Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick as the European champions opened their title defence with a comfortable 3-0 win over Welsh underdogs Total Network Solutions on Wednesday.

Gerrard, playing the week after committing his future to his boyhood club by signing a new contract, struck twice in the first half and again in the 90th minute of the Champions League first qualifying round, first leg at Anfield.

Liverpool were allowed to defend their trophy, won against AC Milan in a penalty shootout in May, after European soccer's governing body UEFA [Images] made the unprecedented move of giving England [Images] a fifth place in the competition.

Ireland's Shelbourne beat Glentoran of Northern Ireland 2-1 away in a game which passed off without the trouble, some feared might be sparked during Northern Ireland's marching season.

Liverpool, who were made to work by the Welsh champions, are likely to play FBK Kaunas in the second qualifying round after the Lithuanians won 4-2 at HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands.

Gerrard, who has turned down a move to Premier League champions Chelsea to stay at Liverpool, said he had not set out to prove anything to the Anfield faithful on Wednesday.

Also Read Chelsea hungry to improve: Mourinho Essien staying at Lyon for now Liverpool abandon Figo plans A C Milan second string to play in India Gerrard, Carragher sign new Liverpool deals

"The fans know what I can do and they know what I'm going to do," the Merseysider told ITV television.

"But I have to keep proving things to myself. I want to keep learning, I want to keep being successful...and I'm proud to carry on being captain of Liverpool."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "He's scored three goals, played well and he's our captain. We always said we wanted to re-build a team around him."

The second leg will be played next Tuesday at Wrexham because TNS's own ground in the village of Llantsantffraid does not meet UEFA requirements.

The group stage of the money-spinning competition starts in September, with the final being held in Paris on May 17, 2006.

• Complete football coverage