Tranmere v Liverpool (Match thread)

Tranmere v Liverpool
12th July 2008 3pm
Prenton Park
Pre Season Friendly



This match is live on Setanta Sports and on various places on the internet.

Gerrard, Carra and hopefully Agger expected to take part.  Don't expect too many of the Spaniards.

We won 3-2 against Wrexham in our first game last season so another one of them would do us nicely.

I reckon Pacheco will get a game as well. Looking forward to getting a good look at how two of our new signings play.

Cant wait for this, the reds back in action. Eager to see the new signings if they will play and hoping to see pacheco show what he can do as well as some other youngsters.

Should we should expect Degan, Dossena and Cavelgi (i no i spelt his name wrong )

I would imagine Agger will be the name most people are looking out for after his lengthy lay off.

Yeah Agger is the main player i want to see.

Can't wait to see all the players back, playing. Especially looking forward to seeing Agger and new signings play, if they do.

AGGER AND PACHECO START AT TRANMERE

Paul Eaton 12 July 2008 

  Fit-again Daniel Agger is joined by debutante Daniel Pacheco in the starting line-up for this afternoon's first friendly of the season at Tranmere - a match you can watch live here on Liverpoolfc.tv. 
Agger, who has recovered from the metatarsal problems which ruined his season last year, will be partnered by Jack Hobbs in the heart of the defence with Jamie Carragher likely to begin at left back.
 
Spanish youngster Pacheco will make his first appearance for the Reds in a forward position where he is likely to be joined by Yossi Benayoun, with Jermaine Pennant, Damien Plessis, Lucas and Emiliano Insua operating in midfield.
 
New signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen are joined by skipper Steven Gerrard among the substitutes.
 
Rafa's first team selection for the new season is as follows:
 
13 Martin
2 Darby
6 Hobbs
5 Agger
23 Carragher
16 Pennant
7 Plessis
21 Lucas
22 Insua
15 Benayoun
11 Pacheco
 
Subs:
 
1 Cavalieri
4 Hyypia
3 Skrtel
19 Degen
20 Kelly
12 Aurelio
8 Gerrard
14 Spearing
10 Voronin
9 Flynn
 
 

No Dossena?

Also Pacheco on his own up front with Benayoun playing behind him? And is Rafa testing the waters with Insua in a more advanced wingers position?

Oh yes Pacheco is in now I hope he shows how good he is friendly or not

No Dossena?

Benitez had said he wouldn't take part.

I fancy Pacheco to grab the first goal.

I expect Rafa to make a few changes in the second half.........an interesting team though.

Will be good to see how Pacheco gets on.

I'm going for Yossi to score first goal 

I assume this is the set up

-------------------Martin---------------------
Darby------Hobbs---Agger-------Carra
Pennant--Lucas---Plessis--------Insua
----------------Yossi-----------------------
--------------Pacheco---------------------

Poor old Scotty Carson.

You've got to worry for Carragher.  He isn't getting any younger and he seems to be getting pushed around as a left or right back these days.

With Degen, Dossena, Arbeloa and Aurelio all capable of playing in those positions, and with Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia and even Hobbs still about I think the days of Carragher being one of the first names on the teamsheet are over.

Agger starting

You've got to worry for Carragher.  He isn't getting any younger and he seems to be getting pushed around as a left or right back these days.

With Degen, Dossena, Arbeloa and Aurelio all capable of playing in those positions, and with Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia and even Hobbs still about I think the days of Carragher being one of the first names on the teamsheet are over.

I've been thinking the same thing myself. I doubt he'll be playing as many games as he did last season. And it'll be interesting to see how many times he's not used as a central defender.

Looks like a pretty good line up and it will be good to see how the youngsters do, hopefully they will have a great game and get selected again

I've been thinking the same thing myself. I doubt he'll be playing as many games as he did last season. And it'll be interesting to see how many times he's not used as a central defender.

