22/07/2023

Frankfurt, Fabinho, Henderson & Home: Following Liverpool On Pre-season – Karlsruher (A)

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Following a turbulent few weeks for Liverpool Football Club, matters could finally turn to on-the-pitch action once again as with newbies Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in situ, Jurgen Klopp’s charges headed to Germany – albeit without Fabinho for one…

Having flown out on Saturday to begin training, I followed them on the 90-minute flight across Europe from Liverpool John Lennon to Frankfurt International, a journey I had completed just a few weeks earlier in the making of the Bobby Firmino documentary. 

Basing myself in Heidelberg once again, a short 30-minute train journey from the airport and indeed to Karlsruher on matchday, the sun blessed the trip from start to finish as Reds dotted themselves about the picturesque city. 

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Situated in the Baden-Württemberg region, Karlsruhe is the third-largest city in German lying at the northern edge of the Black Forest, northwest of Stuttgart. Boasting peaceful gardens and the backdrop of a palace, walking around the city was as pleasant a day as you’ll spend watching Liverpool away in Europe. 

Having stopped for lunch in an outdoor restaurant next to the zoo, the walk to the brand-new stadium was a delight as hoards of supporters of both teams wandered past the fountains and through the woods before the BBBWildPark Stadium appeared almost out of nowhere. 

Albeit so new that hardly a single person knew their way around – including the staff – eventually I discovered where I should be and was able to settle to watch the teams warm up.

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As the teamsheets arrived on the desk it quickly became apparent that despite travelling to Germany with the squad after days of speculation, Jordan Henderson wouldn’t be featuring on the night as the captain’s name was absent from the squad – queue pandemonium. 
 
Whilst the actual football punctuated the chaos, much of the first half was dominated by Henderson’s future as journalists and social media alike went into overdrive as the 33-year-old appeared to move ever closer to his move to Al-Ettifaq. 
 
On the field, with Virgil van Dijk the man chosen as captain, the likes of Conor Bradley, Mohamed Salah and Sboboszlai all caught the eye, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold in the six also provided a healthy talking point – however, in truth, at this stage, there was only one story making the headlines.
 
Having gone into the break all square following Darwin Nunez’s opener and a stunning equaliser from the hosts – a goal welcomed by a mixture of utter disbelief and wild celebrations – the second half took a more serious feel as the Reds went in search of a positive opening night. 
 
Klopp rung the changes as expected and the second 45 saw the ever-impressive youngster Ben Doak take centre stage. Meanwhile, a free-to-roam Kostas Tsimikas also looked sharp, as did Mac Allister on this first outing for his new club. 
 
After falling behind, much to the unbridled joy of the home support, a well-taken Cody Gakpo goal was followed by two late Diogo Jota strikes to give Liverpool perhaps a flattering 4-2 victory in what was a well-fought end-to-end contest that the Bundesliga.2 outfit certainly deserved to be involved in. 
 
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Immediately after the final whistle, the press pack swarmed to the mixed zone, getting their moment with Klopp and Szoboszlai as both men appeared satisfied with their night’s work. Although, naturally the German boss – who had spent some time catching up with familiar faces – would also face questions about those not there on the night. 
 
Having returned to training ahead of the second game – this one a behind-closed-doors affair against Greuther Furth – it appears both Fabinho and Henderson could well be ‘former’ Liverpool players sooner rather than later – a great shame in many senses that it looks set to end in such a fashion. 
 
For the Reds, signing replacements as soon as possible is essential and it appears Romeo Lavia and Cheick Doucoure are now very high on the agenda for the Anfield club. 
 
Anyway, now back home, away from the 28 degrees, rivers and good coffee, returning to the July rain, rivers on roads and expensive coffee – Germany, as always, a pleasure!
 
 
 

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