Result : Crewe 0 - 1 Liverpool

The final whistle blows at Gresty road with the end score 1-0 to Liverpool. Youth team player Craig Lindfield, making his first team debut, opened the scoring on 18 minutes thanks to some great vision and build-up play between Bolo Zenden and Robbie Fowler, setting the young lad free inside the box to rifle into the top left corner of the goal.

Two good chances from Crewe early in the first half, followed by a close effort from Tony Grant forcing a save out of Dudek at the near post was all Crewe could muster on an attacking front though they played some great pressing football through the first half. Salif Diao came through the half and impressed, also finding himself in a shooting position with a thundering volley just before the half hour mark. The first half, I feel, belonged to Craig Lindfield and Paul Anderson, the two youths showing no problems when playing with their idols and senior counterparts, Linfield a constant threat in front of the Crewe goal.

Some great displays through to the first half by Fabio Aurélio who impressed on his first team debut, playing 45 minutes, providing some great width on the left and showing pace in attack.

Rafa Benitez rang in the changes as expected in the second half, introducing Riise, Bellamy, Paletta, Potter, Pongolle, Antwi, Sissoko and the man everyone was waiting to see, Mark Gonzalez.

The second half looked more like a lesson in buildup play and passing for Liverpool, no real aggressive threats or moments of magic, but some great football to be had all round. Paletta’s physical and mental strength were on display in abundance for the second half, the Argentinian making his presence felt to the Crewe attacking line throughout the half and looked an improved version of himself from his appearance at Wrexham.

Impressive second half from both Gonzalez and Momo Sissoko. The Chilean’s first contribution to the game was to clear a dangerous Crewe ball off the line before plying his attacking game through the half. Nice touch also by Benitez to let Dudek skipper the side for the second half before being replaced after a half hour by David Martin with Riise taking over the captaincy as he did last week.

Great day and great game to watch at Gresty Road before Liverpool continue the buildup to the Premier League by travelling to Switzerland.

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