Aaron Ramsey’s transition from outstanding talent for Wales Under21 to potential senior linchpin grew closer after this toiling, flat display against a Liechtenstein side described as a “pub team” by Mick McCarthy, the former Ireland manager. Germany, the equivalent of The Ritz, will be a different proposition on Wednesday.

Ramsey’s vision and passing in midfield will hold the key to Wales overturning a 3-2 deficit against England tomorrow evening to reach the European Under21 Championship finals in Sweden next summer, but then the exciting prospect, 17, will need to be assimilated into the senior side – and quickly. John Toshack talked about accommodating Ramsey, who can play in a holding or advanced role, but the Wales manager surely did not need the foot-slogging in central midfield against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in consecutive home matches to confirm that whatever combination is used, they remain short on fluency and perception.

It is a tall order to ask Carl Fletcher and David Edwards to inspire in a World Cup qualifying match when neither is guaranteed a starting place in their Coca-Cola Championship teams.

Only a brave man would ignore Ramsey and there is enough evidence that he can handle the pressure. He has shone in his handful of appearances for Arsenal and had the confidence to ignore Sir Alex Ferguson’s persistent phone calls when the Manchester United manager realised that he was about to lose the player’s signature in the summer. “We know about Aaron,” Toshack said. “Midfield is an area we need to look at. We had problems and we wouldn’t be able to get away with that against better sides.” Ramsey will probably make his senior debut in a friendly away to Denmark next month, but in the short term Toshack could do worse than push Gareth Bale into midfield to generate width and a change in pace and tempo, so desperately lacking on Saturday. Bale will have more licence to push forward when Toshack reverts to his preferred 3-5-2 formation away to Germany on Wednesday, with James Collins likely to return to the starting lineup after nearly a year out with a knee injury.

Craig Bellamy lacked sharpness on his return after injury and saw his penalty saved by Peter Jehle on the stroke of half-time, the third consecutive spot kick that Wales have wasted. “Maybe our mentality is better against bigger sides,” Bellamy said. “It can be easier as you know their strengths and you need to be on your game. Germany will be a different game, much quicker.”

Chris Gunter’s clever chip freed Simon Davies to cross for Edwards to score the first goal and lift the unease before half-time. The lead was doubled near the end when Ched Evans’s header was deflected into the goal by Mario Flick’s right thigh. Jehle made several decent saves, from Bellamy and Simon Davies, to keep the score respectable, but his team were never overrun.

“Wales will be in the position we were against Germany,” Franz Burgmeier, the Liechtenstein and Darlington player, said. “They have dreams to qualify, but it will be difficult.”

Wales ratings

4-4-1-1

W Hennessey 6 C Gunter 6 C Morgan 6 A Williams 6 G Bale 6 S Davies 7 D Edwards 7 C Fletcher 5 J Koumas 7 C Bellamy 7 S Vokes 5 Substitutes C Evans 5 (for Vokes, 51min), C Robinson 5 (for Fletcher, 56), J Collins (for Bellamy, 81). Not used B Myhill, S Ricketts, D Cotterill, D Vaughan.

Liechtenstein ratings

4-4-2

P Jehle 7 M Ritzberger 6 F D’Elia 6 Martin Stocklasa 6 F Burgmeier 6 M Polverino 6 M Buechel 6 A Gerster 6 B Fischer 6 M Frick 6 T Beck 5 Substitutes M Christen 6 (for Ritzberger, 66min), R Buechel (for Polverino, 80). Not used Michael Stocklasa, B Buechel, F-J Vogt, D Hasler.

Referee T Vejlgaard (Den) Attendance 12,500

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