Friendly Encounters: Debuts And Hat-Tricks

Villarreal 0 Liverpool 0
Robbie Keane made his debut but the Irishman couldn't find the net as Liverpool were held to their second successive pre-season goalless draw. Keane played the first half and missed one of the best chances of the match. But his debut was overshadowed by the ovation the two teams' Spanish players received. Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla and Joan Capdevila were in the Spain squad which won Euro 2008 in June, and the match had to be delayed for several minutes as fans showed their love for the stars, who were given miniature yellow submarine toys in honour of Villarreal's nickname.

Next game: Rangers (A) Saturday 2nd August

VfB Stuttgart 1 Arsenal 3
Samir Nasri made his debut as Arsenal followed up Monday's 10-2 victory over Buregenland with a confident 3-1 win at Stuttgart. Former Gunners stopper Jens Lehmann was between the sticks for the hosts, while Emmanuel Adebayor made his first pre-season appearance for the Gunners. But it was Arsene Wenger's youngsters who made the difference with Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner and Jack Wilshere hitting the net in the second half. Vildiray Basturk had put the hosts ahead six minutes after the restart following a goalless first period.

Next game: Juventus (H) Saturday 2nd August (Emirates Cup)

Leyton Orient 1 Tottenham Hotspur 5
Darren Bent hit his second hat-trick in a week as Tottenham came back from behind against Leyton Orient. Jason Demetriou put the hosts ahead four minutes in, and the advantage held until half-time. But Spurs struck back in the second period, with Bent and Aaron Lennon making it 2-1 with a quickfire double shortly after the restart.