Goals from new signings Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool produce a comprehensive display over Hertha Berlin on Saturday night - a performance that helped Liverpool supporters focus on the positives of the new season as opposed to the doom and gloom of what has been an underwhelming transfer window so far.
Hertha Berlin 0-3 Liverpool
Solanke (15’)
Wijnaldum (38’)
Salah (61’)
Pre-Season Friendly, Olympiastadion
July 29, 2017
Liverpool’s failed attempts, to lure their top two targets in the transfer window Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita coupled with the possibility of their star man Philippe Coutinho leaving this summer for sunny Spain has made this pre-season a difficult one to say the least, however after the Reds dismantled the German outfit comfortably, Liverpool fans now have a spring in their step.
After the departure of Christian Benteke, Liverpool has lacked a target man, someone who is capable to hold the ball up and offer a potent aerial presence, enter Dominic Solanke. After a late injury to Divock Origi in the warm up, it wasn’t long until the big man made an impact. Adam Lallana’s inviting cross allowed the forward to peel off his marker to deliver a looping header over Hertha shot stopper Rune Jarstein on the fifteen minute mark.
The English international also had a hand in the second goal, he picked the pocket of Mitchell Weiser, fed Mane who tee'd up Gini Wijnaldum and the Dutch international calmly stroked the ball into the bottom left corner to give Liverpool a two goal cushion.
Liverpool made five changes at the break, allowing Robertson to make his Reds bow and he was close to making an instant impact. The Scottish international drilled an agonising ball across the face of goal which Salah was unfortunate not to connect to and increase Liverpool’s lead.
Klopp’s side turned to their resident figure of invention, captain for the day Phillipe Coutinho for the third. Just after the hour mark, the little magician showed just how valuable he is to this current Liverpool side, twisting and turning away from two Hertha players, Coutinho worked his way into space on the brink of the half way line and delivered a majestic 40 yard pass to Salah, who dinked the ball over the onrushing Jarstein to seal the victory for Klopp’s side.
The result hardly flattered the Reds, who could have had more, Firmino came close to adding a fourth, his chipped effort beat the keeper but also the goal and Daniel Sturridge also threatened but was denied late on by a finger tip save from Jarstein.
It was a performance that showed just how valuable Coutinho is, his invention, creativity and link up play offered a new dimension to Liverpool’s play. Although supporters’ would have been thrilled with his performance, it could offer more problems in the long run. All in all, this pre season friendly was a useful outing for Klopp’s side and good preparation for the stern test of Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Man of the Match: Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool: Mignolet; Gomez, Matip (Flanagan 75′), Klavan, Moreno (Robertson 46′); Can (Ejaria 58′), Wijnaldum (Henderson 46′), Lallana (Salah 46′); Coutinho (Kent 66′), Mane (Sturridge 46′), Solanke (Firmino 46′)
Hertha Berlin: Jarstein; Weiser, Rekik, Lustenberger (Pekarik 65′), Plattenhardt (Haraguchi 65′); Duda (Esswein 46′), Darida (Dardai 65′), Skjelbred (Baak 65′); Leckie; Kalou (Mittelstadt 65′), Ibisevic (Stocker 65′)
Next match: Bayern Munich (A)
- Audi Cup
- July 1
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