Malaysia XI 3-6 Liverpool: Charlie Adam scores first goal for club as Reds triumph in thrilling clash

The Anfield club won a match which came to life in the second half, with a spirited fight-back from the home side not enough for victory after a mixed performance from the Reds

By Joe Doyle

More On : Liverpool, Malaysia XI vs Liverpool

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Shafiq Rahim - Charlie Adam, Malaysia XI v Liverpool

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Charlie Adam scored his first Liverpool goal from the penalty spot in a thoroughly entertaining encounter against a Malaysian XI which finished 6-3 to the Reds.

There was some slick play at times from the Premier League club, but also some very poor defending as the home side gave the tourists a real test.

The first real flash point of the match was the opening goal, which came in the 27th minute via Adam, and some dubious refereeing.

Adam’s cross into the centre saw Andy Carroll take a tumble, and the referee pointed for a penalty, despite minimal contact at most.

Adam then opened his Liverpool account from the spot, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way, only for the referee to order a re-take of the penalty due to encroachment.

The Scotsman remained calm under the pressure and slotted away the second penalty, this time opting for the opposite corner.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, however. In the 43rd minute, the Malaysian XI equalised with a stunning free-kick from Safiq Rahim.

Questions could be asked about Brad Jones and his positioning of the wall, as they seemed to be on the wrong side of the area. There was no doubting the technique though, as Rahim whipped the ball into the top corner.

It took Liverpool just over 20 minutes to take the lead again through substitute David N’Gog, who capitalised on a defensive mix-up to poke home from eight yards out.

Almost immediately after, the Frenchman was slotted through on goal by fellow sub Alberto Aquilani, and N'Gog crashed a shot high past the goalkeeper to make it three.

In the 75th minute, Maxi Rodriguez added a fourth, sliding in at the back post to meet Emiliano Insua’s cross, following a wonderful slide-rule pass from Aquilani.

Five minutes later, the home team got a goal back after sub keeper Peter Gulacsi made a howler, spilling at the feet of sub Safee Sali, who poked home. Sali went on to add another less than a minute later, firing past Gulacsi as the Liverpool defence claimed for offside.

But despite a spirited effort from the home side, Maxi added a fifth when he headed home Dirk Kuyt's cross, before Kuyt himself netted a sixth for Liverpool in injury time to seal the win.

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