Liverpool left star striker Michael Owen on the bench, increasing speculation about a possible transfer, but still downed Austria's Grazer AK 2-0 in Champions League qualifying Tuesday.
England midfielder Steven Gerrard scored twice, beating 'keeper Andreas Schranz with a 25m shot in the 23rd minute and making it 2-0 in the 79th to give manager Rafa Benitez a win in his competitive debut.
PHOTO: EPA
But Juventus, another traditional soccer powerhouse, could only manage a 2-2 draw against Sweden's Djurgarden -- at home. Juve, a finalist four times in the last eight years, trailed 2-0.
Liverpool, which has won the competition four times, had plenty of chances at the Arnold Schwarzenegger stadium without Owen. Czech striker Milan Baros, who led Euro 2004 in scoring, was stopped by Schranz on a breakaway and missed a free header in the 31st minute. Baros partnered new signing Djibril Cisse.
Owen, linked with Real Madrid in a ?10 million (US$18.4 million) transfer, was an unused substitute. He's been in negotiations over a contract extension for months, although talks reportedly stalled Monday.
If Owen made an appearance, he won't be allowed to play for any other club in European competition in 2004-2005.
Andreas Johansson's penalty gave Djurgarden the lead in the 45th minute, and Tobias Hysen doubled it in the 49th. French international David Trezeguet made it 2-1 a minute later before Brazilian Emerson leveled in the 59th minute.
"The 2-2 draw means that we must absolutely win in Sweden, against a tough team," Emerson said. "However Juventus will be in a better form by then, and this gives us some hope."
Djurgarden is eighth in the 14-team Swedish standings and fired its manager last month.
In other games, two-time winner Benfica beat Belgian champion Anderlecht 1-0 at home, CSKA Moscow doubled Rangers 2-1, Trabzonspor rallied to beat Dynamo Kiev 2-1 away, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv won 2-1 away, at Greece's PAOK Salonika.
Ten games, featuring the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Inter Milan, will be played Wednesday. The return legs are Aug. 24-25. The teams have to qualify after not finishing high enough in their respective leagues.
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