Liverpool’s pre-season got off to the perfect start as the Reds thrashed non-league side Tranmere Rovers 4-0 in their friendly at Prenton Park in Birkenhead, England.
Despite missing the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Philippe Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp’s side had too much quality for the home team in an extremely one-sided game.
Klopp sent out pretty decent line-up, with experienced players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge, among others, all starting along youngsters like Sheyi Ojo, Marko Grujic and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was Ojo who was the brightest in the opening period, as the diminutive winger was creating plenty of problems Micky Mellon’s men with his searing pace.
And when 20-year-old tumbled under a challenge from Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies in the box, the Reds were handed a golden opportunity to open their account.
Liverpool's Mr Dependable aka James Milner stepped up and cooly dispatched his spot-kick to open the floodgates in the 35th minute.
Grujic was next to score, and what a strike it was! The lanky Serbian sent in a thunderbolt from 30 yards, beating Davies all ends up four minutes before half-time.
Klopp changed the entire XI, save goalkeeper Loris Karius, for the second period but the intensity from the Premier League side remained the same and summer signing Dominic Solanke proved to be crucial in the third goal.
Solanke’s smart shot from an acute angle could only be parried into fellow substitute Pedro Chivrella’s path and the Spanish midfielder tapped home from inside six yards with just five minutes of second-half played.
Another goal was hard to come by, despite the Reds monopolising possession and eventually it did come, via another penalty with 11 minutes of regular time left.
Ben Woodburn heels were clipped by a Tranmere defender inside the penalty area and the 17-year-old took the ball for himself, confidently sending Davies the wrong way.
A hugely satisfying result for Jurgen Klopp as he seeks to trim his first-team squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, which is a month away.
Liverpool next play Wigan Athletic on July 14 at the DW Stadium before flying out to Hong Kong for the Premier League Asia Trophy.