August 10, (THEWILL) – Former English Premier League champions Liverpool were back to winning ways on Monday night as they signed off their pre-season preparations with a convincing 3-1 win over La Liga side Osasuna at their Anfield home grounds in Liverpool.
The victory came about 24 hours after their penultimate match which they drew 1-1 against another Spanish side Athletic Bilbao and in which they lost Andy Robertson to injury to give manager Jurgen Klopp some injury worries before the new season gets underway.
Klopp however used this final pre-season tie as an opportunity to give some of the fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a regular squad presence when the 2021/2022 campaign kicks off. It was a chance Takumi Minamino seized when he gave the hosts the lead in the 14th minute.
Although it was entered as a Jesus Areso own-goal, Minamino turned in an impressive display overall to argue his case for first team consideration. Part of that display was his contribution to the build up that gave the Reds a second goal through Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian forward added a third for Klopp’s charges and his second on the night, four minutes before it was half time to allow Liverpool go into the interval on the strength of a three-goal lead, having not conceded and the prospect of scoring more.
However, there were no other goals to speak of in the second half until the 71st minute and it was not Liverpool celebrating this time as Osasuna’s Kike Garcia found the net to reduce the deficit.
A reshuffled Liverpool squad in the second-half was able to keep the visitors from scoring any more goals and allow Klopp see the depth of his squad for the challenge of restoring some of their lost shine in the upcoming season in England and across Europe.
There was a quarter of an hour delay before kickoff due to new COVID-19 protocols for fans entering Anfield. Also before the first whistle, there was a moment’s applause in memory of former players Michael Robinson and Tommy Leishman, both of whom passed away in recent months.
The sweetness of the victory was sweetened further when Liverpool fans read from Robertson himself through a social media post that he appreciated the support he had received and that he will not be long gone before he can return to active football.
About the Author
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.
