Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Swiss outfit St Gallen tonight as their preseason campaign got off to a frustrating start.
The Reds had the better of the game despite a resolute and well organized display from St Gallen, but were unable to make a telling breakthrough.
In what was the first match of a lengthy preseason, manager Rafael Benitez was keen to experiment, blooding a number of youngsters as he made do without all his Spain players, including Xabi Alonso, due to their Confederations Cup involvement in South Africa, as well as the absent Argentina captain Javier Mascherano.
New signing Glen Johnson made his debut for the Premier League runners-up, coming off the substitutes’ bench and putting in a good performance despite having to fill in at left-back. Indeed, he came close to marking the occasion successfully as he flashed a shot across the face of goal.
Yossi Benayoun – fresh from signing a new contract at Anfield – was one of the better performers, forcing an important late save from St Gallen goalkeeper Reto Bolli.
Over the course of the game the Reds used three shot stoppers of their own as Diego Cavalieri, David Martin and Peter Galacsi appeared, but none were put under too much pressure.
Benitez’s men return to action on Sunday where they move on to the capital of Austria where they will meet Rapid Vienna.
