[lfc-news] Reserves v Leeds: report - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 26 Nov 2004
NUNEZ STARS AS RESERVES DRAW
Steve Hunter at Wakefield

Antonio Nunez handed Rafael Benitez a much-needed boost on Thursday night
when he made a very impressive first start in a Liverpool shirt as the
reserves drew 1-1 with Leeds United.
Playing on the right side of midfield Nunez made a good impression,
delivering some telling crosses into the box and almost scoring on one
occasion.

Despite lacking match practice the former Real Madrid player looked sharp
and, given the injury crisis that is currently engulfing the club, he could
well have played himself into contention for a place in the first team
squad to face Arsenal on Sunday.

He looks a bright player who can certainly cross a ball and he likes to get
them into the box early. He is quick and looks to have an eye for a pass as
well.

As for the match itself, goalkeeper Paul Harrison was the Reds hero as
Robbie Foy struck a late equaliser to force a 1-1 draw for Hughie McAuley's
side.

The match was played at the Atlantic Stadium, home of Wakefield Trinity
Wildcats and many Liverpool fans were out in force to see the return of
Nunez who was making his first appearance in a red shirt since signing from
Real Madrid as part of the deal that took Michael Owen to Spain.

Liverpool's young goalkeeper Paul Harrison deserves a mention because he
produced a fantastic goalkeeping display to keep out Leeds time and time again.

Robbie Foy scored Liverpool's equaliser after 83 minutes and Leeds felt it
was a contentious decision but the correct one under the rules of the game.
Liverpool had a goal wrongly disallowed at Middlesbrough last Saturday
through Luis Garcia in very similar circumstances, and despite the home
crowd and Leeds players' fury it was a correct goal under the rules of the
game.

Liverpool deserved an equaliser for their efforts and when it came it was
appropriate goalkeeper Harrison created it. He spotted Robbie Foy in a good
position and from his kick theball was deflected into the striker's path
via the boot of a Leeds player. Running clean through the Scotland Under-21
international's finish was superb. The linesman had his flag up straight
away for off-side but it was over-ruled by referee Mr Matadar. It was a
good decision because the ball had gone into Foy's path via the
outstretched boot of a Leeds defender.

Leeds were furious with the decision and were reduced to 10 men after
defender Matthew Kilgallon was sent-off for taking his protests too far.

Also included in Hughie McAuley's team were captain John Welsh alongside
Darren Potter in the centre of midfield while Robbie Foy and Mark Smyth led
the attack. Welsh and Potter played well while David Raven was at right
back while James Smith started at left back. Paul Harrison was preferred to
the out of favour Patrice Luzi in goal.

Partridge created a good chance in the opening two minutes of the match
when he set off on a great run that took him from inside his own half to
the edge of the Leeds penalty area, when he was eventually crowded out.

Leeds then had a great chance after eight minutes when Jamie McMaster got
in behind the Reds defence down the right and produced a teasing low cross
which flew across the face of the goal, but fortunately for Liverpool there
was no player in a white shirt around to score.

Nunez made a bright start for the Reds. His trickery created an opening for
Mark Smyth after 12 minutes but after turning well he couldn't keep his
shot down as it cleared the bar.

Two minutes later Nunez almost made a scoring debut with a first time shot
that brought a good save out of Scott Carson.

Robbie Foy then had a great chance for Liverpool after 15 minutes when he
pulled his shot wide from a good position, then a minute later some great
work from Nunez almost created a goal. His superb pass sent Richie
Partridge clear down the left and his teasing cross was well saved by the
diving Carson.

Crossing a ball is clearly a main part of Nunez's game and he would
certainly give Benitez possibilities on the right flank. One good cross
almost produced a goal but Darren Potter fired a shot wide.

Potter is a highly rated player at Liverpool and he has vision. One
fantastic pass put Mark Smyth away but from a tight angle the England
Under-20 international hit a first time shot that went just over. It was a
great effort from Smyth and unlucky not to open the scoring.

Nunez was full of running and looking to take on defenders and probe for an
opening all the time but he was coming in for some rough treatment and the
Leeds defence often resorted to stopping him by foul means.

Smyth went close again after 29 minutes when he saw his close range header
well saved by Carson after an excellent free-kick delivery from the right
by Robbie Foy.

Liverpool goalkeeper Paul Harrison had nothing to do for a long period in
the game but he showed his alertness with a great stop after 36 minutes.
The pace of Leeds front man Simon Johnson troubled the Liverpool defence
and his pinpoint cross found the head of Andrew Keogh who sent it towards
goal, but the diving Harrison pulled off a superb save.

Two minutes later another surging run from Johnson set up Aaron Lennon who
curled a shot just wide.

One pleasing aspect of the first half was the way that Nunez and Potter
linked. One such move almost created a goal when Potter shot just wide
after a neat one-two with Nunez around the edge of the Leeds penalty area.

Harrison was having a great match in goal for Liverpool and produced some
heroic stops not least one fine save to keep out an effort from McMaster at
point blank range.

Leeds went close after the hour mark when substitute Harpal Singh fired a
powerful shot just over the bar although Harrison had it covered.

Hughie McAuley made his first change of the night on the hour mark when the
impressive Nunez was replaced by Ryan Wilkie.

There was a turning point in the match around the 64th minute of the match.
Liverpool might have scored when a solo run from Smyth ended with him
shooting just wide, then a minute later Leeds took the lead after a great
run and finish by the pacy Simon Johnson.

Heroics from Harrison prevented Leeds scoring again and in front of the
watching Liverpool goalkeeping coach Jose Ochotorena he must have been
impressed with the young Scouser.

Liverpool deserved an equaliser for their efforts and Robbie Foy finished
superbly for the equaliser.

Leeds had further chances to win the game but could not beat Harrison while
Partridge went close at the other end with a curled effort over the bar.

Leeds United Reserves: Carson, Richardson, McDaid, Winter (Keegan 50),
Edwards, Kilgallon, Lennon, Spring, Johnson, McMaster, Keogh (Sing 45).

Liverpool Reserves: Harrison, Raven, J Smith, Whitbread, O?Donnell, Potter,
Nunez (Wilkie 61), Welsh, Foy, Smyth, Partridge. Unused subs: Willis (GK),
Guthrie, Noon, Woods.

Referee: M Matadar.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Paul Harrison. Outstanding display from
Paul Harrison in goal and he made some brilliant saves. Antonio Nunez had a
good match on his debut and probably deserves the award, but Harrison
showed what a good goalkeeper he is.


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