But the overall impact of the substitutions was to allow Villarreal to continue their assault on Cavalieri’s goal, which he fended off admirably as he finally looked like a reliable stand-in for Pepe Reina in the making.

Dani Pacheco wasn’t quite as convincing in his claims to step up to the first team when he ignored Jermaine Pennant to go alone and slide wide.

Another debutant, Krisztian Nemeth, showed promise with a rasping drive inches over the bar.

When he made way for Torres things finally started to pick up but it always destined to be Liverpool’s second successive pre-season goalless draw. Indeed, the biggest cheer of the night was when both sets of fans united to welcome back the former Villarreal stopper Pepe Reina, and the most exciting kick of the night was the very last one from Jay Spearing, which zipped narrowly wide.

Other encouraging sights for Benitez? Steven Gerrard’s return to the starting line-up, obviously, but more evidence alongside him that Damien Plessis can make an assured deputy in a midfield soon to be shredded by the Olympics.

But the nature of pre-season means last night was hardly the best platform for Keane to give anyone a sneak preview of what is to come.

With Villarreal being bankrolled by the owner of interior design giants Porcelanosa, it’s a place where you’re more likely to see tiles than titles.

It’s now up to Liverpool to make sure that is exactly what they are primed to fight for in Sunderland in 16 days’ time.

Lopez; Javi Venta Gonzalo, Godin, Angel; Cani, Eguren, Ibagaza, Edmilson, Pires; Llorente. Subs: Bruno, Franco, Cygan, Mati Ferandez, Jordi Pablo.

LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri (Reina 81); Darby (Finnan h-t, Arbeloa 71), Hyypia (Agger h-t), Skrtel (Carragher h-t), Dossena (Insua h-t); Voronin (Pennant h-t), Gerrard (Spearing h-t), Plessis (Alonso 71), Benayoun (Pacheco h-t); Ngog (Nemeth h-t, Torres 71), Keane (Kuyt h-t)..

NEXT GAME: Rangers v Liverpool, Saturday August 2, 3pm.