LIVERPOOL CAME UNDONE as they fell 2-1 to Roma in their latest pre-season run-out in Missouri.
Mohamed Salah’s 62nd-minute strike proved the winner last night, after Edin Dzeko had given the Italians a 1-0 lead just shy of the half-hour mark.
Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo had cancelled out the opener with his third goal in two pre-season games – on the stroke of half-time at Busch Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp named a strong line-up as he fielded a front three of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and new signing Sadio Mane, with Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner also featuring for the Premier League side.
Radja Nainggolan started for the Serie A side, with Dzeko and Salah up front alongside Stephan El Shaarawy. Kevin Strootman also featured in midfield as he upped his pre-season preparation following a nightmare 12 months with injury.
Roma looked the better side for the majority of the contest, with Nainggolan’s energy in midfield making life difficult for Liverpool to break through the middle of the park.
And Liverpool’s defenders had to be on their toes early as Nathaniel Clyne did well to pressure Dzeko into missing an early opportunity.
But the Bosnia-Herzegovina international would not be denied twice and he got his goal after 29 minutes, taking down a chipped pass with his chest outside the box and shooting a low strike on the turn that Liverpool goalkeeper Alexander Manninger might have been disappointed to concede.
Liverpool responded well and equalised before half-time through Ojo, who stooped low to head home after Dejan Lovren did well to keep an over-hit corner alive at the far post.
Parity did not last long in the second half, however, as Salah scored the winner following a beautiful cross from Alessandro Florenzi, which found the head of Dzeko who forced a good save from substitute keeper Simon Mignolet only for the Egyptian to finish following Andre Wisdom’s failure to clear the ball.
Liverpool almost scored a leveller in the last five minutes of the game from a dangerous set-piece through Danny Ings, but were denied by Roma keeper and Brazil number one Alisson.
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