16th July: Brendan Rodgers has announced his 34 man squad that will tour America:
Goalkeepers: Peter Gulacsi, Brad Jones, Danny Ward
Defenders: Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Jon Flanagan, Stephen Sama, Brad Smith, Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique, Martin Skrtel, Danny Wilson, Martin Kelly, Ryan McLaughlin, Andre Wisdom, Jack Robinson
Midfielders: Charlie Adam, Alberto Aquilani, Joe Cole, Suso, Lucas Leiva, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Raheem Sterling, Jordon Ibe
Strikers: Adam Morgan, Andy Carroll, Daniel Pacheco, Krisztian Adorjan, Fabio Borini, Nathan Eccleston
21st July: The first game of the Reds' US tour and Brendan Rodgers' managerial reign ended in a 1-1 draw, as Liverpool were held by Canadian opponents Toronto FC at the Rogers Centre. After substitute Quincy Amarikwa had given the hosts the lead on the hour mark, promising young striker Adam Morgan equalised for the Reds from close range following good build up play from Cole and Sterling.
The result was perhaps predictable considering 23 players saw action for Liverpool while Toronto boss Paul Mariner also made 10 changes, creating an inevitably stop-start game that lacked momentum and fluidity. Amongst those who impressed for Liverpool were Dani Pacheco, Raheem Sterling and, of course, goalscorer Adam Morgan.
Most importantly, the majority of Liverpool's squad now have some game time under their belts, which should help their pre-season preparations continue to progress.
25th July: Liverpool's owners would have been disappointed last night after the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat against Italian outfit AS Roma at Fenway Park, which is the home of FSG's baseball team the Boston Red Sox.
In all honesty, though, Rodgers' side didn't deserve to emerge victorious, as AS Roma performed better overall, perhaps due to their increased fitness levels after completing a few more pre-season friendlies than their opponents.
Roma started in the ascendancy, keeper Gulacsi denying Panagiotis Tachtsidis after mistakes from Aquilani and Spearing gifted possession to Roma, before the influential Shelvey went close for the Merseysiders. After the break, Shelvey screamed a strike inches wide from 30 yards but American international Bradley gave Roma the lead soon after the hour mark and, moments later, Florenzi doubled their lead. Adam's impressive strike into the corner of the net from the edge of the box proved to be little more than a consolation 10 minutes from time.
Supporters shouldn't be concerned yet, though, as many of the team that starred last night will not feature in Rodgers' plans come the start of the Premier League season in mid-August. The former Swansea manager has hinted he will start some international players on Saturday against Tottenham in Baltimore, which should provide a more accurate depiction of what his team will play like next season.
28th July: Liverpool's pre-season tour to the USA concluded with a goalless draw against Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore. The debut of new signing Fabio Borini and return of skipper Steven Gerrard after international duty were perhaps the most noteworthy occurrences.
Gareth Bale was at the heart of Spurs' attack, running at goal straight from the kick off and testing Brad Jones while also setting up good chances for Aaron Lennon and Gylfi Sigurdsson towards the end of the first half. For Liverpool, Downing curled just wide from the right wing before Shelvey, who has stood out and made an impact on tour, shot into former Reds keeper Friedel's hands.
Ten minutes after the break coveted centre back Martin Skrtel must have got a nose bleed as he took a rare journey into the opposition's half, which culminated in his curled strike calling the keeper into action. Although Borini came on mid-way through the second period, the Merseysiders couldn't find the net, the Italian missing the target from Henderson's cross.
The deadlock thus remained unbroken. Nonetheless, Liverpool can be satisfied with their tour to the USA, in which many youngsters and squad players were given a chance to impress new manager Brendan Rodgers and the Reds' brand was enhanced significantly in a key market; their owner's homeland.
