Liverpool prepare for Premier League opener with win over Torino
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Updated 07/08/2018 at 21:38 GMT
Friendly, Anfield - Liverpol 3 (Firmino 21', Wijnaldum 24', Sturridge 87') Torino 1 (Belotti 31')
Xherdan Shaqiri and Danny Ings celebrates their third goal scored by Daniel Sturridge
Image credit: Reuters
Roberto Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum and Daniel Sturridge all found the net as Liverpool completed their pre-season with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Torino at Anfield.
Next up for the Reds is West Ham at home in their Premier League opener on Sunday. On this basis, Jurgen Klopp’s side are in good shape and are prepared to challenge Manchester City at the top of the English game.
Klopp picked a strong side, with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Firmino all starting. The latter opened the scoring after 20 minutes, but not before Fabinho had dragged wide a penalty kick from the spot. Wijnaldum added a second not long after as the hosts tore apart Torino in the final third.
The Italian visitors pulled one back from Andrea Belotti, who headed home from close range to beat Alisson Becker.
However, the Reds restored their two-goal lead in the second half when Sturridge continued his pre-season hot streak with a glancing header from a Xherdan Shaqiri cross.
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Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides 3rd goal during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT - This was as good a chance to fine-tune Jurgen Klopp could have hoped for
Now, the real stuff begins. Liverpool start their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on Sunday, with this pre-season run out Klopp’s final opportunity to fine tune his side ahead of that season opener. On this basis, all is well at Anfield. Liverpool looked strong in midfield and typically potent in attack. There were moments of doubt at the back, but they still have Dejan Lovren to return after the World Cup. Liverpool are ready.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
With Naby Keita and Fabinho signed, Wijnaldum will have a fight on his hands to keep his place in the Liverpool team this season. But on this showing, the Dutchman still has plenty to offer the Reds. He has enjoyed a strong pre-season and demonstrated not just what he can offer as a central presence, but as an attacking threat too against Torino, finding the net and playing his part as Liverpool ripped the Italians’ defence to shreds time and time again.
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Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool scores his sides second goal during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool - Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Van Dijk 5, Phillips 5, Moreno 5, Fabinho 5, Wijnaldum 8, Keita 7, Mane 6, Salah 6, Firmino 7. Subs - Robertson 6, Grujic 6, Jones 7, Lallana 5, Shaqiri 7, Ings 6, Sturridge 7, Clyne 5, Karius 5, Johnston, Camacho.
Torino - Sirigu 7 - Bremer 7, Nkoulou 6, Izzo 6, De Silvestri 7, Baselli 5, Rincon 6, Meite 6, Berenguer 6, Falque 5, Belotti 7. Subs - Ferigra, Parigini, Lukic 5, Valdifiori 5, Niang 6, Ansaldi 5, Moretti 5, Edera 6,
KEY MOMENTS
16’ BELOTTI WAS OFFSIDE! Falque attempted to play through the Torino striker. Alisson makes the save from Belotti, but the flag was up for offside from the linesman on the near side.
17’ PENALTY KICK TO LIVERPOOL! Mane is brought down inside the area and it's a spot kick to the home side.
18’ PENALTY KICK... MISSED! Fabinho spurns the chance from the spot to give Liverpool the lead. The Brazilian steps up to the mark, but drags his shot wide of the goalkeeper's right hand post.
20’ GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Torino: It didn't take Liverpool long to make amends for the penalty miss. Salah feeds the ball into Firmino, who shifts the ball on to his right foot. The shot picks up a deflection and ends up in the back of the net.
23’ GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Torino: It's a quickfire double for Liverpool! Wijnaldum gets his name on the scoresheet, slotting home the finish at the near post after a wonderful through ball from Salah. That was Liverpool at their best on the rapid attack!
31’ GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Torino: Torino have got a goal back! De Silvestri did really well to take down a long pass, Moreno allowed him too much space to get a ball into the box and Belotti powers home a header from close range.
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Marko Grujic of Liverpool holds off Tomas Rincon of Torino during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
60’ OFF THE LINE! That was inches away from being a third goal for Liverpool. Ings squeezed the shot towards goal, beating the goalkeeper, but a defender was back to clear off the line.
75’ BIG RECEPTION! Karius comes on and gets an ovation from the Liverpool fans inside Anfield. The German has been replaced as the number one, but the supporters remain behind him.
83’ STURRIDGE SHOULD SCORE! The Liverpool striker tried to be clever with his finish from eight yards out, but he puts his side-footed shot wide of the near post. He tried to place it.
85’ GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Torino: Sturridge's pre-season hot streak continues with another goal! This time the Liverpool striker glances in a header from a Shaqiri cross into the box. Sturridge has surely earned himself another chance at Liverpool this summer.
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