JULY 19
Rafa: My young guns did well

By Jimmy Rice in Vienna - LFC Official Website

Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool can take plenty of positives from the 1-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna - including the performances of his young hopefuls.

The Austrians came out on top thanks to a brilliant curling free-kick from skipper Steffen Hofmann.

Even so, Benitez took plenty of positives from his side's second pre-season friendly - not least the efforts of Spanish starlets Daniel Ayala and Daniel Pacheco.

"I don't like to talk too much about individuals but both players were doing well," said the boss.

"They're both young and when they come with the first team you always want to see something different. I am pleased for them and also with Jay Spearing because he played as a left full-back as we have some problems in this position at this moment."

Benitez added: "The other positives were to play a lot of players we wanted to play - it is all part of our preparations. We needed match fitness and we changed the majority of the players after 45 minutes - that was the idea.

"In terms of what we wanted from the game, only the result was wrong."

One man not involved was Glen Johnson, who was omitted due to a minor injury.

"He has a small problem with his Achilles tendon but it is not serious," said Benitez. "Him not playing was a precaution."

JULY 19
Liverpool slumped to
a defeat in Vienna

Liverpool Echo

Liverpool slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna in their latest pre-season friendly
in Austria tonight.

Rapid skipper Steffen Hofmann netted the only goal with a second half free-kick to see off a strong Reds side which included Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Yossi Benayoun.

Gerrard and Carragher played the first 45 minutes while Benayoun and Holland international Dirk Kuyt came on at the break as manager Rafael Benitez made a raft of changes.

England defender Glen Johnson was not part of the matchday squad, however, after Benitez opted not to risk him after he took a slight knock to his Achilles in Wednesday’s goalless draw against St Gallen.

Rapid had the better of the first half with Erwin Hoffer seeing a goal disallowed for offside while the same player saw a close-range effort well saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.

The goal came after 57 minutes when Hofmann curled a low free-kick past Cavalieri’s replacement Peter Gulacsi.

Stefan Maierhofer had another goal disallowed for offside before, at the other end, Benayoun saw a free-kick well saved by Raimund Hedl.

Benitez introduced Javier Mascherano with 25 minutes to go and the Argentinian’s appearance roused the visitors with Kuyt twice coming close.

Benayoun also came close late on but Liverpool could not find an equaliser.

Thor Zakariassen ©