Lanky134
27 Jul 2003, 10:46 AM
Easy win for the boys. 6-0. Le Tallec gets his first for the club.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141155030727-1003.htm
New boy Anthony Le Tallec scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds rounded off their Far East tour with a thumping 6-0 victory over Hong Kong.
Vladimir Smicer, Emile Heskey (2) and Milan Baros (2) were also on target as Gerard Houllier's side cruised to an easy victory in the searing Hong Kong heat today.
Smicer and Heskey - two players who many feel have a lot to prove this season - netted the goals which beat Thailand on Thursday and were in goalscoring mood again today as Liverpool turned in a quality display to comfortably beat their opponents.
The Reds were once again playing to a sell-out crowd, with all 40,000 tickets for the match selling out within hours earlier in the week.
Liverpool didn't disappoint their adoring public, with manager Gerard Houllier giving most of the first team squad a run-out as they all look to further increase their match fitness before the start of the new season.
The first half team set about their task from the off and could have buried their opponents under an avalanche of goals by the time the half time whistle sounded.
Vladimir Smicer - Liverpool's two goal hero against Thailand on Thursday - continued in his rich scoring vein by netting the opener here in Hong Kong after just 14 minutes. El Hadji Diouf created the chance down the left and when he crossed a low ball into the area Smicer made no mistake with a low drive into the corner of the net.
Smicer has looked a player re-born during Liverpool's pre-season. Whether it's the introduction of Harry Kewell to the first team squad, whether it's a change of squad number or whether it's because he is clear of injuries which has led to his upsurge in form, it's clear that on his recent displays an in-form Vladi could be a potent weapon for the Reds this year.
Chances came and went regularly throughout the first period. Igor Biscan - revelling in his new found role at centre back - stung the hands of the goalkeeper with a blistering drive while Diouf, Pongolle and Smicer again all skied shots over the bar from good positions.
Liverpool looked comfortable at the back, although Hong Kong did cause one or two fleeting problems, most notably at the end of the first period when Wong Chun Yue struck the post after finding too much space inside the area.
Emile Heskey - so impressive against Thailand last week - again looked up for the challenge when he was introduced to the action as one of several second half substitutes. It took the big striker just a few minutes to carve out a chance, but after doing so well to burst past a defender he then dragged his shot high over the bar.
Heskey's strike partner Michael Owen had an even better chance after 62 minutes when Vignal picked him out with a brilliant left wing cross, but Owen's header was tame and was easily kept out by the Hong Kong goalkeeper.
Heskey made it two goals in two games in the Far East as he doubled Liverpool's lead with a tidy finish after 57 minutes. Bruno Cheyrou, who looked sharp in the second half, created the opening with a precise pass and Heskey rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home from a tight angle.
Anthony Le Tallec set up a chance for Baros soon after which the Czech star fired wide across goals and seconds later Heskey came close to his second of the afternoon with a low drive which was well tipped behind for a corner by the goalkeeper.
Le Tallec netted his first goal for Liverpool after 75 minutes when Baros set him up inside the area and he finished smartly with his right foot.
And Baros got himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season with a goal just two minutes later when he turned well inside the area and fired a low shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.
The local Liverpool fans were delighted to see their heroes going goal crazy, but you get the feeling Premiership defences won't be as generous as Hong Kong's back-line when the league season kicks off.
But even after taking that into consideration Gerard Houllier can be happy with his team's display and particularly pleased with the contributions of most of his players during their stay in the Far East.
So as Liverpool board their flight back to England tonight they do so in the knowledge that they have made a lot of new friends during the week long stay in the Far East and, most importantly of all, picked up two more good wins in their new season preparations.
Liverpool: Dudek, Babbel, Hyypia, Biscan, Vignal, Diouf, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer, Owen, Pongolle.
Subs: Henchoz, Baros, Heskey, Le Tallec, Hamann, Riise, Traore, Carragher, Cheyrou
Goals: Smicer (14) Heskey (57) (90) Le Tallec (75) Baros (77) (89)
Attendance: 40,000
Conditions: Very, very hot!
