SK Brann: Bahus, Paldan, Eltevaag, Ludvigsen,
Pedersen, Skjaelaaen, Hasund, Helland, Moen (Mjelde 45),
Gylfason, Flo.
Subs Not Used: Hollund, Norebo, Johannessen, Tenden.
Goals: Hasund 47.
Liverpool: James, Matteo, Bjornebye, Harkness, Ruddock,
McAteer,McManaman, Berger, Fowler, Barnes, Redknapp.
Subs Not Used: Collymore, Warner, Kennedy, Babb, Jones.
Booked: Ruddock, Harkness, Bjornebye.
Goals: Fowler 10.
Att: 12,700
Ref: N Levnikov (Russia).
From Ken Gaunt, PA Sport, Bergen
Liverpool took a tentative step towards the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup tonight with a fully professional performance in Norway tonight. A magnificent goal from Robbie Fowler after just ten minutes put them in the driving seat in this quarter-final first leg match. The home crowd were stunned into silence but Brann, who have not been involved in a competitive match for four months, equalised two minutes after half-time through Geir Hasund.
Liverpool keeper David James made a magnificent block from Tore Andre Flo ten minutes from time, but Liverpool will now go into the second leg in two weeks' time in good heart after another fighting away performance. The Cup Winners' Cup is the one European trophy Liverpool have not won, but manager Roy Evans was forced to make two changes to the side that lost to Aston Villa on Sunday as Mark Wright was suffering from a groin strain and Bjorn Tore Kvarme was ineligible. Evans also recalled Patrick Berger to the starting line-up, in a role just behind Robbie Fowler, with Stan Collymore relegated to the bench.
Brann, who knocked out PSV Eindhoven in the last round, almost got off to a stunning start after just 58 seconds when Flo got round keeper David James only for Neil Ruddock, replacing Wright, to get back in and clear. Steve Harkness was playing his first game since last Easter after breaking a leg against Coventry and he was impressive at the heart of the Liverpool defence as the dangerous Flo began to make his mark. But Liverpool made the breakthrough after just ten minutes with a wonderful flowing move, started by Ruddock. He found Stig Bjornebye who headed the ball on to Fowler. The striker cheekily flicked the ball over Erik Skjaelaaen before thumping the ball home for his 22nd goal of the season and arguably his best of the campaign so far.
Berger then got clear after Stefan Paldan lost his bearings as he attempted to head back to keeper Vidar Bahus, but the Czech Republic star could only steer the ball into the side netting. Then Flo, who has been tracked by a number of top European clubs, fired the ball into the crowd when well-placed after a long ball from Skjaelaaen. Liverpool continued to play the game at their own pace but the arrival of Mons Ivar Mjelde at the start of the second-half gave the home side the lift they were looking for. He was narrowly off-target with a close range effort a minute after half-time, but only 60 seconds later Hasund scored a goal out of nothing. There seemed little danger when he picked the ball out in the penalty area but he swung his right boot at the ball to deliver a stunning shot beyond keeper James.
Liverpool almost regained their lead in the 56th minute when John Barnes released Robbie Fowler. He tried an outrageous chip from 20 yards, yet the ball struck the top of the bar leaving the Liverpool striker shaking his head in frustration. Berger, who struggled to make an impact, again got clear only to send a shot into the crowd as he tried to curl the ball beyond keeper Bahus. There was another scare for Liverpool when James spilled a shot by Mjelde, but to the travelling supporters' relief he managed to scramble the ball to safety at the second attempt. The keeper again saved Liverpool from probable defeat when Flo was clean through after a long kick by Bahus. James stood up and blocked his effort to the home crowd's astonishment as Liverpool left for home satisfied they had at least got the vital away goal they had wanted.
Roy Evans breathed a sigh of relief tonight as Liverpool secured a 1-1 draw from their Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final first leg against SK Brann in Norway. Robbie Fowler got the Premiership high-flyers off to a great start with a wonder goal after nine minutes. But Geir Hasund equalised two minutes after half-time to give the Norwegians a glimmer of hope when they come to Anfield in the return leg in two weeks' time. Brann knocked out PSV Eindhoven in the last round and Evans said: "As we predicted, it was a tough old game. They said they would make it difficult and they did. "We cooled after a good opening, but overall I was happy with the result. It was a truly great goal by Robbie Fowler. It's nice to see one go in for a change. "It's nice to have the away goal, but it's not over yet. They are one tough team -- their record speaks for itself."
Brann striker Tore Andre Flo almost grabbed a winner with five minutes to go, but he was denied by keeper David James. Flo is being tracked by a number of clubs, including Liverpool, and Evans was impressed by his performance. He said: "Flo played well, but it was a team effort by Brann. It would be unfair to comment on any speculation surrounding him between ties." James played down his part in Liverpool's success, saying: "It was my one and only save, but of course I am happy. "Some people are under the misapprehension that these games are easy. But we know that any team in the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup must have something about them." Fowler's goal will surely become a candidate for one of the strikes of the season. Stig Bjornebye headed the ball into his path, but there was still a good deal of work to be done. He flicked the ball over the head of Erik Skjaelaaen before thundering an unstoppable shot past keeper Vidar Bahus. Tonight's draw means that Liverpool remain unbeaten away this season in Europe after victories against My-Pa of Finland and Sion of Switzerland. The Cup Winners' Cup is the only European competition the club have not won and Anfield is certain to be filled to capacity in a fortnight for Brann's visit.