Rafael Benitez's side ensured maximum points from their opening two Champions League group games for the first time with a comprehensive victory against PSV Eindhoven. It was always going to take something special to overshadow Gerrard finally reaching his own century for the Anfield outfit.
Keane, though, is the man who will command the headlines this morning after opening his Liverpool account in emphatic style. There have been occasions when the near £20m Liverpool shelled out to sign the striker from Tottenham Hotspur has appeared to weigh heavy on his shoulders.
However, there were encouraging signs during the derby victory over Everton that the Republic of Ireland man has become attuned with his team-mates, justifying that expensive price tag.
Keane, though, is the man who will command the headlines this morning after opening his Liverpool account in emphatic style. There have been occasions when the near £20m Liverpool shelled out to sign the striker from Tottenham Hotspur has appeared to weigh heavy on his shoulders.
However, there were encouraging signs during the derby victory over Everton that the Republic of Ireland man has become attuned with his team-mates, justifying that expensive price tag.
And after 686 minutes of waiting, Keane's moment arrived 11 minutes before half-time last night.
Keane created the opener for Fernando Torres at Goodison on Saturday, and the Spaniard returned the compliment with an excellent low cross that the Irishman swivelled to volley beyond PSV goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. Cue relief around Anfield and a delighted Keane reviving the trademark somersault celebration.
Isaksson had conceded eight goals on his last competitive outing in England while playing for Manchester City at Middlesbrough in May. Liverpool settled for three last night, but such was their dominance that it could easily have been more had they moved out of second gear.
Benitez's players have clearly heeded the warnings of last year when a poor start to their European campaign required a rescue act that had a debilitating effect on their domestic ambitions. Indeed, with Atletico Madrid having beaten Marseille in the night's other Group D game, it's likely only two more victories will be required to ensure progress to the knockout stages.
Keane had been a member of the Spurs team that were eliminated by PSV in the Uefa Cup last season. But from the instant Dirk Kuyt gave the home side a fourth minute lead with their 100th European goal under Benitez, Liverpool's unbeaten start to the campaign was never threatened.
There was also a landmark last night for Jamie Carragher, whose outing was the 534th of his Anfield career, to move him into the top 10 of all-time appearances for Liverpool alongside Billy Liddell. Confidence high after the weekend defeat of Everton, Benitez made just the one change with Fabio Aurelio replacing the benched Andrea Dossena.
Having seen his team thumped 3-0 at home by Atletico in their opening group game, PSV coach Huub Stevens threw five across a defence that included former Reds right-back Jan Kromkamp in an attempt to stifle the hosts.
That tactic worked for all of four minutes as Benitez's side went ahead from, of all things, a corner. It was poor marking from PSV's Jeremie Brechet, brought into the side specifically to shore up the defence, who allowed Fernando Torres a free header from Gerrard's right-wing delivery that was brilliantly parried by Isaksson. The keeper, though partially unsighted by Dirk Marcellis, should then have done better with Kuyt's follow-up which flew into the top corner off his body.
Kuyt, a former Feyenoord player clearly revelling against his old Dutch adversaries, has now scored 10 goals in his last 17 Champions League appearances.
Keane could have been awarded a penalty when, accepting Albert Riera's pass inside the area, his standing leg was caught by Carlos Salcido. Perhaps it was typical of the Irishman's luck until then that referee Felix Brych, officiating his first Champions League match, waved away his appeals.
But his time would shortly come. Torres again exposed Brechet's excuse for marking, sending a free header wide from Fabio Aurelio's left-wing corner. Enter Keane. Kuyt, busying himself as ever, slipped the ball wide to Torres, whose clever turn lost Salcido and allowed space to curl in a low cross that Keane, moving away from Dirk Marcellis, met with a swivelled volley.
Unsurprisingly, the hapless Brechet was sacrificed at half-time as PSV sought a more attacking approach.
The visitors enjoyed greater possession after the break but, the ambitious shooting of Nordin Amrabat apart, there was little real threat - Pepe Reina once again a spectator.
