Liverpool FC's preseason tour of the United States started out brightly in their home away from home, Fenway Park. Liverpool players were treated to a rousing rendition of “You'll Never Walk Alone” by American fans who came out in droves to see their favorite club. This was followed by a touching minute of silence and release of 96 red balloons in tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster, led by former manager and player Kenny Dalglish. Liverpool were led out by central defender Martin Skrtel who was captaining the side in place of Steven Gerrard. His opposite number was the legendary Franceseo Totti, AS Roma captain and Serie A 2nd all-time leading scorer.

Things would turn sour as Fabio Borini's 15th minute shoulder injury which, despite later reports that the injury was in fact not a dislocation, forced Liverpool into an early change. They would bring on 20 year-old Emre Can. It is not known at this time whether Borini's injury puts his impending transfer to fellow Barclays Premier League side Sunderland in jeopardy.

In typical preseason fashion both Liverpool and AS Roma fielded teams filled with a mixture of youth and experience; many senior players were being rested or regaining fitness following the World Cup. Notable exclusions for Liverpool included Captain Steven Gerrard and second top scorer Daniel Sturridge, while Roma were without Maicon and Kevin Strootman who remains sidelined following a knee injury.

Both sides exchanged chances in what was a typical first half of probing, somewhat “rusty” preseason football. There were bright spots for both teams though as Liverpool's Coutinho looked exciting on set pieces filling in for the rested Steven Gerrard, almost putting one in the back of the net early on. New Roma signing Ashley Cole's cross found the knee of captain Totti who just put it wide of Brad Jones' net 32 minutes in.

Minutes later Coutinho put a shot from distance wide as he dribbled at Roma defenders, followed by a similar maneuver from Roma's Nainggolan who put his shot high into the stands and later received a yellow for a high boot on Can. A particularly quiet first half for new signing Ricky Lambert for Liverpool who saw his shot blocked in the 43rd minute after a series of good passes from the Liverpool midfield. Roma winger Juan Manuel Iturbe, billed by some as the “new Messi” was kept in check by the returning Jose Enrique.

Half time saw a series of substitutions as Liverpool brought on youngster Jack Robinson and Roma likewise brought on two young players in Mattia Destro and Alessio Romagnoli.

The second half began with a bang as Roma and Liverpool exchanged fast breaks with Roma looking the better side early on. Liverpool's Rickie Lambert had one of the best opportunities of the half when he received a cross from the wing but shanked the subsequent shot, blocked by a Roma defender.

In the 54th minute, the ever classy Totti threaded an inch perfect past to Destro who was unfortunately offside. A few minutes later Lambert took a shot from distance only to see it easily save by the goalkeeper.

A flurry of substitutions would follow shortly after the chance with Roma replacing the rest of their starting 11 and Liverpool bringing on Vice-captain Daniel Agger and youngster Kristoph Peterson. Peterson had an immediate effect, getting to the wing and having his cross blocked.

Liverpool continued to find chances through set pieces with Coutinho's costless kick in the 65th minute finding the head of Agger, who was offside. In the following minutes another flurry of substitutions saw Liverpool youngsters Connor Coady, Suso and even 16 year old Adam Phillips, a surprise inclusion on the tour come on as well as midfield workhorse Jordan Henderson.

The closing minutes saw Roma return to dominance with Tony Sanabria sprinting from the right only to have his shot saved by Jones in the 88th with ensuing corner being headed clear by Lucas. But finally in the 90th minute, a corner from Roma took an unfortunate deflection off of Agger's leg, to give AS Roma the seemingly deserved victory.

Neither side ought to panic despite the tendency of fans to overanalyze preseason games. They are a time of experimentation and fitness training but despite not playing to their full capacities, both teams showed they have bright young players with plenty of potential.