Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations against German second division side Karlsruher today. Jurgen Klopp’s team have been on a training camp in his native Germany and play their first official game of the schedule at BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe.
The Reds have strengthened their squad in signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, with both new recruits in line to make their non-competitive debuts later today. Fabinho, however, has been left back in England after a major money bid from Saudi Arabia, while there are reports both Jordan Henderson and Luiz Diaz could follow him there.
Liverpool were always likely to rebuild after such a poor season last time out and, transfer talk aside, today’s game offers Klopp a chance to see his new players fit into the system, as well as to test the fitness of the more familiar face. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
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An intriguing first half
Well, Liverpool were off to a flyer in their first match of the new season when Salah and Nunez combined with the latter slotting home for the opener inside three minutes.
But Karlsruher got themselves back into the tie, and they levelled in stirring fashion just before the break when club icon Lars Stindl battered in via the crossbar.
Big push needed after the break from Liverpool, who have played OK but need to kick on now, really.
HALF-TIME
Karlsruher 1-1 Liverpool
Honours even at the break at the BBBank Wildpark. Nunez and Stindl with goals for either side.
48’ Free-kick wasted by Karlsruher
Karlsruher 1-1 Liverpool
Free-kick in a good position for the hosts, after Heise is taken down by the Liverpool debutant Szoboszlai. But it’s a desperately disappointing effort from Wanitzek.
That was a fabulous goal
Karlsruher 1-1 Liverpool
34-year-old Lars Stindl joined the Karlsruher academy at the age of 12 and came through their youth system. He won the Silver Boot as second-top scorer at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup as Germany were crowned champions, and in total he played 11 times for his country.
This summer he has returned to his boyhood club and that was a sign of the immense quality he still possesses. It was a BELTING finish, and Liverpool must now rediscover their lead.
39’ GOAL KARLSRUHER
Karlsruher 1-1 Liverpool
GOODNESS ME THAT WAS A STUNNER.
Lars Stindl absolutely wallops a side-footed volley straight from a corner, which pings off the crossbar a couple of times and crosses the line. An equaliser of ridiculous quality. Wow.
36’ Corner Liverpool
Karlsruher 0-1 Liverpool
Mo Salah earns a corner after his shot is blocked wide by Marcel Franke. Nothing comes of the set piece.
30’ Karlsruher settling into the match
Karlsruher 0-1 Liverpool
Back underway here and the hosts are really starting to improve in this match, seeing more of the ball and managing to keep Liverpool at bay of late.
Ah…
Humorous break in play here as the sprinklers are out.
Proper pre-season stuff…
21’ Good goalkeeping
Karlsruher 0-1 Liverpool
Good play from Caoimhin Kelleher who tips Lars Stindl’s deflected effort over the bar and then collects the resulting corner.
20’ Good spell of play from the German side
Karlsruher 0-1 Liverpool
Karlsruher do well to work the ball away from danger in their own box, before earning a corner up the other end. Ibrahima Konato reads the situation well and heads clear.
