Reds' Rodgers era begins with draw

Brendan Rodgers's first game as manager of Liverpool ended in a 1-1 draw against FC Toronto thanks to Adam Morgan's equaliser for the English giants in a World Football Challenge friendly.
Quincy Amarikwa, acquired by Toronto from Major League Soccer rivals the New York Red Bulls early Saturday, wasted no time contributing to his new team, seizing a rebound from a Peter Gulacsi save to give the hosts the lead in the 58th minute.
The advantage was short-lived however, as Morgan knotted the score at 1-1 in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a fine run by Raheem Sterling and salvaging the draw for Liverpool in the opening match of their pre-season North American tour.
After Sterling eluded three defenders, Toronto keeper Quillan Roberts managed to deflect his shot, but Morgan was there to tap it home.
Liverpool were further buoyed by the return to action of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, who has been sidelined since November with a serious knee injury.
Rodgers went with a mix of experience and youth to open the contest, with veterans including Jose Enrique and Jamie Carragher joined on the starting side by prospects such as Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston.
Toronto manager Paul Mariner fielded close to a first-choice lineup, with the only change in the team that beat the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday coming in goalie, where Freddy Hall replaced Milos Kocic.
After a first half that featured few scoring opportunities, Rodgers made a wholesale change for the second half, with Martin Skrtel and Joe Cole anchoring another group of young players.
In the 75th, Lucas was sent on to replace Krisztian Adorjan, his first appearance since suffering an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Liverpool continue their pre-season tour on Wednesday at Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, against Italian club Roma. They face English rivals Tottenham on July 28 in Baltimore.