STEVEN GERRARD LAUNCHED his post-Liverpool career with a low-key cameo for new club Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday, playing 45 minutes for the Major League Soccer side in a 2-1 win over Mexican giants Club America, while Ireland international Robbie Keane was on target.
Just under two months after bidding an emotional farewell in front of 44,000 fans at Anfield, the former Liverpool talisman showed one or two glimpses of class before being substituted at half-time to applause from a 27,934-strong crowd.
Gerrard’s full MLS debut is expected to come next Friday in a home fixture against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Gerrard, 35, who has signed an 18-month deal with the Galaxy after spending his entire 17-year professional career with Liverpool, almost secured a fairytale debut goal in his best chance of the night.
The midfielder produced a trademark burst into the penalty from midfield to latch onto a clever flick from Jose Villarreal, only to be denied after a fine save from America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez.
Earlier, Gerrard showed that his passing ability is also likely to cause problems for MLS opponents, with one sublime 40-yard (120 feet) ball picking out a teammate after six minutes.
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Club America meanwhile seemed determined to spoil Gerrard’s party, with their large contingent of fans — who often outsung their Galaxy counterparts — when the team took the lead after seven minutes through Carlos Darwin Quintero.
The Galaxy drew level on the stroke of half-time when Keane controlled Juninho’s long ball superbly with his first touch to wrongfoot America keeper Gonzalez before stroking away the finish.
Substitute Alan Gordon scored a late winner for the Galaxy, climbing high to head home Raul Mendiola’s cross in the 80th minute.
Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy
