THE ghosts of Liverpool FC past could be found swirling around Anfield at the weekend.

But it is the future that will more concern Kenny Dalglish after 90 minutes that posed just as many questions as answers.

With former managers Rafael Benitez and Roy Evans watching on, Liverpool wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a welcome victory over Valencia in their traditional showpiece home friendly.

Having stumbled so dramatically in recent outings at Hull City, Galatasaray and Valerenga, the win at least stemmed the trickle of pessimism that has crept into the minds of supporters following an indifferent summer on the pitch.

But the fact is, for all their preparations, Liverpool still face a step into the unknown when they begin their Premier League season at home to Sunderland this coming Saturday.

After all, gaining pointers from pre-season has proven a difficult task, with injuries and unavailability giving Dalglish a skewed view of what is to come.

Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and Luis Suarez did not feature for a single minute, while the likes of Raul Meireles – absent again at the weekend – Lucas Leiva, Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson have only had limited outings.

Pre-season should be a time for tinkering and fine-tuning.

Yet circumstances have dictated the Liverpool team that starts the domestic campaign in five days’ time is one that is almost certain to have never played together before.

At least the triumvirate of major new summer signings were given a first taste of their new home during a surprisingly feisty friendly against a Valencia side that will play in the Champions League this term.