Twelve months ago in Grenchen, a Spanish forward took the first step towards making his name at Liverpool.
But, with Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres on a richly-deserved vacation, last night it was the turn of a younger striking compatriot to command the headlines.
Daniel Pacheco has been earmarked as one to watch ever since Liverpool persuaded him to leave Barcelona.
And in the sleepy Swiss town of Grenchen at the foot of the Jura mountains, Pacheco gave further compelling evidence of his huge promise as Rafael Benitez’s side continued their pre-season preparations with victory over FC Lucerne.
Pacheco created Lucas Leiva’s opener with a sublime pass and his overall display richly-merited the warm ovation he received on being substituted 12 minutes from time.
With Torres, who made his Liverpool debut in Grenchen last year, still on extended leave, Dirk Kuyt having only arrived in Switzerland earlier in the day and Krisztian Nemeth on international duty, Pacheco was again given his chance last night.
And, as at Prenton Park on Saturday, the Spanish youngster indicated why there has been much gnashing of teeth at the Nou Camp over his departure.
Pacheco possesses great pace and composure and it’s easy to see why the senior players have been impressed by his impact while training with the first team.
The 17-year-old’s potential was perfectly showcased in the 10th minute, turning away from his marker on the edge of the area and slipping a reverse pass for the incoming Lucas to finish confidently past Lucerne goalkeeper David Zibung.
Pacheco’s exuberance was evident throughout. Although guilty of over-elaboration later in the half when allowing Zibung to smother his effort after Yossi Benayoun had dummied Andriy Voronin’s pass, the Spaniard remained confident enough to assume set-piece duties, his right-wing corner headed wastefully over by an unmarked Daniel Agger.
The second half saw more of the same. However, Pacheco’s failure to turn many of his chances, often self-made, into goals underlines his potential role more as playmaker than clinical marksman.
It is a minor quibble. Even since his impressive cameo appearance as substitute in the reserves’ final against Aston Villa in May, Pacheco appears to have grown a few inches.
Continue this progress over the next 12 months and the youngster could easily be pushing for a regular place in the matchday squad at the very least.
Opponents Lucerne, who finished sixth in the Swiss Super League last time out, are much further down the line in their pre-season preparations, with their new campaign beginning at the weekend.
It was therefore a genuine work-out for Benitez’s side, with a surprisingly entertaining encounter helping further shake off the inevitable ring-rustiness.
Besides Pacheco, other fringe players also made the most of their opportunity. The lesser-spotted Sebastian Leto, his Liverpool career stalled by eligibility issues, was lively down the left and should have capped his 55-minute performance with a goal, instead dragging a presentable opening wide before the break.
With so few options available to Benitez on the left flank, an available Leto would be a definite asset on this showing.
Of course, pre-season can be notoriously deceiving. Voronin, for example, suggested goals aplenty following his exploits during last season’s summer warm-up programme but faded horribly once the serious stuff started.
The Ukrainian was at it again last night, sending a sumptuous chip over Zibung from 25 yards for Liverpool ’s second goal eight minutes before half-time.
But with the likes of Pacheco waiting in the wings, Voronin will most likely need a lot more where that came from over the next 10 months.
There were some warning signs for Benitez, however. When Philipp Degen was officially unveiled to media at Melwood last week, he cited pace and attacking ability as his main attributes.
By inference, even the right-back himself accepts defending is not his strong suit. And Lucerne’s 13th-minute equaliser was a case in point, Degen beaten in the air to a deep far-post cross by Djamel Mesbah, who nodded across goal for Mario Gavranovic to head in.
Early days admittedly, but such strengths and weaknesses do not bode well and are so similar to that of a foreign import of Anfield past that the Swiss may soon earn the tag Vegard Degen.
Yossi Benayoun, having netted a fantastic goal against Tranmere at the weekend, was far less effective last night, although young Damien Plessis’s stock continues to rise after another mature display.
Ryan Babel made his first outing after missing Euro 2008 through injury, while Daniel Agger continued down his long road to full fitness with another 45 minutes.
Diego Cavalieri enjoyed a full debut in goal, and Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano returned to the fold in the closing moments.
However, as last year, it was the sight of Spanish forward that lingered most in the minds of the sell-out crowd.
