Michael Owen's third pre-season goal spared the reds blushes as Gerard Houllier's side were held to a draw by first division Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.
The result is not particularly impressive, but doesn't tell the full tale of a lively encounter in which Liverpool produced some good football, and hit the woodwork three times.
The game also marked the introduction to English football of the much talked about French teenagers Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle. Reds' fans have been waiting for almost two years for their first glimpse of the former Le Havre youngsters in Liverpool colours, and those present at Gresty Road came away mightily impressed.
Le Tallec was simply pure class. From the moment he stepped on the field as a replacement for the injured Harry Kewell, he looked like the player we've heard so much about. Coolness in possession, a keen eye for a pass and the quality to split open a defence with one through ball. The lad looks a diamond.
Pongolle too looked very good, but his afternoon was cut prematurely short by injury. He'd shown good touch, and sharpness, and looks a lively type of forward who will cause defences a lot of problems. Only the post denied him a debut goal, and hopefully we'll see a lot more of him pre-season.
Gerard Houllier had named a strong looking line up to start the game, with Steven Gerrard and Stephane Henchoz the only notable absentees from what would be regarded as most people's first choice line up.
Markus Babbel was again in the shop window (forget Houllier's comments this week, if a club comes in for Markus then Houllier won't stand in his way), whilst Harry Kewell was given a free role behind the front pairing of Michael Owen and Milan Baros.
Houllier employed the diamond formation which he favours, with Murphy and Smicer either side of Hamann, but it didn't work particularly well in the opening half. Kewell favours playing in a central role, but most fans would like to see him used in the problem left side position.
His performance today hardly suggested that he should be used in the centre, but it is very early days of course and he is still looking for full fitness. He had his moments, but too often became bogged down by the sheer number of bodies in the centre of the field. Hopefully the knock he picked up won't cause him to miss too many training sessions, as he looks a bit rusty. He's wearing bloody white boots too, so he better start playing well or I'll be on his case all season!
Seriously, he did ok and went very close to notching his first Liverpool goal when his curling 25 yarder struck the crossbar. Most of his best work came when he drifted out to the left hand side, and that's where most fans would hope to see more of him in future.
Crewe took the lead when a hanging right wing cross was headed in by David Vaughan. The marking was poor, and Dudek's part in the goal may also have been questionble. Other than the goal, Crewe rarely threatened, and as you'd expect Liverpool made most of the play.
Murphy produced some excellent passing, whilst Owen and Baros again looked sharp. Owen was coming deep, and drifting wide and popping up all over the place. His all round game is really coming on now and this should be a great season for Micky.
Inevitably it was he who grabbed the equaliser, heading home from close range after defenders and goalkeeper had misjudged a Riise cross. But all things considered, the first half display was somewhat disappointing given the star names on view.
The team which began the second half saw eleven changes from that which had began the game, with seven of the line up hailing from France (the Senegal boys may as well be French). Steven Gerrard took over the captains armband from Murphy (who was presumably made skipper as he was returning to his old club), and immediately began pulling the strings.
Gerrard and Le Tallec regularly split open the home defence with incisive passing, and with better finishing from the frontmen Liverpool would have won this game at a canter.
The young Frenchman's first contribution was a beautiful flick into the path of Diouf, and from then on he was a delight to watch. More Le Tallec magic should have led to a goal for Pongolle. A slide rule pass released Heskey, who produced a perfect cut back into the path of Pongolle, who somehow struck the post when it was easier to score. It was much like Neil Mellor's miss against Cologne the other night.
Le Tallec's display had me drooling, and I can't wait to see the boy in action again. He too was wearing white boots, but he's fucking ace so he can get away with it! Bruno Cheyrou on the other hand appears to have ditched the white boots, which is for the best as he is not fucking ace and can't get away with it.
Pongolle's movement looks very good, and he's strong for his size. His touch is very assured, and he was really looking the part before he had to go off and was replaced by Mellor.
Anthony and Florent are expected to spend most of this season in the reserves, and if that's the case then I suggest that those of you who can should get down to Chester to see them. Ressies games should be pretty exciting this season with those two and the Boy Mellor banging in the goals. Not to mention dear old Bruno as well of course.
Heskey should have won the game for the reds, when another glorious Le Tallec through pass sent him clear for a one on one with the keeper. He had all the time in the world, but could only strike the foot of the post. Not really a surprise it has to be said.
Michael Owen must have been sitting on the bench rubbing his hands together watching the service Le Tallec and Gerrard were providing the strikers with. If Houllier is determined to persist with the diamond formation, then Le Tallec looks like the ideal type of player to operate at the point of it.
Of course this was only a friendly and it remains to be seen how the youngster adapts to proper first team football, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't make an impact this season.
The last chance of the game fell to Gregory Vignal, who broke forward from left back and was picked out by a wonderful ball by.... you guessed it, Anthony Le Tallec, only to hit a stinging volley straight at the Crewe keeper.
So all in all, not a bad day. The result may not have been good on paper, but there were a lot of positives to take from the game. Gerrard was wonderful, at his totally dominant brilliant best. Diao did very well at right back, Diouf was lively and the two French boys more than lived up to expectations.
