Liverpool boss Benitez knows the real business is still to come

Rafael Benitez ran the rule over Liverpool's supporting cast while his mind was no doubt buzzing with ways of raising the money to complete deals for Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane.  

The Liverpool manager admits he has to wheel and deal to do that - but he has raised almost £14million by moving on Peter Crouch and Danny Guthrie this week.  

Steve Finnan and Scott Carson were, significantly, absent from Liverpool's 21-man squad for their first pre-season friendly against Tranmere at Prenton Park today with further moves likely soon.

Liverpool's Stephen Derby (leftl) and Jack Hobbs (right) challenge Tranmere's Chris Greenacre

And Benitez is not understood to be over-concerned about suggestions Arsenal are trying to snatch Barry at the last moment.  

All business is now likely to be conducted while Benitez's squad are at a training camp in Switzerland for the next fortnight, during which time they will also play four matches.  

It took a fine angled drive from Yossi Benayoun - who has made a point of committing his future to Anfield - to clinch a comfortable victory as Benitez's young brigade impressed.  

Liverpool welcomed back defender Daniel Agger for his first game in nine months following a metatarsal injury and had Spanish teenager Danny Pacheco, the former Barcelona junior, up front.  

Youngsters Stephen Darby, Jack Hobbs, Damien Plessis, goalkeeper David Martin and Emiliano Insua all had run-outs.  

New signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen were introduced at the break.  

Tranmere had their new names - John Curtis, George O'Callaghan, Bas Savage and Edrissa Sonko on show - but it was the expected better passing, movement and control of the Liverpool outfit that had them very much in control.  

Martin had to save well from Chris Greenacre, but former Wales international Danny Coyne kept the score down until Benayoun's 20-yarder saw Liverpool ahead.   Jermaine Pennant, a target for Blackburn, hit the bar with Andy Taylor's free-kick clipping the foot of Martin's left-hand post before the break.  

But this was little more than a gentle exercise in the sun to entertain a 15,000 full house.  

Liverpool made seven changes at the break, with Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia and another couple of youngsters - Jay Spearing and Ryan Flynn - coming on, Academy product Martin Kelly also making a late appearance.  

But the crowd had been waiting for Steven Gerrard, who arrived just after the hour-mark along with Andriy Voronin.  

Gerrard had a strolling involvement, containing himself for sterner battles over the coming months.