Liverpool, Inter Easily Win in Qualifying 

Liverpool's Momo Sissoko, center, challenges for the ball with CSKA Sofia defenders, during their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, first leg soccer match in Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday, Aug. 10 2005. (AP)

Defending European champion Liverpool and two-time winner Inter Milan won easily Wednesday in the first leg of final Champions League qualifying.

But four-time champion Ajax drew 2-2 in Denmark against Brondby. Meanwhile, German champion Werder Bremen was a surprising 2-1 loser to Basel in Switzerland.

The second-leg games will be played in two weeks, with the winners advancing to the lucrative group stage.

Defender Steven GerrardpacedLiverpool to a 3-1 victory in Bulgaria against CSKA Sofia. The play of striker Adriano led Inter to a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in Kiev, Ukraine.

In other results, it was Anderlecht 2, Slavia Prague 1; FC Thun 1, FF Malmo 0; Artmedia Bratislava 0, Partizan Belgrade 0; Rapid Vienna 1, Lokomotiv Moscow 1; Steaua Bucharest 1, Rosenborg 1, and Udinese 1, Sporting Lisbon 0.

European soccer's governing body allowed Liverpool the chance to defend its title even though it failed to qualify through its Premier League finish last season. But UEFA made the English side go through qualifying-round play.

Liverpool captain Gerrard set up all three goals.

"We're happy with the scoreline," he said. "We'd be a lot more happier with the clean sheet, but to come away 3-1 makes the job a lot easier when we go back to Anfield."

Gerrard set up the first goal for Djibril Cisse in the 25th minute. Five minutes later, he delivered a free kick Fernando Morientes headed home.

CSKA Sofia scored a minute before halftime, with Velizar Dimitrov heading in a left-wing cross from Mourad Hidiouad. Morientes added Liverpool's third in the 58th minute, when he got a cross from Gerrard at the far post to easily beat CSKA goalkeeper Eugen Hmaruc.

Eleven minutes later, Gerrard was replaced by Mohamed Sissoko. He came off as a precaution after being slightly injured during a goal celebration.

"It was an usual one," Gerrard said. "When we were celebrating Morientes' second one, as he lifted me up he nearly pulled my back out of place but it's fine."

Gerrard scored seven goals in Liverpool's four qualifying games this season, including three against the Welsh club TNS. He also scored in the Champions League final last season, when Liverpool defeated A.C.Milan for its fifth European title.  

(Agencies)

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