Nunez not the niggle for Klopp
Bruising challenges, last-ditch defending, penalty shouts and excellent saves, the final half-hour of an absorbing encounter was more akin to a cup game than a pre-season friendly.
Certainly, if Jurgen Klopp wanted a proper work-out for his Liverpool team, he could have few qualms over the shift from a Salzburg side who, a few weeks ahead in terms of preparation, have already started their domestic campaign.
The hard yards being put in during the intense training camp in Austria resulted perhaps in jaded minds rather than tired legs, particularly during the last half-hour when the cavalry was introduced – a rather obvious nod to the likely starting side against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday.
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Sharpness isn’t quite there yet, hardly surprising given the short nature of this pre-season. Don’t expect Liverpool, or indeed anyone, to be anywhere near their best when the Premier League begins next weekend.
If there has been one niggle throughout the warm-up programme, though, it has been regards goalscoring. Sure, there were five against RB Leipzig – four for Darwin Nunez alone – and a further two in the win over Crystal Palace, but Liverpool continue to miss a host of chances.
There should be enough firepower in the forward line without putting pressure on Nunez’s adaptation although, as Klopp later admitted, it would have been interesting had the Uruguayan been in the box for the succession of opportunities created late on. It's precisely for that scenario Liverpool have paid the big bucks.
Jones approaches crossroads
Curtis Jones has regularly divided opinion since emerging through the Academy ranks at Liverpool.
Beyond dispute, though, is the confidence of the 21-year-old, even if he accepts this is something of a pivotal season for his Anfield career.
“I'm not a young kid anymore,” said Jones shortly before the match in Salzburg. “I wouldn't say I am experienced but there's been games where I've shown I am capable of being a standout. For me I'd like to go for 10 goals and 10 assists this season.”
For that to happen, though, Jones needs to become a regular starter having struggled to make a consistent impact last season, largely through injury and the form of others.
The left of the midfield three has become his preferred position, and it was from here that he featured for an hour with a steady if unspectacular performance.
A willingness to embrace his defensive responsibilities shows greater maturity, but getting the right balance with the exciting attacking play that accelerated his first-team rise remains the aim.
Jones isn’t quite there yet, but there will be more chances in a busy season. He knows, though, the time has come for him to consistently take them.
Keita and Adrian show worth
It is proving another quietly productive pre-season for Naby Keita.
Similar to last year, the Guinean has delivered a series of encouraging statements to put himself in contention for a starting role when the real stuff begins next month.
Intriguing in the first half was how Keita’s calling card – a willingness to play forward and look for throughballs – made him the most likely to work Darwin Nunez into the game, twice fashioning decent opportunities for the striker.
That the Uruguayan plays as a more traditional centre forward maybe allows Keita that bit more room in which to advance and, of course, gives the midfielder a target to aim for.
Meanwhile, Adrian once again was solid between the sticks, having no chance with the goal from Benjamin Sesko and making a couple of decent saves.
With Alisson Becker still not quite ready to play and Caoimhin Kelleher injured, the goalkeeping situation is a mild concern. Adrian is on standby for City – and perhaps beyond, too.
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