KEWELL BACK AS REDS BEAT BLUES

Steve Hunter at Wrexham 30 April 2007 Harry Kewell made an impressive return from injury when he created a goal during Liverpool Reserves' 3-1 win over Everton in the mini-derby at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Monday night.

The Reds number seven hadn't kicked a ball since scoring for Australia against Croatia in the World Cup and has been on the sidelines all season. He came on after 55 minutes and played on the left wing. Kewell made an instant impact too. He was only on the field for five minutes when he beat two defenders down the left and set up Craig Lindfield for a tap-in from close range. Paul Anderson scored the Reds first goal and Moroccan Nabil El Zhar will claim the second goal with the aid of a deflection. In their final second string match of the season Gary Ablett's side played some superb football at times and they were full value for their win. Indeed the Reds could easily have scored more than three goals on the night. Ablett's starting line-up included six of the young starlets who helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup Final against Manchester United last Thursday, in the form of Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby, Lindfield, Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett and goalkeeper David Roberts. Jimmy Ryan and Lee Woodward were on the bench as was 16-year-old Academy goalkeeper Chris Oldfield. Argentine left back Emiliano Insua, who made his first team debut at Portsmouth on Saturday was given another outing. Spearing played central midfield alongside Barnett with captain Jack Hobbs partnering Ronald Huth at centre half. Everton, who won this corresponding fixture 2-1 earlier this season fielded a young team and they were outclassed. Liverpool went close after 16 minutes when Lindfield's superb lay-off sent Anderson racing away down the right wing. The winger's low cross found El Zhar whose effort was well kept out by John Ruddy. A minute later Anderson put the Reds 1-0 up when he intercepted an Everton clearance and ran clear before producing a clinical finish. It was 2-0 after 25 minutes with a goal of almost comical proportions. An attempted Everton clearance by Darren Dennehy struck the right boot of El Zhar and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Liverpool were looking as though they were going to score with every attack as inspired by the passing and prompting in midfield by Jay Spearing they used the wide players to great effect. Lindfield hit a great strike from 30-yards out which beat Ruddy but sailed just wide. Then a minute later a diving header from El Zhar landed just wide. Lindfield and strike partner El Zhar caused the Everton defence problems all night and they were proving too hot to handle. Just before the interval it should have been 3-0 but Anderson could only shoot wildly over the bar after a good left wing cross from Threlfall. Lindfield added the third goal on the hour mark after some magical wing play from Kewell. The Aussie then nearly set up another goal but Anderson's effort was superbly saved by Ruddy. Everton pulled a goal back after 78 minutes when Kieran Agard ran onto a through ball and finished well. Liverpool Reserves: Roberts, Darby, Insua, Hobbs, Huth (Kewell 55), Barnett (Ryan 77), Anderson, Spearing, Lindfield (Brouwer 67), El Zhar, Threlfall. Subs' not used: Oldfield (GK), Woodward. Everton Reserves: Ruddy, Densmore, Molyneux, Irving, Dennehy, Harpur (Downes 45), Phelan, Vidarsson, Spencer (Morrison 45), Agard, Kissock. Referee: K G Evans. Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Paul Anderson. Scored an excellent goal and had a terrific match on the right wing. Really exciting to watch.