Liverpool held to a draw by under-strength Malaysia XI

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:15 am
Jordon Ibe scored the equaliser as Liverpool were held by Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool completed an unbeaten tour of Asia and Australia but were held to a 1-1 draw by an under-strength Malaysia XI side in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night.

After Patrick Wleh gave the home side a shock lead in the 13th minute, Jordon Ibe equalised 15 minutes later for the visitors.

The second half produced no goals, despite Liverpool enjoying more than 70 percent possession in front of a crowd of about 45,000 at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers played a near full-strength side, captained by Jordan Henderson, alongside fellow England internationals James Milner, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne.

Divock Origi started up front for the third successive game, supported by the impressive Ibe.

But the Reds made a sluggish start and were more than matched in the first half by the Malaysian outfit. They were without players from top clubs JDT and Selangor, but strengthened by the inclusion of five imports in their starting lineup.

The visitors found themselves behind when defender Dejan Lovren was muscled off the ball by Liberian international striker, Wleh, who plays for Malaysian second tier club, PKNS.

Liverpool responded with a superb individual goal from Ibe, who cut in from the right wing, beating fullback Zubir Azmi with a strong left-foot shot just inside the box, making it 1-1 at the break.

Former Southampton defender Lovren had the best chances to score the winner for the Reds in the second half, three times heading over the bar from short range.

The Malaysia XI almost snatched victory in the 93rd minute when substitute Norshahrul Idlan Talaha broke free in the box, only to have his stinging right footed shot saved by Adam Bogdan.

It was a famous result for the Malaysia XI who were beaten 6-3 by Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool side at the same venue in 2011.

After flying home from Malaysia, Liverpool will play Finnish side HJK Helsinki on Aug. 1 before playing their opening game of the 2015-16 Premier League season at Stoke City on Aug. 9.