Liverpool's lacklustre display ends in 3:0 defeat

Sports - Football - Pre-Season Friendly - Galatasaray 3:0 Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish opted for the youngsters for the pre-season friendly at Galatasaray's new ground in Istanbul, including John Flanagan, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey at the Turk Telekom Arena.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos captained the side with a more experienced attacking partnership of Andy Carroll and Joe Cole at the front. New signings Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson were rested ahead of Monday's trip to Norway for the friendly match against Valerenga.

With only 30 seconds on the clock, former Red forward Milan Baros stabbed one wide from inside the box, showing the intent was there and he was not just there for a friendly kickabout.

The early pressure and dominance payed off for the home side on eight minutes when the Czech striker netted a fine, low right-wing cross from 12 yards, unmarked, making the defenders pay for their poor marking and leaving him too much space.

And Galatasaray doubled their lead four minutes before the break, when Baros found loads of space again at the back post to head in a near-post flick at a corner from close range.

Liverpool did not have much else to shout about in the first half, with hardly any possession or chances of their own, Shelvey putting one wide being the closest and only attempt worth a note.

King Kenny introduced Dirk Kuyt and Alberto Aquilani after the break, as well as Brad Jones, and there were signs of some improvement in the early stages of the second half when Carroll's header was stopped by substitute Ufuk Ceylan.

But whoever thought the game would pick up for the Reds would have soon been disappointed, with not much more action or chances to talk or cheer about and most of the action in the centre of the field.

Although Liverpool's display was much better than in the first half, Galatasary's shine certainly left them in the second half and neither side really capitalised or took control, making it a rather lacklustre match and watch.

Late on, Ceylan blocked another Carroll attempt but former Bolton striker Johan Elmander made sure the victory and cheers went to his side when he smashed a stunner from the edge of the box into the back of the net to make it 3:0 and a nice all round win for Galatasaray.

This defeat makes it a mixed pre-season for Liverpool, the preparation going from good to bad to worse with two thrashing wins and two crashing defeats. Dalglish has two weeks left until the new season starts and to get a better idea of what and who works together and what and who not. The last two matches certainly give an idea to the latter.

Galatasaray: Ercetin; Cetin, Zan, Sarioglu, Ujfalusi; Turan, Melo, Kazim-Richards, Inan; Baros (scored 8 & 40), Balta (booked). Substitutes: Ceylan (46), Birinci (66), Elmander (66, scored 83), Stancu (75), Kaya (90). Subs not used: Gulselam, Yilmaz, Akman, Culio, Kurtulus, Dilaver.

Liverpool: Doni; Insua, Flanagan, Kyrgiakos, Kelly; Robinson, Degen (booked), Shelvey (booked), Poulsen; Cole, Carroll. Substitutes: Aquilani (46) Jones (46), Kuyt (46), Spearing (69, booked), Sanchez Ayala (70), Wisdom (82), Coady (82).

Liverpool see another flurry of goals in Asia

Sports - Football - Pre-Season-Friendly - Malaysia XI 3:6 Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed a mixed game against the Malaysia XI, enjoying most of the possession and goals, but not without some scares, twists and turns.

Nine goals meant good entertainment again, although most of them were thanks to some clumsy defending, the Reds most certainly getting the season warm-up, training, workout and preparation they were looking for.

Liverpool opened the scoring thanks to a soft penalty after Andy Carroll went down a bit too easily in front of Mahali Jasuli with the littlest of little contact made.

But the spot kick was given and Charlie Adam netted both the first take and the retake to give him his first goal for the Reds.

The visitors kept dominating play and possession until they were stunned shortly before half time, just like in their first friendly against Guangdong FC, by a sweet right-footed free kick by the Malaysian skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim into the right corner of the net, to make it 1-1 at half time, no chance for the goalkeeper to stop it.

The second half was clumsier, Liverpool bringing on a whole new 11 again, both sides leaving big gaps, leaving plenty of space for David Ngog and Maxi Rodriguez to net two each on the one side of the pitch and super-sub Mohd Safel Mohd Sali to net two on the other side, all of them all too easily with all the space in the world.

Red Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt blasted in a nice Alberto Aquilani cross to make it 3-6 and put the icing on a very sweet, action-packed cake just before the full-time whistle.

