Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool successfully navigated the Macedonian minnow banana skin in their Europa League qualifier thanks to a brace from David Ngog. The French striker, who lives almost permanently in the shadow of Fernando Torres, came up with two quality strikes to see off FK Rabotnick and suggest that he is determined to prove himself at Anfield under the new regime…

Hodgson put faith in Ngog and the likes of Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly and David Amoo alongside more experienced first-teamers with Lucas and Alberto Aquilani in midfield with Dan Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the back. There was also a competitive debut for new signing Milan Jovanovic.

Hodgson’s gamble in resting his star names paid off and the second-leg and qualification now looks a formality, while Liverpool’s World Cup assets remain rested.

There was little to glean for Fantasy Managers, although Ngog’s enthusiasm for the cause may well convince more to take the gamble on the young Frenchman when Torres inevitably sustains an injury. Much depends on how the new Liverpool boss sets out his team however with Dirk Kuyt and Jovanovich both capable of being deployed wide or as a striking partner to Torres. It’s worth noting that Jovanovich started last night’s match on the left wing as expected.

Elsewhere last night Harry Redknapp blooded Heurelho Gomes, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Peter Crouch for the first time in pre-season following their exploits the World Cup but their return could not prevent Spurs slipping to a worrying 4-1 defeat to Villareal.

The Spaniard’s finished seventh in La Liga last season but had little troubling in humbling Redknapp’s side with ex-United striker Giuseppe Rossi bagging a hat-trick. Giovani dos Santos notched the consolation for Spurs who lost Jermaine Jenas to a groin injury on 17 minutes.

Reports suggest that the Jenas injury will see Redknapp reinvigorate his bid for Scott Parker following West Ham’s accusations of attempt to unsettle the player. Parker’s future at Upton Park remains in the balance then.

Finally Wigan completed their pre-season tour of Austria with a 0-0 stalemate against Genclerbirligi – a tepid affair, notable for the performances of Ben Watson and Momo Diame in central midfield and Steve Gohouri at the back.