Liverpool began life without Suarez today with a 2-1 loss in their first pre-season friendly vs. Brondby IF.
Liverpool played two experimental sides, making nine changes at half time. With only the likes of Coutinho, Skrtel, Agger and Allen regulars within senior squads many youngsters and returning loanees were given the chance to impress the manager Brendan Rodgers. Goals either side of halftime were enough to cancel out Liverpool’s only goal of the game scored by the Swede U21 winger Kristoffer Peterson.
Returning to his boyhood club Daniel Agger took upon the duties of the captain today with the absence of Steven Gerrard who is yet to return to pre season training with the Reds. Liverpool’s first half line u featured exciting forwards such as Suso who spent a year on loan in Spain playing for Almeria, Borini who played at Sunderland for the year, Coutinho, U21’s playmaker Teixera and Liverpool’s dominant teenage midfielder Jordan Rossiter.
Despite the relatively strong line up Liverpool failed to create much rhythm in their play throughout the half and only attacked in sporadic bursts. An early strike from Suso let the keeper know some of the players at least planned on impressing their manager. Coutinho continuously nipped in and won the ball back, beating men and in general looking Liverpool’s most lively player during the first half. Sadly Liverpool’s young centre back Tiago Ilori limped off suddenly during the first half around the 15 minute mark.
Nevertheless Liverpool could do little to stop Brondby scoring as the half hour mark edged nearer. A superb 20-yard effort from Christian Norgaard gave the hosts the lead after Suso had made a poor attempt of a clearance. Following the goal Liverpool improved slightly but rarely looked to threaten the Brondby goal.
For the second half there was awash of changes for the Reds, as is the norm for the first pre season game of the summer, only Brad Jones and Kevin Stewart – who came on earlier for the injured Ilori – remained for the second half. Immediately Liverpool improved, specifically through the direct nature of Jordan Ibe’s wing play down the left. Continuously he picked up the ball and ran toward goal. With defenders backing off space opened up for Liverpool. Generally the problem was the quality of his teammates wasn’t as good as that of the first half.
Ibe’s persistence and quality paid off though, as he got the assist following a searing run which put Liverpool level. A run down the level in which he beat several men through sheer pace and ball control gave him the opportunity to get to the byline close to the goal where he had the simple task of knocking the ball back to his teammates Peterson who bundled the ball home to level the score at 1-1.
Following the goal the game once again seemed to lack rhythm, with Liverpool lacking options and authority in midfield, with a notably flat performance from the Welsh international Joe Allen.
When the goal looked to be ending in a drab 1-1 it was the Danes who perhaps rightfully took the lead as Hasani scored with a superb individual effort. Hasani weaved his way into the box before wrong-footing Ward in the Liverpool goal following some late pressure from Brondby.
Liverpool now travel back to Liverpool where they will prepare for their second friendly of pre-season in which they play Preston North End on Saturday.
