Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praises James Milner after Brisbane win

Brendan Rodgers: Impressed with James Milner's display.

Brendan Rodgers labelled James Milner a “class act” after he scored the winner in Liverpool’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Brisbane Roar.

The 29-year-old, who moved to Anfield on a free transfer from Manchester City, found the net in the 75th minute as the Reds came from behind to win.

Playing in the more central role he covets, he also provided the pass for Adam Lallana's 27th-minute equaliser in an impressive performance that had his manager purring.

"James Milner is a class act," he told reporters. "We had to work very hard to get him in but I think we'll see over the course of the season how important he is for us.

"He's a wonderful personality and a top class footballer. When you see him play in his favourite position, you see all these qualities come out."

After falling behind in the 17th minute, Liverpool responded well and Milner’s goal ensured they made it two wins from two on their pre-season tour.

"We wanted more goals from midfield and when you see James, that was the idea," Rodgers added.

"Because you see when he plays in the central area he really penetrates the box. He's a top class operator and I think in this team he'll probably shine even more.

"He's going to be huge for us and working closely with him I can really see why he is really regarded as a top class professional."

While Rodgers was happy to heap praise on Milner and his other new signings - Danny Ings, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne - he was less inclined to talk about any more potential new arrivals.

"No," he replied when asked if he would comment on reports that Liverpool have triggered Christian Benteke's £32.5m release clause.

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Brisbane Roar 1-2 Liverpool: James Milner and Adam Lallana on target

James Milner: Scores the winner against Brisbane Roar

New recruit James Milner scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds battled back to secure a 2-1 pre-season victory over Brisbane Roar.

The Premier League side were well supported at the Suncorp stadium and named a strong starting XI that included summer signings Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Milner and Joe Gomez.

Although they fell behind to a 17th-minute goal from Dimitri Petratos, they soon responded as Adam Lallana curled a shot into the far corner.

Brisbane provided better competition that Liverpool's first tour opponents, Thai All-Stars, but Milner's 75th-minute goal ensured the Reds came out on top.

Brendan Rodgers' side might have thought themselves at home when the crowd of more than 50,000 gave a stirring pre-match rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' on a chilly evening more typical of Merseyside than tropical Queensland.

Brisbane, Australia's champions for three of the last five years, matched the Reds in the early stages and opened the scoring when Petratos took two touches on the edge of the box before drilling the ball inside the post.

Milner and Ings both had chances to equalise before Lallana got the visitors back on level terms in the 27th minute.

It was Milner's pass which found Lallana on the left side of the box and the midfielder beat his defender with a deft touch before curling the ball into the net with his right.

Liverpool pressed for a second goal before the break and went close when Mamadou Sakho had a header cleared off the line.

The Reds continued to control possession in the second half and Jordan Henderson was denied by a sharp save from the keeper.

Substitute Jordon Ibe also had an effort kept out before Milner struck the winner late in the game.

Taking the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he nutmegged one defender before his scuffed shot deceived the keeper and went into the middle of the goal.

Liverpool next face Adelaide United on Monday (10.30am BST) before heading to Malaysia and then Finland to complete their pre-season tour.

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Former Liverpool winger Brian Hall dies at age of 68

Brian Hall enjoys lap of honour at Wembley after Liverpool's FA Cup win in 1974

Former Liverpool winger Brian Hall has died at the age of 68.

Hall, who played for Liverpool between 1969 and 1976, had been battling leukaemia for a number of years.

Born in Glasgow, Hall scored 21 goals in 224 appearances for the Reds before moving on to Plymouth and Burnley.

Hall played under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, winning two League Championship medals, two UEFA Cup medals and an FA Cup winners' medal.

His most famous individual goal for the Reds was also his first for the club, as he scored the winner in the 1971 FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Old Trafford – although they went on to lose in the final.

Hall, who was a university graduate, returned to Liverpool in 1991 to take charge of the club's public relations department before retiring in 2011 due to health reasons.

Hall's former team-mate Ray Clemence and ex-Reds striker John Aldridge took to Twitter to express their condolences.

Clemence wrote: "So sad to hear of Brian Hall, good player, great man. Thoughts are with Mary and the family.”

Aldridge added: "Very sad news for all LFC fans. Brian Hall passed away today. What a gentleman a lovely man. Our thoughts are with his family.”

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Jordan Henderson tipped to be a great Liverpool captain by Kolo Toure

Jordan Henderson: Can fill the boots of Steven Gerrard, according to Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure believes that Jordan Henderson will be a great Liverpool captain after the midfielder replaced Steven Gerrard as Reds skipper.

