Liverpool's best and worst players in Greuther Furth pre-season friendly
- Seven goals scored in second half alone
- Mohamed Salah enjoyed productive day
- Defensive woes after the break for Liverpool
Efficient work in the transfer market has seen Liverpool already swiftly transform their previously stagnant midfield, but there is still work to be done this summer ahead of a hugely significant 2023/24 campaign for Jurgen Klopp.
A disappointing fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season has dramatically increased the importance of the upcoming campaign, with the Reds desperately needing to rebound.
Klopp's squad are once again out in Germany to prepare for the new season and they played their second of five pre-season fixtures on Monday.
2. Bundesliga outfit Greuther Furth were their opponents and a bonkers second half saw the contest end 4-4 after Luis Diaz had given the Reds a 1-0 lead in the opening period. A total of 26 Liverpool players earned minutes on Monday, and here are those that stood out and struggled.
Liverpool's best player vs Greuther Furth
Mohamed Salah
Introduced at half-time, Salah made up for Liverpool's defensive frailties by contributing to all three second half goals. The Egyptian superstar notched two assists and the late equaliser which somewhat spared the Reds' blushes.
Deployed in his usual position down the right flank, Salah was a menace in transition as he worked in harmony with Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez for Liverpool's second and third goals. His first assist was a divine reverse pass for Nunez, who rounded the keeper and finished, while his second was a deft lob in behind the Furth defence which allowed the Uruguayan to pounce.
The Germans then turned things around and took a 4-3 lead, but Liverpool broke in behind late on through the impressive Nunez, who this time found Salah with a cross from the left which the winger smartly tapped home to equalise.
Honourable mention
Ben Doak
A whole host of academy stars earned minutes on Monday, and it was Doak who undoubtedly caught the most sets of eyes. The 17-year-old Scot starred in Liverpool's 4-2 victory over Karlsruher and was impressive in the first half on Monday.
His speed and power for someone so young is pretty frightening, and Klopp recently labelled him a 'joy to watch'. The winger looks like a dazzling talent, and he'll surely benefit from Liverpool's participation in the Europa League next season.
Liverpool's worst player vs Greuther Furth
Adrian
It was a quiet outing for Alisson in the first half as Liverpool took a 1-0 lead into the break, but chaos ensued once Adrian took to the field. Sure, there was little he could have done to prevent two of the goals, but he set the tone early on in the second half with a hospital pass which crippled young midfielder James McConnell.
McConnell, who was deep in the Liverpool box, was tackled by Julian Green and the Furth man finished into an empty net.
The Spaniard was withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining after conceding three times in half an hour.
Dishonourable mention
Joel Matip
While Adrian was culpable for Furth's opener in the second half, Matip didn't exactly cover himself in glory for the second amid a disastrous defensive showing from the Reds after the restart.
The defender initially read the situation well and got himself in a pretty good position to make the intervention, but his challenge was weak and the ball fell loose in the Liverpool box which allowed Lukas Petkov to strike home.
READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed