Pool bank Swiss win with first-half strikes
Reds boss Rafael Benitez handed new goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri the gloves for his debut, while fellow newcomer Philipp Degen was also in a first XI which included Spaniard Danny Pacheco but not Steven Gerrard, who was left on the bench.
Pacheco was the architect of the 10th-minute opener, combining well with Brazil midfielder Lucas before the latter slotted home coolly to round off the move.
Benitez’s men were pegged back soon after when Degen failed to win a far-post header, allowing the ball to break to Gavranovic who converted an uncontested header.
Pacheco and Yossi Benayoun both shone in the first half and the visitors soon moved back into the lead through the equally impressive Voronin.
The Ukraine forward took control of the ball 16 yards from goal before producing a sweetly-hit lob to make it 2-1.
There was, though, one further plus for Benitez who gave Dutch winger Ryan Babel his first 45 minutes since sustaining an ankle injury in his country’s Euro 2008 preparations.
Elsewhere, England striker Jermain Defoe continued where he left off last season with a goal in Portsmouth’s first pre-season friendly – a 1-1 draw at Exeter. Premier League newcomers West Brom slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Bundesliga Two champions Borussia Monchengladbach in their opening pre-season friendly. Rangers defeated Lotte 3-1 in a low-key friendly against the German minnows with Kris Boyd scoring twice.
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