Two Vladimir Smicer goals and one from Emile Heskey gave Liverpool a 3-1 victory in a friendly against Thailand in Bangkok, that lasted 105 minutes because ofa mix-up between the English team's manager and the referee.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier said he had told the referee he wanted to make wholesale substitutions after 60 minutes. But the referee thought the Frenchman wanted the first half to last an hour rather than the usual 45 minutes.
"That was the longest half of football I've ever experienced in my life," Houllier told reporters after the game. "But you can't blame him, his intentions were good."
In drizzle more reminiscent of Merseyside than tropical Thailand, Liverpool struggled to settle down against a well-drilled Thai side.
But Emile Heskey lit up a drab first half when he picked up the ball on the left of the Thai area, drifted into the box, and drilled a left foot shot past Kittisak Rawangpa in the Thai goal.
A small contingent of travelling Liverpool fans shook a banner that mimicked bargirl cat calls in Bangkok's red light district by proclaiming: "LFC - we love you longtime".
With Steven Gerrard on the bench, French teenager Anthony Le Tallec shone as playmaker in his only start for Liverpool and came close to scoring twice.
One swerving shot from the edge of the area was tipped onto the crossbar by the Thai keeper and another narrowly flew over.
After 50 minutes -- 10 minutes before halftime - Somjet Satabud equalised for Thailand when he found himself free on the right and lifted the ball over Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland.
Thailand's coach, ex-England international Peter Withe then began gesticulating to the referee at the side of the pitch, shouting: "Stop the game, stop the game".
Thailand tired in the second half when Liverpool changed their entire team, and Vladimir Smicer capitalised on some slack defending to slot a shot under the Thai goalkeeper.
Liverpool picked up the tempo and substitute Gerrard and Igor Biscan both missed chances before Vladimir Smicer volleyed into the net after bringing down a deep cross on his chest.
Reuters