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Roma Beats Liverpool 1-0 At Fenway Park

BOSTON (AP) — Marco Borrilleo scored in the 90th minute to give Roma a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in an exhibition game Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

There were limited chances until Borriello volleyed in a corner kick from in front.

For the second time in three years, Fenway, the home of the Boston Red Sox, was transformed into the home of Liverpool, which is owned by Fenway Sports Group. John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, also is the controlling partner of Fenway Sports Group.

Roma beat Liverpool 2-1 at Fenway two years ago.

Roma is by Boston Celtics minority owner Jim Pallotta.

Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski made a diving save near the post on Rickie Lambert's kick from just outside the box in the 57th minute.

Roma seemed to have the territorial edge in the first half and Liverpool a slight edge in the second in a match that had just a handful of shots on goal. There was limited contact until Liverpool's Adam Phillips was given a yellow card late in the match.

Liverpool sat a number of its star players, including captain Steven Gerrard, but the mostly red-clad crowd didn't seem to mind.

Neither team had a shot on goal in the first half. Roma had the best chance when Francesco Totti redirected Ashley Cole's pass just wide from the center of the box.

Fans entering the park on a steamy night with temperatures in the mid-80s could walk through gates — on either end of Yawkey Way — with a sign above that read: "You'll Never Walk Alone," which is a reference to the club's anthem. It had the flavor of a match at Anfield.

Bagpipers played outside the 102-year old park about 2 1/2 hours before the match and the team's official souvenir store, usually stocked with white home jerseys with the names and numbers on the backs that read: "Ortiz 34," ''Lester 31" or "Pedroia 15" were out of sight in a section that was transformed into a gift shop for Liverpool items. There, the walls were filled with red jerseys of "Gerrard 8," ''Coutinho 10" and "Sturridge 15." The Red Sox apparel section was closed off for the night.

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The fabled Green Monster had three huge banners hanging from it, the one in the middle was highlighted by Liverpool's logo and read in large letters "Tour 2014."

Liverpool entered from the home — first-base — dugout.

One goal was set up in front of the bullpens in right field and the other just beyond the usual spot of the third-base bag along the foul line in shallow left.

It was the first of four scheduled matches in the United States for Liverpool, which travels to Chicago, then the home of the Boston's rivals, Yankee Stadium, and Charlotte.

The main course for the media dining at the park was English staples: fish and chips, bangers and mashed with mushy peas and cauliflower and cheese.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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