Henderson has been given the armband following Gerrard’s departure to LA Galaxy and Toure is sure that the 25-year-old will be a big success in his new role.

Toure said: "Jordan is a great young player and before Stevie went he was really close to Stevie and he learned a lot from him.

"He is really intelligent and really strong and he can fill the boots of a big man like Steven Gerrard – he’s a great, great player."

Toure also revealed that he expects Liverpool to be challenging for honours this term, adding: "We have some unbelievable young players in our team but this season is going to be really tough for them.

"But I think with the experience we have, and with the young players we have, we can do something, definitely."

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Brendan Rodgers says there is no ill-feeling with Raheem Sterling

Rodgers and Sterling: Discussed the player's 'journey'

Brendan Rodgers insists there was no rift with "wonderful young kid" Raheem Sterling and says Liverpool should be proud of their part in his development.

Speaking at a press conference in Brisbane ahead of Liverpool’s next pre-season friendly, Rodgers revealed that he and Sterling had recently exchanged texts and that rumours of a rift between the two were false.  

“There were lots of reports about him and I not speaking, and falling out and that's never been further than the truth,” said Rodgers.

“This is a kid I put into the team at 17 years of age. A wonderful talent and from that point on, him and I worked together very closely. There was obviously stories going about towards the end but it's done with now.

“We were texting each other yesterday. Our communication is fine. We had a long chat about his journey before we left on the Sunday in the office. I thought by the time we got back he would probably be gone. He was a wonderful young kid for me.”

Rodgers handed Sterling his first competitive start at the beginning of the 2012/13 season. The Jamaican-born England international would go on to make 123 appearances and score 29 goals for the Reds.

“We can all hold our heads up high at Liverpool knowing that we put absolutely everything into him and his development,” said Rodgers.

“He came out of the youth team and became a fully-fledged international footballer.

“The supporters gave him all the support and nurtured him through. He decided to move on. Now he's a Manchester City player and we'll focus on the players we have here.”

Sterling is the third high-profile departure from Anfield in the last two seasons, leading some to question the club’s ability to attract and retain top-quality players.

“Players are always going to be wanting to come to Liverpool,” said Rodgers.

“It's such an iconic club. In the modern game and with the market now players will move on. Unfortunately, it's something you have to accept. You have to fight.

“As long as you do everything you possibly can to keep the player, that's all you can ever do. If the player moves on you thank him for his contribution and look to develop and improve the next player that comes in.

“You can't deny the size of Liverpool as a football club. The challenge for us is to get it back among the top clubs in this division.”

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Milner in the middle for Reds

James Milner (c) is looking forward to a central role with Liverpool

James Milner says he has discussed with Brendan Rodgers what role he will play at Liverpool, insisting he contributes most when employed in a central position.

Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer this summer after five years at Manchester City where he was unable to find a settled regular position in the side.

But he looks set to enjoy a central role in Rodgers’ starting line-up and the 29-year-old insists he is more than capable of handling the pressure and responsibility of being a Liverpool player.

He said: “I spoke to the manager before I signed about his plans for me and I think playing in the middle is my best position and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in for Liverpool.

“I think when it comes to football nobody puts more pressure on myself than me. You’re out there and you try and perform every day in training and for the club. As soon as you step over that white line that’s all you’re thinking of and I want to perform my best.

“I’m my own biggest critic, my family are the same and my parents are the same and they want me to do well. I have been fortunate enough to play for a lot of top clubs in my career and with that comes pressure and that’s what you want.

 “You want to be playing at the top level, with and against the best players.

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Liverpool trigger Benteke release clause

Christian Benteke: Liverpool trigger Aston Villa striker's release clause

Liverpool have triggered the £32.5million release clause in Christian Benteke's Aston Villa contract.

It was reported on Thursday morning that Manchester United were ready to capitalise on Liverpool's reluctance to meet Villa's asking price for Benteke by making their own move, but Brendan Rodgers' side have now given into the Midlanders' demands.

Benteke is now free to discuss personal terms with the Reds and will become their second most expensive signing, behind Andy Carroll, should the transfer go ahead.

Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for Villa over the past three seasons, including six goals in 12 matches at the end of last campaign to help Tim Sherwood's side to safety.

Liverpool have already bought James Milner, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, Adam Bogdan and Roberto Firmino this summer, with the Benteke deal set to take their spending to around the £80million mark.

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