Joe Cole made his Liverpool debut as the Reds slipped to a 1-0 defeat in a pre-season friendly with Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany on Sunday afternoon.
The summer signing delivered an encouraging 65-minute performance at Borussia Park and displayed some slick link-up play with his new teammates - particularly with Steven Gerrard, who along with Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson, made his first appearance for the Reds under new manager Roy Hodgson.
There were also late cameos for Academy starlets Raheem Sterling and Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez as the Reds continued their preparations for the start of the Barclays Premier League season in two weeks time.
However, Moenchengladbach were eager to put on a show for their home crowd and duly opened the scoring on eight minutes as Karim Matmour capitalised on a defensive error to score.
The German club arranged the clash as part of their 110th anniversary celebrations and given the bond between the two sets of supporters that stretches back nearly four decades, Liverpool were more than fitting opposition.
Fans from both teams lined up to create a guard of honour for the players entering the impressive Borussia Park arena, before Gerry Marsden delivered a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone that will live long in the memory for everyone privileged enough to be amongst the near-60,000 crowd.
The sense of excitement engulfing the stadium was further lifted by the sight of Cole wearing red for the first time.
Meanwhile, Fabio Aurelio was named amongst the substitutes after penning a two-year contract less than 24 hours previously, while Academy starlets Raheem Sterling and Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez were also on the bench.
The home side fashioned the first chance of a warm afternoon with Juan Arango drilling low into the arms of Diego Cavalieri from the corner of the box inside four minutes.
The Venezuelan went closer still moments later as he clipped a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the upright.
However, Moenchengladbach made the breakthrough in the eighth minute when Matmour took full advantage of some sloppy play by Daniel Ayala. The youngster collected possession from Cavalieri inside the area, but his first touch was heavy under pressure and was punished by a powerful finish by the onrushing Borussia No.40.
The goal appeared to stun the Reds, who had dominated possession prior to conceding. Die Fohlen were looking menacing and the visitors were afforded a let off when Matmour completely missed his kick when well positioned.
With the Algerian's confidence visibly buoyed by his goal, Matmour was proving a real handful and his stinging drive required Cavalieri to palm the ball to safety on the half-hour mark.
Hodgson opted to introduce Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson into the action at half-time, but Moenchengladbach had the first chance of the second period as Arango's volleyed effort from Tobias Levels's cross deflected off Johnson, but Cavalieri was able to smother.
Liverpool fashioned their first chance of note on 56 minutes as Cole's low drive from distance was parried by substitute goalkeeper Christofer Heimeroth. Nathan Eccleston was on hand to collect the rebound, but the youngster couldn't profit as Die Fohlen recovered.
Shortly after the hour mark, Gerrard was withdrawn from the contest before Cole made way to a warm ovation from both sets of fans.
Borussia continued to threaten and Marco Raus blazed high and wide from a good position before Wilson was forced to cut out a dangerous centre from Arango.
With the clock ticking down, Hodgson handed Sterling and Suso senior bows, while fellow substitute David Amoo narrowly glanced a header wide of the post - but the hosts were good value for their win.
And though the Reds were unable to spoil Borussia's anniversary festivities, Hodgson will not doubt have been highly encouraged by a number of his players' performances - both old and new alike.
There were also late cameos for Academy starlets Raheem Sterling and Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez as the Reds continued their preparations for the start of the Barclays Premier League season in two weeks time.
However, Moenchengladbach were eager to put on a show for their home crowd and duly opened the scoring on eight minutes as Karim Matmour capitalised on a defensive error to score.
The German club arranged the clash as part of their 110th anniversary celebrations and given the bond between the two sets of supporters that stretches back nearly four decades, Liverpool were more than fitting opposition.
Fans from both teams lined up to create a guard of honour for the players entering the impressive Borussia Park arena, before Gerry Marsden delivered a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone that will live long in the memory for everyone privileged enough to be amongst the near-60,000 crowd.
The sense of excitement engulfing the stadium was further lifted by the sight of Cole wearing red for the first time.
Meanwhile, Fabio Aurelio was named amongst the substitutes after penning a two-year contract less than 24 hours previously, while Academy starlets Raheem Sterling and Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez were also on the bench.
The home side fashioned the first chance of a warm afternoon with Juan Arango drilling low into the arms of Diego Cavalieri from the corner of the box inside four minutes.
The Venezuelan went closer still moments later as he clipped a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the upright.
However, Moenchengladbach made the breakthrough in the eighth minute when Matmour took full advantage of some sloppy play by Daniel Ayala. The youngster collected possession from Cavalieri inside the area, but his first touch was heavy under pressure and was punished by a powerful finish by the onrushing Borussia No.40.
The goal appeared to stun the Reds, who had dominated possession prior to conceding. Die Fohlen were looking menacing and the visitors were afforded a let off when Matmour completely missed his kick when well positioned.
With the Algerian's confidence visibly buoyed by his goal, Matmour was proving a real handful and his stinging drive required Cavalieri to palm the ball to safety on the half-hour mark.
Hodgson opted to introduce Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson into the action at half-time, but Moenchengladbach had the first chance of the second period as Arango's volleyed effort from Tobias Levels's cross deflected off Johnson, but Cavalieri was able to smother.
Liverpool fashioned their first chance of note on 56 minutes as Cole's low drive from distance was parried by substitute goalkeeper Christofer Heimeroth. Nathan Eccleston was on hand to collect the rebound, but the youngster couldn't profit as Die Fohlen recovered.
Shortly after the hour mark, Gerrard was withdrawn from the contest before Cole made way to a warm ovation from both sets of fans.
Borussia continued to threaten and Marco Raus blazed high and wide from a good position before Wilson was forced to cut out a dangerous centre from Arango.
With the clock ticking down, Hodgson handed Sterling and Suso senior bows, while fellow substitute David Amoo narrowly glanced a header wide of the post - but the hosts were good value for their win.
And though the Reds were unable to spoil Borussia's anniversary festivities, Hodgson will not doubt have been highly encouraged by a number of his players' performances - both old and new alike.
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