With Liverpool’s Premier League return just over a week away, the reds shook any lingering rust from their joints in today’s preparations.
In a six-nil demolition of Championship side Blackburn Rovers earlier this afternoon, Liverpool’s ‘pre-end-season’ saw them take an emphatic stride closer to full match fitness.
In a preview of things to come, players were received by empty stands as they headed out onto the hallowed Anfield turf for this friendly fixture.
The Reds back in action this afternoon! ⚽️
[@MarkHughes_] pic.twitter.com/8efNFwMFoP
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 11, 2020
With a near-complete squad at his disposal, Jurgen Klopp was only without Mohammed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri for a fixture in which wholesale changes featured throughout.
Sadio Mane was quick to open the scoring for the reds, before a second in two games for an in-form Naby Keita doubled their lead.
https://twitter.com/DeanCoombes/status/1271070966597275653
A first goal in Liverpool colours for Takumi Minamino made it three in the first half for the Premier League leaders. Joel Matip then followed early in the second as youth prospects Ki-Jana Hoever and Leighton Clarkson would hit the fifth and sixth respectively.
FT: #LFC 6-0 Blackburn Rovers
Goalscorers:
Mane
Minamino
Keita
Matip
Hoever
Clarkson— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 11, 2020
Following an inter-team friendly last week, Klopp would have again been keen to stretch the resources of his squad. And, ahead of a nine-game run-in that will almost certainly see Liverpool crowned champions, many of those given an opportunity in recent weeks will likely get another very soon.
Klopp will be hoping that Keita’s long-awaited performances will continue in the final run-in, and that Minamino’s goal provides him with the confidence boost he has so sorely needed.
Naby Keita will be expected to play a key-role in Liverpool’s final furlong. All rights reserved by GettyImages.
While little stock can be truly taken from such fixtures, an opportunity for players to gel and get back to what they know can only be helpful ahead of a competitive Merseyside derby come June 21st.