Keane created the opener for Fernando Torres at Goodison on Saturday, and the Spaniard returned the compliment with an excellent low cross that the Irishman swivelled to volley beyond PSV goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. Cue relief around Anfield and a delighted Keane reviving the trademark somersault celebration.
Isaksson had conceded eight goals on his last competitive outing in England while playing for Manchester City at Middlesbrough in May. Liverpool settled for three last night, but such was their dominance that it could easily have been more had they moved out of second gear.
Benitez's players have clearly heeded the warnings of last year when a poor start to their European campaign required a rescue act that had a debilitating effect on their domestic ambitions. Indeed, with Atletico Madrid having beaten Marseille in the night's other Group D game, it's likely only two more victories will be required to ensure progress to the knockout stages.
Keane had been a member of the Spurs team that were eliminated by PSV in the Uefa Cup last season. But from the instant Dirk Kuyt gave the home side a fourth minute lead with their 100th European goal under Benitez, Liverpool's unbeaten start to the campaign was never threatened.
There was also a landmark last night for Jamie Carragher, whose outing was the 534th of his Anfield career, to move him into the top 10 of all-time appearances for Liverpool alongside Billy Liddell. Confidence high after the weekend defeat of Everton, Benitez made just the one change with Fabio Aurelio replacing the benched Andrea Dossena.
Having seen his team thumped 3-0 at home by Atletico in their opening group game, PSV coach Huub Stevens threw five across a defence that included former Reds right-back Jan Kromkamp in an attempt to stifle the hosts.
That tactic worked for all of four minutes as Benitez's side went ahead from, of all things, a corner. It was poor marking from PSV's Jeremie Brechet, brought into the side specifically to shore up the defence, who allowed Fernando Torres a free header from Gerrard's right-wing delivery that was brilliantly parried by Isaksson. The keeper, though partially unsighted by Dirk Marcellis, should then have done better with Kuyt's follow-up which flew into the top corner off his body.
Kuyt, a former Feyenoord player clearly revelling against his old Dutch adversaries, has now scored 10 goals in his last 17 Champions League appearances.
Keane could have been awarded a penalty when, accepting Albert Riera's pass inside the area, his standing leg was caught by Carlos Salcido. Perhaps it was typical of the Irishman's luck until then that referee Felix Brych, officiating his first Champions League match, waved away his appeals.
But his time would shortly come. Torres again exposed Brechet's excuse for marking, sending a free header wide from Fabio Aurelio's left-wing corner. Enter Keane. Kuyt, busying himself as ever, slipped the ball wide to Torres, whose clever turn lost Salcido and allowed space to curl in a low cross that Keane, moving away from Dirk Marcellis, met with a swivelled volley.
Unsurprisingly, the hapless Brechet was sacrificed at half-time as PSV sought a more attacking approach.
The visitors enjoyed greater possession after the break but, the ambitious shooting of Nordin Amrabat apart, there was little real threat - Pepe Reina once again a spectator.
Kromkamp must have thought he was still playing for Liverpool when his woeful backpass put Torres clear midway through the second half. But the Spaniard, who spent much of the evening struggling to keep his footing, clipped his shot wide.
Torres was on the deck again on 76 minutes, this time having been felled by Dirk Marcellis 25 yards out. PSV were made to pay for that indiscretion, Aurelio rolling the free-kick to Gerrard who thrashed a rising drive past Isaksson and set off in celebration.
Torres was on the deck again on 76 minutes, this time having been felled by Dirk Marcellis 25 yards out. PSV were made to pay for that indiscretion, Aurelio rolling the free-kick to Gerrard who thrashed a rising drive past Isaksson and set off in celebration.
Liverpool had become increasingly lackadaisical in their play during the second half, and that complacency ultimately cost them a goal two minutes later when substitute Danny Koevermans nipped in ahead of Martin Skrtel to score.
That, though, couldn't take the shine on a memorable night for Gerrard and Keane.
That, though, couldn't take the shine on a memorable night for Gerrard and Keane.
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