Liverpool finished their Austrian training camp with a frustrating defeat at the hands of Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been working hard in the off-season, taking in Thailand, Singapore and Austria ahead of the new campaign. After intense sessions in the Alps, they were given a tough test against the Austrian champions.
Klopp used the game as an opportunity to take a good look at all of his squad and will now focus on this weekend’s clash with Manchester City – and a friendly against Strasbourg – before the Reds begin their Premier League campaign against Fulham on Saturday, August 6.
Here are the latest Mirror Football headlines for Liverpool.
Reds beaten by Salzburg
Liverpool’s preparation for the Community Shield against Manchester City on Saturday ended with a frustrating 1-0 defeat at the hands of Red Bull Salzburg.
Jurgen Klopp rotated his squad, giving starts to youngsters and fringe players before bringing on his first-choice XI for the final 30 minutes in Austria.
The match was settled by a well-taken goal by Benjamin Sesko – a 19-year-old Slovenian striker who has been linked with Manchester United and compared to Erling Haaland.
Darwin Nunez squandered a few good chances and struck the bar, while Luis Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside and Trent Alexander-Arnold a shot well saved.
Elliott ready to start for Liverpool
Harvey Elliott has vowed to fight for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI this campaign after reaping the benefits of a full pre-season.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who started on the left of Liverpool’s front three on Wednesday night, believes he has what it takes to compete with the club’s stars for a starting berth.
“This pre-season has been great for me. It’s been intense and that’s what I needed,” he told LFCTV. “The minutes have been great in terms of going out and showcasing my ability and the different situations that come with it. There is a lot of learning this season and there will be more and more as the season goes on. I’m looking forward to the season. Hopefully I can go out and prove again why I could be, and should be, starting in this team.
“If you look at the team, we just keep on bringing in more and more unbelievable talent, so it’s going to be hard but I’m here if I’m needed and I’m always willing to give 100 per cent to myself, the team, the badge and the fans.”
Milner explains new look
James Milner is about to embark upon yet another top-flight season as a professional footballer and during his 20 years not much as changed – until now.
Milner, who played as a left-back for the first half of the Salzburg game due to Kostas Tsimikas’ absence, has grown a beard following a dare from Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson. He said: “A couple of weeks ago we were in Singapore, we were in the treatment room having a bit of craic and Hendo and Robbo were on me and said, ‘Go on, you need to grow it.’
“I said, ‘Alright, why not? I’ll do it for banter.’ We’ll see where it goes. They’ve got a month of growth; we’re two weeks in so we’ll see where it goes from here. They’re in control of it, so if it’s no good it’s their fault!”
