16.07.2003 - Friendly: FC Koln 1-3 Liverpool

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Liverpool's first pre season match of the summer ended with a win, thanks to a Michael Owen double in the second half.

Gerard Houllier fielded two almost completely separate teams in either half of the game, with only Igor Biscan playing the full 90 minutes.

It was Emile Heskey who put Liverpool ahead, firing a superb first time shot past the Koln keeper early in the first half, but Marius Ebbers levelled the scores soon after. Both Milan Baros and Vladimir Smicer could have restored the Reds' lead, but a combination of fine goalkeeping and the woodwork kept the hosts in it.

Liverpool, despite the introduction of Murphy, Kewell, Owen and Gerrard among others, were less impressive in the second half, but did enough to get the pre season period off to a winning start with a little help from Michael Owen.

The 23 year old forward netted twice, firstly with a close range strike which he placed perfectly into the bottom corner, and the scoring was completed a couple of minutes from time when Owen latched onto a weak back pass and rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Livepool's next match is at away to Crewe on Saturday.

Koln v Liverpool match pictures