Liverpool beats Brisbane Roar 2-1

                                              James Milner of Liverpool FC celebrates his goal with teammates 

Liverpool survived an early scare to beat a plucky Brisbane Roar 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

But the scoreline didn’t matter. Reds coach Brendan Rodgers said as much on the eve of the contest.

What he wanted from the friendly was a thorough workout for his team after their 4-0 stroll against a Thai Premier League All Stars side three nights earlier.

And he got it in spades. The Roar took a 17th minute lead through Dimitri Petratos and it wasn’t until 15 minutes from the end that Liverpool finally hit the front through James Milner after earlier equalising via Adam Lallana.

While the match was being played on the Roar’s home ground, everything pointed to Liverpool being the hosts, apart from them wearing their white away kit.

You could barely see an orange jersey or scarf ion the crowd, Liverpool were afforded the luxury of the home dressing-room and home bench.

The much-hyped rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone before the game didn’t disappoint.

It was arguably as good, if not better, as anything that was produced in the 90 minutes, and won’t ever be forgotten by anyone in attendance on Friday night.

Despite losing, the Roar could hold their heads high – particularly goalkeeper Jamie Young - after holding their own against a team that finished sixth in the English Premier League.

Having suffered a host of off-field dramas since the end of last season, the Roar did themselves proud and suggested there is plenty of hope for the new campaign under recently appointed coach John Aloisi.

                                                          Dimitri Petratos of the Roar celebrates his opening goal

The Roar shocked the Reds by grabbing the lead through a tidy finish from Petratos after impressive work on the left by Brandon Borrello.

In keeping with some poor early defence, the Liverpool marking was shoddy, but Petratos still showed poise that too often eluded him last season to put Brisbane ahead.

The goal had the required effect on Liverpool, who sprung to life perhaps in the fear of being beaten by an A-League club.

Roar gloveman Young was required in the 25th minute, denying new Reds signing Danny Ings with a smart save,

But the Reds’ equaliser came three minutes later, with Lallana finishing sweetly in the 28th minute after standing up Roar fullback Jack Hingert far too easily.

Young made a host of second half saves but was beaten in the 75th minute when Milner, Liverpool’s off-season buy from Manchester City, scored his first goal for his new club.

The Reds now move on to South Australia, where they will take on Adelaide United on Monday night, while the Roar will look ahead to their FFA Cup clash against Western Sydney Wanderers on August 11.