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