Liverpool continued their preparations for the 2022/23 campaign with a frustrating 1-0 pre-season defeat against RB Salzburg.
The Reds set up in their traditional 4-3-3 shape with one defensive midfielder in academy prospect Stefan Bajetic and Darwin Nunez leading the line for the second successive game after his four-goal haul against RB Leipzig. Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho were also handed starts out wide in a youthful-looking Liverpool XI.
Jurgen Klopp's side had chances in the opening stages but fell behind on the half hour mark as Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko coolly finished off a slick Salzburg counter-attack. The 19-year-old looked sharp and caused the Reds issues all night with his pace and energy in behind.
As the game wore on, Liverpool began to dominate proceedings as Salzburg tired. They had the majority of the ball throughout the second-half and created opportunities but were unable to force their way past goalkeeper Nico Mantl. Substitute Roberto Firmino had the Reds' best chance but his low shot was well stopped in the 74th minute.
Liverpool could not find an equaliser and suffered their second defeat of pre-season after also losing 4-0 against United. So, with that in mind, here are the winners and losers from the Red Bull Arena.
Winners
Fabio Carvalho
There were very few Liverpool players to show endeavour and confidence in the final third but Carvalho was one of those who drove forward from the get-go. In the early stages, the Portuguese midfielder performed an outrageous piece of skill to nutmeg his marker, before pulling the ball back for Nunez, though the forward was tackled.
With Diogo Jota ruled out for the time being with a minor injury, Carvalho could be given a chance in the side and he is not doing himself any harm at all - looking like a ready-made Klopp player. He is also very versatile and can play as a No.10 or as a winger.
Isaac Mabaya
A talented right-back, Mabaya has been handed his chance to impress throughout pre-season, and he looks like he is taking the opportunity with both hands. He was not scared to get forward and try things in the final third, almost providing an assist for Nunez in the opening stages but his cross was intercepted by a Salzburg defender.
Neco Williams' £17m move to Nottingham Forest has given the 18-year-old an opening, and he seems as though he could be ready for first-team football at Liverpool this season. Mabaya did not look short of confidence at all and was solid both offensively and defensively, showing quality in both boxes.
Naby Keita
With Liverpool expected not to sign a new midfielder this summer, Klopp will have to rely on those he has at his disposal for the upcoming campaign, and Keita is someone who will be hoping to cement himself in the starting XI on a regular basis. Despite the result, Keita was impressive and looked composed in possession, playing some neat passes into Nunez and kept the ball ticking.
Thiago and Jordan Henderson were both ahead of Keita in the pecking order last season, but Keita has started pre-season well and could force his way into Klopp's side for their Premier League opener. He has the attributes of an elite-level box-to-box midfielder but has not showed it on a consistent basis following his move from Leipzig in 2019.
Losers
Darwin Nunez
It proved to be a disappointing evening for Nunez, who cut a frustrated figure against Salzburg after missing several chances. His first clear-cut opportunity came in the eighth minute as he ran through on goal but took too many touches before being tackled.
This was a theme of the game as Nunez was unable to find the net as he saw another effort saved following James Milner's cross. The closest the 25-year-old came was on the half-hour mark as he made an intelligent run but could not keep his shot down from a tight angle. Although it is only pre-season, Klopp will be hoping Nunez's inconsistency in front of goal is something he can eradicate ahead of their trip to Fulham.
How many goals will Darwin Nunez score this season? Let us know in the comments below!
Ibrahima Konate
Despite starting the game brightly, Konate made a major error for Salzburg's opener. Firstly, he allowed Sesko to breeze past him easily midway through the Liverpool half. Then, as the forward played a one-two with Noah Okafor, Konate left Sesko free inside the box as his opponent calmly slotted home.
It is lapses of concentration like that which will frustrate Klopp and worry him going into the campaign, with the competition set to be greater in the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United attempt to close the gap at the top. Joe Gomez did not cover himself in glory for the goal either, but Konate was one who should have done better, especially at the start of the attack.
Curtis Jones
It is poised to be a crucial season for Jones after the youngster revealed his ambitions for the new campaign, where he outlined how he wants to grab double figures in goals and assists. However, the midfielder struggled against Salzburg and gave the ball away on a number of occasions in the first-half.
There has been some claims for the midfielder to go out on loan to get some confidence in his game, and with Carvalho and Elliott both impressing in pre-season, Jones risks falling behind in the pecking order if he does not up his game. There were also a couple of times where Jones could have released the ball quicker - something he will be keen to improve on moving forward.
