Pre Season Friendly
Tuesday 5th August 2008 @ 6.30pm
Oslo
Liverpool once again maintain their pre season winning streak in style and come away from Oslo with a 4-1 win against Valerenga.
The reds started the game a bit relaxed with Valerenga showing they weren’t just there to make up the numbers. But Liverpool soon got into their stride with some typical very good possesion – a factor that destroyed Rangers in the previous game.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a nice little lay off from Robbie Keane midway through the first half. He basically passed the ball into the net – something he’s quite good at if he can get up with the attack. Alonso has been very impressive this pre season and he made another strong point to Rafa Benitez with his goal and first half display, that he’s willing to work for the red shirt and play for his Liverpool future.
Valerenga levelled the scores early in the second half when Zajic took advantage of some sleepy defending. But he was practically just finishing celebrating his goal when Fernando Torres popped up with another piece of fast thinking to slot the ball in the net. He really is just too good.
Liverpool certainly stepped up a few gears after Torres got his goal and it led to some decent chances – Robbie Keane having one of them and just missing out, putting the ball across goal but going wide of the post. But it wasn’t long until Yossi Benayoun made one of those dangerous runs across the outside of the box with the ball, left a couple of defenders watching and unleash a lovely dipped shot over the keepers head into the corner of the net.
Then to round the game off in style as a few of our younger impressive reds replaced a few of the regular starters, David Ngog got on the end of a lovely little pass from Pacheco and slotted the ball into the net to get his second goal for Liverpool.
All in all, a very good workout for the squad amongst a lot of great support from our Norwegian reds and general comfortable win. The only downside was seeing our captain Steven Gerrard, having to request a sub due to another problem with his groin. Hopefully he can be fit for our up coming Champions League qualifier.
Goals
Alonso (19)
Teams
liverpool did well that day and didnt even have there first team out
Liverpool look the business but how many times in the past have we said that in pre-season friendlies? Torres is prure class, NGOG looks great actually the whole team looks good at the moment. I agree Barry is good but not worth £15 – £18 mil. Do we actually need any more midfielders with the way the team is playing. Come on guys make it the year we actually win the premiership. PS would love to have Silva and Vila in the team. Alonso should not be sold, stay were he belongs ANFIELD.
COME ON YOU REDS BRING IT HOME
l have to agree although l am not Alonso’s biggest fan, do we need Barry when we have loads of players in that position already and at £18 million he is too expensive for a 27year old. We need wingers, not central midfielders!
Don’t think rafa should sell xabi, he is world class. I also think n’gog should be given a first team chance. On the Barry saga, he is not worth £15m never mind £18m and if villa can not accept the offer rafa has made then i think we should be biding 4 silva. Think of it he is strong, got the pace and more over younger.