Liverpool travelled across the globe to defeat Manchester City on penalties in a pre-season friendly, with the match kicking off at a few minutes past midnight yesterday morning.

The match had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out after the two teams battled to a 2-2 draw in front of almost 50,000 fans, around the same number that Anfield holds but 10,000 less than the City of Manchester stadium can seat.

Stevan Jovetic gave City the lead after a goalless first-half, before Jordan Henderson levelled for the Reds.

Jovetic grabbed his second of the game and it looked like the winner until Raheem Sterling equalised with five minutes to go.

Alexander Kolorov missed the target from the opening penalty and Daniel Sturridge also failed to test Joe Hart when he stepped up to take his penalty.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet then produced two terrific saves to deny Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas and the Reds went on to win 3-1.

Anyone who managed to stay awake would have watched a very exciting game, as both teams set out looking for the win.

New City goalkeeper Willy Caballero put in another assured display in the first half to give manager Manuel Pellegrini a tough choice when deciding who will be the number one going into the first game of the season against Newcastle.

The win leaves Liverpool top of the group in the International Champions Cup and likely to face Manchester United in the final — should the Red Devils beat Real Madrid tomorrow — at 1am on Monday morning.