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| Liverpool racked up their third consecutive victory at the International Champions Cup by beating AC Milan 2-0 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday evening.
Though the encounter naturally fell a long way short of recreating the scenes of Istanbul in 2005, Joe Allen's first-half finish and Suso's late strike proved the difference in another encouraging pre-season performance in America.
Before a ball had even been kicked in North Carolina, results elsewhere confirmed that the Reds had qualified for Monday's final and a clash to savour against rivals Manchester United in Miami.
While Brendan Rodgers' side enjoyed major dominance of possession throughout the opening quarter-hour, there was little in the way of opportunities to break the deadlock, with Milan's deep defence stifling creativity.
With 17 minutes on the clock, though, they did find a way through, with Allen at the heart of the move. The Welshman stole the ball from Michael Essien and advanced, only to strike the left post with a side-footer. But when Christian Abbiati punched Raheem Sterling's follow-up out, the midfielder was perfectly positioned to convert.
Jordan Henderson took command at a promising set-piece but hit the wall, Sebastian Coates blocked a blast by M'Baye Niang and Kolo Toure covered superbly to thwart Giampaolo Pazzini as the forward shaped to trouble Simon Mignolet.
As the half-hour approached, Sterling ignited the turbo charge and drew a clumsy foul by Adil Rami inside the Milan penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot immediately, although Rickie Lambert's effort toward the right corner was palmed out by Abbiati.
Liverpool's No.31 has been an effervescent presence during pre-season - notching goals against both Olympiacos and Manchester City in this tournament - and he threatened by drifting inside from the left only to drive straight into a defender.
Niang was a regular option for the Rossoneri on the counter-attack, but Mignolet was equal to the attacker's low clip in search of the near post with seven minutes remaining in the period, meaning the half ended with the Reds one up.
The Italians introduced Mario Balotelli at the restart and the maverick forward was soon standing over a long-range free-kick with intent; ultimately, there was no serious concern for Mignolet, guarding the goal.
While Milan's talisman provided a momentum boost, Rodgers' charges remained in control and the Northern Irishman was confident enough to follow two half-time substitutes with eight changes at once on the hour mark, including captain Steven Gerrard.
There was a roar of anticipation when precise passing work by Conor Coady and latterly Emre Can teed up the skipper for a trademark piledriver from distance, but the shot was slashed wide to the right.
At the other end, Mignolet rushed to the edge of his area and sprawled expertly to block out Balotelli's attempt as the No.45 surged into a modicum of space in behind the Liverpool backline and seemed to have generated a likely goal.
But Filippo Inzaghi's side could simply not find a way to break down the diligent Reds, with Suso adding a second goal with moments left; Liverpool now immediately depart for Florida and the chance to hoist aloft pre-season silverware in two days' time.
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