Again, everyone contributed, gave their best, maybe trying to squeeze in a little too much, a little bit too hard which made play very spacey and chaotic at times, but it was still a good watch and a good chance to see everyone.

Aquilani impressed me late on with his contributions, good crosses, a little bit more daring and risky play but good creating and taking of chances which makes it the more questionable and interesting whether he will be added to the summer sales list or not.... The number 99 on his shirt may be too much of a giveaway though...

Malaysia XI: Ramli; Mahali Jasuli (booked 26), Putra, Mohd Shas, Ahmad (booked 21, Ismail 73); Bakhtiar, Rohidan (Sali 77, scored 79 & 82), Rahim (scored 42, Faruqi 63), Subramaniam; Yahya (Ramian 39), Shaarani (Saad 63).

Subs not used: Che Mat, Nasril Nourdin, Ashari, Muslin Ahmed, Remeli, Haidi Zainal, Suppiah, Shamsuddin, Shaari, Rizal Fahmi.

Liverpool: Jones (Gulacsi 46, Hansen 70); Robinson (Insua 46), Agger (Wilson 46), Carragher (Kyrgiakos 46), Flanagan (Kelly 46); Adam (scored pen. 26, Aquilani 46), Coady (Kuyt 46, scored 94), Spearing (Poulsen 46), Meireles (Maxi 46, scored 75 & 91), Cole (Shelvey 46); Carroll (Ngog 46, scored 69 & 70).

Subs not used: Pacheco, Wisdom.

1st & 2nd half stats:

Malaysia XI-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-7 & 6-9
On target: 3-4 & 3-6
Offsides: 0-2 & 0-1
Corners: 1-1 & 1-1
Free kick: 6-5 & 1-4
Possession: 32%-68% (10)

My man of the match: Alberto Aquilani

Pre-Season Friendly, match summary: Malaysia XI 3-6 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Pre-Season-Friendly - Malaysia XI 3:6 Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed a mixed game against the Malaysia XI, enjoying most of the possession and goals, but not without some scares, twists and turns. Nine goals meant good entertainment again, although most of them were thanks to some clumsy defending, the Reds most certainly getting the season warm-up, training, workout and preparation they were looking for with David Ngog and Maxi Rodriguez netting two each, Dirk Kuyt contributing with one and Charlie Adam getting his first thanks to a penalty. Full match report soon to follow...

Text commentary of the game (min):

- (1) Liverpool kick off the first half.

- (3) First couple of minutes the visitors enjoy most possession, press forward but attack disolves in the box.

- (4) First free kick goes to Liverpool, from the left wide outside the box, Charlie Adam with the delivery, comes around but is eventually smashed away by the defence.

- (6) Foul by Joe Cole on nr 3 defender Mohd Shas, free kick to Malaysia XI.

- (8) Andy Carrol misjudges role of the ball and plays it out on the right, slightly unfortunate, slightly runs it over.

- (11) Possession all Liverpool the first ten minutes: Malaysia XI 32%-68% Liverpool.

- (11) Carroll's shot off Adam's nice diagonal cross is punched away brilliantly by the Malaysian goalkeeper Ramli, good jump to his left, and he also blocks Meireles's follow up shot nicely.

- (12) Free kick to Liverpool, Carroll fouled from 25 yards.

- (13) Adam can't get the depth on the ball, free kick curls high and wide.

- (14) Free kick to Liverpool, nothing from it.

- (17) Joe Cole shoots with his left, softest of soft shots, easy stop for goalkeeper.

- (18) Joe Cole is offside in the box, didn't time his run, a bit over-enthusiastic there.

- (20) John Flanagan gives away a free kick not too far from the halfway line, long ball ends up out, goal kick for Brad Jones.

- (21) Free kick to Liverpool, Adam caught late by Ahmad, the nr 2 is the first name in the book.

- (25) PENALTY to Liverpool, Carroll has gone down, controversy, the Malaysia XI is not happy with that decision, the nr 4 Mahali Jasuli is the one behind Carroll who goes down a bit too easy. There is an arm out, littlest of little contact, but spot kick is given.

