Reds cruise to easy win in Sydney
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE side Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win in a post-season friendly against ALeague champions Sydney FC yesterday, in an Australian tour set to last around 24 hours.
After a rousing rendition of “You’ll never walk alone”, nearly 73,000 fans stood silent in Sydney’s ANZ stadium ahead of kickoff to remember the victims of Monday’s deadly bombing in Manchester.
Returning club legend Steven Gerrard sent a volley over the goal in one of the first plays of the game, before Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a precise strike past Sydney goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
Alberto Moreno doubled the score 10 minutes later when he volleyed Roberto Firmino’s chip into the top of the net.
Sturridge then set up Liverpool’s third in the 38th minute as his cross bounced off Firmino’s thigh and into the net.
Despite their lack of sleep after arriving in Sydney on the morning of the match, the Premier League’s fourth best side held firm in the second half.
“It’s been a big few days for the team, a lot of travelling,” Sturridge told broadcaster ABC.
“I’m working off a few hours sleep right now. It’s been fun though. It’s my first time here. I’m liking the place but I’m not going to really be here very long.”
The match comes just days ahead of Liverpool’s 125th birthday celebrations. John Houlding, a former president of Merseyside archrivals Everton, registered the club on June 3, 1892, according to the club’s historian. – dpa