Five star Reds cruise past Leipzig – What We Learned
By: Shane Brennan.
Liverpool took on RB Leipzig on Thursday evening as The Reds took another step on the road to the fast approaching Premier League season.
What exactly did we learn?
Liverpool went into the game with a really strong looking side which included Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz, However, the new boys started on the bench for this one. Liverpool picked up from where they left off the other day in Singapore, as they kept the ball extremely well early on and went ahead through Mohamed Salah.
In what was a half of few chances, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson managed to deal with the RB Leipzig threat well, but on the other hand, Ibrahima Konate looked a little less confident, as Christopher Nkunku nearly equalised before the break, but Adrian was there to bail Konate out, as The Reds went in at the break a goal to the good.
Who stood out?
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian King played more down the middle tonight comparing to his usual position out wide, but as per usual, the slight change did not faze Liverpool’s main man, because his touch looked really sharp, and to top things off, early on Roberto Firmino found him in plenty of space as he slid the ball home past a helpless Péter Gulácsi to put Liverpool 1-0 up.
Salah should have doubled Liverpool’s advantage, as a quite suburb diagonal ball from Virgil van Dijk set him free clean through on goal, but this time Péter Gulácsi was equal to the effort.
Virgil van Dijk
The Dutchman looked back to his flawless self as he dealt with everything that came his way with the Minimum of fuss.
Adrian
The Spanish international did his chances no harm whatsoever as he had a very assured outing, as his handling looked firm and his distribution was fine. With Alisson and Kelleher having a little spell on the side-lines, if that was to continue, Adrian looks in decent shape if the need arises to put him between the sticks.
Luis Diaz
His pressing game was excellent throughout as he forced the Leipzig defence into a few mistakes, he also looked really sharp and fit, which is all the more promising for the weeks and months ahead!
How did the new signings get on?
Darwin Nunez
Came on at the start of the second half and he had the chance to open his Liverpool scoring account when Diaz won a penalty. He made no mistake from the spot, and once Liverpool’s big money signing got the taste for goals, one turned into two as he placed the ball expertly past a helpless Leipzig goalkeeper as Liverpool dominated.
The new signing was able to complete a sensational hat-trick with a quite brilliant touch to ease the ball into the back of the net and in the process earn him the match ball, and with the final touch of the game, Nunez was able to slot the ball home for his fourth and Liverpool’s fifth, which also included a fine assist from Fabio Carvalho.
Fabio Carvalho
He looked very busy throughout his thirty minute spell on the field getting into all the right areas looking to create chances, and he nearly got in on the scoring act with a wonderful solo run with just under ten minutes remaining.
Youngsters
Harvey Davies
After his distinguished display against Crystal Palace, if truth be told, Davies had very little to do, but it was great to see him getting more well deserved game time.
Stefan Bajcetic
Put Liverpool’s attack in motion for the fourth goal thanks to an excellent moment of pressure on the Leipzig defence by the Youngster.
Conclusion
It was the most perfect of nights for The Reds as they breezed past a Leipzig side that never really got going, but Liverpool more than done their job, and Nunez looks to be flying. Also there were more minutes in the legs for what should be the main starting eleven come the 6th of August. It was a thoroughly satisfying night for everyone with a Reds persuasion.
