As was the case before last week’s game in Preston, Luis Suarez dominated the build-up but Philippe Coutinho stole the show.
There has been much talk about Suarez’s future here in Jakarta this week but, providing a welcome diversion for Brendan Rodgers, another vibrant display from the little Brazilian illuminated Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-0 win over an Indonesia XI.
Goals from Coutinho and Raheem Sterling either side of the break may have sent the locals home happy but Rodgers, while he will have been satisfied with the work out, the clean sheet and the result, will be aware that Liverpool can step up significantly on this.
During one of the many press conferences Rodgers had to undertake before this game, he was asked by an inquisitive local whether he expected Liverpool to run up a score similar to the one Arsenal amassed when they were here.
Respectfully and diplomatically, Rodgers merely pointed out in reply that he expected nothing more than a rigorous workout and, for the first 45 minutes, that is precisely what Liverpool got from opponents who were high on enthusiasm.
Though Liverpool took a ninth minute lead when Philippe Coutinho took advantage of a fortunate bounce to skip through and slide a nimble finish past Indonesian goalkeeper Kurina Meiga – he celebrated by leaping over the advertising hoardings – they found chances hard to come by.
Stewart Downing was denied by Meiga on 26 minutes after Jose Enrique had picked him out with a fine cross from the left; new Spanish striker Iago Aspas had a goal disallowed, while his compatriot Luis Alberto cracked a drive against the bar from 25 yards.
Other than that, though, Liverpool found it difficult in the stifling heat to find real fluency, as the Indonesians scuttled and scurried to keep them out; had it not been for a smart stop from Simon Mignolet to deny Sergio Van Dijk, the hosts may have even gone in all-square.
In their first friendly at Preston seven days ago, Rodgers made 10 changes at half-time but on this occasion, he limited himself to two substitions, Jack Robinson replacing Enrique at left-back and Joe Allen coming on for Steven Gerrard.
It was Liverpool’s intention to just give Gerrard 45 minutes on his return from shoulder surgery and he sailed through this exercise. All week in training here he has looked sharp, fit and healthy and it is no wonder Rodgers has been so enthused about his captain signing a new contract.
The second half, though, began as the first had ended. Liverpool pressed, the Indonesians competed, the supporters cheered at every possible juncture and the temperature never dropped.
Cynics ask why clubs need to go this far on pre-season but the local interest and passion is beyond doubt.
Liverpool were never in any real danger of conceding and they had a number of chances to extend their advantage, most notably when Aspas burst into the area, rounded Meiga but horribly hoisted his shot over the bar after an unforeseen bobble caused the ball to hop up.
Inevitably, wholesale change were made in the 65th minute and, shortly after that, Raheem Sterling became the second Liverpool player to strike the frame of the goal, his effort from 15 yards fizzed past Meiga but grazed the bar.
When the young England winger followed up by blasting a drive into the side netting in the 80th minute, realisation began to dawn amongst the locals that they would not get the goal fest that Arsenal produced and they took to setting off flares, firecrackers and starting Mexican waves.
They, did, at least get one to cheer late on when a rapid break involving Jordon Ibe and Oussama Assaidi ended with Sterling being able to walk the ball into an empty net. Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Australia – and there they will discover what the future holds for Suarez.
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