Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gets out of his seat to congratulate Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold just prior to the final whistle being blown.

An entertaining exhibition this evening, with the visitors taking the win - though the real winners tonight are the more the 70 thousand Liverpool fans that got to share in the moment.

A display of class in the first half, especially through players such as Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge, the latter admitting in a post-match interview that he's running off just a few hours sleep.

Of course he is.

Things slowed down in the second half as the mighty Reds toned their attacking threat down somewhat through a number of substitutions.

A great atmosphere and a great night. I hope you enjoyed it!

 

Liverpool youngster Alexander-Arnold Bangs another into the woodwork, after cutting to the right of the defender backing away - wouldn't be surprised if it left a crack in the crossbar!

Simon Mignolet does it again for the visitors!

This time Matt Simon is loitering between the two centre-backs and he's played through. 

He's got the shortest of periods to take a shot under no defensive pressure and goes top-left from the right side of the box. Pretty good strike across the face of goal, but an even better save from the Liverpool keeper.

Sydney FC applying some real pressure now.

And that's a bad miss!

Mutch has the opportunity to claim he scored against Liverpool for Sydney FC.

I imagine if he didn't try and kick it, the ball might have struck his knee and ended up going in. Harder to miss from just six yards out, but he's only just come onto the field and probably wasn't expecting his chance to come so early.

Great work from Gonzalez, who break deep and cuts the ball back inside to create the chance.

Mignolet saves a cracking shot from Zuvela after he's played through on the right hand side by Matt Simon, who does so in traditional centre-forward style with back to goal.

With no support in the middle, the youngster takes the shot on himself and does well.

 

Liverpool have switched on once again, and are playing the ball all around Sydney FC, who can only chase in hope.

At one stage, there were three Sky Blues up the backside of a Liverpool midfielder - but he is able to play the ball away with ease.

Another save by Vukovic! Liverpool could very easily have another three goals, had Sydney's keeper not made so many quality stops this evening.

He's played well, despite conceding three.

The last of Liverpool's top grade players still on the pitch, Adam Lallana, shows a bit of footwork to avoid a pressing Sydney FC midfield.

He rolls the ball back with the bottom of his boot, before flicking it behind his left leg to continue in that direction.

Unfortunately for the many in red in the stands, the flourish comes to no avail.

Liverpool are sitting back a bit longer as the game moves into the later stages. Now well into their second-string, they are happy to play the ball around and make the most of this 3-nil lead.

Sydney FC will do well to push on here as the pressure on them dips.

Meantime, Matt Simon is caught comfortably offside making a run down the right side of the defensive unit.

At the other end, Lallana finds himself with a clearing of space in front of him, and feeds a red shirt flanking his right.

Vukovic makes another good save and parries away from danger. He's made a number of impressive stops tonight.

Again, Sydney FC probe the box and are denied as the visitors scramble for a corner. This one is dipped short and dealt with well by Liverpool - who break quickly.

At the other end, Danny Vukovic makes a good save after a swerving, powerful shot from a Liverpool youngster.

Liverpool look to have made a few more changes at half time than was apparent. The attack is a very different beast. 

It means Sydney FC will no longer have to worry about the threat of the likes of Sturridge and Firmino, who looked dangerous each and every moment they neared the ball.

Sydney FC are playing a much more exciting brand of football as they open things up. There's a bit more 'want' about them this half, as Liverpool tone down their own intensity in the early stages of this half.

 

The players are making their way onto the field for the second time this evening.

A few changes have been made by the looks of things. Simon looks to have come on for Bobo at the top for Sydney FC from what I can see.

Lallana is on field for Liverpool.

30 seconds into the second half the referee blows his whistle for a couple more substitutions.

Steven Gerrard has come off for Steve McManaman. For those unfamiliar with the 45-year-old, McManaman spent nine years at Liverpool, making 272 appearances for the Reds, before moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Meantime, Daniel Agger has come on for the tiring Jamie Carragher.

Any assertion that arriving in Sydney just this morning (stopping at Bondi on the way to the game) would affect proceedings should be long forgotten.

Liverpool's players have put on a real show for their fans so far. Sturridge, especially, is having a lot of fun - making full use of footwork that is having more of an effect than it might during an average Premier League fixture.

Full credit to Sydney FC who have had strong periods on the ball in the midfield - with a few chances created. If they are able to bring some real self-belief into the equation they may just come away with a goal or two.

Steven Gerrard goes to ground in the penalty area, after almost being fed by Sturridge infront of goal.

Grant looked to have made contact with the legendary midfielder, who wasn't best pleased with the decision.

A bit of action as Sydney charge down the other end in the confusion, winning a corner.

David Carney finds the woodwork with a powerful strike, after ending up with the second ball as the corner is dealt with.

Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson steals the ball from O'Neill who gets a bit panicked and can't get rid of it. Wilson has space in front of him following the challenge but is pressured well. His shot doesn't trouble Vukovic.

He makes another good save shortly afterward, diving far to his left to clasp his hands around a Alexander-Arnold strike which was finding the it's way just inside the post.

A ball from deep finds Gerrard's chest. He brings it down and supplies Daniel Sturridge on his right. A bit of a wiggle and a step off the left and the striker darts to his right and towards the goal mouth. He crosses in to a waiting Firmino, who forces it into goal with his thigh.