Football: Berger calls the tune

Liverpool 2 Coventry City

AS LIVERPOOL were saying with their feet before they were so rudely interrupted, they are intent on serious championship business this season.

They returned to the top of the Premiership last night, carrying on where they left off at St James' Park with a brand of flowing, incisive football that had become an almost forgotten trademark here.

English football has taken a tumultuous and bizarre course since Michael Owen's hat-trick dismantled Newcastle, but Liverpool tuned into their game to restore a sense of normality.

Owen's pace inevitably provided the impetus against a Coventry side who have developed a habit of undermining Liverpool's aspirations in recent visits, but it was Patrik Berger, the scorer of the other goal that spoiled Ruud Gullit's reception, and Jamie Redknapp who inflicted the damage.

Redknapp's return to fitness, and now the form that adds poise and perception to the more dynamic qualities in Liverpool's play, could prove crucial this season.

Coventry, outwitted for much of the evening, still ought to have salvaged something. Trond Egil Solvedt, Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby, in particular, will rue the opportunities they spurned in an open and vibrant second half. They lived in hope throughout, thanks largely to the eccentricities of Liverpool's goalkeeper, Brad Friedel.

This department remains a source of anxiety at Anfield, but with Robbie Fowler well into his rehabilitation, their potency can only be enhanced. They cannot, however, afford to gift goals and more ruthless opponents would have compounded the American's embarrassment.

Friedel survived his first fumble before Liverpool went ahead in the 26th minute. Vegard Heggem, supporting on the right, instigated the move, Paul Ince pulled the ball back from the line and Berger swept it low, inside the near post.

An offside flag frustrated Owen's attempt to force in the second and the honour fell instead to Redknapp in the 48th minute. Steve McManaman weaved a familiar pattern to bewitch Coventry's defence and Redknapp's deflected shot veered into the far corner.

Liverpool's joint manager, Gerard Houlier, said: "Considering the majority of players were involved in internationals at the weekend, the attitude, passing and movement were very good. We are in progress. Redknapp has given us the link we were maybe missing."

Liverpool (4-4-2): Friedel, Heggem, Carragher, Babb, Staunton; McManaman, Redknapp, Ince; Riedle, Owen. Substitutes not used: James (gk), McAteer, Harkness, Matteo, Thompson.

Coventry City (4-4-2): Hedman; Nilsson (Shaw, 69), Wallemme, Breen, Burrows; Telfer, Boateng, Soltvedt (Edworthy, 64), P Hall (Shilton, 75); Dublin, Huckerby. Substitutes not used: Ogrizovic (gk), Haworth.

Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury).