Grasshoppers 0-0 Liverpool: The Daily Mirror match report

Roy Hodgson admitted to being "encouraged" as a young Liverpool side drew in the first game of his reign.

The Anfield boss watched on as the Reds held Grasshoppers of Zurich to a 0-0 draw in a pre-season warm-up match, with a solid, organised defensive display.

But with the strong Swiss side already into their new season, and with virtually no first team regulars in the Liverpool line-up, Hodgson was pleased with the way his team performed.

Brazilian Lucas captained the side, and Italian Alberto Aquilani was the only other player likely to be a regular first team player this season to start the friendly.

But Liverpool had the best of the first half hour and finished strongly, thanks to some impressive displays from youngsters like Jay Spearing, Nathan Ecceleston and Paul Ince's son Thomas, who emerged as a second half substitute and almost won the match late on.

Hodgson had admitted to being worried about the fixture given the advanced stage of Grasshoppers' preparations, but he said: "I was encouraged, the young players showed a lot of ability and determination."