Echo: Young boys of Bren shine

The Europa League maybe a long way down on Brendan Rodgers' list of priorities but it provided a welcome injection of positivity into Liverpool FC's season last night.

The Kop kids did themselves proud against the Young Boys as the Reds got their Group A campaign off to a victorious start with a rollercoaster victory in Bern.

Rodgers' gamble to leave virtually his entire first choice line up at home paid off handsomely, although the manager was put through the wringer at the Stade de Suisse before the points were finally wrapped up.

Liverpool marked their 100th appearance in the different guises of this competition by enjoying their most prolific night in Europe since Besiktas were thrashed 8-0 in the Champions League five years ago.

Of course delight was tempered by some abject defending which enabled Young Boys to lead 3-2 midway through the second half.

But an experimental line up dug deep to ensure LFC will go into Sunday's league clash with Manchester United on a high.

Few of those involved last night will face United but Jonjo Shelvey certainly staked a claim for inclusion with a majestic double after coming off the bench.

Rodgers could also be hugely satisfied with the efforts of those who were making their senior bows.

Andre Wisdom more than justified his inclusion with a composed display at right-back.

The 19-year-old Academy graduate, who has climbed above Jon Flanagan in the pecking order in recent weeks, showed no sign of nerves on his big night.

Wisdom capped his memorable debut with a goal and further chances in this competition for both him and Suso, who showcased his qualities in an advanced central midfield role, are bound to follow.

Similarly, there was plenty to admire about Oussama Assaidi's first outing for the club. The Morocco international, who was bought from Heerenveen for £3million this summer, was full of energy and invention down the flanks before understandably fading after the break.

In fact it was some of those senior players who Rodgers was looking to lead by example who failed to produce the goods and made this a more difficult evening than it needed to be.

Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson can rest easy after Jose Enrique's erratic display at left-back, while Stewart Downing will surely be another asked to take a seat and watch Sunday's showdown unfold.

As well as giving debuts to Wisdom, Suso and Assaidi, Rodgers handed Dani Pacheco his first start for the club since the Europa League game against Utrecht in December 2010.

Liverpool have bemoaned their luck in front of goal so far this season but there were no complaints last night as they were gifted the lead inside four minutes in farcical fashion.

When Downing delivered from the right, there was no Reds player in sight. However, in his efforts to clear Christoph Spycher powered a header into the face of team-mate Juhani Ojala and keeper Marco Wolfli was left helpless as the ball cannoned into the net.

That comedy of errors provided the perfect start for Rodgers' side but they were soon indebted to Brad Jones for protecting their advantage. After Raul Bobadilla burst clear it took a fine finger tip save from the Australian to deny him.

With Nuri Sahin dictating the game in midfield, the Reds appeared in control and Assaidi went close when his 20-yarder was deflected just past the post.

Suso should have doubled Liverpool FC's lead. The talented Spaniard did everything right as he latched on to Assaidi's pass and cleverly weaved his way into space in the box.

However, when Suso should have pulled the trigger he opted to take another touch and ended up looking for a pass which wasn't on and the opening disappeared.

Having earlier benefited from some wretched defending, Liverpool returned the favour seven minutes before the break.

After a bright start following his arrival from Newcastle last summer, Enrique has started this season the way he ended the previous one.

After coming across to dispossess the on-rushing Bodadilla, Enrique had done the hard part but he dallied and under pressure from Alexander Farnerud inexplicably panicked and presented it to Raphael Nuzzolo.

The Swiss midfielder made him pay with a clinical finish which Jones could only push into the roof of the net.

Skipper Jamie Carragher couldn't hide his fury with Enrique but within two minutes the Reds' embarrassment had turned to joy. Wisdom showed great desire as he rose highest to meet Sahin's corner and powered a header into the bottom corner.

Young Boys continued to pose a threat with Farnerud hitting the woodwork before they restored parity for a second time in the 53rd minute.

Ojala was handed far too much space as he rose unchallenged to head home Bodadilla's cross.

Ten minutes later Young Boys carved Liverpool open once again to send a packed crowd into raptures.

Bobadilla shrugged off the attentions of Carragher and Suso close to halfway and released Gonzalo Zarate into the gaping hole where Enrique should have been.

Jones raced out to meet him but Zarate expertly dinked it over him.

Having brought on Fabio Borini for Pacheco, Rodgers then introduced Shelvey for Assaidi. The substitutes' impact was emphatic as the Reds only trailed for four minutes.

Borini had a shot forced behind by Wolfli and from the ensuing corner Sebastian Coates took advantage of some non-existent marking to nod in Downing's centre.

As the Swiss tired, Liverpool stepped it up and were able to deliver the decisive blows with Shelvey wreaking havoc.

A sweeping move ended with Jordan Henderson laying Borini's cross into the path of Shelvey who finished in style.

His second late on was even better as he burst through and unleashed an unstoppable drive past Wolfi.

Bern is ranked among the world's top 10 cities for the best quality of life and Rodgers had no complaints about his stay as Liverpool headed for home.

Now the boss must hope the sight of such a goal-fest gets his more illustrious names in the mood to claim United's scalp on Sunday.

Young Boys (4-2-3-1): Wolfli, Sutter, Veskovac, Ojala, Raimondi, Zverotic (Frey 81), Spycher, Zarate (Gonzalez 65), Farnerud, Nuzzolo (Schneuwly 69), Bodadilla. Not used: Benito, Vitkieviez, Costanzo, Lecjaks.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Jones, Wisdom, Carragher, Coates, Enrique, Henderson, Sahin, Suso, Downing (Sterling 77), Pacheco (Borini 62), Assaidi (Shelvey 66). Not used: Gulacsi, Wilson, Yesil, Robinson.

Referee: Michael Koukoulakis (Greece)

Attendance: 31, 120.

Goals: Ojala og 4, Nuzzolo 38, Wisdom 40, Ojala 53, Zarate 63, Coates 67, Shelvey 76.

Bookings: Raimondi, Nuzzolo, Veskovac, Borini, Bobadilla.

Source: Liverpool Echo