Liverpool tour: Reds expecting tough test against Brisbane Roar

BRISBANE Roar’s on-field success and the addition of recently appointed coach John Aloisi has Liverpool ready for a tough night in front of more than 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

BRISBANE Roar’s on-field success and the addition of recently appointed coach John Aloisi has Liverpool ready for a tough night in front of more than 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

The English Premier League club take on the Roar on Friday night in the first clash of their two-game Australian tour and will welcome a thorough workout in their bid to hit the ground running when the season kicks off next month.

For all their off-field issues, three-time A-League champions Roar remain one of the A-League’s most polished and entertaining teams when they are on song.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler knows first-hand how dangerous the Roar can be, having played in the A-League for the now defunct North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory.

“Certainly when I was here, they were by far the best team, the best footballing team … they were very easy on the eye,” Fowler said.

“Ange (Postecoglou) who was the manager then, had them playing unbelievable football and you can see why he became the Australian manager … that speaks volumes.”

Liverpool’s Danny Ings (right) and Jordan Ibe train at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

While Postecoglou has come and gone from Brisbane, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers expects a similar performance on Friday night when the Roar play their first game under Aloisi.

The Socceroos stalwart, who played top-flight football in England, Spain and Italy, struggled during his time as coach of the then Melbourne Heart but has been given a chance to again prove his worth.

“John was an excellent player,” Rodgers said.

“He’s done his work. He’s worked in development football, he’s worked with youth, he’s worked with first-team (players) and obviously now he comes here.

“I’ve looked at the system and the team and obviously they play very good football and we know it’ll be a good test for us.”

Liverpool players train at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Rodgers is also a fan of Roar keeper Jamie Young, having coached him at the Reading academy.

“He was a wonderful boy to work with, always hungry to learn,” he said of Young.

A crowd more than 7000 turned out to watch Liverpool train at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

The Reds are tipped to field a strong team on Friday night with recently appointed captain Jordan Henderson and fellow English international Adam Lallana both expected to start.

Lallana is out to make a good impression after failing in his first season at Anfield after moving from Southampton.

“It’s a vitally important period for us players, not just myself but the whole squad,” Lallana said.

“It was frustrating for me last season picking up an injury so soon into my career at Liverpool so I’m looking forward to getting my fitness levels up in pre-season and getting as much game time as possible.”

Originally published as Liverpool tour: Reds expecting tough test against Brisbane Roar