Aug 12 2009 By Matthew Leslie, Daily Record
CHRIS ERSKINE'S second half strike earned Thistle a draw against an under-strength Liverpool side.
The Reds came up the M6 to play their part in honouring Jags stalwart Alan Archibald in his testimonial.
Sadly - no doubt down to the Premiership season kicking off this weekend - Liverpool left their big names at home fielding a squad full of youth and reserve players.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez had a year ago expressed disatisfaction with the lack of young talent breaking through which led to the controversial departure of youth director (and former Anfield favourite) Steve Highway with the legendary Kenny Dalglish assuming the role last month.
It would appear that King Kenny has his work cut out with only a handful of this crop of youngsters impressing at Firhill.
Take nothing away from Thistle. They hustled, harried and made sure that Reds keeper Dean Bouzanis was busier than Jags opposite Craig Hincliffe.
Chances though were hard to come by and the first meaningful strike came in 28 minutes when David Rowson's rasping drive was spilled by Bouzanis only for the Reds defence to clear their lines.
A minute later, the Anfield stopper redeemed himself when he brialliantly tipped over Erskine's thunderbolt.
Liverpool gradually got into the game with striker Daniel Pachecho pulling the strings.
Out of the bunch, Pachecho was one player on show who looked like he could figure in Benitez's plans in the near future - which was probably why he was given the famous number seven shirt adorned by such Anfield greats like Dalglish and Kevin Keegan.
It was Pachecho who played a hand in Liverpool's opener.
Liverpool were awarded a free-kick on the left-hand corner of the box in 41 minutes and Pachecho flighted in a perfect ball to pick out Eccleston who bulleted home a header past Hinchcliffe.
The visitors took heart from this and proceeded to impose themselves early in the second half with Gerado Bruna firing just wide in 52 minutes.
Thistle were still fighting hard and Erskine saw his low drive tipped round the post by Bouzanis.
Liverpool cleared their lines from the resulting corner and nearly extended their lead seconds later when they broke up the park only for Hinchcliffe to deny Ryan Crowther from long-range.
Partick kept plugging away and were rewarded when Rowson's clever through-ball split the Liverpool defence allowing Erskine to fire home from a tight angle in 76 minutes.
Soon after, Erskine nearly gave Thistle the lead only to be superbly denied by Bouzanis.
Liverpool finished strongly though and Partick had Hinchcliffe to thank as he twice denied Crowther late on.Archibald reappeared for the final few minutes but the game finished level. Jags boss Ian McCall said: "Alan has been a great servant and I am glad there was a good turnout for him."
