Hodgson: Ngog's going nowhere after that start
Published 23:03 29/07/10 By David Maddock
Roy Hodgson expressed his delight and relief as his Anfield reign got off the perfect start in Skopje last night.
The new Liverpool boss feared a tricky Europa League trip to Macedonia could end in disaster, after admitting his preparations for the game were far from ideal.
But two goals against Rabotnicki from young striker David Ngog had the manager purring about the resilience and quality of his young side, and about the coolness of the French forward in particular.
Ngog has been linked with a move away from Anfield, but Hodgson insisted: "I can't stop players being linked with other clubs, but I never discussed him leaving Liverpool.
"I have been very impressed with him. I think Ngog has worked very hard in training and done very well in the pre-season games, and he crowned his hard work with an impressive performance.
"The goals will be a big weight off him mind, and give him confidence. Front players need goals, and he has got them, which means he can relax. He has shown us that he has the movement and touch, and quality, and I'm pleased for him."
Liverpool looked in complete control against a poor Rabotnicki side, and this comfortable win gives Hodgson the luxury of playing the same side in the return at Anfield next week.
It will allow him to offer a longer rest to likes of Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Jamie Carragher, and he admitted it was a fine result in his first competitive game as Reds boss.
"I am very satisfied, it could have been very difficult for us - the crowd were fantastic and intimiadting,and some of our team are not used to that," he said.
"I am pleased that we can go back to Anfield with a margin of victory that makes it more comfortable.
"You learn a lot about your team every time they play, and there were a lot of players out there who I need to learn about. Some of them I've hardly worked with. It was a very good exercise for me in that respect.
"I'm really pleased that we got through this test because they are an experienced European team, who can play some good football. I am encouraged by that.
"But I'm not going to make statements about how good this team is, because we have a lot of very good players to come back."
TV pictures seemed to show some unpleasant racist chanting from the crowd, but Hodgson insisted he saw nothing of that, and had nothing but praise for the Macedonian fans.
He also welcome the appointment of Mark Hughes as his successor at Fulham, when he added: "I think Mark Hughes is a good appointment, and I wish him well because Fulham are a good club."
