Liverpool Reserves kicked off their defence of the Premier Reserve League with a largely comfortable 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

A first half header from Jordy Brouwer gave the Champions a winning start in an uneventful encounter at the Riverside.

Manager Gary Ablett gave new signing Vincent Weijl a start, while Peter Gulacsi was untroubled in goal the day after signing a permanent deal at the club. Philipp Degen also played 45 minutes in his comeback from injury.

After their involvement in the Liverpool first team pre-season games, Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Dani Pacheco found themselves in more familiar surroundings in the reserve line-up, while Ablett was without Krisztian Nemeth, Damien Plessis, Nabil El Zhar and Emiliano Insua due to first and national team commitments.

After a slow start, Liverpool stepped up a gear. Pacheco was given too much space on the Liverpool right on 17 minutes; his dinked cross met the head of Jordy Brouwer, who after heading against the crossbar, made no mistake, nodding in at the second attempt.

Pacheco was not so fortunate as little as a minute later, after waltzing through the Boro defence only to strike the foot of the post. Captain Stephen Darby also had a goal chalked off for offside at the end of the first half.

A second half downpour saw Liverpool’s flair players fade, and despite some slack play the away side were always in control.

Player Review:

So while the result may have been comfortable for the Champions, are any of the side anywhere near getting into Rafa Benitez’s first team plans?

Peter Gulacsi (GK): Largely untroubled against Middlesbrough, the Hungarian did show last season that he is prone to the odd mistake or two. Signed permanently this summer by Benitez, but after also signing Diego Cavalieri as back-up to Pepe Reina, the occasional selection on the bench should an injury strike those above him in the pecking order, is the best he can hope for this season.

Stephen Darby (LB): Captain of the reserve team, Darby showed in pre-season that Benitez should have no worries in playing him should Degen’s injury problems continue and Arbeloa get injured. He is a solid performer who had a goal chalked off for offside against Middlesbrough Reserves despite not playing in his usual position of right back.

SUB: Philipp Degen (RB): Okay, this guy was bought as a first teamer, but his only ‘competitive’ appearance so far in a Liverpool shirt gave little away from what we already know. Average defensively but has pace going forward, the right back may have an easier time getting into the Liverpool team now that Steve ‘Mr Consistency’ Finnan has moved on.

Daniel Ayala (CB): Booked against Boro for some rash tackling he was replaced at half time by Philipp Degen.

Martin Kelly (CB): Similar player to Darby, although Kelly is not always a regular in Gary Ablett’s side. Not ready for first team stint this year.

Ronald Huth (CB): Largely solid. Regular starter for reserves but will not see any first team action any time soon.

Gerardo Bruna (RM): Faded as the game went on, the left-footed attacker had Liverpool’s first shot in anger at the Riverside. No chance of breaking through to the first team this campaign as he still settles in.

SUB Steve Irwin (RM): Right-sided youth team player has greatly impressed at the Academy and will be looking to play more for Ablett’s side this campaign.

Jay Spearing (CM): One of the Scouser’s quieter games. With the abundance of talent ahead of him in the first team, and his lack of height for such an important position, being one of the stars of the reserve team may be all he has to settle for this season, with the odd place on Rafa’s bench.

Mikel San Jose (CM): Normally deployed as a central defender, the Spaniard struggled at times in an unfamiliar role. One of the better players in the reserve squad though, and appearances on the first team bench last season make him a solid and reliable 5th choice there for Benitez.

Vincent Weijl (LM): One of Benitez’s less high-profile transfers this summer, the left-sided, left-footed Dutchman showed some nice touches and a willingness to take on his marker. His apparently casual style deceived the Boro defence on occasions, as he would come to life sparking a neat move or put in a dangerous cross. The first team’s lack of width has stuck out like a sore thumb so far this campaign, so surprise appearances on Rafa’s sub bench may not be too far away. The deadline day signing of Albert Riera may delay this, but if Sebastian Leto could get a start in last season’s Champions League, anything can happen.

Dani Pacheco (ST): By far the most promising of Liverpool’s youngsters who played against Boro. Showed classy touches and was unlucky not to score in the first half. Surely set to get some form of chance, if not this season then surely next.

Jordy Brouwer (ST): Despite a flurry of goals at the back end of last season and another against Boro, fans of Football Manager will know that the young Dutchman is far from the complete article and is more likely to lose his place in the reserve side than making any inroads into Benitez’s plans. A loan move back to his homeland failed to materialise, and his chances even in the reserve side are set to be limited with Krisztian Nemeth to return and the signings of David N’Gog and Vitor Flora.

SUB Andras Simon (ST): Missed a great chance in the second half against Boro, and is still being used sparingly in the reserves as he has failed to adapt as well as compatriot Krisztian Nemeth.

Their next game is at Sunderland on September 17.

Written by Michael McGuinness