I think that he will be playing just as much next season, maybe missing the carling cup games and thats it because he is part of the spine

Plessis took the number 7 shirt then o.O

13 Martin
2 Darby
6 Hobbs
5 Agger
23 Carragher
16 Pennant
7 Plessis
21 Lucas
22 Insua
15 Benayoun
11 Pacheco
 
Subs:
 
1 Cavalieri
4 Hyypia
3 Skrtel
19 Degen
20 Kelly
12 Aurelio
8 Gerrard
14 Spearing
10 Voronin
9 Flynn

Are these the squad numbers for next season? Plesses - 7, Flynn - 9, Voronin - 10, Pacheco - 11... I guess we wont be making any big signings that will take these numbers then?

Are these the new squad numbers? Plesses - 7, Flynn - 9, Voronin - 10, Pacheco - 11... I guess we wont be making any big signings that will tahe these numbers then?

No there not the new numbers, dont think torres would be happy having the number 9 taken away and given to a youngster

No there not the new numbers, dont think torres would be happy having the number 9 taken away and given to a youngster

- very good point. Belive it or not, I completely forgot about Torres...!

- very good point. Belive it or not, I completely forgot about Torres...!

 

lets just hope Rafa does'nt forget about him

- very good point. Belive it or not, I completely forgot about Torres...!

How dare you, you should be ashamed of yourself!!!!

How dare you, you should be ashamed of yourself!!!!

I know... *very ashamed*

I know... *very ashamed*

Good, now go sit on the naughty spot!

no real chances as of yet.

Pennant hits the bar

Agger just fired a shot from inside the box and would have probably one in but it hit Lucas.

Insua is having a good game

insua cutting in from the left just tipped out for a corner, pennant hit the bar from just inside the box, plessis hits a long range effort easily saved, pacheco stretches  to get a shot in when one on one saved,Liverpool now on top.

Great goal by Benayoun, Curled one in a treat from the left hand corner of the box

goal benayoun curls in to the top corner from just inside the box.

Lovely finish!

Nice curl and finish from Yossi

Tranmere have hit the post on a free-kick.

Half-Time

tranmere hit post from a free kick

Great goal Yossi

Only beating them 1-0......sack Rafa 

PS Rafa's not wearing jeans.

Only beating them 1-0......sack Rafa 

: yea terrible work rafa

Great goal Yossi. It's so nice just to see Agger back and running...he looks like he hasn't missed a beat.

Gerrard and Voronin won't be on before the hour mark.

PS Rafa's not wearing jeans.

He's on the bench in his boxies? 

Agger's looking good isn't he. Love the way he brings the ball out into the oppositions half.

Beauty of a goal by Yossi.

Bit of a scrappy game but that's to be expected. We're by far the better team though. Obviously.

2nd half

---------------Diego--------------------
Degen--Skrtel--Sami----Aurelio
Flynn---Spearing--Plessis--Yossi
--------------Lucas-------------------
-------------Pacheco---------------

Good to see Insua and Agger stayed on

Made up to see Spearing come on!

Degen looking good going forward, some good touches in  his first few minutes.

Gerrard is warming up so he could be about to come on

Gerrard On Plessis Off

Voronin On Pacheco Off (god knows why)

Alright Voronin, proove us all wrong!

Bloody hell Voronin has just played two good passes   

Voronin passes to Flynn just mucsled off the ball otherwise it'd have been a goal,long range shot by Agger, the new lad looks good.....goes by the name of Gerrard,anyone hear of him?

Voronin passes to Flynn just mucsled off the ball otherwise it'd have been a goal,long range shot by Agger, the new lad looks good.....goes by the name of Gerrard,anyone hear of him?

Nope. Must have snuck under the radar

I see voronin,s shooting has improved not.

Out of the youngsters playing today Flynn appears to be the weakest when it comes to the physical aspect, he is getting out muscled pretty much everytime he gets the ball and gets in or around the box

Dossena isnt playing today... anyone no why

Nemeth is at UEFA U19's championship otherwise would have been involved.

Martin Kelly On Agger Off

Cant say i no this lad coming on for Agger

Dossena isnt playing today... anyone no why

His international clearence wasn't through in time......bloody Italians.

