Liverpool kick started their pre-season today with a 2-1 win vs. Preston North End. In a game dubbed as the Shankly Shield in honour of both clubs greatest figure Bill Shankly both clubs continued their pre-season preparation with Preston’s home ground Deepdale as the venue.
Debuts for Rickie Lambert and Emre Can provided many talking points leading up to the game, while Borini started for Liverpool despite reportedly being on his way to Sunderland as soon as he agrees personal terms. Like Liverpool’s first pre-season game they conceded first when Josh Brownhill taped home. Nevertheless it was a youthful Liverpool side in the second half who secured the victory with goals from Suso and Peterson.
The game began in a slow pace and continued as much for the whole first half. The first half was blighted by injury to debutant Emre Can in what seemed to be a calf strain. Many Liverpool players looked far off the pace, especially midfielder Lucas Leiva.
While it looked like Liverpool would end the first half level at 0-0 they conceded tediously through a corner. A fine save from Brad Jones from an audacious bicycle kick fell to Josh Brownhill who tapped in from less than two yards.
Liverpool only mad two changes going into the second half – Jack Robinson and Suso, much less than they bade earlier in the week vs. Brondby – an indication of Liverpool slightly increasing the work rate of their pre-season. Among the changes included players like Connor Coady and Kriztian Adorjan who spent loans last season at Sheffield United and Gronigen respectively.
Jordon Ibe, who came on for Emre Can in the first half suddenly lit up the game and changed the game for the Reds. A driving run through the middle by Ibe set up the equaliser. A pass to the right edge of the box set up Suso who let rip into the top corner to level the score at 1-1.
Soon after the equaliser Jose Enrique came on for Jack Robinson in his first appearance for Liverpool since November of last year. Liverpool soon took the lead, once again the goal coming from the Swede Kristoffer Peterson who scored in the previous friendly vs. Brondby. An explosive run down the left-wing by the imperious Jordon Ibe put the Preston defence on the back-foot which game him the space to lay up Peterson for a calm right-footed finish into the net.
Following the goal their was a final sub for Adam Phillips who replaced Kriztian Adorjan. Interestingly, Phillips is the only youngster going on the US Tour with Liverpool, while the rest will go on a tour of Holland.
Liverpool travel to America tomorrow where they will be joined up with the English contingent of the squad.
