Liverpool 0-1 Celtic

Celtic beat Liverpool 1-0 in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. Amido Balde's first half goal proved to be the difference between the sides in a game which was played on a pleasant evening amid a friendly atmosphere.

Celtic had a couple of set pieces early on but didn't really threaten with them and it was Liverpool who created the first half chance in the 8^th minute. Joe Allen, who has been playing in a more advanced role in preseason, and new signing Iago Aspas played a nice one two in the box before Allen crossed from the left. The ball went over Celtic goalkeeper Luakasz Zaluska but there was nobody there to take advantage.

Celtic took the lead in the 12^th minute. Stuart Downing, who has been strongly linked with a move to West Ham, played the ball into the path of Amido Balde. Balde then got around Andre Wisdom. His shot took a slight deflection off Simon Mignolet before the ball eventually found its' way into the net.

Liverpool nearly got back on level terms in the 15^th minute. Glen Johnson played it into the area and found Philip Couthino. Couthino got his shot away but the busy Zaluska came out quickly, spread himself very well and made the save.

The game was billed as the ‘Dublin Decider’, although what it was supposed to decide, I don’t know. However, most if not all Liverpool fans have decided that Philip Couthino has been a very good signing for the club, and the Brazilian was involved again in the 18^th minute. He cut inside Adam Matthews on the left hand side. His effort on goal was just wide though.

Liverpool had their best chance of the half in the 21^st minute. Stuart Downing played a fine ball in behind the Celtic defence. Johnson found himself one on one with Zaluska but once again the Celtic goalkeeper made the safe.

Celtic came close to getting a second in the 38^th minute. Liverpool, who struggled to defend setpieces throughout, failed to properly clear a freekick. Balde played it back to Adam Matthews whose goalbound shot was blocked by Kolo Toure.

In injury time at the end of the first half Neil Lennon’s team had another chance. Emilio Izaguire crossed from the left. Anthony Stokes got his head to it about 8 yards out. It was on target but Mignolet dived to his right to make the save.

The game, which was precedded by an emotional rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, demonstrated the remarkable support which both of these teams have in Ireland. The prematch buzz was evident in Dublin City and around the Landsdowne Road area long before kickoff.

Back on the pitch,  Stuart Downing, who was inconsistent throughout, broke down the right and pulled it back for Couthino who was free in space 8 yards out, but Liverpool’s number 10 somehow managed to miskick.

Just three minutes later Couthino was involved again. He played it to his left to half time substitute Daniel Sturridge who tried his luck from a narrow angle but Fraser Forster made a smart save.

Brendan Rodger’s side continued to dominate the second half against an inexperienced Celtic team. Jose Enrique's flick set up Jordan Henderson. Henderson made his way into the area but shot tamely at Forster.

Couthino played the pass of the match five minutes from the end of normal time.  From inside his own half, he played the ball in behind the Celtic defence. Sturridge, who impressed during his first 45 minutes of action since he got injured, playing against Ireland in May, got onto it and chipped it over Forster but the ball just ended up on the wrong side of the post.

Liverpool had a number of corners late on but Celtic held on with half time substitute Darnell Fisher making a number of important clearances. Celtic will resume their league campaign next Saturday against Aberdeen. Liverpool will begin their Premier League season at home to Stoke City next Saturday.

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet: Glen Johnson, Andre Wisdom, Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique: Stuart Downing (Jordan Ibe 72), Lucas, Steven Gerrard, Joe Allen (Jordan Henderson 58), Philip Couthino: Iago Aspas (Daniel Sturridge 46).

Subs not used: Brad Jones, Luis Alberto, Oussama Assaidi, Sebastian Coates, Fabio Boirini, Raheem Sterling, Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan.

Celtic: Luakasz Zaluska (Fraser Forster 46) : Adam Matthews, Mikael Lustig (Darnell Fisher 46), Steven Mouyokolo, Emilio Izaguire (Stuart Findley 65):  Beram Kayal (Paul George 85), Jackson Irvine, Dylan McGeouch, Tony Watt (Liam Henderson 84): Amido Balde (Bahurdin Atajic 70), Anthony Stokes. 

Subs not used: John Herron.

Booked: Anthony Stokes (44)

Referee: Alan Kelly.

 © Seamus Egan 2013