New Delhi: Liverpool's first away fixture of their 2009/10 Champions League campaign ended in misery after they lost 2-0 to Italian outfit Fiorentina on Tuesday evening.
The Reds were unbeaten on their travels in Europe's elite competition last season but 19-year-old striker Stevan Jovetic put paid to their chances of repeating that feat with a first half brace.
The Montenegro international striker, selected in place of the suspended Alberto Gilardino, gave the Viola the lead in the 28th minute when he got on the end of a Cristiano Zanetti pass and slid the ball past Pepe Reina.
Nine minutes later, Rafa Benitez's side found themselves 2-0 down when Jovetic deflected a Juan Manuel Vargas shot past Reina, effectively sealing the home side's first three points in the competition this year.
Liverpool piled the pressure on Fiorentina in the second half as they looked to get something out of the game.
A well-hit Yossi Benayoun shot was parried by Sebastien Frey in the Gigliati goal, gifting the away side a corner kick. However, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva failed to make the most of the set-piece, heading over the bar from six yards.
Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard saw efforts on goal thwarted as the five-time European Cup winners desperately sought to beat Frey.
But Liverpool's luck seemed to be out with Fernando Torres having an appeal for a penalty waved away following a collision with Alessandro Gamberini.
The Spanish international forward was off target when he connected with a Martin Skrtel cross to volley over and Fiorentina held firm to collect their first three points in this season's Champions League.
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