liverpool attempted to force their way back into the match, Gerrard drifting out wide as he twice tried and failed to play in Robbie Keane from the right.
Diouf, enjoying quite a start to a Black Cats career, proved more incisive after 13 minutes, crossing the ball for Daryl Murphy but the Irishman headed straight at Reina.
Gerrard then prevented another attempt on goal when he stole in to dispossess the Kieran Richardson in the box.
Sunderland briefly lost their composure after 25 minutes when the unlikely figure of Sami Hyypia caused a mix-up between goalkeeper Craig Gordon and his defence although Liverpool's attackers were unable to take advantage.
Referee Alan Wiley decided not to award a penalty after a heavy collision involving Benayoun, instead blowing for a foul on Gerrard moments before. The resulting free-kick was in a promising position, but a telegraphed routine from Keane and Gerrard ensured nothing would come of it.
spectacular fashion
Keane made a better fist of a half-chance three minutes before the interval but screwed his shot wide after skilfully setting himself up.
After 54 minutes, former Bolton Wanderers man Diouf spurned a fine chance.
Murphy, making amends for his earlier miss, laid the ball tantalisingly across goal only for Diouf to scuff his shot to a grateful Reina.
Alonso gradually started to rouse the Reds, elegantly starting a move which ended with one of their better chances - a Gerrard shot cannoning off Danny Collins on the six-yard line.
With 20 minutes to go, Benayoun won a free-kick a yard from the edge of the penalty box - but again Gerrard's delivery was tame.
An Alonso special from within his own half almost settled the match in spectacular fashion, but the midfielder was just wide with his strike - much to Gordon's relief.
It was Alonso's touch too that freed his compatriot after 82 minutes - but the finish, swerving at pace, was all Torres.
