Liverpool Football Club began their 2013/2014 season with a tour of Asia and Australia. Longhair Media’s Alex Logan was on hand for two final matches to see what the season holds for the Reds from Merseyside.
As a lifelong Liverpool fan – this was a dream come true. For the first time ever, the Reds made their way down to Australia, having had previously successful tours in Indonesia and Thailand, of which they made stops this time again. Having had much of a rebuilding season in 2012/13, which Liverpool finished seventh, this is the season that many expect Brendan Rodgers to turn the team’s fortunes around. Having had a season to sense out the club of which he is signed to long term, as well as improving relations with owners, Fenway Sports Group, many believe Rodgers must make his stand to revive the fortunes of the famous club. There’s no doubt Rodgers has been active on the transfer market – clearing ‘clutter’ from the squad such as Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing and adding meaningful talent in Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet and the experienced Kolo Toure. In traditional Liverpool style as well, he is more than happy to put faith in the up-and-coming talent from Melwood, continuing the rapid rise of Raheem Sterling but also progressing Andre Wisdom, Jack Robinson, John Flanagan and Jordan Ibe to more active positions within the squad. The mix of personnel will hopefully provide Rodgers with the depth and versatility in a squad that can challenge for a European spot.
The crowd is a sea of Red at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
With expectations riding high, the Reds, missing only Daniel Sturridge to injury and Luis Suarez to an international break, kicked off a three game tour to Asia and Australia in Jakarta against Indonesia on July 20. Playing in decent humidity, the Reds were given a good workout. Rodgers started with a strong team, giving debuts to all four new signings and was rewarded early with Philippe Coutinho slotting away after ten minutes. The Reds continued to go through the motions till half time, when Rodgers made two changes with Robinson getting a run for Jose Enrique while inspirational captain Steven Gerrard was given an early shower for Joe Allen. It didn’t slow the Reds down and despite new signings Alberto and Aspas slowly working their way into the game, Coutinho looked on fire. Rodgers then made six changes covering all positions which allowed a vast array of talent to give first impressions to Rodgers as well as the Indonesian fans. In the last three minutes of normal time, Wisdom’s clearance from an Indonesian corner fell to Ibe, who showed lightning speed to get round the defence to lay it Oussama Assaidi who unselfishly gave it to Sterling, who slotted into an empty net. A solid 2-0 win and workout for the Reds, who can be reasonably happy with their first pre-season display.
A sign of the support this club has was magnified three days later when the Reds landed in Melbourne – the first time the club in its illustrious existence has made it to Australia. And weren’t they well received, with an unparelled crowd of 95,446 – an Australian footballing attendance record on hand to witness the Reds take on A-League side Melbourne Victory. The rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was truly a foreign phenomenon and definitely one that the players and fans will never forget with goosebumps and tingles permanently instilled on those apart of it. Eight changes were made from the team that started in Jakarta and as predicted, a start was handed to Liverpool’s Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones however there were also starts for Wisdom, Ibe and Fabio Borini, which gave the Australian Red fans a look at the depth of the squad for the forthcoming season.
Despite intense transfer speculation, star striker Luis Suarez joined up with the squad and started the game on the bench. Melbourne Victory fielded a young and inexperienced team, partly due to the Australian national team’s East Asian Cup commitments, which meant the Reds were playing up against a faster tempo team than in Indonesia. The first 20 minutes allowed each side to get a feel for the playing conditions and atmosphere, with Melbourne failing to compile possession and Liverpool feeling relatively comfortable. Within minutes, a chance was set down the right side with Allen putting through a great ball in the box towards Borini, who instinctively ran off the ball, opening up space for the ever imposing Steven Gerrard to slot away graciously in the left corner of Victory’s Nathan Coe goal.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground erupted as it was a classic Gerrard goal that typified the beautiful style the Reds play. The rest of the first half saw the Reds work on their one goal lead without extending it. The second half started well for the Reds with Borini starting to get increasingly involved upfront and created some chances. Gerrard made way for Lucas to a resounding reception and within minutes, the entire Liverpool bench – including Suarez – took the field. While it stifled the momentum the Reds had built, it gave ample opportunity for fresh legs to dazzle the Aussie crowd and Rodgers. Much a surprise was to see young Flanagan, a typical right back, scorching down the left wing – such is the necessity of versatility needed to be apart of this squad – while also no doubt aiding the slow return of Martin Kelly. Suarez had many eyes on him however his perceived cockiness and individualism unfortunately highlighted his attitude on the pitch, with the Uruguayian international looking disinterested most of the time.
