Liverpool blanks Crystal Palace in HK, forges title duel vs Leicester

HONG KONG – In front of thousands of fans who made the Hong Kong Stadium virtually its home field, Liverpool FC took care of business and disposed of Crystal Palace, 2-0, to march into the Premier League Asia Trophy final Wednesday night.

Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi scored off the bench to lead the Reds to the delightful win that set them up with a title showdown with Leicester City, which earlier edged West Bromwich Albion on penalties, 7-6, after a 1-1 standoff.

With close to 40,000 people, majority of them clad in LFC jerseys and chanting “Li-ver-pool” and singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” cheering them on, the Reds dominated the Eagles and consistently threatened on the final third.

They hit paydirt in the 61st as Solanke, receiving pass from Origi, made a nice turn and blasted a screamer from 25 yards to put the Standard Chartered-sponsored Reds ahead. Origi doubled the lead by knocking in a rebound off a foiled play with 11 minutes to go.

“The atmosphere was really nice,” said LFC manager Jurgen Klopp. “When the boys had a look in the stadium, they were really impressed.”

And the Merseyside team, wearing its new orange-colored third kits, didn't disappoint fans..

“It was an all-around good performance, I have to say,” said Klopp, whose wards had to deal with difficulty in training due to heavy rains the preceding days.  “It was really difficult but we defended well. We played good football as a team, the passing and movement was good, and the runs in behind were good.”

Liverpool and Leicester dispute the crown on Saturday.

LFC’s main supporter, Standard Chartered Bank, is full support for the club’s Asia Trophy campaign

“Liverpool FC is an iconic global brand with a long history and incredible following, a milestone we share with them,” said Mai Sangalang, SCB Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs/Brand and Marketing.

Notes: Jurgen Klopp expressed his high regard for Asian footballers, recalling his pleasant experience with Japanese star Shinji Kagawa previously in Germany.

“I’ve had the best experience with an Asian player because I enjoyed working together with Shinji,” said Klopp, who brought the Japanese dynamo to his old club Borussia Dortmund in 2010 and signed him a second time in 2012. Asked if it’s possible for an Asian player to make it to Liverpool, he said it all depends."Yes, of course, there are players out there but it’s not about where they come from but if they will fit into our team. If there’s anyone player from Asia who fit, I’ll be the first to go for him, but at this moment, it doesn’t work out so far,” he said.