HT: Rabotnicki 0-1 Liverpool - Ngog puts Reds ahead at the break

David Ngog scored the first goal of the Roy Hodgson era as an under-strength Liverpool began their season with an uncomfortably early Europa League test tonight.

Ngog struck after 17 minutes to hand Hodgson's men a half-time advantage in the first leg of their third round qualifier against FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia.

Chances were limited after that but Liverpool, without 10 of their World Cup players, were not seriously threatened.

Roy Hodgson fielded just a handful of familiar names in his first competitive match as Liverpool manager tonight.

With 10 World Cup players sitting out the Europa League third round qualifier against FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia, Hodgson put his faith in youth to see the Reds through a tricky early season test.

Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Alberto Aquilani, Lucas and David Ngog were the established players to start.

New signing Milan Jovanovic was handed his debut while David Amoo also made a first senior appearance. Diego Cavalieri, Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing made up the team.

It was a sign of the times, however, that the side on show at the Philip II Stadium - an old arena halfway through an impressive rebuild - was still worth £41million.

Liverpool, playing in black, began with Aquilani operating in an advanced role behind Ngog on a balmy evening in sweltering Skopje.

Rabotnicki had the first opportunity but Ze Carlos' optimistic shot from a 40-yard free-kick was blocked by Lucas.

Wandeir dos Santos attempted to beat Kelly on the left but the young right-back stood up well.

Liverpool's first serious chance came when Kyrgiakos headed wide from an Aquilani corner.

The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Ngog raced through a static Rabotnicki defence to reach a Lucas free-kick.

The Frenchman ran into the box unchallenged and clipped the ball past a half-hearted attempt at a save from Martin Bogatinov.

Brazil-born Ze Carlos found space as Rabotnicki tried to respond but shot tamely at Cavalieri from distance.

Vladimir Tuneski also tried his luck from the edge of the box but fired wide.

Amoo made his first dangerous run after switching from the right to the left wing as half-time approached.

He reached the byline and pulled the ball back across goal but Jovanovic was unable to get around a defender to reach it.