Liverpool, who were unbeaten on their travels last season in the Champions League, lost 2-0 away to Fiorentina on Matchday 2 of Group E. A double from Jovetic was enough to give the Italians their first points, and a win which moved them above the Reds on goal difference.

Rafa Benitez made one change from the side that thrashed Hull City 6-1 at the weekend as Fabio Aurelio came in for Albert Riera on the left-side of midfield.

It's a low-key start to the match from both sides as neither keeper was tested in the opening exchanges. The home side gradually took control and exerted pressure on the Red back-line. Although Reina was never really tested, Fiorentina were looking more and more dangerous as the game went on.

Fernando Torres linked-up well with Kuyt on the edge of the Italian box, but the Dutchman failed to beat the advancing Frey to the ball. It was a neat give and go from the two Liverpool frontmen, but the Fiorentina keeper’s quick reactions saved his team from going a goal down in the first ten minutes.

The Liverpool number ‘9’ was looking a little isolated up front as the Italian side looked favourites to score first. The pressure finally paid off when Fiorentina took the lead on 28 minutes. Zanetti played through Jovetic and the striker made no mistake, slotting past Reina to give the hosts a surprise lead.

The Merseysiders were two goals behind nine minutes later. Again Jovetic was the scorer, diverting Vargas’ shot past a hapless Reina.

The visitors almost grabbed a goal back straight from the restart. Benayoun’s shot was pushed behind by Frey for a Liverpool corner, and Lucas Leiva headed inches over from the resulting corner-kick.

A Fernando Torres header was deflected behind for a corner as Liverpool laid siege to Fiorentina’s goal. Both Gerrard and Carragher came close to reducing arrears, and Fernando Torres had a good shout for a penalty waved away by the referee. The home side managed to hold on to claim an important victory and maximum points.

Elsewhere in Group E, Olympique Lyon romped to a 4-0 win over Debrecen, a win that moves them top of the group, ahead of second-placed Fiorentina and third-placed Liverpool, with Debrecen bottom with cero points.


- Match Stats: Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool

Fiorentina: Frey, Comotto, Dainelli, Gamberini, Gobbi, Zanetti, Montolivo, Marchionni, Jovetic, Vargas (Jorgensen, 74), Mutu (Donadel, 82)

Goals: Jovetic 28, 37

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua (Babel, 71), Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt (Voronin, 79), Aurelio, Torres