[lfc-news] Reserves v Everton report - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 16 Aug 2005
FLO BACK WITH A GOAL IN RESERVES DEFEAT
Steve Hunter at Wrexham

Florent Sinama-Pongolle made a scoring return for Liverpool Reserves
after seven months out in the Reds 3-2 defeat to Everton, in the first
second string match of the season at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Sinama-Pongolle entered the field as a 50th minute substitute to make
his first appearance for the Reds since injuring his knee in the Carling
Cup semi-final win at Watford on January 25th.

The France Under-21 star played on the right wing and was absolutely
superb. He was so sharp and almost single handedly rescued a point for a
Liverpool team which had at one stage been 3-0 down and Everton had
missed a penalty. Right wing is a position that seems comfortable for
Sinama-Pongolle and he can take players on and cause havoc. The watching
Rafael Benitez will have been pleased to see him back in action.

Reds midfielder Danny Guthrie scored a superb individual goal to make it
3-2 but it was too little too late for Liverpool. Everton also ended the
game with 10 men after James Harris was sent-off.

Liverpool's chief scout Paco Herrera is in charge of the Reserves this
season with Hughie McAuley as reserve coach.

Both teams fielded young players with Liverpool giving debuts to centre
half Jack Hobbs, Spanish right back Antonio Barragan and Ghana defender
Godwin Antwi. Spanish centre half Miquel Roque couldn't play as he is
waiting for international clearance.

With Paul Harrison and Patrice Luzi leaving the club in the summer the
goalkeeping responsibilities for the new reserve season will fall to
Northern Ireland youth international Paul Willis.

In order to fit all the players into the team on the night a few were in
different positions. Godwin Antwi is a centre half but because of a
striker shortage had to play up front while Hobbs was asked to play a
new role just in front of the back four, in the Didi Hamann role if you
like. Lee Peltier, one of the new Melwood recruits from the Academy this
summer is normally a central midfielder, but had to play left back.
Peltier hasn't played for over nine months due to a back problem so he
will have been grateful to get a game under his belt.

Zak Whitbread captained the team and partnered Danny O'Donnell at centre
half.

Until the introduction of Sinama-Pongolle Everton were causing all sorts
of problems in the air and were 3-0 up inside the opening 50 minutes
with all three goals coming from set pieces.

Everton winger Bjarni Vidarsson scored the first two goals both from
headers. The first one came after seven minutes when Vidarsson headed
home Christian Seargeant's left wing free-kick.

It was 2-0 after 37 minutes when Vidarsson headed home right back
Stephen Wynne's cross.

A minute into the second half Everton missed a penalty. A mistake from
Danny O'Donnell let in Victor Anichebe who was brought down by Zak
Whitbread. Liverpool keeper Paul Willis made a superb save to keep out
Mark Hughes spot kick.

However a minute later it was 3-0 and another set piece goal. Hughes was
allowed a free header at the back post and nodded it across goal for the
unmarked Anichebe to head home.

That was the cue for Paco Herrera to bring on Florent Sinama-Pongolle
after 50 minutes and the French star transformed the team almost single
handedly. He inspired all around him and Liverpool began to play and
looked a real threat every time they attacked.

Within five minutes of coming on Sinama-Pongolle made it 3-1 with a fine
header from David Mannix's free-kick. Sinama-Pongolle had won the
free-kick himself with some great work down the right wing.

Josemi was then introduced on the hour mark for Peltierand played at
centre half and was very competitive making several crunching tackles.

With Sinama-Pongolle causing all sorts of problems Liverpool were a
different side. He set up a great chance for Godwin Antwi who shot wide
then Liverpool went so close after 66 minutes. Antonio Barragan, who
looks a very promising player down the right hand side, whipped in a
great cross which Richard Wright couldn't hold under a challenge from
Antwi and Hughes headed clear from the line.

Zak Whitbread then headed just over the bar from a corner and
Sinama-Pongolle had a shot deflected just wide after a great run when he
beat three defenders.

With five minutes remaining Danny Guthrie made it 3-2 with a great shot
fired into the corner of the net giving Wright no chance.

Everton were then reduced to 10 men when James Harris was shown a red
card for dissent after a brawl.

Sinama-Pongolle went close for the Reds in stoppage time but there was
to be no comeback in the mini derby as Everton beat Liverpool at Wrexham
for the second successive season.

As far as the new boys are concerned Godwin Antwi worked hard but it is
unfair to make any judgement yet because he is a centre half in a new
country playing as a lone striker. That is a difficult role but he kept
working hard which was a good sign. He also showed some neat touches
with some good lay-offs for team-mates.

Antonio Barragan did well at right back. He has skill, can beat
opponents and looks a very decent prospect.

Jack Hobbs played in a new role too and worked hard. He certainly likes
a tackle and was constantly shouting encouragement to his team-mates.

The biggest positive on the night for the watching Benitez was seeing
Sinama-Pongolle back in action after seven months out. Flo gives the
Reds boss a number of different possibilities as is comfortable playing
up front or on the right hand side.

Liverpool Reserves: Willis, Barragan, Peltier (Josemi 60), O'Donnell,
Whitbread, Hobbs, Wilkie (Sinama-Pongolle 50), Guthrie, Godwin Antwi,
Mannix, Hammill (Frayne 82). Subs unused: Roberts (GK), Woods.

Everton Reserves: Wright, Wynne, Wilson, Wright, Hughes, Harris, Phelan,
Li Tie, Anichebe, Seargeant, Vidarsson.

Referee: S J Bratt.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the match: Florent Sinama-Pongolle. Great to see
him back and he totally transformed the game for the better as far as
Liverpool are concerned.

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