Liverpool Res 8

Bradford City Res 0

Bradford City's side of mainly trainees were given a tough time against experienced opposition who included Robbie Fowler, Titi Camara, Patrik Berger and Christian Ziege.

The crowd of over 4,000 for last night's FA Premier Reserve League North fixture was swelled by a large number of Bristol Rovers supporters who watched the first half before walking across Stanley Park for the Pirates' Worthington Cup tie against Everton at Goodison Park.

From the start it was always going to be Aidan Davison who was to have the busiest evening with Liverpool, playing only their second reserve game of the season having three chances to take the lead in the first 11 minutes.

England international Fowler made no mistake in the 12th minute when he slotted the ball home from an Alan Navarro cross.

Davison denied Fowler twice in the next two minutes while at the other end Pegguy Arphexad was a virtual spectator. He wasn't troubled with City's first attempt on goal, a volley from Andrew Lee.

In the 35th minute Liverpool increased their lead when Meijer ran down the left and drew Davison from his goal before slipping the ball beyond his reach. Three minutes later Camara tapped home a Fowler cross from close range.

Liverpool's fourth came four minutes before the interval when Meijer crossed for Fowler to score his second.

After 55 minutes, Scott Bolton, who had been having a solid game in the back line for City, put the ball through the centre but Ben Jones was unable to connect.

A minute later Fowler completed his hat-trick, blasting the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

Seconds later he could have scored again but his shot was tipped over by Davison. However from the resulting corner he was not to be denied and headed home his fourth.

Berger coolly slotted the ball past the lunging Davison after 63 minutes for the seventh and it was no great surprise when an eighth goal came from the impressive Fowler ten minutes from time.

Liverpool: Arphexad, Heggem, Ziege, Wright, Kippe, Navarro, Camara (Partridge), Meijer, Fowler, Berger (Ostemober), Diomede (Armstrong). Subs not used: Crookes, Culshaw.

Bradford City: Davison, Tyson (Brodie), Emanuel, Kerr, Bower, Bolton (Morgan), Hardy, Fishlock, Jones, Rutherford, Lee. Subs not used: Dufton, Worsnop, Lo Piccolo.