Standard Chartered Trophy: Liverpool down Crystal Palace 2-0 to secure first pre-season win
Goals from Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah seal comfortable victory for the Reds against a Palace side missing a host of senior players
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Singapore, 16 July 2022 - A sea of red engulfed the National Stadium well before the slated kick-off timing at 8.35pm local time.
But instead of cheering on the Singapore national team, the majority of fans were present with banners, flags, and scarfs aloft on Friday night to watch their beloved English football club Liverpool live in Singapore for the first time since 2009.
As the players exited the tunnel to the fans’ view, Liverpool supporters broke out in unison to a passionate rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, belting out a version emotionally-moving enough to give all 50,217 spectators instant goosebumps; creating an Anfield-like atmosphere.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
The Reds did not disappoint their ardent followers, comfortably defeating fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace by a 2-0 scoreline, using all 32 squad players in the process. Even though Palace were missing key players such as Wilfried Zaha, Marc Guehi and Christian Benteke, the London-based club gave their best effort in what must have felt to them an away match.
The Standard Chartered Trophy also marked the first-time since the pandemic began spectators were allowed to fill up to almost full capacity at the Singapore Sports Hub for any event.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Victory for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s men was marred by a first-half injury to midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but Klopp confirmed in the post-match conference that it was simply a precaution. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson was also absent from the matchday squad as he picked up a minor abdominal injury at the beginning of yesterday’s session. The Brazilian is in contention to start their next pre-season fixture away to RB Leipzig on 22 July.
Klopp decided to name a significantly stronger lineup in comparison to the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in Bangkok midweek. James Milner filled in at right-back, Ibrahim Konate partnered Joel Matip in central defence, and Harvey Elliot and Curtis Jones headlined the midfield ahead of captain Jordan Henderson. South-American attacking duo Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino were also named in the starting eleven.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Crystal Palace set-up to match Liverpool’s shape, with forwards Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard used as wingers, while young midfielders Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Killian Phillips operated as interiors ahead of lone defensive midfielder Luka Milivojevic. Joel Ward, usually a right-back by trade, partnered Joachim Anderson in central defence in the absence of James Tomkins and Marc Guehi.
First Half Lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Adrian, Milner, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas, Jones, Henderson, Elliot, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Firmino, Diaz
Palace (4-3-3): Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Mitchell, Rak-Sakyi, Milivojevic, Phillips, Ayew, Mateta, Eduoard
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
In yesterday’s pre-match conference, Klopp began by commenting on the extreme humidity of Singapore’s weather; which possibly explained the slow-paced start to the pre-season friendly.
The first opportunity of the game fell to Palace’s Odsonne Eduoard in the ninth minute, whose header from Luka Milivojevic’s freekick was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Roared on by a raucous crowd, Liverpool wasted no time to break the deadlock just three minutes later. A perfectly-timed cut back by Harvey Elliot, whom Klopp described as being like a ‘new signing’, was swept first-time into the corner of the net by onrushing captain Jordan Henderson.
The stadium erupted. Liverpool supporters were sent into delirium as they celebrated simultaneously, making their presence felt with rhythmic singing.
Even Palace captain Milivojevic lost his composure momentarily, giving the ball away with a stray pass trying to play out of the back, before committing a poorly-timed foul on James Milner in quick succession.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Liverpool could have doubled their lead when Kostas Tsimikas was allowed to burst down the left flank on a counter-attack. The Greek fullback’s lofted cross towards the far post was met by Roberto Firmino, whose close-range header was blocked for a corner.
Just before the half hour mark, the crowd started a traditional ‘Kallang Wave’ – formed by spectators raising their arms in succession – causing the grounds of the stadium to tremble periodically.
Before the half-time break, a neat move from Liverpool saw Oxlade-Chamberlain thread a through ball towards Harvey Elliot’s path, but the young English talent only managed to fire wide of the post.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Moments later, it was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s turn to receive a pass into space but lashed a shot straight into Guaita’s palms before going down injured.
Second Half Lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Davies, Alexander-Arnold, van den Berg, van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Keita, Thiago, Salah, Nunez, Carvalho
Palace (4-3-3): Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Mitchell, Rak-Sakyi, Milivojevic, Phillips, Ayew, Mateta, Eduoard
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Liverpool began the half with a fresh eleven, including defender Virgil van Dijk, talisman Mohamed Salah and new signing Darwin Nunez. The midfield comprised Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita, whilst first-choice fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson also entered the fray. Palace remained unchanged.
Buoyed by fresh legs, the Reds started the second period with increased vigour and intensity. It did not take long for them to get their second goal.
PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Picking up the ball from the right flank from Alexander-Arnold’s crisp pass, Salah struck a sweet left-footed strike that crept in off Guaita’s left post, courtesy of a fortunate deflection.