Shelvey helps Liverpool shake off Young Boys

PARIS (AFP) –

Liverpool‘s midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (R) celebrates with teammate Jamie Carragher at the end of an Europa League group A football match in Bern. Liverpool won 5-3.

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 on Thursday, but held on to win a thrilling match 5-3.

Captain Steven Gerrard, goalkeeper Jose Reina, striker Luis Suarez, first-choice defenders Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Welsh international midfield playmaker Joe Allen all remained behind on Merseyside.

And Brendan Rodgers’ decision seemed it might backfire against a doughty Swiss side in a match with goal-scoring opportunities galore.

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.

A defensive header by Christoph Spycher rebounded off Ojala’s own head into the net past hapless ‘keeper Marco Wolfli.

Atletico Madrid‘s forward Diego Costa (R) challenges Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s defender Mor Shushan during their UEFA Europa League Group B qualifying football match at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv. Atletico Madrid won 3-0.

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

The home side shot into the lead with goals from Ojala and, thanks to an excellent finish, Gonzalo Zarate in the 63rd minute.

But Sebastian Coates got one back to draw the Reds level, and impressive 20-year-old replacement Jonjo Shelvey bagged a brace to give the scoreline a slightly more healthy hue than it deserved.

Rodgers, whose team tackle Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, said he always had faith in his young players.

“I don’t see it as courageous or brave, I just trust in my players,” he said.

“They are still coming to grips with how I want to play, we’ve got a long way to go. The most important characteristic is our fight.

Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Newcastle had to be happy with a goalless draw with Maritimo Funchal, based on the Atlantic island of Madeira.

Newcastle had three decent efforts in front of goal, but all came back off the post, first from Dan Gosling and then two from captain Shola Ameobi.

They were then left to ride their luck as Maritimo’s Valentin Roberge saw his own header come crashing back off the woodwork in the 80th minute.

Reigning Europa League champions Atletico Madrid kicked off the defence of their title with a convincing 3-0 victory over Israeli club Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

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

Bordeaux’s forward Jussie celebrates after scoring during their UEFA Europa League first round football match against Brugge at the Chaban-Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. Bordeaux won 4-0.

In Turkey, controversial English midfielder Joey Barton — still ineligible for league action following a ban picked up last season, made his debut for Marseille, whom he has joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

And it turned out to be a memorable night as the southern French club snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Fenerbahce, although Barton was substituted in the 71st minute with the score at 2-0.

The Turkish giants scored through Caner Erkin and Alex, while Matthieu Valbuena claimed an 83rd minute goal to put all the pressure on the home side.

Ghana international Andre Ayew scored the equalising goal four minutes into injury time with a header from a Valbuena corner that should have been cleared off the line.

Elsewhere, there were 4-0 victories for Bordeaux and Napoli over Club Bruges and AIK Solna of Sweden respectively.

Borussia Moenchengladbach were held to a goalless draw by AEL Limassol, the Cypriots lucky to see Oscar Wendt miss a penalty for the visitors.