Liverpool ended their pre-season with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Torino on Tuesday night, as attentions turn to the visit of West Ham on Sunday.
Liverpool 3-1 Torino
Pre-Season Friendly (9), Anfield
August 7, 2018
Goals
Firmino 21′ (assist – Salah)
Wijnaldum 24′ (assist – Firmino)
Belotti 30′ (assist – Di Silvestri)
Sturridge 86′ (assist – Shaqiri)
First-half XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Van Dijk, Moreno; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita; Salah, Mane, Firmino
After a slow start, Liverpool kicked into gear as Mohamed Salah nipped the ball back in the final third before laying it into the path of Sadio Mane, who was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area.
But Fabinho, stepping up for his first spot-kick for the club after scoring 19 and missing just one for Monaco, was unable to convert, sending his low effort wide of the post.
But Salah created a goal soon after, with Roberto Firmino cutting back onto his right foot in the box and finding the back of the net via a deflection.
Firmino then took over as provider, supplying another excellent through ball for Georginio Wijnaldum, who ghosted through from the No. 8 to slot past Salvatore Sirigu from a tight angle.
Liverpool’s lead was halved as Andrea Belotti beat Alisson with a close-range header after Alberto Moreno was turned on the flank.
And while both Wijnaldum, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita went close late on the half ended with the score at 2-1.
Second-half XI: Alisson (Karius 73′); Alexander-Arnold (Clyne 63′), Phillips (Johnston 88′), Fabinho (Henderson 70′), Robertson; Grujic, Jones (Camacho 88′), Lallana; Shaqiri, Ings, Sturridge
Klopp made seven changes at the break, with Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips and Fabinho the only players to remain on the field from the first half, the latter slotting in at centre-back.
One of those brought on, Danny Ings, came close to adding a third on the hour mark, but his scuffed effort was cleared off the line.
After a challenging 70 minutes for Fabinho, the Brazilian made way for the returning Jordan Henderson, who received a strong ovation from the Kop on his first appearance since the World Cup.
The same was reserved for Loris Karius, who replaced Alisson shortly after Henderson’s arrival to rapturous applause from all corners of Anfield.
It was certainly less eventful on the pitch, however, but Daniel Sturridge added to his tally for pre-season with a late glancing header from Xherdan Shaqiri‘s teasing cross to make it 3-1.
TIA Man of the Match: Georginio Wijnaldum / Xherdan Shaqiri
Referee: Michael Oliver
Next Match: West Ham (H) – Premier League – August 12
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