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Best photos as Liverpool hit 3 and Gomez and Van Dijk return

Liverpool played well but somehow lost 4-3 to Hertha Berlin on Thursday evening, as Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez made welcome returns.

Jurgen Klopp‘s men were back in action after their 1-0 win over Mainz last week, with Hertha representing a tougher assignment.

The two sides met in Innsbruck, in the Austrian Alps, and you won’t get much nicer settings for a football match.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: A general view during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Most pleasingly, both Van Dijk and Gomez were named in the matchday squad, with the former looking typically laid-back before kickoff.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

There was another start for man-mountain Ibrahima Konate, who cut an assured figure in the opening 45 minutes.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott were the standout players in an entertaining first half, looking equally impressive in their No.8 roles.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Naby Keita (R) is tackled by Hertha BSC’s Suat Serdar during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Keita and Mohamed Salah combined expertly for Takumi Minamino‘s goal that made it 2-2, after Sadio Mane had already reduced the arrears.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (R) celebrates his side's second goal with team-mate Naby Keita during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Van Dijk and Gomez finally returned to action after almost ten and nine months away, respectively, in what were the most pleasing sights imaginable for any Liverpool supporter.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk makes his return from a long injury lay off as a substitute during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk makes his return from a long injury lay off as a substitute during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk makes his return from a long injury lay off as a substitute during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's Joe Gomez during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Klopp may not be delighted with the result, but he will know that this was another invaluable 90 minutes for his players.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA - Thursday, July 29, 2021: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Hertha BSC at the Tivoli Stadion. (Pic by Jürgen Faichter/Propaganda)

Next up for Liverpool is a meeting with Serie A side Bologna next Thursday, with two 60-minute games taking place in France.