Ben Sahar was keen to "focus on the future" after scoring twice for Espanyol in its 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday night in a game that marked the opening of the Spanish side's new stadium in Cornella del Llobregat near Barcelona.
The 20-year-old Israeli, who was signed by Chelsea in 2006, moved to Spain for an reported one million euros in June after failing to make an impression in London and going out on-loan on four separate occasions.
However, he could not have dreamed of a better debut in front of the sell-out crowd at Espanyol's new 40,000-seater home, coming on as a substitute to score twice.
Sahar entered the match in the 60th minute and just two minutes later found the back of the net, sliding the ball under Liverpool 'keeper Jose Reina to double the lead Luis Garcia had given the Spanish team in the 20th minute.
Three minutes before the final whistle, Sahar pounced on Reina's rebound to score from close range to pile the misery on his Israel teammate Yossi Benayoun, who started the match for Liverpool and was substituted at the break.
"The stadium was full and it was a pleasure to play here," Sahar said after the match. "There was a great atmosphere and I'm obviously happy to score twice against a team like Liverpool. The coach and players congratulated me in the dressing room after the match, but I must focus on the future and hope to maintain this form. The most important thing is continuity."
| More about: | Yossi Benayoun, Liverpool F.C., Barcelona, RCD Espanyol |