December 11, (THEWILL) – Liverpool lost to Lyon 3-1 in a friendly match on Sunday, in the Dubai Super Cup at the Al-Maktoum Stadium.
Liverpool started out strong but started to lose steam when key players were taken off. Jurgen Klopp’s side gave the semi-full stadium something to cheer about with a goal from Fabio Carvalho’s tap-in 40 seconds into their first friendly of the World Cup break.
When Firmino was hauled down in the area, the Reds had a great chance to increase their lead but Salah’s penalty was saved. Although Lyon had limited opportunities, shortly before the interval, they were given a gift as indecisive defending allowed Alexandre Lacazette to equalise.
Naby Keita, who was playing for Liverpool for the first time since August, was part of a series of substitutions that clearly disrupted the fluidity of Liverpool’s game. Soon after, Lyon seized the lead thanks to some exquisite work from Rayan Cherki, who danced around obstacles and set up teenager, Bradley Barcola, to make it 2-1.
Later, as a young and inexperienced Liverpool team struggled against seasoned senior players, Lacazette handed Lyon a two-goal advantage to finish the same 3-1. In keeping with the Dubai Super Cup regulations, a penalty shootout followed, which Lyon won 5-3 after Calvin Ramsay had a shot saved.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.