Liverpool downs plucky Melbourne 2-0 in friendly

MELBOURNE: Goals from captain Steven Gerrard and newly-signed striker Iago Aspas earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over a A-League side Melbourne Victory in a pre-season friendly Wednesday watched by more than 95,000 fans.
Despite dominating from the outset with numerous shots on goal, Liverpool was unable to find the net until Gerrard fired in a powerful shot in the 32nd minute at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A tiring Melbourne did well to hold on for most of the second half as Liverpool made wholesale substitutions in the 72nd minute, including the introduction of striker Luis Suarez, reportedly the target of Premier League rival Arsenal.
The Uruguayan made an immediate impact, culminating in a deft pass for Aspas’ stoppage time goal moments before the final whistle.
The bulk of the vocal MCG crowd were clearly there to support Liverpool, offering up a booming rendition of Anfield anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the kickoff and cheering every touch from big names Gerrard and Suarez.
The inclusion of Brad Jones in the Liverpool lineup gave the Melbourne crowd even more to cheer for, with the Australian keeper forced to make some quality saves in each half.
Gerrard scored after working a one-two with fellow midfielder Joe Allen, and gathering the return pass to rifle the ball home from just inside the box.
Suarez created the second goal with a skillful spin around a defender before feeding the ball to Aspas for a tap-in.
Liverpool will conclude its Asia Pacific tour with a friendly in Bangkok later this week.