MATCH REPORT

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez unveiled two more South Americans but it was Craig Lindfield, a teenager from the Wirral, who made his mark on his debut for the Anfield club.

Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez both got their first taste of English football, with variable success. Aurelio looked a tidy, neat left sided player but winger Gonzalez looked to be trying too hard and flying runs down the left produced little.

Liverpool made eight second-half changes, including Craig Bellamy coming on, but it was 17-year-old Lindfield who grabbed what turned out to be an excellent winner after just 13 minutes of this friendly at Gresty Road.

Robbie Fowler, who produced a fine cameo of football intelligence, created the chance for his young sidekick to blast home from 12 yards.

With Liverpool seemingly having lost out on Damien Duff, having reportedly agreed a £10million fee late in the week only for the Irishman to opt for a £60,000-a-week pay packet on Tyneside, Benitez tried the likes of Paul Anderson and Darren Potter on his troublesome right flank but it is believed he will try again for Birmingham's Jermaine Pennant next week.

The second period saw Gonzalez's only real input being a header off the line from Julien Baudet, as Liverpool toiled to add further goals.

But they had to make do with one from Lindfield - top scorer in the youth team last season and a star of the FA Youth Cup triumph - who benefited greatly from Fowler's quality.

Fowler showed what value he can be for the coming season with a 45 minutes spent setting up the youngster with neat flicks, measured passes and clever distribution.

It worked when Bolo Zenden's long pass was met with a perfect Fowler back heel in the box for Lindfield to crack into the top corner from 12 yards.

Aurelio fired over when Fowler put him clear and Lindfield forced Ben Williams into two fine saves.

Throughout Crewe produced their brand of passing football and Welsh international David Vaughan could have scored with a first time connection on a Jon Otsemobor cross.

Paul Walker, PA

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MEDIA/PRESS REPORTS

BBC Sport

Liverpool edge out battling Crewe

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