Video courtesy of HDGoals07
Liverpool’s loanees have been off to a flying start this season. Divock Origi is off the mark for Lille, Joao Carlos Teixeira bagged his second in as many matches for Brighton and Hove Albion and now Luis Alberto, spending the season on loan at La Liga side Malaga, has found the net as well.
Former Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz latched onto a poor back-pass from Athletic Bilbao defender Carlos Gurpegui before being fouled in the area by ‘keeper Gorka Iraizoz to set up the penalty. Although his initial spot-kick was saved, Alberto followed up the rebound to poke home the opening goal of the La Liga season.
“We weren’t brilliant, just efficient,” said Malaga manager Javi Gracia following the win. “We didn’t have possession of the ball, it was theirs. But I think that through 96 minutes we played defence well. We played the last minutes in disadvantage and we kept fighting.”
Despite his obvious talents, Alberto found first team football hard to come by at Anfield last season following his summer move from Sevilla. Hopefully a season in Spain will help rejuvenate him — so far it appears to be working.
