Malaysia XI 1-1 Liverpool, 24th July 2015, Pre Season Friendly

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Kat_Agger5
CAT_IMG Posted on 24/7/2015, 20:51




On the final leg of their summer trip across four cities in three countries, the Reds signed off with a share of the spoils on a hot and humid evening at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh opened the scoring against the run of the play for the hosts on 13 minutes, guiding home from inside the box with an excellent finish after pouncing on possession.

But Malaysia's lead didn't last long as Ibe drew Liverpool level just before the half-hour mark, driving into the area and rifling a thunderous effort into the top corner.

The visitors continued to create chances until the conclusion as they went in search of a fourth consecutive friendly win, but the Malaysia XI held out to ensure it finished on level terms.

Brendan Rodgers elected to make three changes to the starting line-up that had taken to the field against Adelaide United earlier this week. In came Adam Bogdan, Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno to replace Simon Mignolet, Joe Allen and Joe Gomez respectively.

Liverpool started assertively at the Bukit Jalil, but found themselves behind with 13 minutes played as Malaysia frontman Wleh pounced to prod beyond Bogdan from close range having surged into the area.

The Reds looked to conjure up an instant riposte, but Jordan Henderson couldn't quite manage to loop Adam Lallana's clever flick over the defenders' heads into the net.

However, it was made all square by a moment of brilliance from Ibe. Collecting possession on the right, he drove into the area before letting fly into the top corner with a left-foot blast.

Divock Origi was then thwarted twice by the goalkeeper after Lallana's attempted shot had deflected into his path, while the England international had an effort of his own repelled by Khairul Azhan Khalid.

Play continued in similar fashion after the break - and Origi was again left clasping his head in his hands when a brilliant sliding interception from Vincent Bikana prevented him from reaching James Milner's pass just yards from goal.

Next, some dainty footwork from Lallana on the edge of the box created space for a strike, but his blast was repelled by the gloves of Khalid.

Liverpool were really beginning to turn the screw and just before the hour, a slick free-kick routine resulted in Milner releasing Henderson bounding into space down the right. The captain lofted in a centre that was powerfully headed over the bar by Dejan Lovren.

Lallana then had a long-range punt inadvertently deflected onto the top of the crossbar by the legs of Bikana before Milner's well-struck blast was punched to safety by Khalid.

The opportunities were arriving thick and fast, with Lovren twice left frustrated at set-pieces before the finale.

Nevertheless, the hosts' dogged defensive play was rewarded as they held on to claim a draw - and they could have even caused an upset, had Bogdan not denied Zah Rahan Krangar's close-range hit deep into stoppage time.
 
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