Liverpool continued their pre-season tour of America on Sunday night as they beat Olymiacos 1-0 in Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium.
Chicago was truly a sea of red before kick off with the atmosphere bubbling in many of the nearby bars for many hours before the game. Liverpool secured their first victory of the Guinness International Champions Cup with an early goal by Raheem Sterling.
Before the game kicked off all the talk surrounded the widely anticipated debut of Lazar Markovic, Liverpool’s new attacker, and not to forget the return of the England players who were away on England duty such as the captain Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. Liverpool’s starting XI was strong, with Gerrard, Sterling, Can, Henderson, Markovic and Sturridge all featuring from the offset.
Liverpool began the game well and look assured in possession, keeping the ball for nearly the whole of the opening three minutes of the game. The pitch, which clearly hadn’t been cut before the game, slowed the ball more than preferable for Brendan Rodgers side. Nevertheless the game was scored after five minutes when a scuffed shot by Daniel Sturridge fell kindly to Raheem Sterling inside the penalty area where he cheekily diverted the ball passed the opposition keeper with ease.
An early mistake from England right-back Glen Johnson was sure to frustrate Liverpool fans who have watched his dramatic decline over the passed 12 months. The chance which fell to Ghazaryan was luckily put wide of Brad Jones goal.
After a few poor minutes following the goal for Liverpool they finally got to see Lazar Markovic in full flow where he showed astonishing pace in a typical Liverpool counter attack – though he was cynically brought down near the penalty area by the end of the run.
Once again Liverpool’s new German midfielder Emre Can looked sharp. Although touted as a defensive midfielder his powerful runs down the left wing left Liverpool fans purring. His pace and power in midfield, accompanied with an instinctive determination to drive forward whenever possible was somewhat reminiscent of a young Patrick Viera.
Following the break the likes of Coutinho, Robinson and Allen came into play to freshen things up. Nevertheless Liverpool soon looked flat-footed and was very lucky not to concede as Gevorg Ghazaryan found himself in the penalty area on the break and struck the woodwork from 15 yards.
Later on more changes were made by Liverpool, with the likes of Lambert and Ibe getting a run-out – notably Jon Flanagan and Suso were not even on the bench for last night’s fixture. Toward the end of the game Liverpool came under some backs to the wall pressure by Olympiacos but in the end they kept the clean sheet with Sebastien Coates in particular impressing for the Reds.
Liverpool’s next game is vs. Manchester City on Wednesday night.