Liverpool continued their preparations for the new season with an impressive romp at RB Leipzig on Thursday.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the first half before new signing Darwin Nunez notched four times after coming on at half-time as the Reds earned a 5-0 triumph. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have secured successive clean sheets before heading to Austria for a week-long training camp.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Red Bull Arena.
PAUL GORST: Darwin Nunez passes first test as plan from Liverpool insiders could accelerate
IAN DOYLE: Darwin Nunez faces big challenge as dangerous partnership is reunited
JURGEN KLOPP: Liverpool boss sends blunt warning to squad ahead of next test
Diaz prompts Klopp alarm
Pre-season is a time to iron out the kinks and shake off any ring-rust from individual and collective performances. That, though, doesn't excuse any mistakes.
And a slack pass inside from Luis Diaz shortly before half-time set Leipzig away on a swift counter which was eventually snuffed out by a combination of Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
Jurgen Klopp's response on the touchline to Diaz's aberration? To exclaim "F**** sake" while throwing his hands in the air. Don't tell the Liverpool boss these games don't matter.
Bench amused
Mind you, with the Reds easing to an impressive triumph, there was plenty for Klopp and his players to be happy about. And there was one incident in the first half which prompted much merriment on the bench.
After Leipizig conceded a free kick on the halfway line, Van Dijk took the kick quickly in an attempt to catch out former Reds goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, only to balloon his effort miles beyond the goal.
Cut to Klopp turning to skipper Jordan Henderson as the pair joked presumably at the audacity and lack of execution of the effort.
Si, senor
Roberto Firmino has been one of the success stories of the summer, looking sharp and hungry after his previous campaign was decimated by injury.
He continued his good form in Leipzig by setting up the opener for Salah. And there was a further example of the Brazilian being back toward his confident best.
Picking the ball up in his own half, he produced a cheeky nutmeg to leave Kevin Kampl standing before arcing a pass that almost sent Diaz clear. Nice.
Duo give thanks
This was a sort of homecoming for Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita, who were both signing by Liverpool from Leipzig. And the pair made a point after the game of walking toward and applauding the home fans, for which they were given a rousing response.
Meanwhile, ahead of kick-off, Klopp was spotted sharing a joke with someone in the crowd while thumbing through a comic.
For anyone wondering, it was the latest special German edition of the Spanish Clever und Smart series starring Fred Clever and Jeff Smart. Other characters include Dr Bacterius and Benni Blindflug. We're not making these up, honestly.
READ NEXT:
RB Leipzig request Liverpool friendly rematch with Darwin Nunez condition
Darwin Nunez just learned truth about Liverpool squad right before his first goal
Harvey Elliott makes Darwin Nunez laugh after first Liverpool goals
Liverpool player ratings as Darwin Nunez incredible and Fabio Carvalho good against Leipzig
Andy Robertson reveals Liverpool squad reaction to bizarre Darwin Nunez criticism
