Rodgers opens Liverpool tenure with a 1-1 draw

Brendan Rodgers’s first game as manager of Liverpool ended in a 1-1 draw against FC Toronto thanks to Adam Morgan’s equaliser in a World Football Challenge friendly.

Quincy Amarikwa, acquired by Toronto from Major League Soccer rivals New York Red Bulls on Saturday, wasted no time contributing to his new team, seizing a rebound from a Peter Gulacsi save to give the hosts the lead in the 58th minute.

The advantage was short-lived however, as Morgan tied the score at 1-1 in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a fine run by Raheem Sterling and salvaging the draw for Liverpool in the opening match of their pre-season North American tour.

After Sterling eluded three defenders, Toronto keeper Quillan Roberts managed to deflect his shot, but Morgan was there to tap it home.

Liverpool were further buoyed by the return to action of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, who has been sidelined since November with a serious knee injury.

Rodgers went with a mix of experience and youth to open the contest, with veterans, including Jose Enrique and Jamie Carragher, joined on the starting side by prospects such as Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston.

The 33,087 fans on hand included plenty of Liverpool supporters.

The Reds continue their pre-season tour on Wednesday at Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, against Roma. They face Tottenham Hotspur on July 28 in Baltimore.