Half-Time Report: Joe Allen puts Liverpool ahead

Joe Allen has put Liverpool on course for a third win on their pre-season tour of the United States by netting the only goal of the first half against AC Milan.

The Welshman put the Reds ahead on 17 minutes, moments after striking the post with his first effort.

Raheem Sterling missed the follow up, and Allen was on-hand to rifle the ball past a helpless Christian Abbiati.

Milan were largely sluggish as they failed to test Liverpool's defence for long periods and the Rossonieri almost fell further behind when Adil Rami brought down Sterling in the penalty area.

However, new signing Rickie Lambert failed to convert the subsequent spot kick as Abbiati saved comfortably.

Milan looked livelier just before the break, but Simon Mignolet was largely kept quiet in a controlled display by a Reds side featuring several fringe players.