Some of the many Liverpool mementos brought by Thai fans
But that’s the danger with Suarez. You just don’t know what’s coming next. And that’s what can be said for the Victory. With 3 added minutes for stoppage time – the crowd accepting of a solid Liverpool performance in the last 20 – saw him spring into action. Stewart Downing’s short corner to Suarez allowed him to show his brilliance, beating two defenders in the box with smart dribbling and delivering a splendid toe poke, which fell into the path of Aspas who couldn’t miss from inside the six yard box, despite it coming off his shin. It was a goal that the crowd certainly deserved but one Suarez didn’t seem overly reactive with. It again gave Rodgers a 2-0 win but the real winner tonight was the Reds’ Australian fans, with the attendance figure being the biggest crowd the club has played in front of in its 124 year history – a tell-tale sign that the club should be back as often as it can.
The final stop on the tour was back to the humid tropics of south-east Asia, with the Reds to facing Thailand at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium. With a terrific atmosphere outside the ground featuring stalls, fan interactive games and promotional material unseen in Melbourne, it provided the crowd the perfect build up to the big game. While Liverpool is one of, if not the, most popular club in Thailand, the Reds are still gracious as they were when they last visited two years ago. Even before game day, the Reds agreed to move the clash 15 minutes earlier to allow the Prince of Thailand’s national address on television, as game day incidentally fell on his birthday. By kick off though – the Reds had their focus at the task at hand. Rodgers started with his strongest team yet on tour, one that could easily start in the Premier League, minus Suarez who again started on the bench. As per previously, the Reds started meticulously trying to read their opponents intentions. It didn’t take long for action with the Reds applying plenty of pressure to the Thai defence. They were rewarded with a stunning run from Coutinho, who returned after missing the Melbourne match with a minor strain, which finished with a cool and collected finish in the left hand corner giving the Reds a 1-0 lead after 19 minutes. Thailand responded with a strong rest of the half, testing the resolve of the new defensive pairing of Toure and Daniel Agger and the shot stopping abilities of Mignolet.
The Reds went to half time with the lead, with the crowd focused on whether Suarez was interested in the events in front of him after his face is shown on the big screen intermediately. The second half kicked off with Thailand in good attacking mood but the Reds with the goods only four minutes in. Coutinho, again in the middle of the action, provides a through ball to Aspas, who dispatches brilliantly after controlling superbly. Ten minutes later and the Reds made it three with Allen giving Aspas a good ball which allowed him to give Gerrard, a simple chance by his standards, the opportunity to put a chipped finish into the net. The Reds looked to be cruising, which gave Rodgers the incentive to switch it up by making a few changes, including introducing Suarez for the last 29 minutes. There were many chances for the Reds to make it four, with Gerrard and Suarez both hitting the post – the latter seemingly more interested in the game and his performance than in Melbourne. Thailand were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Jordan Henderson was clearly fouled in good position however it didn’t faze the Reds who held on comfortably for the 3-0 win.
So the verdict? The Reds had a successful tour – there’s no doubt about that. They increased their international brand and profile, created terrific memories – particularly in Australia – and reaffirmed the squad’s commitment to club and manager. There were many standout performances throughout the tour but none had a better time than Coutinho, who looks to be a player to watch out for this season. Having kept clean sheets in all games and scored many, Rodgers can feel comfortable in the notion that he gave the squad the best possible build up for the upcoming season. With Steven Gerrard’s testimonial game against Olympiakos and a game in each of Ireland and Norway ahead before the season kicks off against Stoke, the Reds will be well prepared for a season in which they will challenge for a European place – a place they deserve to be.
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