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Roy Hodgson Marks Competitive Debut with Liverpool Win

David Ngog’s double strike ensured that new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson marked his competitive debut with a win as an under-strength team cruised past Macedonian side Rabotnicki Skopje in Europa League qualifying.

The Reds were shorn of most of their first XI for the trip to Eastern Europe but nevertheless looked comfortable against an enthusiastic but limited Rabotnicki side and ultimately run out as deserved 2-0 winners ahead of the return fixture at Anfield.

The result vindicated Hodgson’s decision to travel to Skopje without the likes of Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson following his public criticism of UEFA for scheduling European qualifiers 18 days after the World Cup.

The manager did decide to start with an experienced defence, however, as first-teamers Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Sotirios Krygiakos all provided a solid foundation and allowed some of the less-experienced players to express themselves.

Their presence enabled the Premier League side to take control of the game, and though the first half was largely a disjointed affair, Liverpool did go ahead through Ngog’s clever finish after he lofted a Lucas free-kick over the Rabotnicki ‘keeper.

The second-half continued in much the same vein, with the France under-21 striker providing Liverpool’s main threat and capping a fine personal performance with a second goal after he coolly volleyed home a Martin Kelly cross from six yards out.

With the second leg to be played in England on August 5, the nature of the victory and the 2-0 scoreline suggest that Liverpool will have little problem progressing from the tie, affording Hodgson a second shot at a Europa League title in as many seasons.