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Hodgson guides Liverpool to victory

29 Jul 2010 - 21:37:50

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An unfamiliar Liverpool side got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start in Macedonia by beating FK Rabotnicki 2-0 in a third qualifying round first leg clash in Skopje.

David N'Gog scored both goals in a lack-lustre contest as Roy Hodgson started his reign as Liverpool manager with a straightforward victory.

Rabotnicki, runners-up in the Macedonian League last season but domestic title winners three times in the previous five seasons, had beaten Lusitanos and Mika in earlier rounds but rarely troubled a Liverpool side that included summer signing Milan Jovanovic.

Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Alberto Aquilani, Lucas and N'Gog also started the game while David Amoo was handed a first senior appearance. Diego Cavalieri, Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing also started in an under-strength Reds line-up.

After a sterile opening to the match, Hodgson's side took the lead in the 17th minute when N'Gog latched on to Lucas' free-kick before clipping the ball past goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov.

Ze Carlos was Rabotnicki's brightest player in a dull first half although his long-range efforts failed to trouble Liverpool's Brazilian-born keeper Cavalieri.

Liverpool made the game safe 13 minutes into the second half thanks to another N'Gog goal. This time the much-maligned 21-year-old Frenchman volleyed home Kelly's pinpoint cross from close range.

A poor game petered out from then on with Liverpool happy to hold on to their two-goal lead while Rabotnicki, despite having plenty of possession, were unable to trouble the visitors defence.

The impressive Kelly almost created a third goal when he got to the byline before pulling the ball back but, although Bogatinov spilled it, no Reds player was on hand to take advantage.

The victory means next week's second leg at Anfield should be an academic exercise for Hodgson's side.