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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Wells

Liverpool 0-3 Strasbourg: Winners and losers as error-prone Reds given injury concern

Liverpool rounded off their pre-season campaign in disappointing fashion with an error-strewn defeat to Strasbourg at Anfield on Sunday.

Just over 24 hours after Jurgen Klopp's men had claimed victory in the Community Shield over Manchester City, a second string lineup were punished for their errors by their Ligue 1 opponents.

Klopp understandably rung the changes for their final friendly, only handing minutes to players who came off the bench in Saturday's fixture, or those who weren't involved.

Youngsters Isaac Mabaya and Luke Chambers started on either flank of a back four but were soon found wanting as both players made individual errors which cost Liverpool goals.

Mabaya failed to clear as Adrien Thomasson stole in to put Strasbourg ahead, before Chambers' wayward back pass gave Habib Diallo the chance to make it two.

Thomasson soon had the ball in the back of the net again as Liverpool found themselves three down inside 21 minute, from which they never recovered.

Here are the winners and losers from the clash at Anfield...

Fabio Carvalho was a rare positive for Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Which Liverpool players have impressed you during pre-season? Have your say in the comments below.

Winners

Fabio Carvalho

While there were few positives to take from the opening 45 minutes, Liverpool's new signing Fabio Carvalho was certainly one of them.

The tricky former Fulham man was a bright spark for his side, driving forward at every opportunity he had and winning an abundance of free-kicks - something that could prove valuable for his side this season.

Carvalho started as a No.9 and it will be interesting to see if Jurgen Klopp gives him more minutes in that role in the months to come. On this evidence, he should do.

Stefan Bajcetic

Stefan Bajcetic curled a decent free-kick over the wall but couldn't beat the keeper (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

One of the welcome surprises to emerge from Liverpool's pre-season is 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic, who again showed his class with a promising display in the centre of the park.

Bajcetic caught the eye with his calmness in possession, while almost getting on the scoresheet with a superb long-range free-kick which forced Strasbourg's goalkeeper into a top save to tip it over the bar.

Holding midfield is an area where Liverpool have fewer options, with limited back-up for first choice Fabinho. Youngster Tyler Morton has been tipped to feature more often this season, though he could now face competition from Bajcetic for some domestic cup action over the campaign ahead.

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott soon showed his quality as he grew into the game (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Ok, so the first half wasn't the best we've seen of Elliott in a Liverpool shirt - but the midfield maestro came alive in the second half and was at the heart of everything for his side.

Playing off the right of a three-man attack is not his ideal position, but Elliott grew into the game and became a real threat, almost scoring as he came close with a header.

He was arguably the standout player in the second half, causing constant problems as he looked to drag his side back into the game and make something happen - hunger which will no doubt have pleased Klopp.

But above all that, he looked super sharp and raring for the new season, which is a pleasure to see after his horror injury last term. Elliott is likely to be a big player for Klopp this season, and he looks ready to go.

Losers

Isaac Mabaya and Luke Chambers

Isaac Mabaya tussles for possession with two Strasbourg players (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It's perhaps a tad harsh to pick on Liverpool's youngsters in what was one of their first run outs for the senior side - but even they'll be disappointed with their own glaring errors in the first half.

The game was barely four minutes old when right-back Isaac Mabaya came a cropper, taking too much time to try and clear the ball and surrendering possession inside his own box. Adrien Thomasson did the rest from there, dinking the ball expertly over Harvey Davies in the Liverpool goal to open the scoring.

Soon after it was the turn of Mabaya's fellow full-back Luke Chambers, who hit a wayward pass into no-man's land which Strasbourg were quick to capitalise on as Habib Diallo's clinical strike doubled the advantage just 14 minutes in.

You can't make mistakes like that at the top level, but both players will learn from their errors.

Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate went off injured just days before the Premier League season kicks off (REUTERS)

While it was Liverpool's youngsters who were most at fault for their defensive frailties, Ibrahima Konate hardly covered himself in glory.

Arguably the best player on the pitch in the Champions League final back in May, Konate was unconvincing in the lead up to Strasbourg's opening goal, while he failed to react to Chambers poor pass for the second.

With Joel Matip preferred ahead of him vs Man City, Konate still seemingly faces a battle to convince Klopp he is first choice. His chances of featuring in the Premier League season opener next week then took a dent as he limped off with a suspected injury.

Liverpool lineup: Davies, Mabaya (Phillips, 45), Konate (van den Berg, 57), Gomez, Chambers, Morton, Bajcetic (Clark, 57), Milner, Elliott, Carvalho, Frauendorf (Musialowski, 76)

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