by A.B. » Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:37 pm
Full Report from LFC.tv
Harry Kewell has given manager Rafael Benitez a major boost ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Bayer 04 Leverkusen as he played 60 minutes and looked sharp in Liverpool Reserves 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
Kewell played as a central striker and did well coming close to scoring on several occasions. Vladimir Smicer played the full 90 minutes starting on the left wing and ending up front. Anthony Le Tallec played the full 90 minutes up front and scored an excellent equaliser to give the Reds a point and Antonio Nunez and Mauricio Pellegrino also played 90 minutes.
Josemi returned from injury and played well in the opening 45 minutes before making way for David Raven at half time.
Liverpool's best players were captain John Welsh and Stephen Warnock who both showed a great attitude and never-say-die spirit. Goalkeeper Scott Carson once again showed his class with a couple of superb saves.
It was a mixed night for Hughie McAuley's side who played really well in the first half but not so good in the second period.
Kewell had a great chance to give Liverpool the lead after just two minutes when Smicer's superb pass sent him clean through, but Newcastle keeper Tony Caig made a great save to keep out his effort.
Liverpool were playing some really good football early on with Kewell and Welsh at the heart of it. After 11 minutes Josemi sent a perfect pass through to put Le Tallec clear but his finish was too casual and Caig made the save.
Pellegrino then went close for Liverpool from a Kewell corner but saw his header cleared off the line then a minute later Carson made a superb save to keep out Milner who had connected really well with a right wing cross.
The chances were coming thick and fast but Liverpool couldn't turn their dominance into a goal with Potter being denied by a good save fromCaig then Welsh saw a deflected effort go into the side netting after a great link-up with Kewell.
Another fine pass from Josemi sent Kewell clear after 37 minutes but caught in two minds whether to pass or shoot he was blocked out and the chance was gone.
A minute before half time Carson came to the Reds rescue with a brilliant save to keep out a stinging drive from Charles N'Zogbia.
Six minutes into the second half Smicer went so close with a drive that just cleared the bar from Kewell's cross.
On the hour mark Kewell came off to be replaced by Richie Partridge who went on the left wing with Smicer joining Le Tallec in attack.
Newcastle took the lead a minute later but it came from a mistake from Pellegrino. The Argentine carelessly gave the ball straight to James Milner who finished well giving Carson no chance.
Newcastle then had chances to increase their lead with Milner sending a chip just wide then being denied after a fantastic tackle from Warnock who had got back in the nick of time just as the striker shaped to pick his spot.
Liverpool found it hard to get going in the second half but they got an equaliser of real quality eight minutes from time. Smicer found Partridge down the left who produced a terrific piece of skill to beat the defender and cross for Le Tallec who sent a bullet header into the net for 1-1. Le Tallec had an anonymous match up to then but the goal was quality and should improve his confidence.
Newcastle might have won the game four minutes from time when Lewis Guy got in behind Pellegrino but Raven defended really well with a great clearance.
Liverpool Reserves: Carson, Josemi (Raven 45), Warnock, Whitbread, Pellegrino, Potter, Nunez, Welsh, Le Tallec, Kewell (Partridge 60), Smicer. Unused subs: Otsemobor, Mannix, Luzi.
Newcastle United Reserves: Caig, Brennan, Gate, Huttington, Ramage, Ambrose, Brittain, N'Zogbia, Milner, Guy, O'Brien.
Referee: P Canadine.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Joint to John Welsh and Stephen Warnock. Both players gave their all and showed great effort and determination.
By the looks of it Kewell played well along with Smicer.
YNWA - DrummerPhil
Gone but not forgotten
R.I.P.