- (26) Penalty netted by Adam but has to be retaken, Adam nets the second even better, more confident with his left into the left corner, goalkeeper wrongsided, soft penalty gives Liverpool the lead. Malaysia XI 0:1 Liverpool. Mahali Jasuli is booked for his troubles.

- (29) First corner for the home side, easy pick up for Australian goalkeeper Jones.

- (33) Good dominance by Liverpool, strong defending and header out by Mohd Shas leads to Liverpool's first corner, the ball eventually hit wide by Raul Meireles, clumsy, could and should have made more of that.

- (37) Foul by Adam on nr 23, free kick to Malaysia XI, ends up in Jones' arms without much pressure.

- (38) Meireles going close, good stop by the Malaysian goalkeeper.

- (39) Malaysia XI change: Izzaq Faris Ramian on for Abdul Hadi Yahya.

- (42) Free kick to the home side, just outside the goal, belter, Jones beaten, 1:1. Fantastic free kick by skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim, right footer into the right corner, no chance for the goalkeeper.

- (47) Another free kick taken by Rahim, headed wide by Bakhtiar.

- (48) Free kick put high over goal by skipper Rahim.

HALF TIME. MALAYSIA XI 1:1 LIVERPOOL

- (46) Second half kicks off with whole new Liverpool XI.

- (51) Liverpool dominate start of the second half, in control, had a couple of chances, Dirk Kuyt drilling a free kick against the wall before David Ngog put one wide after racing clear of the defence.

- (52) Jonjo Shelvey puts one wide.

- (59) Christian Poulsen gives away a free kick, produces a corner, Malaysian skipper takes command but comes to nothing, the Reds clear the danger.

- (63) Two substitutions for the home side, Shahrizal Saad comes on for Fakri Shaarani and skipper Safiq Rahim makes room for Ismail Faruqi.

- (65) Kuyt crosses to Aquilani, who cannot reach it for Ngog to eventually puts a volley wide.

- (69) Simple tap in for David Ngog after the defence fell asleep and let Insuas low cross through, too easy, 1:2.

- (70) Ngog nets another one, this time a strong right foot into the back of the net from just inside the box, although he had all the space in the world to do it, good pass by Alberto Aquilani, 1:3.

- (73) Another substitution for the homside, Farisham Ismail comes on for Muslim Ahmad.

- (75) Aquilani opens up back four, good ball across, easy again to net for Maxi Rodriguez, easy dig in to make it 1:4.

- (77) Decent stop by the Liverpool goalkeeper, outstretched to his right. Another substitution for the home side, Mohd Safee Mohd Sali on for Amar Rohidan.

- (79) Martin Hansen will not be happy, spills one out for sub Sali to net it easy, 2:4.

- (80) Another one for Sali, Liverpool all over place, losing it late on like in the last friendly, the sub races through and scores his second, 3:4.

- (86) The home side attacking, pressing for an equaliser, the goalkeeper Hansen not showing himself from his strong side here, Liverpool ending this game very shakey.

- (89) Game calming down now, Liverpool back in possession, comfortable.

- (91) Rodriguez heads another one in, that settles it, good ball into the box by Aquilani, four yards out, 3:5. Four minutes added on though...

- (94) Aquilani tries a shot from far, goalkeeper had to stop that one, not bad, seconds later Dirk Kuyt blasts an Aquilani cross right in there, goalkeeper has no chance, 3:6.

FULL TIME. MALAYSIA XI 3:6 LIVERPOOL

Malaysia XI: Ramli; Mahali Jasuli (booked 26), Putra, Mohd Shas, Ahmad (booked 21, Ismail 73); Bakhtiar, Rohidan (Sali 77, scored 79 & 82), Rahim (scored 42, Faruqi 63), Subramaniam; Yahya (Ramian 39), Shaarani (Saad 63).
Subs not used: Che Mat, Nasril Nourdin, Ashari, Muslin Ahmed, Remeli, Haidi Zainal, Suppiah, Shamsuddin, Shaari, Rizal Fahmi.

