Liverpool Barcelona
The Reds' pre-season has served up a few lessons, some surprises, and a fair share of disappointments. Fortunately, these are all friendly matches, free of the grandiose atmosphere of the International Champions Cup title. In the last weekend Liverpool has traveled from the biggest stage in UK football, Wembley, where they played the biggest opponent in world football to Germany, where they played a much lesser known and far less daunting opponent.
To the uninitiated, these two match-ups might present a set of very predictable outcomes. In reality, as is often the case with Liverpool F.C., the complete opposite occurred. The Reds handed out a 4-0 thumping of Barca and suffered an equally comprehensive 4-0 defeat at the hands of the lowly Mainz 05.
To the uninitiated, these two match-ups might present a set of very predictable outcomes. In reality, as is often the case with Liverpool F.C., the complete opposite occurred. The Reds handed out a 4-0 thumping of Barca and suffered an equally comprehensive 4-0 defeat at the hands of the lowly Mainz 05.
Barcelona at Wembley
Nearly 90,000 fans turned out to see Lionel Messi and former lethal Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez, line up for Barcelona on (insert day). Suarez had scored 82 goals in 133 appearances in his three and half seasons at Liverpool, but he didn’t trouble the scorers as it was his old club that had the upper hand throughout.
Liverpool's £34m summer signing, Sadio Mane, scored in the 15th minute, his first for the club, and not long after it was 2-0 following a Mascherano own goal. In the second half, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic also scored to round up a comprehensive victory on the big stage.
Liverpool's £34m summer signing, Sadio Mane, scored in the 15th minute, his first for the club, and not long after it was 2-0 following a Mascherano own goal. In the second half, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic also scored to round up a comprehensive victory on the big stage.
Mainz 05 in Germany
Fast forward 24 hours and it’s a completely different story against Klopp’s old team. Adam Lallana and Emre Can were the only ones who kept their places in the starting team, while Sturridge was ruled out with a hip injury. An injury to James Milner in the first half didn’t help the cause, however the young Reds side were disjointed and had no answer to Mainz 05 overall, despite a promising start.
Having scored their big scalp at Wembley, it was evident that Klopp preferred to give his young chargers a chance to impress. They did that and although the result doesn’t read well, management will be satisfied heading into the season opener against Arsenal.
Having scored their big scalp at Wembley, it was evident that Klopp preferred to give his young chargers a chance to impress. They did that and although the result doesn’t read well, management will be satisfied heading into the season opener against Arsenal.
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