Source: SKY_Sports
Reds suffer Vienna slump
Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat against Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna on Sunday in their latest pre-season friendly.[LNB] The only goal of the game came in the second half from Rapid captain Steffen Hofmann whose free-kick was enough to defeat a Liverpool side which included a number of high-profile players.[LNB]Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt all featured at some point as boss Rafa Benitez awaits his side's first pre-season win.[LNB]Gerrard and Carragher played the first 45 minutes while Benayoun and Holland international Kuyt came on at the break as Benitez made a raft of changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Swiss side St Gallen on Wednesday.[LNB]England defender Glen Johnson was not part of the match-day squad, however, after Benitez opted not to risk him after he took a slight knock to his Achilles in the midweek goalless draw.[LNB]ThreatRapid had the better of the first half with Erwin Hoffer seeing a goal disallowed for offside while the same player saw a close-range effort well saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.[LNB]The goal came after 58 minutes when Hofmann curled a low free-kick past Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi, a second half replacement for Cavalieri.[LNB]Stefan Maierhofer had another goal disallowed for offside before, at the other end, Benayoun saw a free-kick well saved by Rapid keeper Raimund Hedl.[LNB]Benitez introduced Javier Mascherano on 65 minutes and the Argentinian's appearance roused the visitors with Kuyt twice coming close. [LNB]Benayoun also threatened late on but Liverpool could not find an equaliser. The team now embark on a tour of South East Asia with Thailand their next destination.[LNB]
