It’s only a pre-season friendly, there was nothing at stake and the players probably won’t even remember this game in a few months’ time, but Liverpool were impressive in Dublin
In front of a 51,000 at the Aviva Stadium, where everyone seemed to be decked out in red and cheering for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s side continued their pre-season preparations with a convincing win.
Well, as convincing as you can get in a pre-season friendly.
Liverpool beat Napoli 5-0 and looked like a side without many weaknesses. Granted, the Italian team never got out of first gear and the game wasn't much of a contest out after half-time. But there were enough signs for Liverpool to be very encouraged ahead of the new season.
Judging by the reaction of the Dublin crowd every time he touched the ball, Alisson Becker already looks like a worthwhile signing.
The Brazilian goalkeeper, the most expensive ‘keeper in history, is undoubtedly a significant upgrade on both Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet.
But he also seems to breed a confidence amongst his teammates, and fans, that just wasn’t there under either ‘keeper, particularly Karius. Even after a few minutes of this friendly, that was clear.
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Alisson got a massive cheer from the Liverpool supporters every time he touched the ball, a reaction that conveyed just how desperate they were for a top-class goalkeeper, and exasperated they had become by years of sub-standard players in the position. There was just no way that Liverpool could have started the Premier League season at home to West Ham next week with Karius in goal. The fee for Alisson was necessary and it’s up to him now to justify it.
He showed flashes of why he was so expensive. The former Roma goalkeeper was involved in Liverpool’s opening goal, starting the move with a booming kick towards Mohamed Salah on the right-wing.
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The passage of play broke down, but Liverpool’s high-pressing, which seemingly wasn’t dialled down for a pre-season friendly, ensured they won the ball back soon enough.
James Milner curled an effort on his left foot into the top corner, after some good work by Sadio Mane, to give his side the lead after just four minutes.
Milner then set-up Liverpool’s second with a cross which was headed home by Georginio Wijnaldum.
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It was a stroll for Liverpool from that point, but fans of the club still had plenty to be optimistic about.
Their pressing, particularly in the first half, was excellent and ensured they were a threat in every passage of play.
Even if they lost the ball or play broke down, the midfield, led by new signing Naby Keita, were snapping into tackles and pressurising Napoli into surrendering possession. Liverpool just swarm all over teams, even in pre-season friendlies.
Keita, another expensive new signing, looks tailor-made for Klopp's team and for the Premier League. A dynamic, intelligent, lung-busting midfielder who could find himself dominating games over the coming months.
The interplay between the front-three was also impressive. Salah seems fully rested and raring to go after a difficult few months, Sadio Mane was bright and Roberto Firmino had several nice touches, linking play and knitting Liverpool's explosive attack together.
Andrew Robertson, as always, was a dangerous attacking outlet on the left, Joe Gomez is an interesting option to start next to Virgil van Dijk in central defence and Milner was effective in midfield, pressing and using the ball intelligently.
It also looks like Liverpool have some much-needed strength in depth for the season ahead. Xherdan Shaqiri replaced Firmino at half-time and played almost as a false-nine, dropping deep and looking to pick out the runs of Salah and Firmino. Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno, two players many expected to be on their way out of Anfield this summer, took their goals very well when they came on after the break. Fabinho could become the controlling presence in midfield Liverpool haven't had for some time.
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Of course, it was only a pre-season friendly, against a team who look like they're just back from their summer holidays, but the signs are good for Klopp's team ahead of the new season.
Manchester City will be favourites for the Premier League, of course, but if they slip up, Liverpool look ready to take advantage.
