Reds hold to win thriller in Bern

PARIS: Liverpool nearly paid the price for fielding a near second-string side for their Europa League Group A opener with Swiss side Young Boys in Bern last night, but held on to win a thrilling match 5-3.

Steven Gerrard, keeper Jose Reina, striker Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Welsh international midfield playmaker Joe Allen all remained behind in Merseyside.

Liverpool, in their 100th Uefa Cup and Europa League match, went 1-0 up after just four minutes thanks to a most bizzare Juhani Ojala own goal.

But Raphael Nuzzolo pulled one back for Young Boys before Andre Wisdom made it 2-1 for Liverpool at the break.

The home team took the lead with goals from Ojala and Gonzalo Zarate in the 63rd minute. But Sebastian Coates got one back to draw the Reds level, and impressive 20-yearold replacement Jonjo Shelvey bagged a brace to give the scoreline a slightly more healthy hue than it deserved.

Newcastle had to be happy with a goalless draw with Maritimo Funchal, based on the Atlantic island of Madeira.

Atletico Madrid kicked off their title defence with a convincing 3-0 win over Israeli club Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Goals from Cristian Rodriguez and Diego Costa in the first half, and a third from Raul Garcia in the second, saw the Spanish club stretch their European winning streak to 14 matches in the Group B clash.

In Turkey, controversial QPR midfielder Joey Barton made his debut on loan for Marseille. The southern French club snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Fenerbache, although Barton was substituted in the 71st minute with the score 2-0 to the hosts.

The Turkish giants scored through Caner Erkin and Alex, while Matthieu Valbuena claimed an 83rd minute goal for Marseilleto. Ghana’s Andre Ayew scored the equalising goal four minutes into injury time. – Sapa-AFP