The problem with exhibition games is that the biggest names never show up, and the ones that do don't want to be there.
The pace barely rises above a canter and most players are already in holiday mode, and Wednesday night's match was no different. However, it wasn't Liverpool who were the guilty party, rather it was Sydney FC.
More Football Videos
- Video duration
- 01:28
Liverpool crush Sydney in friendly
Liverpool crush Sydney in friendly
Liverpool FC defeated Sydney FC, winning 3-0 in a one-sided exhibition game.
Up Next
ABC mocked after cringe-worthy football coverage
- Video duration
- 01:25
- Video duration
- 01:25
ABC mocked after cringe-worthy football ...
ABC mocked after cringe-worthy football coverage
The Sydney FC and Liverpool FC friendly was matched with an awkward pre-match show on ABC2, which has been widely ridiculed.
Up Next
Emotional Europa League triumph for Manchester Utd
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Emotional Europa League triumph for ...
Emotional Europa League triumph for Manchester Utd
In the wake of the Manchester bombing, Man Utd grabbed a goal in each half to beat Ajax and earn themselves a place in next seasons Champions League.
Up Next
Ronaldo leads Real Madrid's title celebrations
- Video duration
- 01:08
- Video duration
- 01:08
Ronaldo leads Real Madrid's title ...
Ronaldo leads Real Madrid's title celebrations
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Real Madrid's celebrations as they present the La Liga trophy to an adoring crowd in the Spanish capital city.
Up Next
Is this the best own goal ever?
- Video duration
- 00:53
- Video duration
- 00:53
Is this the best own goal ever?
Is this the best own goal ever?
Swiss footballer Adrien Gulfo's flying scissor kick could be the best own goal ever.
Up Next
EPL: Swans take big step towards safety
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
EPL: Swans take big step towards safety
EPL: Swans take big step towards safety
Swansea have taken a big step towards safety with a 2-0 win over already relegated Sunderland meaning that survival will be in their own hands if it comes down to the final day of the season.
Up Next
EPL: Southampton on course for top 10 finish
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
EPL: Southampton on course for top 10 ...
EPL: Southampton on course for top 10 finish
Southampton ease to a 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough to keep themselves on track for a top 10 finish in the EPL.
Liverpool crush Sydney in friendly
Liverpool FC defeated Sydney FC, winning 3-0 in a one-sided exhibition game.
The Reds may not have bothered arriving in Australia until match day, and didn't so much as have a training session before their fly-in, fly-out 90-minute pay day, but to those watching, it was Sydney FC who appeared to be clock watching as they slumped to a lacklustre 3-0 loss.
It wasn't so much that they were outclassed, but that they showed little interest in testing the Reds. Their mentality wasn't helped by the absence of several stars: Milos Ninkovic, Milos Dimitrijevic, Jordy Buijs and recently departed marquee Filip Holosko, whose holidays were pre-booked.
Related Content
As the Mexican waves and paper planes suggested, there was no meaning to this match. But in failing to challenge the Reds, Sydney FC missed a massive marketing free-kick. There has proven to be little legacy surrounding tours of major clubs, but if the Sky Blues had any chance of converting the tens of thousands of "Eurosnobs" at ANZ Stadium, they needed to at least display their credentials.
It's not like they hadn't done so before. They tested Tottenham and Chelsea with cagey, yet tenacious, performances in 2015, narrowly losing 1-0 in both. There was hope they could – and should – have bettered those performances, given what they achieved in the A-League season, breaking a plethora of records on their march to the double.
Instead, they showed the toll that effort had taken. They were lethargic, jaded and some players were clearly more focused on their end-of-season trip.
"They probably feel exactly the same way as I feel and have felt in the last week or so; It's time for a holiday. We had a fantastic season in the A-League, winning the double, I gave them a week off after winning the grand final. You have to enjoy the rewards as well as celebrations," Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said.
The cracks appeared after seven minutes. Nimble forward Daniel Sturridge struggled to finish during the Premier League season but made light work of Alex Wilkinson, weaving around the veteran with ease before slotting a simple finish past Danny Vukovic.
By the 19th minute, it was effectively game over for Sydney FC. Roberto Firmino's delicate chip deceived Sydney's static defence to pick out the run of Alberto Moreno and his first-time finish made it 2-0.
Against the EPL giants, Sydney's strength was rendered a weak point. A defence that conceded only 12 goals for the entire A-League season leaked three before half-time in insipid fashion.
Firmino got on the scoresheet before the break when Wilkinson's clearance of a Sturridge cross was deflected towards goal. The Brazilian spared Wilkinson the blushes of an own goal, tapping into an empty net.
Steven Gerrard was substituted to a standing ovation after the break, Sydney's youth players provided more energy and Matt Simon should have scored a consolation seven minutes before time.
Instead, 72,000 fans went home happy, while the Sky Blues end their season on an uncharacteristically sombre tone. It would have aggrieved their marketing team more than their coach, while the players will be reassuring themselves that, in the end, hopefully it meant nothing.
Originally published on The Sydney Morning Herald as Sydney FC miss the chance to display their credentials against Liverpool FC.