Hodgson pleased with youthful Reds

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson felt his young team acquitted themselves well after coming through a potentially tricky Europa League test in Macedonia on Thursday night.

David Ngog struck twice as Hodgson began his reign with a comfortable 2-0 win over FK Rabotnicki in the first leg of a third round qualifier in Skopje.

The ease of victory fully justified Hodgson's decision to leave behind the likes of Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole.

‘I am very satisfied,’ Hodgson said.

‘It was a game that could have been very difficult for us.

‘It was a big crowd and some of our players that played are not used to big crowds.

‘I was really pleased with the way everyone went about their business and we can go back to Anfield with a margin of victory which will enable us to feel a little more comfortable.’