Liverpool started their pre-season campaign in style as they emerged 4-0 winners over League One side Preston North End at the Deepdale Stadium with Coutinho, Ibe, Sterling and new boy Iago Aspas putting their names on the scoresheet.
The match for the Shankly Shield was an eagerly awaited one as fans were eager to catch a first glimpse of Brendan Rodgers’ new recruits in action. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet started in goal for the Reds and new arrival Kolo Toure partnered captain Daniel Agger in the centre of defence. Youngster Jordan Ibe was also handed a place in the starting line-up with Jay Spearing, Jon Flanagan, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Assaidi, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling rounding off the first eleven.
The Reds took an early lead through Philippe Coutinho’s 13th minute penalty after the Brazilian was brought down inside the penalty box. Liverpool were almost awarded a second penalty in the 26th minute when Borini seemed to be fouled inside the box but the referee’s decision went in favour of the home team. Liverpool doubled the lead in the 36th minute through Jordan Ibe as the youngster cut in from the left and thundered a low shot past the hapless Preston custodian.
Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was the only player from the first half to start the second half also as Brendan Rodgers replaced all the ten outfield players at the break. Johnson, Skrtel, Wisdom, Robinson, Lucas, Dani Pacheco, Raheem Sterling and Stewart Downing accompanied new boys Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto onto the field.
Raheem Sterling looked in good form coming back from injury and he extended Liverpool’s lead in the 64th minute. Iago Aspas played a clever flick to release Sterling and the youngster showed great composure in rounding the keeper to slot the ball home. In the 75th minute, Aspas turned scorer as he grabbed his first goal in Liverpool colours with a brilliant left-footed strike from the edge of the box. Defender Martin Kelly marked his return from a long term injury when he came on for Jack Robinson for the last ten minutes. Substitute Danny Ward also got some playing time as he replaced Simon Mignolet in goal.
The match ended 4-0 with Liverpool the dominant team as expected. The new boys looked comfortable settling into the team, especially, Simon Mignolet in goal and Iago Aspas who notched up a goal and an assist in his first forty-five minutes for the club. Liverpool’s next pre-season outing is scheduled for 20th July, 2013 against Indonesia XI at the Gelora Bung Karno National Stadium in Jakarta and Brendan Rodgers will be looking to fine tune his team further in preparation for the season ahead.
Graphics courtesy: VAVEL España (www.vavel.com) via CC
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