As promised, Rafa Benitez gave a host of fringe players opportunity to impress as Liverpool traveled to Elland Road to face Leeds United for the first time since the Yorkshire side were relegated from the top-flight in 2004.
David Ngog opened the scoring on 66 minutes with a beautiful turn and finish from close range after a short corner had been headed out to Mascherano whose shot into the crowd fell to the French youngster.
Swiss right-back Philipp Degen put in an impressive display, particularly going forward, before picking up a slight knock (surprise!) to be replaced by Glen Johnson. Scouse midfielder Jay Spearing also took the opportunity to impress showing good passing ability from the middle.
Leeds were much the better side for long periods of the match and had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half.
Leeds United: Higgs, Crowe 
, Kisnorbo, Michalik, Doyle (Showunmi, 88), Howson, Johnson, Hughes (Kilkenny 78), Beckford, Becchio, Snodgrass
Subs not used: Ankergren, Naylor, Prutton, Robinson, Grella
Liverpool: Cavalieri, Darby (Johnson, 70), Carragher, Kyrgiakos , Dossena, Babel (Skrtel 90), Mascherano, Spearing, Aurelio, Riera, Ngog (Gerrard, 78)
Subs not used: Reina, Torres, Plessis, Voronin
Goals: Ngog (66)
Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 38,168
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