Skrtel comes through practice game
Martin Skrtel has given Rafa Benitez a much needed injury boost ahead of the opening game of the season this weekend, by coming through a specially arranged practice match played at the Academy this morning. The big defender completed the full hour long game with Oldham Reserves without any problems, and looked comfortable throughout as the reds ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Lucas and Ayala.
With a number of players away on international duty, the reserves having played the night before, and the u18 squad out in Spain, Benitez only had nine outfield players available, plus two keepers. Fortunately he was able to draft in fit again Adam Pepper, who had missed the u18's trip to Spain as he was recovering from injury.
(Looks like he means business)
Liverpool lined up with Cavalieri in goal, Spearing and Insua as the full backs with Ayala and Skrtel in the middle. Plessis and San Jose were the holding midfielders, with Pepper and Dossena on the flanks and Lucas playing behind Voronin.
Lucas opened the scoring midway through the first half when he finished smartly after being put clean through by an excellent reverse pass from San Jose. Pepper almost added a second with a clever lob from 25 yards after being picked out by a great ball from Lucas.
Dave Martin replaced Cavalieri for the second half, but neither keeper had anything to do as Oldham found it difficult getting anything out of the reds backline, which included Dossena after the break as he and Insua switched positions for the second period.
Ayala scored a simple goal when he finished from close range after Plessis had flicked on a floated free-kick from Voronin, and Lucas should have made it 3-0, but miskicked from six yards after some brilliant set up play on the right by Spearing.
Team: Cavalieri (Martin); Spearing, Ayala, Skrtel, Insua; San Jose, Plessis; Pepper, Lucas, Dossena; Voronin
Source: TLW
Martin Skrtel has given Rafa Benitez a much needed injury boost ahead of the opening game of the season this weekend, by coming through a specially arranged practice match played at the Academy this morning. The big defender completed the full hour long game with Oldham Reserves without any problems, and looked comfortable throughout as the reds ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Lucas and Ayala.
With a number of players away on international duty, the reserves having played the night before, and the u18 squad out in Spain, Benitez only had nine outfield players available, plus two keepers. Fortunately he was able to draft in fit again Adam Pepper, who had missed the u18's trip to Spain as he was recovering from injury.
(Looks like he means business)
Liverpool lined up with Cavalieri in goal, Spearing and Insua as the full backs with Ayala and Skrtel in the middle. Plessis and San Jose were the holding midfielders, with Pepper and Dossena on the flanks and Lucas playing behind Voronin.
Lucas opened the scoring midway through the first half when he finished smartly after being put clean through by an excellent reverse pass from San Jose. Pepper almost added a second with a clever lob from 25 yards after being picked out by a great ball from Lucas.
Dave Martin replaced Cavalieri for the second half, but neither keeper had anything to do as Oldham found it difficult getting anything out of the reds backline, which included Dossena after the break as he and Insua switched positions for the second period.
Ayala scored a simple goal when he finished from close range after Plessis had flicked on a floated free-kick from Voronin, and Lucas should have made it 3-0, but miskicked from six yards after some brilliant set up play on the right by Spearing.
Team: Cavalieri (Martin); Spearing, Ayala, Skrtel, Insua; San Jose, Plessis; Pepper, Lucas, Dossena; Voronin
Source: TLW
