Late Mido pen denies Reds

Once again Rafael Benitez's side failed to capitalise on their domination and had only Yossi Benayoun's 41st-minute effort to show for their efforts.

It proved not to be enough when Brazil midfielder Lucas' senseless rash challenge on Jason Koumas allowed Mido, signed on loan from Middlesbrough last week, to convert the penalty.

The tone was set in the second minute when Steven Gerrard curled in a left-wing free-kick to the near post - but Lucas managed to get in the way of Fernando Torres, and the ball bounced to safety.

The same combination almost brought a goal in the 13th minute, Gerrard crossing from the left with Torres' glancing header beating Mike Pollitt but hitting the post.

The home fans were screaming for a penalty when Paul Scharner fell under pressure from Fabio Aurelio, but referee Phil Dowd was not interested while claims for a Martin Skrtel handball, which looked accidental, a few moments later were waved away by Dowd.

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Javier Mascherano's defence-splitting pass looked to be too heavy for Benayoun - but he rounded Pollitt and scored from a tight angle.

With 20 minutes to go, Benitez replaced Torres with Albert Riera - meaning Ryan Babel was given the chance to play up front.

And with nine minutes to go, Lucas clipped substitute Jason Koumas in the penalty area - and debutant Mido beat Jose Reina from the penalty spot.

Robbie Keane was finally given his chance immediately after he replaced Gerrard but could not produce a response to his manager's decision to leave him out at the weekend and it could have been worse for Liverpool as Hugo Rodallega, who received international clearance only just over an hour before kick-off, hit the bar with an injury-time free-kick.