Alongside Daniel Agger and Andy Carroll, two players reportedly left out of the squad that travelled to Belarus on Thursday to face FC Gomel due to minor injury and looking to regain their fitness, goalkeeper Pepe Reina saw his first action under new manager Brendan Rodgers on Sunday when Liverpool faced off against Rochedale behind closed doors at Melwood. Also taking part in the fitness friendly were Lucas, who was given his first start since returning from injury, and Dani Pacheco, whose future has seemed uncertain following the decision to leave him at home for the club's Europa debut despite a promising showing on the North American pre-season tour.
Unfortunately the match had to be called off when Rochdale's Reece Gray suffered a serious ankle injury early in the second half that will require the 19-year-old attacker undergo surgery in the coming days. At the time of the game's suspension, Liverpool were leading by a score of 2-1 thanks to goals by Nathan Eccleston and Glen Johnson, while defender Martin Kelly was in the midst of a rare senior appearance at centre half. The club's full starting eleven on the day comprised Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Agger, Robinson, Charlie Adam, Lucas, Jonjo Shelvey, Eccleston, Carroll, and Pacheco.