One of world football’s most famous names in Liverpool take on Melbourne Victory at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground tonight. We’ll have live scores and updates from 8.00pm AEST.
Since the inception of the A-League, Melbourne Victory have taken on some of Europe’s finest in Juventus, Fulham, Celtic, Olympiacos and now the biggest of the bunch, Liverpool FC.
Not until the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson to Manchester united in 1986, Liverpool FC were by far the most successful English football team with 18 league titles attained by 1991.
Unfortunately for those that sing the heartfelt song ‘You’ll never walk alone’, 1991 culminated in Liverpool winning their last League title as Sir Alex Ferguson ensured Manchester United would rain down on Liverpool’s parade.
22 seasons later and the fans from Anfield wait for a 19th League title whilst United push on for a 21st.
With one of the greatest sporting rivalries, it still seems as though ‘anything you can do I can do better’, as Manchester United left Sydney airport, Liverpool arrived to a rousing reception at Melbourne airport.
Brendan Rogers has promised a strong line-up for Liverpool as he aims to give the best preparation possible for what will be another difficult season in the EPL.
Australian football fans may get the chance to see Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson and fan favourite Steven Gerrard.
With Victory missing stars Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan and Mitch Nichols through international duty, the task is made harder due to key players Adama Traore and Gui Finkler still recovering from injury.
The re-inclusion of Nathan Coe and Connor Pain from East Asia Cup duty will be warmly received by Victory fans.
Victory coach, Ange Postecoglou, who also returns from representative duty having coached the A-league Allstars against EPL champions Manchester United, will have had a small amount of time to prepare his players for what will be the biggest friendly in the clubs short history.
The MCG will play host to close to 100,000 football supporters in what continues the recent push to bring the biggest and best football clubs from around the world to Australia.
This promises to be another dominant display from one of EPL’s finest in Liverpool.
But Victory, despite missing more than half of the 2012/13 starting 11, will surely be giving it their all in what will be a once in a lifetime experience and good preparation for both clubs for their respective seasons.
Prediction: Victory 1 – 4 Liverpool
Jimmy
Guest
"Would have liked the scoreline to remain at 1-0 but what can you do when that Suarez gets the ball and does his magic." Well "little" Conner Pain as you call him, could have tried a 'little' bit harder to tackle him and dispose him of the ball! I guess he can be forgiven for that one woeful effort at the very end of the game as overall he had a very good game and did only return from Korea the day before.
Jukes
Guest
A great effort by the Victory, played some nice footballl. I thought for Liverpool Sterling was absolutely brilliant, what a great young player he is. I thought for the Victory little Connor Pain had a great game and I also thought Nabbout had a good match. Would have liked the scoreline to remain at 1-0 but what can you do when that Suarez gets the ball and does his magic. Nice to hear the Victory boys singing "our boys in blue". Could hear it loud and clear on the tv.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Now we just need to compete in Asia.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Better than nothing.
pete4
Guest
Yes 3 players on Socceroos duty plus Finkler, Traore injured... just need to add maybe another striker
jamesb
Guest
Hey BazzA your having a Barry Crocker!
Allan
Guest
MV hold your heads high, you brought credit to the league tonight.
1860melbourne
Guest
All star concept is surely dead after the display Victory kids put up. Grand Final winner v Barca next season!
jamesb
Guest
Well played Melbourne Victory. They didn't park the bus, they actually played football, not bad for a team whose average age was around 22. What about Suarez? I don't think he wanted to be there tonight? Although it was a good assist for that second goal. Congrats to the FFA and Victory for making it happen. The A-League can play football
AZ_RBB
Guest
a little gem i found on twitter. "First game for MVFC at the MCG and we pull 95k. That's some team we have"
fadida
Guest
Yep
Cameron
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Melbourne Victory 0 – 2 Liverpool FC Thank you for joining TheRoar and myself for tonight's coverage of Melbourne Victory vs Liverpool FC. Until next time, thank you. For those interested you can follow me on Twitter @kellett18
Ben
Guest
As nice as it is to have the likes of Liverpool FC on our shores, these Mickey Mouse games really are boring as bat sh*t for neutral followers of the sport. Bring on the actual season I say!
Cameron
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Melbourne Victory 0 – 2 Liverpool FC Melbourne Victory have done themselves proud tonight and their fans can look forward to what may be a successful season. Missing Thompson, Milligan, Nichols, Traore and Finkler, the boys showed the depth of the club Ange has at his disposal for season 2013-14. Both teams were quite wasteful in front of goal and didn't take their opportunities. Victory with just now less than three months before the season starts will be able to improve on what will be a memorable occasion tonight but Liverpool will start to fine tune their own with three weeks out from the start of the season.
Cameron
Roar Guru
90+2'Melbourne Victory 0 – 2 Liverpool FC Free kick for Liverppol and they look to launch a counter. Liverpool just holding out till full time and what may be seen as some as a poor outing having wasted multiple opportunities. Though right on full time. Luis Suarez holds the ball up beautifully off a corner and works his way through the box. Passes it across the face of goal and it falls to Aspas and he scores! GOAL!
Cameron
Roar Guru
90’ Melbourne Victory 0 – 1 Liverpool FC Liverpool force a turn over in central midfield and are now looking to work it down the right. Victory knock it out for a throw in and Liverpool kick it back to within their own half. Victory's CM's now pressing and trying to force a turn over but Liverpool refuse to oblige. 2 minutes of stoppage time.
AZ_RBB
Guest
MVFC fans have plenty to look forward to this season.
Cameron
Roar Guru
88’ Melbourne Victory 0 – 1 Liverpool FC Jeggo back to Celeski, passes it out to Geria, back to Celeski who is pressured as Liverpool force a turn over. Victory trying their hardest to get a goal which would be very much deserved but Liverpool are remaining solid and tight in defence. Communication and fluency non-apparent for Liverpool.
Ben
Guest
I love AFL but the governing body is ruining it with rule changes. Thankfully soccer is not following suit. Enjoying the game by the way. There are a lot of AFL fans who also appreciate the soccer, don't get sucked in by trolls.
Cameron
Roar Guru
86’ Melbourne Victory 0 – 1 Liverpool FC Suarez trying to give AFL a go there for a second. Victory pressing Liverpool in central midfield to force a turn over. They are looking for that elusive goal. Liverpool playing safe and making their way neatly up field. Both teams have been quite wasteful with their chances. The ball falls to Aspas and takes too long. Corner for Liverpool. Wonderful header from Aggar who forces Coe to make a great save. SUB for Victory: Makarounas OFF Cristaldo ON