Liverpool Stars Who Impressed in Preseason Friendly Win vs. Melbourne

Liverpool picked up their third straight win in this summer's preseason programme with a 2-0 victory over Australian side Melbourne Victory.

Playing in the incredible setting of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, more than 95,000 fans watched the Reds overcome their hosts with long spells of possession and some impressive pressure in the final third when the ball was lost.

Liverpool were missing a few key attackers, so the end product was not what it might have been, but they were comfortable in victory nonetheless and deserved the two-goal cushion.

Steven Gerrard and Iago Aspas were the goalscorers for Liverpool, but who were the players who made the difference and pushed their claim for a regular place in the side once the season gets underway proper?

Terrific Teenage Twosome

Once again, Liverpool's two young wide forwards made a huge impression.

Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe had come on as substitutes in both games this summer before the match against Melbourne, and both times they had shown great sharpness, pace and creativity.

Manager Brendan Rodgers opted then to start them this time around, with Sterling left and Ibe right, initially, though there was plenty of movement and switching throughout.

Sterling was full of confidence after getting his summer off to a great start with two goals in two appearances, and he was quick to try and hit the target against Victory, with three or four efforts going wayward in his time on the pitch.

The one-cap international frequently looked to cut inside, but he also provided the overlap at times and impressively linked up with his midfielders.

Ibe was more direct in getting toward the byline before looking to cut the ball back or put low crosses over to the near-post area.

If Ibe is to play with any regularity on the right side, it might be an idea for the coaching staff to encourage regular near-post runs from the front man, as a complete lack of anticipation in this regard saw several chances passed up.

Sterling and Ibe have been the two stand-out talents this summer for Liverpool so far, and both will, on this form, be confident playing a part going forward once the season starts.

Captain Fantastic

While it wasn't exactly a case of forgetting everyone else, there is little doubt that many of the spectators were there at the MCG first and foremost to see Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard.

The No. 8 didn't disappoint either, putting in an energetic and quality-filled performance and topping it off with a goal.

Gerrard was involved in the buildup with a nice dummy to free Joe Allen into space before making one of his old trademark late runs into the box, finishing first-time to open the scoring.

Gerrard spread the play wide from his deep role in midfield, pushed forward to the edge of the final third at times and pressed the opposition well.

His ovation as he left the field after an hour was well deserved, both on the basis of his standing at the club and his performance for the first 60 minutes of play.

 

Andre the Giant

In amongst the murmurings of a new central defender having to arrive, possibly two of the current crop leaving and the minor knock sustained by Kolo Toure, young defender Andre Wisdom was a pillar of strength and composure at the back for Liverpool.

Playing to the left of Martin Skrtel, Wisdom showed the calmness on the ball which epitomised his performances last season, and he showed great reading of the game at times on the cover behind his full-back.

Strong in the air and seemingly comfortable going either left-centre or right-centre, Wisdom is showing he could be a real option for Rodgers heading into the new season.

He'll likely be battling Martin Kelly for a spot, whether centrally or at right-back, but on current evidence, Wisdom is worthy of his own place in the squad regardless of Kelly's recuperation from his own long-term injury.

Three games down, three victories and three clean sheets. Liverpool's preseason has gone as well as could be hoped for so far.

The trip to Thailand is next up before the Reds head back to Europe, and the boss and fans can both be happy that, so far, the summer is going according to plan.

Follow @karlmatchett