Liverpool, courtesy of second-half goals from Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, came from behind to beat Premier League rivals Manchester City 2-1 in their International Champions Cup fixture in New Jersey on Thursday morning.

Both the African wingers had a sub-par summer, exiting the 2018 FIFA World Cup early, but they were on song in America as they came off the bench to ensure Jurgen Klopp’s men maintained their impressive start to the pre-season.

Advertisement

Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Georginio Winjaldum and Adam Lallana were the big names that started for the Reds while Pep Guardiola had Riyad Mahrez as the sole ‘star’ in a City XI mostly filled with youth team prospects.

Lukas Nmecha had the first chance of the game, but somehow Loris Karius managed to thwart the City youngster and while the Sky Blues were definitely on top in the first 15 minutes or so, the Merseyside outfit started to see more of the ball as the half progressed.

The second-half saw the introductions of a plethora of players from both sides, as is expected at this stage of the season, and Mane immediately started probing the City defence with his searing pace.

However, first blood would go to City and it was Leroy Sane who would pop up with the opener in the 57th minute.

DON’T MISS | What does Marcos Alonso make of Chelsea new boy Jorginho?

Burning the world’s most expensive defender for pace, the German winger put his World Cup heartbreak firmly behind him with a fine finish and Klopp responded to his side going down by sending on Salah on the hour mark.

And the Egyptian sensation had an instant impact, heading home Rafael Camacho’s cross to level proceedings in the 63rd minute.

The stage was set for a frantic finish, with neither side willing to go home with a draw or worse, a loss.

MUST READ | Richarlison pens farewell post for Watford after Everton move and it’s worth a read

Klopp’s men were in the ascendancy and Salah had one attempt cleared off the line while another shot came off the crossbar.

Liverpool were threatening to run rampant and thought they had the winner when Mane rounded Joe Hart, but the Senegalese had gone too far around and couldn’t finish.

The African winger would have the perfect opportunity to make amends soon after when Dominic Solanke won a penalty deep in injury time. Liverpool’s new No.10 stepped up and his emphatic finish left Hart with no chance and gave Guardiola his second defeat of the summer.

Klopp’s men next take on the Red half of Manchester in two days, while City will attempt to get back to winning ways when they face Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on Saturday.