Opponents Lucerne, who finished sixth in the Swiss Super League last time out, are much further down the line in their pre-season preparations, with their new campaign beginning at the weekend.

It was therefore a genuine work-out for Benitez’s side, with a surprisingly entertaining encounter helping further shake off the inevitable ring-rustiness.

Besides Pacheco, other fringe players also made the most of their opportunity. The lesser-spotted Sebastian Leto, his Liverpool career stalled by eligibility issues, was lively down the left and should have capped his 55-minute performance with a goal, instead dragging a presentable opening wide before the break.

With so few options available to Benitez on the left flank, an available Leto would be a definite asset on this showing.

Of course, pre-season can be notoriously deceiving. Voronin, for example, suggested goals aplenty following his exploits during last season’s summer warm-up programme but faded horribly once the serious stuff started.

The Ukrainian was at it again last night, sending a sumptuous chip over Zibung from 25 yards for Liverpool ’s second goal eight minutes before half-time.

But with the likes of Pacheco waiting in the wings, Voronin will most likely need a lot more where that came from over the next 10 months.

There were some warning signs for Benitez, however. When Philipp Degen was officially unveiled to media at Melwood last week, he cited pace and attacking ability as his main attributes.

By inference, even the right-back himself accepts defending is not his strong suit. And Lucerne’s 13th-minute equaliser was a case in point, Degen beaten in the air to a deep far-post cross by Djamel Mesbah, who nodded across goal for Mario Gavranovic to head in.

Early days admittedly, but such strengths and weaknesses do not bode well and are so similar to that of a foreign import of Anfield past that the Swiss may soon earn the tag Vegard Degen.

Yossi Benayoun, having netted a fantastic goal against Tranmere at the weekend, was far less effective last night, although young Damien Plessis’s stock continues to rise after another mature display.

Ryan Babel made his first outing after missing Euro 2008 through injury, while Daniel Agger continued down his long road to full fitness with another 45 minutes.

Diego Cavalieri enjoyed a full debut in goal, and Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano returned to the fold in the closing moments.

However, as last year, it was the sight of Spanish forward that lingered most in the minds of the sell-out crowd.

FC LUCERNE (4-4-1-1): Zibung (Konig 46); Zverotic (Lambert 23), Schwegler, Seoane, Lustenberger (Karanovic 55); Ferreira (Gajic 45), Renggli, Hasic, Mesbah (Paquito 46); Chiumento (Ravasi 45); Gavranovic (Schirinzi 55).

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Cavalieri; Degen (Darby 45), Agger (Hyypia 46), Carragher (Skrtel 45), Insua; Benayoun (Babel 45), Plessis (Spearing 63), Lucas, Leto (Aurelio 55); Pacheco (Mascherano 78), Voronin (Kuyt 81). Subs: Hansen, Dossena, Gerrard.

REFEREE: Claudio Circhetta.

ATT: 9,500.

NEXT GAME: Wisla Krakow v Liverpool, Friborg, Saturday 5pm.