Cant say I no this lad coming on for Agger

Same, i dont think i have ever heard of him until today

His international clearence wasn't through in time......bloody Italians.

You'll have the mafia after you now

His international clearence wasn't through in time......bloody Italians.

Is he going to be able to play in the next game?

Is he going to be able to play in the next game?

Yes he'll be available for selection for the games in Switerland this week.I think we're playing on Wednesday.

This is a bit of a snooze game

Why did'nt Voronin shoot?

Full time 1-0, scrappy enough but a beauty by Benayoun,nice to see Agger back.

Full-Time

Degan has looked pretty good, gets forward well, although i think i will be reerving judgement until a few games into the new season because Voronin looked good but then he turned out to be utter bollocks.

Good showing and more important part no injury's picked up by the guys. I don't think there was any player out there who really put a terrible showing but there were a few players who did have a good run out (Pacheco, Lucas, Pennant, Agger and Degen)

Well I really enjoyed this game today..............just to watch a match involving the reds was enough for me 

Very impressed with Agger.........like having a new signing wasn't he, and he was giving it lots of verbal especially in the first half.
Great to have you back Dan 

Also very pleased with the way Insua played, thought he did well, he's quite a solid looking player, and doesn't get pushed off the ball easily.

Degan.....Wow, how good was he  loved the way he pushed up as often as possible, Rafa described him as an attacking full back and even though I know it was only Tranmere, there was a hint as to what he's capable of.

I agree with what 7-king kenny 7 said though, Voronin did well in the pre-season games last season, and look what happened to him, so I'll just say, that I'll give my verdict on him in a few months time........but I like what I'm seeing, looks comfortable on the ball.

I'm going for Yossi to score first goal 

Glad you didn't let me down Yossi..............crack ing goal

Promising start for some of the youngsters such as Pacheco.

On the brink players such as lucas and benayoun played well and Degan looked very quick and energetic when he came on.

Just generally glad to see us back in action and start with a win.

Bring on the title .

Didn't get to see or listen to the game today so thanks for all the info' lads. Good to hear Agger is looking back to his old self and the new lad Degan sounds o.k. as well. Thanks for the note aw1, I was going to ask if any one new why Nemeth wasn't involved. Would love to see him given a chance to move up after his performances last term. First game and alls well.

The Danish centre back played 75 minutes of a low-key encounter at Prenton Park that saw the visitors win 1-0 and the Reds boss admitted he was pleased to see the defender come through it unscathed.
 
"I think Agger did okay," he said. "The main thing for us was to see if he could come through and he had no problems so he will be a good plus for the team.
 
"This is the type of game you want so you can see if the players are fit. We have also seen a fantastic goal and some good play in attack, so it was positive day."
 
Yossi Benayoun's magnificent 43rd minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides in a game that saw both managers make a series of substitutions after the break.
 
But it was the first-half display of 17-year-old Daniel Pacheco that caught the eye, as the young Spaniard's inventive performance gave his manager food for thought ahead of the club's pre-season trip to Switzerland.
 
"Today I think Pacheco was really good and he had two or three chances and was a threat in attack.
 
"We saw how good he was for the reserves last season and today everyone could see he has the talent and the quality."
 
Benitez also had words of encouragement for newboys Philipp Degen and Diego Cavalieri who both showed glimpes of their quality as second half substitutes.
 
"Cavalieri didn't have too much to do but we know he will be a keeper who will fight for his place with Pepe (Reina)," said Benitez.
 
"We also saw what Degen can offer on the right side. It is a game that we can take positives from and a lot of the lads tried to impress.
 
"I think Degen had four or five good openings in attack and he put in a few crosses and I think we saw the potential that he has."
 
The Reds will now head to their pre-season training camp in Switzerland with Benitez hopeful of bringing in one or two more new faces to bolster his squad in the coming weeks.
 
"We are working hard trying to bring good players in and I think we can progress in a few days or maybe a few weeks."

Hey has any1 got a video of the goal or any highlights of the game?

