Liverpool produced an encouraging display to record a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their opening game of the Premier League Asia Trophy.
Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Premier League Asia Trophy, Hong Kong Stadium
July 19, 2017
Goals: Solanke 61′, Origi 78′
The Reds travelled to Hong Kong earlier this week with a 25-man squad after they opened their summer preparations with a victory over Tranmere Rovers and followed it up with a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic.
Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez all impressed for the Reds in the first half but Liverpool weren’t able to produce a goal and the teams were still level at half-time.
Liverpool continued to dominate possession after the break, though Christian Benteke, Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha proved to be a threat for Palace throughout.
Dominic Solanke, Ryan Kent and Philippe Coutinho were among 10 players introduced in the second half and the trio created chances in attack.
Solanke eventually broke the deadlock after 61 minutes when he scored his first goal for the club with a powerful, low drive from the edge of the area.
Divock Origi then doubled Liverpool’s lead with just over 10 minutes to go, sealing a place in Saturday’s ‘final’.
Fans relished the starting lineup as Salah, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge all featured…
“Most excited to see Sturridge!”
– Suman Mutra Facebook.
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/887635174879617024
Looking forward to this game. Good game time for both TAA and Woodburn again as well. Both have filled out over the summer.
— Liverpool Room (@LiverpoolRoom) July 19, 2017
That back four ? https://t.co/U8dR7WRDAS
— Olli Emmerson (@Oliver_Emmerson) July 19, 2017
“All eyes on Sturridge? For me I know I’m in dreamland when I say imagine a fully fit Sturridge for just one season?”
– Chris Hayneson Facebook.
Everyone was talking about the new kit too…
“Orange jerseys just look weird for LFC…”
– Abyss on the forums.
That kit looks sublime by the way
— Alex Barilaro (@Alex_Barra12) July 19, 2017
Horrible orange strip…. Have we been bought by DUP?
— LFC POLLS (@rockyboboss) July 19, 2017
Henderson’s passing was very impressive…
https://twitter.com/AnfieldRd96/status/887655423792345090
“Look at Henderson, seriously his passing is sublime.”
– Outstanding Terrific Character on the forums.
If you still don't appreciate Henderson's role in this team, just watch the first 10 mins of this game. Superb at switching the play.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) July 19, 2017
We have missed Henderson's passing so much last season. Vital player for us this year.
— Anfield Press (@AnfieldPress) July 19, 2017
And Salah’s skills and pace were certainly attracting attention…
That touch from Salah was absolutely unreal ?
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) July 19, 2017
“Salah is going to cause all sorts of mayhem this year.”
– David Finch on the forums.
https://twitter.com/KimmyLFC/status/887657966555496448
Salah is so quick, Delany didn't even try to catch him then ?
Couldn't even take him out when he was trying to either! ???
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) July 19, 2017
At the back, Gomez made a strong impact…
Joe Gomez has dealt better with Crystal Palace's than Lovren ever could. Fantastic first half from him and Matip. #lfc
— max riegel (@sefendo) July 19, 2017
“Gomez is really wanting to give Klopp something to think about.”
– Scelo Sthole on Facebook.
https://twitter.com/ZeusLFC/status/887662496760418304
Solanke’s goal was a cracker…
Solanke's first goal for LFC.https://t.co/7BSzswEivx
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 19, 2017
What a hit Solanke! Absolute beauty!
— Alex Barilaro (@Alex_Barra12) July 19, 2017
What a stunning goal from outside the box. Brilliant from Dom Solanke
— Neil (@Neil_LFC) July 19, 2017
Think Solanke’s meant to wait until the tribunal fee is set before he starts doing things like that…
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) July 19, 2017
There was also praise for Origi after he grabbed the second goal…
A goal and assist for Origi today.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) July 19, 2017
Good play from Origi being in the right place at the right time! #LFC
— Ryan Fowler (@ryan_fowler96) July 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/TomHolmes19/status/887676373959049216
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