04.08.2004 - Cisse, Owen on target in Reds' Roma win
Liverpool finished off their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 victory over Roma in New Jersey, but there was worrying news as Steven Gerrard limped off with a thigh injury.
In the final game of the Champions World series which has involved 11 of Europe's biggest clubs, it was Roma who struck first, with Marco Delvecchio firing a shot from close range after 21 minutes.
The lead didn't last long though, and Liverpool were level on the half hour mark when Gerrard played Riise behind the Roma defence, and with Djibril Cisse in support, Riise picked out the Reds' record signing who made no mistake in slotting the ball into an empty net.
But Gerrard played little more of the game after being forced off with a thigh injury after taking an earlier knock during the game. Club doctors have yet to discover how serious the injury is, but with Liverpool's first competitive game now less than a week away, Rafael Benitez will be hoping the injury won't force Gerrard to spend a spell on the sidelines.
The result itsself will have pleased the Reds' boss however, and Michael Owen grabbed his second goal of the tour, striking a powerful shot from just inside the area on 85 minutes after Hamann had won possesion just outside the area.
Christian Panucci stuck a 25 yard free kick against the post to almost grab an instant equaliser for Roma, but Liverpool held on for their third win in four pre-season games.
Liverpool's next match is away to Grazer AK in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier next Tuesday.
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