Brisbane Roar more than matched Liverpool but the Reds came out on top to open their Aussie tour with a 2-1 win in an entertaining clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The Hyundai A-League outfit opened the scoring after 16 minutes thanks to striker Dimi Petratos. But the Reds responded 10 minutes later after Adam Lallana curled a superb shot from inside the box.
A second half strike to James Milner proved decisive for the Reds against a gallant Roar side under new coach John Aloisi.
Milner crunched Luke Brattan with a late challenge that showed the feeling in the clash as Japanese ref let it go with just a warning.
Ings was looking the most lively of the attacking options while 18-year-old former Charlton defender Joe Gomez showed what a canny signing he might be with his raids from deep.
Borrello had a chance to restore the lead but the youngster prodded his shot tamely at Mignolet with the goal in his sight.
But Liverpool should’ve been 2-1 up themselves on the verge of half-time as Mamadou Sakho powerfully met Milner’s corner, but Brattan headed away from underneath the crossbar.
The sides went in at 1-1 after a surprisingly up-tempo first 45 minutes.
Liverpool kept the same 11 on the park till the hour mark before a slew of substitutions came for both sides.
Kolo Toure receiving the biggest ovation when he came on. Jordan Ibe, Joe Maguire and Ryan Kent also coming on for Sakho, Gomez, Lallana and Origi.
Young was again the hero saving another certain goal this time from Henderson who was fed by the excellent Ings.
And up the other end, the flamboyant Devante Clut smashed a long-range rocket just inches over Mignolet’s goal.
The lively Ibe with a similarly stinging shot over the bar was starting to prove a handful.
The Reds were turning the screws and with 20 minutes to go were looking the most likely as Leiva made way for Jordan Rossiter.
And sure enough Milner found space outside the box driving into space before his slightly deflected shot deceived Young.
Ibe down the left of Liverpool’s front line was causing all sorts of problems for a tiring Brisbane side with his direct running inside the box. He once again brought out the best in Young with another stinging drive.
Roar still pushed on desperate for an equaliser and with Rickie Lambert on for the Reds it was end-to-end stuff.
But the Reds held on to record a first win of this two-match tour.
Liverpool now head to South Australia to face Adelaide United on Monday night.
