There was no further excitement after the Liverpool equalizer. The rhythm of the match dulled, the energy cooled, and soon the referee blew the final whistle. A 3–3 draw. Not a win, but not a loss either. For a preseason match, especially one filled with rotations and returning players, it had been a test and they'd passed it with pride.
The Liverpool players didn't linger on the pitch. With another friendly scheduled for the very next day, time was not on their side. The team waved their goodbyes to the American fans in Notre Dame, who sent them off with roaring applause. Then it was onto the team bus, back to the hotel, where sleep came quickly, aided by fatigue and adrenaline still wearing off.
By dawn, they were moving again. An early breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, fruit, and black coffee set the tone while fueling conversations about the Dortmund match.
