The first pre-season game has finally kick start Liverpool's season. St Gallen didn't show Liverpool any respect and took the game to them. St Gallen had already started their season last week with a 2-0 victory over FC Basel and you can easily see the difference in the fitness levels of both teams. Liverpool was trying to find their rhythm, especially with so many youngsters mixing it around with the seniors. The Spaniards were still on holiday and will join up for the next friendly game. St Gallen had 2 genuine chances in the 1st half while Liverpool looks likely to score through Babel and Nemeth. The 2nd half was mostly played in the center of the park but Benayoun had 2 very good chances to score from long range. So in the end, 0-0 was a fair reflection of the game.
Liverpool's 1st half team line-up and my verdict on their performances :
Cavalieri : 5/10. Do not look comfortable coming out to collect crosses. First game blues? Oh well, doesn't really matter how he plays as he will again be Reina's deputy for the coming season.
Degen : 7/10. Good to see him back and he show he meant business with some hard tackles which earned the boos from the stands.
San Jose : 4/10. Does not look comfortable, was left stranded for dead by the St Gallen's attacker.
Carragher : 8/10. A last ditch tackle (Yes, once again!) that saves a possible St Gallen's goal. Was sound and composed.
Insua : 6/10. Probably a little bit over zealous about joining the attack and at times, was exposed. But generally, this little fellow looks up for the robust challenges in the BPL.
Spearing : 8/10. Played it simple and cleverly. Wasn't afraid to shoot from distance.
Gerrard : 7/10. Was the driving force behind most of the Reds' attacking play. Wasn't going all out for the tackles but then again, for what, this is only pre-season!
Babel : 7/10. His control seems to have improved and I thought he looked confident in trying to beat his markers.
El Zhar : 6/10. Had a quiet game. His crosses did not find any targets but you can see he was trying hard.
Voronin : 7/10. He was doing one-twos, laying off passes and shielding the ball well. Had a good game.
Nemeth : 6/10. Had a one-on-one chance to score but was out-muscled before his weak effort was thwarted by the St Gallen's custodian.
Liverpool's 2nd half team line-up and my verdict on their performances :
Martin : 6/10. Didn't have much to do as St Gallen did not pose a attacking threat.
Darby : 7/10. Had a solid game, didn't let his nemesis get pass him.
Srktel : 7/10. Did his job professionally and was at his usual tough self.
Kelly : 6/10. Did not have much to do.
Johnson : 8/10. Could have score from 12 yards out after a nice 0ne-two. He was played out of position but did well.
Lucas : 6/10. Could have make more forward run to threaten the St Gallen's defence.
Plessis : 7/10. Solid, covered the defence well.
Benayoun : 9/10. Always wanted the ball, looked hungry and could have bagged 2 goals if not for the St Gallen's keeper.
Kuyt : 6/10. Captain for the 2nd half but hd a quiet game.
Pacheco : 7/10. Made some good runs into dangerous positions but his control and finishing needs improvement.
Ngog : 5/10. Was out of sorts and poor control of the ball let him down.
Glen Johnson did well on his debut.
Degen was all over his opponents and got the boos from his own countrymen.
Not the best looking and the smallest player on the pitch, but plays like a lion.
YNWA @ 11:04 PM
