Mohamed Salah’s 89th-minute equaliser saved Liverpool from defeat against German second-tier side Greuther Furth in a 4-4 draw on Monday.
Luis Diaz scored the only goal of the first half in the behind-closed-doors friendly at the MS-Technologie-Arena, delivering an all-round impressive performance which will have pleased Reds fans, but a barmy second half began when Furth levelled through Julian Green.
Green found success in putting Liverpool’s dawdling defence under pressure and it was a sign of things to come as Furth grew in confidence and pressed Jurgen Klopp’s side with real intent.
Darwin Nunez then scored twice for Liverpool — both goals assisted by Salah — before Furth came back and edged 4-3 ahead with three goals in ten minutes.
A first of pre-season for @MoSalah ⚽ pic.twitter.com/q8LdfgBjiO
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 24, 2023
The first came from Lukas Petkov, who stole in to slide the ball home after catching Joel Matip on his heels to dispossess. Then came a stunning double from 20-year-old Armindo Sieb. The first was a powerful effort, swept first-time into the top corner following a swift counter.
The second saw him twist this way and that, confusing three Liverpool defenders, before hammering low past 36-year-old goalkeeper Adrian.
Salah was on hand to equalise at the death from Nunez’s pick-out, earning Liverpool a draw.
It was a fair result in a match which Liverpool lost control of after half-time — though positive performances from youngsters such as Ben Doak and Lewis Koumas will have been welcome takeaways for Klopp.
Liverpool’s pre-season trip to Germany is now over, and they face Leicester and Bayern Munich in Singapore next.