Brilliant Gerrard is back in the Liverpool spotlight as Reds see off Marseille

Steven Gerrard underlined his liking for Marseille as he launched Liverpool's Champions League campaign in style with two goals in quick succession.

The Liverpool skipper overhauled Michael Owen as his side's record scorer in Europe with one of the goals that condemned Marseille to a crushing 4-0 defeat here last December.

It was a lot tighter this time, but there was still no stopping Gerrard as he answered Lorik Cana's breakthrough with a brilliant 26th-minute finish and twice-taken penalty six minutes later.

Steven Gerrard scores from the penalty spot against Marseille

It took the dynamic England midfielder's tally in Europe to 27 and his overall total for Liverpool to 99.

Little wonder boss Rafa Benitez wasted no time returning him to the starting line-up after his recovery from groin surgery.

Benitez also restored Fernando Torres to the starting line-up as expected, but sprang a surprise by recalling Lucas Leiva to the centre of midfield at the expense of Xabi Alonso.

Eric Gerets' memorable line about Liverpool resembling the Duracel bunnies against Manchester United on Saturday must surely have been inspired by another high-energy contribution by the tireless Javier Mascherano.

The Liverpool midfielder was at his most influential in his side's 2-1 win over the Barclays Premier League champions, but a rare lapse almost proved costly in only the fourth minute.

Mascherano, passed fit shortly before kick-off, inexplicably rolled a pass straight to Hatem Ben Arfa, who looked to have released danger man Mamadou Niang for a clear run on goal.

Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring his first goal with Dirk Kuyt

Fortunately for Mascherano, the Marseille striker set off a fraction too soon and was flagged offside. It set the tone for a remarkably open start to the game as Marseille underlined their attacking flair and Liverpool responded in kind.

Marseille's defence struggled to cope with a Gerrard corner in the seventh minute as it skimmed off Niang and was met by a far-post header from Torres that was tipped over by keeper Steve Mandanda.

Niang beat the offside trap in the 14th minute as he latched on to a Ben Arfur through pass and bore down on goal.

For once, though, the three-goal joint leading scorer failed to capitalise as he fired over, with just Pepe Reina to beat.

The best and worst of Ryan Babel combined in the 15th minute as he left Ronald Zubar standing with a clever sidestep only to blaze over from 15 yards.

The change of direction was typical of the former Ajax forward's ability to bamboozle defenders, but the finish also had a familiar waywardness about it.

Lorik Cana celebrates scoring Marseille's goal at the Stade Velodrome

Gerrard announced his intentions in the 16th minute, muscling in on a move between Alvaro Arbeloa and Dirk Kuyt and hitting a low shot that Mandanda pushed wide.

Liverpool knew all about Marseille's potency up front but could do nothing about a rapid break that brought Gerets' side a 23rd-minute breakthrough.

Cana timed his run to perfection as he reacted to a hooked through ball from Benoit Cheyrou and left a line of defenders appealing in vain for offside.

There was nothing wrong with the midfielder's finishing as he drew Reina from his line and coolly slotted the ball past him.

The lead proved short-lived as Liverpool hit back with two Gerrard goals in quick succession.

Torres launched the move that led to an equaliser. Winning the ball in the centre circle, he powered forward before switching possession to Kuyt on the right.

The ball was squared back, and the rest was typical Gerrard as he curled a first-time 20-yard shot that beat bemused Mandanda.

If that superb goal was pure instinct on the Liverpool skipper's behalf, the strike that put Benitez's side in front in the 32nd minute became a drawn-out test of nerve as he was forced to retake a penalty.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina catches the ball under pressure

The spot-kick was earned by Babel who was brought down by the hapless Zubar in full view of referee Konrad Plautz.

The Austrian official pointed to the spot but then cut short Gerrard's celebrations after the England midfielder had carefully sidefooted the resulting kick in off a post, by ordering a retake, presumably for encroachment.

Gerrard refused to be flustered and calmly stepped up to fire his second kick into the same corner.

Niang continued to struggle for his usual sure touch near goal as he met a 49th-minute corner from substitute Mathieu Valbuena, only to misdirect his header yards over.

Gerrard was clearly in no mood for resting on his laurels as he went in search of a third in the 50th minute.

Torres' flicked header was the only invitation he needed to charge forward and attempt to wrong-foot last defender Zubar who just managed to divert the ball to safety.

A speculative volley from Bakari Kone drifted wide for Marseille and a close-range header by Vitorino Hilton was saved low down by Reina, as Liverpool got their campaign off to the perfect start.