Liverpool: Jones (Gulacsi 46, Hansen 70); Robinson (Insua 46), Agger (Wilson 46), Carragher (Kyrgiakos 46), Flanagan (Kelly 46); Adam (scored pen. 26, Aquilani 46), Coady (Kuyt 46, scored 94), Spearing (Poulsen 46), Meireles (Maxi 46, scored 75 & 91), Cole (Shelvey 46); Carroll (Ngog 46, scored 69 & 70).
Subs not used: Pacheco, Wisdom.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Malaysia XI-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-7 & 6-9
On target: 3-4 & 3-6
Offsides: 0-2 & 0-1
Corners: 1-1 & 1-1
Free kick: 6-5 & 1-4
Possession: 32%-68% (10)

Pre-Season Friendly, 1st half summary: Malaysia XI 1-1 Liverpool

Sports - Football - Pre-Season-Friendly - Malaysia XI 1:1 Liverpool

Liverpool enjoyed a mixed half against the Malaysia, enjoying most of the possession and dominating the opposition's area, going ahead on a penalty thanks to Charlie Adam, to then be stunned shortly before half time by a cracker of a free kick by the Malaysian skipper Mohd Rafiq Rahim to take his side to half time at 1:1, all level with Liverpool.

Text commentary of the first half (min):

- (1) Liverpool kick off the first half.

- (3) First couple of minutes the visitors enjoy most possession, press forward but attack disolves in the box.

- (4) First free kick goes to Liverpool, from the left wide outside the box, Charlie Adam with the delivery, comes around but is eventually smashed away by the defence.

- (6) Foul by Joe Cole on nr 3 defender Mohd Shas, free kick to Malaysia XI.

- (8) Andy Carrol misjudges role of the ball and plays it out on the right, slightly unfortunate, slightly runs it over.

- (11) Possession all Liverpool the first ten minutes: Malaysia XI 32%-68% Liverpool.

- (11) Carroll's shot off Adam's nice diagonal cross is punched away brilliantly by the Malaysian goalkeeper Ramli, good jump to his left, and he also blocks Meireles's follow up shot nicely.

- (12) Free kick to Liverpool, Carroll fouled from 25 yards.

- (13) Adam can't get the depth on the ball, free kick curls high and wide.

- (14) Free kick to Liverpool, nothing from it.

- (17) Joe Cole shoots with his left, softest of soft shots, easy stop for goalkeeper.

- (18) Joe Cole is offside in the box, didn't time his run, a bit over-enthusiastic there.

- (20) John Flanagan gives away a free kick not too far from the halfway line, long ball ends up out, goal kick for Brad Jones.

- (21) Free kick to Liverpool, Adam caught late by Ahmad, the nr 2 is the first name in the book.

- (25) PENALTY to Liverpool, Carroll has gone down, controversy, the Malaysia XI is not happy with that decision, the nr 4 Mahali Jasuli is the one behind Carroll who goes down a bit too easy. There is an arm out, littlest of little contact, but spot kick is given.

- (26) Penalty netted by Adam but has to be retaken, Adam nets the second even better, more confident with his left into the left corner, goalkeeper wrongsided, soft penalty gives Liverpool the lead. Malaysia XI 0:1 Liverpool. Mahali Jasuli is booked for his troubles.

- (29) First corner for the home side, easy pick up for Australian goalkeeper Jones.

- (33) Good dominance by Liverpool, strong defending and header out by Mohd Shas leads to Liverpool's first corner, the ball eventually hit wide by Raul Meireles, clumsy, could and should have made more of that.

- (37) Foul by Adam on nr 23, free kick to Malaysia XI, ends up in Jones' arms without much pressure.

- (38) Meireles going close, good stop by the Malaysian goalkeeper.

- (39) Malaysia XI change: Izzaq Faris Ramian on for Abdul Hadi Yahya.

- (42) Free kick to the home side, just outside the goal, belter, Jones beaten, 1:1. Fantastic free kick by skipper Mohd Safiq Rahim, right footer into the right corner, no chance for the goal keeper.

- (47) Another free kick taken by Rahim, headed wide by Bakhtiar.

- (48) Free kick put high over goal by skipper Rahim.

