John Arne Riise put the Reds 1-0 up after ten minutes when he fired home a free kick from just outside the eighteen yard box. Harry Kewell and Andriy Voronin combined minutes later to create a good chance but the Ukranian striker's shot was saved.
Xabi Alonso put Liverpool 2-0 up from the penalty spot just before the half hour mark after Voronin had been pushed over by Sidrailson after again finding space in the penalty area.
South China FC reduced the arrears ten minutes from half time when captain Li Haiqiang scored from a forty yard free kick. Although it was a well taken shot, Scott Carson will be disappointed as he was caught napping when he could have made a simple save.
Liverpool started making changes in the second half with Dirk Kuyt, Jermaine Pennant, Sami Hyypia, David Martin, Robbie Threlfall and Steve Finnan all introduced. Kuyt was quickly in action and saw a snap shot go over the bar.
The Reds restored the two goal advantage with fifteen minutes left. Daniel Agger started the move, winning possession inside the South China half. He passed it to Riise out wide, Riise's pass found Kuyt and the Dutchman's clever lay off was hammered home by Agger.
Liverpool had chances for a fourth, with Andriy Voronin just failing to connect properly with a superb cross from Pennant, although that can probably be put down to him playing the full 90 minutes in the sweltering heat.