After 30 minutes, the 28,597-strong crowd were rewarded for their patience and treated to a goal fest as Liverpool FC beat Leicester City FC 4-0 to retain the Standard Chartered Singapore Trophy on Sunday (30 July).
PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
SINGAPORE, 30 JULY 2023 – From kick-off, they shouted for goals, urging Liverpool FC stars Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah to shoot whenever they were in a good position. Liverpool FC manager Jürgen Klopp hailed the atmosphere at the Singapore National Stadium as special and thanked the crowd, majority of whom were sporting LFC jerseys and scarves while waving various banners and flags.
Klopp said: “It was all good, we created great chances. In the first half, the high press worked pretty well in moments. The second half, we were a lot better with pressure on the ball. There were a lot of good moments, but we can still do better. A few knocks ruined the game, but the atmosphere was really special. We’ve experienced it a couple of times so to the people doing it, thank you for that.”
PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
After being flagged for offside, Darwin Núñez got his goal minutes later, drawing vociferous cheers from the crowd who earlier sang iconic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone with gusto. The Uruguayan tapped in from close range after half an hour when Leicester City FC goalkeeper Mads Hermansen parried Diogo Jota’s strike into his path.
Young midfielder Bobby Clark doubled Liverpool FC’s lead in the 35th minute, coolly slotting in Mohamed Salah’s cutback to the middle of the penalty box. Just three minutes later, the crowd went wild again when Jota’s header off a cross from Salah easily found the back of the net, giving the Reds a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. Ben Doak added a fourth in the 63rd minute, heading in at the near post to seal Liverpool FC’s victory. Leicester City FC created several chances but could not convert.
PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Klopp and Jota, who was named Man of the Match, were pleased with the result as both emphasised the desire of the team to improve on last season’s performance.
Jota said: “We want to build on the physical side of the game and build on (what we did today). We want to do a lot better than we did last season. Last season was not great, so we really want to improve on that. That is what pre-season is about, to build and try to get better for the start of the season.”
Klopp added: “They’re not happy with last season but we ended quite well. We worked together and it really showed. If you look at the team, there’s a lot of different roles on the pitch and in the dressing room as well. I’m really happy about the situation we’re in, the boys have grown into the game and their roles again and that’s really special and good.”
PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Despite the loss, Leicester City FC manager Enzo Maresca remained upbeat. He said: “The atmosphere was great. I’m happy to be here and spend days here in Singapore. Today I think the team started very well in the first half an hour. We were playing good football from the back, (they) created chances, found solutions, found the space. Liverpool FC, for me, are one of the best teams in terms of transition. The results will always come in football, but for me today was very important to see how the team receive the idea, the intention and to be honest, I’m happy with that.”
Leicester City FC midfielder Harry Winks also took positives from the match, adding that the lessons learnt will be helpful as the club chase Premier League football again.
He said: “I think in spells we played really well, we showed our intention in how we want to play and what we want to do this season. We played against one of the best teams in the world who are ruthless when you make mistakes. It was a good test for us, lots of positives, but ultimately we're disappointed with the results. Our aim this season is to get promoted, we know it is a difficult league to play in, but we have a great squad and a great manager, and we are all very determined to get back into the Premier League.”
PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Tickets for the Singapore Festival of Football Driven by CDG Zig can be purchased here.
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