Liverpool lose 0-3 to Espanyol in friendly

Fernando Torres (left) and Steven Gerrard during a friendly against Espanyol in Barcelona yesterday. Liverpool lost 0-3. pic/Getty Images

Alonso came off the bench for the closing minutes and it remains unclear whether he will start the season with Liverpool.

However, Benitez brushed off the setback of losing in a match which was set up to officially open Espanyol's new stadium.

"Nobody likes losing like that, but it's pre-season so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about it," said the Spaniard who insisted he wants Xabi Alonso to stay at Anfield despite reports in Spain indicating Real Madrid are as keen as ever to sign the midfielder.

"He is our player and we want him to stay," But Benitez of Alonso.

Arsenal win
Meanwhile, in London teen star Jack Wilshere bagged a brace of goals as Arsenal saw off Scottish champions Rangers 3-0 to lift the Emirates Cup.

The 17-year-old scored the opener after just two minutes and the "baby gunner" repeated the dose after Croatian international Eduardo had netted the second in the 11th minute.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid and Paris St Germain, parted 1-1 with Maradona's son-in-law Sergio Aguero netting for the Spaniards from the spot four minutes before the break after he was fouled by Albert Baning before Ludovic Giuly levelled on 71 minutes.

Other results
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Paris SG
Gillingham 1-0 Crystal Palace
Dundee United 1-1 Newcastle
Bordeaux 2-0 Villarreal
LA Galaxy 1-2 Barcelona

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