sport

TORRES ON TARGET FOR LIVERPOOL

Torres scores for Liverpool against Rangers.

Liverpool thrashed Rangers 4-0 at Ibrox as David Ngog opened his goalscoring account for the Reds after Fernando Torres claimed the only goal of the first half.

Yossi Benayoun then found the back of the net, before Xabi Alonso completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's playing days ended on a winning note as Manchester United beat Espanyol 1-0 at Old Trafford.

The Norwegian retired from the game almost 12 months ago, but was handed a testimonial as a reward for his long and distinguished service to the club.

Solskjaer, now United's reserve-team coach, was given a late cameo against Espanyol and was twice thwarted by keeper Cristian Alvarez.

The only goal of the encounter was provided by Fraizer Campbell, who is pressing his claims to be a member of the champions' first-team squad this season.

Arsenal lost their opening game of this summer's Emirates Cup as David Trezeguet struck the only goal of the game for Juventus.

In the day's other match at the Emirates Cup, Daniel Parejo's 85th-minute goal gave Real Madrid a barely deserved 2-1 victory over an impressive Hamburg side.

Brad Friedel saved a penalty on his full Aston Villa debut before Gabriel Agbonlahor salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Premier League club against Reading.

Fulham and Birmingham ground out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at St Andrews, with Sebastian Larsson stealing an equaliser for the hosts 13 minutes from time.

The Cottagers had taken the lead over the recently relegated Blues through Wales midfielder Simon Davies after 17 minutes and narrowly failed to close out the win after a lacklustre second half display.

Afonso Alves' 10-minute brace revived Middlesbrough at Easter Road as they came from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory over Hibernian.

Wolves enjoyed a morale-boosting 4-2 victory over Paul Ince's Blackburn in an entertaining friendly at Molineux.

Manchester City twice battled back from a goal down to claim a 2-2 draw with Stockport at Edgeley Park.

On-loan striker Amr Zaki gave Wigan fans a glimpse of his predatory instincts by scoring a late winner against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Egypt forward Zaki, a second-half substitute for Steve Bruce's side, calmly slotted home from Henri Camara's assist to give the Latics a 3-2 victory against their Championship hosts.

West Brom defender Paul Robinson missed the best chance of the game as his side were held to a 0-0 draw at Swansea.

Premier League newcomers Stoke had Richard Cresswell to thank for a laboured 1-0 win over Shrewsbury at New Meadow.

Nottingham Forest conceded two late goals to make for an interesting finale but still emerged triumphant against Notts County at Meadow Lane.

Robert Earnshaw struck twice, after 27 and 74 minutes, with Julian Bennett also on target as the visitors moved into a 3-0 lead.

Jamie Forrester and Ben Fairclough converted in the last five minutes to give County a chance but Colin Calderwood's side claimed a 3-2 victory.

Sheffield United took a first-half lead at Huddersfield but before Danny Cadamarteri - formerly of the Blades - and Keigan Parker hit back for the League One side.

Watford also slumped to an away defeat, going down 3-2 at Barnet.

Adam Birchall, Karim Rouani and Luke Medley scored for the hosts, while there were second-half strikes from Hornets pair Jon Harley and Danny Shittu.

Barnsley beat Chinese outfit Chengdu Blades 2-0 at Oakwell thanks to goals from Dennis Souza and Jon Macken.

Derby came away from their friendly with Holland's FC Utrecht with a creditable 2-2 draw.

Summer signing Kris Commons equalised after Leroy George's opener, while a Nathan Ellington penalty was cancelled out by Gregoor van Dijk.

Elsewhere, Bradford beat Oldham 1-0, Dagenham and Redbridge defeated Bromsgrove 4-0, Leeds won 4-1 at home to Dender, Carlisle slipped to a 2-1 loss at Morecambe and Northwich and Bury drew 2-2.

Championship promotion-hopefuls QPR put in a brave showing as they slipped to a 2-1 friendly defeat to Serie A newcomers Chievo at Loftus Road.

Erjan Bogdani and Simone Bentivoglio gave the Italian side a two-goal advantage but the hosts kept working and were rewarded when Dexter Blackstock converted a retaken penalty.

Plymouth went down to a solitary goal from Dundee United's Francisco Sandaza but Coventry beat their Scottish opposition, defeating Kilarnock 2-0.

Alan Irvine's Preston came away from Crewe with a 2-0 win courtesy of Neil Mellor and Matt Hill efforts.

Bristol Rovers put in a respectable display against Dutch opposition ADO Den Haag, but despite goals from Rickie Lambert and Ben Hunt they could not avoid a 3-2 defeat.