Liverpool 2-0 Olympiakos
(Allen 24, Henderson 62)
Mignolet, Enrique, Agger, Toure, Johnson, Allen, Lucas, Gerrard (C), Coutinho, Sterling, Aspas.
Goals from central midfielders Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson secured a 2-0 win for Liverpool at Anfield against Greek champions Olympiakos.
It was a good pre-season warm up for the Reds as they played in front of a sold out Anfield as fans and players united to celebrate the testimonial of talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard. A strong Liverpool line up ultimately defeated the Greeks comfortably and the only likely disappointment will likely be that the margin of victory was not greater.
In warm sunshine, Liverpool started off with intent and it just took four minutes for the impressive Joe Allen to break up an Olympiakos attack and release new boy Iago Aspas. After a good return in the pre-season campaign, the Spaniard was denied by Balazas Megveri when he might have expected to do better. The Hungarian goalkeeper made a good stop but Aspas ultimately hit the ball too close to him.
Allen and his central midfield partner Lucas Leiva were both integral to the game’s opening exchanges, hoovering up every loose ball and making it almost impossible for the Greek outfit to retain possession. But for all the possession and dominance the game was flat for spells, as to be expected in pre-season.
However, the bright Aspas continued to make inroads and was unlucky to not tee up Philippe Coutinho after an outrageous turn bamboozled the entire Olympiakos back four. He did pick Allen out with a great improvised flick but the Welshman contrived to volley over from ten yards out when he seemed set to score.
However, Allen was not to be denied his goal and two minutes later was given a tap in by the cleverness of Iago Aspas. Olympiakos lost concentration and possession from a short free kick. Lucas picked out the Spaniard with an excellent first time pass. After a one two on the edge of the box with the lively Raheem Sterling, Aspas’ pinpoint cross was tapped in by Allen. It was a sloppy goal for the visitors to concede.
In a rare attack, Olympiakos fired a free-kick against the wall but carried very little threat all game with Simon Mignolet, making his first Anfield start, a virtual spectator. Raheem Sterling was causing havoc on the right, with an excellent run where he showed pace, skill and determination to shake off close attentions resulting in a corner.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
Seconds later, Aspas reacted quickest to Agger’s header on only to hit his shot straight at Megveri. The Spaniard can consider himself unlucky as the goalkeeper knew little of the shot as it spun wide off his left foot. The Reds built a period of sustained pressure as Kolo Toure headed over from a Coutinho cross.
Liverpool would not relent until half-time, with Glen Johnson cutting onto his left foot and curling a good effort just wide on the half hour mark. Joe Allen, who broke forward intelligently and with purpose, missed with a stooping header when he might well have done better as the half drew to a close. Just a minute later, Coutinho threaded one of his trademark through balls through for Gerrard, but he was denied by the alertness of Megveri, who was quick off his line to snuff out the danger.
As the half ended, Brendan Rodgers must have been pleased at the way his team approached the game, only a lack of goals for all the good play a possible concern. The Greeks rang the changes at half with a double substation but the hosts remained unchanged. Much like the pattern of the match as Liverpool continued to attack.
After an Aspas inspired first half, the diminutive Brazilian Coutinho became the focal point of the second half as first a jinking run ended with a tumble in the box, though referee Halsey waved away his appeals. He then weaved his way into the box with a couple of stepovers before hitting his shot straight at the busy Megveri. Raheem Sterling will also be disappointed he didn’t lob home after being released through on goal but his lob drifted just wide.
The game entered a lull until the hour mark when Brendan Rodgers made a triple substitution. Luis Suarez was brought on for Aspas. The Uruguayan was given a thunderous reception as he made his way onto the pitch and the impressive Spaniard can be pleased with his Anfield debut. Kolo Toure was replaced by the returning Jamie Carragher and Jordan Henderson replaced Joe Allen.
It proved to be an inspired change by Rodgers as Henderson was put clean through by Sterling to make it 2-0 just thirty seconds later. His finish was cool and crisp and he continued off where he left off last season. It was an excellent way to announce his arrival onto the pitch as he scored with his first touch.
With the game secure the hustle and bustle of the match died down a little and after Enrique, fed by Suarez, was denied by the overworked Megveri after 70 minutes, Rodgers was able to ring more changes. Luis Alberto replaced the effortlessly threatening Coutinho and Robbie Fowler was welcomed joyfully onto the pitch by the crowd.
The game drifted into a fitness exercise in the latter stages as the game was well and truly already won for the hosts. Agger stretched to deny Saviola but Simon Mignolet would not make a significant save all match. Much of the interest in the match lay in watching Luis Suarez, who seemed to play within himself a little but was still at his grumpy best as he became frustrated at not getting on the same wavelength as Robbie Fowler.
The Kop hero was fed through by Gerrard but his shot was blocked. Moments later the man of the hour was replaced by Jay Spearing as he passed the captain’s armband back to Jamie Carragher for the very last time. Mignolet was also replaced by Brad Jones as the game petered out into a very easy win for Liverpool.
Much of the post-match talk was about the future of Luis Suarez, but this game was all about one man and Steven Gerrard will have loved every minute of his big day.
[ad_pod id=’pubsquared’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
Aspas is striking me as a bargain buy,can’t say the same about alberto hope he proves me wrong.but that team is surely the one that will start against stoke.