09.07.2005 - Liverpool edge thriller at Racecourse

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Milan Baros was the matchwinner for Liverpool in their first friendly of the new season, against Wrexham.

Fielding a strong first team which included two of their new signings, Bolo Zenden and Jose Reina, Liverpool found themselves behind on eight minutes, with Mark Jones rounding Reina to give the Welsh side an early lead.

Liverpool gradually got into the game though and could have had a comfortable lead by half time, with Cisse, Gerrard and Morientes all coming close.

But it was a Morientes double which proved enough to give the visitors at least a narrow lead, when he firstly converted Darren Potter's low cross from close range, and then later headed powerfully into the bottom corner from a Steve Gerrard corner.

Nine changes were made at half time by Benitez, one of them which involved bringing on Milan Baros.

And the Czech quickly added his name on the scoresheet, capitalising on some poor defending to steal possesion and round the keeper to make it 3-1.

A fourth goal was inevitable with Liverpool looking extremely comfortable, and Baros again provided the finish, volleying superbly from Xabi Alonso's chipped cross into the area.

Wrexham gave their fans a finale to enjoy when they grabbed two late goals back, with substitute Lee McEvilly firing a shot past Dudek, and the scoring was completed by Rodney Jack in the closing minutes.