Liverpool have been hit by a triple injury concern ahead of their Premier League opener against Arsenal next weekend with Daniel Sturridge, James Milner and Dejan Lovren all doubts for the game.
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This capped a bright start to a double-header to close off Liverpool’s pre-season preparations, before travelling to take on Klopp’s former side, Mainz, the following day.
Liverpool’s £34million summer signing Sadio Mane opened the scoring, before a Javier Mascherano own-goal and a Marko Grujic header sandwiched Origi’s goal.
Ultimately, the Liverpool team failed in 2014/15 due to the sheer number of goals they conceded and became the first team to score over 100 goals in England and still fail to win the title.
Liverpool had to weather a succession of Barcelona chances before half-time.
Liverpool fans, of course, will hope that Milner’s injury only results in a small amount of missed time and that Moreno can play every minute until his return.
Klopp took the interesting decision of playing England global midfielder James Milner at left-back against Barcelona.
The Reds led the league in errors leading to goals last season, and unlike 2013/14, they will not have the goals of Suarez to make up for that, so they will need to be more solid defensively. Barcelona had no answer to the duo’s clever interplay, and that particular channel on the pitch generated all four of Liverpool’s goals.
Liverpool thrashed Barcelona 4-0 Saturday in the International Champions Cup friendly, providing a boost for manager Juergen Klopp as he focuses on domestic success in his first full season in charge.
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The glamour game drew 89,845 spectators to Wembley – the stadium’s second-highest attendance – and it was Liverpool’s fans, comfortably in the majority, who went home with smiles on their faces. It remains to be seen whether this method will pay off dividends for Klopp in the competitive and physically draining Premier League.