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141155030727-1003.htm
New boy Anthony Le Tallec scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds rounded off their Far East tour with a thumping 6-0 victory over Hong Kong.
Vladimir Smicer, Emile Heskey (2) and Milan Baros (2) were also on target as Gerard Houllier's side cruised to an easy victory in the searing Hong Kong heat today.
Smicer and Heskey - two players who many feel have a lot to prove this season - netted the goals which beat Thailand on Thursday and were in goalscoring mood again today as Liverpool turned in a quality display to comfortably beat their opponents.
The Reds were once again playing to a sell-out crowd, with all 40,000 tickets for the match selling out within hours earlier in the week.
Liverpool didn't disappoint their adoring public, with manager Gerard Houllier giving most of the first team squad a run-out as they all look to further increase their match fitness before the start of the new season.
The first half team set about their task from the off and could have buried their opponents under an avalanche of goals by the time the half time whistle sounded.
Vladimir Smicer - Liverpool's two goal hero against Thailand on Thursday - continued in his rich scoring vein by netting the opener here in Hong Kong after just 14 minutes. El Hadji Diouf created the chance down the left and when he crossed a low ball into the area Smicer made no mistake with a low drive into the corner of the net.
Smicer has looked a player re-born during Liverpool's pre-season. Whether it's the introduction of Harry Kewell to the first team squad, whether it's a change of squad number or whether it's because he is clear of injuries which has led to his upsurge in form, it's clear that on his recent displays an in-form Vladi could be a potent weapon for the Reds this year.
Chances came and went regularly throughout the first period. Igor Biscan - revelling in his new found role at centre back - stung the hands of the goalkeeper with a blistering drive while Diouf, Pongolle and Smicer again all skied shots over the bar from good positions.
Liverpool looked comfortable at the back, although Hong Kong did cause one or two fleeting problems, most notably at the end of the first period when Wong Chun Yue struck the post after finding too much space inside the area.
Emile Heskey - so impressive against Thailand last week - again looked up for the challenge when he was introduced to the action as one of several second half substitutes. It took the big striker just a few minutes to carve out a chance, but after doing so well to burst past a defender he then dragged his shot high over the bar.
Heskey's strike partner Michael Owen had an even better chance after 62 minutes when Vignal picked him out with a brilliant left wing cross, but Owen's header was tame and was easily kept out by the Hong Kong goalkeeper.
Heskey made it two goals in two games in the Far East as he doubled Liverpool's lead with a tidy finish after 57 minutes. Bruno Cheyrou, who looked sharp in the second half, created the opening with a precise pass and Heskey rounded the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home from a tight angle.
Anthony Le Tallec set up a chance for Baros soon after which the Czech star fired wide across goals and seconds later Heskey came close to his second of the afternoon with a low drive which was well tipped behind for a corner by the goalkeeper.
Le Tallec netted his first goal for Liverpool after 75 minutes when Baros set him up inside the area and he finished smartly with his right foot.
And Baros got himself on the scoresheet for the first time this season with a goal just two minutes later when he turned well inside the area and fired a low shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.
The local Liverpool fans were delighted to see their heroes going goal crazy, but you get the feeling Premiership defences won't be as generous as Hong Kong's back-line when the league season kicks off.
But even after taking that into consideration Gerard Houllier can be happy with his team's display and particularly pleased with the contributions of most of his players during their stay in the Far East.
So as Liverpool board their flight back to England tonight they do so in the knowledge that they have made a lot of new friends during the week long stay in the Far East and, most importantly of all, picked up two more good wins in their new season preparations.
Liverpool: Dudek, Babbel, Hyypia, Biscan, Vignal, Diouf, Murphy, Gerrard, Smicer, Owen, Pongolle.
Subs: Henchoz, Baros, Heskey, Le Tallec, Hamann, Riise, Traore, Carragher, Cheyrou
Goals: Smicer (14) Heskey (57) (90) Le Tallec (75) Baros (77) (89)
Attendance: 40,000
Conditions: Very, very hot!