Roma downs Liverpool

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26 July 2012-SBS-PA Sport

Joe Cole vies for the ball with Roma's Taddei Rodrigo

Tussle... Joe Cole (R) vies for the ball with Roma's Rodrigo Taddei (L). (Getty)

Liverpool is still without a win under Brendan Rogers after losing 2-1 to Roma in a pre-season club international at Fenway Park in Boston.

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A youthful Reds lineup, which drew with Toronto FC in Rogers's first competitive match since replacing Kenny Dalglish as coach, took to the field minus a clutch of its established stars, including midfield talisman Steven Gerrard and strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, looking to press his claims for an understudy position, twice denied Roma's Pablo Osvaldo in the opening 20 minutes.

The Reds then had a chance to take the lead on the half hour mark when Alberto Aquilani combined with Joe Cole - both returning loan players looking to press their claims for a regular starting berth - but the latter's lobbed shot hit the cross bar.

Liverpool's Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones replaced Gulasci at halftime, but couldn't stop United States international Michael Bradley's 63rd-minute strike.

Alessandro Florenzi doubled Roma's lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Charlie Adam grabbed a consolation goal for Liverpool.