Rueters
Thursday, October 26, 2000; 4:59 PM

LIVERPOOL, England, Oct 26 – Emile Heskey smashed home an 87th minute goal to earn Liverpool a 1-0 home victory over Czech outsiders Slovan Liberec in their UEFA Cup second round, first leg match on Thursday.

Heskey, who has now scored five goals in three games, reacted sharply after substitute Nick Barmby's shot was blocked.

The goal came as a huge relief to the Anfield fans who had endured a painful night of soccer with barely a chance to cheer as Liverpool failed to get the better of a fairly ordinary Slovan side.

The best opportunity came in the 54th minute when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Jiri Stajner was harshly judged to have knocked over Dietmar Hamann.

But Robbie Fowler, without a club goal since December, blazed the spot kick over the bar.