Degen makes comeback as Reserves draw

The result does nothing to improve the Reds' disappointing league position, though they can at least take comfort from looking down on joint bottom United.

Liverpool, who employed a slick 4-1-3-2 formation, could have got more from the game had they capitalised on a decent first-half showing.

Nabil El Zhar flicked a dangerous ball across the face of goal after just two minutes but no one was there. It took another nine minutes for either side to muster a shot when Gerardo Bruna picked up a loose ball before curling over.

One of few chances for David Ngog to repeat his goalscoring antics against Middlesbrough Reserves two weeks ago came after 23 minutes. The Frenchman had options but elected to turn and shoot only for Tomasz Kuszczak to smother.

The hosts were offering little in return, and when they did rouse towards the end of the half, they were twice denied by the rule book.

First, striker Lee Martin broke free of the Reds defence but all he got for his troubles was a yellow card after trying to con a penalty out of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Next Federico Macheda did find the net only to be denied by an offside flag.

A quiet half for Gulacsi, then; though he can expect a bill from Altrincham FC for booting TWO yellow balls over the stands.

The most memorable moment of the opening period came just before the break when, with Kuszczak in no man's land, Ngog parodied Maradona's famous handball before finding an empty net. Sadly for him, the referee was sharper than his counterpart from 1986 and gave the young striker a booking for his indiscretion.

More positive for Liverpool was the return of Swiss right-back Degen, whose first 45 of football since November were useful even if he was restricted to the odd tackle and a couple of surging runs down the right.

The sight of him walking sheepishly towards the bench with 10 minutes of the first half remaining prompted a few groans from Kopites who travelled along the M62 - though thankfully he was just requesting a replacement shin pad.

Having made a tentative step towards a first-team comeback, the Bosman signing watched from the bench as United upped the tempo at the start of the second half.

They would have gone in front through Macheda but for a superb close-range save from Gulacsi.

Perhaps Liverpool's best chance after the break came when the lively El Zhar crossed for Ngog, who skewed his volley.

Rarely do you see a league table with both Manchester United and Liverpool languishing at the wrong end, but that's the reality for Ablett and counterpart Ole Gunnar Solksejar following disappointing seasons. So, it was perhaps no surprise that, despite the best efforts of both sides to play good football, the game petered out as the night wore on.

The last action came with seconds to spare when El Zhar skipped past his man before firing into the side netting from a difficult angle.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Nabil El Zhar.

Bookings: Damien Plessis, David Ngog.

Gulacsi, Degen (Mendy 45), Darby (cap), Kelly, Spearing, Plessis, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ngog, Simon (Palsson 72), Bruna (Weijl 61). Subs: Bouzanis, Antwi.