HALF TIME. MALAYSIA XI 1:1 LIVERPOOL

Malaysia XI: Ramli; Mahali Jasuli (booked 26), Putra, Mohd Shas, Ahmad (booked 21); Bakhtiar, Rohidan, Rahim (scored 42), Subramaniam; Yahya (Ramian 39), Saarani.
Subs not used: Che Mat, Nasril Nourdin, Ashari, Mohd Sali, Muslin Ahmed, Remeli, Haidi Zainal, Suppiah, Shamsuddin, Shaari, Ismail, Rizal Fahmi.

Liverpool: Jones; Robinson, Agger, Carragher, Flanagan; Adam (scored pen. 26), Coady, Spearing, Meireles, Cole; Carroll.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Hansen, Maxi, Pacheco, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Wilson, Ngog, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly, Wisdom, Aquilani, Insua.

1st half stats:
Malaysia XI-Liverpool
Attempts: 4-7
On target: 3-4
Offsides: 0-2
Corners: 1-1
Free kick: 6-5
Possession: 32%-68% (10)

The Reds see 7 goals in first warm-up game

Sports - Football - Pre-Season Friendly - GFC 3:4 LFC

Liverpool kicked off their pre-season Asia tour in fine and entertaining fashion against Guangdong Sunray Cave FC, netting four thanks to Christian Poulsen, David Ngog, debutant Conor Coady and Andy Carroll, but also conceding three through Columbian forward Ricardo Steer, Lu Lin and Yin Hongbo.

It was a less temperamental, more well-spirited affair, with no real tackles flying around nor pressure on the ball, more a kick-about with some nice one-twos, team work as well as individual sparks with most of the action happening in the middle.

After Danny Wilson put Daniel Pacheco's corner wide earlier on, Poulsen tapped in Joe Cole's cross from the edge of the box to give the Reds an easy, comfortable lead.

90 seconds later, Ngog doubled the lead finishing off a sublime through-ball from Poulsen, lovely timing, splitting the defence to give the striker a simple slide through.

Guangdong had the last laugh of the half though, with Lu Lin giving Steer a lovely ball into the box which the Columbian headed in thankfully to make it 1:2 at half time.

The Reds put on a new 11 for the second half, including new signing Charlie Adam, which seemed to be less organised, especially at the back, but was still able to keep possession and dominance.

The crunch of the game didn't come until halfway through the second half, the subs finally clicking and creating, Coady netting a belter off Carroll's pass, a great goal for the debutant youngster, a good knock with a confident look.

Carroll got off the mark himself soon after thanks to the lack of defence and his change of pace, to make it 1:4 from close range.

However, the homeside, like for the whole of the match, would not lay low and count themselves out as defeated and netted two goals in the last three minutes.

Lu Lin was scorer and provider curling a sweet shot into the right corner of the net after cutting the ball in past two defenders, and, 90ish seconds later, passing the ball from the left edge of the box for Hongbo to make another remarkable finish, from the left to the right foot and into the right corner of the net again.

It was a sweet and juicy end to the game for the Chinese side, less sweet for the Reds, but a good opportunity to check out the click of the old and new, the first half side working out better than the second, but neither lacking in effort. Good to watch and nice to see, looking forward to the next test against the Malaysia All-Stars XI.

Guangdong FC: Li Zhihai; Ge Zhen, Awal (Binliang 57), Ricardo Steer (Yu Jianfeng 83), Li Jian (Lui Sheng 69); Yin Hongbo, Zhu Lang (Shi Liang 66), Lu Lin, Yu Yongzhe (Hou Yu 57); Song Chao, Diakite.

Sub not used: Li Weijun, Long, Pan Jia, Lui Xi, Peihao, Zuquing.

Liverpool: 1st half side: Gulacsi; Flanagan, Wilson, Carragher, Kelly; Shelvey, Spearing, Poulsen, Cole, Ngog; Pacheco.

2nd half side: Jones (Hansen 70); Robinson, Aquilani, Wisdom, Coady; Adam, Agger, Kyrgiakos; Kuyt, Carroll, Maxi.

1st & 2nd half stats:
Guangdong FC-Liverpool
Attempts: 3-5 & 3-6
On target: 3-3 & 2-3
Offsides: 1-2 & 0-1
Corners: 3-3 & 1-2
Free kicks: 3-0 & 1-0

My man of the match: Lu Lin