Liverpool 0-1 Celtic
Saturday, 10th August 2013
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Pre-season Friendly
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Match Summary
Liverpool suffered their first pre-season friendly defeat of the summer at the hands of Celtic on Saturday afternoon in Dublin.
With just a week until the start of the new Premier League season, Brendan Rodgers took his team to a packed Aviva Stadium where Liverpool and Celtic fans united in a beautiful rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Rodgers was without newly appointed vice-captain Daniel Agger, who was left on Merseyside to recover from a knock. Andre Wisdom started alongside Kolo Toure in central defence in Agger’s absence.
There was no Luis Suarez either, with the Uruguayan remaining on Merseyside as he continues to train alone.
Subs: Henderson (Allen), Sturridge (Aspas 45), Ibe (Downing).
Not used: Jones, Alberto, Assaidi Coates, Borini, Sterling, Kelly, Flanagan.
Meanwhile, Celtic’s team was relatively a reserve side, with the Scottish leagues having already begun their season.
The Reds went behind in the 12th minute when Amido Balde broke free in the Liverpool half, pushed on towards goal and, despite a hand from goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, nestled the ball in the net for the opener.
It was the first goal new signing Mignolet has conceded for the club.
Stewart Downing had an impressive game, making good runs and not being afraid to try a couple of efforts on goal. He was replaced by youngster Jordan Ibe with about 20 minutes to go.
The Reds did get the ball in the net shortly into the second half when Toure headed home a Steven Gerrard free-kick from the left, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.
Philippe Coutinho continued to look bright, as he has done all pre-season, and provided a perfect ball to the returning Daniel Sturridge, who tested Celtic’s goalkeeper from a close angle just after the hour mark.
Sturridge looked sharp and went close with six minutes to go, running onto another Coutinho through-ball, but saw his shot well wide of Fraser Forster’s left post.
Minutes later Sturridge had another strike on goal, whipping a ferocious shot just over the Celtic goal.
Rodgers’ men now return to Merseyside for a week of training before Stoke visit Anfield for the start of the new league season, next Saturday, 17th August.
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