Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over AC Milan in their International Champions Cup match at the Levi’s Stadium in California.
The fallen giants of world football came together for the first time since the 2007 Champions League final to engage in preparations ahead of yet another grueling European football season. Quite a lot has changed for the two sides since their European encounters from the last decade with both sides experiencing a downward swing in their fortunes. However both Liverpool and AC Milan are looking forward to a new era with new managers promising to bring change to the clubs’ fortunes their fans so dearly desire.
AC Milan came into the encounter at the back of a penalty shoot-out win over Bayern Munich while the Merseysiders had lost their previous game to English rivals Chelsea. Fans in excess of 30,000 were in attendance for Liverpool’s second encounter in the United States as the Reds comfortably dispatched Vincenzo Montella’s side to emerge 2-0 victors on the night.
The game saw Georginio Wijnaldum make his Liverpool debut after the midfielder completed a £25 million move last week from Championship outfit Newcastle United. It also saw England stars Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner have their first run-ins for the club after their dismal showing with England at the Euros in France.
The #LFC starting line-up and substitutes to face @acmilan in full pic.twitter.com/W2dHpjQpqK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2016
LFC 2nd half XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Stewart, Milner, Henderson, Firmino, Markovic, Origi.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 31, 2016
The first half saw Liverpool dominate play and attack through pockets of space offered by the Milan back-line. However, their efforts in build-up lacked the subsequent finishing as the sides went into half-time on level terms. The most telling opportunity of the half fell to Sadio Mane who was put through on goal, only for the Senegalese forward to blast the ball straight at Milan goalkeeper Gabriel.
Sums up Liverpool so far. Final ball lacking as Sturridge can’t find any of the 4 in yellow who were crying out for a pass in the box.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 31, 2016
You’ve got to score those, Sadio… pic.twitter.com/gzqSESIrGn
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) July 31, 2016
My MOTM was Sadio Mané. He had an absolute cracker today. Looks as though he’ll show why we paid £30m for him. #LFC
— Anfield Hub (@AnfieldHub) July 31, 2016
Divock Origi opened the scoring for the Reds. The striker showed good skill by cutting inside Gabriel Paletta before curling the ball past Gabriel in goal. The Belgian’s arrival in the second half gave the Reds more impetus and sting in attack as they looked to finish off their Italian opponents. Origi did net a second goal only for the effort to be called for off-side.
Superb goal from Origi only minutes into his first pre-season run out (via @LiverpoolGifs) pic.twitter.com/DkUWncCTsO https://t.co/W1wx3QTX5s
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) July 31, 2016
Klopp loved that Origi goal… https://t.co/6TryPhkvfu
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) July 31, 2016
Divock Origi absolutely sublime tonight. MOTM. What a talent. Big things to come from him this season.
— LiverpoolFF (@LiverpoolFF) July 31, 2016
Divock Origi with the opener. Great feet and great finish.
1-0 #LFC
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) July 31, 2016
Another fine finish from Origi but he had strayed offside. Still 1-0. He has transformed this contest.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 31, 2016
Divock Origi could be a big player in the game if he continues his development.
Exciting times for him and LFC.
— The LFC Community (@LFCCommunity) July 31, 2016
Klopp on Divock Origi: All these players, if they stay fit, they can play a very good season. A lot of potential for Divock.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 31, 2016
The Reds scored their second through Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian connected with a deflected cross into the box from Sheyi Ojo. The goal, though, was made by the 19-year-old youngster who showed brilliant pace and skill with his feet, before crossing it into the 6-yard box. It was however Firmino’s classy celebration that attracted all the attention on social media.
Unbelievable pace from Ojo, but how about that goal celebration from Firmino ? #LFC pic.twitter.com/g0KHMwKzwc
— Ziyaad LFC (@ZIYAAD_LFC) July 31, 2016
A goal, but the Firmino’s show was greater than the goal! He was on fire ? pic.twitter.com/Q6HdNhnqv1
— The Liverpool Goals (@TheLivpoolGoals) July 31, 2016
? As cool as you like from @Roberto_Firmino… pic.twitter.com/8zMcf6PIhZ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2016
Filthy Firmino! (via @101greatgoals) #LFC https://t.co/De9Y6XDjvopic.twitter.com/9BfLVs3khq
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) July 31, 2016
2-0 the mad yellows. Great pace and purpose from Ojo. Cool finish and celebration from Firmino!
— THE ANFIELD WRAP (@TheAnfieldWrap) July 31, 2016
Firmino’s smooth transition from sliding shot into celebration is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/nQ8fJvyZUO
— Red Bastion (@RedBastion) July 31, 2016
That was some boss celebration by Firmino. Boss Tha.. #LFC #LFCtour #Firmino #Bosstha pic.twitter.com/TdINdsjRn8
— Varun Coutinho (@IndianKopite) July 31, 2016
Liverpool took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half as they emerged runaway victors against the Rossoneri. It’ll be a performance Klopp will be happy about with only a matter of weeks to go before the Reds prepare for yet another Premier League season.
Klopp: I’m pleased with the performance of the whole squad.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 31, 2016
Jurgen Klopp and the amazing supporters ? #LFC pic.twitter.com/vBmtbWbxpL
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) July 31, 2016
Klopp: Tonight is not a night about single players; the dominance we had, the passing, first half we played brilliant.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 31, 2016