Missed the game had to go out and look after my nephew so i had to miss it but made sure i checked the score at half time on the official website on my phone.

Glad to hear yossi scored a great goal and pacheco seems to have done well as well as agger, insua and degen.

cant wait to see the goal.

Watched the game on Lfc Tv

Overall it was good, Yossi's goal was great, Our Kids played well and it was just a good game imo. Pacheco played good today he really impressed me as did Insua he was amazing. Gerrard did nothing, Lucas did good and it was great to see Agger come back from injury he played great motm for me

great goal. (comin from one of yossi's biggest critics as well)

1st warm up game, so wasn't a bad performance. Agger's back and that can only be a good thing. He played very well considering his long term injury. Insua did himself no harms, Degen reminded me of Cafu the amount of times he bombed on forward. Pacheco looks promising. No complaints, at the end of the day a win is a win. We're live on channel 5 (i think) for Wendsday's game.

I fell out of my chair when Voronin didn't shoot from two yards out.  Crackers.

I fell out of my chair when Voronin didn't shoot from two yards out.  Crackers.

  Didn't you get to the game Court?

Didn't you get to the game Court?

I got a ticket yeah.  Took an hour to find one but all worth it in the end.  Should of seen how many Liverpool fans there were as apposed to Tranmere fans. 

Shocking.

Rick Parry pulled up in his lovely expensive Red Audi yards away from me, while plastic Liverpool fans run up to him asking for autographs, pictures with him.  The lot.

Made me sick to my stomach.  It made me think have these people got brains in their F***ing heads that it was this man that helped let these Cowboys in?

Idiots.

Rick Parry pulled up in his lovely expensive Red Audi yards away from me, while plastic Liverpool fans run up to him asking for autographs, pictures with him.  The lot.

Made me sick to my stomach.  It made me think have these people got brains in their F***ing heads that it was this man that helped let these Cowboys in?

Idiots.

It's a joke isn't it lad?

Gutted I didn't even get to watch the game! Went to renew me Setanta and I got bumped by work! Me bonus didn't go in so I've got to wait two weeks before I get any more fun money!

Missed it! So bummed. Good to hear of Degen's start, he looks a nice lad.

It's a joke isn't it lad?

Gutted I didn't even get to watch the game! Went to renew me Setanta and I got bumped by work! Me bonus didn't go in so I've got to wait two weeks before I get any more fun money!

Gutted mate!  You didn't really miss anything bar Voro go 1 on 1 with the keeper and only to try and pass it back to whoever weas behind him & ended up losing the ball!!!   

Some tout was charging £50 quid for the away end!!!  I just said never in a million years mate.

Gutted

Gutted

Gutted about what?

That Liverpool won?

That Tranmere lost?

Or you didn't get to see the game?

Or the fact that Voronin played 

Gutted about what?

That Liverpool won?

That Tranmere lost?

Or you didn't get to see the game?

Or the fact that Voronin played 

Gutted that i see didnt see it AND that Voronin played.

However if you add those 2 and say, 'Gutted that i missed Voronin play' would sum up my feelings after hearing about his howler in front of goal.

Is there anyway i could see Yossis goal.Help!!!!

Unfortunately I did not see the match but I think it should be taken in perspective, its just a step on the way to match fitness and getting the lads tuned for the season proper.It was good to see Agger is back and with Skrtel and Carragher we should have the best defence in the premiership especially if the 2 new backs fit in as well.By all accounts the young lad Pacheco had a good game-Well Done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://youtube.com/watch?v=05CCz_P3a74

First time I've seen the goal, bloody brilliant! Unfortunately it doesn't show the shiteness of Voro!!

Gutted about what?

That Liverpool won?

That Tranmere lost?

Or you didn't get to see the game?

Or the fact that Voronin played 

You laugh but Voronin played well when he came on, his passes were excellent but then again it is Tranmere

Just realised Yossi's new doo.

You laugh but Voronin played well when he came on, his passes were excellent but then again it is Tranmere

That he went one on one with the keeper and ended up not shooting from 2 yards out?