Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:34 pm

benitez claims that we have the best strikeforce in the premiership and i would have to say that i agree with him. chelsea have great strikers, but kezman and drogba are not proven in the premiership. manure have horse and saha but smith doesn't score goals. arsenal don't really play with strikers.

benitez is saying all the right things to me.

by **Bruno Zidane!** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 3:17 pm

I have to totally agree with ye on that one st mihael, benny does seem to be sayin the right things at the moment like yesterday for example, he didnt come out with any outrageous statements about cisse sayin hes the new henry like a certain someone would have no doubt said, he just mentioned he happens to be a good player with plenty of potential to make us one of the strongest teams goin forward. I do hope he keeps tellin it like it is and doesnt start claimin "Spurs are champions league contenders" if they manage to get a draw off us!

by **sparky1970** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:45 pm

I hope we get to have a look at cisse tonight its been along time now waiting to see him in the red shirt i can see him getting 1 or 2 today 4-1 to the reds (any predictions)

by **Gareth G** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 8:48 pm

Anyone know the score?

by **supersub** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:05 pm

by **supersub** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:33 pm

2-1 le tallec both

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:53 pm

Seems Biscan was more than a little impressive in midfield should we be worried

?

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 9:55 pm

Heres the full summary of the match courtesy of Liverpoolfc.tv

Djibril Cisse got his Liverpool career up and running tonight but it was fellow French youngster Anthony Le Tallec who stole the show with two goals as the Reds got their pre-season preparations off to a winning start with a 2-1 win at Wrexham.
Cisse was the star attraction for the Reds fans who packed into the Racecourse Ground and their new idol did his best to crown his debut with a goal - but one free kick opportunity and a half chance with an overhead kick apart, he was unable to trouble the Wrexham goalkeeper.

Le Tallec was the only player to stay on the field for the entire 90 minutes and he repaid his manager's faith with an excellent double to serve notice that he intends playing more of a part in the first team this season.

Benitez used 21 players in his first match as Reds manager, including many of the club's Academy youngsters who were often frozen out and devoid of any opportunities to stake their claim under the previous regime.

Steven Warnock, Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread, David Raven and Robbie Foy were all given a chance to impress and all can be pleased with their contributions as they look forward to potentially making the grade at Anfield this season.

The home side took a surprise lead after 19 minutes as the Liverpool defence conceded their first goal in the Benitez era.

The Reds defence failed to deal with a cross from the right and after Lawrence had directed the ball towards goal Hector Sam was on hand to slot the ball past Chris Kirkland.

That setback served to spark Liverpool into action and they deservedly levelled the scores just four minutes later. Igor Biscan, who was an impressive figure in midfield, crashed a shot against the base of the post and French youngster Anthony Le Tallec was first to the loose ball to tap home the equaliser.

Benitez made ten changes to his team at half time, with only Le Tallec surviving from the side which kicked off the game.

It was young Scot Robbie Foy who had the first chance of the second period but his low shot from distance drifted just the wrong side of Andy Dibble's goal.

Florent Sinama Pongolle, named yesterday by the manager as one of his four striking options for the coming season, enjoyed his second half run out and came close on a couple of occasions to giving the Reds the lead.

He forced Dibble into a fine low save with a low shot early in the second half and then slid a right footed effort just wide of the far post following an excellent Liverpool move.

Le Tallec and Pongolle were a real handful for the Wrexham defence throughout the second period and they carved open another chance after 70 minutes when Pongolle latched onto his team-mates pass but lifted the ball over the bar.

The duo linked up again eight minutes later, this time to deadly effect as Pongolle dribbled through the Wrexham defence and unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Le Tallec who made no mistake with a low finish into the far corner.

Good performance, good win and a good start to a bright new Anfield era.

Liverpool (1st half): Kirkland, Finnan, Traore, Hyypia, Medjani, Biscan, Welsh, Murphy, Cisse, Kewell, Le Tallec.

Liverpool (2nd half): Dudek, Diao, Whitbread, Warnock, Riise, Raven, Potter, Pongolle, Otsemobor, Foy, Le Tallec.

by **madred** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 10:00 pm

Really good to hear that Igor did well even if against a lesser team. Whats even more encouraging is i reckon everyone gets a chance to proove to Benitez that they have what it takes to stay at the club. Unlikely that Igor will be one of these but nice to hear he did well.

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