Wrexham 2, Liverpool 3

Jul 7 2007

LIVERPOOL'S first friendly of the summer ended in victory after they completed a 3-2 win over Wrexham in their annual meeting.

Austrian teenager Besian Idrizaj scored an impressive 19-minute hat-trick as Rafael Benitez’s squad of promising youngsters opened Liverpool’s pre-season in some style at Wrexham.

Both sides fielded completely different teams in each half of their friendly at the Racecourse ground, which attracted an 11,000-plus crowd.

The 22 Liverpool players on show comprised of the bulk of their FA Youth Cup-winning sides of the last couple of seasons, plus an array of prospects signed in Benitez’s three years at Anfield. The only big names on show for Liverpool were Steve Finnan, Jermaine Pennant, Mohamed Sissoko and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Eifion Williams got both of the Dragons’ goals after Idrizaj had put the Reds 3-0 up.

Darren Bent scored on his Tottenham debut in a 3-1 pre-season friendly win at Stevenage Borough.

Bent, the £16.5million signing from Charlton, earned the penalty for Robbie Keane’s opener at Broadhall Way.

He then raced onto Steed Malbranque’s pass to finish from the edge of the area in the 47th minute after Ollie Allen had levelled just before the break.

Spurs youngster Adel Taarabt added the third with 22 minutes remaining when his tame shot from long distance crept in.

Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff handed three new signings their debuts but could not prevent themselves going down 2-0 away to Carmarthen Town.

Left-back Tony Capaldi, striker Steve MacLean and midfielder Gavin Rae all started for the first time although goalkeeper Michael Oakes was signed too late to take his place between the posts.

Youth keeper Josh Herring deputised and triallist Costas Charalambides was given the chance to impress on the right wing.

Sacha Walters opened the scoring for the minnows before Glenn Loovens was penalised for an illegal backpass and Paul Fowler converted the free-kick.