Liverpool enjoyed a post-season friendly win down under, with a 3-0 win against Sydney FC on Wednesday.
Sydney FC 0-3 Liverpool
Post-Season Friendly; 24 May 2017; ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Goals: Sturridge, Moreno, Firmino
With Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher lining up alongside Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn in the starting lineup, it was a chance to see Liverpool’s past, present and future for the 72,000 in attendance.
Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino dominated the first 45 minutes, each showing their quality and professionalism with their work rate in attack.
Sturridge opened the scoring after some good pressing from Woodburn in the centre set up the England forward. Sturridge cut the ball onto his right foot inside the box and angled it back across goal for 1-0.
It was 2-0 soon after, with Firmino providing a lovely chipped ball in for Alberto Moreno to gallop onto. The Spaniard adjusted his feet and provided a smart finish past the keeper.
By half-time it was 3-0, Firmino finishing from close range after some trademark setup play from Sturridge inside the box.
Half-time saw a host of changes for Jurgen Klopp‘s side, with former players Steve McManaman and Daniel Agger entering the team as Gerrard and Carragher left.
One of the half-time changes saw 17-year-old Rhian Brewster enter the team to make his first ‘senior’ appearance after a breakthrough campaign at academy level.
With so many changes, the second half was far from the level of the first 45, with strange things like Moreno in midfield for a short time, Ragnar Klavan at left back and 45-year-old Steve McManaman wherever his legs would allow.
There was almost a superb solo goal from Woodburn late on. The 17-year-old showed his huge potential with some lovely touches and intelligent tactical play.
Ultimately, the biggest positive from the match was the likes of Woodburn, Wilson, Alexander-Arnold and Brewster gaining valuable experience from playing alongside and learning from legends like Gerrard, Agger and Carragher.
1st half: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Carragher, Lovren, Moreno, Lucas, Gerrard, Woodburn, Firmino, Wilson, Sturridge.
2nd half: Karius (Mignolet 75), Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Agger, Klavan, Stewart, Lallana, Moreno (Randall 57), Woodburn, McManamanan, Brewster.
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