Lad on est posted this: From the lincolnshire local.... Although it was like the Royal Variety Show - without the royalty - there was no doubting the grandeur of Liverpool's visit to Sincil Bank last night. While the Reds' crown jewels, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, were away on international duty with England, their absence failed to take the shine off a fantastic occasion. The Reds' line-up may not have decorated with their galaxy of stars, but simply having the chance to play the five-time European champions on home soil satisfied every City fan. Of course, this glamorous fixture, played in front of a sell-out crowd, would not have been possible without ex-Imps youngster Jack Hobbs. As part of his £750,000 transfer to Anfield from Sincil Bank last August, the Reds agreed to play this memorable one-off spectacle. Hobbs had only played three minutes of League Two football in a Lincoln shirt before sealing a dream switch to the bright lights of the Premiership. Yet the former Spalding Grammar pupil was in Liverpool's starting line-up and given the ultimate accolade upon his return - being named captain of Liverpool. Reds boss Rafa Benitez, who was sat in the stands, fielded four first-team members with Fabio Aurelio, Jan Kromkamp, Mark Gonzalez and Robbie Fowler all starting. For his part, City head coach John Schofield decided to rest several members of his squad - with notable absentees captain Paul Morgan, defender Lee Beevers, plus strikers Mark Stallard and Jamie Forrester. With a big game against League Two leaders Walsall on Saturday, Schofield did not want any of his own star performers to pick up an injury before the weekend. There was a tremendous atmosphere as the game got underway and, after just three minutes, the Reds showed their class. A good run from Gonzalez caught City napping at the back, but he failed to trouble keeper Alan Marriott. As expected, the Reds dominated possession, but it was the Imps who created the first real opening in the 10th minute. A quick burst of pace from first-year professional Owain Warlow saw him beat two challenges. The Welsh winger fired a low cross into the box, but Gritton - who scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at Torquay on Saturday - just failed to connect with the ball. In return, Fowler was just inches away with a glorious left-foot strike after exchanging passes with Besian Idrizaj. That proved to be a warning sign and, in the 20th minute, Liverpool took the lead. Gonzalez outstripped Ryan Amoo to crash home a terrific left-foot volley. The Chilean's pace was giving the Imps a major headache and, with Aurelio joining the attack at every opportunity, the hosts were forced to dig deep. In the 26th minute, Gonzalez again cut inside from the left and let fly with a shot, which was blocked by defender Colin Cryan. The rebound fell to Aurelio, who failed to trouble Marriott. In the 37th minute, Idrizaj went close with an effort from the edge of the box after some sublime link-up play from Fowler. Gonzalez then embarked on another charging run, receiving a pass from Fowler before ghosting past Amoo. He cut the ball onto his right foot - and was in a prime position to have a strike at goal - but placed his effort over the crossbar. The Imps returned fire through striker Ollie Ryan, who received the ball with his back to goal. He turned expertly, but couldn't keep his shot on target. Chances were coming thick and fast and, with four minutes to go to half-time Liverpool should have doubled their lead. Gonzalez picked out Fowler with a pinpoint pass and the former England ace eased past Cryan. He shot low towards the bottom right-hand corner, but substitute goalkeeper Simon Rayner made a fantastic save. However, Rayner was beaten on the stroke of half-time when Idriazj tapped in after Godwin Antwi's header hit the bar. After the restart, Rayner saved well from substitute Adam Hamill before clutching a long-range effort from Robbie Peltier. City had made a glut of changes at the break and it certainly interrupted their rhythm because the Reds continued to pile on the pressure. They almost grabbed a third goal when Antwi headed Steven Warnock's corner into the grateful arms of Rayner. City had been really quiet as an attacking force, but they were given a free-kick - 25 yards from goal - when Ryan was brought down by Miki Roque. Paul Mayo stepped up and blasted a low shot past the wall, but also well wide of the target. Schofield's side had upped the tempo and, in the 63rd minute they pulled a goal back. Ryan Semple capitalised on some poor defending to fire into an empty net to give City hope. Liverpool responded through Neil Mellor, whose smart turn left Luke Foster tackling thin air. But he fired a shot straight at Rayner. In the 78th minute, good link up play, involving Hammill and Mellor, saw the latter spin in the box, but Cryan stuck out a leg to deflect it behind for a corner. From the following corner, City failed to clear and a ball in from Paul Anderson picked out Mellor. He controlled it with his chest before seeing his volley crash against the foot of the post. Liverpool almost made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute when an astute ball from Hamill picked out the unmarked Mellor on the right. Hamill burst into the box for the return, but - just as he was about to pull the trigger - Foster made a superb last-ditch tackle to avert the danger. The lively Hamill then teed himself up on the edge of the box, striking a low effort to Rayner's bottom corner, which the City stopper kept out with ease. Then in the dying stages, Rayner made another great save, flinging himself low to his left to tip away another effort from Mellor.
