Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel made their Liverpool debuts in today’s fourth successive win for Liverpool – a 2-0 victory over Auxerre.
Yossi in particular had a great game – looking in excellent condition and with some neat intricate passing from the Liverpool midfield. Nabil El Zhar also performed well in the second half and received some positive words from Rafa Benitez:
“I thought El Zhar did a good job when he came on in the second half. Nabil is a player with pace and ability who wants to do well. He gave us fresh legs and I told him to try and change the game for us because everyone was feeling tired. I told him to try different things and try to score.
Liverpool’s goals arrived through Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger – a goal in each half. Fernando Torres came on during the second half. Nikolai Mihailov, the reds new 19 year old keeper from Bulgaria didn’t have a lot to do but starts his Anfield career with a clean sheet under his belt.
The Liverpool squad now travel to Hong Kong to play in the Barclays Asia Trophy, whilst a more inexperienced side travel to Peterborough for a friendly tomorrow.
Rafa said the side are looking forward to the next stage of pre-season:
“We now have a long trip to Hong Kong and two more matches but we are looking forward to it, because it is important for the club to go there and see the supporters.”
Teams
Liverpool: Mihaylov, Arbeloa, Carragher, Paletta, Finnan, Babel, Gerrard (captain), Hobbs, Benayoun, Voronin, Kuyt. Subs – Hyypia, Carson, Torres, El Zhar, Pennant, Darby, Reina, Alonso, Crouch, Agger, Riise
Auxerre: Sorin, Jaures, Marcos (captain), Mignot, Martin, Legage, Pedretti, Thomas, Kahlenberg, Maoulida, Jelen. Subs – Lejeune, Traore, Riou, Jasse, Genest, Niculae, Tamas
Referee: Hanni Nikolaj
Attendance: 5,833
Goals and Highlights
