Reds warm-up with win

Liverpool completed their pre-season schedule with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Valencia at Anfield.

Goals from Andy Carroll and Dirk Kuyt were enough to see off the Spanish outfit as the Reds produced a much improved performance ahead of next Saturday's Premier League opener against Sunderland.

There were plenty of positives for Kenny Dalglish to take from their final friendly with a clean sheet particularly satisfying after seeing the Reds concede 15 goals in their previous five games.

The only concern for the manager was the sight of Glen Johnson limping off early on but Martin Kelly proved to be an able deputy after coming off the bench.

New signings Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing all started at Anfield for the first time since their summer moves, while Fabio Aurelio returned from injury to make his first pre-season appearance at left-back.

Liverpool began with real intent and should have led inside two minutes. Downing curled a great cross to the back post but Daniel Agger couldn't hit the target.

Four minutes later the Reds were in front. A terrible back pass from David Albelda was pounced on by Carroll and although keeper Diego Alves forced his shot on to the post, Carroll reacted smartly to convert the rebound.

The Reds' joy was swiftly tempered by Johnson's injury and he had to be replaced by Kelly.

Liverpool remained firmly in control and Carroll could have doubled his account on the half hour mark.

Another defensive lapse left the striker through on goal but he opted to hit it early and his scuffed low shot was easy for Alves.

Carroll took out his frustration on defender Adil Rami seconds later with a reckless lunge which earned him a yellow card. Valencia soon sought retribution with Albelda and Bruno Saltor joining Carroll in the book.

Lucas Leiva and Jack Robinson replaced Aurelio and Jay Spearing at the start of the second half and the Reds continued to produce some of their best football of the pre-season programme.

More changes soon followed and a great move on the hour nearly brought a second goal.

Lucas sent Dirk Kuyt scampering clear down the right and the Dutchman picked out Maxi Rodriguez in the middle. His volley across goal was flicked just wide by David Ngog.

Kelly impressed at right-back and he forced a low save from Alves after a surging run forward.

Valencia posed more of a threat in the closing stages with Sofiane Feghouli leading the way but Pepe Reina was rarely tested.

Tino Costa's free-kick flew just over the bar and then Reina deflected Roberto Soldado's effort behind.

Liverpool secured victory in the final minute when Valencia failed to deal with Joe Cole's free-kick from the left flank and Kuyt toe poked home from close range.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson (Kelly 7), Carragher, Agger (Kyrgiakos 78), Aurelio (Robinson 46), Downing (Rodriguez 59), Spearing (Lucas 46), Henderson (Kuyt 59), Adam (Flanagan 74), Aquilani (Cole 59), Carroll (Ngog 59).

Source: Liverpool Echo

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