BENAYOUN BRILLIANCE WINS IT FOR REDS

Liverpool have kicked-off their pre-season programme with a well deserved 1-0 success over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.

Rafael Benitez’s men were full value for their victory in a largely one-sided contest which was decided by a moment of Yossi Benayoun brilliance just before half-time.

Liverpool will doubtless face tougher tests as their warm-up programme moves into Switzerland over the next week, but Benitez could have asked for little more from his team’s first outing of the campaign in front of a sell-out crowd on the Wirral.

To add to Rafa’s delight, Daniel Agger made a successful return to first team duty after an injury plagued year while Daniel Pacheco offered a tantalising glimpse into the future with a fine display on his debut appearance.

Liverpool dominated the early exchanges against a Tranmere side who seemed intent to sit back and soak up the pressure.