LIVERPOOL, England: Claudio Ranieri asked Chelsea's fans to give his expensively assembled team time to blend despite recording a rare 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday.

Substitute Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored the winner in a 2-1 victory 3 minutes from time after Michael Owen's twice-taken penalty cancelled out Juan Sebastian Veron's first-half opening goal.

It was the first time Liverpool had lost their opening game at home since 1962 and only Chelsea's third victory at Anfield since World War II.

"The team isn't a team yet and that's okay. It will be slowly, slowly for us. That is normal when you change a lot of players and new players arrive," Ranieri told reporters.

"Playing your first match at Liverpool isn't easy but this win is important and it gives us a lot of confidence," the Italian said.

"We made mistakes because, for my players, everything is new. But I was very pleased because the old players showed the same character as the new players."

Despite Chelsea spending ?0 million (US$112 million) in the off-season transfer market, it was one of the old boys, Hasselbaink, who took the plaudits.

Reports had speculated the striker was unwanted at Stamford Bridge after he was an unused substitute in the Champions League qualifier at Zilina in Slovakia in midweek so he would not be ineligible if he changed clubs.

But Ranieri insisted that Hasselbaink, who replaced Eidur Gudjohnsen at half-time, did not have to prove his worth to the Chelsea manager.

"I have never said I wanted Jimmy out," Ranieri said. "I said I would like 22 champions because, when I have problems, I have another champion to put in the team.

"For me, this doesn't change anything. I made the change at half-time because we played in Zilina three days ago and I was sure Jimmy was very powerful."

Retaken penalty

Ranieri made his customary tactical changes throughout the match, with the first bringing a goal within seconds as Jesper Gronkjaer switched wings and pulled the ball back for Veron to score.

"I spoke to the players before the game and told them to be careful because I am the tinker man. I can switch everything."

Australian striker Harry Kewell failed to inspire Liverpool to victory on his debut even though Gerard Houllier's men were helped by a linesman.

England's Michael Owen missed from the penalty spot after Wayne Bridge had fouled El-Hadji Diouf, only for the referee to order the spot kick to be retaken after his linesman noticed goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini moving forward too early.

Match officials have been told to keep an eye on the movement of goalkeepers at penalties this season.

Agencies via Xinhua

(China Daily 08/19/2003 page8)