An experimental Liverpool reserve side fell to a 3-2 defeat tonight at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham against Everton reserves.
Although there will be some disappointment in losing the "mini-derby", there were many positives for Liverpool, perhaps most of all being the return to action of Florent Sinama-Pongolle. Whilst the press is dominated about the futures of ex-Reds striker Michael Owen and current Reds striker Milan Baros, the less well known French youngster capped off his return with Liverpool’s first goal. Sinama has been out of action after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury. Pongolle had been playing wide prior to his injury, and perhaps his return will allow Rafa Benitez to wait a little longer in his quest for a new winger.
Also appearing tonight were some of Liverpool’s newest youngsters – Godwin Antwi, Jack Hobbs and Antonio Barragan.
Reds keeper Willis saved a penalty early in the second half.
Tonight’s other Liverpool goal was scored by Danny Guthrie, promoted to Melwood in the summer after graduating from the Academy.
Liverpool’s second-half performance was a vast improvement on the first, and Everton were glad to take the victory. The blues ended the game with ten men after Harris was sent off for two bookable offences.
Liverpool Reserves: Willis, Barragan, Peltier (Josemi 60), O’Donnell, Whitbread, Hobbs, Wilkie (Sinama-Pongolle 49), Guthrie, Antwi, Mannix (booked), Hammill (Frayne 79). Unused subs: Roberts, Woods, Foy
Goals: Sinama-Pongolle 55, Guthrie 84
Everton Reserves: R Wright, Hughes, Harris (Yellow Card + Red Card), Wynne, Wright, Wilson, Phelan, Li Tie, Anichebe, Sargeant, Vidarsson. Unused subs: Molyneux, Lake, Davidsen,
Kissock, Holt, Dunn
Goals: Vidarsson 6, 38, Anichebe 47
* Liverpool’s young goalkeeper Scott Carson was on duty for England under-21’s tonight in Denmark. Carson played the first half and kept a clean-sheet, with England eventually winning 1-0 with a goal in the ninetieth minute.