Darwin Nunez made his first start for Liverpool but was unable to prevent his team from losing for the second time this pre-season, losing 1-0 to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.
In Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly before Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp knocked out a second-tier team in Austria but began signing Nunez after his four goals against RB Leipzig last week.
The Uruguayan striker hit the crossbar in a frustrating first half for the Reds, who fell behind on the counterattack courtesy of another household name in the transfer window.
Benjamin Sesko, linked to Manchester United and Newcastle in the UK media, overtook Adrian at the half-hour mark after superbly getting past Ibrahima Konate to start the attack.
Benjamin Sesko scored the winning goal in Austria
Nunez was taken off at half time and Liverpool had an almost complete squad in 60 minutes and created many more chances.
The best fell to Luis Diaz within minutes of coming on, with the Colombian international playing a brace with Jordan Henderson before forcing Salzburg goalkeeper Nico Mantl into a fine save.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah forced Mantl into a good save, before DÃaz had a run and finished off for offside.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson had late efforts, but the Austrian team hung on for victory.
Klopp: Darwin needs more support | ‘It didn’t feel like a friendly’
Klopp lamented the way his Liverpool started Wednesday night’s friendly and called on his players to move closer to the record signing of Nunez to be more threatening up front.
“We made too many mistakes in the first half that they could take advantage of,” Klopp said after the match. “We also had good moments in the game, we could have scored four, five goals at least. We didn’t do that.
“Darwin was too lonely, everyone was left behind and everyone was too open and Darwin was alone in the box. He had his chances but he needs more support around him to keep other players busy so they don’t focus on him.” he’s not feeling too good, but we take it and go from here.”
Klopp asked the Liverpool player to offer more support to Darwin Núñez
Klopp admitted that the match did not feel like a friendly due to the emotion Salzburg put into the game, and although some of the Austrian team’s challenges were too harsh at times, he had full respect for the opposition.
“In the first half, we were too open, too open and not connected enough. When we lost the ball, it was like a highway with his speed, especially when you miss simple passes where no one can react.”
“The last half hour was like a thunderstorm. We went like a truck but we didn’t finish them. It’ll be fine. We had to make a lot of changes, but I’ll take it.”
“It didn’t feel like a friendly, for Salzburg and for us too. Salzburg had these tough challenges, but they did very well. With all due respect to them, sometimes I didn’t like their challenges, but I think nothing happened there.”
Analysis: Which starting eleven spots are up for grabs at Liverpool?
Sam Blitz, football journalist for Sky Sports:
Klopp said Sky sports news this week there will be no more transfer entries this summer, barring strange circumstances.
If this friendly in Austria is any guide, then the Liverpool manager, who had a full squad apart from Alisson Becker and Kostas Tsimikas, has a clear first-choice XI and second-choice to pick from before the start of the season.
Liverpool had more hype after the hour mark when the big guns, who may have been saved for Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, arrived to try and find a way back into this game.
Liverpool improved after the break when their big punchers came on
So if there is a difference in quality between the two line-ups Klopp fielded against Salzburg, then where is the competition for places in this Liverpool side, with just over a week to go in Fulham?
Well, the first is obvious. Darwin Nunez was by far Liverpool’s best player in the first half among second-row players. The Uruguayan international used his strength well to put others on the line, pointing to misfortune through the crossbar and a last minute defense from Salzburg why he failed to add to his four goals in Leipzig last week. .
It seems that Núñez and Firmino will compete with Diogo Jota for that forward position, as Mohamed Salah and Luis DÃaz occupy the wings. But nobody can really tell because of the fluidity of Liverpool’s attacking options.
At the back, Ibrahima Konate was another bright spark and showed canny defense at times, but seemed a bit intimidated by Benjamin Sesko’s goal. Him versus Joel Matip in the battle to be Virgil van Dijk’s strike partner will be an interesting fight.
Isaac Mabaya impressed as Liverpool right-back
Liverpool’s midfield three – Fabinho, Thiago and Jordan Henderson – appear settled with Naby Keita doing little to impress in Austria, but Harvey Elliott has a chance to start against Fulham next week. The 19-year-old started on the wing again, but came in and can take over his role in midfield.
Liverpool fans shouldn’t focus too much on this pre-season friendly as Salzburg have already started their league season, so they are ahead of schedule on their pre-season schedule and fitness. But defender Isaac Mabaya’s performance will please them, as the 17-year-old makes good progress from right back.
Whats Next?
Liverpool have the Community Shield with manchester city on Saturday before facing the Ligue 1 team RC Strasbourg on Sunday at Anfield.
Expect most of the Liverpool squad to be used by then, before Jurgen Klopp’s side open their Premier League season away from home. Fulham August 6th