haydn buffoon: Liverpool, Toronto FC?draw

Monday, July 23, 2012

Liverpool, Toronto FC?draw

Associated Press Sports

updated 7:29 p.m. ET July 21, 2012

TORONTO (AP) - Adam Morgan scored in the 69th minute and European power Liverpool earned a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC in an exhibition game on Saturday.

After Quincy Amarikwa gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute, Morgan tapped a shot past Quillan Roberts from a yard out after the Toronto goalkeeper could only get a piece of Raheem Sterling's strike.

Amarikwa, making his first appearance for Toronto, connected on a rebound past Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi for a Toronto team that continued its resurgence under Paul Mariner.

"It was a brilliant day out. I think both teams got what they needed out of the game," Toronto FC midfielder Terry Dunfield said. "I think both teams in each half gave a good account of themselves. There's no hiding that our schedule has been brutal of late."

Liverpool was without many of its stars, including captain Steven Gerrard and England teammates Andy Carroll and Glen Johnson, because of rules related to rest following international tournaments as it began its preseason North American tour under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

"You've got to temper your thoughts with where Liverpool are at, the squad that they brought over, but all you can do is your best and I thought we did well under the circumstances," Mariner said.

"Let's not get carried away. If Liverpool brings their first squad and they're further on in their preseason or the season, they're a top-class team with top-class players."

Toronto FC, meanwhile, played its 11th game since June 16 as the club improved to 4-2-5 since Mariner replaced the fired Aron Winter last month.

Liverpool fans chanted and sang songs familiar to the terraces at Anfield beginning in the warmups, including a stirring rendition of the club's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Supporters of the 18-time English league winners unfurled numerous banners, including one honoring the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 fans were crushed to death in 1989.

Toronto FC, which started the game with a number of regulars in the lineup, including captain and midfielder Torsten Frings, striker Ryan Johnson and defender Richard Eckersley, did well to keep up with Liverpool in the first half.

Liverpool, meanwhile, with a starting 11 that included 16-year-old Jordan Ibe, failed to assert itself in the early going.

Toronto FC had the game's first chance in the seventh minute when Johnson fired a shot off a pass from Luis Silva that Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones had to stretch for.

Liverpool had a chance in 44th minute but Daniel Pacheco also saw his shot blocked from in close.

Liverpool continues its preseason schedule on Wednesday at Boston's Fenway Park against Italy's A.S. Roma before taking on English rivals Tottenham on July 28 in Baltimore.

Notes: The roof at Rogers Centre was open to start the game but was closed early in the second half. ... TFC striker Eric Hassli, acquired from Vancouver in a trade on Friday night, was not in the lineup. ... Liverpool starting goalkeeper Pepe Reina (Spain), striker Fabio Borini (Italy), and midfielders Jordan Henderson (England) and Stuart Downing (England), who also played at Euro 2012, also did not make the trip to Toronto. ... Liverpool strikers Craig Bellamy (Britain) and Luis Suarez (Uruguay) are scheduled to play for their respective countries at the London Olympics and not on the North American tour.

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