Europa League Qualifying Game: Liverpool See Off Rabotnicki 2-0
Liverpool may soon have a war chest of up to 150 million pounds to spend (if Kenneth Huang takes over the club), but at the moment they have to make do with what they have. Their latest (and cheapest) signing Joe Cole showed what Chelsea will be missing in their squad this season as he put on a superb performance to aid Liverpool in dispatching Rabotnicki in the Europa League play-offs round.
The creative, tricky Englishman was at the heart of everything good that Liverpool created as he justified the confidence that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have publicly put on him. It may yet be early times in the reign of Roy Hodgson but Cole's home debut at Anfield showed that Hodgson has pulled off a real coup. Cole may not have had a goal, but he had plenty of inventiveness and helped create David N'Gog's goal.
After winning the first leg in Macedonia 2-0, Liverpool were fairly certain of victory on their home ground. Anfield is considered a fortress in Europe but none of its intimidating atmosphere was required in this fixture as the Merseyside Reds sailed to a comfortable victory.
Liverpool welcomed back its English stars for the game for this second leg. The World Cup contingent included captain Gerrard, Cole, Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher. These players and others were given a smooth return to competitive action as Rabotnicki were never threatening. To further hamper their preparations against Liverpool, the Macedonian club were charged by UEFA over allegations of racist chanting which allegedly occurred during the first leg.
The second leg began in positive fashion for the Reds. The French striker, David N’Gog, continued his good reign of form against the Macedonians. He scored in the 21st minute, making full use of Joe Cole's assist after a corner. N'Gog has been dogged by rumours of him leaving, but his recent good form against Rabotnicki must have gone some way towards calming that bit of gossip. Despite his goal, the French striker could have had more but spurned a few good chances. N’Gog is finally beginning to look like he has learned something from last year and will be able to fill in for star Spanish striker Fernando Torres when needed. Cole meanwhile, continued to pull the strings in an impressive debut.
N’Gog, despite his missed chances, showed why his stock may have been rising in the eyes of Roy Hodgson as he battled hard in order to win the penalty for Liverpool. He was felled in the box by Fernando Lopes after some good initial work by Brazilian Lucas Leiva. Gerrard, fresh off the horrendous English World Cup campaign in South Africa, stepped up to the plate and confidently sent the keeper Bogatinov the other way to double Liverpool's advantage. Relieved, the Reds’ captain celebrated his 35th goal in European competition.
After a two goal lead was established, it became easy stuff for Liverpool as the game increasingly began to resemble an exhibition display. Cole continued to be in the limelight; the free transfer from Chelsea almost marking his debut with a spectacular goal. Yet the goal was not meant to be for the former West Ham man, and he had to contend with being the creative hub of the night.
With the 2-0 result, Liverpool marched on with a satisfied Hodgson on the sidelines. This may have been an encouraging start to his reign, yet tougher battles loom in the near future. Liverpool will soon have to face title contenders Arsenal (on August 15). If the Merseyside Reds are to improve on their position from last year, they will have to continue their winning ways and to hope that when the big games come, they will be ready for them.
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