Not that Liverpool were complaining, of course. Boasting a line-up that included six internationals – Agger, Alberto Aquilani, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Martin Skrtel, Lucas and Milan Jovanovic – the gulf in class between the two sides was glaring.
With sharper passing or better control, the game might have been over before half-time.
Managers can rarely relax when their teams have such a slender advantage and the way Hodgson gave Martin Kelly a dressing down before going to give his half-time team talk merely served to remind everyone that there was work to be done.
Whatever Hodgson said to Kelly, it clearly worked a treat as 14 minutes after the re-start his pinpoint cross from the right was smashed impressively past Bogatinov by Ngog on the volley. It will have done wonders for his confidence; should the rough edges on his game be polished sufficiently, he could end up fulfilling a key role within the squad.
Looking at Ngog now compared to the way he was physically six months ago, it is clear to see he has bulked up; his shoulders and neck are more muscular and he has not been getting buffeted off the ball so much – the next thing to work on is that occasionally erratic first touch.
He will get another chance to work on it against Rabotnicki in six days when they come over to Anfield for the return leg and, on this evidence, it is very likely Liverpool will be able to indulge in some shooting practice on home soil.
Not surprisingly, the Hodgson who held court shortly after the final whistle was juxtaposed to the one of 24 hours earlier and behind him an advertising banner behind him pre-empted the journey home; “fly with a smile,” it read – and that’s just what he did.
FK RABOTNICKI (4-3-3): Bogatinov: Dimovski, Lopes, Belica, Sekulovski (Adem 44): Tunevski (Petrovski 77), Grigorov, Todorovski: Ze Carlos (Mojsov 57), Vanidair, Fabio.
LIVERPOOL (4-5-1): Cavalieri: Kelly, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Agger (Darby 72): Amoo (Ecclestone 83), Spearing, Lucas, Aquilani (Dalla Valle 83), Jovanovic: Ngog.
Goals – Ngog (17, 59)
Referee: Antonio Damato (Italy)
Attendance – 20,000
