Liverpool youngsters dominate Rabotnicki

Rabotnicki Skopje 0 Liverpool 2: Roy Hodgson got off to a winning start as he watched his Liverpool side ease past Rabotnicki in the first-leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie. "I'm happy with the result and performance," declared Hodgson, who succeeded Rafa Benitez as Liverpool manager a month ago. "I think to step out and play a tie of this nature it asked a lot of them but they all stepped up and answered any questions the opposition could pose."

French striker David Ngog scored both of Liverpool's goals in a Reds' side that was shorn of most of its World Cup stars, including Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and new signing Joe Cole.

Yet despite fielding an inexperienced side Liverpool dominated their Macedonian opponents and it didn't take the visitors long to open the scoring. On 17 minutes Reds' captain Leiva Lucas floated a free-kick into the Rabotnicki penalty area, creating confusion between goalkeeper Martin Bogatinov and defender Egzon Belica. Ngog was on hand to capitalise and flick the ball over the head of Bogatinov into an empty net.

Liverpool were barely tested after the break and Ngog's second goal on the hour sealed the victory and completed a perfect night for the 21-year-old Frenchman who scored just eight goals last season. His second against Rabotnicki was a gem, volleying Martin Kelly's cross into the top right corner of the net.

Thereafter Hodgson used the game to give some Liverpool youngsters a taste of European football with 21-year-old right-back Stephen Darby and teenager striker Nathan Eccleston among those brought on.

The second leg is at Anfield next Tuesday and though Liverpool should have little trouble hammering another nail into Rabotnicki's coffin, Hodgson says the tie has been a good way to launch his managerial career with the Reds: "You learn a lot about your team every time they play and there were a lot of players out there I need to learn about. Some of them I've hardly worked with so it was a very good exercise for us in that respect. They came in to the game under pressure and I'm delighted it's a positive outcome." ·