Liverpool start summer tour with a draw

Sports - Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Liverpool 1:1 Toronto

Liverpool came away from their first pre-season warm-up match against Toronto with a draw thanks to Adam Morgan's fine finish off Raheem Sterling's brilliant provider's touch and cross.

New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers chose a young line-up for his first match with the Reds, giving 23 players a run out on Saturday night. Toronto were just as experimental, giving their main players a rest midst a very competitive week and season in Canada.

It was a good, competitive match-up, an entertaining display by the youngsters with some nice one-twos. The visitors dominated the game and possession, but it was LFC's Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones who had to make the first clear save of the game off TFC striker Ryan Johnson.

The Reds showed some good build-up, Daniel Pacheco especially frustrating the Canadians' back line with some nice tango steps and play. Youngstes Jordan Ibe and Andre Wisdom also impressed with some confident and encouraging moves. But the first half ended goalless.

The second half saw two new elevens lined up and the game picked up in pace. The home side took the lead after Red keeper Peter Gulacsi spilled Andrew Wiedeman's shot and left Toronto's striker Quincy Amarikwa with an easy slot-in. But Liverpool kept up the pace and just over ten minutes later equalised.

Much-criticised Joe Cole missed some sitters late on, but all in all Liverpool and Rodgers can be satisfied with their youngsters first run out and display of the summer.

Liverpool 1-1 Toronto (0-0) - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada

Liverpool Goals: 1: 68:24min Adam Morgan (50)

Toronto Goals: 1: 57:52min Quincy Amarikwa (18)

Liverpool 1st half: 1 Jones; 3 Enrique, 23 Carragher (c), 45 Sama, 47 Wisdom; 44 Ibe, 26 Adam, 18 Aquilani, 20 Spearing; 12 Pacheco, 36 Eccleston. 4-4-2
2nd half: 42 Gulacsi; 49 Robinson, 22 Wilson, 37 Skrtel, 38 Flanagan; 51 Adorjan (21 Leiva 74.), 33 Shelvey, 30 Suso, 10 Cole, 31 Sterling; 50 Morgan. 4-5-1

Toronto 1st half: 41 Hall; 5 Morgan (38 Pasher 28.), 2 Emory, 27 Eckersley, 4 Henry; 8 Avila, 23 Dunfield, 22 Frings (c), 19 Lambe; 11 Silva, 9 Johnson. 4-4-2
2nd half: 40 Roberts; 38 Pasher, 20 Harden, 31 Williams (bkd 87), 34 Galle; 33 Camargo (16 Cordon 79.), 21 Maund, 15 Stinson, 36 Janniere (13 Makubuya 77.); 18 Amarikwa (35 Sciacchitano 84.), 32 Wiedeman. 4-4-2

1st & 2nd half stats: Liverpool-Toronto
Attempts: 3-2 & 8-6
On target: 1-1 & 3-2
Offsides: 0-0 & 1-0
Corners: 2-1 & 4-2
Free kicks: 4-5 & 5-5
Possession: 75%-25% (32.) & 70%-30% (FT)
Passes completed: 660-277