FT: LIVERPOOL 2-0 VALENCIA

DATE: Saturday 6 August 2011
KICK OFF: 17:30
VENUE: Anfield, Liverpool
COMPETITION: Friendly
REFEREE: Unknown
BROADCAST: ESPN, 17:00

Liverpool comfortably overcame Valencia on Saturday evening as they rounded off their pre-season schedule with a win.

The Reds even managed to keep a clean sheet, the first time they have done that this pre-season after conceding 15 goals in five games prior to this.

Liverpool started brightly and took an early lead in the sixth minute. A horribly weak backpass by David Albelda was pounced upon by Andy Carroll who raced into the box and took a shot at goal. It went through the legs of goalkeeper Diego Alves before hitting the inside of the post and rolling across the face of goal. However, Carroll was quick to react and slotted the loose ball in.

The Reds continued to threaten and Stewart Downing in particular was a big threat as he time and time again beat the challenge of Bruno Saltor to send in good deliveries.

But as the match wore on, Valencia started settling in and passed the ball around nicely. However, for all their possession, they failed to do anything with it and Liverpool looked comfortable.

The second goal did not arrive until the last minute of normal time. Substitute Joe Cole whipped the ball in from a free kick and fellow substitute Dirk Kuyt attempted to poke it in, only to be denied. However, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who had come on in the 77th minute, went in for it with Kuyt, and the final touch looked to come from the Greek defender.

It was the perfect end to pre-season with a morale boosting clean sheet, and Liverpool now start their campaign next weekend at home to Sunderland.


LIVE SCOREBOARD

LIVERPOOL - 2
Carroll 6'
Kyrgiakos 90'

VALENCIA - 0



TEAMS

LIVERPOOL
Reina
Johnson (Kelly 8')
Carragher
Agger (Kyrgiakos 77')
Aurelio (Robinson 46')
Spearing (Lucas 46')
Adam (Flanagan 74')
Henderson (Cole 59')
Aquilani (Kuyt 59')
Downing (Rodriguez 60')
Carroll (Ngog 59')

SUBS: Jones, Doni, Cole, Rodriguez, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Lucas, Ngog, Kelly, Flanagan, Robinson.

VALENCIA
Alves
Saltor
Rami
Topal
Alba
Albelda
Parejo
Hernandez
Mata
Piatti
Jonas

SUBS: Pereira, Maduro, Feghouli, Soldado, Dealbert, Ricardo Costa, Banega, Mathieu, Monteiro, Tino Costa, Alcacer, Bernat.


LAST MATCHES

LIVERPOOL
Sunday 22 May 2011
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 1-0 Liverpool

VALENCIA
Saturday 21 May 2011
Liga BBVA
Deportivo La Coruna 0-2 Valencia

HEAD TO HEAD
Wednesday 30 October 2002
UEFA Champions League Group B
Liverpool 0-1 Valencia