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. 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.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.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.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.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.The goal came after 58 minutes when Hofmann curled a low free-kick past Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi, a second half replacement for Cavalieri.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.Benitez introduced Javier Mascherano on 65 minutes and the Argentinian's appearance roused the visitors with Kuyt twice coming close. 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.