Liverpool began their pre-season tour with a comfortable 2-0 victory over an Indonesia XI.

Philippe Coutinho sent Brendan Rodgers’ side on their way with a neat finish from close range in the 10th minute.

And after an otherwise quiet first half and a string of changes following the interval, Raheem Sterling was left with a simple tap-in following a break launched by Jordon Ibe.

Steven Gerrard started his first game since undergoing shoulder surgery prior to the end of last season, along with new signings Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet.

But it was Coutinho who opened the scoring, latching on to his own pass – which had cannoned off a defender and back into his path – before sliding the ball under Kurnia Meiga.

Alberto came close to scoring a sensational debut goal in a Liverpool shirt, cutting inside but crashing his strike from 20 yards against the crossbar in an opening half-an-hour dominated by the tourists but otherwise bereft of genuine chances.

The hosts responded as Sergio van Dyke let fly with a stinging drive from distance of his own, but Mignolet tipped the ball around his post at full stretch to ensure the visitors went into the break with the lead.

Rodgers replaced Gerrard with Joe Allen at half-time, while Jack Robinson came on for Jose Enrique.

Liverpool continued to control the game and almost had a second when Aspas rounded Meiga, but the forward flashed his finish high and wide as the ball bobbled up off the surface.

With the hour-mark approaching, the former Celta Vigo man then combined with Coutinho, who also sent his shot over the bar.

Rodgers made eight further changes, with the likes of Sterling, Ibe and Fabio Borini all introduced, and the Italian immediately tested Meiga with a free kick which was acrobatically palmed away.

Sterling hit the bar with a half volley after getting on the end of a dangerous cross by Oussama Assaidi, before then blasting another effort straight into the side netting.

But Sterling made no mistake with the goal at his mercy in the closing stages, securing a comfortable victory for the Reds.

The Anfield club are understood to have made an approach for the England international but are unwilling to meet the left-back’s €70,000-a-week salary demands

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Liverpool have dropped their interest in Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand after baulking at the player’s wage demands, Goal understands.

The Reds made an approach to the Londoners for the 23-year-old but were told he would demand a salary package worth more than €70,000-a-week.

Bertrand currently earns €41,000-a-week at Chelsea and is happy at Stamford Bridge having made 38 appearances for the club last season.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers worked with the England international at Chelsea and values his versatility, with Bertrand also comfortable in a midfield role.

But the Reds are no longer pursuing a deal for Bertrand and will look at other options to reinforce their left side ahead of the new season.

Rodgers has already been busy in the transfer market this summer brining in experienced former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Liga duo Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

The Reds manager, however, is facing a fight to keep hold of star striker Luis Suarez, while Pepe Reina is on the verge of joining former boss Rafael Benitez at Napoli.

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The England international has been out of action since May after opting to treat a long-standing shoulder injury, but the club have confirmed his participation on Saturday

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will make his return to first-team football in a pre-season game on Saturday.

The 32-year-old missed the final two games of the season after playing in the club’s goalless draw with Everton at Anfield, undergoing surgery to his left shoulder.

Brendan Rodgers takes his Liverpool side to face Indonesian XI on the weekend as part of their Asia tour and the club announced the midfielder will captain the team on his return.

“Steven Gerrard will make his return from injury by starting the game against an Indonesian XI on Saturday,” a statement read.

“His recovery has gone well and he will be back in a Liverpool shirt with the captain’s armband at the Gelora Bung Karno National Stadium.”

Gerrard, who has recently signed a new contract after amassing 629 appearances for the club, will now have the chance to feature in three games before his testimonial match against Olympiakos on August 3.