In a showdown between two teams with Fenway Sporting Group connections; Liverpool, the John Henry owned team had to bow before the Thomas De Benedetto led faction which took over Roma last year.
Michael Bradley who joined Roma earlier this month scored from a tight angle after Erik Lamela put him through. It was Lamela doing all the spadework again as he set up Alessandro Florenzi for Roma’s second goal. Liverpool narrowed the margin through Charlie Adam, the much maligned midfielder. New signing Fabio Borini reunited with his former Swansea boss did not come onto the pitch but Alberto Aquilani, the former Roma player managed a cameo.
A bit more on Lamela. He looks like the real deal. It won’t be surprising if a bigger club comes knocking for the Argentinian if he keeps up this quality of performance. For Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers has been trusted with the long term rebuilding of the side and John Henry has categorically stated he is not expecting CL qualification in his first year.
After the match, Roma manager Zdenek Zeman said of Bradley, “I think he played a good game. He’s a player who works hard, he did well and kept his tempo very high.”