|
|
|
 |
 |
| Ngog brace gives Liverpool win |
 |
David Ngog struck twice as Roy Hodgson began his reign as Liverpool manager with a comfortable victory from a potentially tricky Europa League test tonight.
The Frenchman found the net in each half as an under-strength Liverpool side overcame FK Rabotnicki with little alarm in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie in Macedonia.
With 17 days still to go before their Premier League opener, Liverpool were without 10 of their World Cup players but their blend of youth and experience coped well in a game of little drama. Hodgson's decision to leave behind the likes of Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole was fully vindicated.
Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Alberto Aquilani, Lucas and Ngog were the established players to start, while new signing Milan Jovanovic was handed his debut alongside David Amoo, making his first senior appearance.
Diego Cavalieri, Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing made up the team but it was a sign of the times that the side on show at the Philip II Stadium - an old arena halfway through an impressive rebuild - was still worth £41million.
Liverpool, playing in black, began with Aquilani operating in an advanced role behind Ngog on a balmy evening in sweltering Skopje.
Rabotnicki had the first opportunity but Ze Carlos' optimistic shot from a 40-yard free-kick was blocked by Lucas.
Wandeir dos Santos attempted to beat Kelly on the left but the young right-back stood up well.
Liverpool's first serious chance came when Kyrgiakos headed wide from an Aquilani corner.
The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Ngog raced through a static Rabotnicki defence to reach a Lucas free-kick. The Frenchman ran into the box unchallenged and clipped the ball past a half-hearted attempt at a save from Martin Bogatinov.
Brazil-born Ze Carlos found space as Rabotnicki tried to respond but shot tamely at Cavalieri from distance. Vladimir Tuneski also tried his luck from the edge of the box but fired wide.
Amoo made his first dangerous run after switching from the right to the left wing as half-time approached. He reached the byline and pulled the ball back across goal but Jovanovic was unable to get around a defender to reach it.
Amoo showed a glimpse of his potential early in the second half as he set off on a run down the right after a neat turn on halfway. The 19-year-old Londoner cut inside to beat one man and then went outside another but his cross was too long.
Another good run by Amoo created an opening for Lucas but the Brazilian's touch let him down.
Liverpool were almost caught out as Dos Santos ran onto a long ball into the box but he lost balance and Cavalieri gathered.
Liverpool countered through Jovanovic but Aquilani could not control and Lucas shot over. Dos Santos had another chance for the hosts but missed the target from the edge of the box.
Liverpool doubled their advantage just before the hour as Ngog volleyed in a fine second. Kelly found space on the right and whipped in a ball which the striker nimbly turned in.
Kelly worried Rabotnicki with another good run but his cross was deflected and Bogatinov claimed.
The referee played on when half of the floodlights went out with 10 minutes remaining and any fears the game might be abandoned were quickly dispelled as some of the failed power was quickly restored.
Many Rabotnicki fans knew the game was over, however, and had left long before the final whistle. And a lot of those that remained seemed to have had enough as they tried to fool the players by blowing for time with their own whistles.
Liverpool eased to walking pace and the real final whistle eventually came to signal a winning start to the Hodgson era.
# Hodgson satisfied with win
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson felt his young team acquitted themselves well after coming through a potentially tricky Europa League test in Macedonia.
''I am very satisfied,'' Hodgson said. ''It was a game that could have been very difficult for us. It was a big crowd and some of our players that played are not used to big crowds.
''I was really pleased with the way everyone went about their business and we can go back to Anfield with a margin of victory which will enable us to feel a little more comfortable.''
Rabotnicki coach Zoran Stratev felt his players had given their all but were perhaps intimidated by the reputation of Liverpool.
Stratev said: ''Our players gave their maximum. They were very good at times, especially in the first 15 minutes, but I think they were scared by the name of Liverpool.
''But I don't have any complaint about our players. They played as well as they could but we know Liverpool are a better team than us. Now we have the return match next week and we know our chances will be minimal. Liverpool came with their second team but they are all still good players.'' |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
