Owen thrilled - but not as much as Smicer!!

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Heskey 31
Sattabout 45(first half injury time)
Smicer 45
Smicer 65

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Vladimir Smicer responded to the signing of Harry Kewell by scoring twice as Liverpool cruised to victory over Thailand in Bangkok.

The Czech international's standing at Anfield is under threat following the signing of Kewell but he gave manager Gerard Houllier food for thought, albeit against inferior opposition.

Houllier continued with his pre-season ploy of fielding different teams in each half but they were rarely troubled by the locals in a packed and noisy Rajamangala Stadium.

Michael Owen began the game as captain in a first-half line-up that saw emerging French talent Anthony Le Tallec given his first start following his move from Le Havre.

Emile Heskey put Liverpool ahead with his second goal of the pre-season after a closely contested opening 31 minutes, slotting the ball home following good work by Dietmar Hamann.

The England striker picked the ball up inside the area and confidently tucked the ball home with a neat left-footed finish.

Thailand equalised just before half-time and before the referee Panya Hanlumyuang allowed over 10 minutes of stoppage time despite the fact that no player had required any treatment.

Liverpool regained the lead just 30 seconds into the second half when Milan Baros powered forward down the right hand side and his cross was struck home by Smicer who was unmarked 12 yards from goal.

Neil Mellor had a shot cleared off the line and Baros and Murphy also went close before Smicer added his second after he was picked out by a John Arne Riise centre.

» Teams

Thailand: Rawangpa, Jidsawad, Boriban, Nusarung,Punpee, , Sattabout, Dumrong-ongtrakul, Singthong, Chalermsan, Chaikumdee, Thongmaen

Liverpool: Kirkland, Carragher, Henchoz, Traore, Vignal, Hamann, Diouf, Cheyrou, Le Tallec, Owen, Heskey
Second half XI: Babbel, Biscan, Hyypia, Riise, Pongolle, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer, Baros, Mellor, Luzi

Att: 50,000

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