JULY 27
Houllier delighted with Reds display

LFC Official Website

Gerard Houllier said he was delighted by the manner of Liverpool's performance in the 6-0 win over Hong Kong national team and praised the work ethic of the Reds.

The pitchside temperature may have been approaching 100 degrees but Liverpool created numerous chances and the passing was of the highest order delighting the Reds boss.

Houllier said: "I'm very proud of my players and they did extremely well despite the heat, and they deserve a lot of accolades.

"We played some great football and created chances and the passing was good again. It was a very good Liverpool performance and I'm pleased with all the boys.

"Our level of training has been very high and we have done very well in the two matches of the Asia tour. We are not there yet but the level we are up to is a good standing that's for sure."

JULY 27
Baros and Heskey shine

Reuters

Forwards Milan Baros and Emile Heskey, battling to earn a regular starting berth alongside Michael Owen, each scored twice as Liverpool thrashed the Hong Kong national team 6-0 in an exhibition match on Sunday.

The English premier league side maintained their unbeaten pre-season form in the last game of their Far East tour, playing before a capacity crowd of about 40,000 in their first appearance in the former British colony in 20 years.

Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer, under mounting pressure since the signing of Australian Harry Kewell, struck the opening goal after 14 minutes but the second did not arrive until 12 minutes after the break.

Heskey, who produced an aggressive display despite the sweltering heat, beat the offside trap to score in the 57th minute and capped off the game with a booming drive in injury time.

In between, the impressive Czech forward Baros scored in the 76th and 89th minute, while newly-signed 18-year-old French striker Anthony Le Tallec was also on the scoresheet after an hour having replaced Owen.