Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 2nd August 2008
Ibrox, Glasgow
Liverpool gave Rangers the difficult test that Walter Smith had wanted with a 4-0 hammering over last seasons UEFA Cup runners-up. Liverpool’s new boy David N’Gog got his first Liverpool goal after Torres had chipped in with his first goal of the new pre-season.
Benitez started with the new pairing of Keane and Torres up front, but Rangers did have the best of the early chances and Diego Cavalieri had a little bit to do in the reds goal.
As the half wore on the reds took control, Torres could only head over after a well angled cross from Dossena.
Mid way through the first half and Plessis, getting a decent run out in these friendlies, had a shot blocked and it was left to Torres to mop up the rebound.
Rangers did have an opportunity to equalise, Cavalieri was nearly clevely chipped but managed to get a last ditch hand to the ball and tip it over the bar.
Torres was one of five reds to be substituted at half time, but that was where the good news ended for Rangers.
David N’Gog, the reds new French striker, grabbed his first Liverpool goal in the 57th minute from 12 yards out with a classic poachers goal. Nemeth was also on the field causing Rangers problems, and when his shot couldn’t be controlled it was Yossi Benayoun who put the ball away only minutes later to make it 3-0.
Nemeth was later fouled in the box and it was left to Xabi Alonso to step up and fire the penalty home. Many of the Rangers fans had had enough by now and some disappeared down the exits. The reds would enjoy their trip back down to Liverpool.
Goals
Torres 23, N’Gog 57, Benayoun 60, Alonso pen 70
Teams
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Cavalieri, Dossena, Skrtel, Keane, Gerrard, Torres, Plessis, Benayoun, Arbeloa, Kuyt, Carragher. Subs: Reina, Hyypia, Agger, Darby, Alonso, Pennant, Spearing, Meneth, Ngog, Insua.
RANGERS: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Hemdani, Thomson, Novo, McCulloch, Miller, Broadfoot, Lafferty, Whittaker. Subs: Alexander, Boyd, Adam, Darcheville, Webster, Dailly, Bougherra, Velicka, Furman.
ATT: 50,233
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posted on August 3rd, 2008 at [10:11] [Link to this comment]
Does any one think Cavalieri should be or number 1 goalkeeper instead of Reina?
posted on August 4th, 2008 at [12:44] [Link to this comment]
we were totally outclassed by the reds and as a gers fan i have to admit that we are way behind in quality . A great day though and it was good to see the gers fans applaud torres and carragher as they jogged round the track at half time. sorry that robbie keane got booed but he will do the biz for you next season i’m sure. will wear my gers/lfc scarf with pride next season.
posted on August 4th, 2008 at [15:25] [Link to this comment]
Can’t believe you’ve actually asked that Conor !! Winner of the ‘Golden Glove’ award on three occasions and broke Ray Clemences ‘clean sheet’ record, come on now
Cavalieri is making excellent progress so far and is deffo one for the future, but as for replacing Pepe, no way Jose !!
posted on August 4th, 2008 at [16:35] [Link to this comment]
No, I don’t think so. Reina has earned his number one spot as he is possibly the best keeper in the league. However, Cavalieri has shown over pre-season that he seems to be a good buy and is a very good quality second keeper.
posted on August 6th, 2008 at [13:40] [Link to this comment]
i am so happy from fernando and Ngog’s goals viva liverpool YNWA
posted on August 10th, 2008 at [16:03] [Link to this comment]
David N’Gog looks like a very good buy and at 1.5 million very good value for money. At the moment Liverpool have a very strong strike force . There’s Torres, Keane , Kuyt, Voronin and N’Gog. There’s also nemeth and pacchecco but their not ready for the first team.
posted on August 11th, 2008 at [20:56] [Link to this comment]
David ngog looks like a very promising player and should get a lot of games and score a lot of goals with fernando torres and keane with him
posted on August 13th, 2008 at [13:50] [Link to this comment]
I agree that ngog looks a promising young player, but definitely one for the future. Still got to be keane and El Niño up front with Babel, and possibly give Voronin a good run after his promising pe-season and as he was injury hit last season. It is the defence i am more concerned with. as we donot seem to have much quality cover if the regular defenders are missing. Midfield looks very good, particularly if Alonso stays, but a shame we missed out on Barry (left sided player for balance). Lets hope we get the flying start required against Sunderland on Saturday? El Tel Alicante Spain