Thursday, July 31, 2014

LIVERPOOL BEAT MANCHESTER CITY IN PRE-SEASON

Liverpool beat Premier League champions Manchester City in a pre-season friendly via penalty shootout  in New York after the two teams had drawn 2-2 in 90 minutes.
After a scoreless first half in the friendly at baseball's Yankee Stadium in front of almost 50,000 fans, striker Stevan Jovetic gave City the lead.

On fire: Stevan Jovetic scored a double to continue his fine pre-season form
Jovetic scores for Manchester City

Midfielder Jordan Henderson equalised before Jovetic struck again, but winger Raheem Sterling levelled.
Leveller: Jordan Henderson cancelled out City's opener shortly after Jovetic had put the title winners ahead
Jordan Henderson equalize for Liverpool

Game on: Sterling peels away after scoring the equaliser for Liverpool
Raheem Sterling levelled for Liverpool
Simon Mignolet then pulled off a pair of saves in the shoot-out to give the Reds 3-1 win on penalties in front of a crowd of 49,653.
The win put Liverpool on top of Group B in the International Champions Cup and they move on to play AC Milan on Saturday, with the possibility of a final against Manchester United to follow.
The Yankee Stadium spectators were served up an entertaining encounter between the top two teams in England last season and City new boy Willy Caballero produced a great save in the first half to keep out a close-range Rickie Lambert header.
At the other end, Brad Jones saved a low Jesus Navas effort and Edin Dzeko had a goal ruled out for offside.
Manchester City took the lead in the 53rd minute when the lively Navas made progress down the right and sent over a low cross which Jovetic converted at the near post, after Steven Gerrard was unable to clear.
But Liverpool responded just six minutes later, Henderson conjuring up a delightful curling finish after the ball ran loose when Sterling tried to find Daniel Sturridge.
In the 67th minute, Jovetic quickly restored City’s lead, poking the ball past Mignoelet after a deflected shot fell perfectly for him.
However, Liverpool pressed strongly in the closing stages and, with just five minutes left to play, Lucas cleverly set up Sterling with a cushioned pass and the England man’s excellent finish set up spot-kicks.
Manchester City were far from clinical with their penalties, Aleksandar Kolarov punting their first over the bar, although he was reprieved when Sturridge did likewise.
But Mignolet then saved well from Yaya Toure and Navas, while Emre Can and Henderson converted.
Get in: Simon Mignolet pumps his fists after saving a penalty in the shootout in New York
Simon Mignolet celebrate after he pulled off a saves
Manchester City finally found the net when youngster Kelechi Iheanacho stepped up but Lucas then sent Joe Hart the wrong way to win it for Liverpool.

Get in: Lucas Leiva gestures to fans after scoring a goal in the penalty shoot out
Lucas celebrate after converting the last penalty that gave Liverpool victory

Winners: Liverpool celebrate beating Manchester City on penalties in New York
Liverpool players celebrate their win over Manchester City

In the family: City goalkeeper Joe Hart embraces brothers Kolo and Yaya Toure at full-time
Manchester City's goalkeerper Joe Hart held the Toure brothers

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