Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Philippe Coutinho Inspires Reds To Preston Rout

Philippe Coutinho has been Liverpool FC's top shirt-shifter this summer – shirts with his name on the back outselling even skipper Steven Gerrard.

A few more will fly off the shelves this week after the cultured Brazilian got Liverpool's pre-season program off to a winning start at Deepdale on Saturday.

Coutinho, who ended last season so impressively following his £8.5m switch from Inter, picked up where he left off.

Tripped by ex-Red John Welsh after 12 minutes he picked himself up to slide the penalty comfortably to Declan Rudd's left.

Jordan Ibe, another to end last season on a high, was still on a roll when he dipped his shoulder and flashed a 20-yard shot past Rudd after 36 minutes.

And second half goals for Raheem Sterling – assisted by Aspas – and then a beauty bent in from 20 yards by the Reds new Spanish striker, earned a comfortable victory.

The goals gave Liverpool The Shankly Shield – a prize to commemorate the 100th birthday later this year of the legendary Liverpool manager and Preston player.

New signings Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas all enjoyed a run-out.

Toure played the first 45 minutes and Alberto and Aspas the second 45 in sweltering conditions – while keeper Mignolet managed 80 minutes before making way, to a rousing ovation from the visiting fans, for Danny Ward.

For a team only back in pre-season training for a fortnight, Liverpool's sharpness and precision was impressive.

They passed themselves into trouble from the back in the fourth minute, when Agger's sloppy pass went straight to Chris Humphrey whose cross was just a fraction too high for Joe Garner.

But otherwise Liverpool's control was almost absolute.

Liverpool should have had another penalty when Fabio Borini was pulled down by Paul Huntington but referee Neil Swarbrick wasn't so generous a second time.

And the Italian was handed an even better opportunity after 34 minutes when Jon Flanagan's pass played him clean through on goal but after carrying the ball to within 12 yards of Rudd, he sliced the ball hopelessly wide.

But Ibe's crisp shot gave a true reflection of the Reds dominance.

At half-time both sides made wholesale changes.

Liverpool switched all 10 outfield players, while Preston introduced eight fresh faces.

The second half was a little more competitive, but only a poor touch from Raheem Sterling after Glen Johnson's outstanding pass stopped the winger having a clear run on goal.

He only had to wait 60 seconds for another opportunity, this time Iago Aspas' deft touch sending Sterling clear from the halfway line.

The 18-year-old kept his composure, skirted wide of Stuckmann and slotted the third.

After an assist on his first Reds appearance, Aspas then opened his goalscoring account with a beauty.

The Spaniard turned on the edge of the penalty area and bent in an effort left-footed to seal victory.

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