LIFE after Xabi Alonso began with a victory but there was little for Liverpool to celebrate at the Bislett Stadium.

The Reds were unconvincing against an FC Lyn side who are propping up the Norwegian League with just one win from 20 games.

It took a fine display from stand-in keeper Diego Cavalieri to keep the plucky home side at bay before goals from fringe strikers Andriy Voronin and David Ngog either side of half-time killed off the minnows.

The 15,000-strong crowd had turned up expecting to see a goal feast but it never materialised as the use of 22 Liverpool players contributed to a disjointed performance.

Boss Rafa Benitez had demanded a response following the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Espanyol three days earlier.

Only Glen Johnson, Mikel San Jose, Lucas Leiva and Dirk Kuyt survived from the side who started in Spain.

The Reds boss opted to leave out most of his big names with Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano and Jamie Carragher on the bench.

With Benitez keen to give second choice goalkeeper Cavalieri game time, Pepe Reina didn’t travel with the squad and stayed on Merseyside to train.

The Reds started brightly and could have taken the lead inside 40 seconds. Johnson’s surging run down the right created an opening for Voronin but his scuffed shot was deflected narrowly wide.

Pacey Lyn striker Davy Angan ensured it was a testing opening 45 minutes for the inexperienced centre back pairing of San Jose and Martin Kelly.

Angan stung Cavalieri’s chest with a fierce drive and then Stanley Ihugba’s rasping shot flew narrowly wide.