Report by John Gallagher at the Racecourse Ground

The new European Champions kicked off what is going to be a hectic pre-season campaign in an entertaining game on a baking hot day.

This is the second year on the run we have been involved in a pre-season game with Wrexham and just like last year it was a good workout for our boys.

The pre match focus, yet again, was on our number eight who paraded the European Cup to our fans whilst Wrexham showed off the LDV Vans Trophy to their support.

Our number eight recieved a rapturous reception by the fans, although there were one or two boos around where I was sat.

We began the game with a strong line up with new boys Reina and Zenden starting in a 4-4-2 formation.

Wrexham took the lead early on as slack defending allowed Jones to take the ball around Reina and slot in to an empty net.

Morientes equalised shortly after after good work by Potter on the right. Nando needs a good pre-season behind him more than most of our players if we are to see the world class striker we bought in January producing his best this season.

He scored again later on in the first half with a good header following Gerrard's corner. He looked class throughout with his link up play really catching the eye, especially with Gerrard who was powering forward from midfield.

Even Didi God love him was getting up and down the pitch and will again be a vital player for us this season.

Zenden looked decent on the left and didn't seem to have a problem tracking back and helping Warnock out, unlike a certain Australian number seven I could mention.

Zenden will be a decent signing for us I feel. He won't set the world alight but he won't let us down on a regular basis like Kewell has done, and he won't need time to settle into the English game which is another plus.

It was hard to judge Reina as he hardly had anything to do but hopefully we have signed a gem. We'll find out in due course.

The highlight of the first half was when the subs were warming up on the touchline in front of the fans, The 'Luis Garcia Sangria' song got loads of airings, which our little number ten loved and was dancing along to.

We made several changes in the second half with Istanbul heroes Josemi (ONLY JOKING!!!) Jerzy, Xabi, Riise, Baros and Garcia all getting a run out. A few of the kids got on as well, with Whitbread, Welsh and Le Tallec coming on at the interval and Raven coming on later for Finnan.

Two very well taken from Baros put us 4-1 up, and Milan looked very sharp throughout. It will be interesting to see how his future pans out over the next few weeks with the imminent arrival of Crouchy.

Wrexham scored two late consolation goals as our players took their foot off the gas - and because Josemi was playing centre half. Hopefully some shit Spanish team can come in soon and take him off our hands, as Raven and Barragan will surely be better back-up to Finnan than that dead-beat.

I like Wrexham's ground in the nice hot weather, but thankfully I can't get to the reserve games, as Dave tells me it is an awful place come in the winter months in front of a couple of hundred people.

Overall this will have done our players good especially with the hot weather, as it will improve the players fitness for what will be a long hard season.

 

Team: Reina (Dudek); Finnan (Raven), Carragher (Josemi), Hyypia (Whitbread), Warnock; Potter (Garcia), Gerrard (Welsh) Hamann (Alonso), Zenden (Riise); Cisse (Le Tallec), Morientes (Baros):

Agree or disagree? Email me at johng@liverpoolway.co.uk

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