Liverpool kick-started their pre-season campaign with a win over Conference side Tranmere Rovers. Returning from his ACL injury, Danny Ings scored the decisive goal for the Reds in the second half.
All of Liverpool’s new acquisitions barring Marko Grujic, who is yet to secure his work permit, featured in the Reds’ first game of pre-season against Tranmere Rovers as Danny Ings scored a second half winner to ensure his side start off a new campaign on a positive note. In his first pre-season in-charge of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp fielded 22 players through the two halves as he sought to give all his players a run-out having been out of action for over a month and a half.
Last point: Ovie Ejaria, Cameron Brannagan, Connor Randall, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn were all great for #LFC tonight.
— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) July 8, 2016
#LFC‘s second-half XI…
Karius, Randall, Wisdom, Ilori, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Stewart, Chirivella, Markovic, Woodburn, Ings.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 8, 2016
The Reds’ only goal came in the second half when in the 78th minute captain Danny Ings picked up Alexander Arnold’s brilliant run and pass to fire the ball past the Tranmere goalkeeper’s net.
A lot of academy players had a chance to showcase their talent amidst the first-team regulars and quite a majority of them displayed immense potential and a penchant for hard work, which is a good sign for Klopp going into the new season. Reds’ fans reacted positively on a day that saw Klopp earn a contract extension, Sakho cleared his doping charges and Liverpool coming away with a win.
Pre-season pitch invasion and pyro at the full time whistle. Klopp said he thought Fleetwood was a rock band. Man, I missed Liverpool.
— Jürgen Klopp (@Klopptimism) July 8, 2016
Captain Danny Ings hammers home Liverpool’s opener. pic.twitter.com/odqH2DmWHU
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 8, 2016
Flares go off when we score. We are Liverpool! pic.twitter.com/Vlap6phpZV
— EVERY OTHER SATURDAY (@EOS_LFC) July 8, 2016
Chants of “SAKHO SAKHO SAKHO” ring around Prenton Park as the news filters around. https://t.co/reJqPXo0p6
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) July 8, 2016
I believe in Ings. Hope he has more of a chance. Great strike today! #LFC https://t.co/DsrwvGc479
— NoMessinGegenPressin (@WarriorLFC) July 9, 2016
Excellent night at Tranmere. Lots of academy players involved and all did us proud – great start to the new season
— michael beale (@MichaelBeale) July 8, 2016
This’ll mean more after more games, but… #LFC Pre-season chance combo and shot stats: pic.twitter.com/qiveoTAV14
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) July 8, 2016
Back @ It ⚽️? #Pre-Season #LFC #40 pic.twitter.com/rZIfYdYfIf
— Ryan Kent (@ryankent) July 8, 2016
Good to be back playing with the boys ❤️⚽️ #LFC pic.twitter.com/y9mQfQKRWJ
— Danny Ings (@IngsDanny) July 8, 2016
Welcome back, @IngsDanny! ? #TogetherForEngland https://t.co/DW1BQtCQ77
— England (@England) July 8, 2016
Bringing the academy & Melwood together would be amazing. Like the old days, youngsters got to see their idols up close everyday. #LFC
— NoMessinGegenPressin (@WarriorLFC) July 9, 2016
Last point: Ovie Ejaria, Cameron Brannagan, Connor Randall, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Woodburn were all great for #LFC tonight.
— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) July 8, 2016
Proud to have made my debut for @LFC tonight! ??? #LK1 #LFC pic.twitter.com/0ZQOf7bnbp
— Loris Karius (@LorisKarius) July 8, 2016
Reds fans were, however, most impressed by Ovie Ejaria, an 18-year-old academy graduate who had his first senior outing for Liverpool. He showed a lot of maturity in the way he operated in midfield through-out his stint in the first half and shone more brightly than some of his more illustrious peers.
Ejaria looks different gravy. Best player on the park. #LFC
— NoMessinGegenPressin (@WarriorLFC) July 8, 2016
Entertaining half that. Mané, Kent and especially Ejaria providing some stand out moments. #LFC pic.twitter.com/sTQ9pBk6YU
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) July 8, 2016
Ejaria has impressed for #lfc. Is there a known reason why Arsenal let him go, particularly given he’s a boyhood fan?
— Dave Phillips (@lovefutebol) July 8, 2016
Ejaria is imposing. Not only physically but he’s always showing for he ball, finding space & presses quickly. Nice start.
— Taintless Red (@TaintlessRed) July 8, 2016
Ejaria looking good #LFC
— Spion Klopp (@Jay_78_) July 8, 2016
@DHardayal we’ve got a baby Yaya/Can/vieira rolled into one in midfield u18 called ovie ejaria guy was a monster!!!
— LW (@LWhittle45) July 9, 2016
Manager reactions
Jurgen Klopp
Klopp was impressed with Liverpool’s performance Liverpool and talked about the game, his long-term deal and other subjects. Speaking of Danny Ings’ winner he said,”Danny Ings, with his qualities, will score goals in the future – that’s for sure. I can imagine it’s a special day today for him, but after the last year and so on he should not put too much pressure on himself.”
“He should enjoy the game – he needs to get fit after the long, long-term injury he had. You need a long period to get back into 100 per cent shape. Today, it was cool, it was a nice goal and he had other big chances, so I think he will be really happy.”
He also reflected positively on the performance of his new signings stating,”Loris is a good goalkeeper, there is no doubt about this. That’s why we made the transfer! Joel Matip had a little surgery during the break – he had a screw in his ankle – so they had to take it out because it was an old injury. You could see in the first half he couldn’t jump, which is actually one of his big strengths, so he lost one or two headed challenges.”
“Sadio was the most impressive player in the first half from the new players because he had really good moments and linked brilliantly with Roberto Firmino, so that was really good and everyone could see it. It’s a good transfer. It looks like we have [made] a few good transfers.”
