FT: AS Roma 2-1 Liverpool
The indication that Brendan Rodgers will have a job on his hands to turn around Liverpool’s fortunes was more than evident, after their latest pre-season setback.
The Reds American tour continued with a 2-1 defeat to Italian giants AS Roma in Boston, with the former Serie A champions having suffered a steep decline in recent seasons, just like their English counterparts.
Unlike most friendly matches, it was a packed game, with plenty of opportunities. Scot Charlie Adam grabbed a consolation for the Reds, after Michael Bradley and Alessandro Florenzi had made the game safe for Roma.
Although several senior players are missing from the American friendlies, Rodgers knows time is running out to get the side ready, especially as UEFA Europa League qualification matches begin for the Merseysiders next week.
Action-packed first half
The best chances in the first half actually fell Liverpool’s way, with Jonjo Shelvey posing a major problem for the opposition defenders.
Only smart work from Romanian goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont kept Shelvey out, whilst the returning Joe Cole (pictured) could only watch as a clever lob, clipped the crossbar.
Shelvey and Cole’s performances will have given Rodgers plenty of confidence, especially after the summer departures of attacking midfielders, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez.
Hungarian Peter Gulacsi was given a rare start in goal and he did well to deny Panagiotis Tachtsidis and Pablo Osvaldo in one-on-one scenarios.
Falling off the pace
Managers Rodgers and Zdenek Zeman made 12 changes in total at the interval but that didn’t detract from the high tempo played infront of an expected crowd.
The deadlock was broken in the 63rd minute, when Bradley, a summer signing for La Maggica from Chievo, was left unmarked in the penalty area and with one precise touch, drove a shot past the helpless Brad Jones in the Liverpool goal.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0 as Erik Lamela, who was a constant threat throughout, found space and powered a shot which Jones could only parry into the path of midfielder Florenzi, who made no mistake.
With ten minutes remaining, Adam gave Liverpool a deserved footing back into the game, as he drilled in from 20 years after good work from substitutes Jon Flanagan and Dani Pacheco.
Signs of encouragement
The American experience has been a good test of Liverpool’s potential expectations after a miserable league campaign last term, which saw them finish behind Stanley Park rivals Everton for only the second time in the last 25 years.
There are signs of encouragement, especially as the likes of Shelvey, Cole, Alberto Aquilani and Pacheco all have points to prove and have done well so far.
However, with a disappointing draw with Toronto, followed by this loss and a friendly in Baltimore at the weekend against English rivals, Tottenham, positive results would help inject positive life into the squad.
It is a squad that is missing Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Luis Suarez to the Olympics, whilst Steven Gerrard and new signing Fabio Borini weren’t considered.
However, what is evidently clear that a few more new faces are required and quickly, or it will be another season in the shadows of the Premier League’s top guns for the men from Anfield.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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